www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 30th August 2014
Turban ban: BFI lodges official complaint with Fiba
A day after Sikh cager Anmol Singh was humiliated at the Asian U-18 Basketball Championship in Doha, the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) has lodged an official complaint with the International Basketball Federation (Fiba). Anmol was asked to remove his patka during India's preliminary round game against Malaysia. The incident led to many from the sports fraternity, including legendary athlete Milkha Singh and former Indian cricket team captain Bishan Singh Bedi, slamming Fiba Asia officials. In a letter addressed to Fiba secretary general Patric Bauman, BFI lodged a strong protest while requesting the governing body to amend the rules regarding the headgear immediately so that the discrimination and humiliation faced by Sikh Indian players is not repeated. The letter states, "The BFI is shocked to read the news involving Anmol Singh, who after being allowed to play with turban was asked to remove
players should not have been disturbed." The letter, which was also forwarded to Fiba Asia secretary Hagop Khajirian and under secretary government of India, MYAS, AK Patro, further states, "Basketball rules say that player shall not wear equipment or object that may cause injury to other players while playing. Patka is made of thin cloth which Sikh athletes participating in various sporting disciplines at international levels in hockey, cricket, football, handball, athletics etc are allowed to wear, which is in no way injurious to any player." "If Fiba and Fiba Asia does not take immediate action over this it may explode into an international and human rights issue."
Surprised with yet another incident, Milkha said, "I have run in different countries of the world with my turban on. All the other sports like hockey, cricket allow the turban, then why not basketball? Upset with the incident, Bedi said, "I feel pretty concerned and also very upset that our basketball players were humiliated. Sports shouldn't interfere with faith. This should be condemned." Popular rapper Yo Honey Singh too joined the chorus against the incident. He said, "I request all of my fans to stand against this and show their solidarity so that this patka ban can be lifted." Deputy CEO of BFI Prem Pal Singh has condemned the issue, "We are surprised that this discrimination by Fiba Asia is being repeatedly imposed on Indian Sikh players. The BFI strongly condemns the unwarranted action of technical commission taken against Anmol and asks them to stop the discrimination immediately."
Walsh said, "It's fair to call India one of the favourites at the Asian Games but that does not mean anything. We might be regarded as one of the medals prospects but we have to earn that." The last time India won a gold medal at the Asian Games was in 1998, but Sardar feels they have a realistic chance of winning gold this time. "Our training has been very good and I am confident that this time we will be able to achieve our tar-
get. Our confidence level is high. We got to play some top teams during t h e Commonwealth Games. Leaving Australia, we beat all the other teams. Our aim is to become the No.1 team in Asia." Walsh is satisfied with the progress India have made under him so far and feels the team is in a position to fight against teams outside the top-four bracket in the world. "The team is improving and getting to a better place. We are probably now in a position where we can justifiably play and expect a result with teams outside the top four in the world and that's a very
good place for us to be. We still have some work to do before taking the top 2-3 teams in the world," he said. He, however, said there are plenty of grey areas the players needed to work on. "We have to get much better at creating corners, converting our chances. Our ability to play forward out of the midfield is a problem and we have to get better at that. Giving away careless penalty corners is still an issue," Walsh said. "We have been working on our shortcomings. We would not like to concede a goal in the last few minutes of the game, improve the communication between our players and also improve our penalty corner conversion rate," added Sardar.
young kids going through that, it really does upset you," Amir said. The foundation hopes to make an impact across the globe and the Olympic medal winner has been
out in Gambia recently, getting first-hand experience of the poverty that still affects large parts of the world. As unpleasant and "heart-breaking" as Khan found the experience, he is determined to take up the fight to improve conditions for people living there. Khan saw the site where an orphanage will be built, where a school is on the list and where the youngsters in particular will benefit from his charity's work. In addition, another
his patka during India's game against Malaysia. After the Wuhan episode last month, where two Sikh players - Amritpal and Anmol Singh - were asked to remove their turbans, the Fiba Asia Congress on July 24 had assured to resolve the issue once and for all during the board meeting at Sevilla, Spain. Till then,
Asian Games gold medal within our reach: Sardar Singh
India have a strong chance of winning the gold medal at the 17th Asian Games to be held in Incheon, South Korea from September 19 to October 4, said India’s hockey team captain Sardar Singh. India have been clubbed alongside Pakistan, China, Sri Lanka and Oman in the 10nation men's hockey competition. "We are one of the favourites for the Asian Games. However, we cannot take any team lightly. It's not going to be a cakewalk for us. Our aim is to take one game at a time," Sardar Singh said. Talking about the Pakistan game, he said, "The game against Pakistan is like any other game and there will be no additional pressure on us." Chief coach Terry
Boxer Amir Khan launches The Amir Khan Foundation British boxer Amir Khan has launched The Amir Khan Foundation following his recent trip to Gambia. The charity aims to help youngsters from the deprived parts of the world with orphanages, schools and clean waters for starters. "We are very fortunate to live in Britain and have a good life yet there are people around the world really suffering; they don't live under a roof, they don't have food or water and when you see the
orphanage in a deprived area of Kashmir in Pakistan and a school in Sudan are already in the pipeline and Khan says he will continue travelling to the deprived areas to see how he can make a difference and the impact the foundation is having. The launch of The Amir Khan Foundation charity was confirmed at the Hilton Deansgate hotel in Manchester, where 500 guests attended, with a knockout ÂŁ218,000 raised.
SPORT WORLD
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Pakistan stun India to level series in football
Pakistan's U-23 football side made a mockery of the world rankings as they thumped India 2-0 to draw level in the two-match series in a match which saw emotions run high in the packed stands and tempers fray in the field at the Football Stadium in Bangalore last week. In the end, there was no doubt that the visitors emerged deserving victors as they caught the Indian defence napping once in each of the two sessions. The defeat was a big set back for the Indian team preparing for the Asian Games where tougher opponents are expected. India almost went ahead in the 37th minute when striker Haokip Thonhkosiem played wall with his skipper Sunil Chhetri. It was all clear for the youngster but he only managed to shoot straight to the advancing Pakistan `keeper Muzammil Hussain. Pakistan response was precise as the ball reached their skipper Kaleemullah, who advanced quickly and menacingly into the box. The Indian defence panicked and challenged the skipper that resulted in a free-kick with a full view of the goal from around 20 yards. The 22-year-old Pakistani, who plies his trade in Kyrgyztan, came up with a beauty that thundered into the near post giving no chance to Indian custodian Amrinder Singh. The goal seemed to have an immediate effect on the Indians psyche as they looked to restore parity. Only that the players were making basic mistakes and Pakistan showed clearly that locking Chhetri out was enough to trouble the Indian plans. The Indian skipper, playing in a withdrawn role, was constantly shadowed by substitute Sher Mohammed Baloch who came on in the 26th minute. The Indian midfield was in tatters despite the occasional burst of brilliance by Lalrindka Ralte. Senior player Fransico Fernandes had another dismal game till he was taken off at the break. Play was in the Pakistan half for most of the last 45 minutes but the Indians failed to get enough passes into the box to force the issue. The Indians were frustrated and play got rough with each passing minute. Pakistan never shifted their focus from Chhetri and the Indian skipper was brought down time and again. Referee Rahul D'Sa tried to calm things down but on several occasions it went on the boil and the players nearly came to blows.
Di Maria to join Manchester United
Manchester United have agreed a British record transfer fee of 59.7 million pounds to secure Angel di Maria from Real Madrid. The Argentina winger arrived in Manchester on Monday and would have a medical test, British newspapers said. The transfer fee outstrips the 50 million pounds English Premier League rivals Chelsea paid Liverpool for Spain striker Fernando Torres in 2011. Di Maria cost Real 20 million pounds from Benfica in 2010 and he was a key part of the team that won the club's 10th European Cup last term but he was omitted from the squad for the Spanish Super Cup last week. The 26-year-old turned down a new deal at the Bernabeu and Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Sunday he had bade farewell to players and staff.
Squash great Hashim Khan dies
Hashim Khan, one of the greatest squash players of all time, died of congestive heart failure last week at Aurora, Colorado. He was believed to be 100. His youngest son, Mo, said in a phone interview that Khan died in his home with family by his side. Khan was the patriarch of Pakistan's squash supremacy, winning seven British Open titles, including his first in 1951 at an age when most players retire. Khan brought his family to the United States in the early 1960s after being offered a lucrative deal to teach squash in Detroit. He later took a pro position in Denver and played the game into his 90s.