Sports Update: How will Lebron's elbow hold up?

The NBA’s biggest story these days might be LeBron James’ right elbow, the most examined joint in Cleveland sports history which even has its own Twitter account (@LeBronsElbow). (Watch CNN's Sanjay Gupta talk about the injury.) The Celtics and Cavs play Games 3 and 4 in their Eastern Conference semifinals this weekend, the highlights for a busy weekend in sports (all times Eastern):

-Cavaliers at Celtics (ESPN. 7:00 PM) How will the three days of rest affect LeBron’s health? He’s been diagnosed with a bone bruise and strain in his right elbow and the series outcome will likely come down to how hard he can go with the pain. Game 3 is tonight. The series is tied at 1-1.

-Suns at Spurs (ESPN, 9:30 PM)
Why do the Suns lead the series 2-0? Simple teamwork,” says SI.com’s Ian Thomsen. “The Suns are delivering more production and energy across the board.” Phoenix is 34-9 over the last three months and can take a commanding lead tonight in Game 3 in San Antonio.

-Wigan at Chelsea (Sunday, 11:00 AM, Fox Soccer Channel)
It’s simple for Chelsea: The Blues will lift the Barclays Premier League title if they pick up three points at Stamford Bridge. A draw or loss opens the door for Manchester United, who play Stoke City. Chelsea leads Manchester United by a point with only Sunday’s games remaining in the schedule.

BY THE NUMBERS

.377
batting average for Tigers rookie outfielder Austin Jackson, who leads the American League in hitting.

286
Career wins for Robin Roberts, the Hall of Fame pitcher who led the Phillies to the 1950 pennant. Roberts died on Thursday. He was 83.

4
Goals for Red Wings forward Johan Franzen (along with two assists) in Detroit’s 7-1 win Thursday night over San Jose in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals. San Jose will host Game 5 on Saturday night with an opportunity to advance to the conference finals.

[No Uniqe Content Here]

Sachin Tendulkar on Twitter @sachin_rt

Finally, Sachin Tendulkar joined Twitter. He got really great response from fans. He is following only 2 people now and around 50 thousand fans following him and counting.
Zaheer Khan confirmed this is real ID by tweeting “Yes! Its true sachin tendulkar is on twitter on @sachin_rt”.
“The only record left for him to break is maximum number of followers. Welcome the one and only and my favourite Sachin Tendulkar,” tweeted Deepika Padukone.
“Sachin Tendulkar is on Twitter. We want him to beat Ashton Kutcher hollow. Spread the word. Follow Sachin,” said Riteish Deshmukh.
“The original rock star is here. Welcome Sachin Tendulkar. He is here. Give him all the love he deserves,” read Arjun Rampal’s post.
“A big welcome shout for the Sachin Tendulkar himself. Enjoy!” said celebrated director Karan Johar.
“Finally on Twitter, the god of cricket himself. A big welcome shout for Sachin Tendulkar himself. Spread the word,” wrote Shilpa Shetty.
“Good to see you here,” said Sania, a self-confessed fan of Tendulkar.
You should follow original Sachin at Twitter.

Troubled sport thrown into fresh turmoil by allegations against John Higgins

To understand the penetrative, long-term impact of the allegations of frame-fixing that have dealt professional snooker a potentially mortal blow, one need only talk with Steve Davis, the sport’s greatest ambassador.
On the verge of tears after allegations that John Higgins, the world champion, was prepared to accept a six-figure bribe, Davis said: “After this, if Barry Hearn isn’t allowed to continue as WPBSA chairman, I’ll have to seriously consider my future in the game.” This from a veteran who has always maintained that voluntary retirement is unthinkable, so deep is his love of all things green baize.
The black Davis mood was created by the acrid stench that can only emerge from a high-profile alleged betting scandal, especially one that came to light on the eve of the Betfred.com World Snooker Championship final, the sport’s showpiece occasion. “My thoughts as a player, it’s the darkest day I’ve ever experienced,” Davis, 52, said. “I’m gobsmacked. The integrity of the game has been put in question. It’s at the lowest ebb it’s ever been.”
Hearn spoke to a tearful Higgins yesterday and said afterwards: “As much as I would class John as a nice guy, the game is at stake here.” Asked if Higgins could play again in the future if found guilty, Hearn said: “I think it would be a real problem for him.”

For a sport in need of renewed and additional television revenue, and desperate to attract new sponsorship income, such a story is poisonous.Hearn, who took over as chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) in December, said he was “absolutely mortified” by allegations that Higgins, three times the world champion, and Pat Mooney, his manager, agreed to manipulate the outcome of four frames in future minor events.
Higgins and Mooney, who was a WPBSA director until his resignation yesterday, were filmed by the News of the World, allegedly agreeing to accept £261,000 in return for frame manipulation.
Higgins and Mooney claim they are innocent and there is no suggestion or accusation that Higgins has ever thrown a match or been involved in any fraudulent activity during an 18-year professional career in which he has collected more than £5 million in prize money.
“Today is the start of the biggest match of my life,” Higgins said. “It’s not the World Championship that’s at stake, it’s something even more important, my reputation. I will fully co-operate with the snooker authorities.”
The News of the World has video evidence of a meeting with Higgins and Mooney that took place in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, on Friday. Higgins claims he was “really spooked” by what he thought were members of the Russian mafia, a sentiment echoed by Mooney. “I have never deliberately missed a shot, never mind intentionally lost a frame or a match,” Higgins said. “My conscience is 100 per cent clear.”
Yet regardless of where innocence or guilt may lie, Davis and Hearn are convinced that the whole sorry affair, and its timing, have caused immense damage for snooker, which given its recent financial and perception problems can ill afford such a hit.
There have been several betting furores in modern snooker history, but none has featured anyone as internationally recognisable as Higgins.
Many will be relieved that Hearn, who showed decisive leadership by quickly suspending Higgins from all WPBSA tournaments, is remaining at the helm after an initial period of soul-searching when the story surfaced. “I’m not prepared to see the sport die under this type of publicity,” he said. “I know in my heart of hearts I can put those things right. My first reaction was to walk away, but the second was ‘no, this means something to me’.
“So I’m staying and dealing with it, but I’m going to take it very seriously.We at the top of the game have a responsibility and my message to fans is that this is not going ruin our game.”
David Douglas, a former Metropolitan Police detective chief superintendent who was invited by Hearn to sit on the WPBSA board for his disciplinary input, will head the disciplinary inquiry.
One positive is the reaction of Fred Done, chairman of Betfred, the World Championship sponsor. “If Barry wants to do another five-year deal I will sign now,” he said. “I will continue supporting snooker and I’m confident the WPBSA will conduct a proper and thorough investigation.”
In February 2006, Quinten Hann, of Australia, was banned by the WPBSA for eight years after a similar undercover operation by The Sun revealed he had offered to throw his opening match against Ken Doherty in the 2005 China Open.
Although the match was subsequently played properly, after undercover reporters pulled out of the deal, a WPBSA disciplinary panel was shown transcripts and video footage of meetings between Hann and journalists in March and April 2005.
Hann was found to be in breach of the WPBSA’s rule 2.8, which states: “A member shall not directly or indirectly solicit, attempt to solicit or accept any payment or any form of remuneration or benefit in exchange for influencing the outcome of any game of snooker or billiards.”
Davis, who beat Higgins 13-11 in the second round of the championship nine days ago, put it succinctly. “How horrible a thought that from now on every time we miss a shot or make a mistake, someone who thinks there’s something going on will say, ‘I told you so,’ ” he said.

[no unique content here]

IPL 3: Looking back at a party

The third edition of the IPL went way beyond cricket- what with the cheergirls, the after-match parties, the older players shining bright and some close finishes.

It presents itself rather differently from the conventional, and with diamonds studded all over, the IPL trophy is one of the most ravishing beauties to behold. In the last two weeks though, one is given to understand that there's lot of dirt buried beneath that glitter. IPL 3 has been about cricket and big bucks, with a parallel game played outside the hallowed turf, rather inside the House. Oscar winner AR Rehman and Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu enthralled the audience at the DY Patil with a live concert, so did the next 22 performers in blue and yellow pyjamas in the Sunday night final --- the trophy went to Chennai but the game outside is just waiting for its new dawn. Lalit Modi has delayed his own final, gearing up to bat in the last bit of slog overs against a mounting asking rate of allegations. But, ultimately, he was suspended by the BCCI just hours before the IPL Governing Council meeting.
Coincidentally, the on and off-field activities have gone erringly similar - there has been big signings in millionaire Kieron Pollard who, without doubt, helped Mumbai wake up from deep slumber to take the title fight. On the other hand, it's the multi-million signings on the dotted line that has raised the doubt and summoned the taxmen. While Sachin Tendulkar has been hailed for single-handedly taking Mumbai so far, Modi is being castigated for his autocratic behaviour.
Maybe yes, maybe not, the multi-cultural and different nationality is being studied for the spate of run outs, 55-and over, during the IPL games but there has been another running debate, over proxy money, ownership and match-fixing, that has dominated the headlines.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and others have been outspoken about the humid Chennai weather, the amount of sweat that drenches their T-shirt and cramps their legs. Yet not much thought has been given while scheduling day games in those areas but there's been a serious brainstorming in various quarters about the sweat equity of a certain damsel sitting in faraway Dubai.
The off-field activities have already spilled over the allocated window for the tournament; longer strategic timeouts have been made, and more demanded, threatening that the end is far from expected. There will be no pom girls in mini skirts cheering anymore, the especially flown-in ‘mischief girls' are all packing their suitcases after a hectic schedule of day and evening matches and IPL nights - from hereon, there will be just formally clad politicians raising the pitch of their protests.
And to get the basics right, this entire hue and cry is a consequence of a three-line tweet from Modi with intentions to reveal selective information of the new franchisee joining them next season. Ever since, reputations have been stripped naked in the Parliament and outside, with reiteration of an in depth probe.
Talking of a rebel match outside the field, the IPL has brought into limelight the alumni batch of yet another rebel league. Players like Ambati Rayudu, Ali Murtaza, R Satish have been the driving force behind Mumbai's resurgence and proved to be a great discount buy from the ICL.
Controversies apart, the IPL continued providing platforms to the unknown and throw up surprise packages. Saurabh Tiwary, Murali Vijay, R Ashwin, T Suman, R Vinay Kumar, Aditya Dole, Sumit Narwal, Manvinder Bisla, Naman Ohja came to the fore for their respective franchisees to make the points table wobble frequently.
Mohali, unfortunately, lost balance early and fell down. Yuvraj Singh versus Kumar Sangakkara was yet another controversy that added spice to the competition while the Mongoose lapped up attention on the cricket field after Mathew Hayden publicised it at the cost of Delhi bowlers.
Cricketwise, there was aplenty, there was series of hop-and-jump catches taken smartly at the rope.
This edition again proved that retired and people over 35 still savour the taste of T20 with Sachin, Kallis, Kumble, Dravid, Warne, Hayden all in queue.
There was thrilling last over batting from Pollard, Uthappa, Yusuf, Symonds, Dhoni; an Indian scored a century - fastest ever - and a pacer amidst the spinners taking centrestage wrapped up a hat-trick. And then, two of the new performing lot did get their deserving place in the World T20 Indian team.
IPL 3 introduced the IPL party nights and the awards night, with franchisees and player turning out in their best, adding overtunes to the cricket and taking it a step further. Indeed, IPL 3 was about cricket and big bucks. About cricket. And about the big bucks.

Note [NO Uniqe Content Here]

ipl cheer girls

The concept of Item Girls is not new in India. And after IPL T20, Cheer Girls have grown popularity amongst the people. Now, Leo One Music has come up with entirely innovative concept of Party Girls in India and Mr. Sandeep Shukla the owner of Leo One Music thinks it would be well- accepted by the party lovers. This concept has up-rooted prevalence in Western countries. Party Girls concept comprise of four girls who are professional and will perform in parties

Meet the cheergirls

From queens of controversy to darlings of Indian advertising. But two years since their debut, you still don’t know who they are
Then come the girls. Twenty bleary-eyed figures take up their spots in the modest lobby. Some try napping on the couches while their managers work through check-in formalities; some stand on the hotel stairs and smoke. Most have something to complain about: They haven’t been able to sleep for more than 4 hours yet again, they’re hungry, it’s hot, their phones are acting up.
The cheerleaders, who auditioned in South Africa but have been culled from various countries, have been in India since the first week of March, when the third season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) kicked off. They’ve acquired cotton “Alibaba” pants and chunky silver jewellery. These jostle for space with GAP T-shirts and Louis Vuitton fakes on their petite frames.
Even a couple of weeks away from the end of the season, the girls have hectic schedules. Two groups of 20 girls each travel across the country for daily matches. Two league games each day means that both cheerleading groups work every day.
On an average day, the cheerleaders wake up at 6am, take a 9am flight for their next destination, check into a hotel at noon, grab a quick bite—a nap, if they’re lucky—before getting dressed to make an early entry into the stadium to avoid crowds. Slap that schedule with after-hour parties, and what you have is a 20-hour day.

Serena to make Rome comeback

Serena Williams will make her injury comeback at the Rome International in May, organisers said.
The world number one has been given a wildcard as she was not on the original entry list for the tournament that runs from May 2-8.
It means that only US Open champion Kim Clijsters will be missing from the world's top 10 players.
Williams has not played since January due to a knee injury, but the Rome tournament will serve as a warm-up for a tilt at the French Open later in May.
The younger sister of Venus Williams has won on the Roman clay at the Foro Italico once before in 2002.

Tiger Woods is Masters favorite despite rustiness

Tiger Woods will enter the unknown when he tees off in Thursday's opening round of the U.S. Masters for his first outing for nearly five months but he has been made the tournament favorite.

Sports

The world number one, who took a break from golf when his private life spectacularly unraveled at the end of last year amid allegations of extra-marital affairs, has been installed as 6-1 favorite by British bookmakers Ladbrokes.

Fellow American Phil Mickelson is rated at 14-1 with South African Ernie Els third best at 16-1.

"Tiger going off as a 6-1 chance prior to his problems would have been unheard of but we're prepared to take a chance following his self-imposed exile," Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg said in a news release on Wednesday.

Ladbrokes also offered special odds for other Woods-related incidents.

The 14-times major winner, a four-times champion at Augusta National, is 100-1 to record an ace and 5-1 to launch his opening tee shot into the trees.

Woods is 5-4 to register at least five birdies in his first round.

Note[ no unique content here]

Police take Shoaib's passport

In a day of bizarre twists and turns, the controversy surrounding the proposed marriage of tennis star Sania Mirza with Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik has become more complicated.
Mr. Malik on Monday publicly rejected the demand for a divorce from Ayesha Siddiqui, arguing that he had never married her, even as Ms. Siddiqui issued a public reiteration that she had enough proof to substantiate the claim of marriage.
Police recorded the statements of Mr. Malik, who is currently staying in Ms. Mirza's house, and those of Ms. Siddiqui.
With the police taking possession of Mr. Malik's passport and issuing an alert to all international airports to ensure that he did not leave the country, the Pakistan High Commission also got involved and assured all possible assistance to the cricketer.
Just before noon, the police walked into the house to talk to Mr. Malik, and by 4.30 p.m., the would-be couple addressed a press conference.
“There is no question of tendering any apology; there is no scope for postponement of marriage and no chance of an out-of-the-court settlement,” Ms. Mirza said, appealing against a trial by the media. Mr. Malik said Ms. Siddiqui was not the woman whose pictures were sent to him.
“Yes, the signature on the ‘Nikahnama' is mine, but the marriage never took place. I repeat, I have never met her. Why is she hiding behind the cameras?”
He said the charge that Ms. Siddiqui had suffered a miscarriage had to be proved. “I am not running away. I have come here to come clean and I have cooperated with the police.”
Ms. Siddiqui's advocate Waliur Rehman and her family doctor Syed Shams Babar said at a media conference that they had proof to substantiate the charges. “All we want is a public apology and a divorce. Nothing more.”
Note[ No Uniqe content here]