HEALTH

TB: 2,000 lives saved in past five years
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
The health department has helped save nearly 2,000 lives from deadly TB since the launch of revised national tuberculosis control programme (RNTCP) in January, 2002, said Dr Kavita Talwar, district family welfare officer, after inaugurating the World TB Day at Civil Dispensary, Mauli Jagran.

Besides, over 10,000 TB patients have completed six to eight months of treatment.

The city has also achieved the target of putting sputum-positive patients on DOTS, she said.

Dr P.K. Shridhar, state TB officer, said all schools located in the city had been involved in the programme.

Declamation contest were held in different schools and prize winning entries were displayed and given prizes.

Later, Dr Talwar honoured best workers involved in the programme.

Cured patients and private practitioners narrated their experiences and volunteered to spread the message among people regarding symptoms and management of tuberculosis.

SPORTS

Chandigarh club enter semifinal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
Holders Chandigarh Football Club and Golden Club from Group A and Panjab University Campus Football Club and Youngsters Football Club from Group B qualified for the semifinals of the Chandigarh Senior Football Championship for Chaudhary Jarnail Singh Trophy. The tournament is being organised by the Chandigarh Football Association at the Sector 17 Football Stadium here.

Three quarterfinal matches were decided in tie-breaker sessions. Punjab University Campus Football Club pulled off a sensational 5-2 victory over runners-up Chandigarh Police Football Club in the tie-breaker after sharing two goals in the stipulated time.

Youngsters Football Club got the better of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited Football Club with an aggregate 6-5 margin via tie-breaker.

The teams were 2-2 in regular time.

Golden Club ended the challenge of Maruti Football Club 4-2 in the third match which was extended to the tie-breaker session as the teams were goalless in the stipulated period.

Only defending champions Chandigarh Football Club were able to register a win in the stipulated period as they raced to a 3-0 verdict over Young Football Club-21. Rajiv Rattan fashioned their fluent victory with a brace. His first goal came in the 25th minute as he capitalised on a pass from Arvind from the right flank.

In the 45th minute, Rajiv Rattan executed a brilliant header following a flag kick taken by Sunil. Mohit rounded off the winners' tally in the 50th minute as he pounced upon the rebound after Amit's shot was blocked by Young Football Club goalkeeper Vipul Vaid.

In the next tie, BSNL Football Club were two goals down before they staged a grand rally to restore parity against Youngsters Football Club. However, they went down fighting in the tie-breaker. Youngsters converted four spot kicks through Varinder, Shalinder Rawat, Deepak Gurang and Vinay.

For BSNL FC, Manoj Rawat, Pushpinder and Manoj converted their penalties. Budh Singh's spot kick was collected by Youngsters FC goalkeeper Sudhir while Kunal ballooned his spot kick.

In another tie, a last-minute goal by Nikhil Pramar off a cross from Bahadur Singh helped Chandigarh Police Football Club restore parity but the cops could not survive in the tie-breaker against Panjab University Campus Football Club.

Earlier, PUC FC took the lead in the 15th minute as Sewa Singh Bawa converted a spot kick. The award was given as Jitender Singh handled the ball inside the box.

In the tie-braeker, PUC FC scored through Sandeep Bisht, Ankit, Sandeep Singh and Lakh Singh. Only Jagdeep Singh could convert his spot kick for Chandigarh Police Football Club in the tie-breaker session. Bahadur Singh shot over while Mukesh's shot hit the pole. PUC FC won by 5-2.

Rana wins SJOBA-Thunderbolt Sub-Himalayan Open Rally-2007
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
Defending champion Sunny Sidhu faced tough competition from Suresh Rana and Khushwant Randhawa in the car/jeep category on the first day of the 20th SJOBA-Thunderbolt Sub-Himalayan Open Rally-2007 today.

Rana emerged winner in the SJOBA-Thunderbolt Sub-Himalayan Open Rally-2007 while Randhawa was the runners up.

Earlier, the rally was flagged off by S.K. Jain, IG, Chandigarh police, today at St John’s High School, Sector 26, here.

A total of six contestants were out of the race on the first day due to technical snags in their vehicles. 67-year-old Mukhtiar Singh could not continue as his bike started giving some trouble.

However, lady luck seemed to be favouring women contestants as all of them, in both the Pro challenge as well as the TSD categories, cleared all hurdles of the rough terrain without any problem.

According to Vivek Atray, president, SJOBA, all rallyists reached the set point for the first day - Koti Resorts. The rally will be flagged off at 7 am tomorrow for Chandigarh.

The provisional results will be announced tomorrow while the main prize distribution will be held on March 26 at the Golf Club.

More often than not, India disappoints at the sporting arena. Akash Ghai and G.S. Paul get views from persons connected to sports as to what leads to India’s lacklustre performance.

Anter Atma Singh, ex-Ranji player and umpire	Nirmal Milkha Singh, ex-volleyball player	Harmeek Singh, ex-Olympian, hockey
India’s defeat has shattered my hopes though I know that it is not possible for a team to win every time. Time has come for senior players to vacate the place for young talent. Not only cricket, every team sport in the country has been going down. Lack of commitment and killer instinct in players, politics and drugs are major reasons behind the lacklustre performance of Indian sportspersons.	I second Navjot Sidhu’s views that India played under fear against Sri Lanka. We are doing well in individual events but not in team games. In team events, the selection of players depends on the outlook of selection committees which may have their limitations along with some vested interests. In individual events, no one can stop a talented player.	Results in team games depend on the coordination among players. These days, players are running after money which results in lack of self-discipline and consistency. Small countries are producing better results in team events as compared to big nations. They are more serious about their results and have more commitment. There is no dearth of ability but capability has to be instilled in players.
Chander Shekhar, president, Chandigarh Hockey Association	D.S. Bedi, principal, Shivalik Public School	Dr Sumati Kanwar, international basketball player
Allurements should be there as it motivates players to perform. But excess of everything is bad. Too much money, name and fame has made players deviate from the right track. Crores are being spent on cricket, but on the other hand, there are other sports where players do not have money to meet their travel expenses. The poor policies of the authorities are equally responsible.	Wins and losses are part of the game. Outside factors like betting mafia, media pressure and overflow of money play a negative role as they disrupt the concentration of a player. Instead of imparting proper training, most coaches remain busy in lobbying for their wards. Earlier, competitions were like a mission for players who played for their country in the true sense which is missing these days.	It was disappointing to see the performance of Team India in the World Cup. Team games need to be revamped in the country. Regionalism and favouritism in selection are age-old problems in Indian sport. Sports associations need to be managed more professionally. They should be made more accountable since they receive grants from public money.

All set for cricket semifinals
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
High Court I will meet District Bar Association, Jalandhar, while District Bar Association, Panipat, will cross swords with District Court, Chandigarh, in the semifinals of the inaugural cricket tournament organised by the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh, at JR Institute of Cricket Technology at Barwal in Panchkula tomorrow.

District Bar Association, Chandigarh, snatched an exciting one-wicket victory over District Bar Association, Fatehabad. The Fatehabad team scored 194 for 5. In reply, DBA, Chandigarh, made 195 for 9.

In another match, District Bar Association, Panipat, routed District Bar Association, Ambala, by eight wickets.

Earlier, High court I defeated High Court II by 33 runs. Raj Mohan Singh and Lekh Raj Sharma got the man of the match prizes.

U-15 cricket trials today
Tribune News Service

Mohali, March 24
Trials to select the Mohali district under-15 cricket team will be held on March 25 at 3 pm at PCA Cricket Stadium, C-Ground, here.

Players born on or after September 1, 1992, either studying or living in Mohali are eligible for the trials. Players must bring a photocopy of their birth certificate or a certificate from the institute confirming their date of birth.

The selected team will participate in the Punjab Inter-District Tournament from which the Punjab State team will be selected for the Inter-State Championship.

Robin, Sakshi are best athletes
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
Robin Singh and Sakshi Mittal were adjudged best athletes in the boys and girls categories, respectively, during the first annual athletics meet of Swami Vivekanand Group of Institutes held at Ram Nagar (Banur) near here today.

Swami Vivekanand College of Pharmacy won the overall best trophy while the students of the SVSM were adjudged best marching contingent.

The meet was declared open by Wing Commander Satish Bhatia, an international badminton player. Balbir Singh, former hockey Olympian, who was the chief guest on the occasion, gave away the prizes.

The results:

Men: 1500 m: Hitesh Kumar 1, Gurtej Singh 2, Manpreet Singh 3; 800 m: Hitesh Kumar 1, Robin Singh 2, Rupinder Singh 3; 400 m: Hitesh Kumar 1, Robin Singh 2, Maninder Saini 3; 100 m: Robin Singh 1, Hitesh Kumar 2, Maninder Saini 3; Spoon race: Amit Joshi 1, Rahul Negi 2, Shailendra 3; Discus throw: Parveen Rana 1, Manjeet 2, Amandeep Singh 3; Shot put: Pranshu Kaushik 1, Parveen Rana 2, Anurag Sharma and Abhishek Dimri 3; Long jump: Robin Singh 1, Vikas Sharma 2, Hitesh Kumar 3; High jump: Robin Singh 1, Pardeep Kumar 2, Parveen Rana 3; Triple jump: Gurpreet Singh 1, Paramjeet 2, Rahul 3; Relay race: Robin, Gagandeep, Gurtej Singh and Harpreet Singh 1, Hitesh, Rupinder, Maninder and Ravinder Singh 2.

Women: 400 m: Sakshi Kalia 1, Navneet Gill 2, Aditi Goyal 3; 100 m: Aditi Goyal 1, Sakshi Kalia 2, Naresh Kumari 3; Three-leg race: Ashima and Madhri 1, Gurdeep Kaur and Amandeep Kaur 2, Anju and Kirti 3; Shot put: Sakshi Kalia 1, Lakhvir Kaur 2, Anju 3; Long jump: Aditi Goyal 1, Sakshi Kalia 2, Naresh Kumari 3; Spoon race: Aditi 1, Amandeep Kaur 2, Sakshi Kalia 3; Discus throw: Lakhveer Kaur 1, Ranvinder Kaur 2, Sakshi Kalia 3.

Paras academy girls win gold
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
Paras Ram Academy, Jalandhar, clinched the gold medal in the girls category defeating Chandigarh on the second day for the 19th International Kabaddi Cup being played at Boor Majra village, about 20 kms from here, today.

Haryana girls bagged the third position.

Other results:

Kabaddi (boys): 47 kg: Balo Majra 1, Boor Majra 2; 52 kg: Badanpur 1 , Baloo majra 2; 57 kg: Badanpur 1, Manak Majra 2.

Men race (above 60 yrs): Gurnam Singh 1, Kirpal Singh Fauji 2, Gurmail Singh 3.