Jeev tied 19th at Celtic Manor Wales Open

New Port (Wales), June 5 (PTI) A hole-in-one on the 13th was the highlight of Jeev Milkha Singh's card as the Indian brought home a two-under 69 to lie tied 19 after the opening round of the Celtic Manor Wales Open here.

Among other Indians in fray, Jyoti Randhawa turned in one-over 72 to be tied 62, while Shiv Kapur carded two-over 73 to languish at tied 87.

On a rollercoaster day, Jeev sank as many as three birdies and a hole-in-one against three bogeys at the Celtic Manor Resort for a strong start to his campaign.

Jeev had a poor start when he stumbled on a bogey in the second hole and although he made amends with a birdie at the eighth, a ninth hole bogey had him one-over at the turn.

On resumption, the Chandigarh golfer hit another birdie-bogey patch at the 11th and 12th hole before he fired a hole-in-one on the par-three 13th and followed it up with a birdie at the 15th to end the day on a positive note.

In contrast, Randhawa's card included a couple of bogeys on the fifth and 17th holes with the lone birdie at the 13.

Shiv Kapur was even-par after his front nine before he ran into trouble and his back nine included two birdies, as many bogeys and the 12th hole double bogey.

At the top, Thomas Bjorn blasted a five-under 66 to share the lead with England's Nick Dougherty, Scotland's Alan McLean and South African David Frost after the first round here. PTI

Olympians back formation of Hockey India

NEW DELHI: Formation of Hockey India seemed to have polarised the fraternity with the Olympian trio of Ajit Pal Singh, Zafar Iqbal and Jagbir Singh on Friday backing the body, saying it was the only way to ensure 2010 World Cup stays in India.

A day after Joaquim Carvalho, Gavin Perreira and Gurbux Singh criticised the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for setting up Hockey India without consulting the states, Ajit Pal, Zafar and Jagbir saw logic behind the move, calling it a step in the right direction.

Ajit Pal said the IOA had to form Hockey India since it was under pressure from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to form a unified body comprising men and women's units or else lose next year's World as well as the nation's participation right in FIH events.

"In my opinion, Indian hockey had to start from somewhere. I'm happy IOA formed Hockey India to save the World Cup. The FIH has threatened to isolate India and under these circumstances, they had no options," Ajit Pal said.

He also oozed confidence that Hockey India's seven-member governing council would declare elections within the stipulated six months time and by then, all disputes would die down.

"Wait six months and see what exactly happens," he said.

Ajit Pal, who led the 1975 World Cup winning squad, also cast aspersions on the intentions of the state associations opposing the move.

"What were the state associations doing when hockey was gasping for breath? We never get any feedback states and now they are feeling left out," he wondered.

Member of India's last Olympic gold medal winning side, Zafar Iqbal also felt the state associations were sulking unnecessarily since they would become Hockey India members when elections are held.

"Hockey India is a step in the right direction. The IOA have put it in place of an ad-hoc body which didn't have any power. Now Hockey India can take right decisions and the FIH has Hockey India to deal with," said Zafar, a former captain and a member of the 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medal winning side.

"If the state associations think IOA would contine to run the show, they are mistaken. Ultimately, after the elections, the final say would be of the states," he explained.

"I don't think the IOA would like to run hockey when it has other important things to worry about, especially the 2010 Commonwelath Games," he added.

Former India coach Jagbir Singh too backed the body and said it was a welcome step.

"As a player I welcome the decision of forming Hockey India because by doing so the IOA saved the next year's World Cup," he said.

Source:TOI