Indian sports wrap, December 5: IGU names returning office for third time for its polls

HOCKEY

Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand set up final in sub-junior women’s national championship

Hockey Madhya Pradesh and Hockey Jharkhand won their semifinal fixtures and sealed their spot in the final of the 14th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2024 being held at the South Central Railways Sports Complex, RRC Ground, Rail Nilayam in Secunderabad, Telangana.

In the first semifinal of the day, Madhya Pradesh defeated Mizoram, 3-2. Though Ruthi Lallawmzualli (3’) gave Hockey Mizoram an early lead, Hockey Madhya Pradesh responded with goals from Naz Nousheen (13’), and Rubi Rathore (32’) to edge ahead. Captain Laltlanchhungi (52’) found the equaliser for Mizoram in the fourth quarter, however Tanvi (56’) scored a late-winner to secure Hockey Madhya Pradesh’s place in the Final.

In the second semifinal, Hockey Jharkhand prevailed over Hockey Association of Odisha, winning the game 1-1 (3-2 SO) in shootout after a draw over the four quarters. Manjhi Pushpa (8’) scored an early goal to give Hockey Jharkhand the lead. Anjana Xaxa (45+’) levelled the game as Hockey Association of Odisha successfully scored from a penalty corner. The game went to the shootout after both sides failed to score during the next two quarters. Hockey Jharkhand won the shootout 3-2 as Hemrom Leoni, Rina Kullu and Anupriya Soreng successfully scored.

The 3rd/4th Place match between Hockey Mizoram and Hockey Association of Odisha will take place on December 6th at 11:00 AM and Hockey Madhya Pradesh and Hockey Jharkhand will face off in the Final of the 14th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2024 on December 6th at 1:00 PM.

– Team Sportstar

Despite draw, Indian Navy makes semis in Nehru tournament

Indian Navy squandered a 3-0 half-time lead but made the semifinals despite a 3-3 draw against Punjab National Bank (PNB) in the last league match of the SNBP 60th Nehru hockey tournament at the Shivaji Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday.

In the other match of the day, Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) outplayed Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) 5-0.

In the semifinals on Friday, PSPB will play Comptroller and Auditor General XI at 12 noon, and Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) will be challenged by Indian Navy at 2 p.m.

– Kamesh Srinivasan

GOLF

Indian Golf Union appoints former HC judge Malik as RO for polls

Indian Golf Union (IGU) on Thursday named a returning officer for the third time for its December 15 elections after retired Justice Permod Kohli resigned from the role following concerns raised by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha for a potential conflict of interest.

Retired judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court, R Malik was named RO with just 10 days left for the polls.

“It is to inform all member SGAs that on account of the resignation of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Permod Kohli, Hon’ble Mr. Justice (Retd) R. Malik has been appointed as the Returning Officer to conduct the elections of IGU, which is to be held on 15.12.2024,” IGU president Brijinder Singh said in an email to State Golf Associations (SGAs).

Kohli had replaced Justice (retd) OP Garg, a former Allahabad High Court judge, who initially barred five state associations from participating in the polls on November 25 for not providing requisite documents. Garg reversed his decision the following day, leading the IGU to announce an indefinite postponement of the elections.

The postponement prompted IOA president Usha to write to the IGU chief seeking an explanation and warning of “strict actions,” including forming an ad hoc body, if the response was unsatisfactory.

After Kohli’s appointment as the RO last Tuesday, Usha raised concerns over a potential conflict of interest, given he is the current chairperson of the IOA’s Arbitration Commission.

“Being the Chairperson of the permanent standing committee (Arbitration Commission) of the Indian Olympic Association, accepting an appointment as the Returning Officer of IGU may not be in order…,” Usha wrote in a letter to Kohli.

“We request you to kindly provide us a written explanation… by 1000 hrs on 04 December 2023,” she added.

Kohli, a former Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court, stepped down but not before refuting Usha’s claims of potential conflict of interest and terming them as “totally unwarranted and unacceptable”.

“At the outset, I may inform you that para 4 of your letter is absolutely uncalled for. Firstly, you have no right to call my explanation nor am I under any obligation to tender any explanation to you,” he wrote in his response to Usha.

“This is for your information that till date no matter has been referred to me for arbitration or appointment of an arbitrator in my capacity as Chairperson of the Olympic Arbitration Commission and thus the question of conflict of interest does not arise at all. The allegation of conflict of interests is totally unwarranted and unacceptable.” Kohli gave his reasons for stepping down, stating that he had accepted the role of RO in good faith after being approached by the IGU Director-General.

“As regards my appointment as RO, the DG of IGU approached me via email dated 1st December 2024, informing me that Justice O.P. Garg, the earlier RO, had resigned.

“There was no reason for me to doubt. In any case, I have no interest in any of the parties or the union’s affairs. I’m forwarding my resignation as RO to the President of the IGU,” he said.

Usha had also written to the IGU president, urging him to adhere the principles of good governance and the IOC Charter.

“I have also taken note of various emails and letters which have expressed their concern over the appointment of the 2nd RO by the erstwhile President, IGU. We do not want a situation that due to these unfortunate events an Ad-Hoc Committee would have to be appointed by the IOA to take over the affairs of the IGU,” Usha wrote.

The controversy erupted after the first Returning Officer, OP Garg, had acted on a complaint by Shyam Sunder, Chairman of the IGU Technical Committee and a council member, who alleged that five State Golf Associations (SGAs) existed only on paper, violating the spirit of the National Sports Code.

Shyam Sunder has now filed a complaint against Usha to the IOA Ethics Commission, accusing her of interfering in the IGU elections and showing bias.

“Most troubling is the conduct of the President of the IOA, who, without any lawful authority, has shown undue favouritism toward the old Returning Officer by issuing a series of letters interfering in the IGU’s autonomous functioning,” Sunder wrote in a letter to the IOA Ethics Commission.

“This unwarranted intervention undermines the integrity of the electoral process and is both unethical and illegal and a blatant violation of established norms,” he added.

Per the election schedule, nominations must be finalised by December 5, with the final list of contestants, after scrutiny and withdrawals, to be confirmed by December 10. Elections are slated for December 15.

– PTI

Bhullar lone Indian to make cut in Saudi Arabia

Gaganjeet Bhullar was the sole Indian golfer to make the 36-hole cut at the Saudi International as Anirban Lahiri and Shubhankar Sharma missed it in Riyadh on Thursday.

Bhullar added 4-under 67 at the Par-71 Riyadh Golf Club to get to 4-under for two rounds as Lahiri (73-67) missed it by one. Sharma (71-71) fell three shots short.

– PTI

Atwal lies 20th in PGA Tour Champions Q-School

India’s Arjun Atwal had a roller-coaster of a round as he moved up to tied 20th after two rounds in the PGA TOUR Champions Qualifying Tournament (Final Stage) at TPC Scottsdale’s Champions Course.

After 1-over 72 on the first day, his 67 took him to 5-under and tied 20th as only the top five players from the field will earn a full card to the PGA Tour Champions for 2025.

Atwal had an eagle and five birdies against a bogey and a double bogey in his 67.

At the end of four rounds, the top-five finishers will be fully exempt into open, Full Field Events for PGA TOUR Champions in the 2025 season. In addition, players finishing sixth through 30th will be eligible to compete in open qualifiers on PGA TOUR Champions in 2025.

– PTI

POLO

Mackenzie’s goals in vain in D’Monde Cup

Chris Mackenzie scored all six goals for the team but Vimal Arion Achievers was beaten 7-6 by Jindal Panther in a league match of the D’Monde Cup polo tournament at the Army Equestrian Centre, Delhi Cantonment, on Thursday.

– Kamesh Srinivasan

BASKETBALL

Rajasthan boys, Karnataka girls win youth national titles

Rajasthan boys and Karnataka girls emerged as champions in the 39th National youth basketball championships at the Sabuj Sathi Indoor Stadium, Howrah, on Thursday.

Rajasthan rode on top-scorer Piyush Choudhary’s 27 points to beat Karnataka 85-67 in the final to retain its title.

Deepika P.P. and Nidhi Umesh scored 16 points apiece to help Karnataka defeat Tamil Nadu 61-54 in a closely-fought girls final and regain the trophy.

Tamil Nadu boys and Kerala girls claimed third spots.

The champions, runners-up and third-place finishers received ₹3 lakh, ₹2 lakh, ₹1 lakh each.

Bhupendra Singh (Rajasthan) and Taarusree Tarun (Karnataka) were adjudged the ‘Most Valuable Player’ among boys and girls respectively and bagged a prize money of ₹50,000 each. Yadesh Kumar (Tamil Nadu) and Nidhi Umesh (Karnataka) were best shooters in boys and girls sections respectively.

– Team Sportstar

TENNIS

Arjun sets up all-Indian semifinal in ITF juniors

Arjun Rathi kept the Indian hopes alive as he set up a semifinal clash against Vihaan Reddy in the ITF junior tennis tournament at the Deccan Gymkhana on Thursday.

Arjun, the champion of the last tournament in Delhi, beat seventh seed Sehaj Singh Pawar 6-1, 6-4, while Vihaan stopped the fine run of Samarth Sahita in three sets.

In the girls section, second seed Rishitha Reddy overcame stiff resistance from Sai Janvi for a 6-0, 5-7, 6-2 victory. She will play Aishwarya Jadhav in the semifinals.

– Kamesh Srinivasan

Tanisha Kashyap in quarterfinals

Sixth seed Tanisha Kashyap beat Caterina Odorizzi of Italy 7-5, 6-3 in the pre-quarterfinals of the $15,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament in Stellenbosch, South Africa, on Thursday.

– Kamesh Srinivasan

Tennis Premier League: Hyderabad Strikers beats Yash Mumbai Eagles

Harriet Dart beat Zenep Sonmez 15-10 to pave the way for Hyderabad Strikers’ 52-48 victory over Yash Mumbai Eagles in the preliminary phase of the Tennis Premier League (TPL) at the CCI on Thursday.

Karan Singh, Zenep and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan combined to fight strong in the next three rubbers to keep the Mumbai team close to the top.

Vishnu Vardhan and Harriet Dart during their mixed doubles match for Hyderabad Strikers against Yash Mumbai Eagles in the TPL in Mumbai on Thursday.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

In fact, Hyderabad stayed at the top with 164 points, and was followed by Mumbai (157), Rajasthan Rangers (154).

Sumit Nagal did well to win his singles against Bernabe Miralles and the doubles with Vijay Sundar Prashanth to guide Gujarat Panthers to a 53-47 victory over the defending champion Bengaluru SG Pipers.

Ekaterina Kazionova put the foundation for Gujarat by winning the women’s singles 14-11 against Gabriela Knutson. Gujarat was fourth with 150 points.

With the top four of the eight teams qualifying for the semifinals, the race will heat up further over the next two days of league fixtures, as Chennai Smashers, Bengaluru SG Pipers, Punjab Patriots and Bengal Wizards try to change the position on the table.

– Kamesh Srinivasan