Chandigarh, May 2
The Health Department, Chandigarh Administration, was planning to start work on new eye operation theatres at the Primary Health Centre, Mani Majra, and the poly clinic at Sector 45. This was disclosed by UT home and health secretary Krishna Mohan here today.

While eye OPD facilities were already available at the Sector 22 poly clinic, the Sector 45 poly clinic, and the Mani Majra health centre, eye surgery facilities were available at the Sector 22 poly clinic, informed the health secretary.

Claiming that the health department has achieved a major success under the National Programme for Control of Blindness Programme (NPCB), Krishan Mohan said 6,892 cataract surgeries were performed in the Union Territory of Chandigarh in one year till March 2007 against the target of 5,500 cases. And out of this 6,213 surgeries were with intra ocular lens implantation, added the health secretary.

The eye camps and health melas organised all over the city helped promote awareness about eye problems. — TNS

Chandigarh, May 2
The cagers of DAV School, Sector15, got the better of Sri Guru Har Krishan Model School, Sector 38, 22-18 in a well contested boys category match in the Youth State Basketball Championship being held at New Public School, Sector 18, here today.

Sahil of DAV played a key role in the win with his 23 points while for losers, Amit and Amandeep contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The other winner in the category was DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, which beat Delhi Public School, Sector 40, 32-21 points. Sandeep was the highest scorer with 13 points.

In the girls category, Navodya Vidyalya lost to Dev Samaj 13-48 while host New Public School thrashed Sacred Heart School, Sector 26, 46-17. For New Public School, Varsha (20) was the top scorer followed by Harmanjot (10) and Megha (6) whereas for losers, Loveleen, Samridhi and Ridhi scored four points each.

Chandigarh, May 2
The winners of the pool A match to be played between the Himachal Cricket Club and the Chandigarh Lawyers Sports Association tomorrow will decide the fourth semifinalist of the first All India Invitation Prize Money Twenty20 Cricket Tournament at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium here.

Both teams have so far secured four points each from two outings apiece. Both have one win and one defeat to their credit. It will be a do-or-die battle for Narinder Kwatra-led Himachal Cricket Club and the Chandigarh Lawyers Sports Association skippered by Sanjeev Moudgil, who is also secretary of the Panchkula District Cricket Association.

Their winners will play the pool B winners and the title aspirants Professional Cricket Club on May 6. The Professional Cricket Club have logged 10 points from two victories and a tied match against the Moody ICL yesterday.

The All India Electricity Sports Control Board finished runners-up in the Pool B with two victories and one defeat. They are now pitted against strong contenders and star-packed Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, which topped the pool A with an all-win record in the four-team league programme, in the second semifinals.

The second match tomorrow will be played between the JJ’s XI and the Moody ICL.

The winners will be presented a cheque for Rs one lakh and a running trophy. The runners-up will receive a cheque for Rs 50,000 and a running trophy. Besides, 19 individual man of the match awards will also be presented.

Chandigarh, May 2
To facilitate local swimming enthusiasts, Panjab University (PU) is ready to throw open its swimming pools in a day or two.

For the first time, the pools (a competitive pool, a diving bowl and a beginner’s pool) will remain open for 10 hours a day and during that duration it can accommodate over 750 swimmers.

Giving details, Dr D.S. Toor, adviser to the director sports, PU, said the pool would start functioning from 6 am to 8 pm daily. “As many as 10 sessions will be there for different categories, including two hours lunch (12 pm to 2 pm). Except three sessions, 10 am to 12 pm, 5 pm to 6.30 pm and 6.30 pm to 8 pm, all will be of one hour each. From 12 noon to 2 pm, there will be a break. To avoid rush, only 70 swimmers would be allowed in one-hour session each while in two hours as well as one and a half hours sessions, we will allow 100 swimmers,” said Dr Toor.

This time, the authorities would allow the guests of members to splash into the waters of the pools on payment. “Around 10 years ago guests were allowed,but that practice was stopped due to some reasons. This time we have decided to allow the guests of the members on payment, but only for seven days in a month,” said Dr Toor.

Besides a coach, a lifeguard would also present at the pool for the safety of swimmers. “We have appointed a woman lifeguard, who will see the safety aspect of the swimmers,” added Dr Toor.

It is to be noted that the university had spent Rs 12 lakh on the repair of the ‘beginners’ and ‘competitive’ pools. From tomorrow the interested can get membership forms. 

Chandigarh, May 2
Danish P. Singh, Rudraksh, Drishti, Chirag, Rupak Kumar, Satprakash and Priyanka Kapoor have been selected for the World Karate Championship to be held in Spain from June 20 to 24.

Meanwhile, the players who won the 5th National Karate Championship held at Malerkotla recently were Rudraksh (gold), Drishti (gold), Rupak Kumar (gold), Amit Sharma (gold), Satprakash (gold), Priyanka Kapoor (gold), Chirag (silver) and Danish P. Singh (bronze).

Chandigarh, May 2
District magistrate R. K. Rao has prohibited commercial operations of restaurants, pubs, wine shops, discos, clubs and vendors sitting by the road sides and on the public places late in the night. — TNS