You are currently browsing the monthly archive for February, 2008.
Harbhajan Singh has demanded an apology from Matthew Hayden over his remarks on an Australian radio show. Hayden reportedly called the Indian off-spinner an “obnoxious weed”. Harbhajan has insisted that the remark has racial overtones to it, and that he is sure Hayden wants to insult his long hair.
Singh, who is no stranger to controversies, was recently involved in another racism row, only that time it was as an alleged offender. Last year, he had appeared in a fashion show without his turban, an action which had caused a lot of anger in the Sikh community. Harbhajan insists that Hayden “was attacking my Sikh roots, and finds my long hair abonoxious”.
When our reporter brought to his notice Andrew Symond’s long hair, which Hayden seems to have no problem with, Harbhajan said that he has been instructed not to say a single word about Andrew Symond’s without clearance from BCCI’s legal counsel.
“Woh to mujhe uski taraf dekhne se bhi mana kar rahe hai” (they’re even forbidding me from looking at him), he added.
However he remained adamant, that this was an attack on all Sikh community, not just himself. He said that lot of white countries see Sikh immigrants as a weed. And it is this white supremacist attitude that is the reason behind Hayden’s latest attack.
Since this was an off the field exchange, he said, he does not plan to involve ICC in this, however he said, he is considering legal action.
When asked, if he thinks there can be another reason for the remarks, he said, “Oh sure. Maybe he’s just jealous of my long hair”.
The Australian ace batsman has refused to comment and dismissed the charges as juvenile.
“I didn’t even know he has long hair under the turban. I always thought it’s all empty there beneath it”.
Although Australian cricketers have extended support to their teammate, in private, they’re expressing displeasure over the remarks. “Matthew is close to retirement, so he is getting senile”, said a teammate, on the condition of anonymity. “God knows we cannot afford another controversy at this time”. It’s unclear if by “this time” he meant the upcoming finals, or the upcoming IPL season.
BCCI president Sharad Pawar announced on Tuesday that talks are on with Steve Waugh, the former Australian captain, to hire him as the sledging coach for team India. This sudden move has come in the aftermath of the Sydney ODI which India lost. Ishant Sharm, India’s rising star, was fined fifteen percent of match-fee, after a showdown with Andrew Symonds.
Indian Captain, Dhoni, has reportedly asked for a sledging coach, as he believes that Indians need to learn the art from the great aussies.
“It’s an art and they are good at it, but the Indians will learn soon”, was his comment on the Ishant Sharma affair.
Meanwhile, back home, there was a controversy regarding the need for a foreign “sledging coach”. A well known TV commentator and former player reportedly slammed the BCCI for insulting the pride of nation.
“When it comes to sledging, there is no shortage of local expertise. Look at our parliament, no further. This is like a drawing dirty water from the sea, when your septic tanks is overflowing into the garden”
Experts debated on the news-channels over whether Ajay Jadeja should have been given the job, instead. Jadeja, who was involved in a match-fixing controversy, and later got cleared from the charges, was known for gamesmanship, as he liked to call it.
“I’ve nothing against sledging”, he commented on NDTV. “Look, grown-ups will use abusive language. It’s only kids who need to be told not to use it”
Sunil Gavaskar has refused to comment on the move, saying it’s beneath his dignity, while Ravi Shastri has praised the move.
“The Aussies”, he said, “will soon get the taste of their own medicine, and what’s more — the medicine will be prepared by their own star pharmacist”
The man in the spotlight, Steave Waugh, is reportedly unclear of what the role would entail.
“I’m yet to hear anybody tell me what a sledge is,” he said, when asked if he was ready to take up the job.
The race for the Democratic presidential candidature in America took an unpresidented turn yesterday when Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton decided to bury their differences and agreed to share presidency on a time-sharing basis.
Obama, who’s the current front runner in this race, after a stunning winning streak, reportedly extended the invitation to his party rival, and a previous front runner, Clinton. The move has created tremors in the Republican camp, which was watching all the fun from the sidelines, given that they have a clear candidature in John McCain.
Shortly after the deal was worked out between the two Democrats, Barack Obama addressed a joint rally with Mrs. Clinton, in Texas. He spoke first:
“This is a defining moment. Our nation is at war. Our planet is in peril. Our American dream is slipping away. That is why, in this election, it is not enough to simply change parties in the White House. We have to fundamentally change our politics if we are going to make progress on the great challenges we face.”
As the crowd applauded, for what seemed like an eternity, he continued:
“Instead of continuing the same old divisive fights in Washington that are more about scoring political points than solving problems, we need leadership that inspires, energiszes, and mobilises the American people behind a common purpose. That’s how we’re finally going to build a new majority for change that can win in November. That is the true genius of America, a faith — a faith in simple dreams, an insistence on small miracles. And what better miracle than this — a joint President. Tonight we’re hoping, not for one, but three firsts this November — a first lady president, a first black president, and a first joint president of United States of America!”
As the stunned audience was caught in a “to clap or not to clap” dilemma, Mrs. Clinton took the center-stage.
“I do think that words are important and words matter,” she said “But actions speak louder than words. And today, we’ve left the empty words behind, and acted! We need a president who understands the magnitude and complexity of the challenges we face and has the strength and experience to address them from day one, a president who has faith that the American people and the American economy are up to the task. And it takes two to sc… (coughing) … two to believe”
A thunderous applause broke out after this.
The sources in Clinton camp said after the rally that this was a definitive proof, if ever needed, that the public support is with Mrs. Clinton, and that she should have never accepted this atrocious arrangement.
Obama camp was also equally displeased with Obama’s unilateral offer — especially after his recent winning streak. But those in the neutral camp seem to be much more sympathetic.
“It’s their last real chance to be the president of America”, a senior Democrat senator said, off the records. “But aren’t they both quite young? Surely they will have another chance?”, the reporter asked. “Oh well, we all know this is the last significant presidential election of America”, the Senator said. “In five years, American presidency will cease to matter”
Later, the Senator denied the comments saying he was quoted out of context. But since the comments were off-the-records in the first place, he couldn’t go on-the-records to refute them.
Recent Comments