Ludhiana, November 29
The eye department at the the Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) here will soon have a state-of-the-art paediatric eye clinic.

This was announced by Dr Harpreet Kapoor, head of the eye department, while speaking at an orientation workshop on "childhood eye disorders", organised by the department of ophthalmology in the CMCH auditorium here.

Dr Satish Thomas, paediatric ophthalmologist at CMCH observed that while most of the efforts of WHO and international NGOs so far were being directed towards taking care of the adult cataract backlog in developing countries, there had been a growing awareness of the burden of childhood blindness.

"The World Health Organisation (WHO), in its Vision 2020 programme, has now recognised childhood eye disorders as a major area of focus. At present, the statistics are alarming - every minute a child goes blind. What is more disturbing is the fact that 40 per cent of this blindness is either preventable or treatable. But there has to be a concerted effort towards targeting this problem."

Ludhiana, November 29
Children from 25 schools of the district are taking part in the three-day XVIth Ludhiana Sahodaya Schools Complex Athletics Meet that began at Guru Nanak Public School, Sarabha Nagar, here today.

The meet is being organised in the u-14, u-16 and u-19 years sections for boys and girls. District development and panchayat officer (DDPO), Ludhiana, J.P. Singh, inaugurated the meet.

Additional deputy commissioner (development), Priyank Bharti, was the guest of honour. GNPS secretary, Surinder Singh and principal of the host school, Karnail Singh, along with other school management committee members were present on the occasion.

Results: Boys (u-19): 800 m- Manohardeep Singh of GNPS, Ludhiana 1st; Shaminder Singh of Raikot Public School, Raikot, 2nd; and Harminder Pal Singh of GNPS, Mullanpur, 3rd.

Girls (u-19): 800 m: Rajvir Kaur of Raikot Public School, Raikot 1st; and Mandeep Kaur of GNPS, Mullanpur, 2nd.

Boys (u-14): long jump: Dinesh Kumar of SKS, Sarabha, 1st; Jagdeep Singh of Amrit Indo-Canadian School 2nd; and Harpreet Singh of GNPS, Mullanpur, 3rd; (u-16) triple jump: Jaspreet Singh of GNPS, Mullanpur 1st; Ishneet Singh of GNPS, Ludhiana, 2nd and Sonikbir Singh of BCM School, Shastri Nagar, Ludhiana, 3rd.

U-16: 1500 m: Paramdeep Singh of Raikot Public School, Raikot, 1st; Navpreet Singh of GNPS, Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana, 2nd; and Satwinder Singh of GNPS, Mullanpur 3; (u-16): shot put: Mantej Singh of Raikot Public School, Raikot 1, Simranjeet Singh of SKS School, Sarabha, 2nd; and Raghav of KVM School, Ludhiana, 3 rd.

Girls (u-16) 800 m:Lakhbir Sharad of Raikot Public School 1st, Ragvir Kaur of SKS School, Sarabha 2nd; and Jandeep Kaur of GHPS, Sidhwan 3; (u-19) high jump- Maninder Kaur of Raikot Public School, Raikot 1; Srishti of KVM School, Ludhiana, 2nd; and Gagan Kaur of GNPS, Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana, 3rd.

Ludhiana, November 29
On the basis of their performance during the 9th National Powerlifting Championship for physically handicapped that was held in Ludhiana early this month, three players from Punjab have been selected to represent India in the second edition of the Asian Para Powerlifting Championship to be held from December 1 to 6 at Kuala Lampur in Malaysia.

The expenditure on these players’ participation, including fare, would be borne by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

The selected powerlifters, Arjuna awardees Rajinder Singh Rahelu and Parvinder Singh, both from Jalandhar, and Harminder Pal Singh Daudhar from Moga were given a warm send off at the local railway station today. A large number of office-bearers of the Punjab Sports Association for the Blinds besides sports lovers were present at the station to wish them good luck.

Ludhiana, November 29
The XXIVth annual athletics meet was organised at Nankana Sahib Public School, Gill Park, here today in which a large number of students took part. Hira Singh Gabria, Punjab minister, declared the meet open and Hakam Singh Giaspura, Mayor, Ludhiana, presided over the function. A mass PT show, yoga and aerobics were 
the highlights of the opening ceremony.

Results: Obstacle race: (boys): 1 Karandeep Singh, 2 Komalveer Singh and 3 Manavjot Singh; girls: 1 Salwinder Kaur, 2 Muskan Khanna and 3 Harsimran Kaur; shot put (boys u- 16): 1 Harjot Singh, 2 Gursharanjot Singh and 3 Karambir Singh; girls (u-16) 200 m race: 1 Amritpreet Kaur, 2 Amritpal Kaur and 3 Dalwinder Kaur; boys (u-14) 200 m race: 1 Inderjit Singh, 2 Karamveer Singh and 3 Harpreet Singh; 800 m race: 1 Dharmveer Singh, 2 Harjot Singh and 3 Amanjot Singh.