Anti-malaria Camp
405 blood samples collected
Tribune News Service

Trials for sports wing seats draw poor response
Rajay Deep

Chandigarh, June 29
Restoration of sports wing seats to the college (affiliated to Panjab University) sportspersons by the Punjab sports department after a decade is a welcome step. But the response to the first day of the two-day trials on the PU campus to get the wing seats disappointed officials of the department.

Today, which was reserved for girls, around 200 sportspersons in all 15 disciplines turned up for the trials. In some disciplines like swimming, cycling, wrestling and boxing, not even a single player came to get the seat. The position of other sports likes badminton and gymnastics was almost the same. Only two sportspersons came for gymnastics while one came for badminton. Even the most popular athletics could draw only 34 athletes from all over the state.

Expressing disappointment over the low turnup of players, Punjab sports director Pargat Singh said, “I am disheartened to see the poor response during the trials. We have revived the scheme of issuance of wing seats to encourage the players of the state.”

The Punjab Government has restored the scheme of allotting wing seats with a view to uplift the standards of sports in the state. “Under the scheme, there will be three categories in the wings. Speed fund will be the top most scheme under which the selected players will get Rs 100 diet per day while under the residential scheme, free accommodation as well as Rs 60 diet per day will be provided for the outstation players. Day scholar players will get the diet worth Rs 30 per day. All selected players will get free training and equipments by the government.

On the condition of anonymity, a group of players said, “Seeing the present condition of sports in Punjab, it seems that the whole process is just an ‘eye wash’. We are not confident about the facilities they are promising. Even the amount decided for the diet is meagre,” they added.

After seeing the poor response today, the authorities decided that the girls could take part in trials tomorrow also.

Agility, speed her forte
Akash Ghai
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 29
Nishi Chauhan, a local hockey player, is very close to realising her dream of making it to the senior team of the country.

“Though I have represented the country at many international competitions, my ultimate aim is to don the national colours and bring home an Olympic medal,” said 24-year-old Nishi, who attended a camp held at Bangalore in May for national probables.

Her claim for a place in the national squad got a shot in the arm when the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) invited her to participate in the 34th Euro Championship at Azar Baizan this year.

“It was a nice experience to be there. The championship gave us an opportunity to learn tricks of the trade,” says an exuberant Nishi, who has attended all top-level preparatory camps, including Olympic Qualifying Camp, Asian Games Camp, World Cup Camp and Afro Asian Camp.

This agile forward showed her talent in the Four-nation Hockey Tournament (u-21) held at the USA in 1999. The next year, she played in a Test-match series (u-21) at Germany to bag top honours again. Nishi was also part of the squad for the Junior Asia Cup at Kuala Lumpur the same year where the team won bronze.

However, an injury in 2000 cast doubts over her blossoming career. “It took two years to return to the field. After this layoff, I led Chandigarh XI to finish winners in the Tommy Emar Gold Cup at Mumbai besides playing the Shin Bashira Cup at Japan in 2003,” said Nishi, whose forte are agility, speed and calculative passes, has been honing her skills under the supervision of coach Jasbir Bajwa at Hockey Stadium, Sector 42, of late.

Mohali resident Nishi started playing the game from Class VII. She had also joined the Sports Authority of India centre at Sector 18 where she got training from Jaswinder Singh Bhangu.

Commenting on the standard of women’s hockey, Nishi says that there is no dearth of talent here. “There is need to improve the facilities and give the much-needed foreign exposure to the players,” says Nishi.

ERCA lift triangular series
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 29
A fine allround performance by Edmund Rice Cricket Academy players enabled their team to thrash the Kurukshetra District Cricket Association by 9 wickets in the final of the Edmund Rice Triangular Series played at St John’s High School, Sector 26, here.

Electing to bat first, the KDCA team, after a solid opening partnership of 28 between Ishan (23) and Trith, crumbled to accurate bowling by Amandeep (3 for 16), Ishandeep (2 for 20), Neeraj Joshi (2 for 29) and Gaurav Malhotra (1 for 5). Ishan was the highest scorer with 23 runs. No other batsman put on any resistance for the KDCA team as the whole team was bundled out for 92 runs in 24 overs.

In reply, it was yet again Aayush Raj Soni (61 unbeaten runs of 38 balls) who made the chase look easy as the ERCA team chased the total in 15.5 overs. This was Aayush's fourth half century in the last six matches. Aayush's innings contained 11 boundaries. Aayush was well supported by Sahib Malhotra (17 n.o.) and Gaurav Malhotra who was the only wicket to fall for 12 runs. Lalit took 1 wicket.

Brief scores: KDCA - 92 all out in 24 overs (Ishan 23; Amandeep 3 for 16, Ishandeep 2 for 20, Neeraj 2 for 29, Gaurav 1 for 5) ERCA - 95 for 1 in 15.5 overs (Aayush 61 n.o., Sahib 17 n.o., Gaurav 12, Lalit 1 for 23) Best batsman - Aayush Raj Soni (ERCA) Best bowler - Amandeep Sahota (ERCA) Best fielder - Balwinder Singh (ERCA) Player of the series - Neeraj Joshi (ERCA)

Badminton
Stone of indoor court laid
Tribune News Service

Mohali, June 29
The foundation stone of an indoor badminton court in the complex of State Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Phase VI, was laid here today.

The stone was laid by Tilak R. Sarangal, managing director, Punjab Health Systems Corporation and secretary, Health and Family Welfare.

The structure, measuring 37’x 57’ x 25’, will be made of the RCC and the rooftop will be of galvanised sheets having ventilators for natural light and air.

According to Sarangal, the structure will have conglomerate flooring initially and will later be converted into wooden flooring. The project will be completed within three months.

The project is aimed at providing sports facilities to staff members and trainees including doctors, para-medics and other health sector professionals.

CAT stays doc’s superannuation
Arun Sharma
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 29
The Central Administrative Tribunal, Chandigarh Bench, has stayed the superannuation of Dr Krishan Gopal Vij, professor and head, department of forensic medicine, GMCH, at the age of 58 here today. Dr Vij was scheduled to retire tomorrow.

Dr Vij filed an application before the court pleading that as the Governor of Punjab had issued a notification on April 23, 2007, enhancing the age of superannuation of medical teachers from 58 years to 60 years, he was entitled to continue in service till the age of 60.

The same conditions of service applied to the teachers working in the GMCH, pleaded Dr Vij. Apprehending that the authorities would retire him on June 30, he prayed for an order restraining the respondents, including the Union of India through the secretary, home ministry, the UT through the secretary, medical education and research, Chandigarh, and the director-principal, GMCH, Chandigarh, from retiring him from service during the pendency of his application with the tribunal.

In fact, the Punjab government announced the two-year increase in the retirement age of teachers at the medical, dental and ayurvedic colleges to 60 years from 58 in April.

The government took this step to prevent the Medical Council of India (MCI) from slashing the number of seats in the MBBS, MD and MS courses in government medical colleges because of shortage of staff.

The faculty members at the GMCH were also expecting the implementation of the same service conditions here. However, the decision in this regard was delayed as the UT administration forwarded the case to the union ministry of home.

The tribunal, in its order on interim relief, said discussion concluded that the notification issued by the Governor of Punjab would apply to medical teachers working in Government Medical College and Hospital in which the applicant was working. The court thus found existence of prima facie case in favour of the applicant and also balance of convenience in his favour, said the order.

Notice to two ultrasound centres
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 29
The director, health services-cum-appropriate authority, has issued a show-cause notice to two ultrasound centres found violating the provisions of the PNDT Act and rules therein and for not maintaining records as per the statutory provisions.

While one of the centre is functioning in Sector 20, the other is in Sector 34.

As both ultrasound clinics were found violating the provisions of the PNDT Act, they have been asked to send their reply as to why their licence and registration should not be suspended or cancelled, failing which ex parte proceedings would be initiated against them under the rules.

LPG Misuse
Raid on resort

Zirakpur, June 29
Officials of the food and supplies department today raided the Fort Resort at Dhakoli here today and found irregularities in the consumption of LPG.

Acting on a complaint, the department officials conducted the raid on the resort and found that LPG cylinders meant for domestic supply were being used for commercial activity. As many as 17 domestic cylinders were seized by the team, district food and supplies controller, Rakesh Bhaskar, informed.

He warned of strict action against resorts and marriage palaces indulging in malpractices. — TNS