Former Australia international Crook dies suddenly

Former Australia soccer international Martyn Crook died suddenly in the United States while on tour with the Australian under-17 team, Football Federation Australia (FFA) said on Saturday.

The 52-year-old, who played 14 times for the Socceroos from 1979-83, had been head coach of "the Joeys" since 2007.

"Martyn was a terrific coach and mentor to the...Joeys, and he was highly respected by the players and his professional colleagues alike," FFA Chief Executive Ben Buckley said in a statement.

The team was in the United States for friendly internationals against Brazil and the host country. Friday's game against the United States was cancelled, though the team would play two other matches before returning to Australia next Wednesday, FFA said.

Cong, BJP disagree over steel plant at Nahan

Congress and BJP MLAs in the township have taken opposing stands regarding the setting up of a SAIL plant in Sirmour district.

The four Congress MLAs from the area have decided to fight for the steel plant. But Sukh Ram Chaudhary, the lone BJP MLA from Paonta Sahib, has called their move a political stunt.

He said that such 15 steel plants had been established in Sirmour district, but the Himachalis were not provided jobs there. Chaudhary said it was wrong to claim that the plant would benefit Himachalis in any way. He stressed that whether the steel plant was set up in Sirmour district or elsewhere in Himachal would not effect anyone.

On the other hand, former Speaker of Himachal Vidhan Sabha and Pachhad MLA GR Musafir said the UPA government had approved the steel plant for Sirmour district in order to benefit it. He said it was unfortunate that the state government was not keen on setting up the plant here.

District Congress Committee (DCC) president and MLA from Shillai Assembly constituency Harsh Wardhan Chauhan said he would join the demand for the establishment of the steel plant in Sirmour district. He said the Congress would launch an agitation if the plant is shifted to Kangra district.

Congress MLA from Renuka Dr Prem Singh asserted that all political parties must join hands for the development of Sirmour district. He urged for a proper dialogue between the political parties on the issue to ensure the development of the area.