Everest Marathon On May 29

Kathmandu, May 17: The 10^th Tensing- Hillary Mount Everest Marathon is set to take place on the occasion of Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) Day on May 29.

The 42.9-km marathon will begin from the Mt. Everest base camp, which is at an altitude of 5,364 meters from the sea level, and conclude at Namche Bazaar.

As many as 160 athletes from Nepal including the USA, UK South Africa, Poland, Norway, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Italy, India, Hong Kong, Germany, Canada, among other countries, are taking part in the race, the organizer informed.

The marathon organized as the part of adventurous sports tourism takes place in the highest summit of the world.

The event is organized in memory of first-ever climber of the Mount Everest, Edmund Hilary.

Spot-fixing In IPL: BCCI Suspends 5 Cricketers

New Delhi May 15: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday suspended five cricketers, T.P. Sudhindra (Deccan Chargers), Mohnish Mishra (Pune Warriors), Shalabh Srivatsava and Amit Yadav (both Kings XI Punjab) and Abhinav Bali (Delhi Giants in the erstwhile Indian Cricket League) from all forms of the game till a special panel completes a preliminary enquiry into alleged corrupt deals.

Following a sting operation by news channel India TV that showed these cricketers allegedly entering into murky, illicit practices, an emergency meeting of the IPL Governing Council, via video-conferencing, was convened.

After deliberations lasting around six hours, the Council said Ravi Sawani, head of BCCI's anti-corruption wing, would table his findings in 15 days.

BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale said Board president N. Srinivasan had “immediately” appointed Mr. Sawani (retired CBI officer and former Head of Anti Corruption and Security Unit, ICC) as the Commissioner to make a preliminary inquiry as per Rule 32 (ii) of the Memorandum and Rules and Regulations of BCCI on the involvement of players in illegal activities or activities against the interests of the BCCI and the game.

The Commissioner's report would be forwarded to the BCCI's Disciplinary Committee for a probe.

Pune Warriors suspend Mishra

Meanwhile, Mishra has been suspended by Pune Warriors. The franchise said: “Mohnish accepted that the statements made by him on camera were made casually to develop his value or maybe he wanted to be pompous in front of others. He has not received any amount in cash from Sahara. He has apologised for his frivolous and incorrect statements. He will not take any further part in the IPL.”

Through secret cameras and recorded telephonic conversations — an undercover reporter posed as a representative of a player management firm — the channel alleged the cricketers were willing to accept money for deliberate no-balls in domestic matches including the IPL or allegedly sought under-the-table IPL deals that far exceeded the cap for uncapped players (the domestic players who had not played international cricket for India).

When the story broke on Monday, Mr. Srinivasan said, if there was any truth in it, “we would take action.” And IPL COO Sundar Raman requested for the complete footage of the tape.

Sudhindra allegedly wanted Rs. 40,000 for bowling a no-ball. The channel showed the paceman overstepping by a huge margin in an Indore T20 league match. Srivatsava, a left-arm seamer, was recorded on telephone, allegedly demanding Rs. 10 lakh for sending down a no-ball in an IPL game.

Mohnish Mishra, a top-order batsman, allegedly revealed he had been paid Rs. 1.50 crore by Pune Warriors, while the maximum salary cap for an uncapped domestic Indian cricketer was Rs. 30 lakh. Sahara India, the franchise owner, has denied paying money in black to buy Mishra.

The 28-year-old Sudhindra was the highest wicket-taker in the last Ranji Trophy season with 40 scalps at 18.70 bowling for Madhya Pradesh. And the 28-year-old Mishra, who too turns out for the same State, made 470 runs at 47.00. The 30-year-old Srivatsava, who represents Uttar Pradesh, has 130 first class wickets.

Srivatsava denied the allegations and said he would initiate legal action against the television channel.

Editor-in-Chief and Chairman of India TV Rajat Sharma stood by the story. He said “we have been vindicated by the fact that the BCCI has suspended five players.” He added “as far as my knowledge goes, no member of Indian cricket team is involved in any wrongdoing.” (The Hindu)

Five Nations To Play In AFC U-22 Football

Kathmandu, May 13: Five countries including Nepal will participate in the AFC U- 22 Asia Cup Football (Selection Round) to be held at Dasarath Stadium of Kathmandu from June 2-12 to be organised by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA).

The competition to be organised as per the programme of Asian Football Confederation, will have participation of Nepal, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Jordan and Bangladesh U-22 teams, said ANFA in a press communiqué today.

The ANFA has selected 27 players for the preparations of the games.

Nepal Lost To Malyasia In ACC U-16 Final

Kathmandu May 13: Malaysia defeated Nepal by one-wicket in the final of the ACC U-16 Elite Cup by one wicket. Batting first Nepal was bowled out in low score of 118.

Nepal’s performance with the bat let them down in the final as they struggled standing against the disciplined bowling attack of the opponent bowlers. Akash Bista was the highest scorer for the Nepali team who struck 35 runs off 52 balls.

Nepal struck with crucial wickets of their opponents squeezing out whatever momentum Malaysian batsmen had built but was not enough to hand the victory to the team they defeated by the same margin in the group games of the tournament. Malaysia chased the 118-runs target in the last over losing nine wickets with five balls to spare.

Malaysia, in reply, made a good start but lost quick wickets as the match progressed towards the end. However, man of the match Virandeep Singh coolly guided his team towards the victory line smashing 55 not out.

This is the second time in succession that Nepal had finished second in the competition. In the earlier, edition of the tournament in Kathmandu on 2010, Nepal was defeated by Singapore in the final.

Olympic Flame Lit For London Games

Ancient Olympia, May 10: The Olympic flame was lit in Ancient Olympia in Greece on Thursday, in a solemn ceremony filled with mystery and tradition that signals the final countdown to the start of this year's summer Games in London.

Actors in ancient Greek costume invoked the god Apollo in the ruins of the 2,600-year-old Temple of Hera, using a concave mirror to harness the sun's rays and kindle a flame on the torch for a relay that will take it around Greece and Britain.

Dignitaries at the ceremony included the president of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge, as well as the head of the London organising committee, Sebastian Coe.

"We promise to protect the flame, to cherish its traditions and stage an uplifting torch relay of which we can be proud," Coe said in a speech, vowing the event would "lift the spirits and hopes of people across Britain and across the world".

The ceremony marks the start of a week-long torch relay, which will take it to five major Greek archaeological sites, including the Acropolis, before it arrives at the old Olympic stadium in Athens, site of the first modern Games in 1896.

A British delegation will receive the flame at a night-time ceremony on May 17.

The London Olympic Games torch will tour the United Kingdom and also visit the Republic of Ireland before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium in east London on July 27 to a worldwide television audience of billions.

The torch's route in Britain starts on May 19 at Land's End, the southernmost tip of England to begin an 8,000-mile (12,875-kilometre) journey.

From June 3-7, it will visit Northern Ireland and then the Republic of Ireland -- the only country outside the United Kingdom on the torch route. (Agency)

Nepal Registers Second Win

Kathmandu May 6: Nepal registered their second consecutive triumph in the ongoing ACC U-16 Elite Cup cricket tournament, beating Bahrain by eight wickets at the Kinrara cricket ground in Malaysia on Sunday.
Nepal chased the target of 142 runs in 21.2 overs for the loss of two wickets. Nepali batsman Dipendra Chand, also the man of the match in the game, smashed 75 runs while Nurdhoj Sen made 41.
Earlier, wining the toss and electing to bat first, Bahrain scored scored 141, losing all wickets, in 39.5 overs. Nepali bowler A Bista took three wickets conceding just14 runs.
On Friday, Nepal in its opening match had defeated Kuwait by 78 runs, while Bahrain lost its first match against Malaysia by 43 runs.
Nepal will face Iran at the Bayuemas cricket ground on Tuesday.

President Running Shield Competition Begins

Hetauda May 3: State Minister for Youth and Sports, Gopi Achhami, on Thursday inaugurated the secondary-level Second President Running Shield Competition amid a function.

The District Education Office (DEO), and the District Sports Development Committee, Makawanpur, jointly organised the games at Gauritar of Hetauda Municipality-9.

As many as 500 students of 39 community and private schools have been participating in the competition. The competition will last on May 5.

Various events including athletics, volleyball, shot-put, javelin throw and football are included in the tournament.

Speaking at the programme, State Minister Achhami, said the government has prepared the master plan for infrastructure development of sports in the country.

Chairman of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Ganesh Thapa said he was effortful for qualitative development of sports in the country.

On the occasion, State Minister Achhami felicitated ANFA Chairman Thapa from the side of District Sports Development Committee, Makawanpur.

I Am Not A Politician: Sachin

Mumbai May 1: In the backdrop of his nomination to the Rajya Sabha, Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday made it clear that he has no intention of joining politics.

Speaking for the first time since he was nominated for a Rajya Sabha seat on April 26, Tendulkar stated he would never enter politics by giving up cricket which he said was his life.

“I am not a politician. I am a sportsman and will always remain one. I am not going to enter politics giving up cricket, which is my life. I will continue to play cricket,” he said, during a felicitation function by a private firm for scoring his 100th international ton.

Tendulkar’s acceptance of the Rajya Sabha membership has evoked a mixed reaction amongst sportspersons and politicians.

While many have hailed the government’s decision to honour him, there were others who raised doubts on whether the champion batsman can find time and contribute to the Rajya Sabha.

Tendulkar acknowledged that the honour bestowed on him was for his contribution to the field of cricket. “I believe the President has chosen me after recognising what I have done for over 22 years,” he said.

“Cricket is my expertise. I would like to contribute to that field. I am a sportsman and I will always be a sportsman,” said Tendulkar who is the highest run getter in international cricket. (Agency)

Bayern Beat Real To Enter Final

Madrid April 26: PENALTY specialists Germany put das boot into Real’s Euro glory hopes as Bastian Schweinsteiger netted the decisive spot-kick to send Bayern through to a final clash with Chelsea.

Manuel Neuer superbly saved Real’s first two efforts – from Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka – as David Alaba and Mario Gomez put the Bundesliga giants in control of the shootout.

Iker Casillas then denied Toni Kroos and Philipp Lahm to drag Madrid back into it. But after Xabi Alonso scored Madrid’s first, Sergio Ramos skied his shot and Schweinsteiger held his nerve to fire Bayern through to their second final in three years.

That showpiece on May 19 will be played at their home ground, the Allianz Arena, but they stunned the Bernabeu last night by upsetting the odds to turf out Jose Mourinho.

The Special One’s side looked on course for the Final after racing 2-0 up with Ronaldo’s double. However, Bayern battled back with Arjen Robben’s penalty levelling the tie on aggregate.

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said: “It’s not a surprise we are in the Final. We have had great matches against great teams.

“We proved today we are a great team. We are very strong mentally, physically and as a football team. “There was a surprise at the Nou Camp. I have watched Barcelona the looked tired. “Chelsea played well and deserved to reach the Final. It was a masterpiece tactically what they did to Barcelona.”

Heynckes has three players banned for the Final and Chelsea will miss four. The Bayern boss added: “That’s the problem with the rules. Perhaps a few of the rules should be changed so the best players could play.”

Mourinho hopes his old club lift the trophy and said: “Chelsea mean a lot in my life so want them to win.

“We deserved to reach the Final because we have been playing for the Spanish title. The Final is the second team in Germany against the fifth in England. I hope they enjoy it.

“I respect a lot these guys – Mr Heynckes and the players from Bayern because they played a final against me two years ago and lost fairly, like I lose fairly.”

Real had erased their 2-1 deficit from the first leg within five minutes as Alaba was harshly punished for handling Angel di Maria’s shot and Ronaldo slotted home the resulting penalty.

The visitors responded well though and Alaba’s brilliant run and cross left Robben with an open goal that he botched by blasting over from five yards.

Only 15 minutes had passed when Ronaldo doubled Madrid’s lead as he raced on to a brilliant through ball from Mesut Ozil and beat Neuer from the edge of the area.

The tie was back on a knife-edge 12 minutes later when Pepe was penalised for a push on Gomez as he tried to get on the end of Kroos’ cross into the box. Robben’s spot-kick sneaked past Casillas who got a hand to it.

The chances continued to flow at both ends towards the end of an engrossing 45 minutes as Karim Benzema’s curling effort floated just over the bar before Gomez was again found by Kroos but couldn’t beat Casillas.

The Real captain was called into action again to palm away Robben’s free-kick and right at the start of the second period Gomez’s header from a Lahm cross crept wide.

However, both sides then tightened up and chances were harder to come by.Real regained the initiative in extra time but Ronaldo and Kaka both dallied on the ball when given a clear sight of goal.

Mourinho’s men had claims for a third penalty turned down as Esteban Granero was booked for diving despite having his shirt pulled by Neuer. And that decision was to prove vital as Real flopped in the shootout. (Agency)

Pakistan prevail over gutsy Bangladesh

Bangladesh,March 23 - When their gut-wrenching disappointment dies down, Bangladesh will remember that they were just one stroke away from the Asia Cup title. And see it as clinching evidence of their progress. When their sense of relief passes, Pakistan will remember that they were tested to the hilt, but came through somehow. And see it as confirmation of their renowned ability to win the big moments.

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KCC lifted the Martyr´s Dil Bahadur Ramtel Running Cricket Tournament

KATHMANDU, March 21: Kantipur City College (KCC) lifted the Martyr´s Dil Bahadur Ramtel Running Cricket Tournament on Wednesday with three wickets victory over defending champion Balkumari College.

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