Roger Federer created a history by becoming the first player to win 15 grand slams. In a nerve-wrecking encounter at the centre court on 5th july 2009m, he overcame a stubborn Andy Roddick by 5-7 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 16-14 to rewrite the history books. It was a great win and an epic final played in front of the former multiple champions.
(Source: Wimbledon.org)
Our Perspective:
It is no longer a news that Federer won the the wimbledon and thus rewrote the history books. But what we want to do is look at how this epic final changes the dynamics of current men's tennis. We would like to start first by paying our tribute to Federer for his win and his career in which he has reached 21 consecutive semifinals and 19 finals winning 15 of them. It is a lot to ask for and even Rod Laver at his prime might have struggled to beat that feat.
While everyone has been focussing on federers win and rightly so, we want to see the positives that we have been able to witness in these two weeks of glorious tennis. For some times past men's tennis has only been about Federer and Nadal, with sometimes Andy Murray showing flashes of brilliance that he is capable of. But here, during the tournament, we witnessed two former world number one's claiming their stakes at the very top level, in Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt. Although Hewitt lost in the quarter finals, that was against a resurgent and very determined Andy Roddick, who was himself making his own comeback. With his injury problems behind him, it is very clear that Hewitt is destined to become a formidable force once more in his career.
Roddicks dip in form over the last two seasons must have forced him to questioned himself why he was playing this game. With federer and nadal fighting for the grandslams, he had to either improve himself on every department of his game or quit playing forever. He chose the former option and hired Larry Stefanki as his coach. Stefanki helped him lose 6 kgs which resulted him in being more mobile over the court. Also he has worked on his groundstrokes and previously one dimensional roddick who only depended on his serves and looked out-of-sorts when it did not work, seemed to be a match in every department for Federer.
Although federer won the match, it was in fact Roddick who had more break of serves than Federer. Federer didn't have any answer for his serves until the last game, but did his best to hang on there and wait for the right opportunity. Roddick always found a way to get out of trouble with his first serve, and if he continues the way he did here, it will be tough to bet against him at the flushing meadows. Who know what might happen there with the home crowd behind him.
Men's tennis seems to have a lot to offer with Roddick and Hewitt coming back to form, and when Nadal returns from his injury it will be a treat to watch them plying their trade against each other. Andy Murray is still learning and already ranked third in the world. With Fernando Verdasco, big serving Karlovic waiting in the wings it will be a tough ride for Federer to defend his US Open, but who is there to bet against it???
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Sports: Rubina creates cricket history
Rubina Chhetri became the first ever Nepali cricketer to take a hat-trick in international cricket when she took five wickets in five balls against Singapore in the ACC Women’s Twenty20 Cricket Tournament at the Selangor Turf Club in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
Asked to bowl the last over of the match by skipper Ritu Kanoujiya with Singapore just two runs away from victory, Rubina made a confident start with a dot ball. She then claimed three wickets in the next three balls to complete the hat-trick - the first ever by a Nepali player in any form of cricket in international level.
Her next ball went wide that put both the teams level at 79. But Rubina’s heroics were not over yet and she claimed two more wickets in the next two balls. The match was decided in the bowl-out and Nepal registered a 2-1 victory. “I was scared and not willing to bowl when captain (Ritu) came to me and gave me the ball,” Rubina told The Himalayan Times. “I was not happy even when I got the first wicket as I had a feeling that we are going to lose the match,” said 15-year-old Rubina, who hails from Kakkarvitta of Mechi Municipality in Jhapa district.
“When the fourth ball went wide, I was so scared that I was on the verge of crying while bowling the next ball,” said emotional Rubina. “I got five wickets but I came to know about the hat-trick only during the presentation ceremony,” said the multi-talented Rubina, a 10th
grade student at North Point School in Jhapa, who also plays volleyball in school. She also holds the domestic record for best bowling figures in women’s cricket, taking six wickets for three runs in 3.4 overs against Nepalgunj during the Fifth National Games.
“I got into cricket by watching others play around me,” she said. Her brother, Pawan Chhetri, also played cricket in school and college. “My family (mother and brother) have been supporting me,” she said.
(Source: TheHimalayantimes.com)
Our Perspective:
Well done Rubina. When all others are faltering at their responsibilities, the ladies cricket team has held its head high. Congratulations once again to Rubina and her captain Ritu, who believed in her at the time of crisis, and her team which made it possible.
Our sports is well dominated by the officials, rather than the players. We have had very good players in the past, who have done well in one tournament and then fade away, because of different reasons. In a male dominated country where even the male sportspersons have struggled in their livelihood as players and have fade way in time to other professions, it is hard to believe Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) will be able to forge this team together for long. The long history shows that as long as they are well supported by their family, players keep playing but then gradually stop playing due to their family responsibilities. Unless extraordinarily rich, an average nepalese family cannot support anyone for long period, thus it is harsh but real that players have to give up playing.
An example of CAN's lack of responsibilities can be seen from its website, where almost every sections of the webpage are under construction, Players Profile page has an invalid link, but the organization chart showing the officials of the CAN is pretty well constructed. We might have been cynical, but it is the reality. Anyone can check the website at CAN's Website.
We hope CAN starts a contract system for its players so that they have a ray of hope that they can live and build their career as a player. Until then we have to learn to live with this harsh reality that we may never hear about these talented players again.
Asked to bowl the last over of the match by skipper Ritu Kanoujiya with Singapore just two runs away from victory, Rubina made a confident start with a dot ball. She then claimed three wickets in the next three balls to complete the hat-trick - the first ever by a Nepali player in any form of cricket in international level.
Her next ball went wide that put both the teams level at 79. But Rubina’s heroics were not over yet and she claimed two more wickets in the next two balls. The match was decided in the bowl-out and Nepal registered a 2-1 victory. “I was scared and not willing to bowl when captain (Ritu) came to me and gave me the ball,” Rubina told The Himalayan Times. “I was not happy even when I got the first wicket as I had a feeling that we are going to lose the match,” said 15-year-old Rubina, who hails from Kakkarvitta of Mechi Municipality in Jhapa district.
“When the fourth ball went wide, I was so scared that I was on the verge of crying while bowling the next ball,” said emotional Rubina. “I got five wickets but I came to know about the hat-trick only during the presentation ceremony,” said the multi-talented Rubina, a 10th
grade student at North Point School in Jhapa, who also plays volleyball in school. She also holds the domestic record for best bowling figures in women’s cricket, taking six wickets for three runs in 3.4 overs against Nepalgunj during the Fifth National Games.
“I got into cricket by watching others play around me,” she said. Her brother, Pawan Chhetri, also played cricket in school and college. “My family (mother and brother) have been supporting me,” she said.
(Source: TheHimalayantimes.com)
Our Perspective:
Well done Rubina. When all others are faltering at their responsibilities, the ladies cricket team has held its head high. Congratulations once again to Rubina and her captain Ritu, who believed in her at the time of crisis, and her team which made it possible.
Our sports is well dominated by the officials, rather than the players. We have had very good players in the past, who have done well in one tournament and then fade away, because of different reasons. In a male dominated country where even the male sportspersons have struggled in their livelihood as players and have fade way in time to other professions, it is hard to believe Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) will be able to forge this team together for long. The long history shows that as long as they are well supported by their family, players keep playing but then gradually stop playing due to their family responsibilities. Unless extraordinarily rich, an average nepalese family cannot support anyone for long period, thus it is harsh but real that players have to give up playing.
An example of CAN's lack of responsibilities can be seen from its website, where almost every sections of the webpage are under construction, Players Profile page has an invalid link, but the organization chart showing the officials of the CAN is pretty well constructed. We might have been cynical, but it is the reality. Anyone can check the website at CAN's Website.
We hope CAN starts a contract system for its players so that they have a ray of hope that they can live and build their career as a player. Until then we have to learn to live with this harsh reality that we may never hear about these talented players again.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Crisis in Nepal: Problem In Cabinet Extension
(Source:Nagariknews.com)
Our Perspective:
The above cartoon clearly depicts the current crisis, being faced by the new Madhav Kuram Nepal led government. Ironically, the PM Madhav Kumar Nepal, who, himself lost the last constituent assembly election on two fronts has around 9 ministers who have lost their elections. The problem just does not end there. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sujata Koirala, who is the leading the representation of Nepali Congress, has also lost her elections. Similarly, Defence Minister Bidhya Bhandari also lost from her constituency during the constituent assembly elections.
Since they have been nominated to the constituent assembly from other means, it is not a question of technicality. But the question remains, does this do a justice to the votes of nepali people?? Did they reject Mr Nepal from two constituencies to elect him as a prime minister?? Or did they reject Sujata Koirala, so that she would lead the voice of Nepalese people onto the international front??
Is this the new Nepal, we have been asking for??
Comrade Nepal, unlucky not to be primeminister on several previous attempts, has been dismantling ministries into multiple ministries, so that he can find place for almost everyone as minister. That would enable him to garner support from every one else, and thus complete his tenure.
Our best wishes for Mr Nepal led government to complete its tenure and we hope he does not break any other established constitutional recognitions for the sake of his governments continuity. Maoists showed a great positive character when they resigned from the government after the President overrode their decision to take action against the CoAS Katwal on disciplinary grounds. CPN UML, a coaliation partner at that time back-stabbed maoists at that crucial time deferring from their earlier decision to punish Mr Katwal.
Under Nepal's leadership for last 16 years, CPN UML, although with its large public support base, hasn't been able to show its maturity and determination in its actions and has always been seen as a party without any firm opinion on any matters, always changing its decision at crucial times. So, we hope Mr Nepal will learn from his past mistakes and lead the government in the way people want it to be led. But sadly, his current activities only show the false positives:(.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Victory : Gurkhas win right to settle in UK
All Gurkha veterans who retired before 1997 with at least four years' service will be allowed to settle in the UK, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said.
Ms Smith told MPs she was "proud to offer this country's welcome to all who have served in the brigade of Gurkhas".It comes after a high-profile campaign by Joanna Lumley and other supporters of Gurkha rights - and an embarrassing Commons defeat for the Government. Some 36,000 Gurkhas who left before 1997 had been denied UK residency. Gurkhas, who are recruited from Nepal, have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years.
Sacrifice and Distinction:
Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said the U-turn by the government was a "great victory for a well-run campaign, that has publicly embarrassed ministers".She told the Commons: "I'm delighted that we have now been able to agree - across government, across the House and with the Gurkhas' representatives - new settlement rights that all those who have served us so well, so highly deserve."
Under the measures outlined in the House, Gurkhas will be allowed to settle in the UK with their spouses and dependent children under 18. Ms Smith said she expected to welcome 10,000 to 15,000 applications from Gurkhas over the next two years. Ms Smith added that the Gurkhas had served the UK "with great courage, sacrifice and distinction and they continue to make a vital and valued contribution to our operations around the world". The prime minister suffered a shock Commons defeat on the issue, forcing ministers to reconsider existing rules on how many Gurkhas can settle in the UK.
(Source: BBC News)
Our Perspective:
A moral victory for the legendary Gurkhas. It is difficult to say as a country what it means to Nepal, but surely a better life for the Gurkhas. This will definitely not help the small mountainous country, which not only fast forwards the brain drain but also reduces the foreign currency income through remittance. All the best for the Gurkhas for their new life.
And most noteworthily, this is the time we feel, we need to pay tribute to all those Gurkha soldiers who lost their lives in various wars, including the world wars, for their effort, hardwork and bravery, the result of which, the current generation of Gurkha soldiers and their families are enjoying.
Ms Smith told MPs she was "proud to offer this country's welcome to all who have served in the brigade of Gurkhas".It comes after a high-profile campaign by Joanna Lumley and other supporters of Gurkha rights - and an embarrassing Commons defeat for the Government. Some 36,000 Gurkhas who left before 1997 had been denied UK residency. Gurkhas, who are recruited from Nepal, have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years.
Sacrifice and Distinction:
Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said the U-turn by the government was a "great victory for a well-run campaign, that has publicly embarrassed ministers".She told the Commons: "I'm delighted that we have now been able to agree - across government, across the House and with the Gurkhas' representatives - new settlement rights that all those who have served us so well, so highly deserve."
Under the measures outlined in the House, Gurkhas will be allowed to settle in the UK with their spouses and dependent children under 18. Ms Smith said she expected to welcome 10,000 to 15,000 applications from Gurkhas over the next two years. Ms Smith added that the Gurkhas had served the UK "with great courage, sacrifice and distinction and they continue to make a vital and valued contribution to our operations around the world". The prime minister suffered a shock Commons defeat on the issue, forcing ministers to reconsider existing rules on how many Gurkhas can settle in the UK.
(Source: BBC News)
Our Perspective:
A moral victory for the legendary Gurkhas. It is difficult to say as a country what it means to Nepal, but surely a better life for the Gurkhas. This will definitely not help the small mountainous country, which not only fast forwards the brain drain but also reduces the foreign currency income through remittance. All the best for the Gurkhas for their new life.
And most noteworthily, this is the time we feel, we need to pay tribute to all those Gurkha soldiers who lost their lives in various wars, including the world wars, for their effort, hardwork and bravery, the result of which, the current generation of Gurkha soldiers and their families are enjoying.
Everest : Appa Sherpa scales Everest for Record 19th time
Legendary climber Appa Sherpa, also know as "Super Sherpa", has scaled the Mount Everest for the record nineteenth time, on thursday, breaking his own previous official record, according to the officials. Apa Sherpa, 49, reached the summit of the world's highest peak early in the morning, Jitendra Giri, of the Nepalese mountaineering department, told AFP.
"He reached on top of Everest this morning and spent around half an hour on the summit," Giri said, adding that he was in good health and already heading back to base camp.
Apa unfurled a banner that read "Stop Climate Change, Let the Himalayas Live!," after reaching the summit.Apa, who bagged his first Everest summit in 1990, climbed the mountain this spring season in an effort to raise global awareness about climate change and its impact on the Himalayas.
More than 100 climbers have already made it to the summit this spring season, in which 29 expedition teams are in action.
(Source : THT Online, Dainikee.com)
Our Perspective:
Its a great thing that legendary climber has scaled the everest once again. Our best wishes to him for scaling many more heights and re-writing the history books.
"He reached on top of Everest this morning and spent around half an hour on the summit," Giri said, adding that he was in good health and already heading back to base camp.
Apa unfurled a banner that read "Stop Climate Change, Let the Himalayas Live!," after reaching the summit.Apa, who bagged his first Everest summit in 1990, climbed the mountain this spring season in an effort to raise global awareness about climate change and its impact on the Himalayas.
More than 100 climbers have already made it to the summit this spring season, in which 29 expedition teams are in action.
(Source : THT Online, Dainikee.com)
Our Perspective:
Its a great thing that legendary climber has scaled the everest once again. Our best wishes to him for scaling many more heights and re-writing the history books.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Crisis in Nepal: Maoists to permit vote for new govt
Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) have agreed to stop blocking parliament proceedings so that lawmakers can choose a new government to ease the country's political crisis, the parliament speaker said Thursday. However, the maoists lawmakers said that although they agreed to lift their protests for Thursday, they would permanently end them only on condition that the chamber take up a motion censuring President Ram Baran Yadav.
The country's Maoist prime minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, sparked the latest political upheavel early this month when he resigned to protest Yadav's refusal to fire the country's army chief in a dispute over integrating former Maoist rebels into the military. The Maoist lawmakers who represent the Himalayan nation's ex-rebels had held up the selection of a new prime minister, but were now agreeing to allow the process to go forward, parliament Speaker Subash Nemwang said Thursday.
(Source:THT Online)
Our Perspective:
We have repeatedly continued to stress against the establishment of multiple power centres in the country. The people elected government should be allowed to rule the country. If we cannot trust an elected government over the disciplinary actions against one of the government employees, it is difficult to understand how we can respond to the process of transformation of our society.
Although we all may not agree, but, Maoists represent the symbol of change in the modern era of Nepalese politics, and not all people can accept and adapt to the change. Unfortunately, our honourable president belongs to that faction of the political spectrum, which has been identified as the symbol of status quo. The president has shown he is not able to act as a true leader of the country, and the resolution motion against the president is only necessary.
The country's Maoist prime minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, sparked the latest political upheavel early this month when he resigned to protest Yadav's refusal to fire the country's army chief in a dispute over integrating former Maoist rebels into the military. The Maoist lawmakers who represent the Himalayan nation's ex-rebels had held up the selection of a new prime minister, but were now agreeing to allow the process to go forward, parliament Speaker Subash Nemwang said Thursday.
(Source:THT Online)
Our Perspective:
We have repeatedly continued to stress against the establishment of multiple power centres in the country. The people elected government should be allowed to rule the country. If we cannot trust an elected government over the disciplinary actions against one of the government employees, it is difficult to understand how we can respond to the process of transformation of our society.
Although we all may not agree, but, Maoists represent the symbol of change in the modern era of Nepalese politics, and not all people can accept and adapt to the change. Unfortunately, our honourable president belongs to that faction of the political spectrum, which has been identified as the symbol of status quo. The president has shown he is not able to act as a true leader of the country, and the resolution motion against the president is only necessary.
Reports : Doubts Over Prabhakaran's Death
The Sri Lankan military has released pictures of Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran which it says prove conclusively that he is dead. The state and private stations aired footage of what they said was the body of Prabhakaran, along with what looked like his Tamil Tiger identity card and tag. The army also says his body has been positively identified with DNA testing. But the questions remain about when and how he and other rebel leaders were killed, and over apparently contradictory statements in relation to his reported death.
Denial:
Following the release of the photographs most Indian Tamil newspapers appear to have accepted that Prabhakaran is dead. But so far the most influential pro-rebel website, TamilNet, has not acknowledged the death. Speaking before the release of the photos, a rebel official abroad denied Prabhakaran had been killed and said the Tamil Tiger leader was "alive and safe".
"He will continue to lead the quest for dignity and freedom for the Tamil people," Selvarasa Pathmanathan said in a statement posted on the pro-rebel TamilNet Web site on Tuesday.
But he offered no further details or evidence to support the claim, only drawing attention to what he said was Colombo's "treachery" in the killings of senior unarmed Tamil Tiger political wing leaders in the north-east, who he said had been shot as they carried white flags.
(Source : BBC News)
Our Perspective:
Only time will tell whether one of the most influencial south asian rebel leaders is alive. But as it appears now, until further evidences appear in public, we can not help feeling that this could be the worst to happen to LTTE and its freedom movement. We can only hope that the war claims no more civil life.
Denial:
Following the release of the photographs most Indian Tamil newspapers appear to have accepted that Prabhakaran is dead. But so far the most influential pro-rebel website, TamilNet, has not acknowledged the death. Speaking before the release of the photos, a rebel official abroad denied Prabhakaran had been killed and said the Tamil Tiger leader was "alive and safe".
"He will continue to lead the quest for dignity and freedom for the Tamil people," Selvarasa Pathmanathan said in a statement posted on the pro-rebel TamilNet Web site on Tuesday.
But he offered no further details or evidence to support the claim, only drawing attention to what he said was Colombo's "treachery" in the killings of senior unarmed Tamil Tiger political wing leaders in the north-east, who he said had been shot as they carried white flags.
(Source : BBC News)
Our Perspective:
Only time will tell whether one of the most influencial south asian rebel leaders is alive. But as it appears now, until further evidences appear in public, we can not help feeling that this could be the worst to happen to LTTE and its freedom movement. We can only hope that the war claims no more civil life.
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