Abu Dhabi, Mar 10 (PTI) Former South African skipper
Shaun Pollock today said if poor performance was criteria for
handing out bans to Pakistani cricketers then the punishment
is a "bit harsh".
The PCB today invoked indefinite bans on Mohammed Yousuf
and Younus Khan and also imposed one-year bans on Shoaib Malik
and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan on the recommendations of the inquiry
committee which probed their flop show Down Under.
The Akmal brothers — Kamran and Umar — and Shahid Afridi
were put under observation and imposed heavy fines.
"I don't know. If that's the reason that they lost in
Australia so they are banned then its a bit too harsh. Elevens
players make a team and they all have to perform. I don't know
what the review system is but its not easy to comment when you
don't know the truth is," said a shocked Pollock, when
informed about the ban.
Talking about his IPL side Mumbai Indians, Pollock said
Sachin Tendulkar's show with the bat would be crucial to their
fortunes in the Twenty20 tournament, beginning Friday.
"I think Mumbai will need him to play well. Here is a guy
so great so you would obviously want him to bat 20 overs and
steers the ship through. If he can get some scores he can get
the team to some wins in some matches," said the former
all-rounder.
Pollock, who is here as an academy member for the Laureus
Sport Award, also feels that Umpire referral system requires
some fine-tuning to give better results.
"Certain things needs to be adjusted. We all want right
decisions to be made so we have to ensure that the technology
we use can get all in perfect place.
"Tennis have implemented it and there is no discussion on
that. When something new is implemented it is difficult to
change people but one year down the lane if you can get
everything in line, it is good technology and can help the
game," he said.
Pollock said the South African team has the firepower to
excel and dominate world cricket in the next two years.
"I don't watch as much cricket as I used to as I have
some other focuses but it is really nice to see the guys doing
well. The team have moved on in the last 10 years. They have
the team to dominate in the next two years. It would be good
time for South Africa in future," he said. PTI ATK AT
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Do not give in to terrorism, tour India: Former star players
Abu Dhabi, Mar 10 (PTI) Legendary cricketers like Steve
Waugh and Ian Botham today adjured the athletes worldwide to
not let terrorism affect sport anywhere in the world including
India, which is set to host extremely popular IPL and
Commonwealth Games later this year.
Waugh said the terror attack on Sri Lakan cricket team in
Pakistan last year has changed the safety perception of the
players but was of the view that players should not surrender
to terrorism by skipping sport events.
"Sportspersons are more concerned now a days. Earlier
they used to feel they are safe but in the last couple of
years that perception have changed because of the way the Sri
Lankan players were attacked in Pakistan.
"The entire landscape has changed but as sportspersons,
we shouldn't give in to the terrorism and must travel to play
the game," said the two-time World Cup winning captain.
Ian Botham, former England all-rounder, also echoed
similar views at a discussion on cricket as a part of the
Laureus Sport Awards at the Emirates Palace here.
"We got to take a stand. We have so many tournaments
lined up. In India we have IPL, Commonwealth Games. In South
Africa we have the Soccer World Cup then there is the world
cup Twenty20 in the West Indies and the 50-50 World Cup in the
sub-continent and Olympics in London in 2012.
"We just can't allow one phone call before the events to
disrupt the tournaments. We shouldn't surrender to terrorism.
My suggestions will be to go and enjoy the game," Botham said.
There are some apprehensions among players about
travelling to India but India's World Cup winning captain
Kapil exuded confidence that the Indian government will do
whatever it takes to ensure safety of the athletes.
"We can't really run away. One has to think positive and
I hope that the world would become a safe place. I am proud
that the IPL is in India and I am sure the Indian government
will make sure that everything goes on well. Mishaps can
happen anywhere so I think if world is safe than India is
safe," Kapil said.
Former South African skipper Shaun Pollock also supported
Kapil's view and was in favour of organising Indian Premier
league in India alone.
"The South African team went to India recently but it was
one team. In IPL, it is 10 teams traveling at 10 different
venues, so it is difficult but IPL has to be in India
otherwise the Indian fans will lose out. I'm sure the Indian
government will make the necessary arrangements," Pollock
said. PTI ATK AT
Waugh and Ian Botham today adjured the athletes worldwide to
not let terrorism affect sport anywhere in the world including
India, which is set to host extremely popular IPL and
Commonwealth Games later this year.
Waugh said the terror attack on Sri Lakan cricket team in
Pakistan last year has changed the safety perception of the
players but was of the view that players should not surrender
to terrorism by skipping sport events.
"Sportspersons are more concerned now a days. Earlier
they used to feel they are safe but in the last couple of
years that perception have changed because of the way the Sri
Lankan players were attacked in Pakistan.
"The entire landscape has changed but as sportspersons,
we shouldn't give in to the terrorism and must travel to play
the game," said the two-time World Cup winning captain.
Ian Botham, former England all-rounder, also echoed
similar views at a discussion on cricket as a part of the
Laureus Sport Awards at the Emirates Palace here.
"We got to take a stand. We have so many tournaments
lined up. In India we have IPL, Commonwealth Games. In South
Africa we have the Soccer World Cup then there is the world
cup Twenty20 in the West Indies and the 50-50 World Cup in the
sub-continent and Olympics in London in 2012.
"We just can't allow one phone call before the events to
disrupt the tournaments. We shouldn't surrender to terrorism.
My suggestions will be to go and enjoy the game," Botham said.
There are some apprehensions among players about
travelling to India but India's World Cup winning captain
Kapil exuded confidence that the Indian government will do
whatever it takes to ensure safety of the athletes.
"We can't really run away. One has to think positive and
I hope that the world would become a safe place. I am proud
that the IPL is in India and I am sure the Indian government
will make sure that everything goes on well. Mishaps can
happen anywhere so I think if world is safe than India is
safe," Kapil said.
Former South African skipper Shaun Pollock also supported
Kapil's view and was in favour of organising Indian Premier
league in India alone.
"The South African team went to India recently but it was
one team. In IPL, it is 10 teams traveling at 10 different
venues, so it is difficult but IPL has to be in India
otherwise the Indian fans will lose out. I'm sure the Indian
government will make the necessary arrangements," Pollock
said. PTI ATK AT
Bradman is the greatest, Sachin comes only second: Waugh
Amit Kumar Das
Abu Dhabi, Mar 10 (PTI) Sachin Tendulkar can come only
second behind legendary Don Bradman in the list of all-time
greatest cricketers, feels former Australia captain Steve
Waugh.
"Don Bradman is the greatest, there is no debate. Don is
the number one and then come the rest. And among the rest,
Tendulkar probably is as good as anyone. So legitimately he
may be the second best cricketer to have played the game,"
Waugh said.
"But then people will say the same for Gary Sobers and W
G Grace too. So its difficult to say," added Waugh, who is
here as a member of the Laureus Sports Academy.
Waugh also said it was dangerous to see Test cricket
losing out quality fast bowlers to Twenty20 format.
"It is dangerous for Test cricket that we are losing the
quicks. It is a Twenty20 influence. Fast bowlers definitely
have a lot of stress and doing this is very demanding.
"I think they realise that they have few years of cricket
in them. They get three times more money by bowling one-tenth
overs in T20. So we had (Andrew) Flintoff, Brett (Lee) and
(Shane) Bond deciding not to play Test which is a shame," he
said.
Two-time World Cup winning captain Waugh said India and
Australia will start the favourites in the ODI World Cup next
year, which will be held in Indian sub-continent.
"Australia have very good record. India is also very hard
to beat in India. So they will be the favourites.
"Then there is also New Zealand. I think, there are
probably five teams capable of winning the World Cup but India
and Australia will be the favourites," he said.
Asked whether Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men were capable of
retaining their number one Test team tag for long, Waugh said:
"I don't think anyone will hold the number one ranking (for
long) because we have three formats of the game.
"With niggling injuries and so many tours, it is very
difficult to be consistent. May be they can hold on to Test
ranking but it is very difficult to dominate all the formats
of the game."
Waugh also has apprehension about the Decision Referral
System and thinks still there is place for improvement.
"I'm at times very confused about it. I was initially
against it but later I read about it and saw decisions going
right but for the last 12 months some of the decisions didn't
seem right, which showed the technology is not completely
full-proof yet," he said.
"The technology have to be better than what it is now or
may be it could go back to the umpires. They could ask for 2-3
referrals rather than the players.
"But then some will argue that we don't have enough good
umpires to ask for a referral all times. So we have to get the
umpires to the standard of Simon Taufel, who is very
confident," Waugh said.
Another incident which has grabbed the attention of Waugh
is the rise of Afghanistan who has qualified for this year's
Twenty20 World Cup to be held in the West Indies.
"It is a great sporting story. It is a potential movie.
It is a fairy tale, the story of the year. Players learning
cricket in the refugee camps and doing so well. I think with
the T20 World Cup coming up, this will be one of the future
stories of the event," he said. PTI ATK DB
Abu Dhabi, Mar 10 (PTI) Sachin Tendulkar can come only
second behind legendary Don Bradman in the list of all-time
greatest cricketers, feels former Australia captain Steve
Waugh.
"Don Bradman is the greatest, there is no debate. Don is
the number one and then come the rest. And among the rest,
Tendulkar probably is as good as anyone. So legitimately he
may be the second best cricketer to have played the game,"
Waugh said.
"But then people will say the same for Gary Sobers and W
G Grace too. So its difficult to say," added Waugh, who is
here as a member of the Laureus Sports Academy.
Waugh also said it was dangerous to see Test cricket
losing out quality fast bowlers to Twenty20 format.
"It is dangerous for Test cricket that we are losing the
quicks. It is a Twenty20 influence. Fast bowlers definitely
have a lot of stress and doing this is very demanding.
"I think they realise that they have few years of cricket
in them. They get three times more money by bowling one-tenth
overs in T20. So we had (Andrew) Flintoff, Brett (Lee) and
(Shane) Bond deciding not to play Test which is a shame," he
said.
Two-time World Cup winning captain Waugh said India and
Australia will start the favourites in the ODI World Cup next
year, which will be held in Indian sub-continent.
"Australia have very good record. India is also very hard
to beat in India. So they will be the favourites.
"Then there is also New Zealand. I think, there are
probably five teams capable of winning the World Cup but India
and Australia will be the favourites," he said.
Asked whether Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men were capable of
retaining their number one Test team tag for long, Waugh said:
"I don't think anyone will hold the number one ranking (for
long) because we have three formats of the game.
"With niggling injuries and so many tours, it is very
difficult to be consistent. May be they can hold on to Test
ranking but it is very difficult to dominate all the formats
of the game."
Waugh also has apprehension about the Decision Referral
System and thinks still there is place for improvement.
"I'm at times very confused about it. I was initially
against it but later I read about it and saw decisions going
right but for the last 12 months some of the decisions didn't
seem right, which showed the technology is not completely
full-proof yet," he said.
"The technology have to be better than what it is now or
may be it could go back to the umpires. They could ask for 2-3
referrals rather than the players.
"But then some will argue that we don't have enough good
umpires to ask for a referral all times. So we have to get the
umpires to the standard of Simon Taufel, who is very
confident," Waugh said.
Another incident which has grabbed the attention of Waugh
is the rise of Afghanistan who has qualified for this year's
Twenty20 World Cup to be held in the West Indies.
"It is a great sporting story. It is a potential movie.
It is a fairy tale, the story of the year. Players learning
cricket in the refugee camps and doing so well. I think with
the T20 World Cup coming up, this will be one of the future
stories of the event," he said. PTI ATK DB
Abu Dhabi to host Laureus World Sports Award tomorrow
Amit Kumar Das
Abu Dhabi, Mar 9 (PTI) Sports stars from around the globe
will converge at the Emirates Palace here when the capital
hosts the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony tomorrow
to recognise the sporting achievements of the year passed by.
It will be a glittering function comprising the who's who
of world sports, including influential figures from athletics,
football, equestrian, snooker and cycling among other
disciplines.
India's cricket World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev will
represent the country as a member of the Laureus Academy which
also has other cricketers in Steve Waugh, Shaun Pollock, Ian
Botham and Brain Lara.
The Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award has Olympic
gold medallist Usain Bolt, 16 grand slam winner Roger Federer
and 2009 FIFA player of the year Lionel Messi as some of the
nominees.
Also featuring in the list are Ethiopian athlete Kenenisa
Bekele, Spaniard cyclist Alberto Contador and the MotoGP world
champion Valentino Rossi of Italy.
However, with most of the nominees still uncertain for
tomorrow's gala evening, the prestigious award function is
likely to lose some sheen.
While Bolts and Federer are likely to miss out, Hollywood
stars will illuminate the evening with Oscar-winning actor
Kevin Spacey leading the peck as he gets ready to host the
show.
The Usual Suspects and American Beauty star will be
joined by many others, including hugely popular British film
stars Hugh Grant and Clive Owen.
Among the special guests at the Awards, will be American
actors Kyle MacLachlan, star of Desperate Housewives, and
Michelle Rodriguez, who plays Trudy Chacon in Avatar and was
Ana Lucia Cortez in the TV series Lost.
Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates,
offers a fascinating combination of the old and new against a
backdrop of the most modern world-class infrastructure, which
has catapulted the capital as one of the most favoured
sporting destinations.
Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix and the Abu Dhabi Golf
Championships are now highlights of the sporting calendar in
the city and the Laureus World Sports Awards to be staged here
is just the right icing on the cake.
"Sports in the Gulf region is huge. We have the biggest
turnout in terms of names and sports. Holding the Awards here
in Abu Dhabi gives a boost to the UAE and the entire Gulf
region. We want to inspire the youth in this region and the
athletes," said Edwin Moses, chairman of the Laureus Academy.
"We have 30 Academy members here which is the second
widest turnout ever. We had an annual get together dinner last
night with all the Academy members, family and friends. But
starting tonight, we will get things rolling. We meet twice a
year. But we hadn't met in 18 months. So, it was nice to get
together last night.
"We are glad and proud to be here. I thank the Abu Dhabi
Sports Council (ADSC) for a fantastic event," he added.
ZCZC
PRI ESPL SPO INT
.ABUDHABI SPF15
SPORT LAUREUS 3
Moses said Laureus has always been an initiative that
wants to bring change through sports.
"We want to use sports as a tool for change. There has
been tremendous change in the last three years. Starting with
six projects, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation supports
almost 80 projects worldwide. We have 46 Academy members now.
We started with 28," he said.
ADSC Mohammed Ibrahim Al Mahmood hoped that hosting this
award function will inspire the other athletes of the country
and someone from the native land someday will win the award.
"We are glad to have this international sports event in
Abu Dhabi. It is very important to us. We want to encourage
young people and make them achieve big things in sport. We in
Abu Dhabi will work hard to encourage young people to take up
sport. We hope that someday, an Emirati will achieve this
award," he said.
Full list of Nominees for the 2010 Laureus World Sports
Awards:
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Kenenisa Bekele
(Ethiopia, Athletics), Usain Bolt (Jamaica, Athletics),
Alberto Contador (Spain, Cycling), Roger Federer (Switzerland,
Tennis), Lionel Messi (Argentina, Football), Valentino Rossi
(Italy, Motor Cycling).
Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year: Shelly-Ann Fraser
(Jamaica, Athletics), Federica Pellegrini (Italy, Swimming),
Sanya Richards (US, Athletics), Britta Steffen (Germany,
Swimming), Lindsey Vonn (US, Skiing), Serena Williams (US,
Tennis).
Laureus World Team of the Year: FC Barcelona (Spain,
Football), Brawn GP Formula One Team (UK), Germany Women's
Football Team, Los Angeles Lakers (US, Basketball), New York
Yankees (US, Baseball), South Africa Rugby Team.
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year: Jenson Button
(UK, Motor Racing), Mark Cavendish (UK, Cycling), Tom Daley
(UK, Diving), Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina, Tennis), Ji
Yai Shin (South Korea, Golf), VFL Wolfsburg (Germany,
Football).
Laureus World Comeback of the Year: Lance Armstrong (US,
Cycling), Kim Clijsters (Belgium, Tennis), Jessica Ennis (UK,
Athletics), Brett Favre (US, American Football), Blanka Vlasic
(Croatia, Athletics), Tom Watson (US, Golf).
Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with Disability:
Justin Eveson (Australia, Wheelchair Basketball), Kurt
Fearnley (Australia, Wheelchair Racing), Gizen Girismen
(Turkey, Para-Archery), Shingo Kunieda (Japan, Wheelchair
Tennis), Michael Teuber (Germany, Cycling), Natalie du Toit
(S.Africa, Swimming).
Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Antoine
Albeau (France, Windsurfing), Chris Cole (US, Skateboarding),
Mick Fanning (Australia, Surfing), Stephanie Gilmore
(Australia, Surfing), Greg Long (US, Surfing), Danny MacAskill
(UK, Trials Bikes). PTI ATK DB
Abu Dhabi, Mar 9 (PTI) Sports stars from around the globe
will converge at the Emirates Palace here when the capital
hosts the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony tomorrow
to recognise the sporting achievements of the year passed by.
It will be a glittering function comprising the who's who
of world sports, including influential figures from athletics,
football, equestrian, snooker and cycling among other
disciplines.
India's cricket World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev will
represent the country as a member of the Laureus Academy which
also has other cricketers in Steve Waugh, Shaun Pollock, Ian
Botham and Brain Lara.
The Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award has Olympic
gold medallist Usain Bolt, 16 grand slam winner Roger Federer
and 2009 FIFA player of the year Lionel Messi as some of the
nominees.
Also featuring in the list are Ethiopian athlete Kenenisa
Bekele, Spaniard cyclist Alberto Contador and the MotoGP world
champion Valentino Rossi of Italy.
However, with most of the nominees still uncertain for
tomorrow's gala evening, the prestigious award function is
likely to lose some sheen.
While Bolts and Federer are likely to miss out, Hollywood
stars will illuminate the evening with Oscar-winning actor
Kevin Spacey leading the peck as he gets ready to host the
show.
The Usual Suspects and American Beauty star will be
joined by many others, including hugely popular British film
stars Hugh Grant and Clive Owen.
Among the special guests at the Awards, will be American
actors Kyle MacLachlan, star of Desperate Housewives, and
Michelle Rodriguez, who plays Trudy Chacon in Avatar and was
Ana Lucia Cortez in the TV series Lost.
Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates,
offers a fascinating combination of the old and new against a
backdrop of the most modern world-class infrastructure, which
has catapulted the capital as one of the most favoured
sporting destinations.
Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix and the Abu Dhabi Golf
Championships are now highlights of the sporting calendar in
the city and the Laureus World Sports Awards to be staged here
is just the right icing on the cake.
"Sports in the Gulf region is huge. We have the biggest
turnout in terms of names and sports. Holding the Awards here
in Abu Dhabi gives a boost to the UAE and the entire Gulf
region. We want to inspire the youth in this region and the
athletes," said Edwin Moses, chairman of the Laureus Academy.
"We have 30 Academy members here which is the second
widest turnout ever. We had an annual get together dinner last
night with all the Academy members, family and friends. But
starting tonight, we will get things rolling. We meet twice a
year. But we hadn't met in 18 months. So, it was nice to get
together last night.
"We are glad and proud to be here. I thank the Abu Dhabi
Sports Council (ADSC) for a fantastic event," he added.
ZCZC
PRI ESPL SPO INT
.ABUDHABI SPF15
SPORT LAUREUS 3
Moses said Laureus has always been an initiative that
wants to bring change through sports.
"We want to use sports as a tool for change. There has
been tremendous change in the last three years. Starting with
six projects, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation supports
almost 80 projects worldwide. We have 46 Academy members now.
We started with 28," he said.
ADSC Mohammed Ibrahim Al Mahmood hoped that hosting this
award function will inspire the other athletes of the country
and someone from the native land someday will win the award.
"We are glad to have this international sports event in
Abu Dhabi. It is very important to us. We want to encourage
young people and make them achieve big things in sport. We in
Abu Dhabi will work hard to encourage young people to take up
sport. We hope that someday, an Emirati will achieve this
award," he said.
Full list of Nominees for the 2010 Laureus World Sports
Awards:
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Kenenisa Bekele
(Ethiopia, Athletics), Usain Bolt (Jamaica, Athletics),
Alberto Contador (Spain, Cycling), Roger Federer (Switzerland,
Tennis), Lionel Messi (Argentina, Football), Valentino Rossi
(Italy, Motor Cycling).
Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year: Shelly-Ann Fraser
(Jamaica, Athletics), Federica Pellegrini (Italy, Swimming),
Sanya Richards (US, Athletics), Britta Steffen (Germany,
Swimming), Lindsey Vonn (US, Skiing), Serena Williams (US,
Tennis).
Laureus World Team of the Year: FC Barcelona (Spain,
Football), Brawn GP Formula One Team (UK), Germany Women's
Football Team, Los Angeles Lakers (US, Basketball), New York
Yankees (US, Baseball), South Africa Rugby Team.
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year: Jenson Button
(UK, Motor Racing), Mark Cavendish (UK, Cycling), Tom Daley
(UK, Diving), Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina, Tennis), Ji
Yai Shin (South Korea, Golf), VFL Wolfsburg (Germany,
Football).
Laureus World Comeback of the Year: Lance Armstrong (US,
Cycling), Kim Clijsters (Belgium, Tennis), Jessica Ennis (UK,
Athletics), Brett Favre (US, American Football), Blanka Vlasic
(Croatia, Athletics), Tom Watson (US, Golf).
Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with Disability:
Justin Eveson (Australia, Wheelchair Basketball), Kurt
Fearnley (Australia, Wheelchair Racing), Gizen Girismen
(Turkey, Para-Archery), Shingo Kunieda (Japan, Wheelchair
Tennis), Michael Teuber (Germany, Cycling), Natalie du Toit
(S.Africa, Swimming).
Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Antoine
Albeau (France, Windsurfing), Chris Cole (US, Skateboarding),
Mick Fanning (Australia, Surfing), Stephanie Gilmore
(Australia, Surfing), Greg Long (US, Surfing), Danny MacAskill
(UK, Trials Bikes). PTI ATK DB
Motivation would be key for Schumacher: Fittipaldi
Abu Dhabi, Mar 9 (PTI) Two time Formula One World
Championship winner Emerson Fittipaldi today said a burning
desire to excel would be a pre-requisite for legendary racer
Michael Schumacher to taste success again.
Schumacher, who is coming out of retirement, would be
back behind the wheels in the season opening Bahrain Grand
Prix on Sunday.
Fittipaldi believes the German legend has in him to beat
the younger drivers and also cited his own example to explain
that age was no bar to win in F1 competition.
"If he can motivate himself to win and keep fit then yes
he can. I know a lot of younger drivers who can't compete with
him when it comes to motivation," Fittipaldi, who won the
World Championship in 1972 and 1974, said.
"The last race I won, I was 49 and in the second place
was a 21-year old. So if he can keep his desire burning, he
can beat the younger drivers," said 1970 United States Grand
Prix winner.
Fittipaldi said Schumacher will take sometime to get into
the groove.
"Once he gets into the rhythm, he will be extremely
competitive. But since motor sports is a team work and a lot
depends on the technical issues and equipments, I think he
will take 2-3 grand prix events to get used to the traffic."
Seven-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion Schumacher
retired in 2006. He almost made a comeback in 2009 when Felipe
Massa suffered a crash but a neck injury spurned that plan.
However, he came out of retirement in December, 2009 and
signed with the Mercedes team. PTI ATK AT
Championship winner Emerson Fittipaldi today said a burning
desire to excel would be a pre-requisite for legendary racer
Michael Schumacher to taste success again.
Schumacher, who is coming out of retirement, would be
back behind the wheels in the season opening Bahrain Grand
Prix on Sunday.
Fittipaldi believes the German legend has in him to beat
the younger drivers and also cited his own example to explain
that age was no bar to win in F1 competition.
"If he can motivate himself to win and keep fit then yes
he can. I know a lot of younger drivers who can't compete with
him when it comes to motivation," Fittipaldi, who won the
World Championship in 1972 and 1974, said.
"The last race I won, I was 49 and in the second place
was a 21-year old. So if he can keep his desire burning, he
can beat the younger drivers," said 1970 United States Grand
Prix winner.
Fittipaldi said Schumacher will take sometime to get into
the groove.
"Once he gets into the rhythm, he will be extremely
competitive. But since motor sports is a team work and a lot
depends on the technical issues and equipments, I think he
will take 2-3 grand prix events to get used to the traffic."
Seven-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion Schumacher
retired in 2006. He almost made a comeback in 2009 when Felipe
Massa suffered a crash but a neck injury spurned that plan.
However, he came out of retirement in December, 2009 and
signed with the Mercedes team. PTI ATK AT
Tiger facing biggest challenge of a comeback in life: Becker
Abu Dhabi, Mar 9 (PTI) Support continued to pour in for
Tiger woods with tennis star Boris Becker and Olympic sprinter
Edwin Moses today saying that the disgraced golfer is now
facing the biggest challenge in his life of making a comeback.
During a discussion on who should be the Laureus best
sportsperson of the decade, six-time Grand Slam singles
champion Becker said that Tiger is in that list for his
golfing achievements and not for his private life antics.
"He (Tiger) is one of the most famous sportspersons and
people want to know what happened behind the scene. We have
heard stories which we didn't expect but it should not matter.
I think the next big challenge for him would be to make a
comeback," Becker said.
"True champions has to comeback from difficult situation,
Tiger has shown that in the golf course but I think this will
be the biggest challenge for him to make a comeback this
time," he said.
Olympic gold medallist Moses of USA also echoed his view.
"In life different things happen to people but if you see
from the performance point of view, the way Tiger has
contributed in golf, it shows how important he is," Moses
said. PTI ATK DB
Tiger woods with tennis star Boris Becker and Olympic sprinter
Edwin Moses today saying that the disgraced golfer is now
facing the biggest challenge in his life of making a comeback.
During a discussion on who should be the Laureus best
sportsperson of the decade, six-time Grand Slam singles
champion Becker said that Tiger is in that list for his
golfing achievements and not for his private life antics.
"He (Tiger) is one of the most famous sportspersons and
people want to know what happened behind the scene. We have
heard stories which we didn't expect but it should not matter.
I think the next big challenge for him would be to make a
comeback," Becker said.
"True champions has to comeback from difficult situation,
Tiger has shown that in the golf course but I think this will
be the biggest challenge for him to make a comeback this
time," he said.
Olympic gold medallist Moses of USA also echoed his view.
"In life different things happen to people but if you see
from the performance point of view, the way Tiger has
contributed in golf, it shows how important he is," Moses
said. PTI ATK DB
Aus should trust India's security arrangements for CWG: Cathy
Amit Kumar Das
Abu Dhabi, Mar 9 (PTI) Olympic gold medallist sprinter
Cathy Freeman today called on her fellow Australian athletes
to trust the security arrangements made by the Indian
government and travel to Delhi for the Commonwealth Games in
October.
The Olympics champion for 400m in the 2000 Sydney Games,
Cathy, who is here for the Laureus world sports award as a
member, said trusting the Indian officials will also help
participants to concentrate more on their sports.
"Trust the policy maker, experts, officials (of the
Commonwealth Games). As athletes they have to trust so that
they can focus on their sport," Cathy said, when asked what
would be her message to the Australian team which will travel
to India for the quadrennial event to be held from October
3-14.
Asked about the assaults on Indian community Down Under,
Cathy said, "It concerns me but it is not only specific to
India but any people. It is definitely an issue which is at
the heart of people's consciousness and awareness in
Australia."
"I know what it feels to lose someone but I can assure
you Australians generally are fair and good people. We will do
what we need to do to ensure that everybody is safe," she
added.
The four-time Commonwealth games gold medallist also felt
that athletes all over the world should abide by the where
about clause of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
"I trusted the system, the rules. I became adaptable. I
didn't feel that it intruded into my personal life and I was
happy to cooperate on the issues that mattered. It was also
important for my conscious," she said.
Cathy praised Olympics gold medallist sprinter Usain Bolt
for his huge contribution towards making the sport clean and
fair, especially after being maligned by dope cases.
"He (Usain) is amazing, extraordinary, a character. He
seems to be a real delight. He has reignited people's faith
and imagination. There was a time when the biggest fear for me
was that everybody will assume that Olympics champions were
druggist but Usain proved a point against that. He is a
phenomenal sprinter."
Cathy, who won the Laureus award in 2001, said her
experiences in life contributed towards taking an important
decision to get associated with Laureus family as a academy
members for the first time.
"When you feel pain, it doesn't have any other way but to
face it and so you have to sort out what is meaningful to you
and so I am here now. They are community oriented, willing to
get their hands dirty to help people, talk about tough issues
like, criminal activities, under-privileged and poor
communities," said Cathy, who lost her brother Norman in a
motor-cycle crash in 2008. PTI ATK SHN
Abu Dhabi, Mar 9 (PTI) Olympic gold medallist sprinter
Cathy Freeman today called on her fellow Australian athletes
to trust the security arrangements made by the Indian
government and travel to Delhi for the Commonwealth Games in
October.
The Olympics champion for 400m in the 2000 Sydney Games,
Cathy, who is here for the Laureus world sports award as a
member, said trusting the Indian officials will also help
participants to concentrate more on their sports.
"Trust the policy maker, experts, officials (of the
Commonwealth Games). As athletes they have to trust so that
they can focus on their sport," Cathy said, when asked what
would be her message to the Australian team which will travel
to India for the quadrennial event to be held from October
3-14.
Asked about the assaults on Indian community Down Under,
Cathy said, "It concerns me but it is not only specific to
India but any people. It is definitely an issue which is at
the heart of people's consciousness and awareness in
Australia."
"I know what it feels to lose someone but I can assure
you Australians generally are fair and good people. We will do
what we need to do to ensure that everybody is safe," she
added.
The four-time Commonwealth games gold medallist also felt
that athletes all over the world should abide by the where
about clause of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
"I trusted the system, the rules. I became adaptable. I
didn't feel that it intruded into my personal life and I was
happy to cooperate on the issues that mattered. It was also
important for my conscious," she said.
Cathy praised Olympics gold medallist sprinter Usain Bolt
for his huge contribution towards making the sport clean and
fair, especially after being maligned by dope cases.
"He (Usain) is amazing, extraordinary, a character. He
seems to be a real delight. He has reignited people's faith
and imagination. There was a time when the biggest fear for me
was that everybody will assume that Olympics champions were
druggist but Usain proved a point against that. He is a
phenomenal sprinter."
Cathy, who won the Laureus award in 2001, said her
experiences in life contributed towards taking an important
decision to get associated with Laureus family as a academy
members for the first time.
"When you feel pain, it doesn't have any other way but to
face it and so you have to sort out what is meaningful to you
and so I am here now. They are community oriented, willing to
get their hands dirty to help people, talk about tough issues
like, criminal activities, under-privileged and poor
communities," said Cathy, who lost her brother Norman in a
motor-cycle crash in 2008. PTI ATK SHN
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