Coaches need to speak local language: Kapil

Former skipper Kapil Dev on Monday said the media, which has contributed in popularity of cricket in the country and outside, should help popularise other sports too.

"There is a need to encourage other sports also," Kapil, who was at Vijaywada in connection with the opening of a two-wheeler showroom, told reporters.

Speaking about the playing standards in the country, he said there was a need to further improve fielding and running between wickets among Indian players.

"One of the drawbacks that seemed to have cropped up these days is the language barrier between coaches and players. With the sport having expanded vastly even to remote rural areas, coaches need to speak the language of the local population in order to convey their views candidly to the players," he said.

Kapil Dev also said he was against sportspersons promoting `tobacco' and `liquor' products. "We should not do it as our younger generation will be spoiled."

Wasim Akram summoned for posing for liquor ad

A Lahore civil court has summoned former Pakistani skipper Wasim Akram on charges that he has hurt Muslim sentiments by posing in a liquor advertisement.

Judge Asma Tehsin said Wasim should appear in person before the court next month to respond to the allegations.

The petition, filed by civilian Mohammad Fayyaz last year, demands a public apology from Wasim and damages of 25,000 (Pak) rupees.

Wasim denies having pitched for an alcoholic beverage. He is one of the eight international players shown in television and magazine advertisements for Royal Stag liquor in India.

"Liquor is banned in Islam and Wasim as a celebrated person has hurt Islam's religious sentiments," the petitioner's lawyer Ansar Mahmood Bajwa said.

"The ad still runs on international sports channels and should be stopped immediately."

Sourav to assist in developing new ground

The West Bengal government has roped in the services of Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly for developing a cricket ground at Salt Lake City in Kolkata for holding domestic matches.

Disclosing this Urban Development minister Ashok Bhattacharjee said that the ground would be an alternate venue to Eden Gardens for holding the matches.

The ground near Central Park in Salt Lake City would be developed soon.

Ganguly has consented to be associated with the venture and monitor work of the ground and wicket regularly.