Sports

The proposed sports city will also have minor changes in its planning. "Earlier, the open sports complex area was 70 percent of the designated 311 hectares, while 20 percent was marked for residential purposes and the remaining 10 percent marked for commercial use. We have now decided to cut down on the land marked for commercial purposes by 4 percent and allot it for residential purposes," added Mohinder Singh.

Meanwhile, the company has decided to acquire more land in Noida that has been lying unplanned. The land near the embankments of Hindon and Yamuna, approximately 1,000 acres, will soon be acquired by the authority.

"We are in the process. It is an agricultural land and we will talk to farmers and develop the land for various purposes," said Singh. He added that 20 per cent of the land had been encroached upon, with people constructing farmhouses. "Eighty per cent of the land is still lying unplanned," Singh said.

For companies that have bought land in Noida and are looking to transfer it to other companies, authority has good news in store. "IT and ITES companies were not allowed to transfer land to other companies until they made their own company office functional on the allotted land. Now they can transfer their land without doing so -- by transferring 100 per cent shares to the other company," said Singh.

Also, farmers who could not take possession of residential plots in the scheme of 2004 for not having PAN cards can now claim allotment by attaching the declaration of their income in the certificate of allotment.

While Japanese carmaker Honda Motors on Friday pulled out from Formula One (F1) as its team's costs have become too heavy amid deteriorating business conditions, Indian Masters, first-ever European Tour event in India, is in limbo. Another Japanese carmaker Toyota has scaled back the launch of its 2009 F1 car as part of cost-cutting measures.

Even as professional golf in India is teeing off, financial crisis is casting shadow over Indian Masters, the golf tournament with highest-ever prize money in the country at $2.5 million. A source close to the development said the sponsors, real estate major Emaar-MGF are not willing to be part of the tournament. They have expressed their inability to back the tournament slated for February, the source said. "The decision of the sponsors is not very surprising, considering the current financial scenario," the source added.

one of the world's most popular sporting event is falling prey to downturn. Honda Motors on Friday made public its decision to pull out of F1, owing to global financial crisis. The car major's decision is fueling fears over the sport's future during this uncertain times. Media reports had earlier suggested that the carmaker is looking for a buyer for its team and if no buyer is found by the year-end, the team will be closed down.

Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi announced in 2007 he had signed a deal to host a GP in New Delhi from 2010.

Ecclestone has now said it would probably happen later than that but did not explain. Asked if 2010 was still in the pipeline, he said: "It's all going on as usual, but these things take time.

"Probably 2011 is what I want."

India's ambitious F1 plans were unveiled in June 2007 when the Indian Olympic Association said it had received a letter from Ecclestone allowing the country to host a race subject to meeting certain conditions - such as building a track.

Designed to give amateur golfers the thrill of a global championship event, the tournament will see Citigold Select and Citi Private Bank clients teeing off at the Jaypee Greens Golf Resort in Greater Noida.

The Citi World Golfer's Championship will have four regional rounds: Delhi on September 27, Bengaluru on October 4, Kolkata on October 18, and Mumbai on November 2.

Played on the modified stableford format, golfers will compete in one of five handicap flights - 0-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20 and 21-24. One winner from each category from each of the four regional rounds will progress to the Grande Finale of the Citi World Golfer's Championship in Amby Valley, Mumbai on November 3rd, 2008.

The five winners from the national qualifier will go on to represent India as a team, as well as individually, in the world final.

After the board meeting, Noida's chief executive officer Mahinder Singh said: "The sports city will be set up on 311 hectares along the Expressway. The total land cost is calculated at Rs 3,523 crore. The sports facility will cost Rs 2,057 crore.

Commercial and residential infrastructure expenses will be in addition to this."

Singh said the authority would sell the plots to private developers who would develop the sports and other infrastructure.

"The news is quite positive," the drinks and aviation billionaire, who is also chairman of the Motorsports Association of India (MAI), told a news conference at the German Grand Prix.

"I happened to be having lunch with the CEO of one of India's biggest banks and he confirmed that they had sanctioned a facility to the developer of the Indian track," he added.

"He has actually bought the land and on October 1 construction of a brand new track will begin.

"So for the first time now I think I feel very confident to be able to say to you that there will be a brand new track and that we will have our first Grand Prix in 2010. It's just outside New Delhi," said Mallya.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi announced last September that Formula One Management had approved two sites on the outskirts of New Delhi with the IOA to make the final choice.

The Hindustan Times reported in November that JP Associates had signed a 10-year contract to develop a site at Greater Noida, 50km to the east of the capital.

The idea, officials say, is to improve sports infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh to cater to sports other than cricket.

Estimated to cost Rs 2,057 crore, the proposed sports complex would be spread over 311 hectares. "The sports facility will be spread out in Noida's Sectors 76, 78, 79,101 and 102. We are still working on the area," said Rajpal Kaushik, architect planner, Noida Authority.

Name of the game
Estimated to cost
Rs 2,057 crore
Spread over 311 hectares
Address: Sectors 76, 78, 79,101, 102 Noida

• Several stadiums, for all sorts of sports
  
• Two auditoriums
  
• Health spas
  
• Golf course
  
• Hostel for players, coaches
  
• Indoor facilities for hockey, football, four badminton courts, table tennis, wrestling pit, boxing ring, gymnastics, karate
  
• "International-standard" athletics track Indoor swimming pool, with stands meant for 3,000 spectators

"Besides the two auditoriums, the sports complex would also have health spas, a golf course, and facilities to accommodate players and coaches," Kaushik said.

Ajit Singh, the president of the Malaysian company, Namphat, had a meeting with vice-chairman of the Ghaziabad Development Authority S.K. Divedi two days ago.

The international standard complex is likely to come up near Morta on Meerut road.

The Sports City will have all facilities and infrastructure of international standard for various sports like athletics, cricket, football, hockey, rugby, badminton, lawn tennis, swimming and many more.

The sports complex, which is being touted to be the most modern in the country, will have both indoor and outdoor stadiums.

The stadiums and the grounds will always be available for practice and training.

Divedi said that Ajit Singh has expressed his desire to develop the sports complex. Namphat is known world over for developing top class institutes for sports.

"We are trying to provide the best infrastructure and facilities for sportsmen in Uttar Pradesh," V-C said.

Giving the details of the welcome programme, District Magistrate Deepak Agrawal said at 9.00 am on Tuesday Additional District Magistrate Sarvjit Ram would welcome the 80-member players team at the entry of the district at Modi Nagar.

The 28-vehicle motorcade would be escorted to Multani Mal Modi Degree College in Modi Nagar where a grand welcome would be organised. At The entry gate, the torch would be handed over to the ADM who would transfer the same to a designated player who would carry the torch to the Collectorate where the District Magistrate would welcome the team.

Leading athletes like Harbans Lal Suri, Arjun award recipient Anuj Chaudhary, Asian Games gold medal winner Sanjiv Balyan, AK Bansal, Megha Chaudhary, Neha Kansal and Latika Mittal are among the participants in torch relay march said the district magistrate.

Ghaziabad and Noida are set to welcome the international players who are entering the district on Tuesday with a commonwealth games relay torch marching to be terminated at the common wealth youth games venue at Pune.

Haryana tourism minister Kiran Choudhry said that the Central tourism ministry has already issued guidelines for setting up of camping sites, especially in view of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games and to augment accommodation with requisite quality and standards. Haryana government was working in close coordination with the Centre and adventure tour operators association to finalize the camping sites. The work was being taken up at camping sites at Surajkund, Hodal, Dharuhera and Morni to attract more tourists.

She said that the Central government has also been approached to provide funds for Damdama camping site, which had already been used as camping sites over the years. This would provide basic infrastructure around camping site including connectivity, electricity, public toilets, tourist reception facilities and parking grounds. The minister added that state government's tourism policy has provision for short-term and long-term leasing policy to private players and accordingly some of camping sites would be leased in public private partnership (PPP) to provide basic facilities to tourists.

The decision was taken recently by the NA Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO), S.K. Singh at a meeting with the representatives of the Gautam Budh Nagar District Sports Association. The DCEO in a brief to the media outlined that the basic responsibility of these special 'nodal' officers would be to organize competitions, look after the upkeep of stadiums and work towards development of sports in the city, as a whole.

In an attempt to inculcate sports amongst the Gen-Xers, he urged parents and guardians of children good in varied sports to encourage their talent. Says Singh, "In todays competitive times, there is a need not only to promote kids who are undertaking training in a sport but also encourage those who are unable to do so in the absence of necessary facilities. And for the development of sports, we don't need just trainers and coaches, but parents and sports associations to support players. In fact, the general public should have a positive attitude towards games and sports." The focus of NA on appointing the nodal officers is to guide the young generation's skills with proper guidance in the right direction. In addition, the nodal officers have been directed to spot talent amongst the kids as well as nurture their abilities.

With a promise to hold more sporting events in the future, the NA officer also informed that changing rooms will soon be constructed for the benefit of stadium users, and mesh wire fencing would be put around the boundary wall for increasing the security of the sporting complex. Considering that NA was upgrading the sports facilities in the city, the DCEO further urged the citizens to use the sports stadium located in the heart of the city.

Battling to wash off stains of a bribery scandal and recovering from its absence from the Olympics, the sport has got a much-needed boost in the country.

Ending a long period of uncertainty, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) finally gave the hosting rights of the Men's World Cup to India. It had provisionally given the rights to Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) last year pending fillfillment of some conditions.

"Delhi has officially been given the rights to host the Men's World Cup. We hope this will help revive Indian hockey," FIH president Els van Breda Viersman told a press conference here.

The tournament would be organised at the National Stadium, currently being renovated in the run-up to the 2010 Commonwealth Games.HT

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Deputy Chief Executive Officelf S. K. Singh, took the decision last week at a meeting with the District Sports Association.

"There is an urgent need not only to promote children who are undertaking training in a sport but also those who are unable to do so in the absence of necessary facilities. And for the development of sports, we don't need just trainers and coaches, but parents and sports associations to encourage players. In fact, the general public as a whole should have a positive attitude towards games and sports," remarked Singh.

"Many times we see children who are just running around in the stadium. It's not that they are short of talent, just that their skills need proper guidance in the right direction. The nodal officers will spot talent among these children and nurture their skills," said Singh.

The DCEO also informed that a changing room will soon be constructed for the benefit of stadium users, and mesh wire fencing would be put around the boundary wall for security "The NA will also take steps towards hold- ing more and more sporting events," he said.

He exhorted people to use the facilities of the stadium, which is one of the best in the NCR region. "Not just players, but even the general public must enjoy these facilities as sports is a must for having good health," he remarked.

Memories of the historic 1983 World Cup triumph, which changed India's cricketing landscape, came alive as the heroes of the watershed victory were felicitated as the silver jubilee celebrations kicked-off from the sprawling greens. Twelve members including team manger Man Singh signed a cricket bat adorned with 25 carat diamonds.
The bat will be auctioned in London during the silver jubilee celebrations of the 1983 World Cup win and the proceeds will be presented to the team members. Other boys from the club of '83 that revolutionized cricket in India including Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Yashpal Sharma, Kirti Azad, Mohinder Amarnath, Syed Kirmani, Balwinder Singh Sandhu, Roger Binny, Sandeep Patil and Sunil Valson, graced the occasion.

The UB Group in partnership with the Gitanjali Group also unveiled a special cricket ball, laser marked with signatures of all the heroes and studded with 30 carat diamonds. With their fond memories they transported the audience, as they recalled the eventful day of June 25 when a bunch of no-hopers emerged world champions creating history 25 summers ago on the hallowed turfs of Lord's by beating Clive Lloyd's invincible West Indies.

On Friday, the Editors Guild of India and the Sports Journalists Federation of India both wrote scathing letters to BCCI chief Sharad Pawar, assailing the accreditation norms for the league and bluntly stating that the guidelines were ``unacceptable''.

Editors Guild president Alok Mehta told TOI, ``The media has been given freedom to cover and communicate things to the public. We have written to BCCI but they are yet to get back to us.'' The guild letter said: ``With deep regret and dismay, we are forced to point out that there are prohibitive conditions in the terms and conditions attached to the form, specifically paras (d) and (e), which deal with conditions of accreditation for print media and photographers. These are unprecedented and unacceptable.''

Discounting the crucial role the media play in highlighting the game, the IPL governing body has refused to grant accreditation to websites for the event, and claimed sole copyright over all news photographs clicked by newspapers and agencies during the games.

IPL says it can use these images for free and without restriction, and has also asked media organizations to upload all their original photographs on the IPL website within 24 hours. It has also restricted web portals' access to images without prior permission.

With all newspapers having online editions, this means media organizations have been barred from uploading their own images online, a ridiculous demand which now threatens a media boycott of the muchhyped event unless BCCI does a rethink on its petty commercial agenda.

`BCCI's demands are ridiculous'

They will play here on March 30, April 6 and 7. Quite a few big guns wn be here, including many who have just retired from international cricket. They will make Gurgaon their home for five days from March 22.

CRICKET CARNIVAL

• Quite a few big guns will be in the city, including many who have just retired from international cricket.
  
• Last year the ICL kicked off its matches from Panchkula's Tau Devilal Stadium.
  
• Matches will be played in Gurgaon on eight of the 30 days of the tournament. There will be two matches on wookends. Most matches are in the afternoon and evening.

The Cricket Control Board has labelled the ICL as a 'rebel' league. As a result, its affiliated units have refused to give their grounds for the ICL. But Haryana agreed and last yeal: the ICL kicked off its matches from Panchkula's Tau Devilal Stadium. Now it is Gurgaon's turn.

The six participating teams comprise Delhi Giants, led by Marvan Atapattu, Chandigarh Lions by Chris Cairns, Hyderabad Heroes by Inzamam-ul-Haq, Chennai Superstars by Stuart Law, Kolkata Tigers by Craig Macmnan and Mumbai Champs by Brian Lara. Matches will be played in Gurgaon on eight of the 30 days of the tournament. On weekends, there wn be two matches. Most matches are in the afternoon and evening.

The Tau Devilal Stadium in Gurgaon, leased to the ICL for 10 years with the filll backing of the Haryana government, is still being given finishing touches. New stands have been erected, brand new floodlights are in place and the pavilion and media centre are being readied for the first big ICL event.

The 96-acre complex, to be completed in 2010, is expected to be funded in several ways, including ``funding by the Sports Authority of India, and an element of build, operate and transfer (BOT)''

EOI has also been invited for building a club in an area of about 20,000 square metres in Kavi Nagar. This club will be built and run entirely on a BOT basis. The land will be allotted on a renewable lease of 30 years by auction. The facilities that the club will have include lawn tennis and badminton courts, swimming pool, joggers' track, conference rooms and spa.

Revealing this to Times City, GDA vice-chairman, SK Dwivedi, said: ``The authority has so far received a keen response for the sports complex from leading Australian and Singapore consultants. And, we expect the whole deal to be finalized and the work to start in less than two months. The SAI said they would not be averse to financing the project once they get some definite details.''

Dwivedi said the kind of facility the GDA has in mind is so far not available anywhere in the NCR. He said this will be a worldclass games complex, comprising hostels for athletes as well as food courts. The GDA documents refer to the complex as a ``sports centre comprising retail, commercial, hospitality and entertainment components spread over 96 acres.''

The complex will have two swimming pools, besides facilities for football, hockey, lawn tennis, cricket, badminton, volley ball, basket ball, boxing and other sports.

Entire cost of the construction of the facility could be anything from Rs 75 crore to Rs 100 crore. As far as the proposed club in Kavi Nagar is concerned, the GDA has invited ``technical proposals,'' to begin with. ``We have specified that the developer must have adequate experience of running such a club, which will be centrally air-conditioned and will have 100% power backup,'' said Dwivedi.

For IOA it was introspection time but for the media persons it was time to come up with answers for the hockey debacle. There were no takers for "we are going to take it one step at a time, we need to work together and we have to find out what went wrong'' speeches.

The meeting was attended by three senior IOA officials AK Mattoo (treasurer), Randhir Singh (secretary general) and Lalit K Bhanot (joint secretary) but it was only Singh who addressed the media, that is when the journalists allowed him to. ``It was a joint collapse and neither a single individual nor a federation can be blamed because of our inability to qualify for the Olympics. But if we don't find out what has gone wrong then this present state might just be the future," said Singh.

"It is a wake-up call, but what is the point of asking somebody to resign. A Jothikumaran or a Gill is not responsible for the loss. The team did not play well (against Great Britain). I am not blaming the players, but we have to see why the team did not play well," he said.

According to highly placed sources, BCCI has followed up on its promise of contributing to the development of other sports by deciding to fund 50% of the training costs of elite Indian athletes who are medal prospects in the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi.

BCCI had earlier set aside Rs 50 crore to finance training of sportspersons from other disciplines. According to sources, the decision to share training costs of Commonwealth Games athletes might incur, at least, another Rs 50 crore, taking the cricket board's monetary commitment for development of other sports to no less than Rs 100 crore.

The decision was taken on Saturday. BCCI president Sharad Pawar has already met Union sports minister Mani Shankar Aiyar in this regard, sources said.