Lillee’s warning on replays
PERTH, Dec 24 — Australian fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee has warned that big-screen replays at Test venues could spark riots by angry spectators.

Uzbekistan gymnasts prove too good
PATIALA, Dec 24 — The Uzbeks were on a roll for the second successive day as both their gymnasts Atlanta Olympian Valeiv Ildar and Alexsandra Gordeeva won the best all round gymnastic titles in the men’s and women’s sections, respectively, in the Central-South Asian Gymnastic Championships at the local polo grounds indoor gymnasium here today.

Indian challenge fizzles out
LUCKNOW, Dec 24 — Indian challenge in the ITF women’s circuit tennis championship for the singles evaporated today after the defeat of Sai Lakshmi and Manisha Malhotra in the semi-finals at the grass court here.

Vishal, Saurav to meet in final
NEW DELHI, Dec 24 — Vishal Uppal brought to an end the four-year-old rule of Vasudeva Reddy in the Petroleum Sports Control Board Tennis Tournament at the DLTA courts today.

Jadeja to undergo fitness test
MUMBAI, Dec 24 — The cricket board has asked Ajay Jadeja to undergo a fitness test, in all likelihood in Mumbai, on December 28, two days before the selectors meet to decide on the changes in the Indian team for the January 9 to February 13 tri-series in Australia.

Paes to partner Black
MUMBAI, Dec 24 — Leander Paes, searching for doubles partner worthy of his fame, will pair up with Zimbabwean number one Byron Black at the forthcoming Gold Flake Open at Chennai, a report in an eveninger quoting Leander’s father Dr Vece said here.

PAU secure berth in final
LUDHIANA, Dec 24 — Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, secured their place in the final by scoring a stunning 2-0 victory over holders Guru Nanak University, Amritsar, on the penultimate of the second Prithipal Singh Memorial Punjab State Inter-varsity Hockey Tournament for men at the astroturf hockey stadium of PAU here today.

Leading boxers for Mishra meet
CHANDIGARH, Dec 24 — Over 180 boxers of the country, including those who have participated in national level and international competitions, will take part in the seventh All-India Mishra Memorial Boxing Championships scheduled to be held here from December 25 to 28.

ITF meet qualifying matches from today
CHANDIGARH, Dec 24 — The local girls Harsimran Kaur Bedi and Simmi Rani have been given direct entry into the main draw as per the latest rankings received here for the Bakeman’s $ 10,000 ITF Women Tennis Tournament whose main round will begin from December 27 at CLTA Courts, Sector 10, here.

• Jitender lifts gold

Tollygunge rally to down BSF
From Amardeep Bhattal
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Dec 24 — IFA Shield runners-up Tollygunge Agragami maintained their winning spree by rallying to down a fighting Border Security Force 2-1 the National Football league at Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

After a barren first half, BSF forged ahead early in the second session through medio Prasanta Das’ header following a flag kick but Tollygunge, displaying remarkable resilience, hit back to equalise through defender Kajal Bhattacharjee in a similar fashion. Four minutes from close, skipper Chandan Das found the match winner with a free kick which was awarded following Tapan Bhattacharjee’s infringement against Seriki for which he was shown the yellow card.

The result, however, is not a true indicator of the gallant fight put up by the BSF, who have already suffered two defeats in the league so far. The security men, in fact, held complete sway over the proceedings in the first half and seemed well set on the course to victory after taking the lead on resumption but Tollygunge upset their calculations with twin strikes later to eventually romp home victorious.

BSF, whose only success in the league has been against Dempo, went all out from the kick-off with medio Prasanta Das testing the rival custodian with a curling freekick but unluckily the ball struck the corner of the goal-post.

Thereafter, BSF were on the offensive and striker Gurjit Atwal set up several dangerous moves but the best chance came in the 36th minute when the hard-working Atwal cut through a host of defenders inside the box but before he could shoot, defender Bishwanath Mondal made a timely clearance while injuring himself in the process.

Atwal was again on the attack a few minutes later but his powerful grounder from the right corner was collected by the goalkeeper with some difficulty.

A few minutes before the breather, Tollygunge also got a good chance following a flag kick but Abdul Latif Seriki’s powerful header sailed over the bar.

In the second half, BSF’s sustained pressure bore fruit when striker D.S. Negi’s centre from the right corner saw Prasanta Das attempting a well — directed header and the ball landed in the net sending a wave of joy in the BSF camp.

Tollygunge hit back with a series of raids through Sashti Duley and Abdul Latif Sariki. In the 64th minute, Seriki’s curling free kick saw BSF goalkeeper Bibhas Ghosh jumping high to punch the ball over the goal-post and in the process giving away a corner. The flag kick taken by skipper Chandan Das was followed up by a brilliant effort by Kajal Bhattacharjee who headed home with lighting speed while sustaining a serious nose injury (1-1).

The equaliser boasted the morale of Amal Dutta’s boys and with hardly four minutes remaining for the long whistle, Tollygunge struck the match winner through a free kick by Chandan Das. The kick was awarded after striker Seriki was pulled down by BSF’s Tapan Bhattacharjee when he was in a striking position. The curving kick taken by Chandan Das beat the wall of defenders before sailing in to seal the fate of the fighting Jalandhar team, who surely deserved a point today.

With today’s victory, Tollygunge have accumulated 10 points from three wins and one draw while BSF’s tally remains unchanged at points.

Churchill get past ITI 2-1

MARGAO, Dec 24 (UNI) — A determined table toppers Churchill Brothers put a dazzling display to get past Karnataka champions Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) Bangalore by 2-1 in the Coca Cola National Football League match being played at Nehru Stadium Fatorda here today.

Striker Rocky Baretto in 60th minute and ace striker Francise Silveira in the 80th minute scored for Churchill while Murlidharan reduced the margin for ITI in 87th minute. The well-knit Churchill Brothers kept their winning spree to register their fourth victory in a row and collected a total of 12 points from four outings while ITI with two defeats and two draws are with two points. Now Churchill will play their next match against Salgoacar on January 3 and ITI will take on the State Bank of Travancore.

After a barren first half, Churchill Brothers played a more organised game and came near scoring in the 50th minute but Silveira’s pile driver shot hit goal post and went out 10 minutes. Later in the 60th minute Churchill drew the first blood through striker Baretto off a penalty award, when ITI defender Sunil Kumar brought down Silveira in the penalty area. Referee Gulab Chawan immediately pointed out for spot kick and Baretto made no mistake to convert it 1-0.

Mahindras hold Kochin

MUMBAI (PTI): Local outfit Mahindra and Mahindra were engaged in yet another draw when they held F.C Kochin from Kerala to a 1-all draw in the National Football league here.

In an interesting match both the teams scored the goals in the first half. In the very second minute of the game the visitors’ winger Ram Rai cross to international I.M. Vijayan went wasted as the latter failed to find the mark.

Five minute later winger Vijayan cross went abegging as their medio Tejinder Kumar failed to score.

In the 15th minute, Mahindras, got their first chance but mid-fielder Abhay Kumar shot over striker Najeeb’s feeble pass. A couple minutes later the visitors almost scored when Mahindra custodian Manoj Jaggi failed to collect rival defender Mir Farooq Hyder’s pile driver neatly.

However, Mahindra defender Christopher managed to clear the ball before Ram Rai could reach it.

Lee keen to bowl to Tendulkar

MELBOURNE, Dec 24 (PTI) — Latest Australian pace hope Brett Lee is a long way away from living up to the hysteria whipped around his near-certain Test debut in the second game against India, but the 21-year-old is thrilled that he is on the verge of being pitted against his boyhood hero Sachin Tendulkar.

“His wicket that day is the biggest wicket I have ever claimed in my life,” the rookie New South Wales paceman said of his removing Tendulkar in the one-day match between the visiting Indians and the Prime Minister’s XI at Canberra.

“Tendulkar, when I was growing up, was one of my heroes and to get a chance to bowl against him would be a great bonus. He didn’t play at the SCG (against NSW) and the match at Canberra was not a representative game, yet his wicket that day is the biggest I have ever claimed,” he said.

A match-winning haul of seven wickets in that game pushed the fastest Aussie bowler more rapidly into the Aussie squad though Indians have raised doubts over his action.

Lee said the comments made at the start of the tour had not worried him a bit. “I am happy with my action and I think it is clean and there is no problem in my mind,” Lee said.

The bowler said it would be a great experience if he eventually made it to the playing eleven for the second Test starting at the MCG on Sunday.

“I am keeping my fingers crossed, but really I am quite happy at the moment to be in the actual 12”, he said.

The youngster said he would try to bowl fast, but it would not be at the cost of effectiveness. “I will probably try to bowl as I have in the past couple of Sheffield Shield matches — maintain good line and length and rhythm”.

Laxman looks certain to open

MELBOURNE, Dec 24 (PTI) — India look certain to elevate VVS Laxman as opener in place of the listless Devang Gandhi as they make a determined bid to shore up their struggling batting and reverse fortunes against Australia in the second cricket Test starting here on December 26.

Skipper Sachin Tendulkar predicted the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch will be quite bouncy, but declared his players were ready to take on the formidable Aussie pace attack, where new sensation Brett Lee looks set to make his Test debut.

“You can’t approach Test cricket in a negative frame of mind and fortunately all of us are positive,” the master batsman told a crowded Christmas eve press conference ahead of the traditional Test starting on Boxing Day.

Indian batsmen will have to come up with a gritty display if they are to make amends for their embarrassing 285-run loss in the first Test at Adelaide and coach Kapil Dev said the onus was on the batsmen.

“My worry at the moment are not bowlers. Our bowlers have acquitted themselves well. It is our batsmen who have to come good now,” the world’s highest Test wicket-taker whose match winning five-wicket haul at this venue helped India bounce back and square the 1980-81 series 1-1.

Weather, however, could prove a major factor deciding the outcome of the Test with showers forecast on all five days of the match.

Tendulkar, who fell victim to dubious decisions in both innings of the first Test, said he was not too bothered about Aussie tactics of unleashing an overdose of short-pitched bowling.

“I never had any problem with short-pitched stuff. But I can’t do much about those short deliveries which keep low,” the master batsman said in an obvious reference to his unusual leg before dismissal by pace spearhead Glenn McGrath.

McGrath’s attempted bouncer never rose and struck Tendulkar on his shoulder as he ducked but Australian umpire Darrel Harper’s decision was roundly criticised.

Tendulkar said the Melbourne pitch might offer steep bounce but may not have much pace. His team’s morale was high despite the setback at Adelaide.

Australian skipper Steve Waugh also felt the MGC pitch will behave as it had traditionally, offering fast bowlers much bounce in the first two days.

Steve Waugh, who has backed his twin Mark, under pressure to retain his spot in the middle order following a series of poor scores, did not say whether the 21-year-old New South Welshman Brett Lee will be preferred or Mike Kasprowicz will continue to play as the third seamer.

Waugh felt if the weather turned out to be sunny, it would help leg spinner Shane Warne, who is six wickets short of equalling legendary paceman Dennis Lillee’s Australian Test aggregate record of 355 wickets.

“It will be a good story if Warne gets his seven wickets here. Lillee also overtook Richie Benaud’s 248 Test wickets at MGC only,” he said.

Steve Waugh, whose fighting first innings century helped the hosts recover to strength after India had left them reeling at 52 for four at lunch on the first day, said he was not unduly worried that Australia found itself in a hole from time to time.

“You can’t play to 100 per cent of your ability all the time. We are facing quality opposition and there would be times when the game is in balance - you expect such things to happen in Test cricket”, the Aussie skipper said.

Australia have won the last six Tests they have played, including the 3-0 sweep over Pakistan at home prior to the series against India.

He was confident his twin Mark would overcome his bad form here. “He always plays like the way he has in the last few weeks. He has to stay positive. He has to do it himself, no one is going to get him out of this slump. Something like Brisbane where he played shots, got on a roll and got his form back is all what he needs,” he added.

Lillee’s warning on replays

PERTH, Dec 24 (AFP) — Australian fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee has warned that big-screen replays at Test venues could spark riots by angry spectators.

“The replays are not only making life intolerable for umpires — one day they will incite a riot,” Lillee, who took 355 Test wickets, wrote in a column in Friday’s West Australian newspaper.

Instant replays of major happenings — especially controversial umpiring decisions — are flashed on to a huge screen at Australian grounds during international matches.

The replays, from TV footage, are shown with the approval of the Australian Cricket Board (ACB).

“Those on the International Cricket Council should put down their gin and tonics and plug into what is happening in Australia this summer,” Lillee urges.

“As television stations clamour for better world-wide coverage and gimmicks, I suppose the day is coming when there will be big screen replays at Test venues in the West Indies, India and Pakistan.

“Imagine this scenario: Australian umpire Darrell Hair, standing (as the independent umpire) in a Test between the West Indies and England at Sabina Park, gives Windies captain Brian Lara out to a bat-pad catch with the home team pressing for victory.

“But the screen indicates Hair has made a mistake. Can you imagine the volatile Jamaican crowd just sitting on their side of the fence and copping that sweet? no way.

“With big screen and snickometer technology, how on earth could the ACB send one of their umpires into such an environment? At the moment, the ACB are aiding and abetting trouble.”

Lillee said that already this summer Australians had seen Hair and fellow national panel umpire Simon Taufel speak severely to, and report, stand-in Indian captain Saurav Ganguly for standing mid-pitch and angrily watching a big-screen replay after having an appeal turned down.

“The umpires would certainly be looking over their shoulder with considerable trepidation had Ganguly pulled such a stunt back home at Ahmedabad’s powderkeg stadium,” Lillee said.

Lillee strongly condemned the use by television of the device known as a snickometer, which claims to be able to demonstrate whether a ball made contact with the edge of the bat.

He said the device was being used for the sole purpose of showing that umpires had made a mistake.

Lillee cited the case of Australian batsman Justin Langer’s lbw dismissal in the first Test against India in Adelaide two weeks ago.

Saying that the snickometer and slow motion replay clearly supported the batsman, he added: “It was a classic case of those operating the equipment gloating at having proved the umpire’s decision incorrect.”

Uzbekistan gymnasts prove too good
from Ravi Dhaliwal

PATIALA, Dec 24 — The Uzbeks were on a roll for the second successive day as both their gymnasts Atlanta Olympian Valeiv Ildar and Alexsandra Gordeeva won the best all round gymnastic titles in the men’s and women’s sections, respectively, in the Central-South Asian Gymnastic Championships at the local polo grounds indoor gymnasium here today.

Earlier, the Uzbek women’s juggernaut mowed down the challenge of the hosts and Sri Lanka with ease to clinch the team championships in the women’s section. In the men’s section, it were the hosts who triumphed pipping Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The hosts emerged winners in the team championship for men. But it was a depleted field in the absence of any challenge from the Uzbeks, who did not field their team in the men’s section, and the Pakistanis who could not arrive due to visa problems.

The team championships saw the Uzbeks in the eves section riding on the resilience, skill and strength of their quartet comprising Alexsandra Gordeeva, Boboeva Saida, Almira Kambekova and P.Botakoz. It was the swiftness of Gordeeva on the vault, reflexes and nimble footwork of Boboeva Saida on the balancing beam, deftness of P. Botakoz and Almira Kambekova on the uneven bars and the floor exercises, which collectively enabled the Uzbeks to a gold medal.

In the men’s section of the team championships due to depleted field, the Indians did not have to work hard to collect the gold with a tally of 190.30 points, while the Sri Lankans clinched silver with a tally of 149 points.

From competition No 1 (team championships) the focus shifted to competition No 2 (individual championships). All eyes were focused on Olympian Valeiv Ildar and he took upon himself to show why he is treated as ‘national treasure’ in his own country. Having impressive footwork and agility Ildar was declared the best overall gymnast, collecting 52.95 points, the vaulting horse being his strong point where he garnered 9.50 points out of a maximum of 10. At one point in the floor exercise event, Valeiv had hundreds of spectators applauding when he had both his palms on the floor and body parallel to the ground. In the Roman rings, Valeiv did not let his supporters down. In a rare display of fortitude and finesse, the Uzbek national champion superbly managed to balance his aggression, natural skills and flair, signing off the event with 9.40 points. Valeiv was followed by the hosts’ Vikas Pandey, Parveen & Rajinder.

On a day when the Uzbeks asserted their supremacy in style, it had to be none other than Alexsandra Gordeeva to be declared the best overall gymnast in the distaff side. So powerful was the dominance of the Uzbekistanis that the fight for the best gymnast was reduced to a fight among the top three Uzbekistani girls — Alexsandra Gordeeva, P.Botakoz and Boboeva Saida before the flamboyant Alexsandra Gordeeva emerged victorious, garnering 36.5 points. She was followed by her compatriots P. Jeotakoz and Boboeva Saida in that order. Following them were Poonam Chabbra, Tumpa Debnath, Jaswant Kaur of India.

Indian challenge fizzles out

LUCKNOW, Dec 24 (UNI) — Indian challenge in the ITF women’s circuit tennis championship for the singles evaporated today after the defeat of Sai Lakshmi and Manisha Malhotra in the semi-finals at the grass court here.

In the semis matches played today Sai Lakshmi was beaten by top seed Katarina Dascovic and Manisha by Urska Vesenjak.

In the first semi-final Dascovic took the lead 2-0 breaking the service of Sai Lakshmi’s service. Sai levelled the score 2-2 breaking Dascovic’s service in the third game and retaining the other of the set. Dascovic then took command of the set winning four game points consecutively and retaining her three services to win the set 6-2.

In the second set Dascovic won the first four game points (4-0) by good forehead returns. In the fifth game opponent Sai pelted her with her cross shots and won the game point (1-4) while in the sixth game Sai committed double faults twice and lost the game 1-5. Sai, however, wont he next two games reducing the lead to 3-5.

The winner started forcefully in the deciding game. Sai Lakshmi made a fault at the game point at 30-40 and lost the second set too as the Yugoslavian girl moved into the final at 6-2, 6-3.

In the other semi-final Slovakian Urska Vesenjak moved into the final beating second seed Manisha Malhotra (India) 6-2, 6-2.

Urska, pairing with her twin Masa, also qualified for the finals of the doubles events.

Manisha started with a double fault and conceded the first point when her service was broken by Urska. The latter then made it 2-0. Manisha made good passes and returns to hold her service (1-2). Urska consolidated the lead 3-1 but in the next game Manisha reduced the margin 2-3 retaining her service. Urska never allowed Manisha to come in the set breaking services. At game point, getting advantage on dues Urska cleared the set at 6-2.

In the second set Urska clinched the first four sets as Manisha failed to face her volleys. In the fifth game she held her service and broke the next one coming to 2-5. But on game point Manisha committed many faults giving Urska advantages. On the fifth advantage of the game point she cleared the hurdle and won the set 6-2. With this Urska qualified for the finals beating Manisha 6-2, 6-2.

Later Sai Jayalakshmi who sent down to top seed Kataria Dascovic said her opponent was a stronger player. Though she had never played on a grass court her shots were too good for her. Dascovic’s spinning ball game was brilliant but she said the first and last three games of her semi-final tie were better. On the next circuit meet to be held at Chandigarh from December 27 next, this was her best performance in the last five weeks and she would try to improve it further.

Vishal, Saurav to meet in final

NEW DELHI, Dec 24 (UNI) — Vishal Uppal brought to an end the four-year-old rule of Vasudeva Reddy in the Petroleum Sports Control Board Tennis Tournament at the DLTA courts today.

Second seed Vishal took a little over an hour to beat his rival from IOC 7-6, 6-4 in the open singles semi-finals.

Vishal will meet Saurav Panja for top honours tomorrow. Panja found a place in the final as his fancied opponent and top seed Prahlad Srinath conceded the match due to shoulder trouble in the second set.

Apparently because of strain, Srinath developed pain in his right shoulder, underwent medical treatment for a couple of minutes, resumed play but was not able to serve properly. Trailing 2-3, he conceded the match. Srinath had won the first set 7-5. His loss denied IOC the chance to accomplish a “double” of team and open titles.

Vishal Uppal was in good form. He made a confident start, held the spotlight and in the fourth game broke through to gain 3-1 lead. But Reddy struck back in the next and held his serve to level up 3-3. The players were locked 4-4 and later the deadlock was broken in the tie-breaker.

In the second set games went with service till the seventh when Reddy failed to hold on to his service and Vishal moved on to clinch the set and match.

Jadeja to undergo fitness test

MUMBAI, Dec 24 (PTI) — The cricket board has asked Ajay Jadeja to undergo a fitness test, in all likelihood in Mumbai, on December 28, two days before the selectors meet to decide on the changes in the Indian team for the January 9 to February 13 tri-series in Australia.

Jadeja has already been examined by a Baroda-based doctor yesterday who conducted several tests, including an MRI, of his injured shoulder which kept him out of the touring party for the three-Test series against Australia, board sources told PTI here today.

The results of the test are not yet out but, in the meanwhile, it has been decided that he would have to undergo a fitness test prior to the December 30 selection committee sitting in Mumbai. Obviously, the board does not want to take any chances on the fitness front especially considering the fact that there have been quite a few instances of players, who were not hundred per cent fit, making it to the touring party only to break down in the middle of a series, the sources said.

The star one-day middle-order batsman was ruled out of the first part of the tour “Down Under” after injuring his shoulder during the Gwalior one-day international against New Zealand on November 11.

Paes to partner Black

MUMBAI, Dec 24 (UNI) — Leander Paes, searching for doubles partner worthy of his fame, will pair up with Zimbabwean number one Byron Black at the forthcoming Gold Flake Open at Chennai, a report in an eveninger quoting Leander’s father Dr Vece said here.

Paes has lost his partner of several years Mahesh Bhupatih due to an injury after both had won the number one world spot along with two Grand Slam titles.

However, Vece did not mention whether the association will be a long time affair. Earlier, Paes was reported to have lined up with Russian world number three Yvgeny Kafelnikov but Dr Vece denied it.

PAU secure berth in final
From Our Sports Reporter

LUDHIANA, Dec 24 — Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, secured their place in the final by scoring a stunning 2-0 victory over holders Guru Nanak University, Amritsar, on the penultimate of the second Prithipal Singh Memorial Punjab State Inter-varsity Hockey Tournament for men at the astroturf hockey stadium of PAU here today.

The hosts, PAU attacked with purpose and played within themselves to rattle their rivals goal time and again. In the 10th and 14th minutes of the game PAU earned penalty corners which went abegging.

GND varsity men made a counter attack in the 13th minute when Kirpal Singh and Kuljinder Singh weaved a good move which resulted in a penalty corner but of no avail. In the 28th minute, PAU’s Jagroop Singh was blocked wrongfully by GND varsity’s full back Manveet Singh.

Following this obstruction, the umpire awarded a penalty corner to the PAU and this time Ravinder Kumar’s hit rolled into the goal much to chagrin of GND varsity’s goalkeeper Talwinder Singh.

Trailing by one goal, the current champions, GND varsity made some determined forays into PAU’s territory but their each move was thwarted by hosts custodian Devinder Singh. Whereas Amritsar boys tried to neutralise the lead, PAU added another goal through Sukhjitpal Singh in the 44th minute to consolidate the lead 2-0 which they maintained till the long whistle. The hosts, PAU, with this second win after two matches, stormed into the final.

Leading boxers for Mishra meet
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 24 — Over 180 boxers of the country, including those who have participated in national level and international competitions, will take part in the seventh All-India Mishra Memorial Boxing Championships scheduled to be held here from December 25 to 28. The dates of the championship have been finalised on the recommendations of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation.

The championships will be held at the Sector 10 Skating Rink and the bouts would be conducted in 12 weight categories, according to Mr C.K. Jerath, Secretary of the Chandigarh Amateur Boxing Association, the organisers of the championship. The tournament has been approved by the Department of Sports, Government of India, under its long-term development plan for 1999-2002.

Mr Jerath said so far Assam Rifles, Shillong; Assam Regimental Centre, Guwahati; BEG, Roorkee; Steel Plants, Rourkela; Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Karnataka, Southern Railway, Jamshedpur Boxing Club, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Northern Railway, CISF, Maharashtra, Power Fitness Centre, Delhi, Pepsu, Tata Employees Club, Punjab State Electricity Board, Patiala, and two teams from Chandigarh — had confirmed their participation.

Last year Sports Authority of India , Delhi, had won the team title while Chandigarh had finished runners-up.

Mr Jerath disclosed that the participants would be provided free board and lodging at the Sector 42 Sports Complex. He said all boxers who reached the semi-finals in their respective weight groups would be given handsome prizes.

Mr G.S. Sarao, Joint Secretary of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, had been deputed by the federation as observer of the championships.

ITF meet qualifying matches from today
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Dec 24 — The local girls Harsimran Kaur Bedi and Simmi Rani have been given direct entry into the main draw as per the latest rankings received here for the Bakeman’s $ 10,000 ITF Women Tennis Tournament whose main round will begin from December 27 at CLTA Courts, Sector 10, here. Jasleen Randhwa hailing from Amritsar (Punjab) has been given the wild card.

As per the CLTA sources, out of total draw of 32, 25 players will be from main draw, three will be wild card entrants and four will come from qualifying tournaments slated to begin from tomorrow. In the list of 25 players in main draw, 13 are Indians. They are: Manisha Malhotra, Sai Jayalakshamy, Rushmi Chakarvrthi, Archana Venkataraman, Arthi Venkatraman, Sheethal Gautam, Geeta Manohar, Shalini Thakur, Radhika Tulpule, Simmi Rani, Nikita Bhardwaj, Harsimran Bedi and Tara Kanbarginath.

The 12 players from abroad figuring in the main draw are: Katarina Daskovic-Yugoslavia, Ka-Po Tong (Hong Kong), Keioko Tameishi (Japan), Olga Kaltonaja, Anna-Eugenia Nefedova, Matria and Syetlana (all from Russia), Urska and Masa Vesenjek (Slovakia), Catherine Turinsky (Germany), Vanessa Caddick (Great Britain), Antonia Matic (Czech Republic). The three wild card entrants are: Nandini Perumal, Karishma Patel and Jasleen Randhawa.

Mr Rajan Kashyap, Chairman, CLTA, disclosed that the qualifying matches going to begin tomorrow will have the draw of 32 though earlier 24 players were asked to compete. This time local girls will also be allowed to take part.

Ayako of Japan, Loretta Sheales of Australia, Anna Anikanova of Ukraine and Yukkiko Yabe also of Japan would first try their luck in qualifying rounds among rest of the Indian players. The matches will be played on four synthetic courts, including two Plexicushion synthetic courts.

Jitender lifts gold
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Dec 24 —Jitender Kishore of State Bank of Patiala representing Punjab bagged the gold medal in the 7th National Veterans Table Tennis Tournament at Sindri (Bihar). Jitender in partnership with Shyamal Ganguly of MP outplayed HK Oberoi ( MP) and Amirullah Khan (Bihar) at 13-21, 21-19, 21-18. Earlier in the semi- finals, Jitender Kishore and his partner upset top seed pair of GC Kanchan and RP Tivrekar.

Soccer tourney

MAHILPUR (Hoshiarpur), Dec 24 (TNS) — The 38th Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Football Tournament will be held here from January 3 to January 8.

All major clubs and football-playing colleges of Punjab besides Vancouver United Football Club, Canada, will participate.

Several prominent football players of Punjab will be honoured on the final day by the Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Educational and Sports Society, Vancouver.

CBSE kho-kho

CHANDIGARH, Dec 24 (BOSR) — PML SD Public School, Sector 32, Chandigarh among boys and Guru Harkishan Model School, Chandigarh among girls entered the last four on the penultimate day of the 2nd CBSE National Kho-Kho Championship being played at SD Public School grounds today.

The other boys teams who have made it to semifinals include Bokaro Ispat Vidyalaya, Bokaro City, Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Vidyalaya and Ashok Memorial Public School, Faridabad. Among girls, Shah Satnam Girls School, Sirsa, C.R. Reddy Public School- AP, BIV, Bokaro and GH Model School, Chandigarh reached the last four.

HSB club triumph

FATEHGARH SAHIB, Dec 24 (FOC) — On the opening day of five-day All India Baba Zorawar Singh Baba Fateh Singh Shahidi football tournament H.S.B. Football Club Banga defeated DFA Hoshiarpur by 4-2 via tie breaker as both the teams were one-all till normal time. The first goal for Banga team was scored by Jasbir Singh in 15th minute and DFA Hoshiarpur equalised through Sukhwinder Singh in the second half.

In the second match Khalsa College Mahilpur defeated DFA Patiala by one nil. The all important goal was scored by one Charanjit in second half.

In the third match A.G. Haryana defeated Dinanagar College Pathankot by 2-1. For A.G. Haryana Gurang in 20th minute and Sanjiv in 65th minutes scored and for Pathankot Kanwaljit Singh scored in 40th minute.

Punjab B’ball teams

LUDHIANA, Dec 24 (FOSR) — Parminder (SR) of Punjab Police and Anu Randhawa of Jalandhar have been selected to lead the Punjab men and women teams, respectively, in the 50th Senior National Basketball Championship to be held in New Delhi from December 25 to January 1, 2000, according to Mr Teja Singh Dhaliwal, General Secretary, Punjab Basketball Association.

The following are the teams —

Men: Vipin Kumar, Parminder (Jr), Satyanarayan, Arun Aashish Gill, Gursharanjit Singh, Tejinderjit Singh, Mandeep Singh, Gagnesh Kumar, Varinder Kumar, Prithpal Singh and Gurkirpal Singh, Coach — Paramdeep Singh Teja and Manager — B.S. Brar.

Women: Pavneet, Kiran Dhillon, Mandeep Brar, Rajni Sahota, Mandeep Khaira, Rameshwari, Savitri Guleria, Poonam, Sarbjit, Vandana and Reena. Coach — Dr S. Subramanian; and Manager — P.S. Noorpuri.

PSB, Haryana XI champions

JALANDHAR, Dec 24 (FOSR) — Giving yet another scintillating display of stick work and team management star-studded Punjab and Sind Bank, Delhi, overpowered Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited by 1-0 to lift the men’s title of the ‘Farmtrac Cup’ 99 which concluded at the Burlton Park astroturf hockey stadium here today.

The two teams were locked 0-0 after completion of normal time. For Punjab and Sind Bank this was the second title victory in the tournament held in the memory of late Mr Romesh Chander, chief editor of Hind Samachar Group of newspapers who laid his life for the unity and integrity of the country. He was assassinated by terrorists on 12th May, 1984.

The action packed encounter saw the two top teams going all out to clinch the issue. But in the battle of nerves for bank team Rajinder Singh proved the golden man.

The bank team won a titanic battle of nerves in the last minute of the golden goal periods second half upstaging the Bharat Petroleum by 1-0. Both the sides jolted the goodly partisan crowds by exhibiting fast game. Bharat Petroleum team had an upper hand in the game in absence of Olympian Sanjeew Kumar from bank side. But Friday proved a lucky day for bank team.

In the women’s final played in the morning, reigning champions Haryana-XI extended their lease on the women’s title defeated Sukhjit Starch Mill, Phagwara. The Haryana girls who led 2-0 at half time, carried too many guns to decimate Sukhjit Starch Mill, Phagwara 3-0 margin to lift the title for the second time in a row.

Deepak in fine nick

CHANDIGARH, Dec 24 (BOSR) —Deepak Goel retained both open biliards and open snooker titles in the Haryana State Billiards and Snooker Championship which concluded at YMCA, Sector 11, last evening.

In open billiards, he convincingly outscored Lalit by 467-357. In open snooker, Deepak remained unbeaten in all the three matches against Amit Swamy, Manan Nagpal and Lalit. Lalit was, however, placed at second position because of better frame on average.