Monday, Mar 15, 2004
Monday, Mar 15, 2004 |
| Sport | ||||
|
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Sport
-
Cricket
A young Indian cricket fan in Ambala with a message. — PTI
NEW DELHI, MARCH 14. The President of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Sunday congratulated the Indian cricket team on its memorable victory in the Karachi one-day International against Pakistan on Saturday. In a letter addressed to the Indian captain, Sourav Ganguly, Dr. Kalam said the wonderful game played by Sourav and his team had brought happiness to the whole sub-continent. "My hearty congratulations on your well-deserved victory. I wish you and your team all the best," he said in the letter.
Marketing gurus working overtime
As Sourav and his boys sweat it out in Pakistan, marketing gurus on both side of the border are working overtime to capitalise on the cricket mania, introducing mind-boggling offers to woo people in the two countries. MNC chains on both sides of the border have come up with unmatchable `offers' in the two countries. Pizza Hut, which operates in both the countries, is offering special discounts and freebies. KFC, on the other hand, has dressed its crewmembers to look like `Men in Blue' and Chicky, its mascot has been padded up to rise to the occasion, a company spokesman said. Five-star hotels and restaurants are setting up big plasma screens for cricket fans to watch the matches live, combined with special buffets and drinks. Some have even launched signature campaigns to wish the Indian team good luck.
Off to a rousing and peaceful start
India's first cricket tour of Pakistan in 14 years got off to a rousing — and peaceful — start with impressive sportsmanship and amid hopes that the series will speed up the improvement in ties between the two countries. Fans at Karachi's packed National Stadium gave the Indians a standing ovation after they eked out a narrow victory. Though there were more than 5,000 police and 1,500 paramilitary rangers on patrol in and around the stadium, there were no reports of violence. Around the sub-continent, hundreds of millions of people gathered around television sets to watch the game. ``If cricket is the way to bring peace between India and Pakistan, then so be it,'' said Javed Zargar, a businessman in Srinagar.
Blessings for bookies?
The opening up of mobile roaming facility between India and Pakistan may prove to be a blessing for the bookies and punters as the move is likely to keep them just a few steps ahead of the long arm of the law. A Crime Branch-CID official said in Mumbai: ``the bookies are equipped with satellite phones and STD facilities. The roaming facility will not have much impact, but definitely, it would be easier to place bets." Top police officials said that all the officers had been instructed to keep a strict watch on bookies and come down heavily on them. The Mumbai Police, in fact, had set up special squads in the city to keep a vigil on this illegal activity and recently, as part of these efforts, around six bookies were arrested.
Printer friendly
page
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | The Hindu eBooks | Home |
Copyright © 2004, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|
