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This Company is Ready to Flood the U.S. with Cheap HIV Drugs
Among the coconut plantations and beaches of South India, a factory the size of 35 football fields is preparing to churn out billions of generic pills for HIV patients and flood the U.S. market with the low-cost copycat medicines.U.S. patents on key components for some important HIV therapies are poised to expire starting in December and Laurus Labs – the Hyderabad, India-based company which owns the facility — is gearing up to cash in.Laurus is one of the world’s biggest suppliers of ingredients used in anti-retrovirals, thanks to novel chemistry that delivers cheaper production costs than anyone else. Now, its chief executive officer, Satyanarayana Chava, wants to use the same strategy selling his own finished drugs in the U.S. and Europe. He predicts some generics that Laurus produces will eventually sell for 90 percent less than branded HIV drugs in the U.S., slashing expenditures for a disease that’s among the costliest for many insurers.“The savings for U.S. payers will be so huge when these generic combination drugs are available in the U.S.,” he said in an interview at the factory outside the Southern Indian city of Visakhapatnam. Payers will save “billions of dollars,” he said.The patent expiries are starting this month when Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.’s Sustiva loses protection. Gilead Sciences’s Viread follows next month. Both companies didn’t respond to requests for comment.For generic manufacturers like Laurus, the U.S. market is alluring. With 1.1 million people infected with HIV in the U.S., and many of them living longer thanks to treatment, HIV drugs have become an $18.8 billion business for the pharmaceutical industry there, according to data provider IQVIA.Part of that spending is due to the high cost of the medicines. For instance, a combination of Viread, Sustiva and a third drug sold in pill form under the brand name of Atripla has an average wholesale price of almost $37,000 per person annually, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.But in the developing world the same combination can cost as little as $100 per person annually, after years of brutal competition between generic manufacturers drove prices down, according to Medecins Sans Frontieres. Though Laurus doesn’t yet make the actual pills those patients take, it’s become a dominant supplier of the key ingredients that make them work.The best way to fight HIV is with a combination of different drugs, and because Viread and Sustiva form key parts of some of the most effective combinations, the inclusion of generic versions of these chemicals could bring down the cost of the whole treatment. One analysis cited by the Department of Health found that replacing a three-medicine, branded combination with multiple pills, including a generic version of Sustiva, could save the U.S. $900 million its first year.Containers move along a conveyor on the packaging line for metformin pills at a Laurus Labs pharmaceutical plant in Visakhapatnam, India. Photo: Sara Hylton/BloombergIn the U.S., Laurus will be going up against much larger companies like Teva Pharmaceutical Industries — the world’s biggest generic drug company — which will beat it to market on generic Viread and so be the first to slash prices and lock down customers. Other generic companies, both from India and elsewhere, many of whom are customers of Laurus, are expected to enter the market too.Meanwhile, the companies that hold the original patents, like Foster City, California-based Gilead, have also been successful at switching patients to their newer therapies to limit the impact of generic competition on the old ones, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Asthika Goonewardene. He doesn’t predict a big impact from generic competition to the $2.6 billion Gilead gets from HIV drugs.Cost savings that were an advantage in the developing world, may also prove less useful in a less price sensitive market like the U.S. Between government programs providing treatment for the uninsured, and drug company funded ones helping the insured with their co-pays, HIV patients in the U.S. are often sheltered from the full cost of their medicines.So patients themselves may have little incentive to switch to cheaper alternatives, said Tim Horn, the New York-based deputy executive director of Treatment Action Group, an AIDS policy think tank. Newer drugs offer medical advantages to the ones going off patent, including fewer side effects, and the switch from one daily brand name pill to a mix of two or three may feel like a step back for many, he said.Still, Horn says private and public insurers, who pay the greater part of the full sticker price and then spread those costs through the system in the form of higher premiums and health-care costs, are likely to push for generics.For his part, Chava maintains he will eventually be able to undercut bigger rivals like Teva on price, and the magnitude of savings offered to insurers from generics will prove irresistible — particularly as more components of the older combinations go off patent in the next three years.“We believe we’ll be able to bring cost effective generic alternatives to the U.S. market,” he said. “We have the scale.”That willingness to compete on cost has made Laurus a bright spot in India’s pharmaceutical industry in a year when the U.S. generics market has been rocked by a protracted price war. Laurus’s stock has risen about 22 percent since its public market debut in 2016. Analysts are forecasting that its revenue will rise to about $339 million in the current fiscal year from $279 million in the previous year.Laurus controls about 66 percent of the global market for efavirenz, the chemical name for Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Sustiva, and 33 percent for tenofovir, the chemical name for Gilead’s Viread, according to a report earlier this year by investment bank Jefferies Group.A compact man of 54 with a trim mustache and rimless glasses, CEO Chava laughs enthusiastically as he recounts the scientific discoveries that helped give Laurus its edge. A chemist by training, he left his job as a C-suite executive at another Indian pharma company to found Laurus in 2005. He quickly saw an opportunity to improve the production process for efavirenz, which Indian generic firms were already producing in bulk for the developing world.The key ingredient of efavirenz was a compound called diethylzinc, which had to be imported from Europe, and has a propensity for bursting into flames upon contact with water, or even humid air. So Chava and his team eventually found an alternative in the combination of two chemicals easily had nearby.Where diethylzinc cost $80 per kilo — plus all the precautions needed to keep it from exploding — the two replacement chemicals together cost $5 per kilo. A similar innovation reducing the production cost of tenofovir by 75 percent followed, he said.For now, Chava’s new factory is only producing test batches as it seeks to win regulatory approval to enter the U.S. It is meant to eventually produce as many as 5 billion tablets annually. On Nov. 30, the company said it had received tentative approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to sell tenofovir.He expects his company could be in the market with its version of tenofovir in three months or so, in partnership with another Indian company with a U.S. distribution network. While that timeline could mean being beaten to market by some of his competitors, he says he’s not worried.“We don’t mind not being the first one,” Chava says. “But we want to be the last one standing.”© 2017 Bloomberg Related Items
Indian-Origin Catholic Priest Arrested in U.S. On Charges of Child Sexual Abuse
An Indian-origin catholic priest has been arrested in Rapid City, South Dakota, and charged with two counts of making sexual contact with a child aged under 16 years.The local police arrested Fr. John Praveen on Oct. 2 following a joint investigation conducted by the Rapid City Police Department and the Pennington County Sheriff’s office. The investigation started on Sept. 30 after the minor approached the police, alleging two separate cases of sexual contact with the priest. Praveen hails from Telangana and had been deputed to preach at a Rapid City diocese in South Dakota state, the police said in a statement.Praveen, 38, was produced before a magistrate judge via video conferencing the day after his arrest, where the judge kept his bond at $100,000. The preliminary hearing into the case is scheduled for Oct. 18, reported Capital Journal.Praveen served with the Sanjeev Sadana Society (Holy Spirit Fathers) in Telangana before being transferred to the United States, according to the Indian Express.“On October 2nd, local law enforcement arrested 38-year-old John Praveen (AKA John Praveen Kumar Itukulapati) for two counts of Sexual Contact with a Child Under 16, a class 3 felony which carries a punishment of up to 15 years in prison and/or a $30,000 fine on each count,” the Rapid City Police said in a statement. “The investigation began on Sept.30, when a juvenile victim came forward to report the incidents. The investigation revealed that Praveen made sexual contact with the child on two separate occasions.”Terming the case as high priority, the police are asking people to share any information that they may have against Praveen to help them with further investigations.Praveen came to the Catholic Diocese of Rapid City in November 2017 on a temporary basis for 10 years, the Capital Journal said. At first, he was assigned originally to All Saints Church in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, and at the time of his arrest, he was serving as the parochial vicar at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rapid City.“The Diocese of Rapid City became aware of allegations that a priest from India had sexual contact with a child under 16 years of age. Fr. John Praveen Itukulapati, a member of the Holy Spirit Fathers of India, has been serving in the diocese since November 2017,” the Journal reported, citing a statement issued by the Cathedral.“The diocese learned of this allegation from the Rapid City Police Department and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office on Monday evening. The Diocese of Rapid City is fully cooperating with law enforcement in this ongoing investigation. Fr. Praveen has been arrested and will make his first court appearance tomorrow. Bishop Robert Gruss has also removed him from all ministry in the Diocese of Rapid City,” the statement added.Bishop Gruss told the publication that the diocese conducted a background verification on Praveen but did not go into the details as the check did not indicate behavior that would cause any worries.“There is nothing in his background to suggest such behavior. His religious superiors in India verified that he was a priest in good standing,” Gruss was quoted as saying in the report. Related Itemschild abusesouth dakotaUnited States
Maharashtra allocates ₹30 crore for cloud seeding
The State Cabinet on Tuesday cleared the proposal to implement the aerial cloud seeding procedure to tackle drought.“Most parts of the State are already facing the problem of water shortage and availability of water for agriculture could be a major cause for worry in future. Among the steps being discussed to tackle the situation is cloud seeding. The process, however, needs pre-planning and monitoring of usable clouds,” said an official with the Relief and Rehabilitation Department. The State has allocated ₹30 crore for the project. According to the government, foreign countries have witnessed a rise in rainfall ranging from 28% to 43%. The process will be implemented in Marathwada, Vidarbha and parts of western Maharashtra. The Sea band doppler radar and a plane will be kept ready at Aurangabad for the purpose. The experiment will be carried out only if this year’s monsoon is below average. It will also help areas where the Jalyukta Shivar works have been completed, said the official.Sadabhau Khot, Minister of State for Water Supply, said the State government has given directions to supply tankers considering the current population of the area and not as per the 2011 census. “We have been receiving complaints of inadequate water supply in many areas. It was found that water was supplied based on the 2011 census data. The population has increased since then and therefore, we have decided to supply tankers as per the present population,” he said. Meanwhile, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday said 6,209 tankers have been deployed to provide water in 4,920 villages and 10,506 hamlets. A total of 10.04 lakh cattle is being admitted to fodder camps in the State. The government has released ₹111 crore for the Auranagabad division, ₹47 crore for Nashik and ₹4 crore for the Pune division for fodder camps. Apart from cattle, the State will also set up fodder camps for sheep and goats. The Cabinet on Tuesday announced the decision to provide water through tankers in fodder camps for cattle.
Donors contribute ₹4 crore for Meghalaya flood relief
About 100 donors in Meghalaya have contributed nearly ₹4 crore to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for flood assistance in the state, officials said. The funds will be used to provide relief to flood- affected people in West Garo Hills district, they said on September 2.“We have collected ₹4 crore through donations to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” a senior official at the Chief Minister’s Office told PTI. He said that the funds would be used to buy mosquito nets, school books, bags and blankets for distribution to the affected families.School children have also contributed to the CMRF, he said.Floods in West Garo Hills district and South West Garo Hills district in July caused death of five people, besides damage to public and private properties.
Mizoram rejects proposed Forest Act amendment
The Mizoram government has rejected the Centre’s proposal to amend the “anti-indigenous people” Indian Forest Act, 1927, as its provisions are in “conflict with the special provisions the State enjoys under Article 371G of the Constitution”.Forest rights activists and tribal welfare organisations are against the bill that seeks to give higher management powers beyond what is provided in the Forest Rights Act of 2006, threatens to evict forest dwellers and promotes forest produce through private firms.“The proposal to amend the Indian Forest Act was rejected after a meeting of all stakeholders, including representatives of political parties, civil society organisations and officials,” Mizoram’s Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change T.J. Lalnuntluanga said on Friday.He also holds the Law and Judicial Department portfolio in the Mizo National Front government. Officials in his department said there was a consensus in Thursday’s meeting that the proposed amendment, if made law, would directly encroach upon the provisions of Article 371G. “A reframed Indian Forest Act would challenge Mizo customary laws and practices, ownership and transfer of land as well as the powers conferred upon the autonomous district councils,” a senior officer said, declining to be quoted.
Cotto punishes Kamegai to win sixth world title
Onyok Velasco see bright future for PH boxing in Olympics PLAY LIST 00:45Onyok Velasco see bright future for PH boxing in Olympics00:50Trending Articles05:25PH boxing team determined to deliver gold medals for PH01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games CARSON, CA – AUGUST 26: Miguel Cotto punches Yoshihiro Kamegai, as Cotto goes on to win in a 12 round unanimous decision during the WBO Junior Middleweight title fight at StubHub Center on August 26, 2017 in Carson, California. Harry How/Getty Images/AFPPuerto Rican great Miguel Cotto battered back the determined challenge of Japan’s Yoshihiro Kamegai on Saturday to claim the vacant World Boxing organization junior middleweight world title.In an action-packed bout in an outdoor ring at the StubHub Center in suburban Los Angeles, Cotto emerged with a unanimous decision, winning it by scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 118-110.ADVERTISEMENT Abatayo adds to PH’s haul in lawn bowls with bronze Read Next Cotto hadn’t fought since November 2015, when he lost the middleweight title to Canelo Alvarez, who later vacated the title to take on Gennady Golovkin on September 16.But the 36-year-old, who says he’ll retire after one more fight in December, was dominant as he improved to 45-1 with 33 wins inside the distance.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutKamegai came right at Cotto from the opening bell, backing him into the ropes and sneaking in rights.But Cotto landed the harder punches, nailing him with a big left hook to end the first round. UPLB exempted from SEA Games class suspension It was just one of many punishing blows Kamegai would absorb on the night.Cotto landed a huge right hand to start the fifth that snapped Kamegai’s head back — even then the Japanese kept coming.“He’s a tough fighter, tough opponent,” Cotto said. Since round number five, six, I already knew I’m not going to stop him.”Despite his heart, Kamegai didn’t have the power to hurt Cotto, who insisted he would stick to his plan to retire after one more fight this year.“I’m 36 already. I’m going to be 37 on october 29 and I think it’s enough. It’s enough boxing for me,” Cotto said. “One more in December and that will be all.”ADVERTISEMENT Asked who he’d pick for an opponent in his final bout, Cotto deferred to trainer Freddy Roach.Roach mentioned the possibility of getting the winner of the Golovkin-Alvarez bout.“We’re not going to duck anybody,” Roach said. “We’re going to go out with a bang.” LATEST STORIES Catriona Gray spends Thanksgiving by preparing meals for people with illnesses SEA Games: PH’s Alisson Perticheto tops ice skating short program LOOK: Venues for 2019 SEA Games View comments Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC SEA Games in Calabarzon safe, secure – Solcom chief LIST: Class, gov’t work suspensions during 30th SEA Games MOST READ Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. WATCH: Streetboys show off slick dance moves in Vhong Navarro’s wedding
Gins finish strong, soar 2-0 vs Bolts
LOOK: Loisa Andalio, Ronnie Alonte unwind in Amanpulo for 3rd anniversary LATEST STORIES Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH Read Next Game 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup best-of-seven title series took on an entirely different complexion, and Barangay Ginebra frolicked in the moment to deal Meralco another loss that will definitely sting more.Dragged into a defense oriented contest, the Gin Kings tightened the noose on the enemy in the stretch and completed a come-from-behind 86-76 decision of the Bolts for a 2-0 lead before more than 16,000 screaming fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night.ADVERTISEMENT Experiencing traffic? Book a ‘ride-sharing flight’ to your destination PLAY LIST 01:02Experiencing traffic? Book a ‘ride-sharing flight’ to your destination01:35U.S. urges Japan, South Korea to share intel01:34After polls, Poe shares light moment with her staff01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games Kammuri turning to super typhoon less likely but possible — Pagasa Fire hits houses in Mandaluyong City Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. MOST READ
“We beat them two-in-a-row and they (Bolts) can certainly beat us two-in-a-row,” Cone said, showing a lot of respect on the team that topped the elimination round. “We’re certainly happy being 2-0 up, but you couldn’t be pleased with yourself. It doesn’t guarantee us anything.”Justin Brownlee scored 19 points and was the other big offensive weapon for Cone in the fourth with eight of his total.Earlier, Greg Slaughter was adjudged Best Player of the conference while Meralco’s Allen Durham won the Best Import award for the second straight season.GINEBRA 86 – MERALCO 76GINEBRA 86—Brownlee 19, Aguilar 16, Tenorio 14, Devance 10, Thompson 9, Mercado 6, Caguioa 6, Ferrer 3, Slaughter 3.MERALCO 76—Durham 25, Amer 10, De Ocampo 10, Hodge 9, Newsome 8, Lanete 6, Dillinger 5, Tolomia 3, Caram 0, Hugnatan 0.Quarters: 18-24, 40-37, 57-62, 86-76ADVERTISEMENT Unlike in the series opener where there was practically no endgame to speak of after the Kings played with command right from the start, Ginebra needed to step up big this time and closed out with a 19-1 bomb to gather all the momentum it needs going into the critical third game this Wednesday.“We took a big punch from them early in the game and survived that,” Ginebra coach Tim Cone said. “We managed to make it a possession-by-possession game [in the closing minutes] and had a good closing kick.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutLA Tenorio scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, seven of them inside the final 2:44, as the Kings erased a 75-69 deficit heading into the final 5:56.Of the 36 teams that took 2-0 leads in a title series in the Philippine Basketball Association’s history, 30 teams went on to win the title.It is a piece of history that Cone would not want his players to think of at the moment. Frontrow holds fun run to raise funds for young cancer patients BSP sees higher prices in November, but expects stronger peso, low rice costs to put up fight Nonong Araneta re-elected as PFF president Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC Archers slay Maroons View comments
LeBron James delivers as Cavaliers breeze past Bucks
LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the second half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center on October 20, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Stacy Revere/Getty Images/AFPLeBron James has picked up right where he left off last season, scoring 24 points and dishing out eight assists on Friday as the Cleveland Cavaliers cruised past the Milwaukee Bucks 116-97.The four-time NBA most valuable player led the Cavaliers in scoring for the second straight game despite missing most of the pre-season with an injury.ADVERTISEMENT When James started the season he knew it was going to take time to fully recover from a sprained left ankle that limited him to just one pre-season game.He played 37 minutes and drained 10 of 16 shots on Friday in front of a crowd of 18,700 at Milwaukee’s Bradley Center arena.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutout“I felt better tonight than I did after game one,” said James who scored a team high 29 points in a season-opening win over Boston on Tuesday.“Each game is going to be another opportunity for me to get into game shape,” he added. “Today I am still not where I want to be.” Japan ex-PM Nakasone who boosted ties with US dies at 101 Kin of Misamis Oriental hero cop to get death benefits, award — PNP Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr. out with knee injury LATEST STORIES Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Kammuri turning to super typhoon less likely but possible — Pagasa Don’t tell that to the Bucks, who also had to contend with Kevin Love’s second double-double of the season.Love finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds while Kyle Korver tallied 17, hitting five-of-six three pointers.“This is a huge win as a team,” said James.James injured his ankle after stepping on the foot of rookie forward Cedi Osman during practice on September 27.Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a game-high 34 points on 15-of-22 shooting with eight rebounds and eight assists for Milwaukee, who lost their home opener and dropped to 1-1 on the season.ADVERTISEMENT View comments Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH James said the Cavs stuck to their game plan, setting the tone early on defence before getting the offence “popping.”“We know Giannis is going to get his. But we made them make multiple passes, multiple triple drives. We defended.“And then offensively in the second half we started to get that ball popping and had their defence off balance.”Elsewhere, Kemba Walker scored 26 points and Dwight Howard burned his former team for 20 points and 15 rebounds as the Charlotte Hornets rallied from a 20-point deficit to storm past the Atlanta Hawks 109-91. CPP denies ‘Ka Diego’ arrest caused ‘mass panic’ among S. Tagalog NPA Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC Stronger peso trims PH debt value to P7.9 trillion Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles02:11’Not just basketball’: Circumcisions, pageants at Philippine courts00:50Trending Articles01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games QC cops nab robbery gang leader, cohort MOST READ Read Next
Beterbiev knocks out Koelling in 12th for IBF title
Kammuri turning to super typhoon less likely but possible — Pagasa Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC CPP denies ‘Ka Diego’ arrest caused ‘mass panic’ among S. Tagalog NPA Onyok Velasco see bright future for PH boxing in Olympics PLAY LIST 00:45Onyok Velasco see bright future for PH boxing in Olympics05:25PH boxing team determined to deliver gold medals for PH01:26Lawmakers hail fighting Senator Pacquiao’s victory over Thurman01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. FILE PHOTO – Arthur Beterbiev defeats Gabriel Campillo by knockout during the co-main event light heavyweight bout at Pepsi Coliseum on April 4, 2015 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images/AFPRussian boxer Artur Beterbiev claimed his first world title belt on Saturday with a 12th round knockout of Enrico Koelling in a battle for the vacant IBF light heavyweight crown.The undefeated Beterbiev recorded his 12th straight knockout but he had to go past seven rounds for the first time in his career to get the 175-pound belt.ADVERTISEMENT Stronger peso trims PH debt value to P7.9 trillion MOST READ Japan ex-PM Nakasone who boosted ties with US dies at 101 Koelling (23-2) was hoping to become the first German to win a world title in the US since Max Schmeling won the NBA — now the World Boxing Association — world heavyweight title at Yankee Stadium, New York, in June 1930. View comments LATEST STORIES Chot Reyes blasts Gilas after loss to Alab in tuneup John Lloyd Cruz a dashing guest at Vhong Navarro’s wedding Read Next The 32-year-old Beterbiev systematically dismantled underdog Koelling over 12 rounds, finishing him off with a right hook to the head with 27 seconds left in front of a crowd of 18,800 at the Fresno State University arena. He knocked Koelling down for the first time in the fight earlier in the round but the 27-year-old German was able to continue after an eight count from the referee.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutBeterbiev improved to a career record of 12-0 with 12 knockouts after just his second pro fight outside of Canada, where he trains.Beterbiev had over 300 fights in an impressive amateur career that included two victories over former light heavyweight champ Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev. Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH As a pro, Beterbiev had only been past four rounds once when he was pushed to the seventh round by Alexander Johnson in 2015. Koelling landed very few good punches in the one-sided fight but he can find solace in becoming the first fighter to survive into the 12th round with Beterbiev who some call the best pure puncher in boxing today.With his first world title in hand there are some who now feel the two-time Russian Olympian is on the verge of finally fulfilling the lofty expectations he had coming out of the amateur ranks.Beterbiev moved to Montreal when he turned pro and signed a contract with promoter Yvon Michel. Beterbiev and Michel are now embroiled contract dispute which is in the Canadian courts.This was just the second career loss for Koelling who had won seven in a row since a 2015 defeat on points to Italian Mirco Ricci.ADVERTISEMENT QC cops nab robbery gang leader, cohort
Mayweather drops another hint at MMA fight
Photo taken from Floyd Mayweather’s Instagram accountMMA fighter Conor McGregor switched to the boxing ring to make one of the richest professional fights in history possible and now Floyd Mayweather hints he might return the favor.Mayweather, who hasn’t fought since knocking out McGregor in that boxing match last year, teased fans Friday night by posting a picture on his Twitter page of himself wearing mixed martial arts gloves and standing in a UFC cage.ADVERTISEMENT John Lloyd Cruz a dashing guest at Vhong Navarro’s wedding Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. He said “Come at the king, you best not miss…”Mayweather’s August fight with the Irishman was supposed to be his last as it secured his perfect 50-0 record. But the American has retired several times only to negotiate “comeback” fights for bigger paydays. Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC 2 ‘newbie’ drug pushers fall in Lucena sting Read Next View comments LATEST STORIES
Manny Pacquiao on Floyd Mayweather: Let him enjoy retirement PLAY LIST 00:44Manny Pacquiao on Floyd Mayweather: Let him enjoy retirement01:49Pacquiao to Mayweather: Want fans to stop asking for rematch? Then fight me again00:45Onyok Velasco see bright future for PH boxing in Olympics01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City MOST READ NEXT BLOCK ASIA 2.0 introduces GURUS AWARDS to recognize and reward industry influencers “Billion Dollar Man,” Mayweather said in the tweet.Mayweather and McGregor’s cross-combat fight in August failed to live up to the hype in the ring as veteran Mayweather easily outpunched the inexperienced McGregor, but it did well at the box office.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSLillard, Anthony lead Blazers over ThunderSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutThe contest generated 4.3 million pay-per-view buys in North America, trailing only Mayweather’s 2015 world title boxing match with Filipino Manny Pacquiao that generated 4.6 million buys and earned $600 million. It is the second time this week Mayweather has teased his fans with the idea. Earlier this week he posted video on Twitter and Instagram of himself shadow boxing in a cage. AFP official booed out of forum Davis’ 43 points lead Pelicans past Thunder Globe Business launches leading cloud-enabled and hardware-agnostic conferencing platform in PH Slow and steady hope for near-extinct Bangladesh tortoises
Celtics hold off Grizzlies behind Irving’s heroics
LATEST STORIES LOOK: Iya Villania meets ‘Jumanji: The Next Level’ cast in Mexico John Lloyd Cruz a dashing guest at Vhong Navarro’s wedding Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH View comments Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Kyrie Irving scored 25 points in three quarters of work and the Celtics held off the Memphis Grizzlies 109-98 on Monday night.Boston has won all three of its games coming out of the All-Star break. Terry Rozier finished with 15 points. Jaylen Brown added 13.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSLillard, Anthony lead Blazers over ThunderSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutAfter scoring a basket early in the second quarter, the Grizzlies went nearly eight minutes without a field goal. The Celtics rallied during Memphis’ drought, and used a 22-6 run to increase their lead to 55-30.Boston (43-19) led by as many as 28 points in the second half. Monday marked Gasol’s 700th career NBA game (all with the Grizzlies). It was the latest in a string of milestones he’s reached this season. With his 689th start on Feb. 7 against Utah, Gasol passed Conley for the most games started in franchise history. Gasol reached 10,000 career points back on Dec. 2 at Cleveland.100 OR LESSThe Celtics improved to 28-3 this season when holding teams to less than 100 points. The 31 times Boston has held an opponent under the century mark this season are second to only San Antonio’s 34.UP NEXTGrizzlies: Host Suns on Wednesday.Celtics: Host Hornets on Wednesday. Families in US enclave in north Mexico hold sad Thanksgiving Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC Google honors food scientist, banana ketchup inventor and war hero Maria Orosa
Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university PLAY LIST 01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City Pussycat Dolls set for reunion tour after 10-year hiatus MOST READ Memphis Grizzlies guard Ben McLemore (23) tries to stop Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving, right, during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)BOSTON — The Celtics hobbled into the All-Star break, dropping three games in a row.In its three games back, Boston is looking like a team that made the most of the time off.ADVERTISEMENT Celtics coach Brad Stevens said he thinks their preparation his been more consistent since coming back from the break.“We’ve just played a little bit better,” Stevens said.One player who the Celtics are continuing to lean on is Irving.He went 8 of 13 from the field and connected on 5 out of 8 3-point attempts. In his last four games Irving is averaging 26.8 points on 39 of 64 shooting, including 15 of 28 from the 3-point line.Irving said he’s feeding off the energy his teammates are giving him.ADVERTISEMENT “It’s just our focus level, getting everybody back. Just knowing what we’re trying to get ready for,” Irving said.JaMychal Green had 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies. Marc Gasol added 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.Memphis (18-41) has lost 10 straight games and 10 consecutive on the road. The Grizzlies are also 0-10 on the road this season against the Eastern Conference. They remain the only NBA team with a road victory against the East.Despite the loss, coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he left the court encouraged by the way his team competed in the fourth quarter, despite facing a double-digit deficit.“We haven’t been a group that’s laid down, we’ve been a group of guys that have continued to fight,” he said.Grizzlies guard Tyreke Evans sat out his second straight game with a right rib injury.Memphis has yet to win a game this season with Evans not in the lineup (0-10).TIP-INSGrizzlies: Are now a Western Conference-worst 5-23 on the road this season. … Went 5 of 23 from the 3-point line… Started the second quarter 1 for 10 from the field. … With the loss, Memphis can’t extend its franchise-record streak of seven consecutive winning seasons. It is the third-longest active streak in the NBA behind only San Antonio (20) and Oklahoma City (eight).Celtics: Irving has scored at least 25 points in nine of his last 14 games. … C Aron Baynes returned action after sitting out Saturday’s win against New York with a left elbow sprain.INJURY BUGThe Grizzlies played without Evans (right rib), Mike Conley (left heel), Chandler Parsons (illness) and Wayne Selden, Jr. (right knee soreness).MR. 700 AFP official booed out of forum Warriors take control in 3rd en route to dumping of Knicks Read Next
Former scribe Piñol urges sports officials to focus on grassroots
MOST READ UP scores stunner over UST, ends four-game skid Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university PLAY LIST 01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City John Lloyd Cruz a dashing guest at Vhong Navarro’s wedding AFP official booed out of forum Read Next Piñol, a former sportswriter, columnist, and boxing analyst, urged the in Philippine sports authorities to put their focus on honing homegrown talents in hopes of being a power again in the international stage.“The PSC and POC should concentrate on developing homegrown talents. But like in agriculture, there should be a roadmap to tackle this development,” he said.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSLillard, Anthony lead Blazers over ThunderSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutThis roadmap, Piñol said, is essential in pinpointing where direction Philippine sports will go to in the next years.“We don’t only look for tomorrow’s needs, but we need to look at what needs to be done for the future,” he said. Pussycat Dolls set for reunion tour after 10-year hiatus Focus on homegrown talents rather than relying on imports.That was the message of Agriculture secretary Manny Piñol when he delivered the keynote speech in the 2017 SMC-Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards night Tuesday at Manila Hotel.ADVERTISEMENT LOOK: Iya Villania meets ‘Jumanji: The Next Level’ cast in Mexico
Families in US enclave in north Mexico hold sad Thanksgiving LATEST STORIES Google honors food scientist, banana ketchup inventor and war hero Maria Orosa Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC Agriculture secretary Manny Piñol was the guest speaker at the 2018 PSA Awards night. Photo by Trsitan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netPiñol was the guest of honor in the annual awards for Philippine sports, where 2017 World 9-Ball champion Carlo Biado, 2017 QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup women’s titleholder Krizziah Lyn Tabora, and International Boxing Federation superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas were feted as the Athletes of the Year.Also among the 105 honorees were Mr. Basketball June Mar Fajardo, Mr. Volleyball Marck Espejo, Ms. Volleyball Dawn Macandili, Mr. Golf Clyde Mondilla, NSA of the Year Triathlon Association of the Philippines, Executives of the Year Ramon S. Ang of San Miguel Corporation and Ernesto Echauz of Standard Insurance, and the 2023 Fiba World Cup bid team led by SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan which received the President’s Award. Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH View comments
Finals stint an achievement for Bali Pure, says Gorayeb
Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss PLAY LIST 02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games What ‘missteps’? View comments ADVERTISEMENT World’s 50 Best Restaurants launches new drinking and dining guide San Miguel ousts Star, advances to PBA Finals anew Ethel Booba on hotel’s clarification that ‘kikiam’ is ‘chicken sausage’: ‘Kung di pa pansinin, baka isipin nila ok lang’ Heart Evangelista admits she’s pregnant… with chicken The Water Defenders’ core is made up of collegiate stars with just Grethcel Soltones and libero Alyssa Eroa who have played in club competition.“Yes we fell short but I told the kids that we’re still proud of them because we managed to enter the finals,” said Gorayeb after his team lost in four sets, 20-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-19 to the Lady Warriors. “There were other people who dreamt of going to the finals and we’re the ones who played here.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completionSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutout“They are all young players, they are collegiate players, so they should be more matured after this experience. They shouldn’t think of the loss too much and I just told them to be proud of their achievement.”Unlike other teams, Gorayeb said that they didn’t have a couple of months to prepare for the PVL and all they had was the fortnight before the opener. 1 dead in Cavite blast, fire Adding to that time constraint was Jerrili Malabanan joining practice just three days before the start of the conference.“What they’ve achieved was a huge feat considering none of them had this superstar status,” said Gorayeb.RELATED VIDEOPocari drops Bali Pure to win another PVL title2.8K viewsSportsVentuno Web Player 4.51 Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Lacson: SEA Games fund put in foundation like ‘Napoles case’ Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netBali Pure head coach Roger Gorayeb was visibly disappointed after losing in their title series against Pocari Sweat in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference Thursday at Filoil Flying V Centre.As he leaned against their locker room door, Gorayeb said his Water Defenders could’ve done more, but he knows reaching the finals was already a huge achievement for his young team.ADVERTISEMENT MOST READ Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. LATEST STORIES WATCH: Firefighters rescue baby seal found in parking garage Heart Evangelista admits she’s pregnant… with chicken
Vanguardia rues Rice’s 3rd quarter explosion in Phoenix loss to TNT
View comments Robredo should’ve resigned as drug czar after lack of trust issue – Panelo Celebrity chef Gary Rhodes dies at 59 with wife by his side Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Trump signs bills in support of Hong Kong protesters NATO’s aging eye in the sky to get a last overhaul LATEST STORIES Biggest Pogo service provider padlocked for tax evasion Phoenix did score 30 points in the penultimate period, a highly respectable mark, but the KaTropa put up 40.“TNT scored 40 points on the third and if not for that explosion in the third quarter it would’ve been better for us because we were leading in the half,” said Vanguardia whose team now sits with a 2-6 record, and riding a six-game skid.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next “We put multiple defenders on him, and we forced him to drive because we know that he can shoot,” said Vanguardia at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “But today he was on attack mode and we weren’t able to a good job when he attacked.”Rice went 1-of-3 from beyond the arc and just one attempt from mid-range, and the he converted 13 of his 20 shots from inside the paint.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completionSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSBoxers Pacquiao, Petecio torchbearers for SEA Games openingAnd if Rice got trapped inside, his next move was to kick out to open teammates for jumpers.Vanguardia said they could’ve held on to their slim lead after the first half, 49-46, if they managed to at least slow Rice and TNT down in the third quarter. MOST READ Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss PLAY LIST 02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games Ariel Vanguardia. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netPhoenix head coach Ariel Vanguardia couldn’t help but watch Glen Rice Jr. put up hotter flames than the Fuel Masters could muster when they lost to TNT, 110-103, Friday in the PBA Governors’ Cup. Rice scored 38 points to lead the KaTropa but eviscerated Phoenix for 20 points alone in the third quarter and that explosion helped TNT take an 86-79 over the Fuel Masters.ADVERTISEMENT Ethel Booba on hotel’s clarification that ‘kikiam’ is ‘chicken sausage’: ‘Kung di pa pansinin, baka isipin nila ok lang’ Phoenix import Brown: ‘We’re not a well-respected team’ Lacson: SEA Games fund put in foundation like ‘Napoles case’ Hotel says PH coach apologized for ‘kikiam for breakfast’ claim
Morgan scores twice, US women beat New Zealand 5-0
FILE PHOTO – United States’ Morgan Brian, second right, celebrates with her teammates after Alex Morgan scores her side’s 2nd goal against New Zealand during a women’s Olympic football tournament match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016. United States won 2-0. (AP Photo/Eugenio Savio)CINCINNATI — Alex Morgan scored twice and the U.S. women’s national team concluded a two-game series against New Zealand with a 5-0 victory at Nippert Stadium on Tuesday night.The Americans improved to 9-3-0 this year. There are four more games left on the team’s 2017 schedule.ADVERTISEMENT MOST READ Pelicans bringing back forward Cunningham Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Argentine bishop appears at court hearing on abuse charges Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. The U.S. also got midfielder Tobin Heath back from a back injury. She came in as a late sub for her first action with the national team since March. Lacson: SEA Games fund put in foundation like ‘Napoles case’ Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss PLAY LIST 02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games Winter storm threatens to scramble Thanksgiving travel plans
‘A complete lie:’ Drilon refutes ‘blabbermouth’ Salo’s claims No more menthol cigarettes: New ban on tobacco, vape flavors The U.S. defeated the Ferns 3-1 in the first game last Friday night in Commerce City, Colorado. Julie Ertz led the way with two goals.Lindsey Horan got the Americans off to a nice start in the rematch, scoring on a header in the 36th minute after coming in for Rose Lavelle. Mallory Pugh made it 2-0 in the 44th minute. Pugh also finished with two assists.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completionSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSBoxers Pacquiao, Petecio torchbearers for SEA Games openingLavelle, who is from Cincinnati, played the shortened shift for the hometown crowd as she continues to come back from injury.Morgan scored her first goal within the first minute of the second half. Lynne Williams added her third career national team goal before Morgan struck again in the 69th minute. It was her 77th international goal. Trump to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist groups View comments Ethel Booba on hotel’s clarification that ‘kikiam’ is ‘chicken sausage’: ‘Kung di pa pansinin, baka isipin nila ok lang’ Hotel says PH coach apologized for ‘kikiam for breakfast’ claim LATEST STORIES
Different strokes
He is less than five-and-a-half feet tall, but that didn’t come in the way of Sunil Manohar Gavaskar taking on the fearsome West Indies pace quartet on his debut in 1971. With just a soft hat between his head and the 150-kph leather missiles aimed at him, Gavaskar redefined batting,He is less than five-and-a-half feet tall, but that didn’t come in the way of Sunil Manohar Gavaskar taking on the fearsome West Indies pace quartet on his debut in 1971. With just a soft hat between his head and the 150-kph leather missiles aimed at him, Gavaskar redefined batting not only for India but for the whole world. The first batsman to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket, his name has a long list of firsts attached to it. The first cricketer in India to create an agency to manage players’ business interests, the little master was also one of the first glamour boys of Indian cricket.And then there’s the other SG, who took the reins of the Indian team when even the most die-hard fan had given up hope. The match-fixing scandal in 2000 had many star casualties, including Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja. But there was no stopping the feisty Sourav Ganguly, as he transformed a bunch of no-name youngsters into world-beaters. Undeterred by failure and uncaring about protocol, the most important thing for him was victory, even if that meant annoying a certain Steve Waugh. Bengal Tiger or Lord Snooty, call him what you will, but his shirtlessness at Lords remains the iconic image of the resurgence of Indian cricket.The two SGs played in contrasting eras. While Gavaskar represents an era where cricket was a slow-paced, leisurely game, far away from the corporate world, Ganguly belongs to a time when the entire nation eats, drinks and sleeps cricket, dissecting every move its icons make in the middle, and off it. There is money everywhere, and the pressure of being successful is relentless. Here is how they see it.advertisementQ. Do you remember your first prize from the game of cricket? What was it? How did you feel?”Colonel C.K. Nayudu promoted Indian tea, Farokh Engineer did a Brylcreem ad much before I did my first commercial.”- Sunil Gavaskar**********************************”I got Rs 400 when I started playing for Ranji Trophy. In my first tour of Australia in 1991-92, I got Rs 30,000 for the entire series.” – Sourav GangulyGavaskar My first prize from the game of cricket was for the tennis ball cricket games that we played in our building compound in Mumbai. It was a bottle of lemonade shared by the eight players in the team that won the game. My uncle, the late Pramod Pandit, would offer that as an incentive to the team he captained. It was barely a sip or two but it still brings back great memories.Ganguly I think I got a man-of-the-match award in Orissa in an under-15 level game. They gave me a cricket bat for it. Obviously getting a cricket bat in those days and at such an age was very special.Q. When you played professional cricket for the first time, how much did you earn? How much did players earn as match fees in your time?Gavaskar Since we were employed by corporates we never actually earned a professional income. It was called allowance by the BCCI. I played for Mumbai at Rs 15 for a match and when I graduated to playing for India, I think, it was Rs 1,000 for the entire tour of the West Indies.Ganguly I got Rs 400 at the Ranji level when I started playing professional cricket. In my first tour of Australia in 1991-92, I got Rs 30,000 for the entire series.Q. What was the match fee you earned from your last match?Gavaskar The last Test I played in 1987 got me Rs 5,000 as match fee plus Rs 4,000 that went into the players’ benevolent fund.Ganguly I got Rs 4 lakh in the last Test I played two years ago.Q. Do you remember the first news published about you? How did you feel?Gavaskar The first time my name appeared in print as G. Sunil: 30 not out, for St. Xavier’s High School. I was a bit disappointed since there were plenty of Sunils and I wanted my surname to appear too. I guess it was a forerunner of things to come since even now, after so many years in the game, people still mispronounce my name.Ganguly I got a hundred against Orissa because of which my name appeared in a newspaper for the first time. I really felt on top of the world that day.Q. Was it easy for cricketers to get jobs during the time you were playing?Gavaskar If you were a good enough cricketer then you were likely to be picked by a corporate or a public enterprise like airlines, banks or the railways since there were plenty of inter-company tournaments. I struggled to get a job till I played for India and then Associated Cement offered me one.advertisementGanguly For both the questions my answer is yes. I was recruited by Tata Steel and the company offered me a top managerial position.Q. Did cricket help you in exploring other sources of income? If yes, how?Gavaskar Using players to promote a brand was a very new concept when I played for India but yes that came as extra income. Later, other opportunities like writing columns for newspapers and magazines and live commentary on television came along.Ganguly It surely helped in getting me endorsement deals for various products.Q. Do you think the media has played a big role in making the game of cricket a very lucrative profession?Gavaskar Yes, both print and electronic media have played a huge role in making cricket popular. The Hindi and local language commentary spread the game to the interiors of the country and we are reaping the rewards of that with so many players from non-metros playing successfully for India now.Ganguly I would say it has helped only partly. Another important factor is the performance of the national team as cricket is widely followed in India.Q. You were one of the earliest Indian cricketers to be featured in a commercial. Why do you think you were chosen to endorse the brand?Gavaskar The popular perception is that I was the first cricketer to be used in a commercial. Actually, Colonel C.K. Nayudu promoted Indian tea and Farokh Engineer did a Brylcreem advertisement much before I did my first commercial. I don’t know why they chose me.Q. How much did you earn from your first endorsement? And from your last endorsement during your playing career?Gavaskar It’s hard to remember but I think I received Rs 2,000 for my first commercial. The last commercial I did when I was playing got me less than Rs 10 lakh.Q. How many endorsement deals did you get during your playing career?Gavaskar Maybe less than a dozen and they were not in the same year.Ganguly I have endorsed about 30 brands during my playing career.Q. In 1985, you created PMG, India’s first sports marketing company. Why? How has it changed Indian sports?Gavaskar PMG came into being when my then partner Sumedh Shah, who was a director in an advertising company, approached me to do a commercial. I was too shy to tell him how much money I wanted. Shah said to me, “If you, even after being the Indian captain, are so shy, how will the other players behave?” He then asked me if I had heard of IMG, the managers/agents for players like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, and who negotiated on behalf of these players. He thought that there was scope for something similar in India and that’s how PMG came into being. There are many more organisations like PMG now and they have helped the players to concentrate on their game while leaving commercial matters in their agents’ hands. Apart from PMG, my organisation Champs Foundation has been giving monthly cheques since 1999 to more than half a dozen sportspersons who have hit hard times.advertisementQ. Do you think easy money has spoilt new generation cricketers?Gavaskar I don’t think so. Maybe those who know their limitations as players may not work as hard as those who have ambitions to be recognised as top cricketers.Ganguly No, not at all. Otherwise, how is India doing so well in recent times?Q. Indian cricketers were not paid enough during your time. But do you think even the current players are paid enough, considering the amount of money the Indian cricket board makes annually?Gavaskar The players today get a 26 per cent share of the revenue from the bcci and that is a handy sum as can be seen by the latest gradation contracts and match fees announced by the BCCI recently.Ganguly I think the term enough is always debatable.Q. If advertisements and corporate involvements are banned, do you think cricket will still remain the craze as it is today in this country?Gavaskar Yes it will for even in the days when there were no advertisements and corporate involvement, the game was still very popular across the country.Ganguly Why should it be banned in first place? I believe cricket would have been as popular as it is now even if there was no corporate involvement and product endorsements by cricketers.Q. Sunny, you acted in a couple of films. What prompted you to flirt with the glamour world? The acting bug or the potential money?Gavaskar I grew up in a locality where we used to stage plays during festivals. The guys from the locality along with the elders would actually construct the temporary stage with props and sound design and also act in them. So when there was a long break between internationals and the film offers came along, I took them as they did not clash with any match or training session. They were guest roles in the films so the money was either nothing or peanuts.Q. Sourav, you judged a dance reality show and are currently hosting a quiz show. What attracts you to tv? Ganguly The quiz show is very exciting but the dance reality show wasn’t at all, as I have no idea about dance. There are certain quality programmes going on in television, that’s the reason I was drawn to the medium.
Inmates ‘bare’ plot to kill CWG accused
Two murder convicts lodged in Tihar Jail have made the sensational claim that jail officials provided them with weapons to kill two tainted former members of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) organising committee (OC) who are also in the jail.Amit and Nishant, two brothers who are serving a life term, told chief metropolitan magistrate (CMM) Vinod Yadav on Tuesday that they were given a knife and a country made revolver – a knife has been recovered from their barracks – to kill two of the three ex-CWG officials accused in the Queen’s Baton Relay scam now lodged in Tihar.While three former CWG officials T. S. Darbari, Sanjay Mahendroo and M. Jeychandran – who were aides of OC boss Suresh Kalmadi – are in jail, the convicts did not say which two were to be their targets.However, they told the court that they were being repeatedly pressured by the Tihar Jail authorities to carry out the killings or face dire consequences. The murder convicts told the CMM that Amit had been transferred from Jail No. 4 to the high-risk ward of Jail No. 5 and was being regularly threatened.A knife has been recovered from the jail premises based on the leads provided by the duo. About the pistol, Amit and Nishant told the court that it had been taken back by the jail officials.The recovery of the knife was put in the court’s records.”A knife was recovered from their barrack. Let a report from SHO (station house officer) Hari Nagar police station be called for December 24,” the CMM said while marking the case to the court concerned for the next hearing.advertisementThe lead-up to the shocking claim started on December 18. The two brothers had moved a request before a magistrate in Saket saying they wanted to disclose some important information against Tihar officials and could provide the court with the relevant evidence.The court immediately ordered the SHO of Hari Nagar to accompany the convicts to the jail from where the police recovered the knife. The case was then referred to the CMM Tis Hazari for further hearing. On Tuesday, the CMM directed the SHO to file a detailed status report on the case.The application moved before the CMM by the two brothers does not mention the possible motive behind the move to kill the former OC officials.Of the three officials, Darbari, who had been OC joint director general (revenue, marketing and chairman secretariat) and Mahendroo, who had been OC deputy director general of marketing were arrested on November 15 while Jeychandran, formerly OC treasurer, was arrested on November 21.All the accused are facing charges of causing losses to the state exchequer in the award of contracts to the tune of `1.55 crore with regard to the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) in London in November last year ahead of the Delhi Commonwealth Games.The former officials are charged with causing wrongful losses in the award of contract to M/s AM Car and Van Hire Limited for various functions relating to the conduct of the QBR.However, the Tihar Jail authorities strongly denied the allegations levelled against them by the two murder convicts and instead blamed the brothers of being serial offenders. ” The complaint filed by the convicts was an attempt to take revenge on the jail officials who recently separated the two brothers by lodging them in two different jails,” said Sunil Gupta, law officer of the Tihar Jail.Coming out strongly in favour of the jail officials, Gupta claimed that Amit and Nishant were running a gang in Jail No. 4 along with an undertrial, whom he identified as Pawan. The authorities, on receiving numerous complaints against them from the inmates, lodged all the three accused in different jails.Hence, to settle scores with them, Amit and Nishant had moved the application before the CMM, the law officer said.According to Gupta, the weapon recovered from the jail premises at the instance of the duo was not a knife.”All inmates are frisked cautiously and it was not a knife that was recovered but a spoon that had been sharpened by the accused persons by rubbing it on the floor,” said Gupta.Meanwhile, the mother of the two convicts, Munni Devi also moved an application before the CMM alleging that the brothers were facing threats. She named some persons and jail officials in her application. The CMM, meanwhile, marked the case to additional chief metropolitan magistrate Sunil Chaudhary for further hearing on December 24.JAIL INTRIGUE AGAINST KALMADI AIDESadvertisementT. S. DARBARIARRESTED ON: November 15POST HELD: Joint director general (revenue, marketing and chairman secretariat)CHARGED WITH: Corruption, forgery, cheating & abuse of positionROLE IN SCAM: Awarded work at Queen’s Baton Relay to AM Car & Van Hire at exorbitant rates without following standard tender process & on false premise, the CBI said. Accused of forging emails to justify selectionSANJAY MAHENDROOARRESTED ON: November 15POST HELD: Deputy director general (marketing)CHARGED WITH: Corruption, forgery, cheating & abuse of positionROLE IN SCAM: Awarded work to London- based AM Car & Van Hire at exorbitant rates without following the standard tender process and on false premise. Also accused of forging emails to justify the selectionM. JEYCHANDRANARRESTED ON: November 21 POST HELD: TreasurerCHARGED WITH: Corruption, forgery, cheating & abuse of positionROLE IN SCAM: Mahendroo sent a fax to Jeychandran in India asking the amount due to the firm be released immediately. Mahendroo said it had been approved by OC chief Suresh Kalmadi. The CBI accused him of being part of the conspiracyACCUSEDBrothers Amit and Nishant Prasad, residents of Badarpur, have been in jail since the past three years. They have been sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case. They claimed Tihar jail officials provided them a countrymade pistol and a knife to eliminate two of the three CWG officials in judicial custodyTHE LONDON SCAMIn October 2009, the baton relay for the Games was launched by Queen Elizabeth II in the presence of President Pratibha Patil. The OC organised the event. The CBI has accused Darbari & Mahendroo of entering into a dubious deal with AM Car & Van Hire Ltd. The work was awarded on the false premise that the firm was on the panel of Indian High Commission, London.This caused losses of Rs 1.55 crore to the exchequer
Third ODI: India beat SA by 2 wickets
When Yusuf Pathan is in the middle boundaries aren’t far away. Tuesday too saw him bring out his explosive best hitting a fast-paced 59 and helping India beat South Africa by two wickets in the third ODI at Newlands in Cape Town.Yusuf Pathan during his knock of 59. APHe was especially brutal on Johan Botha hitting three sixes in his over to drub the ever-climbing asking rate in a single go in the 30th over. The asking rate had made the 221-run target seem monumental.Pathan came to the crease after Yuvraj Singh’s dismissal when the score was a dismal 93/5 and together with Suresh Raina brought it up to 168 before Raina became Morne Morkel’s third victim.Raina fell after scoring a dogged 37. However, his fall didn’t stop Pathan’s charge and he could have carried on further had Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel not plotted his fall.Steyn lured him into taking the aerial route with a short ball. The ball went miles into the sky before falling short of the boundary where Morkel pulled off an outstanding catch in the deep. His 50-ball 59 helped India total reach 182 but then India had just three wickets in hand and needed 38 runs to win.But Harbhajan Singh, who has proved his batting acumen in the past, ensured India reach the target with Ashish Nehra by his side. Harbhajan scored 23 not out.Before Pathan and Raina got busy in their revival act, the Proteas were busy counting scalps at the Newlands track.India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the fourth wicket to fall, one which the hosts were after.advertisementDespite his poor form, had he stayed a bit longer, he could have taken the game away from them.Dhoni wanted to play Johan Botha across line but failed as AB de Villiers took an easy catch behind the stumps. He fell for five as India were 69/4.But, it was Morne Morkel who helped the hosts make early inroads into the Indian batting by scalping Virat Kohli and opener Rohit Sharma.First he got the better of Virat Kohli on 28 with a ball that took the edge of his bat to land in wicketkeeper AB de Villiers’ gloves. Then Morkel claimed Rohit Sharma on 23 with a similar ball but it crashed into his stumps as India fell to 61/3.Earlier, continuing with his poor form Indian opener Murali Vijay fell early with Dale Steyn taking his wicket in the third over. He went for 1 when the India score was 4.South Africa’s Faf du Plessis raises his bat to celebrate his half-century. APFor the South Africans debutant Faf du Plessis and J.P. Duminy’s 110-run fifth wicket partnership proved to be the largest pie in their batting wagon-wheel of 220 runs.Electing to bat first, the hosts started poorly, losing their opener Hashim Amla early.A good length ball from Zaheer Khan took the inside edge of Amla’s bat before crashing on to his stumps. He put 16 on board.Soon one down batsman Colin Ingram followed with Virat Kholi displaying amazing agility in claiming his catch. Ingram had defended the ball off Harbhajan Singh and it dropped low, but Kohli dived forward from the slips to take an impressive catch. He fell for 10 as the South Africa score read 49/2.But that wasn’t the only instance of fine fielding display. A few minutes later Zaheer Khan, not known for his catching skills, came up with a blinder of catch in the deep to send back AB de Villiers’ off Yusuf Pathan’s ball.He dived and latched on to the ball mid-way in air. De Villiers departed on 16 as South Africa slumped to 83/3.Graeme Smith during his knock of 43. APThe other opener, captain Graeme Smith, who was holding fort at one end tried to provide some stability. But without much help from the other end he couldn’t carry on for long and an edge of his bat in Harbhajan Singh’s over got carried towards the slips cordon where Virat Kohli performed the final honours. He scored 43 even as the South Africa score read 90/4.Finally, debutant Faf du Plessis and J.P. Duminy took it upon themselves to arrest the fall and put 110 for the fifth wicket, before Munaf Patel realised that it had turned out to be too long an innings.Patel accounted for Plessis on 60. And no sooner did their partnership end that Zaheer Khan struck to dispatch Duminy on 52.Three balls later tail-ender Morne Morkel too walked back run out scoring 5 as the South Africa score read 207/7. The bottom three added just 13 runs between them.advertisementIndia lead the five-match ODI series 2-1. The two teams next meet on Friday in Port Elizabeth.