20Sunday Bangalore-pg17-0.qxd
3/21/2010
12:12 AM
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sports Pankaj Advani holds top spot
dna.sunday
Bangalore, March 21, 2010
17 Getty Images
SUNDAYINTERVIEW
DNA Correspondent. BANGALORE
Bangalore boy Pankaj Advani stayed at the top spot after the Asian Games and Asian Snooker Championship selection trials concluded on Saturday at the KSBA hall in Bangalore. Adavni won five of his six matches to lead the pack while Yasin Merchant took the second spot in the overall ranking. On the other hand, 25-year-old Saurav Kothari emerged No.3 in rankings after a confident win against veteran cueist Alok Kumar in his final game on Saturday. The Kolkata lad beat Kumar 73-09, 42-68, 10-79, 66-18, 60-01, 05105, 68-38.
Results Men: Sourav Kothari bt Alok Kumar 73-09, 42-68, 10-79, 66-18, 60-01, 05-105, 68-38; Brijesh Damani bt Shahbaaz Adil Khan 59-54, 61-58, 01-76, 106-23, 35-59, 18-59, 97-49; Aditya Mehta bt Yasin Merchant 52-58, 7839, 98-22, 116-00, 73-40; Manan Chandra bt Kamal Chawla 89-25, 65-31, 75-17, 15-76, 00106, 89-11
Ranking after the Selection Camp (Y) 1. Pankaj Advani, 2. Yasin Merchant, 3. Sourav Kothari, 4. Kamal Chawla, 5. Aditya Mehta, 6. Manan Chandra, 7. Alok Kumar
‘I’m very personal when I coach’ Dev S Sukumar.
BIRMINGHAM
There has been a buzz around Kenneth Jonassen accepting Badminton England’s offer of chief coach. The former top-ten Dane, who retired in 2007 and has been coaching since then, is highly regarded in the circuit. Suddenly, everything has changed — the offer is a demonstration of Badminton England’s seriousness about propping up its flagging international fortunes, especially in the singles. India will need to be wary about the English team at the Commonwealth Games. Nobody has any illusions about the kind of impact Jonassen can have. Still in his mid-thirties, he is known as a tough and astute coach, a hands-on guy who will tolerate no nonsense from players. Moreover, as a top-ten player himself, he brings his experience of contemporary badminton to practice sessions. On the sidelines of the recently-concluded All England, Jonassen talks about his vision for the England squad:
Saurav Kothari
INDIAWATCH Chowrasia tied 20th A rollercoaster level-par 72 in the second round saw SSP Chowrasia slipped to tied 20, while compatriot Shiv Kapur also slipped 17 places to tied 25th in the Trophee Hassan II golf tournament. Playing in the blue course at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, Chowrasia, who was tied second after the first round, sank as many as three birdies against an equal number of bogeys to take his two-day total to sixunder 139. Fellow Indian Shiv Kapur, who played in the red course, carded an level-par 73 to lie tied 25.
What is it about Denmark that has produced so many top singles players?
It’s about eveyday practice. Denmark’s singles players want more than just to be No.1 in Denmark, they want to be No.1 in the world. Our goal is not to be satisfied with our current level. While playing with (world No.3) Peter Gade... we understand that we have to give our best each day. That’s how we think about it in Denmark. I’ve no idea how the English system works, but in Denmark there is a healthy rivalry going on. With one player it’s difficult. With a group, you keep pushing the limits... when they think they’ve reached their limits, I need to push them more. And there’s something called quality in practice, in intensity. We have Asian players coming and we have an exercise for only two minutes; they’re used to doing it for 5 or 10 minutes, but after two minutes in our environment they’re very tired. So ours is short training, and quality rather than quantity. Did you take up the England offer because you achieved all you could as coach of Denmark? I don’t think I achieved all I wanted. I was thinking of it as a person-
LOCALWATCH Swimming camp at Kempegowda pool The Glorious Aquatics, a non profit organization started by former national swimmers to promote the sport, will be conducting learn to swim camp for children and adults at the Kempegowda Swimming Pool situated in KG Nagar. The camp will be held in the newly renovated 25 yards pool for both adults and children. The first camp begins on April 3 followed by the second camp that commences from May 1. For further details on registration contact: Balram: 9880093543, 9880153173, 080-32495054.
With England propping up its international fortunes, India will need to be wary of the English team at the Commonwealth Games What will you demand from English players and the set-up? Obviously, from the players, it’s commitment. They have to be ready for some changes. I don’t know how they practice... for me it’s just about commitment, about the willingness to change, to try something new. It’s about belief in themselves, that they can reach a higher level. If they’re satisfied already just being No.1 in England, then we need to challenge them on that point. They need to want to reach quarters, semis, and win medals at big tournaments.
Existing sports bodies will come under this rule which will be effective from April 1 DNA Correspondent.
MUMBAI
The sports ministry has finally decided to take a step to weed out the menace of age fraud in competitions after making it compulsory for an athlete to undergo a medical examination to determine age. The ministry, on Saturday, released the National Code against age fraud in sports, which will come into force from April 1 this year and is binding on all athletes - new and existing — and sports bodies in the country. After the medical examination the athletes, who compete in age specific events, will be issued an identity card by Sports Authority of India (SAI) or National Sports Federation (NSFs) concerned. “Once an I-Card is issued,
fresh medical examination will not be required for subsequent participation. Any existing athlete found to be overage, will have the option to appeal and in case he/she is found to be overage even after going through the appeal process, he/she shall not be allowed to participate in the competitions meant for lower age groups,” a release issued by the ministry said. SAI will notify a panel of doctors and hospitals state and region wise for carrying out the medical examination and also the list of appellate panel of hospitals. “The cost for medical examination conducted by Sports Authority of India and NSFs shall be reimbursed by the Government,” the release added. The ministry said through the release that compliance with the Code will become part of the eligibility criteria for recognition of NSFs and hence non-compliance with the code will attract suspension/de-recognition clause in respect of the defaulting Federations.
New Delhi: Senior Indian forward Prabhjot Singh has apologised for his improper behaviour during the hockey World Cup when he was caught showing his middle finger to a section of crowd. Prabhjot, after India’s defeat against Argentina on March 12, was heckled by some fans near the eastern stand, and in the heat of the moment he showed to them his finger. Prabhjot in his reply to the show cause notice, served on him by Hockey India, said he lost his cool when some fans started abusing his family members. “Firstly, I would like to apologize that an inappropriate picture of mine was published. The incident that happened was a result of a series of events. “A particular group of people supporting the opposition team had been regularly staying back after every match and passing lewd comments about me and the team during our cool down sessions. “I had ignored their provocative behavior during the previous matches. However during our last match, they starting passing lewd comments on my family, me and the team during our cool
What kind of approach will you bring to the training? In the men’s singles, I believe some of them can be in the top ten, they have the same skills as Danish players. I know I’m old now, but I still will be on court with them, because I can do that in Denmark as well. I still have the level. I bring a certain intensity on court as well, so I can step up and press them and show them: this is the level we have to reach, and even go further. I don’t want them to reach the same level as me; they have to go higher. I’m very personal when I coach. I want to know how their mind works. If they’re nervous, they have to let me know. I can’t help them if they don’t tell me. We need to be straightforward. It’s a strength to tell your coach, that you’re nervous right now. That’s the relationship I have with my players. They believe I can respect they get nervous and help them in that fashion, instead of getting nervous and not doing half the things they are used to doing. Can you adapt to the training culture in England?
I don’t know. First, I’m going to have a talk with the coaches that work with the players. I’m straightforward. When the players are doing something stupid, I’ll tell them, and they can disagree or agree. It doesn’t matter. Of course there are going to be bumps on the road. We can’t be polite, and that’s okay with me. The advantage with Denmark is that you have a strong league there that throws up talent. Do you have a similar long-term vision for England?I’m not thinking of the league. That has been a strength in Denmark, bringing foreign players to raise our level. But nowadays, with so many tournaments, playing in a league puts a lot of strain on the players. In some ways it’s good, but... it’s difficult to get the right programme going.I think cutting down on tournaments is important; you need to be ready to compete when you go out. Are you looking at the Commonwealth as your first big test? It’s difficult to say how soon we’ll look at results... we’ll see.. there is the World Championships this year, and then the ommonwealth.
Prabhjot said he lost his cool when some fans started abusing his family
FEELING SORRY: Prabhjot Singh was handed a show cause notice by Hockey India for making lewd gestures during a World Cup match
down session. In addition to this they started showing provocative gestures and became derogatory. “In the heat of the moment, I revolted to protect me and my family’s integrity and unfortunately this was picked up by the media. I apologize for the incident,” he said in his reply, according to Hockey India.The seasoned player though said he
would refrain from doing anything in future which would bring shame to him and the team. “Please be assured that I am committed towards Hockey and have given my entire life and devotion for this game and do not intend to bring the game or the National Hockey Team in disrespect,” Prabhjot said in his reply to the notice.
English men take India on a tough ride Home team beats the All England Polo Club 7-6 in a keenly-fought polo championship in Mumbai Salman Ansari. DNA
Jeev Milkha Singh’s improved card of level-par 71 in the second round could not save him from missing the cut as the Indian missed the mark by one stroke in the PGA Transitions Championship golf tournament. The Chandigarh golfer sank three birdies but a bogey and a double bogey spoilt his card as Jeev aggregated 145 at the Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort. If it was the back nine blues in the opening round, Jeev had a torrid time in his front nine in the second round after he stumbled on a bogey in the second hole to go one-over. But the Indian soon nailed a couple of birdies in the third and fourth holes to be back on track before dropping a double bogey on the eighth hole to take the turn at one-over. On his way back, Jeev picked up a shot at the 12th hole to draw level but birdies eluded him.
al experience, I needed to try something else. I always knew I needed to distance myself from Danish players, and then I got this offer. And to do something on my own.
Ministry issues code Guilty Prabhjot apologises for to check age fraud improper behaviour on field
TOUGHSTAND
Jeev misses cut
Kenneth Jonassen of Denmark
Sherine Paul. MUMBAI
Glitz, glamour and horses were out in full view at the Mahalaxmi Race Course in a pulsating polo match between the home side Amateur Riders Club and the All England Polo Club on Saturday as part of the 63rd Annual Horse Show and Polo Championship. In a fight for the Asia Cup Polo, the Indians trumped the visitors 7-6 in a match that swung both ways. Englishmen from Berkshire Jack Kidd, Henry Brett, Jamie Morrison and John Bunn, who have been playing together for the last 20 years, took on the Indian team of Samir Suhag, Ravi Rathore, Vishal Chauhan, Shyam Mariwala and Harsh Piramal. The visitors, who landed on Thursday and had only one practice match on Friday, started the stronger of the two sides taking a 2-0 lead in the first chukker with professional polo player Jack Kidd scoring both the goals. The second chukker saw the Indians finding their bearings and coming back strong with two
Action between England and India at Mahalaxmi Racecourse on Saturday
goals. The momentum remained with the Englishmen in the third with a 4-3 lead. The Indians upped the ante in the fourth quarter with captain Samir Suhag leading from the front and converting a 60yard penalty shot. Shyam Mariwala gave the hosts a two-goal lead with a great approach shot with two minutes left. Jack Kidd and Samir Suhag were the top-scorers with four goals each for their side. After the match, Samir Suhag said, “It was a bit of a scary time when we were 4-2 behind but we kept talking and tried to calm ourselves down and changed our strategy. Penalties also proved to be crucial for us.” Bunn said, “It was a shame we lost but it was a close game.” The visitors felt they lost out as they did not have enough time to get used to the horses. “We didn’t know the horses and to organize ourselves on such short notice was a little difficult. If you know your horses you can play accordingly,” professional polo player and man of the match Henry Brett said. The Indians will be headed to England in the summer in a rematch.
POLO-POINTS The modern game of polo, though formalized and popularized by the British, is derived from Manipur A polo game has periods of play, known as chukkas (also chukkers). This term originated in 1898 and is derived from the Hindi word chakkar from Sanskrit chakra ‘circle, wheel’ Field polo requires two teams of four players each Each chukker is played for a period of seven minutes with a 3-minute break in between. The mounts used are called ‘polo ponies’, although the term pony is purely traditional and the mount is actually a full-sized horse. Polo must be played right-handed. Left-handed play was ruled out in 1975 for safety reasons