Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Shah Rukh Khan to grace the inaugural event of CWG

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 09:25 AM PDT

The inaugural event of CWG is to be attended by our very own Shah Rukh Khan who has aptly shown his penchant for all things sports be it his movie "Chak De, India!" or the IPL cricket team "Kolkata Knight Riders" which he literally owns and relishes in talking about.

Though he's no doubt gaining from them in financial terms but think of it how many mainstream actors have the guts to do a completely sports-themed movie with 13 unknown faces, a middle-aged look without a full on lead role sans a heroine and actually make the best out of it. As far as the cricket team goes he's still to taste victory and has stood by his players even when they perform dismally.

Viraf Sarkari who owns the Gurgaon based entertainment hub 'Kingdom of Dreams' is the director in charge of both the inaugural as well as the valedictory ceremonies of the commonwealth games to be held in Delhi starting Oct 3rd. He did not confirm the news of Khan's participation saying, “I am sure the organising committee will invite Shah Rukh Khan and he can decide according to his schedule, whether he will be able to make it or not. It will be great to have him though.”

It was at Sarkari's hub 'Kingdom of Dreams' that A. R. Rahman unveiled his peppier version of the Commonwealth theme song ‘India bula liya’ that he was forced to reconsider after facing much criticism right from the general public to the Group of Ministers with the Sports Minister M.S. Gill being quite vocal about it.

Till now there has been nothing right with the Commonwealth Games as if its bound to be a disaster. The stadiums have not been completed yet, the infrastructure in Delhi is not upto the international standards despite considerable amount of funds being allocated and already spent for the purpose and now with the rain gods showing no mercy everything is in a mess. Just yesterday report of athletes claiming that the games village quarters made available to them are not in proper living condition.

The location has also become a huge problem as it on the low lying areas and the Yamuna waters are threatening to drown it all. Nonetheless we can only hope for the best.

with the Chief Minister Shiela Dixit as ignorant and confident about it the possible flood like situation in Delhi is also not helping the case. Anyway the performers of the opening event are very much ready and the focus is on the cultural and traditional dances and music which define the very heart and soul of our country rather than just having some Hindi Film stars dancing and prancing around for hefty paycheques.

According to Sarkari who has also got Shah Rukh as the ambassador of his posh hub to make it a success globally, the program is to present the very original heritage and cultural beliefs of India and they are not leaving any loopholes and striving day and night to make the event an unforgettable one.

So, we can only wish that Shah Rukh Khan takes time out for the very special event and support the sporting event as he always does by gracing the CWG inauguration on 3rd of Oct in Delhi, by his presence.

Blue Jackets, Goalie Mason Agree On Two-Year Extension

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 06:23 AM PDT

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John Nestor – AHN Sports Correspondent

Columbus, OH, United States (AHN) – The Columbus Blue Jackets Monday signed goaltender Steve Mason to a two-year contract extension through the 2012-13 National Hockey League season.

Columbus Executive Vice President and General Manager Scott Howson announced the extension and per club policy terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 22-year-old Mason is 53-46-16 with a 2.65 goals-against average and .908 save percentage in 119 games during his first two NHL seasons.

Originally selected 69th overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Mason is already the franchise’s career leader in shutouts with 15.

“Steve Mason is a young goaltender with great size and athleticism and we are very pleased that we were able to agree on this contract extension,” said Howson. “He is an important member of our team and we’re excited that he will continue to be a significant contributor to our hockey club in the future.”

Mason made his NHL debut in 2008-09, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy winner as NHL Rookie of the Year and earning NHL Second Team All-Star honors after posting a 33-20-7 record, 2.29 goals-against average, .916 save percentage and NHL-leading 10 shutouts.

Last season, he was 20-26-9 with a 3.06 goals-against average, .901 save percentage and five shutouts in 58 games.

Prior to joining the Jackets, Mason enjoyed a stellar junior career as he went 82-23-7 with a 2.90 GAA, .916 save percentage and five shutouts in 116 career Ontario Hockey League games with London and Kitchener from 2005-08.

He also led Canada to a gold medal at the 2008 World Junior Championships, earning Top Goaltender and Most Valuable Player honors at the tournament.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Iran Captures Asian Volleyball Championship

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 06:23 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Kolkata, India (AHN) – Iran unloaded a barrage of smashes to post a 25-19, 25-22, 29-27 victory over India in the finals of the third Asian Men’s Volleyball Central Zone Championship on Monday at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in India.

Iran gained a big boost from their first six (Saber Narimanazhad, Ahmed Babaei, Golmohammad Sakhavi, Mojtaba Shaban, Rahman Davoodi, and Vali Nourmohammadi) to give the Indians their second loss in three days.

Narimanazhad and Nourmohammadi led the Iranian onslaught Monday, as they silenced the home crowd with devastating smashes and wall-like defense.

Golmohammad, Iran’s libero, also displayed a strong defensive game in the match, limiting the Indians’ offensive firepower with brilliant saves and a nice read of their attacks.

Reserve spiker Gurinder Singh sparked a mini-rally for the Indians in third set, but Iran was too much for them to contain.

Iran finished off the Indians in just 83 minutes, capturing the Asian volleyball title in impressive fashion.

Both Iran and India qualified into the gold medal game after besting Kazakhstan and Pakistan in a single round-robin format.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Nets Might Land `Melo In Deal With Nuggets

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 06:23 AM PDT

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John Nestor – AHN Sports Correspondent

East Rutherford, NJ, United States (AHN) – The Denver Nuggets are listening to offers from other teams regarding a trade for Carmelo Anthony and the New Jersey Nets could be the frontrunner.

ESPN is reporting that league sources are saying the Nets are leading the pack right now.

The sources told ESPN that the All-Star forward is willing to sign an extension with New Jersey and the Nets are ready to offer No. 3 pick Derrick Favors as well as the expiring contracts of Troy Murphy and Kris Humphries and another future first-round pick.

It has been reported that Anthony would prefer to go across the river to the New York Knicks but the Nets could be a possible alternative for the superstar forward because of their impending move to Brooklyn.

A source to ESPN who is “close to the Nets” wouldn’t say the team is a frontrunner or what players are involved but did say that the Nuggets don’t want to trade Anthony to a Western Conference team.

The New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Golden State Warriors have also been after Anthony, too, the site reports

Houston is prepared to offer a package centered on the shooting guard Kevin Martin and the Knicks’ draft picks, according to an N.B.A. executive who has had discussions with the Nuggets.

The same executive said the Chicago Bulls had dropped out of the running for Anthony because they refused to include center Joakim Noah in a proposal.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Saints Back Reggie Bush Out Six Weeks With Broken Leg

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 06:23 AM PDT

John Nestor – AHN Sports Correspondent

San Francisco, CA, United States (AHN) – New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush is expected to miss six weeks because of a broken bone in his right leg.

A league source with knowledge of the situation told the NFL Network Tuesday that Bush will be out after he had to leave Monday night’s 25-22 victory over San Francisco in the fourth quarter with an injured right leg.

The Saints did not know the severity of the injury immediately after the game. Bush had an ice bag wrapped around his right leg in the locker room and was using crutches to get around.

“I’m just trying not to think the worst and just try to stay as positive as I can in this situation,” Bush said. “That’s all you can do, hope for the best.”

Bush said he would likely get X-rays after the team returned to New Orleans.

Bush suffered a fractured fibula, according to ESPN, and he could miss only four to six weeks, making him available to the defending Super Bowl champions for the second half of the season.

Bush hurt himself after recovering his muffed punt with 6:58 remaining.

“Last second it kind of shifted a little bit, just enough for me to drop it,” he said. “I tried to recover it and somebody took my leg out. I don’t know who it was, what happened or how it happened. I just know my leg got taken out. That’s it.”

Bush was carted to the locker room shortly after the injury.

Bush caught a six-yard touchdown pass on New Orleans’ opening drive and set up a field goal with a 43-yard punt return on the final play of the third quarter.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

PGA Tour Championship Is Like A Wall Street Payday

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 06:23 AM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Atlanta, GA, United States (AHN) – It is a payday that would make a Wall Street hedge fund manager take notice.

The Tour Championship, the PGA Tour’s version of the Super Bowl, is a cash bonanza. There is huge money there for the taking at the East Lake Golf Club outside Atlanta this week.

And get this, with only 30 players left to divide the spoils, the rich get richer this time of year on the PGA Tour.

The Tour doesn’t like to talk about money. It prefers to talk about all the dollars that are donated to charity over the course of a long golf season. But the fact remains that even the unlucky guy who finishes dead last on Sunday, will walk away with $295,000.

Not bad for hitting four days worth of substandard golf shots, but just chump change compared to the top of the heap.

The FedEx Cup bonus pool, the cash carrot that has been dangled in front of the tour’s players all season, starts with a whopping $10 million to the winner. The top five players who have emerged from three weeks of “playoffs” leading up to this money-grab opportunity, have the best chance of carting off the $10 million.

The $10 million is just for the winner, there is a total pot of $35 million that will come into play on Sunday.

Matt Kuchar, who lives near East Lake for the time being, but will soon call Sea Island on the coast of Georgia his new home, is first in the standings and naturally has the best chance to win it all. He’s followed in the top five by Dustin Johnson, Charley Hoffman, Steve Stricker and Paul Casey.

So you don’t finish first and win “The Cup” — no problem. Would you settle for a mere $3 million? The overall FedEx Cup runnerup banks that amount. Third place, $2 million, fourth $1.5 million and fifth, a lousy $1 million.

It’s like a Wall Street bonus payment week.

Tenth in the final standings still warrants a $500,000 payday.

Oh, and don’t forget the prize money for the Tour Championship. There’s still $7.5 million to pass out there. There’s the measly $1,350,000 to the winner, $810,000 to the runnerup, $517,000 for third, $360,000 for fourth and $300,000 to finish fifth.

Last man in the field pockets $120,000 with the chance for another $175,000 from the FedEx pool.

Nice work if you’re good enough to have a tour card and finish in the top 30.

However, the world’s richest golfer won’t get richer this week.

Tiger Woods, the top-ranked player in the world, did not earn a spot in the championship and he’ll have to be content to keep working on his game for the upcoming Ryder Cup matches.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Todd Bodine Maintains 257-Point Lead In Truck Race

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 06:23 AM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Daytona Beach, FL, United States (AHN) – Former champion Todd Bodine gave up a little ground, but not much last week at New Hampshire as he still owns a significant lead in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points race.

The former champion, who has 3,036 points, saw his lead fall from 261 to 257 over Aric Almirola, who has 2,779. Rounding out the top-five in points are Johnny Sauter (2,726), Timothy Peters (2,683) and Matt Crafton (2,618).

Austin Dillon sits sixth with 2,613 points and in seventh is Ron Hornaday (2,552), followed by Mike Skinner (2,458), David Starr (2,372) and Jason White (2,254).

In positions 11-20 are: Justin Lofton (2,237), Ricky Carmichael (2,173), James Buescher (2,125), Mario Gosselin (2,032), Ryan Sieg (1,988), Kyle Busch (1,868), Jennifer Jo Cobb (1,792), Norm Benning (1,708), Stacy Compton (1,472) Brent Raymer (1,424).

In points positions 21-30 is a group that includes: Donny Lia (1,421), Brett Butler (1,409), Dennis Setzer (973), Kevin Harvick (925), Brian Ickler (834), Mike Garvey (802), J.C. Stout (802), Ken Schrader (800), Tayler Malsam (798) and Elliott Sadler (782).

In spots 31-40 are Mike Harmon (770), Narain Karthikeyan (757), Johnny Benson Jr. (735), Brad Sweet (705), Chris Jones (690), Mike Harmon (682), Rick Crawford (669), Chris Fontaine (603), Carl Long (590), Max Papis (562), Tony Jackson Jr. (547), Butch Miller (544), Nelson Piquet (541), Clay Greenfield (540), Brad Keselowski (504) and Donnie Neuenberger (497).

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Hamlin Leads Points Race After First Chase Race

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 06:23 AM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Daytona Beach, FL, United States (AHN) – Denny Hamlin had the points lead going into The Chase, and after its first race he still has a slim lead over New Hampshire winner Clint Bowyer in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Hamlin lead with 5,230 points and lurking just 35 points behind is Bowyer followed by Kevin Harvick (5,185), Kyle Busch (5,168) and four-time champion Jeff Gordon (5,155).

Rounding out the top-12 among The Chase contenders are Kurt Busch (5,144), Jimmie Johnson (5,138), Carl Edwards (5,135), Greg Biffle (5,122), Jeff Burton (5,118), Tony Stewart (5,106) and Matt Kenseth (5,094).

In positions 13-20 are: Ryan Newman (3,221), Jamie McMurray (3,220), David Reutimann (3,132), Juan Montoya (3,132), Mark Martin (3,098), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (3,068), Kasey Kahne (3,053) and Martin Truex (2,987).

AJ Allmendinger (2,947), Joey Logano (2,936), Paul Menard (2,721), David Ragan (2,647), Marcos Ambrose (2,638), Brad Keselowski (2,629), Sam Hornish Jr. (2,465), Scott Speed (2,404), Elliott Sadler (2,377) and Regan Smith (2,303) and make up the 21-30 positions.

Rounding out positions 31 through 45 are: Bobby Labonte (1,949), Travis Kvapil (1,924), David Gilliland (1,774), Robby Gordon (1,626), Kevin Conway (1,586), Brian Vickers (1,158), Joe Nemechek (1,068), Reed Sorenson (966), Casey Mears (034), Dave Blaney (933), Max Papis (907), Mike Bliss (876), David Stremme (825), Bill Elliott (800) and Michael McDowell (730).

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Steelers Brittle At Quarterback: Leftwich Returns, Dixon Injured

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 06:23 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Pittsburgh, PA, United States (AHN) – The Pittsburgh Steelers are expecting a switch of personnel at the quarterback position, as Byron Leftwich looks to replace injured signal caller Dennis Dixon for week three.

The Steelers are in dire need at quarterback after Dixon injured his left knee in the second period of Sunday’s 19-11 victory over the Tennessee Titans.

Reports indicated Dixon sustained a torn lateral meniscus, which could sideline the young quarterback for 3-5 weeks.

The injury also came as a disappointment for Dixon, who completed 18 of 26 passes for 236 yards in the Steelers’ 15-9 overtime victory the Atlanta Falcons on week one.

With this development, the Steelers are counting on Leftwich to return next Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 30-year-old Leftwich was originally tapped by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to start while Ben Roethlisberger serves a four-game suspension, but he also sustained a left MCL sprain in their last preseason game against the Titans.

The Steelers re-signed Leftwich to their active roster Monday, while releasing defensive linebacker Steve McLendon after appearing in a few snaps Sunday.

The Steelers signed the 24-year-old McLendon to take a spot on the 53-man roster following Leftwich’s release Saturday.

Veteran quarterback Charlie Batch, who completed 5 of 11 passes for 25 yards Sunday, will likely backup Leftwich in the next game.

Despite having an undermanned offensive lineup, the Steelers lead the AFC North standings with a perfect 2-0 record.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Tiger Woods: Earl Woods’ life open and wide for readership in ‘His Father’s Son’

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 03:16 AM PDT

Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods

The famous tom Callahan was introduced to Earl Woods in the year of 1996 and the actually met at the Greater Milwaukee Open after which tom spent some precious ten long years listening to the life and stories of this famous man trying at every step to gain a deep insight.

No one had such an access to this man. The most difficult part was to convince a publisher and the agent of this man to write an interesting book which could sell like hot cakes about the famous long dead father of the leading golf player Tiger woods'.

Callahan said that one was wanted him to even attempt this book as who would be interested in the life of Earl Woods? But of all the books written on this famous player tiger woods' would not be more compelling than 'His Father’s Son' which is published by  Gotham Books and would be shortly available on the bookshelves of famous bookstores from 28 of next month.  The November issue of the famous treatise on golf the Golf digest will publish some very exclusive excerpts alluring golf fans all over the world.

In the book in the first part the writer talks about the origins of this famous man, his Kansas simple living and roots, the sufferings of being the only black player in the sport of baseball, his career in the army, the first unsuccessful marriage and the three kids from the wedlock and then also his love affair and meeting with his second would be wife in the country of Thailand. The second part of the book talks about the golf legend himself.
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