Bhaichung injured, advised three-week rest

September 30th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Yuvraj Singh, who fractured his right finger during the ongoing Champions Trophy, has been replaced by Maharashta's Ameya Shrikhande in the India Red squad for the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy, to be played at Nagpur Oct 8-11. The left-hander, who got injured three days before India's opening match in the Champions Trophy, has been advised a six-week rest.

September 26th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Bhaichung Bhutia got interim relief pending the decision of All India Football Federation (AIFF) arbritator Amarendra Sharan on the tussle between India captain and Mohun Bagan and he can now play for any club of his choice. Sharan told IANS Saturday that since he will need some more time to submit his report he has decided to allow Bhutia to play with a rider that if the decision goes against him then he will have to sit out the entire season and also pays back the club the advance he received.

September 19th, 2009 NEW DELHI - All India Football Federation (AIFF)-appointed arbitrator Amarendra Sharan said Saturday that he would give his decision on the ongoing tussle between national captain Bhaichung Bhutia and his club Mohun Bagan next week. After the fourth round of hearing that concluded here Saturday, Sharan told IANS that Tuesday both the parties would submit their written arguments.

September 17th, 2009 NEW DELHI - All India Football Federation (AIFF)-appointed arbitrator Amarendra Sharan, even after the third round of meeting here Thursday, failed to resolve the differences between national captain Bhaichung Bhutia and Mohun Bagan. Sharan said the fourth round of hearing would be held Saturday.

September 16th, 2009 NEW DELHI - All India Football Federation (AIFF)-appointed arbitrator Amarendra Sharan Wednesday failed to convince Mohun Bagan and national captain Bhaichung Bhutia for an amicable settlement to solve their tussle. After a three-hour meeting with them that ended late Wednesday night, Sharan told IANS that both Mohun Bagan and Bhaichung were firm on their stand and an amicable solution was not possible.

September 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Former additional solicitor general Amrendra Sharan said Tuesday that he would again hear both the versions Sunday to solve the ongoing tussle between national football captain Bhaichung Bhutia and Mohun Bagan. Sharan said that both the parties presented their case Tuesday and will again file a fresh appeal.

September 3rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel Thursday appointed former additional solicitor general Amrendra Sharan to solve the ongoing tussle between national captain Bhaichung Bhutia and Mohun Bagan. The Kolkata club has suspended Bhutia for six months for missing an exhibition match and some of the team's practice sessions last season.

August 23rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia was felicitated by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Delhi Soccer Association (DSA) for appearing in his 100th international match here Sunday. Bhutia was presented with a memento and a bouquet before the Nehru Cup match against Kyrgyzstan at the Ambedkar Stadium.

August 22nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - From the sleepy village of Tinkitam in Sikkim to leading the national football team, Bhaichung Bhutia has come a long way and is all set to earn his 100th international cap when India plays Kyrgyzstan in the ONGC Nehru Cup here Sunday. The 32-year-old Bhaichung will earn the rare distinction in the same tournament where he made his debut in 1995 against Thailand, coming in as a replacement for his idol I.M.Vijayan.

August 22nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Football skipper Bhaichung Bhutia, who will make his 100th international appearance when India play Kyrgyzstan in the ONGC Nehru Cup Sunday, will be felicitated by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) before the match. AIFF acting President Praful Patel will also formally felicitate Bhaichung on Aug 30, the federation said in a statement.

August 12th, 2009 NEW DELHI - National captain Bhaichung Bhutia Wednesday said that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) should quickly find a solution to his ongoing tussle with Mohun Bagan so that he could play freely in the Nehru Cup. "It is a shame that I have been suspended for six months and that too for missing an exhibition match.

July 30th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India's world No.6 Saina Nehwal is down with chicken pox, but she is confident of getting fit in time for the World Badminton Championships in Hyderabad from Aug 10. Saina said she has been advised rest for four days after which she will be able to take a call on when to start training.

June 18th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India's chief football coach Bob Houghton Thursday termed the ongoing row between Mohun Bagan and national captain Bhaichung Bhutia as "ridiculous", saying the spat could have been easily avoided. Mohun Bagan has suspended Bhaichung for six months, alleging that the striker has given an unsatisfactory reply to the show cause notice slapped on him by the I-League club after he skipped some practice sessions and an exhibition game to take part in the dance reality show "Jhalak dikhla Ja".

June 9th, 2009 GANGTOK/KOLKATA - India's football captain Bhaichung Bhutia says he is not "tense" over his six-month suspension by his Mohun Bagan club and will challenge it. Speaking to IANS from his village in Tinkitam, about 55 kilometers from Gangtok, Bhaichung termed the suspension notice a ploy to retain him at the Kolkata club for another season.

June 9th, 2009 GANGTOK/KOLKATA - India's football captain Bhaichung Bhutia says he is not "tense" over the six-month suspension slapped on him by his Mohun Bagan club and will appeal against it to the Indian Football Association (IFA). Speaking to IANS from his village in Tinkitan, about 55 kilometers from Gangtok, Bhaichung termed the suspension notice a ploy to retain him at the Kolkata club for another season.