Women campers reject HI carrot

New Delhi: Hours after Hockey India (HI) interim president Vidya Stokes promised Rs 50,000 each to the agitating women players on Thursday, the national campers in Bhopal rejected the offer and threatened to continue their protest against the non-payment of dues. The national women’s team, in a sign of protest, opened a joint account in a nationalised bank on Wednesday and asked fans to contribute towards the players. As a mark of protest they also wore black armbands during practice.

Pujari banned

New Delhi: The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Thursday banned six Indian drug offenders for failing dope tests. Shailaja Pujari and Vicky Batta were hit with life bans while Harbhajan Singh (Delhi), Rajesh Singh (Madhya Pradesh), Sunita Rani (Punjab) and A. Vijayadevi (Jharkhand) were barred for four years. All the lifters have been fined $5,000 each.

Saina in last 8

New Delhi: Saina Nehwal made the quarter finals, defeating Ai Goto 21-19, 21-12 but Chetan Anand bowed out of the Malaysian Super Series tournament in Kuala Lumpur Thursday, losing to Wei Feng Chong of Malaysia.

Golfers shine

New Delhi: The Indian team comprising Rashid Khan, Chikkarangappa, Ashbeer Saini and Abhijit Chadha finished tied for the top spot with Thailand in the Asian qualifiers for the World Junior Golf Team Championship at the Perak Royal Club in Malaysia.

Bhutia to play

Calcutta: Bhaichung Bhutia has got an invitation to play with the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Kaka, among other soccer stars, in an exhibition fund-raising match under the aegis of United Nations in support of relief efforts for Haiti earthquake victims. The match will be played between Ronaldo, Zidane & Friends and Benfica All Star Team at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon on Monday.

“I intend to leave on 24th and come back on 26th. I am still waiting for the visa,” Bhaichung said on Thursday. Bhaichung will be playing for Zidane's team.

Arsenal go top

London: Arsenal recovered from two goals down Wednesday to beat Bolton 4-2 and go top of the Premier League. Tottenham stayed in fourth place despite a 0-2 loss at Liverpool. Also, Aston Villa reached the League Cup final after beating Blackburn 6-4.

No intimation

Cabinda: Togo should have told the African Nations Cup organising committee they were travelling by bus to Cabinda before their delegation was attacked by separatists in the northern enclave, the body said on Wednesday.

Sportsdesk & Agencies