BANGKOK : Sakul Khamtan, a 40-year-old Thai athlete, warms up as he practices at a stadium in Bangkok on Wednesday. Thailand will host the 7th Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (FESPIC) from Jan. 6 to 11, 1999. Sakul will compete in 100m and 200m sprints. AP/PTI

India set up semis clash with Pak DUBAI, Jan 6 — India has set up a semifinal clash with arch-rivals Pakistan tomorrow after crushing UAE Juniors in a one sided match 15-9 15-4 15-1 in the fourth Rashid International Volleyball Championships here last night. Why Akram was appointed captain? KARACHI, Jan 6 — A senior Pakistan Cricket Board executive council member has said that there were several reasons behind making Wasim Akram the captain for this month’s India tour and the forthcoming World Cup. "Lot of planning" in hockey win MUMBAI, Jan 6 — "A lot of planning and strategy went into our winning the gold medal at the Bangkok Asian Games, the Indian Hockey team captain, Dhanraj Pillai said yesterday.

Warne replaces Waugh as captain SYDNEY, Jan 6 — Shane Warne was today named as captain of Australia’s limited-overs cricket team in the absence of regular skipper Steve Waugh.

South Africa win fourth Test
CAPE TOWN, Jan 6 — South Africa won the fourth Test against West Indies by 149 runs today, leaving the touring side facing the possibility of their first 5-0 defeat in a Test series.

India’s pathetic run abroad continues
Chandigarh: Once again India have failed to win a Test series abroad, going down 0-1 to New Zealand in New Zealand , after the first match of the three-Test series was abandoned without a single ball being bowled due to rain.

Teams play true to billing
CHENNAI, Jan 6 — Matches went on expected lines on the inaugural day today of the 60th Indian Oil Servo National Table Tennis Championship at the multipurpose indoor stadium here.

Punjab gears up for Manipur Games
CHANDIGARH, Jan 6 — Punjab proposes to send a strong contingent of 505 sportspersons -- 281 men, 152 women and 72 team officials -- to the fifth National Games scheduled to be held at Imphal (Manipur) from February 14 to 25, according to Mr Arvind Khanna, Secretary-General of the Punjab Olympic Association, Punjab's contingent will perhaps be the biggest contingent apart from the hosts Manipur.

Kambli to lead West Zone
PUNE, Jan 6 — Left-hander Vinod Kambli would lead the 15-member West Zone team in the Deodhar Trophy cricket tournament to be played in East Zone from January 22.

Karishma books semis berth
NEW DELHI, Jan 6 — Second seed Karishma Patel of Gujarat notched up a 6-2- 6-1 win over Nandini Pernumal to enter the semifinals of the All-India AITA Delhi Open Women’s Tennis Championships at the DLTA courts here today.

Jyoti helps team win Pro-Am title
NEW DELHI, Jan 6 — Jyoti Randhawa, who shot three under 69, helped his team won the ONGC-NOIDA Pro-Am Golf Championship at the NOIDA course here today.

PSEB hold fancied Northern Rly
JALANDHAR, Jan 6 — Full credit to PSEB, Patiala, who played a draw and shared one point with star-studded former champion Northern Railway Delhi. This was the last league encounter of PSEB team in pool 'A'.

Dahiya to lead Delhi
NEW DELHI, Jan 6 — Wicket-keeper Vijay Dahiya will lead Delhi in the Wills Trophy one-day tournament to be played in East Zone centres from January 11 to 17.

Hamilton Test ends in draw

HAMILTON, Jan 6 (PTI) — Rahul Dravid hit up a brilliant unbeaten 103 to become only the third Indian to score a century in each innings of a Test and Saurav Ganguly crafted a strokeful 101 not out as the third and final cricket Test against New Zealand ended in a draw with a 1-0 series win for the home side here today.

Resuming at their overnight 323 for six, Chris Cairns (126) stole the show as New Zealand went on to amass a second innings total of 464 for eight to set an impossible victory target of 415 in 57 overs on the fifth and final day at the Westpac Trust Park.

Despite losing openers Navjot Sidhu (13) and Ajay Jadeja (21) cheaply once again, India, thanks to Dravid and Ganguly, reached 249 for two when play was called off with 4.5 mandatory overs still to be bowled.

With his flawless 103 not out coming on top of the epic 190 in the first knock, Dravid joined the illustrious company of Vijay Hazare and Sunil Gavaskar, who has done it thrice.

Hazare’s effort came against Australia in the 1947-48 tour down under while Gavaskar achieved the distinction twice against the West Indies in the 1970-71 and 1978-79 away tours and against Pakistan in the 1978-79 visit across the border.

Dravid and left-hander Ganguly — who struck their fourth and sixth centuries respectively — came together at 55 for two and carried the innings through till the umpires halted play once Dravid reached his century, with India still 165 runs away from their target.

New Zealand toyed with the Indian bowling in the morning to put the match beyond India. Dravid and Ganguly went after a largely part-time Kiwi attack led by Paul Wiseman and Roger Twose but the target was too big.

The two put on 194 runs for the unbeaten third wicket in only 136 minutes and 224 balls, but India were only 99 for two at tea needing 316 more as draw looked the only possibility.

Ganguly was more aggressive and reached his 50 off only 53 balls, 10 fours and a six, seven fours and the six coming off off-spinner Paul Wiseman. Ganguly shifted from 72 at the final drinks break to 86 with a couple of fours and a six off Wiseman to brighten his century hopes.

Dravid looked as well set and in good nick as in the first innings and suddenly exploded with a flurry of shots to raise visions of a second hundred in the match. He smashed three fours in one over by Twose and the match was not called off well into the mandatory overs as both were heading for hundreds.

Cairns, who was adjudged man-of-the-match, followed his four wicket effort in India’s first innings with a career-best 126 to frustrate India and douse any feeble hopes nursed by the visitors of pulling off a victory.

The all-rounder shared a massive 147-run stand with Dion Nash (63) for the seventh wicket and another 92 runs for the eighth with Daniel Vettori.

New Zealand’s 1-0 win is their third successive series win against India at home. The record between the two after 37 Tests, however, stands in India’s favour with 13 wins, seven losses and 17 draws.

The last time India won the series in New Zealand was in 1967-68 under Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, who had nothing to lose after the brilliant stand between Cairns and Nash, delayed the declaration as two of his main bowlers were unfit. Paceman Dion Nash had a back spasm while left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori was taken to hospital for a precautionary x-ray after he hurt his finger during fielding practice.

Cairns, who found the right moment to score his second Test century (126 - 260 m, 202 b, 16 x 4, 3 x 6), improved upon his 120 against Zimbabwe at Auckland in 1995-96.

The partnership between Cairns and Nash was finally broken when the latter was run out — his first dismissal in four innings — trying to retain his crease at the non-striker’s end.

Cairns added another 92 runs with local lad Vettori, who got into the act and hit two sixes on his way to an unbeaten 43 off 50 balls.

Cairns was finally out when Dravid took a fine catch off Anil Kumble, but the all-rounder returned to the field to inflict two more blows to India by scalping both Sidhu and Jadeja before Dravid and Ganguly helped themselves to unbeaten hundreds.

New Zealand (Ist innings) 366

India (Ist innings) 416

New Zealand (2nd innings)

Bell lbw b Tendulkar 25

Horne c Mongia b Srinath 26

Fleming b Prasad 18

Twose lbw b Tendulkar 4

Mcmillan c Mongia b

Robin Singh Jr 84

Parore c Robin Singh Jr

b Kumble 50

Cairns c Dravid b Kumble 126

Nash run out 63

Vettori not out 43

Extras (B-9, LB-7, W-1, NB-8) 25

Total (for 8 wickets decld) 464

Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-69, 3-76, 4-85, 5-225, 6-225, 7-372, 8-464.

Bowling: Prasad 33-8-75-1, Robin Singh Jr 19-3-102-1 (1W), Srinath 27-6-90-1 (NB-5), Kumble 45.5-13-124-2, Tendulkar 7-0-30-2, Ganguly 6-1-27-0 (NB-3).

India (2nd innings)

Sidhu b Cairns 13

Jadeja c Parore b Carins 21

Dravid not out 103

Ganguly not out 101

Extras (B-4, LB-5, NB-2) 11

Total (for 2 wkts, 52.1 overs) 249

Fall of wickets: 1-33, 2-55.

Bowling: S.Doull 4-0-17-0, C.Cairns 9-1-30-2, McMillan 17-4-59-0, Wiseman 12-0-80-0, Twose 9.1-0-50-0, Horne 1-0-4-0.

Fielding let us down, says Azhar

HAMILTON, Jan 6 (PTI) — Disappointed Indian cricket captain Mohd Azharuddin today attributed poor fielding as the single biggest factor in India’s 0-1 series loss to New Zealand saying "fielding has really let us down in this series."

"I think we had our chances but could not capitalise on them. We dropped too many catches. You can’t afford to drop these many chances and hope to win," Azharuddin said after the third and final Test ended in a draw here.

Azharuddin said the team’s shortcomings were apparent and India would have to tighten their game as the home series against Pakistan was upon them. "Our shortcomings are apparent. We would look to try our best, do our homework, because the series against Pakistan is starting," he said.

On the overall performance, he said: "The bowlers and batsmen did try their best but at the end of the day we were not good enough on the field".

"I can’t deny we do not have many options in bowling, but given the conditions and workload, the three main bowlers (Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad and Anil Kumble) tried their best."

He said openers Navjot Sidhu and Ajay Jadeja who failed to give a single decent start. "Openers were again not much help. I think we were two down for 30 in all the innings and it put big pressure on the following batsmen," he added.

Victorious Kiwi captain Stephen Fleming justified the delayed declaration, setting India a massive target of 415 to achieve in only 57 possible overs today.

"There were three considerations. We already had a 1-0 lead, the wicket was still playing true and three of our bowlers were not fit enough for long spells," Fleming said.

Nash had a back spasm, Vettori hurt his finger in fielding practice and needed a precautionary X-ray and Doull was suffering from heat stroke.

"At the same time we needed to declare. We can not be sending wrong signals for Test cricket," he said.

They were looking for at least 50 overs to bowl. "We wanted Cairns to get into good bowling rhythm before the one-day series," he said.

Summing up the series, Fleming was not happy with the slip catching, which he put it down to the absence of Nathan Astle. Astle fractured his left hand when he was hit by a Javagal Srinath lifter in the second Test at Wellington.

"But the best thing was the performance of our lower order and the spirit of Dion Nash. He showed tremendous fighting qualities and was a big influence," he said. Nash was dismissed only once — run out today — in four innings.

Steve Rixon, the Aussie coach of New Zealand cautioned that his team should not lose sight of what lay ahead. "You’ll notice there is no champagne popping in the dressing room. We have won, yes, and we must enjoy the moment. But we must keep us there and not let it suffer," he said.

"It think the team is coming around. It is showing the qualities of rallying around from a tight spot. The Aussies are the best example in this," he added.

South Africa win fourth Test

CAPE TOWN, Jan 6 (Reuters) — South Africa won the fourth Test against West Indies by 149 runs today, leaving the touring side facing the possibility of their first 5-0 defeat in a Test series.

But the victory came only after South Africa struggled to contain a spirited batting display by the West Indian tail-enders.

With the visitors resuming at 93 for six on the final day and chasing 421 to win, it seemed it would be only a matter of overs before South Africa completed another crushing victory.

But West Indies amassed a creditable 271 after an obdurate and often belligerent rearguard action masterminded by wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs, who remained unbeaten on 69.

All the lower order scored runs and the flow of punishing drives and bludgeoning hooks put the West Indies’ upper order to shame and kept the South Africans at bay for more than 51 overs.

Mervyn Dillon, with 36, hit the second highest score by a West Indies number 11 in a 34-run partnership with Jacobs before he was last man out.

The last four wickets added 184 runs with Nixon McLean (39 and Dillon recording their Test best scores.

The fifth Test is at Centurion Park from January 15. The West Indies’ worst result in a series of more than three tests was a 5-1 defeat in Australia in 1975-76.

The West Indies lost the first three Tests by margins of four wickets, 178 runs and nine wickets.

South Africa (Ist innings) 406-8 declared (D. Cullinan 168, J. Kallis 110).

West Indies (Ist innings) 212 (C. Hooper 86).

South Africa (2nd innings) 226-7 declared.

West Indies (2nd innings) (overnight 93-6)

Wallace c Gibbs b Pollock 0

Murray lbw b Kallis 7

Chanderpaul c Cullinan b Kallis 5

Lara c&b Adams 33

Hooper b Kallis 20

Ganga lbw b Pollock 16

Jacobs not out 69

Gibson run out 13

Mclean c Adams b Kallis 39

Ambrose c Kirsten b Adams 19

Dillon c Cronje b Kallis 36

Extras (LB-2 NB-12) 14

Total 271

Fall: 1-2 2-7 3-15 4-47 5-87 6-87 7-108 8-173 9-207.

Bowling: Pollock 25-3-49-2 (12NB), Kallis 27.4-4-90-5, Cronje 1-1-0-0, Terbrugge 11-4-40-0, Adams 23-5-80-2, Cullinan 4-1-10-0.

Warne replaces Waugh as captain

SYDNEY, Jan 6 (Reuters) — Shane Warne was today named as captain of Australia’s limited-overs cricket team in the absence of regular skipper Steve Waugh.

Steve’s twin brother Mark was chosen as vice-captain in the 14-man squad picked for the first five matches of the series.

Steve Waugh was named as the official captain but will miss Australia’s first two matches because of a hamstring injury, opening the way for Warne to lead the side.

Warne’s appointment comes less than a month after he and Mark Waugh admitted taking money from an Indian bookmaker for information on pitch and weather conditions during a tour of the subcontinent in 1994.

The two were fined by the Australian Cricket Board in 1995 but the matter was kept secret until journalists broke the story last month.

Former Australian captain Neil Harvey said the pair should have been suspended for two years after their actions were made public while Pakistan cricket officials have called on the international cricket council to ban them for life.

Warne has played 96 one-day matches for Australia. He captained the side against New Zealand last year when Steve Waugh was out injured.

Australia’s Test captain Mark Taylor was not chosen in the one-day squad.

Australia will play England in the opening match of the series at Brisbane on Sunday before taking on Sri Lanka in Sydney on Wednesday.

Team: Steve Waugh (captain), Shane Warne, Michael Bevan, Greg Blewett, Adam Dale, Damien Fleming, Adam Gilchrist, Brendon Julian, Darren Lehmann, Glenn McGrath, Damien Martyn, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Brad Young.

India’s pathetic run abroad continues
By Abhijit Chatterjee
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh: Once again India have failed to win a Test series abroad, going down 0-1 to New Zealand in New Zealand , after the first match of the three-Test series was abandoned without a single ball being bowled due to rain.

The defeat follows the all-too- familiar pattern with the players performing much below par, both in batting as well as in bowling. And to top it all the Indian fielding was absolutely pedestrian, with the New Zealand media calling the Indian fielders "walkers". Time and again the Indians had the hosts in tight positions but failed to deliver the coup de grace with the captain as well as the bowlers running out of ideas. And to add to the woes of the bowlers far too many catches were dropped by both the close-in fielders as also those fielding in the deep.

With only Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble looking capable of bowling out the home team batsmen, skipper Azharuddin had simply no idea how to contain the New Zealanders. On the other hand with the Indian opening pair of Navjot Sidhu and Ajay Jadeja looking totally off-colour the pressure on the middle order batsmen was all the more. One can imagine the pressure on Sachin Tendulkar every time he went in to bat. It is unfortunate that V.V.S. Laxman was not given a look-in, at least in the third Test at Hamilton, in spite of the fact that he looked to be in better form than either Navjot Sidhu or Ajay Jadeja.

In the bowling department Azharuddin was handicapped by the presence of raw bowlers like Robin Singh Jr, who seemed to be all at sea when it came to performing at the international level. Similarly, Venkatesh Prasad, who has been in and out of the national squad ever since he came on to the international scene, seemed to lack in confidence and as a consequence wavered both in line and length.

In this decade (from 1990 onwards) India have played a total of 60 Test matches in which they won 16, lost 16 while the remaining 28 failed to yield a no result.Out of these 60 Tests, India played 24 Tests at home in which they won 15, lost three while six ended without a result. Of the 36 Tests they have played abroad, including the Hamilton Test against New Zealand which concluded on Wednesday, India could win only one Test, against Sri Lanka at Colombo in July, 1993 ,while losing 13. The remaining 22 matches ended in draws.

In the 90s India have played a total of 23 Test series, 10 in India and 13 abroad. Of the 10 series played at home the Indians, making full use of "designer" wickets, won eight series while the remaining two series ended without any result. But their performance abroad was miserable, with just one success, at Colombo against Sri Lanka in 1993. And one must remember that conditions in Sri Lanka are not different from what is prevalent at home. Out of the remaining 12 series played away from home, India have lost nine series while the other three ended in stalemate.

For the records the last time India won a series abroad (excluding the win against Sri Lanka in 1993) came in the 1986 series in England when India won the three-Test series 2-0, with the third match ending in a draw.

There are many lessons that India can learn from the series against New Zealand. The old failing of getting in line with the moving ball was seen far too frequently in the matches in New Zealand. And although one-day cricket is a different ball game, one must remember that the World Cup this year will be played in England where the conditions will be very similar as in New Zealand. This is one area where the batsmen will have to really work hard if they hope to make an impact in England in about five months' time.

The bowling department too will have to improved. The Indian bowlers in New Zealand sent down far too may loose deliveries, allowing the New Zealand batsmen time to settle down. And above all the fielding has to be improved which was much below par in the two Tests that India played.

India set up semis clash with Pak

DUBAI, Jan 6 (PTI) — India has set up a semifinal clash with arch-rivals Pakistan tomorrow after crushing UAE Juniors in a one sided match 15-9 15-4 15-1 in the fourth Rashid International Volleyball Championships here last night.

India, who finished as number two in pool ‘A’ after losing their opener against fancied Ukraine, the pool toppers, set up a rematch of last year’s semifinal. Ukraine won all their matches in the pool and will be a major hurdle for the defending champions India.

Skipper Surjit Singh played well and was declared the Man of the Match. Ravi Kant and Yawar Ali, the young university players from Hyderabad were rested in the last two matches.

The Indians who are now combining well took it little easy in the first set and the enterprising UAE Juniors notched up nine points almost getting into double digits.

"We are now playing very well and every player is playing to his potential," chief coach G Sreedharan said.

"In the first match, against Ukraine, we had come here without taking any rest after the nationals in Calcutta. But the boys have got over that now and are playing superb game."

The UAE Juniors' challenge petered out subsequently as they lost the match scoring only four and one points.

The hosts UAE are now out of the tournament as the UAE Seniors lost to Pakistan in another match last night. The UAE Seniors, runners-up last year, took the first set in a closely fought affair 15-12, but Pakistan came back strongly to take the next three sets and book a semifinal berth.

India has come to the championship with five players of their plan 2001 programme, initiated by world body the FIVB.

In the other semifinal clash set for tomorrow, Sweden will take on Ukraine. Pakistan, runners-up here in 1996 and ninth placed team in the Bangkok Asian Games, had beaten Sweden in a pool ‘B’ match on Monday in a thrilling five-setter.

The finals will be played on Friday.

Why Akram was appointed captain?
From Shirin Mehtab

KARACHI, Jan 6 — A senior Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) executive council member has said that there were several reasons behind making Wasim Akram the captain for this month’s India tour and the forthcoming World Cup.

Nusrat Azeem, president of the Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA), said there were internal problems in the team besides issues like injuries to the players, bad weather, role of the pitches etc that combined to restrict the Pakistan cricket team to give their best in the home series.

"The executive council evaluated every angle before deciding that in the present circumstances, Aamir Sohail should be replaced by Wasim Akram," Azeem said.

Azeem dispelled the impression that Sohail had been appointed captain till the World Cup. "He was appointed for an indefinite period. The term had been used to give confidence to the skipper so that he can plan things accordingly.

"But if someone starts thinking that he was not given a free-hand, then it's his problem," Azeem, referring to Sohail, said.

Azeem felt that it was not necessary that every demand of the skipper is accepted. "Only those suggestions are accommodated which the concerned officials think are in the best interest of the team and country. It was a wrong thinking of the skipper that all his demands should be accepted."

Azeem said the executive council had kept its door open while appointing Sohail as captain for an indefinite period. "If the PCB chairman has been saying that Sohail is the captain till the World Cup, the objective of it was to give confidence to the skipper. But the executive council had kept its option open which it used in this meeting.

"If we had to replace Sohail, we could have done it in the December 8 meeting. But we wanted to give confidence and a free hand to him. Unfortunately, he didn’t turn up for the second Test because of illness and has so far not attended the camp," he stated.

Azeem said the executive council didn’t take Sohail into confidence while replacing him "because he (Aamir Sohail) himself was not keen to continue. His recent statements said all."

Azeem admitted that Sohail had been violating the PCB code of conduct. "In my view, he has breached the code of conduct. But it is the PCB disciplinary committee which should take up the issue.

"We could have discussed this subject on Sunday but because of the shortage of time, several items on the agenda had to be deferred. Discussion on breach of code of conduct by Sohail was also one of the issues that was deferred. I think we can take up the matter in the next meeting," he stated. — (ANI)

Samaranch 'gifted' firearms

SALT LAKE CITY, Jan 6 (AP) — Juan Antonio Samaranch, President of the International Olympic Committee, was given at least two Browning firearms by Salt Lake City's Bid Committee, a Browning official has confirmed.

A shotgun and a rifle, which together had a retail value of about $ 1,000 were delivered by Browning's Swiss distributor in May, 1995, at the bid committee's request, said Rich Bauter, Vice-President of Firearms Marketing for Browning. He was quoted on Tuesday in a copyright story in the Salt Lake Tribune.

The guns were sent to Samaranch one month before the IOC selected Salt Lake City to be host to the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Rules at the time barred IOC members from accepting gifts in excess of $ 150.

IOC officials would not say whether Samaranch kept the guns for personal use. A list of questions regarding the Browning guns, faxed to the IOC on December 24, was forwarded last week to Francois Carrard, the IOC's Director-General. A phone call to Carrard, made mid-afternoon Swiss time on Monday, was not returned, the Tribune said.

Samaranch has appointed an IOC panel to investigate allegations that the Salt Lake City Bid Committee influenced site selection for the 2002 Winter Olympics by giving scholarships, free medical care and gifts to IOC members and their relatives.

"Lot of planning" in hockey win

MUMBAI, Jan 6 (PTI) — "A lot of planning and strategy went into our winning the gold medal at the Bangkok Asian Games, the Indian Hockey team captain, Dhanraj Pillai said yesterday.

Pillai was speaking at a function hosted by Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi here to felicitate the Commonwealth and Asian Games medal winners from the state.

"Soon after winning the gold, we did not know whether to cry or laugh and I was so scared of losing my gold medal that I clung to it till we reached the Sahar airport", Pillai said amidst laughter from the audience.

"Our victory against the Koreans in the pool match gave us the much needed confidence and boosted our morale in the final", said the Indian captain.

"We are hoping to repeat the Asiad performance at the 2000 Sydney Olympics", added the mercurial forward.

His Indian teammates, Anil Adrian, Sabu Virkey and Sandesh Somesh, who also received Rs 1 lakh each from Mr Joshi for bringing glory to the country, said they had not expected to win the gold.

Double gold medallist, Ashok Shandilya, received Rs 2 lakh for his efforts while another cueist from Maharashtra Devendra Joshi got Rs 25,000 for winning the bronze medal.

Both Shandilya and Joshi thanked their former and present national coaches Wilson Jones and Micheal Ferreira respectively for their contribution to their success.

Also felicitated on the occasion were Asian Games 100 metres bronze medallist Rachita Mistry, who said she wanted to be better than former sprint queen P T Usha by breaking the latter’s 100 m record, and tennis and badminton stars Nitin Kirtane and Vincent Lobo.

Kirtane said the team missed India’s number one player Leander Paes very much at the Games and hoped he could keep winning medals for the country in future as well.

Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, who was the chief guest, congratulated the medal winners. He promised to bear all expenses for athletes who bring glory to the country at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

"If I am asked to choose between the Chief Minister’s post and a gold medal, I would opt for the latter", he added.

The state Minister for Cultural Affairs Pramod Navalkar and Minister for Sports and Youth Pratap Rao Jadav were also present at the function.

Punjab gears up for Manipur Games
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 6 — Punjab proposes to send a strong contingent of 505 sportspersons -- 281 men, 152 women and 72 team officials -- to the fifth National Games scheduled to be held at Imphal (Manipur) from February 14 to 25, according to Mr Arvind Khanna, Secretary-General of the Punjab Olympic Association, Punjab's contingent will perhaps be the biggest contingent apart from the hosts Manipur.The hosts are scheduled to field a 700-strong contingent in the Games.

The Imphal Games will have a record number of competition in 27 disciplines as against 26 in the last National Games held at Bangalore in 1997, with two demonstration games---- mukna kangiei and thang-ta. The total number of medals at stake is 2297 - 739 gold and silver each and 819 bronze.

In the Bangalore National Games the strength of the Punjab contingent was 486 - comprising 252 men and 165 women competitors with 69 team officials. Punjab made an indelible mark at Bangalore, by annexing a total number of 113 medals with 44 gold, 29 silver and 40 bronze, the highest ever in the last four National Games and ranked number two in the overall medal tally, behind hosts Karnataka.

In the first National Games held in 1985 at Delhi, Punjab wrested a total number of 93 medals -- 33 gold, 25 silver and 35 bronze, while in the second edition of the Games held in Kerala in 1987, Punjab was relegated to the fifth position, securing a total tally of 59 medals with 17 gold, 18 silver and 24 bronze. In the Pune Games -- the third in the series -- held in 1994, the total tally of medals increased to 81- 26 gold, 26 silver and 29 bronze.But Punjab remained at the fifth position in the overall medal tally.

Another significant feature of the Punjab contribution to the last National Games at Bangalore was the record number of records -- six national and 10 games -- created.

All the medallists of Punjab were given cash awards -- Rs 11,000 for gold, Rs 5000 for silver and Rs 3000 for bronze. According to Mr Khanna the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has announced an increase in the cash award for winning medals at the Manipur Games.

At Manipur Punjab will be competing in 26 sports disciplines out of 27 (except sepak-takraw). Punjab have secured the honour of participating in all the sports disciplines, based on their performance in the National Championships held by the respective National Sports Federations, Mr Khanna said. According to the rules of the National Games framed by the Indian Olympic Association, only the best eight teams/individuals can participate in the National Games. However, exceptions have been made in certain events like boxing, canoeing and kayaking, rowing, triathlon, weightlifting, etc. where all States have been permitted to enter the prescribed minimum number of competitors by them.

All the State Sports Associations in Punjab will be holding coaching camps for a maximum duration of 30 days in two phases of 15 days each for the selected participants during the month of January. The Punjab Olympic Association had already approached the State Government in June last for financial assistance to the tune of Rs 40 lakh to meet the expenditure on organisation of coaching camps, kitting and participation in the Games. However, the final sanction is still awaited from the Government.

Punjab will participate in the following events: archery ( men and women); athletics (men and women); badminton (men and women); basketball (men and women); boxing (men); canoeing and kayaking (men); cycling ( men and women); equestrian (men); fencing (men and women); football (men and women); gymnastics ( men and women); hockey (men and women); judo (men and women); handball ( men and women); kabaddi (men); kho-kho (men and women); rowing (men); shooting (men); swimming, diving and waterpolo (men and women); table tennis (men and women); taekwondo (men); tennis (men); triathlon (men and women); volleyball (men and women); weightlifting (men and women); and wrestling (men and women).

Kambli to lead West Zone

PUNE, Jan 6 (PTI) — Left-hander Vinod Kambli would lead the 15-member West Zone team in the Deodhar Trophy cricket tournament to be played in East Zone from January 22.

Announcing the team after the West Zone Deodhar selection committee meeting here today, its convener Prof R.S. Shetty said West would take on North Zone at Agartala on January 22.

Their second league match would be against Central Zone at Sambalpur on January 25. The third tie would be played against hosts East Zone at Calcutta on January 28 and the last encounter would be against South Zone at Guwahati on January 31, Shetty added.

The team: Vinod Kambli (capt, Mumbai), Sameer Dighe (wk), Nilesh Kulkarni, Paras Mhambrey, Abey Kuruvilla (all from Mumbai), Shantanu Sugvekar, Abhijit Kale, Iqbal Siddique (all from Maharashtra), Yogesh Wakaskar, Jacob Martin, Conner Williams, Tushar Arothe (all from Baroda), Sitanshu Kotak (vic-capt, Saurashtra), Prakash Bhatt (Saurashtra), Bhavin Mehta (Gujarat), Manager: Bhagirath Thakur (Guj).

Stand-byes: Manoj Joglekar, Jatin Paranjpe (both Mumbai), Ashutosh Agashe (Mah), Rajesh Garsondia, H Parsanna (both Saurashtra), D Mulharkar (Baroda) and Pathik Patel (Guj).

Teams play true to billing

CHENNAI, Jan 6 (PTI) — Matches went on expected lines on the inaugural day today of the 60th Indian Oil Servo National Table Tennis Championship at the multipurpose indoor stadium here.

The results of the matches saw both the heavyweights and the lesser known in some cases, winning their matches. There was no upset and the players had the feel of the excellent playing facilities available at the venue.

However, the sparse crowd witnessed their hot favourite Chetan Baboor’s fast-paced game in disposing of Ganesh Ahuja of lowly Haryana, (21-12, 21-09) who lost both matches in group A. Champions, Petroleum Sports Control Board (PSCB) and Railways registered 3-0 wins like many other teams amongst the men, which comprises eight groups.

In the women section too, the scene remained the same with the top teams establishing their wins in style without losing a match. In this the defending champions, Bengal, who were able to win with the help of Railway stars — Anindita Chakraborty and Mantu Ghosh — last year, disposed of lowly Jammu and Kashmir 3-0. Bengal have a depth of young talent in their ranks and Mouma Das, Paulomi Ghatak and Susmitha Ray helped them today.

Karishma books semis berth

NEW DELHI, Jan 6 (PTI) — Second seed Karishma Patel of Gujarat notched up a 6-2- 6-1 win over Nandini Pernumal to enter the semifinals of the All-India AITA Delhi Open Women’s Tennis Championships at the DLTA courts here today.

Karishma Patel’s match was the only tie that could be completed as all other matches were washed out due to unseasonal rain in the capital.

Karishma will meet winner of tie winner of tie between fourth seed Harsimran Kaur and Simmi Rani in the bottom half of the draw.

Jyoti helps team win Pro-Am title
From Our Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI, Jan 6 — Jyoti Randhawa, who shot three under 69, helped his team won the ONGC-NOIDA Pro-Am Golf Championship at the NOIDA course here today.

The team’s total was 211 on stableford format. Other members of the team were Ashok Malik, Madhavrao Scindia and Simaranjit Singh.

Randhawa got Rs 10,000, including Rs 3,000 for the day’s best score.

D.K. Verma’s team was the runners-up with the total of 215. Other members of the team were B S Jamwal, Ajit Singh and Ms Usha Vasan.

Ali Sher, who shot four over 76, saw his team get third position. Three amateurs were Inderjit Singh, U.K. Bose and R.S. Brar. Team’s total was 217.

Amandeep Johl, who fired two over 74, was the second best scorer of the day. He got Rs 2,000.

Rain delayed the start of the event. The course became heavy but amateurs showed a lot of enthusiasm in playing the round.

PSEB hold fancied Northern Rly
From Our Sports Reporter

JALANDHAR, Jan 6 — Full credit to PSEB, Patiala, who played a draw and shared one point with star-studded former champion Northern Railway Delhi. This was the last league encounter of PSEB team in pool 'A'. Former runner-up Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala entered the semi finals of the 3rd Surjit Singh Memorial Women Hockey Tournament, currently underway at Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium, Burlton Park, here.

In Pool-A, PSEB & Western, Railways, Mumbai are having five points each from their three outing are in the race for berth in the semifinals. However, semifinalist will be decided after the match between defending champion Northern Railways and SAIL (Bhilai) scheduled to be held on January 7. Northern Railways have two points from their two outing while SAIL here to open their account yet.

In Pool-B, the Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala have already qualified for the semifinals with six points from their two outings where as Air India Mumbai & GNDU, Amritsar are in the race for semifinals berth.

In the first match of the day, star-studded N. Railway failed to impress the crowd. Their forwards were hopelessly off-colour and their wingers proved ineffective. On the hand, young & spirited PSEB player played excellent game. Their custodian Rozi Bala, who adjudged the best player of the game, exhibited excellent goal-keeping. She saved at least three sure goals and did not allow the Railways girls to score. In the first half the Railways girl earned six penalty corners but the went abortive and the PSEB girls also wasted one penalty corner. At half time, both the teams were playing goalless draw.

After lemon break, the Railways girl picked up speed and started their attacks from the right side. They earned their 7th penalty corner in the 37th minute. This time their penalty corner expert Asian star Sandeep Kaur made no mistake (1-0). After trailing by a goal, Patiala girls restored parity in the 63 minute when they earned their second penalty corner and left back Harshdeep Kaur made no mistake (1-1) which remain till the end of the regular time of 70 minute.

In the second match of the day in Pool-A, the former finalist Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala were far superior to the visitor Indo-Cal Hockey Club of California (USA) as they were solid in defence and quick ball control. Their forwards were nippy and thrustful their movements and their passing was superb. They were always looking for the vacant spots.

The California team lacked imaginative work in the middle. Despite having some good exchanges, their forwards could not go beyond the 25 yard line and on occasions when they did so, erratic shooting let them down.

The Kapurthala girls forged ahead in the very first minute of the game when their centre forward & Asian star Jyoti Kullu scored a field goal (1-0). Jyoti Kullu increased the lead by scoring field goal in the 22 minute. Two minute later, out side left Lotam added another field goal. Gloria found the target in the 62nd minute to consolidate the lead 4-0. Keny Naywr reduced the margin for California team in 63rd minute.

Dahiya to lead Delhi

NEW DELHI, Jan 6 (PTI) — Wicket-keeper Vijay Dahiya will lead Delhi in the Wills Trophy one-day tournament to be played in East Zone centres from January 11 to 17.

The 14-member squad includes medium-pacer Robin Singh (Jnr), who returns home from New Zealand after the third Test in Hamilton which concluded today.

Manish Giri has been named stand-bye if Robin Singh fails to return in time, a Delhi Cricket Association release today said.

Team: Vijay Dahiya (Capt), Ashu Dani, Ajay Sharma, Mithun Minhas, Akash Malhotra, Pankaj Joshi, Virender Shewag, Sandeep Sngurala, Rajneesh Chopra, Rahul Aanghvi, Amit Bhandari, Robin Singh (Jnr), Ashish Nehra, Rajeev Rathore.

NRI sport fest

JALANDHAR, Jan 6 (TNS) — The impressive opening ceremony of the Ist Non Resident Indians "Sports Festival" was performed by Mr M.S. Bhullar, Additional Director General of Police at the PAP lines here today.

Speaking on the inaugural ceremony the organising chairman of the NRI Sports Festival, Mr M.S. Bhullar, said the NRI Sports Festival was aimed to bring the NRIs close to their roots and encourage the Indian sportsmen.

The teams from the UK, the USA, Canada and India are participating in various sports events like wrestling, kabaddi, tug of war and weightlifting, the wrestling competition started today despite rain.

Results:

Wrestling: NRI Kesari: Shamsher Singh of Punjab Police beat Bablu Tiwari of Delhi by fall. Aruji Choudhary of UP beat Harjit Singh of Canada. Kirpal Singh of Punjab Police beat Devinder Singh of the CISF. Rajbir Singh of the RSCB beat Amandeep of India on points.

NRI Kumar: Pawan Kumar of Punjab Police beat Rehmat Ali of J&K on points. Ravi Kumar of HP beat Ratti Ram of Haryana by fall. Surjit Mann of Chandigarh beat Balraj Singh of Punjab by fall.

Jr volleyball

CHANDIGARH, Jan 6 (BOSR) — The Punjab State Junior Volleyball Championship for boys and girls will be held at Polo Ground, Patiala, from January 8 to 10, according to Mr Naresh Kumar, Secretary of the District Volleyball Association, Patiala. The teams from all the districts of the state will take part in this three-day meet.

Carrom team

CHANDIGARH, Jan 6 (BOSR) — Five players from St Stephen's School, Sector 45 and one from Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 20, will represent Chandigarh in the National School Games in carrom for boy sand girls (under 19) going to be held at Akola (Maharashtra) from January 11 to 15.

The team is: Gagandeep Singh (Govt Model Sr Sec School, Sec 20), Davinder Jeet Singh, Charukh Goyal, Jagdev S. Mann, Nabhi Sahni and Puneet Lamba (all St Stephen's School, Sec 45, Chandigarh).

Mr Mukesh Piplani will be the coach cum manager of the team.

Volleyball trials

SHIMLA, Jan 6 (TNS) — Trials to select the team to represent Himachal Pradesh in the 25th National Junior Volleyball Championship will be held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Sports Complex here on January 12.

Players born on or after January 1,1981, are eligible for participation in the trials, according to a press not of the state volleyball association.