Track and Fields

Skoda launched New Superb in India

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 11:18:00 +0000

One of the largest Luxury car manufacturer Skoda which is a part of Volkswagen group has lunched new and upgraded version of its famous Sedan model Skoda Superb in India. This new Skoda Superb model has been upgraded and many new features and technologies has been introduced in this model. The new model has been launched with a 1800cc engine and the maximum power that engine can generate is 160bhp. The starting price of the new Skoda Superb model is Rs 18.88 lakhs(Ex showroom price).

There are some new generation features has been added in new Skoda Superb like a new Parking assistance system which is quite handy while parking this model. In other new features there has been added a new electronic air conditioning system which helps in maintaining the temperature of the car.

Skoda Superb is a luxury sedan car which is quite compatible with Luxury cars of Mercedes Benz in the price range Rs 20 lakh to 30 lakh.

Messi awarded World Player of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:36:00 +0000

Lionel Messi, striker of Argentina and Barcelona, was awarded World Player of the Year by FIFA, ruling body of world of football, yesterday. Messi played an important role in winning World Club Cup and Champions League by scoring goals for Barcelona. The Spanish giants Barcelona had won a total of six titles including the two mentioned above. Recently, he was also voted the winner of the Ballon d'Or for the European Footballer of the Year. He did score the second goal for Barcelona which was resulted in 2-1 victory for his in World Club Cup final against South American champions Estudiantes of Argentina. In Champions League 2009, he came up as top scorer of the competition and won the title for the team. Including the league title, Barcelona won the European Super Cup, the Spanish Super Cup and the King's (Spanish) Cup.

After crowned as World Player of the Year, Messi thanked the teammates and appreciate the effort of them. He mentioned that the year 2009 has been a year of achievements to him.

Indians book seat in semi of Syed Modia GP

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:10:00 +0000

Two Indian players booked seat in the Syed Modi International Grand Prix badminton tournament on Friday. These are top seeded Saina Nehwal and Chetan Anand. Other player in semi-final is RMV Gurudsaidutt who outplayed Indonesian Andre Kurniawan Tedjono in straight games. Saina Nehwal beat fifth ranked Fransiska Ratnasari of Indonesia 11-21, 21-4, 21-19. She took 54 minutes to enter into semi-finals. On the other hand, Indian shuttler Chetan Anand beat sixth ranked Anup Sridhar 21-18, 21-10 in just 29 minutes. Chetan is to take on Gurusaidutt in the semi-finals.

Among others in fray, second seed Tarun Kona and Arun Vishnu spanked compatriots Arun Nandaluri and Srujan Nandaluri 21-9, 21-9, while top seed Akshay Dewalkar and Jishnu Sanyal pipped fellow Indians Sanave Thomas and Diju Valiyaveetil 21-14, 14-21, 21-17 in the men's doubles. In the women's doubles, however, it was curtains for top seeds Aparna Balan and Shruti Kurian as they lost 15-21, 21-8 12-21 to Indonesian pair of Nadya Melati and Devi Tika Permatasari.

Usain Bolt not coming to India but Volkswagen Beetle

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:06:00 +0000

There are two current news in the media right in the month of December. One news is about three-time Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt. He recently ruled out taking part in the Commonwealth Games 2010. This is a major jolt for the sports ministry headed by Suresh Kalmadi and Indian sports lovers. On the other hand, there would not be an international sportsman but an international small luxury car. So Indian fans would be quite happy to see at least one between them. The small and luxury car of the world is coming to India on 4th December. The smallest luxury international car is Volkswagen Beetle at Rs 22 lakh. Along with the small car, a luxury SUV will be there for launch that is Volkswagen Touareg.

Coming to the Bolt's participation, earlier he indicated that he (Bolt) would be participating in the CWG in India but mentioned that all will depend on his Coach- Glen Mills. Now, Usain Bolt quoted as saying that nothing official about Bolt's participation and everything will be finalised next year. On the other hand, Michael Johnson suggested Bolt not to busy with whatever comes in the way instead go slow in the next year. Usain Bolt is the fastest sprinter in the universe in 100 and 200 meter event.

Road clear for Pakistani cricket players for IPL 3

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:35:00 +0000

The major hurdle for Pakistani cricketers is removed now. The Pak players can take active part in the third edition of Indian Premier League to be held next year. Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did not allow the Pak cricketer for participation in the second edition of the IPL on account of Mumbai terror attacks.

Ejaz Butt, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, said that he had spoke to IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi and informed him the same. He also requested the Commissioner to ensure entry in IPL 3 of Pak cricketers. It is to be mentioned that Pak players could not participate in the second edition of IPL. Butt added that Pak cricketers would be available for auction early next year as they would be free during that period.

Vijender, Abhinav and Sushil Kumar to attend Commonwealth baton launch

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:11:00 +0000

The trio who won top medals at the Olympic will be the part of Commonwealth Baton Relay launch for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi. Head of the Commonwealth Queen Elizabeth will present the baton to Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil on Thursday. This tradition is regarded as indicative launch of the Commonwealth Games. In this highly reputed launch, Olympic bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh, 2008 Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra and Olympic bronze medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar will join the President.

Apart from these three, 1958 Commonwealth Games gold medallist athlete Milkha Singh, tennis player Sania Mirza and footballer Bhaichung Bhutia will also be part of the event. The 2010 Commonwealth Games will be India's first major international sports event after the 1982 Asian Games. New Delhi hosted the inaugural Asian Games in 1951 and again in 1982. Delhi had bagged the contract after beating the Canadian city Hamilton in the bid for rights to host the games.

ICC awards to be announced tonight

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:33:00 +0000

Much-awaited yearly ICC awards to be declared tonight. The ICC gives these awards to the players and officials on account of the performance during a year's period. This year the duration is August 13, 2008 and August, 24, 2009. The World Cup 2009 in Australia, the ICC World Twenty20, 2009 in England, the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2009 in South Africa and the ICC Women's World Cup are included in this period. Several bilateral Test and ODI series are also counted for the same.

Team India has everything to cheer about as four Indian cricketers has been shortlisted for different categories. The names of Indian cricketers are Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virender Sehwag. Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni are shortlisted and nominated for two categories while Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh will contest in the ODI Player of the Year award. Tilakaratne Dilshan is the only player who is nominated for three categories including the T20 International Performance of the Year Award.

The panel, who nominated the players, is comprised of five former cricketers from different cricket playing nations. The head of the panel is ex-West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd while the panel members are- former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble, Pakistan's Mudassar Nazar, England's Bob Taylor and New Zealand's Stephen Fleming.

Half year's pack of non-stop action on Neo Cricket

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:58:00 +0000

Neo Cricket a leading sports channel in India is all set to bring in the six months non- stop cricket action along with two new shows "One More"and "Tata Photon + Cricket Central'. According to the news reported by Business Standard, Once More” is a one-of-its kind interactive show wherein the viewer can request his/her favorite cricket clip. Whereas, “Tata Photon+ Cricket Central” is a unique show which brings the viewers daily dose of cricket news, feature stories on cricketing issues, gossip and masala corner on the lighter side of cricket.

Commenting on the launch of the brand new shows on NEO Cricket, Mautik Tolia- Head Programming, NEO Sports Broadcast said, “The launch of Once More and Tata Photon+ Cricket Central is our endeavour to present the game of cricket in its entirety to our viewers. The live format of these unique and exciting shows will involve a high level of viewer interactivity and will ensure that our viewers get the best of this cricketing season.” Alongside the 6 months of heavy cricketing season on NEO Cricket, the launch of the two new exciting shows promises its viewers added cricketing action and non-stop entertainment.

Heroic welcome for Vijender Singh

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:38:00 +0000

Olympic bronze medalist Vijender Singh finished third in the World Boxing Championship and got bronze for the same. He came home on Monday morning and received warm welcome by fans and media. Vijender was happy to see his fans at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. He was waving his bronze medal for the fans. "We have just started getting back medals.

The day is not far when we will come back with Gold," Vijender said. He added that the team will do much better in the upcoming Commonwealth games in 2010. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the bronze as he had announced before his semis that he would not be contented with bronze this time. But he has to satisfied with the bronze as he lost the semi’s in World Boxing Championship.

Paes booked berth for US Open mixed doubles final

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:26:00 +0000

Top tennis player of India Leander Paes and Zimbabwean Cara Black made place in the US Open mixed doubles finals. Paes and Black outplayed Su-Wei Hsieh and Kevin Ullyett 6-2, 3-6, 10-5. on the other hand other Indian player Mahesh Bhupathi and his partner Knowles out performed Ljubici and Llodra 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile Paes and Lukas Dlouhy entered in the semifinal of the gala event.

Earlier in mixed doubles match, the Indo-Zimbabwean pair started off well as they clinched the first set 6-2 quite easily but their opponents bounced back to level the scores 1-1 by claiming the second set 6-3. Paes-Black had to fight it out in the marathon final set, which went on for 15 games, to make their way into the finals as they sealed the set and the match 10-5 in their favour. Earlier on Monday, Paes and Black had beaten Rennae Stubbs and Robert Lindstedt 7-5, 3-6 (10-6) to make it to the mixed doubles semi-finals.

F1 is not purely sports: sports ministry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:00:00 +0000

According to sports ministry of India, Formula One is not purely sports. The ministry says that it is entertainment. These remark held the process of Formula One to be held in India. JPSK Sports, the promoters of Formula One in the country, received a response from the ministry when the former asked for getting approval for remittance of $36.5 million (about Rs 177 crore) to be paid to Formula One Administration (UK) for holding an F1 race in India.

JPSK had first gone to the Reserve Bank of India, which asked them to get the ministry's approval. The sources, attached with the development, said that the application was rejected on account of not acknowledging F1 as a sport. The ministry also mention that F1 is just an entertainment which will not have an impact on Indian sports in any terms such as participation, broad-basing or promotion of excellence.

The ministry further added that the proposed F1 does not satisfy conditions which focus on human endeavour for excelling in competition with others, keeping in view the whole sports movement from Olympics downwards. MD, JPSK, Sameer Gaur also admitted that their application was not accepted.

Usain Bolt to touch Indian soil

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:26:00 +0000

NEW DELHI: The Commonwealth Games in 2010, New Delhi will be a spectacular show as big name of sports, Usain Bolt, has indicated to touch Indian soil in the games. Bolt hinted it after setting world record of 9.58 secs (100m).

He said that his next big stop would be the Commonwealth Games. However he also cleared that his coach will take the last decision. The Jamaican aims to break his own record by touching 9.4 seconds time in 100 metre race.

Bolt's latest record came exactly a year after he set the Bird's Nest in Beijing aflame with a sizzling 9.69-sec run, more than a hand-shaking distance away from his rivals.

Sania lost title clash to Stephanie

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:17:00 +0000

VANCUOVER: Top women tennis player of India Sania Mirza's dream of winning consecutive ITF title broken as she lost 6-1, 4-6, 4-6 against local favourite Stephanie Dubois in the title clash in the $ 75,000 Vancuover Open here. The top seeded Sania won her all the previous match with a great promise.

However, Sania took home $ 6,080 for her runners-up slot. Sania won the first set 6-1. She dominate the first game. But Stephanie bounced back and clinched the title with straight 4-6, 4-6 figures. Both the players struggled to hold serve in the match but it was Sania who ended up paying more for the mistakes as the Stephanie raised her game at crucial junctures.

"I think that the other Canadians tired her a little bit, they had a really good match, (both) of them," said Stephanie. Sania thanked the few Indian fans who turned up to support her in the match. "I guess it helps that we're a billion of us," she joked. Sania won the ITF title in Lexington, USA last week. The injury-prone Indian is on a comeback trail after recuperating from a wrist surgery.

Not up to the mark: Anand managed third place in WRC

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:06:00 +0000

Germany: An eleven time winner of an event finished a shared third place! Strange for many. But yes, it's true altogether. Viswanathan Anand, World champion and 11 times world rapid chess champ, was dropped at third place in the recently completed Grenkeleasing World Rapid Chess Championship in Mainz.

Surprisingly, Anand was played out in the preliminary round itself. Even in the match held for third place, he could hardly draw all four games against German Arkadiz Naiditsch. So as a result, he had to satisfy with a tied third place with his German contender. Anand failed to overcome his poor form and his play in the match for the third place against Naiditsch was strangely uninspired and lacked punch.

"Well, as there is not that much at stake in the match for third place, it is very difficult to motivate oneself," Anand said later at the press conference. On the other hand, Levon Aronian of Armenia won the title beating Ian Nepomniatchchi of Russia in the finals. Its the very first title on Mainz soil for former world junior champion Levon.

Indian hopes alive in LA Tennis Open

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:59:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES: Indian hopes were alive in the LA Tennis Open as Indian player Somdev Devvarman stormed into the main draw of the event. On the other hand other Indian player Prakash Amritarj struggled to win his tie. He lost to sixth-seeded Ryan Sweeting of the US 5-7, 6-7 (0).

While Somdev showed his class by defeating his opponent fifth-seeded American Alex Bogomolov 7-5, 6-2. Second seeded Somdev will now take on fifth seed Igor Kunitsyn of Russia in the first round of the main draw Tuesday.

Somdev, who has struggled on the Tour after a brilliant start to the season by entering the Chennai Open final, beating a Grand Slam winner Carlos Moya on the way, made sure of earning at least $5,680 as prize money for playing in the first round here; if he crosses the hurdle he can make $9,590.

AIFF to choose new GS today

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:57:00 +0000

NEW DELHI: The hunt for new All India Football Association's general secretary is to begin today. In fact, present general secretary Alberto Colaco has left the job. For the same post, AIFF has received 37 Cvs. Savio Messias, Goa Football Association Secretary, and Shaji Prabhakaran, former project director of AFC Vision India are the leading contender for the post. Messias, a seasoned football administrator, has been GFA Secretary since 2003 besides having served Goa football in various capacities.

He is seen as somebody who has deep understanding of Indian football. Prabhakaran, on the other hand, is seen as the young and energetic face having a doctorate degree from the Laxmibai Institute of Physical Education in Gwalior. He has served as of head of Chandigarh Football Academy from 2000-2004 before joining the AIFF.

He left AIFF a few months ago and is now a freelance football consultant. Ian Stillie, who has served as chief executive of Scottish first division side Motherwell FC for 14 months till last October, is the only foreigner to have applied for the general secretary's post.

If improve in a couple of areas, Aussie will win Ashes 5-0: McGrath

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:36:00 +0000

SYDNEY: 'If the Australian cricketers repeat the performance in South Africa in the last test series and may improve in a couple of areas, they will win the Ashes cricket series against England 5-0.'This statement was claimed by former Australian fast bowler Glen McGrath to The Australian newspaper.

The Ashes Cricket series is scheduled to begin from Wednesday. McGrath also made a prediction for the 2005 series in England which the hosts won 2-1 against expectations. The former speedster is working with Australian fast bowlers for the Ashes. England's first Ashes series win was in 2005 since Australia reclaimed the old urn under Allan Border in 1989.

Though few gamblers would back an Australian cleansweep this year, McGrath said he is not being silly and his forecast is solidly based. ``My prediction is it will be 5-0 to Australia,'' McGrath said. ``I've got total confidence in the boys, especially watching the way they played in South Africa in the last test series. ``I thought that would have given them a lot of confidence. They showed what they can do and the huge potential that they've got.

Tanvir comes back in Raj Royals for a charity match

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:14:00 +0000

KARACHI: Pakistani cricketer Sohail Tanvir is allowed to play for his Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals in a charity match against Middlesex at Lord's on July 6. The match will be played for British Asian Trust. It may be noted that he was the key player in the success of Rajasthan Royals' title win in inaugural IPL in India.

But could not play in the second edition due to security reasons in India. Portfolio world, the sports management company also quoted Shilpa Shetty the co-owner of the Rajasthan Royals as saying that she was excited to have Tanvir back in the team. "He was truly missed in the IPL second season," Shetty was quoted in the statement. Tanvir, the left arm pacer, struggled in the recent T20 World Cup in England and was dropped from the playing eleven.

Germany won Euro Under-21 Championship

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:37:00 +0000

STOCKHOLM: Germany has won the most prestigious Euro Under-21 Championship on Monday. Germany team outperform England in the final match. The winner scored four goals while England failed to score a single point.

England started strongly but it was Germany that grabbed the opening goal when Gonzalo Castro chipped the ball above England keeper Scott Loach in the 23rd minute.

Mesut Ozil, who set up the first goal, then made it 2-0 three minutes into the second half with an stunning free kick from over 30 yards. Sandro Wagner added two more goals for Germany.

ICC delete Kenya, insert New Zealand for U-19 WC

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:43:00 +0000

LONDON: Unsatisfied with the development work by Cricket Kenya for Under-19 World Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced to shift the World Cup from Kenya to New Zealand. The ICC awarded WC to Kenya in 2006 but the preparations have been slowed as required for the World Cup hence the reason for the shifting. It must be mentioned that from now only eight months to go before the gala event. "It was agreed that New Zealand would be the location for the tournament, subject to the agreement of satisfactory terms," a statement by ICC said.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said it would have been too big a risk to keep the event in Kenya. "We have been working with Kenya to monitor their progress towards staging the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup for some time, with visits to the locations earmarked for matches and regular reports to the ICC Board. "Regrettably, the conclusion reached was that the amount of work still to be done to get many of the venues ready was such that retaining Kenya as a host represented too great a risk to the successful staging of the event," he said.

Mortaza to lead Bangaladesh team in West Indies and Zimbabwe tour

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:06:00 +0000

DHAKA: Bangaladesh pace bowler Mashrafe bin Mortaza will lead the team for tours of the West Indies and Zimbabwe while Shakib Al Hasan will be his deputy. Thus Mortaza will replace Mohammad Ashraful as a skipper. Rafiqul Alam, chief selector of Bangladesh Cricket Board, said on Tuesday that there is no connection of Twenty20 World Cup with this change.

The board wanted Ashraful to play his natural cricket and so he was replaced. Bangladesh failed to reach the Super Eight phase of the Twenty20 World Cup in the United Kingdom as the side lost to India and Ireland in their first round matches. “We want him (Ashraful) to play his natural game as a batsman,'' Alam told reporters in the nation's capital, Dhaka. “He has that potential.” Ashraful took over the captaincy from Habibul Bashar in June 2007 at the age of 22. On Tuesday.

The board also announced a 15-member squad for the tours. The squad will leave for the West Indies next week to play two tests, three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international. The duo will also lead their side on their five-match one-day tour of Zimbabwe in August.

T20 may replace ODIs but Tests: MCC

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:05:00 +0000

MELBOURNE: The apex and most reputed cricket body in the cricketing world the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has expressed its doubt about the existence of One Day International cricket format due to the success of Twenty20. Test cricket, however, is immortal in all respect except it need some innovative changes to make it more exciting. "As a purist, I think (Test cricket) is the pinnacle, and for the players it is the pinnacle, so it's important that we preserve it, and the fact is numbers and interest have been reducing.

While I don't think for one minute that Test cricket is in danger of dying, I think we need to look ahead and look at innovative ideas," MCC secretary and chief executive Keith Bradshaw said. "There are enough seats at the table for Test cricket to coexist with Twenty20. I think it is the one-day format that is in danger, and if something is not done to revamp the 50-over game, we could see that either become less attractive or perhaps even die as Twenty20 takes over," he added.

England required to play more T20 matches to win a World Cup: Collingwood

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:03:00 +0000

LONDON: If England played a few Twenty20 matches before World Cup, they would have better chances of winning World Cup. This is the after exit opinion of England skipper Paul Collingwood. England's World Cup campaign was ended after five-wicket loss in super eight. He said that the team required to play more Twenty20 matches for a realistic chances of winning the World Cup. "We have shown fighting spirit all the way through the event.

Hitting boundaries in the middle overs is obviously an area to look at for the future. We are catching up with our skills and our thought processes are there, but it is very important we play more 20-over cricket if we are realistic about winning this kind of competition," he said. Collingwood, who did find the experience of leading England at home more enjoyable than the inaugural event in South Africa two years ago, was extremely disappointed at the way the team made its way out of the tournament. "(It was) a cruel way to go out," he told reporters.

SA may win World Twenty20

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:42:00 +0000

LONDON: An easy win over England by South Africa made the former to be under pressure in and off the field. That's why the English skipper is quoted as saying in the English media that they defeated them in each and every field. So it seems that South African team is the favourites to win World Twenty20. Totally inspired by the SA performance in every segment of the game, England captain Paul Collingwood said on Friday, "They set standards with their fielding and their bowling and put us under a lot of pressure.

On the day, they were much better than us. Sometimes it takes a great catch - a 50-50 chance like KP's - to turn a game and that sort of thing is why they are the favourites. "Their team covers all bases. They fling themselves around in the field and are very quick. There are not many areas that you can really target." England now play India in The Oval Sunday in a must win situation to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

Younis asked teammates to lift standards

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 07:27:00 +0000

KARACHI: The blame game is already started by the captain himself after Pakistan was defeated by England. After losing that match, Pak has only a single game to get a berth for super eight. Pakistan captain said in a tv interview that the teammates should lift their standards ahead of the crucial match against the Netherlands in the ICC World Twenty20 tournament. He said that he can not scold or shout with every misfield. It may spoil the confidence of the players.

Pakistan dropped at least four chances and misfielded several times as they collapsed under the pressure of their first match in the Twenty20 World Cup. Former Test players and critics have said that Younis needed to be more strict and aggressive on the field with his players to stop the declining fielding standards of the team. But Younis disagreed, insisting he could not teach the players, at this level, how to field.

"Look, if I start scolding or shouting at new players like Saeed Ajmal or Ahmed Shahzad every time they misfield then they will lose confidence even as bowler and batsman," the Pakistan skipper said. He said that Pakistan had fielded below-par against England and in fact their fielding had been average even against other teams in recent matches.