The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

S.P. Sharma takes over as civil surgeon
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 22
Dr S.P. Sharma took over as the civil surgeon of the district here yesterday. The post was lying vacant after Dr Yash Pal Singla retired on March 31.

Dr Sharma had already served here in this capacity from April 28, 2006 to September 8, 2006.

Addressing a meeting of departmental officials here after assuming office, Dr Sharma reviewed the progress of various ongoing projects under different national health programmes.

He exhorted the officers to work diligently and ensure scrupulous enforcement of laws pertaining to the sale of drugs, public health, adulteration in food items, practice of medicine and pre-natal sex determination tests.

The civil surgeon stressed the need for creating an effective network for the prevention of communicable seasonal diseases in the city, which had a pathetic sanitation level and a sizeable migrant population.

Lalli urged SAD leaders to encourage Kabaddi
Mahesh Sharma

Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 22
Blaming successive state governments of ignoring ‘Kabaddi’ game Ajit Pal Singh Lalli, an international kabaddi player, has urged senior SAD leaders to come to rescue of the players, who are gradually withdrawing from the game due to lack of facilities.

If the NRIs had not supported the organisations and societies were not engaged in promotion of the rural sport, it could have collapsed by now, he claimed.

“Unfortunately political leaders, who usually exploit sentiments of rural folks and sports lovers in general and kabaddi lovers in particular for capturing power, feel shy to discuss the matter in cabinet,” said Lalli while talking to the Ludhiana Tribune.

He claimed that countries like Pakistan had started recognising the Kabaddi in parity with other games. “Besides, encouraging sports clubs and institutes to institutionalise the rural game, they provide government jobs to outstanding kabaddi players. On the other hand, successive governments have failed to recognise the status of the game”. Lalli disclosed that a move to appoint outstanding kabaddi players in Punjab State Electricity Board in 1999 was engulfed by political factionalism.

He reminded that Baldev Singh Mann, a senior SAD leader and then administrative member of the board, had tried to provide jobs to seven top kabaddi players then and Lalli was among them. “Though we were selected and assured that appointment letters would reach within a week then but a top rank party leader got the selections cancelled,” rued Lalli.

Lalli emerged as a prominent stopper in the world of kabaddi about 15 years ago. He has played hundreds of matches at national and international level and won many prizes. He exhibited his skill in Pakistan and England after being invited by well established sports organisations of these countries.

Chandigarh record victory over Ludhiana
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, April 22
Chandigarh registered win over Ludhiana on the basis of the first innings lead in the third match of the Punjab State Inter-District Cricket Tournament (u-15), which concluded at Satish Chander Dhawan Government College grounds here today.

Chandigarh secured two points, while Ludhiana got only one point.

In reply to Chandigarh's first innings total of 267 for the loss of 9 wickets, Ludhiana could make just 108 runs in their first essay. Sunny Pandey top scored with 30 runs, followed by Vivek (12) and Paras (12). Abhinav Bhatia and Piyush contributed 11 runs each.

For Chandigarh, Naveen was the most successful bowler who took three for 35. Abhishek grabbed two wickets for 21 runs, while Virkaran captured two wickets for 22 runs.

Enjoying a lead of 159 runs, Chandigarh skipper, Manan Vohra, forced follow-on. In their second innings, hosts Ludhiana made 68 runs after losing two wickets and denied Chandigarh an outright victory.

Sunny Pandey remained unbeaten on 25 and Abhishek Talwar remained unconquered on 17. Piyush and Abhinav Bhatia scored 12 and 6 runs, respectively.

Chandigarh's successful bowlers were Hitesh ( 1 for 11) and Naveen ( 1 for 15).

Eklavya House bag B’Ball trophy
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, April 22
In a keenly contested final, Eklavya House prevailed over Pralahad House at 16-10 to bag the title in the Inter-House Basketball Championship of Saraswati Modern School, here, yesterday.

Subha Sharma scored 3 points, while Harsheen and Sheffali contributed 2 points each for the winning team. Shalu Bedi of Eklavya House was declared the best player.

In the match to decide the third position, Abhimanyu House defeated Dhruv House at 10-4. Charu netted 4 points to script Abhimanyu House’s win. Ankur Kakkar, former member of the Punjab Ranji cricket team gave away prizes to the winners. The headmistress of the school thanked the chief guest and congratulated the winners.