FIRSTPOST YOUSPEAK
Saturday, May 25th 04:50 AM IST
Gallery
India Premier League GALLERY.
strongNew Delhi:/strong With a young team led by the enigmatic Sardar Singh showing glimpses of India's past prowess, there are now hopes an upcoming professional league likened to the money-rich Indian Premier League will help resurrect the sport's former glory. Indians were long considered the kings of field hockey - winning eight Olympic gold medals - but that dominance has dwindled since the introduction of synthetic turf pitches in the 1970s. India's fourth-place finish at last year's Champions Trophy with a young squad led by versatile player Sardar Singh offered hope for the future, just in time for the proposed league to find some new backers. The Hockey India League, which has the sanction of world body FIH and is organized by Hockey India, will be held at a range of venues from Jan. 14-Feb. 10 featuring five city-based franchise teams - Delhi Waveriders, Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Mumbai Magicians and Ranchi Rhinos. [caption id=attachment_583275 align=alignleft width=380 strongNew Delhi:/strong With a youn
Sri Lankan activists of the Buddhist nationalist group 'Power of Ravana' shout slogans and wave placards as they stage a demonstration outside the Sri Lanka Cricket head office in Colombo on April 3, 2013. The monks oppose national team players visiting India to play in the Indian Premier League tournament amid a ban on them by the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Sri Lanka's cricket board said that it would allow its players to take part in the IPL Twenty20 tournament in India next month after receiving assurances about their safety. The government in Colombo had threatened to prevent any of the 13 Sri Lankan players contracted to play in the Indian Premier League from taking part after they were all effectively barred from playing in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Sri Lankan activists of the Buddhis
Sri Lankan Buddhist monks stage a demonstration outside the Sri Lanka Cricket head office in Colombo on April 3, 2013. The monks oppose national team players visiting India to play in the Indian Premier League tournament amid a ban on them by the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Sri Lanka's cricket board said that it would allow its players to take part in the IPL Twenty20 tournament in India next month after receiving assurances about their safety. The government in Colombo had threatened to prevent any of the 13 Sri Lankan players contracted to play in the Indian Premier League from taking part after they were all effectively barred from playing in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Sri Lankan Buddhist monks stage a d
Sri Lankan Buddhist monks speak to reporters as police officials look on outside the Sri Lanka Cricket head office in Colombo on April 3, 2013. The monks oppose national team players visiting India to play in the Indian Premier League tournament amid a ban on them by the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Sri Lanka's cricket board said that it would allow its players to take part in the IPL Twenty20 tournament in India next month after receiving assurances about their safety. The government in Colombo had threatened to prevent any of the 13 Sri Lankan players contracted to play in the Indian Premier League from taking part after they were all effectively barred from playing in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Sri Lankan Buddhist monks speak to
Sri Lankan Buddhist monks and others are watched by police officials as they shout slogans and wave placards as they stage a demonstration outside the Sri Lanka Cricket head office in Colombo on April 3, 2013. The monks oppose national team players visiting India to play in the Indian Premier League tournament amid a ban on them by the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Sri Lanka's cricket board said that it would allow its players to take part in the IPL Twenty20 tournament in India next month after receiving assurances about their safety. The government in Colombo had threatened to prevent any of the 13 Sri Lankan players contracted to play in the Indian Premier League from taking part after they were all effectively barred from playing in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Sri Lankan Buddhist monks and other
A report on ema href=http://www.espnstar.com/football/premier-league/news/detail/item881705/Reading-bid-$1m-for-India%27s-Fernandes/espnstar.com/a/emsays that English Premier League club Reading FC have made a $1 million bid for Indian footballer Brandon Fernandes If the deal goes through, Brandon will become the first player to sign for a Premier League club. The Goan was quoted in the report as saying:It is a great honour to have had a trial with Reading and (if a deal can be reached) I will be very happy to play for them. [caption id=attachment_507931 align=alignleft width=380 A report on ema href=http://www.esp
Life indeed has come full circle for Indian football. Years after Baichung Bhutia made the move across two continents to join an England-based club; Edon Jnior Viegasdo Amaral (popularly known as Edinho Jnior) a striker from the former Premier League Champions Blackburn Rovers, will be donning the red of Shillong Lajong Football Club and plying his trade in the Indian I-League. Edinho will be joining the Shillong-based club on a short-term loan beginning February 16, 2013. He is a Portuguese national of Brazilian origin who moved to Blackburn Rovers from Olhanense. The 18-year-old plays centre-forward and is the son of a former Brazilian international footballer, Edon do Amaral Neto. The signing of Edinho will add impetus to Shillong Lajong's campaign for the remainder of the 2012-13 season. It will add an edge to the club's striking options. Lajong's story and place in Indian football is truly historic. It became the first club from North-East India to have qualified for the I-League, India's premier football league, and have been performing admirably well since then amongst the big boys of Indian football. [caption id=attachment_624266 align=alignleft width=380 Life indeed has come full circle fo
strongMumbai/strong: Indian golf today witnessed the dawn of a new era as more than Rs. 3.83 crores (around USD 700,000) was spent in the auction for 24 players as the inaugural Pearl Golf Premier League was launched here. As many as 24 players in three categories were auctioned at a glittering launch at Sahara Star Hotel in the presence of Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Vinod Khanna. Akshay requested Khanna to sound the gong to signal the official launch of the inaugural Pearl Golf Premier League which is being held in association with Aamby Valley City. The golf auction in India was a historic first, as eight franchises bought three players each -- a fourth was added to each one of them on the basis of their spend in the auction -- to form their teams for the three-day event to be held at the Aamby Valley Golf course from February 7 to 10. [caption id=attachment_594526 align=alignleft width=380 strongMumbai/strong: Indian golf to
India first started winning Test matches abroad under Sourav Ganguly and India's first foreign coach, John Wright. Now, Ganguly thinks the Indian cricket team does not need a foreign coach. The most admired captain in the history of Indian cricket believes India is ready to move on, and back to Indian coaches. Really, is India mature enough to put aside regional considerations and respond to an Indian coach without branding him at the drop of a hat as a 'Bengali' or a 'South Indian' or a 'Bombayite or a 'North Indian' or 'Muslim'? Of course, the fact that Ganguly is desperate to be hands-on involved with the Indian cricket team has much to do with his latest salvo. Fame can be addictive. And the former Indian captain is finding it very hard to stay away from the limelight. This is one of the reasons he chose to continue plying his trade in the Indian Premier League (IPL). [caption id=attachment_448030 align=alignleft width=380 India first started winning Test ma
strongHambantota (Sri Lanka)/strong: A rejuvenated India would look for a winning start to the new season but the task would be easier said than done against a strong Sri Lanka as the two sides clash in a five-match ODI series starting here tomorrow. Barring the Indian Premier League, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's India have not been in action since their last international outing in South Africa in March. The hosts, by contrast, have been hungry Tigers on prey. They beat Pakistan at home in both ODIs and Tests, outplaying the high-riding opponents with a clinical performance. But India are not Pakistan and are known for greater deeds of consistency at the very high echelons of competitiveness. Dhoni echoed the Indians' familiarity with Sri Lankan conditions saying, We are no strangers to Sri Lankan conditions. So acclimatisation would not be an issue. The Indian captain was implying that the near two months break the players have had since the IPL would serve them well as the team aims to win the series to herald the new season for them on a happy note. Dhoni made no secret of India's ambitions in the next tour to the emerald isle, the world Twenty20. He was happy that most of the players in the touring team would form the nucleus of the side for the world T20. For Mahela Jayawardene and the Sri Lankans, it would just be the continuation of the good yields in the series against Pakistan. We have just finished a good series against Pakistan. It is now for us to build on the good work, Jayawardene said. Like his Indian opposite number, the Lankan captain thought the series should provide a good basis to launch the world T20 campaign. [caption id=attachment_384910 align=alignleft width=380 strongHambantota (Sri Lanka)/strong
Broadcaster ESPN-STAR Sports hasreached a multi-year broadcast rights agreement for exclusivecoverage of the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) in India, itwas announced here today. The first edition of the Twenty20 league is scheduled tobe played in August.The deal includes a minimum of 24 T20 matches per season. The inaugural edition of the SLPL will see sevenprovisional teams compete for the coveted trophy as well as aqualifier berth to the Champions League Twenty20 to be heldlater this year, a release stated. [caption id=attachment_387745 align=alignleft width=380 Broadcaster ESPN-STAR Sports hasrea
With market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) freezing the bank accounts of two Sahara Group firms - Sahara India Real Estate Corporation (SIREC) and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation (SHIC) - and promoter Subrata Roy in the Rs 24,000-crore optionally fully convertible debenture (OFCD) issue, there are questions around whether this would affect Sahara Group's involvement in sports. The Sahara group has invested heavily in sports -- it sponsors India's national cricket team and owns one of the Indian Premier League team, the Pune Warriors. They also own a 42.5% stake in Formula One's Force India Formula 1 Team and sponsors the India national field hockey team as well. It has also 'adopted' sportspersons in Indian Boxing, Wrestling, Archery, Shooting, Track & Field and Tennis, covering support of a total of 101 sportsmen in these 6 games who are potential medal winners. [caption id=attachment_626588 align=alignright width=380 With market regulator Securities an
strongNew Delhi:/strong Beverages and snacks major PepsiCo India today said it has tied up with eight Indian Premier League (IPL) teams as the exclusive beverage partner for the upcoming Pepsi-IPL 2013 tournament. Last year, PepsiCo had won the title sponsorship of the Indian Premier League with a winning bid of Rs 396.8 crore for the next five seasons, starting 2013. After winning the title sponsorship for IPL, PepsiCo's partnership with almost all participating teams further demonstrates its commitment to cricket and the ability to maximise value from the tournament, PepsiCo India said in a statement. [caption id=attachment_674414 align=alignleft width=380 strongNew Delhi:/strong Beverages a
Noida: David Howell, who once bested Tiger Wood enroute to winning the WGC-HSBC Champions in 2006, is back for the fourth edition of the Avantha Masters within weeks of playing the inaugural Golf Premier League last month. Howell has been to India for each of the four previous stagings of European Tour events in India, including the last three Avantha Masters. I've always enjoyed playing in India, it's a fascinating country. You see some sights and sounds which you're not used to seeing back home in Europe, so it really opens your eyes, said Howell. [caption id=attachment_658018 align=alignleft width=380 Noida: David Howell, who once beste
Former India captain Rahul Dravid was scathing in his criticism after India's abject surrender in the Kolkata Test, questioning the skill, ability and talent of the players who are representing the country. People talk about attitude and say (the players) don't care because there is too much money in the Indian Premier League. That's one side of things but the main thing is their lack of skill and ability, which is more worrying for me. It raises questions as to the talent and quality of players coming through, Dravid told 'BBC Test Match Special'. One of the challenges India face is that our domestic cricket is not of the quality to allow players to seamlessly move into international cricket. There is a lot of anger among the cricket-crazy Indian fans and the veteran of 164 Tests and 13,288 runs feels that it is absolutely justified. [caption id=attachment_552044 align=alignleft width=380 Former India captain Rahul Dravid w
Activists from India's Rashtrawadi Shiv Sena shout slogans as they demand the banning of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket tournament during a protest in New Delhi on May 17, 2013. Indian police said that they had arrested three cricketers including Test bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, after they allegedly accepted tens of thousands of dollars for spot-fixing. Eleven bookmakers were also arrested in connection with the inquiry, said Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar, as he gave details of three games in the ongoing tournament at the centre of the corruption probe. Activists from India's Rashtrawadi
Activists from India's Rashtrawadi Shiv Sena shout slogans as they demand the banning of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket tournament during a protest in New Delhi on May 17, 2013. Indian police said that they had arrested three cricketers including Test bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, after they allegedly accepted tens of thousands of dollars for spot-fixing. Eleven bookmakers were also arrested in connection with the inquiry, said Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar, as he gave details of three games in the ongoing tournament at the centre of the corruption probe. Activists from India's Rashtrawadi
strongMargao:/strong Champions Dempo Sports Club will start the defence of their I-League title with a tricky clash against arch rivals Churchill Brothers Sports Club at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday. Dempo made it to the final of the Federation Cup before eventually losing to East Bengal in extra time, but it was clear that Churchill Brothers was the most impressive team in the competition. Technical director Subhash Bhowmick admits just as much and is now ready to make amends in the I-League, India's premier football competition. We could have been Federation Cup champions. Everyone said we played the most beautiful and attractive football. That we lost to East Bengal (in the semis) was unfortunate but we have everything to play for in the I-League, he said. [caption id=attachment_481340 align=alignleft width=380 strongMargao:/strong Champions Demp
In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 photo, a section of a dilapidated viewer's gallery of a soccer ground is seen in Kolkata, India. When sports lovers in India talk about a Premier League igniting their passion, they re usually not referring to the English football competition. For now, football players in India are considered the poor cousins of glamorous cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, who have the marketability to sell anything from real estate projects to motor bikes or cola. In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 phot
In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 photo, budding Indian players practice at a soccer coaching camp in Kolkata, India. When sports lovers in India talk about a Premier League igniting their passion, they re usually not referring to the English football competition. For now, football players in India are considered the poor cousins of glamorous cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, who have the marketability to sell anything from real estate projects to motor bikes or cola. In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 phot
In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 photo, budding Indian players practice at a soccer coaching camp in Kolkata, India. When sports lovers in India talk about a Premier League igniting their passion, they re usually not referring to the English football competition. For now, football players in India are considered the poor cousins of glamorous cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, who have the marketability to sell anything from real estate projects to motor bikes or cola. In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 phot
In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 photo, an instructor coaches budding Indian players at a soccer coaching camp in Kolkata, India. When sports lovers in India talk about a Premier League igniting their passion, they re usually not referring to the English football competition. For now, football players in India are considered the poor cousins of glamorous cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, who have the marketability to sell anything from real estate projects to motor bikes or cola. In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 phot
In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 photo, budding Indian players practice at a soccer coaching camp in Kolkata, India. When sports lovers in India talk about a Premier League igniting their passion, they re usually not referring to the English football competition. For now, football players in India are considered the poor cousins of glamorous cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, who have the marketability to sell anything from real estate projects to motor bikes or cola. In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 phot
In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 photo, Indian soccer enthusiasts sit on sideline as some practice soccer in an open area in Kolkata, India. When sports lovers in India talk about a Premier League igniting their passion, they re usually not referring to the English football competition. For now, football players in India are considered the poor cousins of glamorous cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, who have the marketability to sell anything from real estate projects to motor bikes or cola. In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 phot
In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 photo, an instructor coaches budding Indian players at a soccer coaching camp in Kolkata, India. When sports lovers in India talk about a Premier League igniting their passion, they re usually not referring to the English football competition. For now, football players in India are considered the poor cousins of glamorous cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, who have the marketability to sell anything from real estate projects to motor bikes or cola. In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 phot
In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 photo, Indian soccer enthusiasts sit on sideline as some practice soccer in an open area in Kolkata, India. When sports lovers in India talk about a Premier League igniting their passion, they re usually not referring to the English football competition. For now, football players in India are considered the poor cousins of glamorous cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, who have the marketability to sell anything from real estate projects to motor bikes or cola. In this Sunday, March 10, 2013 phot
Clothes are hung on a line to dry at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium in Kolkata on February 13, 2012. A new football league in the Indian state of West Bengal featuring semi-retired world stars has been postponed for unspecified reasons, organisers said on February 22, 2012. The franchise-based Premier Soccer League (PLS), on the lines of cricket's popular Indian Premier League, was due to be played across six venues in West Bengal from March 24-May 6. Clothes are hung on a line to dry a
Santanu Pal from India hands out leaflets appealing for information on his missing son Souvik Pal before Manchester United's English Premier League soccer match against Liverpool at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England, January 13, 2013. Souvik, 18, a student at Manchester Metropolitan University, has been missing after being last seen leaving a New Year's eve party. Santanu Pal from India hands out le
Santanu Pal from India hands out leaflets appealing for information on his missing son Souvik Pal before Manchester United's English Premier League soccer match against Liverpool at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England, January 13, 2013. Souvik, 18, a student at Manchester Metropolitan University, has been missing after being last seen leaving a New Year's eve party. Santanu Pal from India hands out le
Dear Sir/Madam, Please find attached my resume, which may be considered for the position of all-rounder in your cricket team for the upcoming league. I possess a wide range of on-field and off-field skills required to deliver winning performances in your esteemed league. I hope you find my versatility worthy and warrant a warm-up match. Looking forward to this delightful opportunity. SG. Shahid Gaylinga Email: Im.moral@greyarea.com Permanent Address 6, Deep Gully, Freehit Square, CityofAsia - 422466. Present Address Flying suite in-between two tournaments. ________________________________________ Career objective To serve maximum clients with utmost inspiration and perspiration ________________________________________ strongEDUCATION/strong IPL University, Mumbai, India Bachelor of Twenty20, May 2009 Major in Pinch Hitting Big Bash College, Melbourne, Australia Diploma in Creative Haggling, June 2011 strongWORK EXPERIENCE/strong Indian Premier League, Summers of 2009-2012:Completed three rigourous seasons of working closely with individual and institutional forces of two squads, one of them still active. Participated in multiple marketing campaigns and fire-fighting operations with CEOs and WAGs. [caption id=attachment_437791 align=alignleft width=380 Dear Sir/Madam, Please find attach