Will IOC brave scandal?
COLOBRADO SPRINGS, (USA), Feb 22 — A top official of the US. Olympic Committee questions whether the International Olympic Committee and its embattled leader can deal with the worst scandal in the history of the games.

Lele denies report on Sachin
MUMBAI, Feb 22 — The cricket board today denied a news report that Sachin Tendulkar wanted to skip next month’s triangular one-day series at home to recuperate from his back injury sustained during the first India-Pakistan test in Chennai last month.

Agarkar submits fitness report
MUMBAI, Feb 22 — Ajit Agarkar has submitted a fitness certificate to the Board of Central for Cricket in India paving the way for his retention in the world cup squad while his injured Mumbai teammate Vinod Kambli, too, is expected to follow suit soon.

President commends hockey team
NEW DELHI, Feb 22 — The President, Mr K.R. Narayanan, today applauded India’s achievements in sports in recent times and said that efforts should be intensified to discover and promote talent so that the country’s image in international sports could be improved.

Kunte beats Das
DHAKA, Feb 22 — International Master Abhijit Kunte of India defeated compatriot Neelotpal Das in a third round match for his second straight win in the United Insurance Chess Tournament here yesterday.

Crucial Ranji tie for Martin
JAIPUR, Feb 22 — Riding high on success this season, a well-balanced Baroda team is brimming with confidence for tomorrow’s Group-A Ranji Trophy super league cricket match against Rajasthan to be played here from February 23 to 26.

BCCI Colts hit up 243 for 6
MUMBAI, Feb 22 — Pushkaraj Jadhav and Vineet Saxena stroked their way to half centuries after opener Anshu Jain fell two short of achieving the feat on the opening day of the Indian Cricket Control Board President’s under-19 selection’s three-day match against the visiting Sri Lankan Colts today.

India thrash Uzbekistan
SAMUTPAKARN (Thailand), Feb 22 — Indian women launched their campaign for the Asia-Oceania Group-I Fed Cup qualifiers with a convincing 2-1 win over Uzbekistan in the opening tie here today.

City judokas win 3 gold
CHANDIGARH, Feb 22 — Chandigarh judokas have romped home with a tally of three gold medals and four bronze medals in the judo competition which concluded recently at the National Games in progress at Imphal (Manipur) as per the Press note of the Chandigarh Olympic Association.

French players arrive in city CHANDIGARH, Feb 22 — A team of 13 senior players from France, accompanied by their spouses representing the International Lawn Tennis Club de France arrived here today for a two-day goodwill visit.

"Sudden death" seals India’s fate

RAWALPINDI, Feb 22 (PTI) — India’s spirited efforts to make a recovery came to nought as they went down fighting 10-11 via the sudden death tie-breaker against Pakistan in the penultimate clash of the nine-match hockey series here today.

This experimental Indian team which has found the "sudden death" its undoing — they went down similarly via a ‘golden goal’ in the extra-time in the series opener in New Delhi — were tied 3-3 at the end of the regulation time. With extra-time of 15 minutes failing to produce another ‘golden goal’ the tie breaker was resorted to.

The two teams were level 8-all at the end of five penalty strokes each. The Indians were done in by the fourth of the "sudden death" strokes as Thirumalvalavan’s feeble attempt was blocked by Pakistan goalkeeper Ahmed Alam with his left foot.

India, who have already lost the Pepsi Cup to Pakistan, now find they trail their arch-rivals 2-6 in the series with just one more match, in Lahore on Thursday, to go.

In the scheduled time, Baljit Dhillon struck twice for India including a penalty stroke and Gagan Ajit Singh once while Atif Bashir, Sohail Abbas and Mohammad Khalid accounted for one each of Pakistan’s goals.

It was the same old story of the Indians dominating the proceedings for most of the time but letting the initiative slip away.   

The first half belonged entirely to the Indians who took the field without injured half liner Baljit Saini. They went into the attack straight away and tested the Pakistan goal twice — with Gagan Ajit Singh driving straight into custodian Ahmed Alam in the second instance.

Midway through the session, Kamal Horo executed a fine reverse sweep only to find it going straight to Alam.

The Indian pressure was so much that the Pakistan defence had to crack. And it did in the 25th minute off India’s first penalty corner. Dilip Tirkey gave the ball to Baljit Dhillon who scooped it into the net to put his team ahead.

The Indian attacks continued and they wasted their second penalty corner before a Bashir reverse sweep beat Indian goalkeeper Ponnaccha all ends up. But, Tirkey brought off a brilliant goalline save just before half-time.

A little before that Gagan Ajit received temporary marching orders for feigning injury during an attack on the Pakistan goal.

The Pakistanis came back strong on resumption but continued to be wayward with Sarwar sending his reverse shot out.

The Indians forced their third penalty corner and wasted it but the Pakistanis counter-attacked and Bashir, from the top of the circle found the mark to restore parity.

The Pakistanis were in full flow now and kept harassing the Indian defence. A Bashir cross went abegging and Nadeem shot into Ponnachha’s pads.

National Games

Punjab in hockey final
Services boxers win 4 gold

IMPHAL, Feb 22 (PTI) — Maharashtra stroked out Karnataka to set up a repeat final clash against the holders, Punjab, in the men’s competition final in the National Games Hockey today.

Punjab, looking to retain their 1997 Bangalore Games title, thrashed South Zone champions, Tamil Nadu, 7-1 after a first half blitz spearheaded by international Sarbjit Singh, who pumped in four goals.

But umpiring decision marred the keenly fought second semi-final between Maharashtra and Karnataka at Khuman Lampak stadium in the afternoon during the penalty shoot-out.

Karnataka had rallied brilliantly from two goals down in the first half to level 2-all at the end of regulation time and sudden death extra-time.

Punjab drew first blood as early as in the fifth minute, as Sarbjit sounded the board following a Linus Ekka pass form the right.

Sarbjit again struck six minutes later with a lethal hit from the top of the circle, while Jagdev Singh made the scoreline 3-0, converting a penalty corner which went in off Tamil Nadu’s R. Natrajan in the 15th minute.

The defending champions continued their onslaught and six minutes later Baljit again combined well with Sarbjit to score the fourth goal. Following an attack from the left, Sarbjit flicked the ball into the circle and Baljit put the ball in.

Down by four goals, the Tamil Nadu coach introduced a double change bringing P. Paul in place of K. Keith and replacing Rajendra Prasad with Sampath.

The changes bore fruit and R. Natrajan reduced the margin with a straight firm hit from the middle of the circle.

Stung by the goal, Punjab again went on the attack and Sarbjit showed brilliant stickwork to dribble past two defenders and passed to Harinder Gill whose hit was blocked by Tamil Nadu goalkeeper S. Meenakshi.

Punjab’s fifth goal came on the stroke of the half time hooter as Ekka deflected into the goal a Baljit pass following a penalty corner.

The Sarbjit-Baljit combination again proved productive in the 54th minute with the former striking his third goal.

Sarbjit rounded up the tally by guiding the ball into the goal following a Herinder Gill pass from the left.

A well-knit Maharashtra dominated play for most part before beating Punjab 2-1 to enter the women's hockey final.

Maharashtra, spearheaded by Paulina Surin and Ashwani Medappa with experienced former international B.M. Geetha doing her role as schemer to perfection, struck one in each half before Punjab got a consolation goal almost at the verge of the final hooter.

UNI adds: Services Sports Control Board hogged the limelight when their pugilists and marksmen dominated the show on the eighth day of the games.

While Services boxers bagged four gold through favourite Dingko Singh (bantam), P. Bepin Singh (fly), T. Ramanand (feather) and K. Haridas Singh (light welter), their marksman B. L. Dhaka took the top spot in the individual rapid fire pistol pushing favourite Jaspal Rana of Delhi to second place. Dhaka scored 671.2 points against Rana’s 667.2.

Services marksmen, represented by Dhaka, Ajab Rao and Dhyan Singh, also clinched the issue in the team event of rapid fire pistol.

Services emerged as overall team champions in shooting with a haul of nine gold, five silver and six bronze. Delhi lost the team championship, in shooting, by a whisker as Services beat them by a bronze.

In boxing, services apart, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh also received a gold each through Bhusan Saini in light weight and Srinivas Rao of Andhra Pradesh in lightflyweight categories.

India’s swimming sensation, 16-year-old Nisha Millet from Karnataka, continued to rule the pool bagging gold in 200 m backstroke and 4 x 100 metres freestyle relay. Nisha however, faced her first defeat in these games when she was forced to second place in 50 m butterfly by Srija Majumdar of Bengal who bagged the first gold for her state.

Veteran Sebastian Xavier today displayed that he was still a force to reckon with when he emerged the fastest swimmer of the meet winning the 50 m freestyle for men. With this victory Xavier has won this event for a record 11th time.

17 athletes expelled

IMPHAL, Feb 22 (UNI) — The National Games Organising Committee has expelled 17 athletes from the games village for indiscipline.

The authorities’ action came following allegations of molestation and violence by some athletes in the past week. The Manipur Government has also replaced the Superintendent of Police, village incharge, after these incidents.

According to the organising committee, one Services athlete reportedly molested a Manipuri cyclist on Friday night which led to large-scale violence in the village by Manipuri athletes and volunteers in the process of catching the culprit.

Earlier the Rajasthan judokas attacked their own wrestlers with iron pipes following an altercation which injured four of them seriously who needed stitches on head, leg and hands.

The authorities have also ordered the states to follow new schedule in the dining hall to avoid any unnecessary confusion. One dining hall is exclusively for the officials. Security around the village has been intensified and no outsiders are being allowed to enter the village.

In the dining halls, separate entries and exits have been made for male and female athletes. All the Chef de Missions have been requested to instruct their players to have food at the designated dining hall.

The games authorities are however not releasing the names of the expelled athletes, only saying that these athletes are leaving the village today itself.

Will IOC brave scandal?

COLOBRADO SPRINGS, (USA), Feb 22 (AP) — A top official of the US. Olympic Committee (USOC) questions whether the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its embattled leader can deal with the worst scandal in the history of the games.

USCO Executive Director Dick Schultz said the International Olympic Committee may be unable to reform its clubby system when it meets next month.

"It’s a wait-and-see thing." Mr Schultz said, when asked if he had faith that the IOC could repair the unprecedented problems that threaten the fate of the games and the multibillion-dollar empire they have created.

An ethics report on the bribery scandal surrounding Salt Lake City’s successful quest for the 2002 winter games identified 24 IOC members, a fifth of the membership, who benefited from $ 1.2 million in cash, travel, medical care and other improper inducements from Utah bidders.

Nine members have resigned or been expelled. The IOC will hold a special session in Lausanne, Switzerland on March 17 and 18 to endorse the expulsions and consider reforms.

Those under investigation include one of the most powerful leaders of International Sports, Mr Kim Un-Yong, an IOC executive board member from South Korea and President of the International Confederation of Olympic Sports Bodies.

"It’s going to be interesting to see if they will be able to expel the people that, according to the information they have, they ought to expel," Mr Schultz said. "It’s going to be an interesting meeting."

While the IOC may not "fall apart" at the March session, Mr Schultz added, "I don’t think they will get all they are trying to accomplish."

The members also will be asked to give a vote of confidence to Mr Juan Antonio Samaranch, the IOC President, who has been the target of increasing calls to resign.

Most of those calls have come from outside the Olympic community, although international sponsors of the IOC, most of them USA based, have complained that not enough was being done to clean up the mess that tarnished their $ 50 million investments in the Olympic rings.

Mr Schultz, who has maintained close ties with Mr Samaranch since taking over at the USOC in 1995, has not asked for the 78-year-old Spaniard to step down.

Asked if it would be in the USOC’s best interest if Mr Samaranch were replaced, Mr Schultz replied, "that depends who replaced him."

Our hope is that Mr Samaranch can continue until they get some of these new things in place," Me Schultz said. Mr Samaranch’s term expires in 2001.

The IOC’s executive board last month recommended changes in the way Olympic host cities are picked, most notably taking the vote from the rank-and-file and giving it to a 15-member commission. The proposal has been sharply criticised by members, who say they would be punished for the corruption of others and stripped of one of their few meaningful duties.

Mr Schultz, speaking at the end of a weekend USOC executive committee meeting, said he understood that IOC leaders were preparing a longer list of recommendations to be presented at the March session.

The USOC leadership was briefed by the former Senate majority leader, Mr George Mitchell, whose Independent Ethics Commission report on the Salt Lake scandal is to be released March 1.

Mr Mitchell said on Saturday that the report will be completed this week but its focus would be on preventing other scandals as US cities bid for the Olympics in 2012 and beyond.

Agarkar submits fitness report

MUMBAI, Feb 22 (PTI) — Ajit Agarkar has submitted a fitness certificate to the Board of Central for Cricket in India (BCCI) paving the way for his retention in the world cup squad while his injured Mumbai teammate Vinod Kambli, too, is expected to follow suit soon.

According to sources in the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), Agarkar has already submitted to the Board the medical report certifying that he had recovered from his shin fracture sustained in December last year.

The BCCI may face a big dilemma if Kambli too submits a similar report prior to the February 28 selection committee meeting, which has been convened here to prune down the 30-strong list to 19 as per World Cup regulations.

The Southpaw, who injured his ankle badly last April, has started to play in domestic cricket with a cast around his ankle and is, as yet, unable to run sideways or stop and then take off for a run, according to MCA sources.

The only option left with the BCCI, in such a scenario, would be to have its own panel of doctors test both these players and see whether they have recovered fully from their injuries, MCA sources added.

President commends hockey team

NEW DELHI, Feb 22 (PTI) — The President, Mr K.R. Narayanan, today applauded India’s achievements in sports in recent times and said that efforts should be intensified to discover and promote talent so that the country’s image in international sports could be improved.

Making a special mention of the gold medal won by the men’s hockey team in the December Bangkok Asian games, the President, addressing a joint session of the Parliament, said, "In sports, the momentum is picking up. The medal tally at the Asian Games last year, including the gold medal in hockey, is highest since 1982", he said.

The President said, "there was immense sports talent in our country of nearly 100 crore people and we must intensify our efforts to discover and promote this talent to improve India’s standing in international sports".

Mr Narayanan also commended the Indian Olympic Association’s decision to hold National Games in Imphal.

The fifth National Games are presently being held at various centres in the capital of Manipur. The games were inaugurated by the President on February 14.

"The decision to hold the games in Imphal is an indication of the many possibilities that exist for accelerating the process of emotional integration and bringing the people from the north-east into the National mainstream.", he said.

Kunte beats Das

DHAKA, Feb 22 (PTI) — International Master Abhijit Kunte of India defeated compatriot Neelotpal Das in a third round match for his second straight win in the United Insurance Chess Tournament here yesterday.

This win put Kunte, double Grandmaster (GM) norm holder, back into contention. He has earned two points from as many matches while Neelotpal Das with 0.5 points is languishing down the table.

In an English opening, Kunte playing with white pieces, earned slight advantage in the opening, but Neelotpal played accurately in the middle game to equalise the position.

With the evenly poised game progressing for a draw, Neelotpal blundered and Kunte cashed on it by exchanging two rooks for his queen and earned a mating attack. Neelotpal resigned on the 30th move.

IM Abdullal Al Rakib of Bangladesh took the lead at the end of the third round of the tournament. Rakib (3) beat A. Wojtkejwicz of Poland.

English GM Nigel Short and Belarussian GM Yuri Shulman were in joint second position with 2.5 points each.

Favourite Nigel Short was held to a draw by Bangladeshi IM Reefat Bin Satter in a third round match. On the other board Shulman beat GM Jean Ehlvest of Estonia.

GM Niaz Murshed drew with compatriot FIDE Master Enamul Hossain. GM Sergey Zagrebelny of Uzbekistan also drew with GM Peter Szekely of Hungary.

Two Indians are in fray at the 13-player category-10 tournament of 12 round robin matches.

Lele denies report on Sachin

MUMBAI, Feb 22 (PTI) — The cricket board today denied a news report that Sachin Tendulkar wanted to skip next month’s triangular one-day series at home to recuperate from his back injury sustained during the first India-Pakistan test in Chennai last month.

Board Secretary Jaywant Lele told PTI from Vadodara the report was "absolutely bogus. It is absurd and there is no truth in it at all".

It was for the second day running that the board was denying a report concerning Tendulkar. Yesterday Board President Raj Singh Dungarpur termed reports that Tendulkar had been offered captaincy of the Indian team during the Asian Test Championship opener at Calcutta, which he had turned down as "kiteflying of the worst kind".

Today’s report has quoted sources close to the star performer’s family as saying Tendulkar has aired his desire to rest during the demanding double-leg limited overs series, featuring India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which involved lot of travelling.

Tendulkar badly needs to rest his injured back to be ready before the three-nation tournament in April, and more importantly, for the World Cup in May-June, the report said.

"He wants to take complete rest for about a month and start World Cup preparations with the Sharjah tournament (in April), the report had quoted the sources as having said.

Meanwhile, Ajit Agarkar has submitted a fitness certificate to the Indian Cricket Board paving the way for his retention in the World Cup squad while his injured Mumbai teammate Vinod Kambli, too, is expected to follow suit soon.

According to sources in the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), Agarkar has already submitted the medical report certifying that he had recovered from his shin fracture sustained in December last to the Board.

The BCCI may face a big dilemma if Kambli too submits a similar report prior to the February 28 selection committee meeting which has been convened here to prune down the 30-strong list to 19 as per cup regulations.

The southpaw, who injured his ankle badly last April, has started to play in domestic cricket with a cast around his ankle and is, as yet, unable to run sideways or stop and then take off for a run, according to MCA sources.

The only option left with the BCCI, in such a scenario, would be to have its own panel of doctors test both these players and see whether they have recovered fully from their injuries, MCA sources added.

CHENNAI (PTI): The Indian cricket team led by Mohd Azharuddin which was to have left for Colombo last night could not make it due to some "visa" problem for two members of the squad and it is expected to leave tonight to play against Sri Lanka in the second match of the Asian Test Championship.

When asked about visa problem for team manager, Brijesh Patel and new find medium pacer, Ashish Nehra of Delhi, an official of the travel agency for the cricket board said there was no visa problem. "Your information is wrong".

When contacted, Tamilingam, visa officer of the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission here, told PTI the application for visas for both Nehra and Patel were received only this morning. However, he said, there was no problem in issuing the visa.

Meanwhile, the team members have been arriving in batches. According to K Murali, an international umpire and liaison officer for the team, excepting Azharuddin, Venkatesh Prasad, Rahul Dravid, L R Shukla and Saurav Ganguli, all others including cricket manager Anshuman Gakewad have reached here.

(The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association had earlier said the full team was to leave here last night and on the basis of that information a number of reporters waited at the airport and returned disappointed).

India, which lost to Pakistan in the first match in Calcutta last Saturday, has to win against Sri Lanka to be in the reckoning. The match beginning in Colombo on February 24 would be Sri Lanka’s first match in the tri-nation series.

Team: Mohd Azharuddin (capt), Anil Kumble (vice-capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Sadagopan Ramesh, Rahul Dravid, V.V.S. Laxman, Nayan Mongia, Venkatesh Prasad, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Harbhajan Singh, Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Ashish Nehra. Anshuman Gaekwad, cricket manager, Brijesh Patel, administrative manager and Andrew Kokinos, physical trainer.

Crucial Ranji tie for Martin

JAIPUR, Feb 22 (PTI) — Riding high on success this season, a well-balanced Baroda team is brimming with confidence for tomorrow’s Group-A Ranji Trophy super league cricket match against Rajasthan to be played here from February 23 to 26.

The tie is crucial for players like Jacob Martin, who has been a prolific run-getter this season, and Rajasthan opener Gagan Khoda. With reports indicating that national selectors may try new faces for next month’s triangular series by resting some seniors, both batsmen could use the oppportunity here.

Baroda shared three points each with Bengal in their first Ranji super league match in Calcutta after both the teams could not finish their first innings, while Rajasthan have eight points from two ties.

Martin has been in good form hitting three centuries this season and a double ton (242), against Bengal in a super league match. He was instrumental (scoring 40 and 82) in Baroda’s defeat of Mumbai in 40 years, which knocked the former champions out of this year’s competition.

Baroda team management is hoping that martin, who has been named in the 30 probables for the May-June World Cup, should get a nod at least for the triangular series also involving Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

PUNE: Off-spinner Mahendra Gokhale will make his debut for Maharashtra against Orissa in the four-day Ranji Super-League Cricket Tournament here tomorrow.

Gokhale will replace all-rounder Satyen Lande, who had injured his right finger recently. Opener Hemant Kinikar has been dropped and in his place Niranjan Godbole would open the account for the host team, team manager Shyam Oak said.

The host team secured 10 points from two encounters in the super-league, while the visitors have five points from their first match against Railways.

The hosts have a strong batting line-up with skipper Surendra Bhave, Shantanu Sugvekar, Abhijit Kale, Jaideep Narse and Siddarath Godbole. While the bowling attack would be led by seamers Iqbal Siddique, Milind Kulkarni, Sachin Nair, Gokhale and Siddarath.

The Orissa team has two international players in their rank with opener Sanjay Raut and seamer Debasis Mohanty. The visitors have six all-rounders, including four medium-pacers.

Orrisa team manager David Raut said medium pacer Robin Morris had injured his ankle but most probably would take the field.

"If we win the toss, we would like to chase the target on the placid wicket," he added.

This is the second time that the two teams are clashing. In the last encounter at Cuttack last year. Orissa defeated Maharastra in the super-league.

BCCI Colts hit up 243 for 6

MUMBAI, Feb 22 (PTI) — Pushkaraj Jadhav and Vineet Saxena stroked their way to half centuries after opener Anshu Jain fell two short of achieving the feat on the opening day of the Indian Cricket Control Board President’s under-19 selection’s three-day match against the visiting Sri Lankan Colts today.

Rajasthan’s Jain made 48 with seven fours, local boy Pushkaraj Jadhav compiled 58 while up’s Saxena remained unbeaten on 53 in the home team’s first innings total of 243 for six at close after they were put in to bat by the Lankan team’s captain Upeka Fernando.

Jain, who fell leg before to left-arm spinner Ranil Dhammika, and left-handed opener Dheeraj Jadhav put on 60 for the first wicket.

The two Jadhavs came together to add 50 for the third wicket before Dheeraj Jadhav fell at 128. Pushkaraj, who struck nine fours in his 130-ball knock, then joined forces with Saxena, who hit nine fours in his 134-ball unconquered innings, to add 55 runs for the fourth wicket.

For the visitors Dhammika and leg spinner Thilina Kandambi claimed two wickets apiece while opening bowler Sathpath Kalum and skipper Fernando bagged one each.

Brief scores: Board President’s under 19 XI 243 for 6 (Anshu Jain 48, Dheeraj Jadhav 39, Pushkaraj Jadhav 58, Vineet Saxena batting 53; Ranil Dhammika 2 for 33, Thilina Kandambi 2 for 57) .

French players arrive in city
From Our Sport Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Feb 22 — A team of 13 senior players from France, accompanied by their spouses representing the International Lawn Tennis Club de France arrived here today for a two-day goodwill visit. Disclosing this here today Mr Rajan Kashyap, Chairman, Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association stated that the visit of the French team is part of a programme of international cooperation organised by the International Club of India. The team is being accompanied by 12 businessmen.

The players, who are mainly in the age group of 35 and 50 have in their heydays represented France in Davis Cup and other international tournaments. The team is lead by Thierry Pham, is an Administrative Executive of the French Federation of Tennis at Roland Garros. Also in the team are Danielle Bouteleux, Isabelle Bouteleux, Marie-Jeanne Gallard, Christopher Bernelle and Jean-Michel Hardoum.

They will play friendly matches with selected players of their level and age group from Chandigarh. The matches are to be played on the centre grass courts of the CLTA. They would also visit the CLTA's Junior Development Programme, and give their expert views for promotion of tennis in the region.

India thrash Uzbekistan

SAMUTPAKARN (Thailand), Feb 22 (PTI) — Indian women launched their campaign for the Asia-Oceania Group-I Fed Cup qualifiers with a convincing 2-1 win over Uzbekistan in the opening tie here today.

National champion Uzma Khan powered her way to a straight sets 6-2 7-6 (7/1) victory over Lilia Biktyakova in the first singles tie between the two country’s number two players.

India number one Nirupama Vaidyanathan, playing her first competitive match after losing in the final round of the qualifiers for the Australian Open Tennis Championships, trounced top rated Uzbek Natilia Nikitina 6-2 6-0 to give India an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match rubber.

With the tie already won, India experimented in the doubles encounter by fielding Sai Jayalakshmi and Shruti Dhawan against the Uzbek girls.

Sai-Shruti combination provided some resistence to Lilia-Natilia pair before losing 4-6 3-6 in the inconsequential pool A tie here.

India takes on Chinese Taipei, Asian Games team champions, in the second roundrobin tie here tomorrow.

"Nirupama’s singles match will be crucial and if she continues with her good form, we have a chance," India’s non-playing captain Shyam Minotra told PTI today.

Ten teams, grouped in two pools fight it out in a roundrob in contest.

It was an easy ride for the reigning national champion Uzma Khan in the first set against Lilia Biktyakova. Uzma served well with high percentage of first services and covered the court splendidly to tire her opponent.

Uzma, who joined the Indian team taking a break from her studies at Arizona University on a tennis scholarship, wrapped up the first set 6-2.

Lilia came back into the match when she raced to a 4-1 lead in the second set before Uzma rallied to take the set into the tie-breaker.

The 18-year-old Indian was unstoppable since then and powered to win it 7-1 and put India 1-0 up.

With Uzma giving perfect start to the campaign, Nirupama Vaidyanathan needed less than an hour to topple Natilia Nikitina.

The 23-year-old Nirupama allowed Natilia to win two games in the first set before winning it 6-2 and then blanked the opponent in the second breaking Uzbek girl’s serve thrice (6-0).

Nirupama hit powerful groundstrokes and made the opponent run around the court most of the time. Her real test will, however, come in tomorrow’s potentially tough match against the Taiwanese.

City judokas win 3 gold
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Feb 22 — Chandigarh judokas have romped home with a tally of three gold medals and four bronze medals in the judo competition which concluded recently at the National Games in progress at Imphal (Manipur) as per the Press note of the Chandigarh Olympic Association. The gold medal winners include Yashpaul Solanki (81 kg), Parshant Verma (61 kg) and Babita Negi (open weight).

In rowing the events for which are still continuing, UT players have excelled as they have so far bagged three gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals. The gold medal winners are, Nardev Singh (single scull), T. Singh and Baljit Singh (coxless pair) Rajeshwari and Soumya (coxless pair — women).

In kayaking and canoeing and boxing, city players have secured bronze medal each, the competition for which are still in progress.

Childrens' Athletic Meet at SAS Nagar

CHANDIGARH, Feb 22 (BOSR) — About 150 children in 10-12, 12-14 and 14-16 age-groups took part in the Athletic Meet organised by the Resident's Welfare Association, Phase III B2, SAS Nagar, here last evening. The events were conducted in 100 and 200 metres, shot put and long jump. Mr Amrik Singh, Municipal Commissioner, SAS Nagar, gave away the prizes. Ranbir Singh, Jaspreet and Bhupinder Singh secured the first position in 100 metres in under 12, 14 and 16 age-groups, respectively.

In long jump, Karamjit Singh, Assem Gill and Charan Kamal Singh got first position in below 12, 14 and 16, respectively. Jaspreet, Kanwalpreet and Bhupinder were adjudged first in below 12, 14 and 16, respectively, in 200 metres. In shot put only the children between 14-16 took part and Manpreet Singh bagged the first position.