Lacson: PH lost about P161.5B tax revenue from big trading partners in 2017 PLAY LIST 03:46Lacson: PH lost about P161.5B tax revenue from big trading partners in 201700:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games UPLB exempted from SEA Games class suspension The 28-year-old Thomas, taken with the final pick in the second round in 2011, can become a free agent when his contract ends after next season.His reputation in Boston was cemented when he led the Celtics through the playoffs last season despite the death of his sister on the eve of the postseason. He also had a front tooth knocked out during the second-round series against Washington and the hip injury eventually forced the team to shut him down early in the East finals, won by the Cavaliers in five games.Thomas believes he is worthy of a maximum contract and has quoted saying, “They better bring out the Brinks truck.”Cleveland is also getting Crowder, a solid perimeter defender, and a first-round pick that Boston got from Brooklyn. The package could help the Cavs reload if James opts out of his contract next summer and leaves Cleveland for a second time.The Vertical first reported the possible blockbuster deal.ADVERTISEMENT Catriona Gray spends Thanksgiving by preparing meals for people with illnesses Read Next Mayweather, McGregor trade verbal jabs as countdown begins MOST READ LATEST STORIES SEA Games: PH’s Alisson Perticheto tops ice skating short program Since Irving made his stunning request, the defending Eastern Conference champions have been looking for a trade partner. They found the perfect one in the Celtics, who will now build around Irving and newly signed free agent Gordon Hayward.Irving’s first regular-season game for Boston will be against Cleveland as the Cavs will host the Celtics on Oct. 17 — a date being circled by fans already.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutIrving, who made the biggest shot in Cleveland history to win the 2016 NBA Finals, is joining a Boston team that lost to Cleveland in last season’s conference finals and has been unable to unseat LeBron James and Co. in recent years.The Cavs were concerned about getting equivalent value for Irving, who has two years remaining on his contract, but in the 5-foot-9 Thomas they are adding one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers. Thomas averaged 28.9 points last season. He missed most of the East finals with a hip injury. Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC SEA Games in Calabarzon safe, secure – Solcom chief LOOK: Venues for 2019 SEA Games WATCH: Streetboys show off slick dance moves in Vhong Navarro’s wedding JUNE 09: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 9, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. Jason Miller/Getty Images/AFPCLEVELAND — Kyrie Irving’s next cross-over will come against the Cavaliers.Cleveland’s All-Star guard, who asked owner Dan Gilbert to trade him earlier this summer, was dealt Tuesday night to the Boston Celtics in exchange for star Isaiah Thomas, forward Jae Crowder, center Ante Zizic and a 2018 first-round draft pick, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.ADVERTISEMENT LIST: Class, gov’t work suspensions during 30th SEA Games The Cavs drafted Irving with the No. 1 overall pick in 2011. He struggled in his first few seasons but blossomed in recent years alongside James. However, that didn’t seem to be enough for the 25-year-old, who has wanted to be the prime player and focal point on his own team.He got his wish. View comments
Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC MOST READ Pirates book first F4 berth For the complete collegiate sports coverage including scores, schedules and stories, visit Inquirer Varsity. Thanks to the TRO, Ricafort will be able to don the maroon-and-white on UP starting on Saturday against league-leader La Salle at Mall of Asia Arena.Perasol said the TRO is a triumph for Ricafort who fought for his rights to play for his first and final playing year in the UAAP.“Rob took great lengths to assert his rights. The court has spoken. Nobody has the power to deny him that right which the court has protected. As his coach, the least I could do is to help him get back up, after stumbling in life many times over in the past,” he said.ADVERTISEMENT The 24-year-old was given the green light to suit up this UAAP Season 80 after securing a temporary restraining order (TRO) from Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar of Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 19, according to UP coach Bo Perasol.“Rob Ricafort chose to fight for a chance, for a change. If you know his personal story, you will understand that this is no longer just about ball for him; this is about his life. Playing in the UAAP was his dream. Now it will come true,” the affable mentor said.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutRicafort was earlier ruled ineligible by the UAAP eligibility committee for exceeding the maximum age limit of 25. His appeal, which was forwarded by UP president Danilo Concepcion, was later denied by the UAAP Board of Trustees.He will only turn 25 in January next year, with the basketball season already over. LATEST STORIES Frontrow holds fun run to raise funds for young cancer patients BSP sees higher prices in November, but expects stronger peso, low rice costs to put up fight Nonong Araneta re-elected as PFF president Fire hits houses in Mandaluyong City Kammuri turning to super typhoon less likely but possible — Pagasa Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles02:07Aquino to Filipinos: Stand up vs abuses before you suffer De Lima’s ordeal01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games LOOK: Loisa Andalio, Ronnie Alonte unwind in Amanpulo for 3rd anniversary E.T. returns to earth, reunites with grown-up Elliott in new ad University of the Philippines forward Rob Ricafort will finally be able to play for the Fighting Maroons on Saturday.ADVERTISEMENT Read Next View comments
MOST READ If confirmed, that would mean Embiid, 23, is being paid the maximum allowed under the rookie wage scale, having played only 31 games over three seasons.Embiid missed the first two seasons after being drafted in 2014 and suffered a knee injury last season which meant he only played 31 games.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutout“Joel Embiid is a transformative young talent that you rarely come across in our game,” 76ers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo said in a statement.“Joel is only scratching the surface, but he has all the potential and promise to go down as one of the all-time greats to wear a Sixers jersey. Ownership’s willingness to extend this contract reflects our collective belief in Joel Embiid and a reinforced commitment to building a championship-level basketball program.” Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers poses for a portrait during the Philadelphia 76ers Media Day on September 25, 2017, at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex in Camden, New Jersey. AFPLOS ANGELES, United States — Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid sealed a five-year contract extension on Tuesday, with the injury-plagued Cameroon-born star saying he hoped to finish his career with the team.The 76ers did not confirm the financial terms of the deal but several US media outlets reported that Embiid stands to earn $148 million (125.3 million euros) over the course of the extension.ADVERTISEMENT Read Next View comments LATEST STORIES Bolts bolster roster for Finals rematch Embiid scored 20 or more points in 19 of 31 games last season before suffering a knee injury in January that required surgery.“I’m so thrilled to be in this position,” Embiid said in a statement.“I want to thank ownership, management, the coaches and most of all the fans, for supporting me throughout this whole process. I love this city and I’m so, so, so, so excited to be spending my next five years here and hopefully the rest of my career, God willing. Trust ‘The Process.’” /cbbADVERTISEMENT BSP sees higher prices in November, but expects stronger peso, low rice costs to put up fight Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH
Nonong Araneta re-elected as PFF president LOOK: Loisa Andalio, Ronnie Alonte unwind in Amanpulo for 3rd anniversary Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles00:59Sports venues to be ready in time for SEA Games01:27Filipino athletes get grand send-off ahead of SEA Games01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games Frontrow holds fun run to raise funds for young cancer patients Kammuri turning to super typhoon less likely but possible — Pagasa Fire hits houses in Mandaluyong City Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. 
South Korea to suspend 25% of coal plants to fight pollution Cayetano dares Lacson, Drilon to take lie-detector test: Wala akong kinita sa SEA Games MOST READ More than 5,000 measles deaths in DR Congo this year — WHO Lakers win 9th straight, hold off Pelicans LATEST STORIES Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next #KicksStalker: What makes the Agimat click? But the players themselves believe that they have the capacity to make some noise in the international halfcourt stage.READ: Quiñahan joins Paras, Teng, Ravena in PH 3×3 squadFEATURED STORIESSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completionSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hosting“I think our team is perfect for 3×3,” said the highly touted forward Kobe Paras.“It’s a mixture of youth and experience, and in terms of our strength, speed will be our advantage,”Kiefer Ravena added. Pagasa: Kammuri now a typhoon, may enter PAR by weekend
‘Coming Home For Christmas’ is the holiday movie you’ve been waiting for, here’s why The Chooks-Pilipinas 3×3 squad. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ Joaqui FloresDespite the overwhelming talent in the Chooks-Pilipinas 3×3 squad, coach Eric Altamirano believes that teamwork will be the determining factor in the team’s success in the 2017 Fiba 3×3 World Cup.“We’re facing bigger and stronger teams so we really have to rely on our teamwork,” said the seasoned mentor on Wednesday.ADVERTISEMENT LOOK: Vhong Navarro’s romantic posts spark speculations he’s marrying longtime GF Paras and Ravena will be joined by Jeron Teng and NLEX big man JR Quiñahan in the 3×3 team that will compete in Nantes, France on June 17 to 21.The team’s bankrollers expressed confidence with the Philippine team in its World Cup bid as it aspires to replicate Gilas Pilipinas’ triumph in the 2017 Seaba Championship.“We believe we have a good chance in 3×3 and we’re hoping that the success we had in five-on-five will also translate in 3×3,” said Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. president Ronald Mascariñas.Teng, however, is tempering expectations with the Chooks-Pilipinas 3×3 crew gunning to exceed last year’s finish.“Hopefully, we’ll get a better record than what we had in the previous year and we’ll just do our best,” he said.ADVERTISEMENT Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students PLAY LIST 01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes SEA Games: PH beats Indonesia, enters gold medal round in polo Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. View comments
1 dead in Cavite blast, fire MOST READ World’s 50 Best Restaurants launches new drinking and dining guide Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Cavs owner, Billups met for 2nd straight day Heart Evangelista admits she’s pregnant… with chicken Lacson: SEA Games fund put in foundation like ‘Napoles case’ WATCH: Firefighters rescue baby seal found in parking garage KD takes out a full page ad in the SF Chronicle to say Thank You. pic.twitter.com/6MJse6vuCk— Warriors Talk (@JaeAzizi) June 21, 2017It’s safe to assume that Kevin Durant is still on cloud nine after capturing his first-ever NBA Championship with the Golden State Warriors and nabbing the NBA Finals MVP title in the process.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completionSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutA week after achieving every professional player’s dream, the 28-year-old lanky forward expressed his gratitude to the entire city of San Francisco.ADVERTISEMENT What ‘missteps’?
Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss PLAY LIST 02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games Jordan delivers on promise: 2 Cobra choppers now in PH But instead of posting on social media, Durant opted for the more traditional newspaper ad, in the San Francisco Chronicle. As posted by the Warriors Talk fan page on Twitter, KD had nothing but kind words for his teammates, coaches, ownership, staff, front office and fans “for making my initial season with the Warriors an incredible and exhilarating championship experience.”“Great accomplishments are never achieved alone and are best when shared with others,” he wrote, along with his personal signature.The message was accompanied by a photo of Durant, who was visibly all smiles during the Warriors Victory Parade earlier this week.The broadsheet even showed Durant’s creative side, as he used the word “THANK YOU” as initials to every person he was grateful for.Meanwhile, Durant is expected to stay with the Dubs next season after declining his player option, according to ESPN’s Chris Haynes. Khristian Ibarrola /raADVERTISEMENT LATEST STORIES Heart Evangelista admits she’s pregnant… with chicken Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next View comments
LATEST STORIES El Nido residents told to vacate beach homes Another vape smoker nabbed in Lucena China furious as Trump signs bills in support of Hong Kong Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. MOST READ Lacson: SEA Games fund put in foundation like ‘Napoles case’ READ: Paul George heading to Thunder, Griffin stays with Clippers – reportsBut according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, George could have ended up with another Western powerhouse—the reigning NBA Champions Golden State Warriors.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completionSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSWin or don’t eat: the Philippines’ poverty-driven, world-beating pool starsIndy reportedly offered their former prized superstar in exchange for the services of the Warriors’ sweet-stroking guard, Klay Thompson. The Dubs, however, decided to decline the offer.George confirmed that the proposed trade was in fact true and shared his two cents if the deal went through. NBA: Durant offered kind words to Paul George on what to expect with ThunderSports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next LOOK: Jane De Leon meets fellow ‘Darna’ Marian Rivera
Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss PLAY LIST 02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games View comments Ex Indiana Pacers’ forward Paul George (24) is fouled by Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson (11). (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)NBA fans were certainly taken aback when former Indiana Pacers forward Paul George was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.The four-time All-Star was heavily pursued by multiple franchises, but eventually landed at the Russell Westbrook-led squad, which was an unlikely destination at the time.ADVERTISEMENT Pagasa: Kammuri now a typhoon, may enter PAR by weekend Mayweather, McGregor take trash-talk tour to New York Hotel says PH coach apologized for ‘kikiam for breakfast’ claim Ethel Booba on hotel’s clarification that ‘kikiam’ is ‘chicken sausage’: ‘Kung di pa pansinin, baka isipin nila ok lang’ “I would’ve looked forward to it, of just being in a good situation and a chance to compete for a championship,” he told the veteran sports journalist.The lanky 27-year-old forward, however, joked that such a deal might have been nixed by the league.“Yeah, I think that would’ve been the Chris Paul-to-LA situation where they denied that trade,” he added.In a subsequent tweet, Wojnarowski clarified that it was Indiana that offered the deal and that Golden State never put Thompson in the trading block. Khristian Ibarrola /raRELATED STORY:ADVERTISEMENT
A budget of Rs 300 crore, of which Rs 40 crore has been spent on a helium balloon that may well not be used because of the rains. India’s finest aesthetes, Javed Akhtar, Shyam Benegal and Prasoon Joshi, as aesthetic advisors, helped by creative director Bharat Bala and executed by,A budget of Rs 300 crore, of which Rs 40 crore has been spent on a helium balloon that may well not be used because of the rains. India’s finest aesthetes, Javed Akhtar, Shyam Benegal and Prasoon Joshi, as aesthetic advisors, helped by creative director Bharat Bala and executed by Wizcraft, one of India’s largest event management companies. Thirty meetings of the Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by S. Jaipal Reddy since May 2009. Yet the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games seem designed to be a gigantic damp squib.A.R. Rahman (centre) presents the theme song for the Games.Till as late as a September 6 meeting, the minutes show that the GoM was wondering whether to play a modern version of the Vande Mataram or not. The music track of the segment “Tree of Knowledge” is still not done. While the three advisors have an excuse-theirs was to ideate not implement-it is Wizcraft which now has to implement a brief that like Topsy has only grown. From getting multiple approvals for vendors to making last minute changes because the 15-member GoM with Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Organising Committee (OC) chairman Suresh Kalmadi and Union Sports Minister M.S. Gill as members demanded it, half of Wizcraft’s staff is working 20-hour days to coordinate the 7,000 dancers who will congregate at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on October 3 and October 14.Aesthetic AdvisersThe three were appointed by the GoM to create a concept for the two ceremonies, but left the execution to video impresario Bharat Bala.advertisementShyam BenegalPrasoon JoshiJaved AkhtarThe multiple authorities represented in the GoM, the search for an elusive consensus and a changeable brief is at the root of an event that was put together in haste, when compared to the 2008 Beijing Olympics where the concept was ready 13 months in advance. By all accounts, the performers will get less than 10 days to rehearse at the actual venue.Compare this with the Zhang Yimou-directed Beijing opening ceremony where 10,000 dancers rehearsed for four months to give a world-class performance or the London Olympics 2012 , where Oscar-winner Danny Boyle has already been commissioned as artistic director. So far, the dancers have been going through the paces at the Parade Ground in north Delhi and can only practise in the stadium once the stage is erected, slotted to be completed on September 21, just 13 days before the Games. Here too there is a catch.Due to incessant rains in the Capital, the ground compaction (the process of increasing the weight bearing capacity of soil for pre-construction) at the main venue has still not been completed. The proposed stage may not be constructed at all. The stage-less show would mean that all flying scenics will have to be dropped. In the worst case scenario, which is a distinct possibility, bad weather would mean the aerostat, which has already blown up a controversy with the OC awarding the contract for it to a firm called K-events without floating an open request, might have to be removed.This article appeared in the India Today magazine dated August 23, 2010. Subscribe to the print copy or read it on Zinio. A puppet which will be cinched to the rS 40-crore aerostat in the opening ceremony.Even by our own standards, we may fall short. The opening of the 1982 Asiad in Delhi was a two-year-long effort which culminated in a one-and-a-half-hour-long cultural ceremony with lezim dancers from Maharashtra, ghoomar from Rajasthan and a Holi dance from Uttar Pradesh choreographed by Birju Maharaj, all masterminded by three army officials: General Adi M. Sethna, NCC Director General Major General Narinder Singh and General Officer Commanding Delhi area, Major General Onkar Bhandari.There were last minute changes then too, but this time there has been second guessing at every point-which version of Vande Mataram should be played in the closing ceremony, should the music of Vaishnav jan be played on the flute accompanied by the chanting of hymns, should 800 dancers perform only to Kabir’s doha (couplet) or should the shabad of Guru Gobind Singh Koi bole Ram, koi khudai be included?Benegal says kindly that India is a nation where everyone has a “million opinions” and “you just cannot please all, especially with an elusive concept like unity in diversity” but the ceremonies do try. The actual event follows much of the concept that Joshi-Benegal-Akhtar originally outlined. It’s divided into four segments: the Swagatham segment, the yoga segment, the Tree of Knowledge and the Great Indian Journey.The Playing FieldHow India fares in the big league of games’ hostsadvertisementThe opening ceremony in Beijing.Beijing Olympics, China, 2008: The three-and-a-half-hour opening ceremony cost $300 million, showcasing China’s new position of power in the world order.FIFA World Cup, South Africa, 2010: Organised at an estimated budget of $10 million, the opening ceremony went on for two days. Shakira teamed up with a local group, Freshlyground, to give the world Waka waka.Commonwealth Games, India, 2010: The two-hours opening and an hour-and-a-half-long closing ceremony will cost Rs 300 crore, showing India’s best kept secret, unity in diversity. This section is further divided into the Human Train which will showcase aspects of rural India-a series of spectacles visible from a moving train to be projected on the aerostat. The aerostat is the brainchild of Mark Fisher who has done flashly rock concerts with U2 and Pink Floyd. The other two designers are Dan Potra who worked on two segments of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and Bollywood’s Omung Kumar who has worked on Wizcraft’s Rs 200-crore Kingdom of Dreams project, India’s first live entertainment and leisure destination located in Gurgaon.The opening ceremony has six major choreographers-Shiamak Davar, Brin and Laura, folk dancer Santosh Shetty, Devendra Shelar and theatre director Bansi Kaul-as well as 100 other dance masters. A.R. Rahman, who was paid a fee of more than Rs 5 crore, has given the structure for the entire music track, apart from the theme song, with individual pieces composed by Shankar Mahadevan and Ranjit Barot among others.The closing ceremony will be pegged on internationalism, where the whole world is treated like a family as the Sanskrit phrase Vasudhaiva kutumbakam signifies. It will have nine segments, two of which will be purely cultural. In the first segment, named Agni, indigenous martial arts like gatka and malkhamb will be showcased. The longest segment would be that of music of universal love where folk, sufi, and popular tunes will be played in tandem and would bring the gala event to an end. In all this, one man, Suresh Kalmadi, seems oddly confident.”This will be the best opening ceremony of the best Commonwealth Games ever held. And those who raise questions now will have to eat their words.” That, or his critics, who multiply by the day, will make a meal of him.This article appeared in the India Today magazine dated August 23, 2010. Subscribe to the print copy or read it on Zinio.
Life throws various challenges at us. While some steer clear of them and take things lying down, only a few have the audacity to stand up against all odds and rise like a phoenix.Such has been the story of Patricia Mustapha from Mauritius. Having lost a leg at the tender age of nine in a cyclone, not many would have given her the slightest chance to lead a normal life, leave alone represent her country in the international arena.After representing Mauritius in swimming in the 2006 Commonwealth Games, she is set to compete in the XIXth edition of the Games as well. But this time, land – not water – will be her battleground.She will compete in the women’s 1,500m event with a prosthetic leg. The 28-year-old said the fact that she was looked upon differently during her growing-up years gave her the courage to fight adversity. She said: ” A cyclone caused a whole wall to crash on my legs.Although my left leg was unscathed, my right leg had to be amputated. My whole world came crashing down. “Having led the pack till a few days ago, I was reduced to being merely a spectator. While children my age would run around, I’d sit in a corner watching them play.” Slowly, she realised she was the butt of their ridicule. “But I didn’t give up.Life is beautiful and one should live it to the fullest,” she said. She believes her critics moulded her mettle. “My detractors gave me the courage to keep fighting and having done that with sincerity, I am where I am today.” She also acknowledged her parents’ role while growing up.advertisement”When my spirits sagged, they would always stand by me and make me feel special rather than challenged. With our events starting on Wednesday, all I now wish to do is win my country a medal and make my family proud,” the mother of three said.
With players from the Mittal Champions Trust bagging 12 medals including five Gold in the Commonwealth Games so far, billionaire India-born businessman Lakshmi Mittal said the goal is to “prepare” and “nurture” many more such sportspersons for London Olympics.”I am delighted with the performance of Mittal Champions at CWG 2010 and am hopeful that under continued world-class professional guidance and care, they will emerge victorious on the Olympic stage as well. At MCT, our goal is to prepare and nurture many more such sportspersons for London 2012,” Mittal, Trustee of MCT, said in a statement.Since November 2005, MCT has been grooming some of India’s next generation of champions.Set up by Mittal, Chairman and CEO, ArcelorMittal and his son-in-law Amit Bhatia, MCT’s target is to promote India on the Olympic platform.The Trust provides selected athletes with coaching, training centers, nutrition, physiotherapy and any other support they might need to compete in their sport.Incidentally, Abhinav Bindra, country’s first individual gold at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, is also a product of the Trust.In the current Games, five gold, five silver and two bronze medals have been won so far by the players sponsored by MCT in archery, wrestling and shooting.Bhatia said the success of the MCT athletes has only strengthened their belief that India has tremendous talent and potential to take a lead in the international sporting arena.”This was just the encouragement we needed to scale-up our preparation for London 2012,” he said.The statement said 17 sportspersons, sponsored by MCT, are competing in categories like squash (Joshana Chinappa), archery (Bombayla Devi and Mangal Singh Champia), boxing (Dinesh Kumar, Akhil Kumar, S. Samoonta), wrestling (Yogeshwar Dutt, Narsingh Yadav, Geeta Kumari, Babita Kumari), shooting (Abhinav Bindra, Ronjan Sodhi, Lajja Gauswami, Suma Shirur, Heena Sidhu) and athletics (Srabani Nanda and Siddhant Thingalaya).advertisement
VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar won the awards for best batting performances in Tests and ODIs while Dale Steyn bagged the top prize in Test bowling in the fourth annual ESPNcricinfo Awards in Bangalore on Monday.Umar Gul, Michael Hussey and Tim Southee were the other winners.Laxman bagged the award for best Test batting for his 96 on a bowler-friendly pitch in Durban last December, while Tendulkar won the ODI award for his unbeaten double-hundred against South Africa in Gwalior last February, the first in the history of the 40-year-old format.Steyn took the bowling prize for his seven for 51 against India in Nagpur on a flat track.While Tendulkar still remains the only player to have scored a double ton in ODIs, what helped Laxman and Steyn beat their rivals was that their efforts came on unfavourable conditions, and led their teams to historic victories.This was the second time Tendulkar has won an award in this category — he had won last year for his brilliant 175, though in a losing cause against Australia in Mohali.Tendulkar faced stiff competition from Abdul Razzaq’s hurricane 109, which took his side to miraculous win against South Africa after they were nine down and needed 30 runs to win.Also winning his second award in two years was Umar Gul, the last year’s T20 bowling winner taking the ODI prize for his six for 42 against England at The Oval.In Twenty20, Southee was the runaway winner for his five-wicket burst in nine balls, which included a hat-trick.Hussey’s “freakish” innings of 60 in the World T20 semifinal against Pakistan beat Brendon McCullum’s century against Australia.The jury included former internationals Ramiz Raza, Kepler Wessels, Ian Chappell, Tony Greig, Geoff Boycott, Sanjay Manjrekar and Martin Crowe, and ESPNcricinfo’s senior editors.The jurors picked their top three performances in each category out of shortlists compiled by the site’s editorial staff. Each performance ranked No 1 got five points, while No 2 and 3 got three points and one respectively.Tendulkar’s and Gul’s performances were ranked No 1 by 10 jury members, Steyn’s by eight and Laxman’s 96 by five.advertisementWith inputs from PTI