Ludhiana, September 3
More and more people between the age group of 45 to 50 years are now suffering from osteoarthritis (OA) disease. An estimated 10 crore Indians are afflicted with this crippling disease as the condition is most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of disability. It is also a misconception that it is a disease of the elderly since symptoms of arthritis are increasingly being seen in patients who are in their twenties and thirties.

These observations were made by prominent orthopedic surgeon Dr Sanjeev Mahajan while addressing a public seminar on "Arthritis and Its Management," organised by Lions Club Satluj here on Sunday.

Dr Mahajan said, "Research indicates that people who are overweight as young adults are likely to develop OA of the knee as they age. Since being overweight can increase the chances of joint damage and worsen arthritic symptoms. Arthritis, regardless of the type, curtails the sufferer's day-to day activities as well as other activities that the person enjoys, such as walking, bicycle riding, golfing and traveling. This is partly why osteoarthritis can make one feel old."

"There are two types of arthritis - inflammatory, the most common of which is rheumatoid arthritis, and degenerative arthritis as in osteoarthritis. Both of these conditions deform the joints progressively. Arthritis can start as minor pain, but if left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to disability."

Dr Mahajan stated that over-weight individuals were at an increased risk of developing arthritis because their joints might be strained by excess weight. This was especially evident in weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips, which often showed the first signs of weight-related strain and injury. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 3
The zonal under-16 years Cricket Tournament concluded at Bhogiwal village near here today. The teams of the local MGMN Senior Secondary School and Government Senior Secondary School, Kanganwal, were the winner and runners-up, respectively.

Pardeep Kumar Sharma said while the Kanganwal team scored 53 runs in 10 overs, MGMN team that was headed by Lovish, equalised within 36 balls.

Kedar Nath Kapila, manager, and Rajnish Sharma, president of the school management committee, applauded the players. 

Chandigarh, September 3
New Public School (NPS) Football Academy, Chandigarh, routed Mizoram Football Association by 3-0 in a Pool C match during the Fifth Administrator's Challenge Cup All-India Football Tournament for u-17 at the Sector 17 football ground here yesterday.

The match started at a fast pace. NPS opened their account in the 31st minute through Sukhmat. Nikhil Pradad then converted a spot kick in the 67th minute. The penalty was awarded as Mizoram defender P.K. Laldinpuia handled the ball in the proscribed area. K.H. Vikram (75th) rounded off the winners' tally in the 75th minute.

Meanwhile, Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) outplayed Sanjay Public School Academy by 3-0 in a Pool D encounter. Sunny Kumar (4th), Lakhi Ram Murmur (47th) and Sanjay Kumar (72nd) fashioned SSCB's facile triumph.

In another Pool B match, Sports Authority of India XI prevailed over Punjab Football Association by 1-0 held at the Sector 42 football ground. The all-important goal was scored by Parvesh Sardar, who converted a penalty corner in the 27th minute.

Seasoned referee Amrik Singh kept the players from both sides under control as they indulged in rough play and using foul lauguage. Six yellow cards, three against each team, were shown during the match. Manjeet of the Punjab Football Association received red card and was sent out of the field. He deliberately indulged in rough play twice. Wellington, A. Mondal and Parteek Joshi (all from SAI Team) and Kulbir and Amritpal (both of PFA) were penalised for rough tackling or unsportsmanlike behaviour.

Orissa Football Academy (Pool A), who were routed by the state-run Chandigarh Football Academy on Saturday 6-1, also registered victory on the second day. Orissa outplayed Delhi Football Association 3-0. S.K. Naim (22), Mahendra Nayak (42nd) and Sudam Soren (52d) scored one goal each for Orissa FA.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Football Association got a walkover against Andhra Pradesh Football Association.

Ludhiana, September 3
The students of BCM School, Chandigarh road branch, bagged four titles in the Ludhiana Zone-II Basketball Tournament organised by the education department here at BCM School. They clinched titles in the boys under-14 and 17 years, girls under-14 and 19 years sections.

In the boy’s section (u-19), Guru Nanak International Public School beat BCM School (49-47) to emerge champions. Sacred Heart School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar secured third position.

BCM School defeated DAV Public School (24-15) to bag top honours in the boys u-17 years category while Sacred Heart School finished at the third spot.

In the boys u-14 years final, BCM School outplayed DAV Public School (29-14). DAV Public School, Pakhowal road branch got the third place.

In the girls section, BCM School defeated Guru Nanak Public School, Sarabha Nagar (21-8) to romp home victorious. The third spot was bagged by Sacred Heart School, BRS Nagar.

Sacred Heart School, BRS Nagar managed to defeat Guru Nanak Public School (19-17) to win the title and DAV Public School, Pakhowal road won the third position. In the u-14 years final, BCM School outnumbered Sacred Heart School, BRS Nagar (9-4) while Guru Nanak Public School finished at the third spot.

Mohali, September 2
Varun Khanna (6 for 9) of Mohali District helped his team to register a nine-wicket win over Minor District Zone A in the Katoch Shield Tournament 2007-08 at the YPS grounds here today.

Minor District started their second innings on a very poor note. The whole team was bundled up for paltry 50 runs in just 23.3 overs. Leg-spinner Varun Khanna virtually puzzled the entire batting line-up of Minors. The other wicket taker was Aman Preet with 3 for 23.

Jatin was the highest scorer, hitting 17 runs.Chasing the target of 23 runs, Mohali District made 26 runs in just 5.1 overs, losing one wicket. Gurkirat remained unbeaten on 15 while Ishaan Dogra lost his wicket on 10 runs. Mohali won the match by nine wickets.

Brief scores

Minor District Zone A (1st innings): 135 for 10 in 47.1 overs (Jatin 23, Zahoor Ali 32, Amanpreet Singh 5 for 43, Varun Khanna 2 for 48 and Harmeet Singh 3 for 22).

Mohali District (1st innings): 163 for 9 in 42.2 overs (Sunny Sohal 59, Gurkirat 36, Mayank Sidana 17, Rahul 5 for 33).
Minor District (2nd innings): 50 all out in 23.3 overs (Parminder 12, Jatin 17, Amanpreet 3 for 23, Varun Khanna 6 for 9). Mohali (2nd innings): 26 for 1 in 5.1 overs (Ishan Dogra 10, Gurkirat 15 n o, Rahul 1 for 16).

Chandigarh, September 3
Ajit Karam Singh International Public School, Sector 41, beat Yadvindra Public School, Mohali, by five wickets in a Pool C match of the WWICS u-14 Cricket Tournament being conducted by DP Azad Academy at the St Stephen's School stadium in Togan, near here, yesterday.

Yadvindra Public School, which won the toss, failed to impress as they were bowled out for 69 runs in 21.5 overs. Arsh Goyal and Manuel Jain scored 18 and 12 runs, respectively.

AKSIPS-41’s bowlers Ashish (three for 12) and Harmanpreet (two for 11) restricted the YPS score.

In reply, AKSIPS-41 achieved their target by scoring 71 for five in 19.4 overs. Rajat was the highest scorer with 20 runs. Ishwinder remained not out on 12 and all-rounder Harmanpreet Singh made 10 runs. YPS medium-pacer Sahil 
Sharma bowled well and got two wickets for three runs.

Brief scores

YPS, Mohali: 69 in 21.5 overs (Arsh Goyal 18, Manuel Jain 12, Ashish 3 for 12, Harmanpreet Singh 2 for 11);

AKSIPS-41: 71 for 5 in 19.4 overs (Rajat 20, 
Ishwinder 12 n.o, Harmpreet Singh 10, Sahil Sharma 2 for 3, Anand 2 for 11). 

Chandigarh, September 3
Girls’ and boys’ kho-kho teams of Government High School, Dadu Majra, stood first in the kids’ group on the inaugural day of the three-day annual rural sports meet at Guru Dronacharya Stadium, Dadu Majra, here yesterday. Over 400 children from three schools participated in events.

Results: Spoon race (girls): 1 Sheetal (GHS, Dadu Majra), 2 Babli (GHS, Dadu Majra), 3 Madhu (GHS, Dadu Majra); three-legged race (boys): 1 Jaspal and Gurpreet (Navyug School), 2 Sumit and Deepak (Navyug School), 3 Mohit and Gurdip (Navyug School); 100m race (boys): (Class III) 1 Karan, 2 Vijay, 3 Gurpal; (Class IV) 1 Ajay, 2 Gurpreet, 3 Shubham; (Class V) 1 Gurdeep, 2 Mahesh, 3 Vikas; girls 1 Rohini, 2 Gurpreet. — TNS

Chandigarh, September 3
St Joseph's School-44, retained the girls’ trophy in the fourth Chandigarh junior state sepak takraw championships for the Santosh Kumar Rana Trophy held at Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 19-C, here yesterday.

Anirudh Rana of DAVSSS-8 and Jigmit of St Joseph's-44 were declared the best players in the boys’ and girls’ sections, respectively.

Deputy director of the Sports Authority of India Ajit Singh distributed the prizes.

Results: Super league (boys): DAVSSS-8 b Mount Carmel-47 (B) 15-6, 15-9; DAVSSS-8 b St Joseph's School-44 15-4, 14-16, 12-10; GMSSS-19 (B) b Mount Carmel-47 (B) 15-9, 9-15, 11-7; St Joseph's School-44 b Mount Carmel-47 (B) 15-11, 15-6; GMSSS-19 (B) b St Joseph's School-44 15-12, 15-9; DAVSSS-8 b GMSSS-19 (B) 14-16, 16-14, 11-5; Super league (girls) St Joseph's School-44 b Mount Carmel-47 (B) 15-13, 15-8; Mount Carmel-47 (A) b GSSS, Khuda Lahora, 15-6, 15-9; GSSS, Khuda Lahora, b Mount Carmel-47 (B) 15-13, 15-8; Mount Carmel-47 (A) b Mount Carmel-47 (B) 15-7, 15-8; St Joseph's School-44 b Mount Carmel-47 (A) 15-4, 15-5. — TNS