Check todays hot topics and new pictures Today is: 28 May, 2012
Sohail Abbas has no plans to retire soon

Sohail AbbasNew Delhi, March 8 : World's highest goal scorer and Pakistan's famed drag flicker Sohail Abbas says he has no plans to retire soon, his lacklustre showing in the Hockey World Cup here notwtihstanding.

Sohail feels he still has a few more years of hockey and he would like to serve his country.

"I have no plans to retire. I think I still have some years left in me. So I want to serve my country as long as I can," the 34-year-old Sohail told mediapersons Monday soon after the four-time Cup winners went down 1-2 to Australia to wrap up their Pool B engagements with only three points.

Sohail was not at his best in the tournament and just could not get his act right while executing his penalty-corner hits or drag flicks, greatly affecting Pakistan's prospects.

However, he attributed the team's dismal showing to fatigue.

"We have been playing continuosly for the last six month. So the players were fatigued and that led to the drop in the performance levels."

Sohail also refused to accept that his fitness levels have gone down.

"I am very happy with my fitness in this World Cup. I have played four World Cups. In fact, fitness wise it has been one of my best-ever. So I want to continue playing," he said.

Asked whether there will be pressure on him to retire after the team's poor showing here, he said: "If the federation does not want me, then it is a different thing. I cannot comment on that."

Sohail said despite his best efforts luck was not on his side.

"I gave my best in the tournament. Some of the strikes came back from the post. You can't help when these things happen. I do not have a magic stick," he said.(IANS)


Lazio captain arrested amid probe into match fixing

Lazio captain arrested amid probe into match fixingRome, May 28 : The captain of the Italian football club Lazio has been arrested amid investigations in connection to match-fixing scandal.  Read more »

Man City’s Kompany hopes to ‘cap season’ with Wembley win

Man City’s Kompany hopes to ‘cap season’ with Wembley winLondon, May 28 : Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany has expressed his hope of making an impact at the Saturday's England v/s Belgium friendly, after not being slotted in for the Euro 2012 squad.  Read more »

Cricket was just by chance, says now `cage fighter`Adam Hollioake

Cricket was just by chance, says now `cage fighter`Adam HollioakeLondon, May 28 : Former England cricketer Adam Hollioake has revealed that his friends and family were surprised when he chose the gentleman's game over rugby and boxing as his profession.  Read more »

T20 has damaged cricket: Pak cricketer Wasti

 T20 has damaged cricket: Pak cricketer WastiIslamabad, May 28 : Pakistan cricketer Wajahatullah Wasti has said the Twenty20 format has caused a lot of damage to the techniques of opening batsmen.  Read more »

Australia''s world motorcycling champion Stoner to retire

  Australia''s world motorcycling champion Stoner to retireSydney, May 18 : Australian professional motorcycle racer, two-time MotoGP world champion, Casey Stoner, announced that he will retire from Grand Prix racing at the  Read more »

Veer Patel upstages Aravind in National Supercross

Veer Patel upstages Aravind in National SupercrossPune, April 30 - Veer Patel of Baroda steered his Honda CRF 250 with much panache to clinch the title in the showpiece Foreign Open class ahead of defending champion Aravind KP in the 2012 National Supercross championship here.  Read more »