Federer calls for more out-of-competition dope tests

'I'm always surprised when I walk off court after a final and I'm like 'where is anti-doping?’

Roger Federer believes tennis players should undergo more anti-doping tests to ensure the sport does not suffer the problems that have plunged athletics into crisis.

The Swiss 17-times grand slam champion said he was still surprised when he walks off court and is not routinely asked to provide a doping sample.

He has also called for more out-of-competition tests.

Speaking at a news conference at London's O2 Arena where the ATP World Tour Finals begin on Sunday, the 34-year-old said: "I think they are trying their most but we can do more.

"Whenever you make the quarter-finals of a tournament, when the points are greater, the money is greater, you should know that you will be tested.

"I think that would be very clear and simple. And if they keep the tests for longer, I'm all for that, not just weeks and months, years I'm talking about. That's the way to scare people."

Federer was talking following a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report, published on Monday, which said there was a state-sponsored doping culture in Russian athletics and that other sports could also be affected by the issue.

Federer has confidence in the Swiss anti-doping model, but said out-of-competition testing was still not frequent enough.

"I feel like the Swiss programme is tough and strict but out of competition testing could definitely increase as well," the world number three said.

"I still think that should happen more frequently and I'm sure the Swiss do things how it should be done, so you can try to imagine how others do it."

He said he been tested out of competition about five times this year.

"There needs to be more resources," he said.

"It's very important. Players need to feel that they're going to be tests. So they will shy away from any silly thought they might have."

"I'm always surprised when I walk off court after a final and I'm like 'where is anti-doping?'"

Asked if the WADA report had surprised him, Federer said: "No. But then it says there are other nations that are not doing it properly either."

The Tennis Anti-Doping Programme, introduced in 1993, is administered by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) along with the ATP Tour ands WTA Tour.

Source-  http://www.rediff.com/sports/report/atp-world-tour-finals-federer-calls-for-more-out-of-competition-dope-tests/20151113.htm

Aggies Hope To Rediscover Offensive Rhythm Against Western Carolina

The Aggies will get a good chance to do that on Saturday when they take a break from Southeastern Conference play to host Western Carolina, an FCS team, in the first meeting between these schools.

Texas A&M is coming off a loss to Auburn where they turned the ball over three times and allowed more than 300 yards rushing. Coach Kevin Sumlin knows they've got to clean up their play if they hope to turn things around.

"Like most teams in America, when we limit turnovers and penalties, we have won," Sumlin said. "When we haven't, we haven't won. Turnover ratio becomes a complete team statistic, ability to get turnovers and to protect ball on offense."

Freshman quarterback Kyler Murray was responsible for all three turnovers in that loss by throwing three interceptions in his second career start. His status for Saturday's game is up in the air after he left that game after taking a hard hit to the head.

Sumlin won't say exactly what's wrong with him, but did acknowledge that he might not be ready and the team could start either Kyle Allen or Jake Hubenak in his place.

"We will see where Kyler is from a physical standpoint," Sumlin said. "If he's in place where he's practiced, he needs reps, needs to be able to do that, and is ready to go, he'll be the starter. If not we'll make decision later on in week."

Murray earned the starting job after a tough stretch by Allen that got him benched. Murray was great in his first start, throwing for 223 yards and a touchdown and running for 156 yards and another score in a win over South Carolina. He threw for just 105 yards in the loss for Auburn while struggling with the turnovers before leaving with his injury in the second half.

The Catamounts are coming off a win over Furman that improved them to 5-0 at home this season.

"You want to create an environment where it's tough to come play at your house -- and we're getting ready to go into one of the premier teams that has a lot of experience with that," Western Carolina coach Mark Speir said. "A lot of their traditions are built on the 12th man and the great tradition it is, and I think everybody tries to build that 12th man mentality at home."

Some things to know about the Western Carolina-Texas A&M game.

HOMECOMING

Western Carolina quarterback Troy Mitchell will return to his home state on Saturday. Mitchell, who grew up in nearby Houston, is the school's all-time leader in total offense with 8,891 yards in his career. He earned Southern Conference player of the week honors this week after throwing for 305 yards and three touchdowns and running for 55 yards and two more scores against Furman.

Sumlin knew about him when he was in high school but admitted this week that he didn't recruit him -- but probably should have.

"He's one of greatest players in their history at quarterback," Sumlin said. "Will be excited to come in here. Probably have a lot of people here. He's an exciting player."

STOPPING THE RUN

Texas A&M's defense is focused on shoring up its run defense after giving up a season-high 311 yards rushing last week. But it certainly wasn't the first time the unit has struggled in that area and the Aggies rank 115th in the nation by allowing 218.3 yards rushing a game. They've allowed more than 230 yards rushing in each of the last four games.

NEWSOME'S WORK

Western Carolina running back Detrez Newsome could be a problem for an A&M defense struggling to stop the run. Newsome has 857 yards rushing with eight touchdowns this season. He's coming off a big game where he rushed for 184 yards.

PILING UP TACKLES

Texas A&M free safety Armani Watts leads the Aggies and is fourth in the SEC with 88 tackles. He had 13 tackles last week for his fifth game this season with at least 10 tackles. His best game came against Mississippi when he piled up a career-high 20 tackles, which were the second-most in school history for a defensive back. He's 12 tackles away from becoming the first A&M player to reach 100 tackles since 2010

Source- http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2015/11/13/aggies-hope-to-rediscover-offensive-rhythm-against-western-carolina.html

We Expect AB de Villiers to Win Game For us in His 100th Test: Hashim Amla

South African skipper Hashim Amla says AB de Villiers' 100th Test will not distract the focus of the team and the visitors will be keen on winning the Bangalore Test.

Asserting the fact that AB de Villiers' 100th Test will not take the focus away from the second Test, South Africa captain Hashim Amla said the star batsman will only add to the team's effort of trying to level the four-match series. (AB de Villiers Warns Virat Kohli: I am Not a Nice Guy)
"No it (De Villiers' 100th Test occasion) does not (distract the focus of the team) ... Hopefully, he gets into the park tomorrow and wins the game for us - that will be ideal match for him and us," Amla said.

"Having lost the previous match, obviously it is not difficult for us to focus on this match. It's been great to have something to celebrate, but in terms of taking our focus away, no I don't think so," he added.
Talking about De Villiers, Amla said it is an amazing feat to play for the country for the 100th time. "As a team, we all enjoy the fact that AB is playing his 100th game. As a South African, we know that this is an amazing feat. We have all celebrated the occasion ...," he said. (South Africa Seek Revival In AB de Villiers' 100th Test)
Asked whether the talk of the spinning pitch has had a negative effect on the team, Amla countered by saying lack of spin actually gave trouble to them. "The (Mohali) pitch was what it was. It was the lack of turn that did us in," he said.
Amla further said the Bangalore pitch doesn't seem like Mohali due to the overcast conditions and moisture around. "I will have a look at the (Chinnaswamy) pitch tomorrow, but with these sorts of conditions and moisture around, it does not seem like the Mohali pitch," he said.
Asked whether he was worried about the gloomy conditions, Amla said, "No, not worried about that. Those sorts of things are out of your control." (India vs South Africa: Dale Steyn Ruled Out of Bangalore Test)
Even though overcast conditions suit South African seamers, but Amla said that the impact of the disciplined Indian bowling cannot be ruled out.
"Let's see how the weather tomorrow is like. But if the ball does good-- seam bowling-- this type of conditions suits seam bowling than in my point of view India has got some disciplined bowlers as well so let's not rule them out as yet.
When the ball is moving and swinging all you got to do is land in a decent area -- no matter who is bowling, it's a good ball. Hope our bowlers will do a good job for us," he said.

Source-  http://sports.ndtv.com/india-vs-south-africa-2015-16/news/251682-we-expect-ab-de-villiers-to-win-game-for-us-in-his-100th-test-hashim-amla

Euro 2016: All you need to know about the play-offs

The 2016 European Championship play-offs are under way, with the Republic of Ireland and Sweden among the eight teams hoping to seal a place in France next year.
Twenty teams are already through to the finals, but which four will come out on top over two legs to join them?

Republic of Ireland face Bosnia-Herzegovina looking to seal a second successive appearance at a European Championship.
Ireland finished third in a tough Group D, but did beat reigning world champions Germany 1-0 during qualifying, a result boss Martin O'Neill hopes his players will draw confidence from going into Friday's game.
"They will feel after Germany that they are capable of getting a result," he said.
"Make no mistake about it, the games will be difficult, but you wouldn't be expecting any sort of walkover in play-off games."
Bosnia, who have Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic and striker Edin Dzeko in their squad, are bidding to make history by playing at a European Championship for the first time.
"It is good that we are in a situation where we are masters of our destiny," said coach Mehmed Bazdarevic, who turned around their qualification campaign when he arrived in December.
The second leg takes place on Monday, 16 November
Did you know? Bosnia won their final three qualifiers in Group B, including a 2-0 win over Wales.
Sixth-time lucky for Ukraine?

Ukraine v Slovenia (Sat, 14 Nov 17:00 GMT)
Ukraine have had torrid luck in European Championship qualifying in the past, losing in their last five play-off appearances. To make matters worse, they have never beaten opponents Slovenia.
They host the first leg on Saturday, before travelling to Slovenia three days later.
"Of course, it would be better to start away, but we cannot change anything with the draw," Ukraine coach Mykhaylo Fomenko said.
Ukraine are without midfielder Ruslan Rotan for both legs because of a hamstring injury.
The second leg takes place on Tuesday, 16 November
Did you know? This is a repeat of the Euro 2000 play-off, which Slovenia won 3-2 on aggregate to progress to the finals.
Zlatan's swansong?

Sweden v Denmark (Sat, 14 Nov 19:45 GMT)
Ibrahimovic will be the difference - Larsson
Danes need to stop Swedish star - Laursen
Sweden won three of their eight Group G games, losing two, with rivals Denmark having the exact same record in Group I.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was this week named his country's footballer of the year - for the 10th time - and will undoubtedly be the main man again for Sweden.
At 34, next summer's tournament could potentially be his last.
This is also Denmark coach Morten Olsen's last chance to guide the team to a major tournament, having said he will step down at the end of their Euro 2016 campaign.
"It pleases me that we get the opportunity to decide it all at home," he said. "Deciding it all in front of your own crowd is always something special."
The second leg takes place on Tuesday, 16 November
Did you know? Denmark won the European Championship in 1992, and are the only previous winner competing in the play-offs.
Advantage Hungary

Norway 0-1 Hungary
Hungary took a step towards their first major tournament in 30 years with a first-leg win in Oslo on Thursday.
Debutant Laszlo Kleinheisler was the match-winner, smashing in an early goal from 15 yards.
The second leg takes place on Sunday, 15 November

Source-  http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34792124

'We need to stop rushing'

A total of 131 shouldn't have challenged the Tigers in their own den. However, as it happened, the hosts had to depend upon their number eight batsman -- their skipper -- at the end of it all to put things to rest.

While Mashrafe Bin Mortaza enjoyed smacking those boundaries in the end and finishing off the game in style, he wasn't particularly happy with his batsmen's approach.

"Obviously we didn't want to chase the target that way. We seemed to be in a bit of a hurry. I think we should have just batted normally. But on the whole, the win was important. Hopefully everyone will play according to plan in the next match," said Mashrafe in the post-match press conference in Mirpur yesterday.

"In a T20 you generally try to get boundaries in the first six overs and put around 50 runs on the board. If you notice, we got 47 and after that there was no need to rush things.

"Instead of rushing, we should have thought about getting set. If we had two set batsmen we could have won the game easily," elaborated the skipper.

The other crucial aspect of the game was regarding the performance of Jubair Hossain. Jubair had leaked 17 runs in his first over. While Mashrafe admitted that the youngster was a bit nervous at first, he was however pleased to see him scalp two wickets at the end.

"This series is probably the last chance for us to find a good combination before the T20 World Cup, so maybe there was a bit more pressure Jubair. But this was a good opportunity to see the way he performs under pressure. The first over was a bit difficult for him, but he came back well," said Mashrafe.

After Jubair's first over it was unclear whether the debutant would get the ball again in the match. However he was brought back in the 16th over and incidentally had to bowl his first ball at Malcolm Waller, who tore him apart in his first spell.

"The reason why I gave him another over was because he is a main bowler in our side. There is no point of picking a player in the side as a bowler and giving him just one over.

"It was a challenging decision no doubt, but in my opinion he had to bowl. It didn't matter if he bowled badly or if he bowled well. Thankfully he did well," said Mashrafe.

With the next T20I tomorrow, the skipper hopes his players can learn from their mistakes in the first T20I and put up an even better showing.

Source-  http://www.thedailystar.net/sports/cricket/we-need-stop-rushing-172057