Thursday, July 1, 2010

Promote networking of wireless city group in Guangdong landing flowering – wireless city networks – Security Industry

If government support, cross-boundary information integration, cross-Guangdong co-operation is to create "wireless city group" prerequisite allowed beginning to appear, then, fixed and mobile networks and use a variety of cultural fusion different applications interact with the main information tool is crafted in polished them, the "wireless city group" is even more interesting.
Across the network: "National highway, high speed, light rail," simultaneously

"Omnipresent, omnipotent, nothing is some wisdom Cities," the long-term goals of access, terminal, application put forward higher requirements, but the end result of these requirements is the basis for network construction. Thus, the network construction by China Mobile Guangdong Company Put forward a "2G + TD + WLAN" build three-dimensional coverage wireless city, which 2G and 3G networks simultaneously, the fixed network and mobile network models are complementary figuratively as "National Highway + speed + light."
China Mobile Guangdong full speed to advance WLAN networks. "Wireless city group" one of the cities of Zhuhai, the pilot had completed 184 The construction of WLAN hotspots, and priority in the construction process of government, universities and other hot spots, all the universities in key areas to achieve 100% coverage. At present, Guangdong Province, launched a total of more than 3200 WLAN hotspots and achieve urban hot spots such as government, universities, Hotels , Shopping malls, business hall of the high-speed wireless network coverage.
"Wireless city group" with the construction of Hai Ba independent intellectual property rights of the TD state building another step forward. China Mobile Guangdong TD 2009, construction of more than 6000 base stations in Guangzhou, Shenzhen city have realized the depth of coverage, and the Asian Games held in the Pearl River Delta co-host city to achieve full coverage in 21 cities to achieve hotspot. China Mobile Guangdong active cooperation with the Shenzhen municipal government to build more than 100 3G public information service points; Zhuhai, TD has achieved "wireless city" demonstration zone coverage, by the end of December 2009 the urban hot spots throughout the region to achieve full coverage .
Network building to bring the application to upgrade. "Wireless Emergency Command and Control" system is based on this network model, through a fixed Monitor , Mobile surveillance, mobile phone remote viewing, video conference systems, messaging platforms, modules, TD network through remote monitoring, remote view. It broke through in the past only in fixed installation Camera , And then return the image data designated emergency command center to the traditional model, improved efficiency and response.
Cross the main: "MATTERS dialogue" widely used

Both the open era of government management of mobile high-performance Electronic Government, or to help reducing cost and increasing the information Societe Generale, or to bring convenience to the public the number of people's livelihood, are in for the people, between people and objects and efficient "dialogue" to work, however, "wireless city group" Some more than these, it also let the main body of information across applications interact, let "the thing things dialogue" widely used. Tung Wah Hospital in Dongguan City
monitoring platform, the reporter saw several doctors are under the on-screen data and the waveform in time for the patient to send medical recommendation, which is Mobile health monitoring system. The system specifically for sub-health, chronic disease, sudden illness in the elderly population, they have to do through the palm-sized device can be measured anywhere ECG, heart rate, pulse, blood oxygen, respiration, blood pressure, body temperature and other basic life signs and realize their diseases and health risks of early detection and early treatment. About application performance and development prospects, East Hospital, a doctor said: "Many patients have a good effect on the use of feedback, the system can effectively improve our quality of medical services and health care level, the price patients can also affordable range. With the country's aging population and chronic diseases increased, the system will have a very broad Market . "This is only" MediLink "in one example, it includes a new mobile e-health systems, health and other medical information on small butler service, to enable patients to" care at home, a minor illness into the community, serious illness to the hospital, recovering back to the community. "
Information Technology Not only for the community to become "intelligent health management base", includes the RF-SIM card and mobile smart home systems, "Mobile Intelligent Community", but also to ensure that the home life of safety and convenience. In Shenzhen, "Zhonghaikangcheng" district, residents of carrying with RF-SIM card mobile phone, you can achieve community access control access, parking, pool, gym, clubhouse and surrounding facilities of a card consumption. Smart Home System integrates mobile communication, security, home appliances control technologies, and combine with the cell phone, to achieve home security, wireless intercom, the property of communication, intelligent control, home entertainment and other functions.
Equally concerned about the livelihood of the people "animals back" system is a communications network with the Internet of things, a typical Internet application integration. Using Mobile Intelligent Terminal reported after the birth of each animal immunization, quarantine, and flow of information, to submit this information to the data center via GPRS, the user via SMS, landline telephone, etc., check the type of product, origin, livestock owners, species of livestock use, and quarantine time, quarantine workers, mobility and other related information, animal product quality and safety umbrella.
This "MATTERS dialogue" example of the "wireless city group" there are many applications, such as China's first mobile phone to pay subway fare of "mobile phone is the ticket" convenience of mobile micro-payment "Mobile multi-disabilities", "village affairs through" business to help aquaculture farmers in water quality monitoring system, I believe the application with the Internet of things and the "wireless city group" of construction will promote the common prosperity of each other.
read more...

Wrestlers happy with facilities for CWG preparation


New Delhi, June 29 – India’s Olympic bronze medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar is happy with the facilities for their Commonwealth Games preparations and hopes the country will impress the international athletes the way Australia had in the previous edition.
The Commonwealth Games are scheduled Oct 3-14 here and wrestling is one of the disciplines expected to fetch medals for India.
‘We are happy with the preparation and stadiums for the Commonwealth Games have come up quite good. Last time, when we went to Melbourne, we had a nice time and I hope that all the international athletes coming for the Games will have a similar experience,’ Sushil said Tuesday on the launch of Samsung ‘Sports Ratna Programme’ which supports top-ranked Indian athletes for mega-events like the Asian Games.
The wrestler said their preparation is on track and they are getting best facilities to peak at the Games.
‘All the teams are tough whether it is England, Canada or Australia. Our focus is on the Commonwealth Games first and then Asian Games,’ Sushil said.
‘We practice two times a week at the air-conditioned complex in the wrestling stadium for the Commonwealth Games. Stamina and power are important. Coaches make schedule for us. We have dieticians looking after our diet. We are also following WADA guidelines, we have doctors guiding us what medicine to take.
‘Earlier, we had to practice on grass, but now mats are available and that has helped us to improve our performance.’
Sushil said they are keen to give their best in front of the home crowd.
‘We are excited to perform at home and we expecting a good crowd support. Our coaches have asked us to work on our counter-attack and we are determined to do our best in the Commonwealth Games,’ he said.
read more...

CNTV to recruit online presenters for Asian Games

Beijing, June 28 - China Network Television (CNTV) launched a contest to recruit website video presenters for the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games in Beijing on Monday. Gu Shiyang, Deputy Secretary General of the Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (GAGOC) and Guangzhou Municipal Government, attended the launch ceremony.
Representatives of GAGOC and CNTV take part in the launch ceremony of the Asian Games Online Presenters Selection Contest in Beijing on June 28.
Selected contestants will receive professional sports presentation training and be signed as CNTV presenters who will be included in CNYV's Asian Games reporting team.
CNTV (http://www.cntv.cn/) is China's national Internet TV station offering programmes on news, sports and entertainment as well as an online community network and video-on-demand services. It is an official platform for the coverage of the Guangzhou Asian Games.
read more...

'Busy' Somdev may miss Commonwealth Games

LONDON: India No. 1 Somdev Devvarman, pushing to break into the top-100, has a packed late-summer schedule, courtesy the US Open and the Davis Cup World Group play-off tie against Brazil. 

The world No. 103, however, is unsure about how the latter part of the year, when the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games will be held, would work for him. 

Somdev will play a $50,000 ATP Challenger tournament in Winnetka, Illinois, next week. He'll follow that up with a Tour event in Newport and then another Challenger in the United States. For Somdev, the big goal for the next couple of weeks is to ensure that he climbs five to ten spots in the rankings so that he could seal a place in the main draw of the US Open - a novel way of looking at the top-100. 

After the New York Slam, Somdev will head to India for the Davis Cup tie against Brazil, to be played in Chennai in the weekend of September 17. 

That's the part of his schedule that has been firmed up, but the last quarter of the year when the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, starting October 3, and the Asian Games in Gaungzhou, China (Nov 12 to 27), will be held, is up in the air at the moment. 
read more...

Asian Games OC/CC venue set for Aug completion

MUMBAI: Construction of Haixin Island, the venue of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 16th Asian Games, has been progressing smoothly. All main structures have been topped out, landscaping is 50 per cent complete, municipal infrastructure 85 per cent complete, the stage 65 per cent complete and decoration 65 per cent complete. All works are progressing as planned and will be fully completed by August, well ahead of the Opening Ceremony on 12 November.

Haixin Islet covers an area of 170,000 square metres and was originally designed as a "ceremonial square" for the public and as the city's primary location for pomp and ceremony. Construction kicked off in late 2008. On 17 April, 2009, the islet was chosen as the venue for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Guangzhou Asian Games.

It consists of three parts. The western part is a spectator stand with 25,000 seats; the central part is a show area comprising a stage, sails and fountains; and the eastern part is the logistical support area. There are two piers on the islet, one for athletes and the other for security. Connected to the city centre with five bridges and a tunnel, the islet is easily accessible.

The islet will be converted into an Asian Games-themed park after the games. It will become a massive cultural centre complemented by a museum and opera house. It's set to become a major tourist attracting showcasing the city's enduring history and rich heritage.
read more...

IOA, sports ministry differ on Asiad bid


The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Sports Ministry don’t seem to be on the same page when it comes to hosting of the 2019 Asian Games. The difference has seen the IOA submitting the bid to the Olympic Council of Asia on Wednesday without government approval. Intriguingly, officials in the IOA and Sports Ministry are refusing to go record on the issue.
“The IOA has filed its bid application yesterday itself, which was the last day. However, the government guarantee is yet to come, and if it comes possibly within a week, it wil help India’s case,” an IOA source told The Indian Express, but admitted that government guarantee was a must if India had any hope of getting the hosting rights.
Ministry says the bid proposal received from the IOA wasn’t proper. “There were several things missing. The IOA general body has to pass a resolution approving the bid. The host city needs to be on board for the entire process. There has to be a proper, complete estimate and a plan on how to go about the hosting. It cannot simply be a document they send and seek approval,” said an official.
read more...

Pakistan recall senior players

Thursday, July 01, 2010
By Khalid Hussain

KARACHI: Just weeks after being blamed for leading Pakistan to a humiliating last-place finish in this year’s World Cup, Zeeshan Ashraf has returned as the national team’s captain for next month’s tour of Europe.

Also back in the 18-man touring party are several other seniors including goalie Salman Akber, midfielder Waseem Ahmed and strikers Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi for the European sojourn aimed at preparing the team for the all-important Asian Games in China this November.

But the country’s hockey chiefs snubbed Sohail Abbas, Pakistan’s most successful hockey player in recent years, after the short corner specialist stayed away from Wednesday’s national trials as well as a preparatory camp that preceded it.

Sohail apparently ignored a Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) invitation to attend the camp to protest against his unceremonious axing from the national team for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup held in Malaysia earlier this year.

Sohail was tipped to become Pakistan’s captain for the Malaysian assignment but was dropped from the team as the selectors opted to go for several youngsters in the squad.

Several other senior players including Salman, Rehan and Abbasi were also snubbed by the PHF for the Malaysian assignment. However, they opted not to protest against it.

Pakistan were forced to recall the senior players after their team flopped in the Azlan Shah Cup, finishing fifth in the event.

The national selectors and team officials are currently looking for ways and means to raise a strong and capable squad in a bid to regain the Asian Games crown.

Pakistan hockey hit a new low last March when the four-time former champions finished last in the World Cup. The embarrassing result forced the PHF to appointed Dutchman Michel van den Heuvel as the team’s new coach till the 2010 Olympic Games in London.

The Dutchman was present at the one-day trials held at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium here on Wednesday.

The squad was later named by chief selector Hanif Khan, a former Pakistan Olympian.

Hanif also announced the Pakistan Whites team which will feature in a quadrangular event in China in July.

Pakistan squad: Salman Akber, Imran Shah, Zeeshan Ashraf (captain), Mohammad Imran (vice-captain), Amir Shahzad, Mohammad Irfan, Waseem Ahmed, Mohammad Rashid, Fareed Ahmed, Mohammad Tauseeq, Kashif Javed, Rehan Butt, Shakeel Abbasi, Haseem Khan, Shafqat Rasool, M Rizwan, Waqas Sharif, Umar Bhutta.

Pakistan Whites: Imran Butt, Wasif Siddique, Tasawer Abbas, Khalid Bhatti, Saleem Nazim, Mohsin Bilal, Hasan Akhtar, Abdul Ghaffar, Sabtain Raza, Zeeshan Ali, Waqas Akber, Kashif Ali, Muhammed Jaffar, Azlan Khan, Abdul Qayyum Dogar, Waqas Khan, Muhammad Waqas, Naghman Ahmad.
read more...

The Dragons gear up for the 16th Asian Games

The Philippine National Dragon Boat team has been gearing up for the 16th Asian Games in November, participating in several conditioning races that serve as qualifying competitions where the paddlers can gauge their strength and progress against other teams.

In the 2010 Macau International Races 500m distance Open Category, the Men’s Team competed against China, Nanhai Jiujang, China Zhouqing Hotel Rio Team, Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association, Singapore National Team and the San Francisco Cardinal Crewzers (Mix), while the Women’s Team faced China, Nanhai Jiujang, China Zhouqing Hotel Rio Team, China Nanhai Xiqiao, Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association, and the Singapore National Team.



The Men’s National Team was 2nd runner up against the two Chinese Teams, clocking at 1:54:665 and the Women’s National Team was 3rd runner up behind three Chinese Teams, with the clock at 2:05:574.

In Zhouqing City, the men’s team got the silver in the 500m and a bronze in the 250m distances. The ladies, on the other hand, got the bronze in the 1000m, silver in the 500m and another bronze in the 250m distances.
Dragon Boat races started as an old Chinese festival that commemorates the heroic poet Qu Yuan who protested against corruption by drowning himself 2000 years ago. This year, Dragon Boat Racing will debut in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. This young sport is very visible in the 16th Asian Dragon Boat websites and TV ads. It shall be celebrated not as a festival but as a sport where the best of the Asian Teams shall come together to vie for the top spot. Dragon Boat racing is one of China’s prides and their athletes, their jewels; for the longest time the Chinese had dominated this sport.

The Philippine Dragon Boat Team is supported by its sponsors PHILEX Mining Corp. and Spyder Eyewears and Sports Gear. The team needs more support in their preparation for the Asian Games.


WOMEN’S DRAGON BOAT TEAM, BRING HOME TWO BRONZE MEDALS

It was a strenuous week for the Philippine Women’s Dragon Boat Team as they competed in the Macau and China International Dragon Boat Races on June 13 to 20. This was the team’s first trip abroad for the year 2010.

In Macau, the ladies found fierce competition as they competed against top dragon boat teams. China dominated the race but the RP team fought their way to the finals. Only a second short of a platform finish in the 500m course, the women’s team resolved to do better in their next race.

And they did. The 2nd International event was in Zhouqing in rural China. The women paddlers got two bronze medals in the 1000m and the 250m race courses and a shining silver in the 500m event, beating the Chinese teams that overtook them in Macau.

After coming home to Manila, the women’s National Team has resumed training and continues to shape up for the prestigious Asian Games in November. Their experience in the Macau-China races definitely improved the team’s performance. The ladies hope to break China’s record time and ultimately earn the country the highly coveted gold.

Founded in 1997, the Philippine Dragon Boat National Women’s Team is composed of athletes from all over the Philippines coming from diverse sporting backgrounds, including the first Filipina to climb Mount Everest. The team aims to become the best Premiere Women's team in the world. The members are committed to fully extend themselves, to be gracious on and off the boat and to respect their opponents both in victory and in defeat.

The Philippine Women’s Dragon Boat Team is supported by its sponsors PHILEX Mining Corp. and Spyder Eyewears and Sports Gear. The team needs more support in their preparation for the Asian Games.
Results:
A. Macau International Dragon Boat Race (women)
1. Zhouqing Hotel Rio Team, China
2. Nanhai Jiujiang, China (National Team)
3. Nanhai Xiqiao, China (ex-National Team)
4. Philippine National Team
5. Singapore National Team
6. Galaxy Pearl, Macau

B. Zhouqing International Dragon Boat Race
1000 m Event
1. Zhouqing Hotel Rio Team, China
2. Nanhai Jiujiang, China (National Team)
3. Philippine National Team

500 m Event
1. Zhouqing Hotel Rio Team, China
2. Philippine National Team
3. Nanhai Jiujiang, China (National Team)
250 m Event
1. Zhouqing Hotel Rio Team, China
2. Nanhai Jiujiang, China (National Team)
3. Philippine National Team

read more...

Rents on the Rise in Chinese Cities


Although the housing prices in Beijing have been cooling down, rents are climbing.
The average rent of housing in Beijing was 2,885 yuan per month in May, up 20 percent on the level of the same period last year, according to statistics from Lianjia Property, a real estate agency in Beijing.
For example, a house with two bedrooms located near Beijing's third-ring road only cost 2,600 yuan per month to rent before May, but now costs 3,000 yuan per month. Additionally, to rent a single room only ten square meters large located in the same neighborhood costs at least 1,200 yuan per month.
"The lasting recession in the second-hand property market has made housing rentals the main source of revenue for real estate agencies. They have to rely on rentals to meet the cost of their overheads," a source who once worked as a deputy general manager of a real estate agency said.
Conflicts among real estate agencies have occurred recently in Beijing over clients, property and even advertising space, indicating a severely competitive market.
Aside from seeking more property to rent out, real estate agencies also try to make the most of existing housing. For example, agencies will divide a 130 square meter apartment into six separate rooms and then rent it out to about ten people at a total price of 7,500 yuan per month. The apartment owner only earns 6,000 yuan per month from his property; the real estate agency will earn about 15,000 yuan per year from a single apartment.
Seeking larger profits, some agencies even encourage homeowners to raise their rents. For example, when renting a one bedroom apartment, an agency will recommend the homeowner to ask for 2,800 to 3,200 yuan per month. Last year, the price of a one-bedroom apartment was only 2,000 yuan per month.
With severe battles taking place among real estate agencies, some have monopolized the rental market of certain housing communities in order to have more say in pricing them.
Rents are also on the rise in Shanghai.
As numerous recent college graduates move out of student housing and begin to rent homes, rents in Shanghai have increased by around 10 percent in the past month.
Another factor causing the increase in rent is the delay of the release of new local housing policies which has led to many potential home buyers to choose to wait and rent instead.
Additionally, with the World Expo underway, many tourists are currently renting houses in Shanghai and driving rents up.
Currently, the cost of renting an older apartment is somewhere between 1,300 yuan and 1,600 yuan per month, up 200 yuan since last year. The cost of renting apartments near schools and subway stations is around 3,500 yuan to 4,000 yuan per month. Even though many college graduates choose to rent an apartment together with their peers, each of them still has to pay a rent of around 1,000 yuan per month.
According to statistics from Michael Best, a consultancy firm, the average wage of Shanghai college graduates was 2,316 yuan per month in May; they have to spend over one third of their salaries on rent. That is a very heavy burden.
Guangzhou is also facing the problem of increasing rents. In preparation for hosting the upcoming Asian Games, the local government has dismantled many of the homes in villages inside the city. Previously, those villages had been a main provider of cheap housing rentals.
"In a single village called Yangji Cun, 40,000 people were forced to move out as the government began to demolish homes there, which, definitely, will make it more difficult to rent houses," Peng Peng, a researcher with the Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences, said. High housing prices also force people to rent rather than to buy.
Experts have recommended to the local government that they begin allowing college graduates into the system of government subsidized rentals which is currently only available for elderly and low-income residents.
Until the government decides to adopt such suggestions and put new housing policies into effect, citizens will have to keep waiting. The question is, how long will they be willing to put up with such an unfair situation?
This article was edited by Rose Scobie
read more...

Senate body directs PSB to continue volleyball camp By Imran Ali Teepu

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Sports has directed the Pakistan Sports Board to continue the training camp of national volleyball squad while the latter has closed down the camp saying ‘volleyball’ is not featured in the forthcoming priority event — the Asian Games, Dawn learnt on Tuesday. 


Around 22 players were under the training of Brazilian Coach Agusto Sabatini at Pakistan Sports Complex in preparation for the Asian Games slated to be held in Guanzhou, China, from Nov 12 to 28. 

For the Asian Games 10 disciplines have been recommended, which include snooker, boxing, cricket (men and women), hockey, kabaddi, sailing, squash, weightlifting, wrestling and wushu. 

The NA committee chairman for sports, Iqbal Mohammad Ali Khan from MQM, has written a letter to the Federal Sports Minister Aijaz Hussain Jhakrani, which says: “The volleyball squad is scheduled to participate in two international events before appearing in the Asian Games while professional players like Naseer Ahmed and Kashif Mansoor have the potential to play for Pakistan and bring back the lost glory.” 

Both the professional players have completed a six-month stint with a local Iranian club featuring in the cash-rich volleyball super league. 

“The NA Committee on Sports will highly appreciate the continuation of training camp to save the game from further deterioration,” he noted in the letter. Mr Iqbal asserted: “The training camp should not be stopped at any cost.” 

The chairman of the Pakistan Volleyball Federation, Mohammad Yaqoob, however, asserted: “Pakistan team has won few crucial fixtures against international teams such as Australia, Japan, South Korea and India.” 

Pakistan had the honour of winning a bronze medal during the 1962 Asian Games at Jakarta, Indonesia. 

“We have hired the services of a Brazilian coach besides our camp was also held before the 2006 Asian Games though we did not appear in the event,” he informed. 

The salary of the coach is being shared by PSB and the volleyball federation. 

When approached, the spokesman for the PSB, claimed: “We have received a communication from the Pakistan Olympic Association about sports which are included in Asian Games list and volleyball is not listed. 

If the volleyball camp continues than an audit objection will likely be raised by the audit department because the game is not in the participation list issued by the POA.”
read more...

Angping wants 4-year term for future PSC chair

Outgoing Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping is batting for a new provision that will have future chair serving in fixed terms as head of the government sports agency.

Angping said that he will support the amendment of Republic Act 6847 (the law creating the PSC) that grants a four-year term for the chairman with a possible reappointment to ensure continuity of program in the government sports agency.

“The chairman should be in his post for one Olympic year," said Angping in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum. “During one Olympic cycle, there are also two Southeast Asian Games and one Asian Games competition."

“If the chairman does well, he could get another chance. If not, he has to step down and give others a chance," he added.

Angping, a former Manila congressman, is expected to be replaced as PSC chair with a new administration under President-elect Noynoy Aquino about to take over.

Angping started heading the commission in February 2009 when he was appointed by President Arroyo to replace William "Butch" Ramirez.

Angping also suggested the reduction of number of commissioners, from four to two, to ensure efficiency in the government sports agency.

“We don’t need four commissioners. We only need two, a deputy who will be responsible for finance and a deputy who will be responsible for the operations. This will make the PSC effective in satisfying the demands of the athletes," said Angping.

“The commissioners don’t really have a specific function in the law, so I hope that in the future, it will be cleared up." - RCJ, GMANews.TV
read more...

‘I hope to win an Olympic gold’

No, she hasn’t seen Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning film, though it is on the list of movies she wants to watch some day. But MC Mary Kom’s own life story has the grit and glory that can make for a wonderful movie. She’s amenable to the idea, she says, before adding, “Provided I have control over the overall content”. 
For the moment, India’s first woman boxer, who has won nine national championships and four World Titles consecutively, is the subject of a BBCdocumentary, which is currently being shot in Bhopal, for the 2010 Summer Olympics in London. Olympian gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra is the other such subject.
Her reign in what is predominantly a man’s sport has not been easy. She admits that, earlier, many scoffed at her attempts to enter the ring. “Today, that has reduced considerably. In the North- East, I am looked up to as a role model. Fathers see their daughters following in my footsteps. This change in attitude makes me really happy. The biggest hurdle I have been fighting all these years is the mindset that says boxing is a man’s sport,” asserts the champ.
Bring up the question of male discrimination and she frowns, “I’m not sure what you mean by that.” Despite being denied a national honour because Milkha Singh didn’t know which sport she played or receiving the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna as an afterthought or never being adjudged Sportsmen of the Year, despite her consistent run, she retorts that she was upset about these actions a long time ago. 

“But with introspection I have realised that inner peace does not come from these honours, but from reaching your goals and remaining honest to yourself,” she insists. “Don’t get me wrong, it is a matter of immense pride for any athlete to be honoured by the government. And I am thrilled to have been the recipient of the Arjuna Award, the Padma Shri and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. But if other honours have eluded me, I have learnt to shrug off the past and move on to the next set of goals. The competition will be tough, but with God’s grace, I hope to win the Olympic gold that I have been dreaming about for a long time. Sadly, women’s boxing has not been included in the Commonwealth Games, but I am confident of a good showing in the Asian Games.”
read more...

Sethi on cue with opinion

Cue sports need to take a leaf off the IPL book if they are to reach the masses, feels Geet Sethi.
“Cue sports have the potential to attract people. That is going to happen if entertainment is imbibed and more sponsors come in,” said the eight-time world billiards champion.
In the Capital to meet budding cueists in the P Upendra Memorial North Zone School Snooker tournament, Sethi said players like Pankaj Advani were perfect ambassadors of the sport. On his preparations for the Asian Games in Guangzhou, the veteran felt his practice was on the right track.
Quizzed on the recent dip in performance, Sethi said it was about getting on in years. “I lost to Pankaj Advani in the first selection tournament for the Asian Games but came back to win the second one. My performance has dropped and that’s because I am not getting younger,” he said.
The 49-year-old said it was unclear who would make it to the Asian Games contingent as a lot of players were closely placed on the points’ table.
“Pankaj has 17 points, Rupesh Shah and I are tied at 16. Ashok Shandilya and others are right below, so nobody is sure of boarding the flight to the Asian Games.
Two more selection tournaments are left and everyone has to perform well,” he said. On cue sports not being a part of the 2014 Asian Games, Geet said it was a big blow.
However, Ravi Tandon, vice-president of the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI), was confident of the disciplines being included and said the BSFI would pursue it with the Olympic Council of Asia.
read more...

Cricket should not be part of Asian Games, says Gill

Sports Minister MS Gill on Wednesday refrained from taking a stance on the decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) not to send the teams to the November Asian Games, but was of the view that cricket should not be part of the multi-discipline event.
"What programme the BCCI is going to play is their business to decide and they are deciding it," Gill said. "As an individual, I am not sure cricket should be in the Asian Games."
Gill said the BCCI's hectic calendar does not leave players with much rest.
"There are so many tournaments that the boys are simply too tired. Even race horses should be rested," he said.
The BCCI said Tuesday it would not field the men's and women's teams at the November 12-27 Asian Games due to prior commitments. The men's team is due to host New Zealand in November.
Cricket was included in the Asian Games by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) only after the four Asian Test nations - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh - promised to send their best teams to the Games.
read more...

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Europe tour will help to prepare for CWG: Brasa

NEW DELHI: Playing against strong teams like Germany and Holland during the exposure tour to Europe will be ideal preparation for the Commonwealth Games, says India's chief hockey coach Jose Brasa.

A 22-member Indian squad left for Germany last night to compete in the four-nation Hamburg Masters tournament involving the Netherlands, Japan and the hosts from July 2.

It will be followed by a Test series in Belgium, France and Holland and the tour would culminate with two Tests against the Dutch on July 24 and 25.

"This European tour will play a major part in preparing for the upcoming Commonwealth Games at home and Asian Games in China in November. This tour will be a real hard test for the team before these two major championships," Brasa told PTI-Bhasha.

"We would be playing strong teams like Germany and Holland for the first after the World Cup and this will help players assess their actual fitness level. We would be up against the top two teams in the world and that will add to the experience of our players," Brasa said.

On being asked about India's medal prospects at the Commonwealth Games, Brasa said it would be too early to say anything.

"There is still time left for the Games. One can't say anything at this juncture. Let's wait for the announcement of the squad," he said.

Demanding more control in the day-to-day running of the team, Brasa said he needs full authority in the decision making process.

"The head coach must be given full power and control over matters like selection of the team for every big tournament. He should have his full say in players and staff selection, about captaincy and other issues," he said.

It is to be noted that in March, after the completion of the World Cup tournament here, Brasa had made the similar demand for more powers in his ambitious project -- Hockey India Plan 2010 April-December.

Talking about the European tour, Brasa said two changes have been made to the side with star striker Shivendra Singh, who is nursing an ankle injury and midfielder Arjun Halappa, given rest.

Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh, medio Ajitesh Roy and forward Hari Prasad have made a comeback while promising youngster Birendra Lakra Jr gets his first look into the senior squad.

Sandeep was dropped after the team's World Cup debacle. Last year India had toured Europe to play matches in England, Belgium, Spain and Holland.
read more...