India may persist with unchanged squad

WELLINGTON, Jan 13 (PTI) — Weather holds the key as India aim to beat New Zealand in the third one-day cricket tie to go ahead in the five-match series at the Basin Reserve tomorrow.

Encouraged by their nail-biting penultimate ball win, the Indians apart from seeking to play to their true potential will also have an eye on possible rain that could force a truncated affair on them.

Afternoon showers have been forecast in this region which has received scant rainfall this season and skipper Mohd Azharuddin will be hoping that his lucky streak with the toss on this tour continues with this day tie. With rules favouring the chasing side in a truncated affair, Azhar in all likelihood will decide to put in the opposition if he wins the toss.

Despite the thrilling win at Napier yesterday, there is little to choose between the teams locked 1-1. India is almost certain to persist with an unchanged side keeping batsman V.V.S. Laxman and left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi on the sidelines.

India, who benefited by the return of leg spinner Anil Kumble from injury, will look for a big score from Sachin Tendulkar which could set the tone for their innings and help the visitors avoid the kind of hiccups they suffered chasing a modest total at Napier.

Local papers are predicting a big knock from him and the star batsman himself will be looking to cut out any early errors. Tendulkar was caught in the slips in both matches trying to push the ball over the close cordon.

The series has assumed much importance as both teams try to get a settled side for the World Cup to come off in England this summer. A bonus for India has been the steady improvement shown by off-spinner Nikhil Chopra, who has displayed enough variation to keep the batsman guessing.

This has left both batsman V.V.S. Laxman and left arm spinner Sunil Joshi on the sidelines apart from Hrishikesh Kanitkar, who sat out after a none-too-impressive outing in the first one-dayer at Taupo.

Australian consultant Bob Simpson, the man vested with the responsibility of moulding India into a fighting one day unit has been encouraging a bigger role as bowlers for Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly and Robin Singh apart from stressing on better fielding, the weakest link for India.

The Indian camp is pleased with pacemen Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad for their purposeful bowling, Prasad in particular showing extra rest in bowling and fielding.

Stand-in New Zealand captain Dion Nash was keen that his side recover from the loss in Napier. "It was a disappointment but it is important for us not to let it linger in our mind. We have to be fresh for the game tomorrow," he said. The Kiwi players had very light workout this evening.

The crowd tomorrow will be eager to see local hero Gavin Larsen, currently one short of 100 one-day victims, achieve that landmark. "Tomorrow’s game is the one we have to win. So that is more important than the one wicket for me," Larsen, 37, said making his priorities clear.

Six Kiwis, Richard Hadlee (158), Ewan Chatfield (142), Danny Morrison (126), Martin Snedden (114), Chris Harris (112) and Chris Pringle (103) have crossed the mark.

New Zealand will have a lone change from Napier with Chris Drum set to replace injured fellow fast bowler Geoff Allott, who limped away into his third over in the second one day tie.

The teams:

India (from): M. Azharuddin (capt), S. Tendulkar, S. Ganguly, R. Dravid, A. Jadeja, Robin Singh, N. Mongia, J. Srinath, N. Chopra, A. Kumble, V. Prasad, H. Kanitkar.

New Zealand (from): D. Nash (capt), M. Horne, B. Young, R. Twose, C. McMillan, C. Cairns, A. Parore, C. Harris, G. Larsen, D. Vettori, S. Doull, C. Drum.

Hours of play (IST): 1.45 a.m. to 5.15 a.m; 5.55 a.m. to 9.25 a.m.

Gilchrist fashions easy Aussie win

SYDNEY, Jan 13 (Reuters) — Adam Gilchrist smashed a magnificent century today to lead Australia to a remarkable eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a tri-series limited-overs match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Gilchrist blasted 131 in 118 balls as Australia overhauled Sri Lanka’s imposing total of 259 for nine with eight wickets in hand and 3.5 overs to spare.

Gilchrist hit 10 boundaries and two sixes during his innings to propel Australia to 260 for two in 46.1 overs and give them their first win of the competition after they were beaten by England in Brisbane on Sunday.

Sri Lanka, who will defend their one-day world cup title later this year, have lost both their games so far.

Gilchrist’s 131 was the fourth highest score by an Aussie in a limited-overs international behind Ricky Ponting (145), Dean Jones (145) and Greg Chappell (138 not out).

The world champions looked to be in with a good chance against Australia after posting a challenging total of 259 for nine from their 50 overs.

Sanath Jayasuriya (65) and Hashan Tillekeratne (73) both hit half-centuries as the Sri Lankans attacked from the outset after winning the toss and deciding to bat.

Jayasuriya, in particular, was in a determined mood, smashing the Australian attack from the start of the innings.

He gambled on several occasions, chipping over the heads of the inner ring of fieldsman and deliberately edging the ball wide of the slips cordon, but was always in control.

Scoring at better than a run a ball, Jayasuriya went on to make 65 — his first half-century in 19 limited-overs matches against Australia - before he was caught behind in the 15th over with the total on 15.

With Jayasuriya gone, Sri Lanka’s run-rate slowed considerably as the Australians tried to restrict them to a manageable target.

Romesh Kaluwitharana, who opened the batting with Jayasuriya, pushed his score along to 32 before he was bowled around his legs by Australian wrist spinner Shane Warne.

Marvan Atapattu (18), Arjuna Ranatunga (26) and Mahela Jayawardene (11) all made starts but did not go on with it even though Australia suffered a major setback when their second-string spinner Brad Young injured himself sliding into the fence and was unable to either bat or bowl in the match.

The exception was veteran lefthander Tillekeratne, who top scored with 73 before he was run out in the last over of the innings.

But Tillekeratne was lucky to survive when he bottom-edged a catch to Gilchrist before he was off the mark.

He was given benefit of the doubt by the umpires although television replays clearly showed that he had nicked the ball.

Chasing 260 for victory — three runs more than any team had made to win an international one-day match at the SCG batting second — Australia wasted little time in pursuing their target of 5.2 runs per over.

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka:
Jayasuriya c Gilchrist b Julian 65

Kaluwitharana b Warne 32

Atapattu c M. Waugh b Warne 18

Tillekeratne run out 73

Ranatunga run out 26

Jayawardene c Gilchrist b Julian 11

Chandana b Fleming 2

Mahanama c Gilchrist b McGrath 5

Vass not out 13

Muralitharan run out 0

Extras: (B-2, LB-2, W-5, NB-5) 14

Total: (for nine wickets,

50 overs) 259

Fall of wickets: 1-95, 2-106, 3-130, 4-183, 5-214, 6-217, 7-226, 8-258, 9-259.

Bowling: McGrath 10-0-39-1, Fleming 10-0-61-1, Belwett 2-0-23-0, Julian 8-0-42-2, Warne 10-0-1-44-2, Bevan 5-0-26-0, Martyn 5-0-20-0.

Australia:

M. Waugh c sub b Muralitharan 63

A. Gilchrist c Atapattu b Vaas 131

R. Ponting not out 43

D. Martyn not out 16

Extras: (LB-3 W-4) 7

Total: (for two, 46.1 overs) 260

Fall of wickets: 1-151, 2-225.

Bowling: Vaas 6-1-43-1, Wickramasinghe 7-1-36-0, Muralitharan 10-0-49-1, Jayawardene 7-0-40-0, Chandana 9-0-61-0, Jayasuriya 7.1-0-28-0.

Selection of Pak team today

ISLAMABAD, Jan 13 (PTI) — Even as a senior official of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is assessing the security arrangements in India, authorities said here today that the Indian tour is very much on at the moment and they are going ahead with necessary preparations.

The PCB Secretary, Waqar Ahmed, told PTI on phone from his Lahore office that as of now "the tour is on" and the Pakistani team for the first full-fledged Indian tour in 12 years will be selected in Karachi tomorrow.

"Who said that the tour is doubtful", the PCB secretary retorted when asked when the final decision will be taken.

The coaching camp for preparing the Pakistan team is going on in full swing at Karachi with 22 players participating.

Waqqar Ahmed, however, said that the senior PCB council member, Brig Rafi Saeed, has gone to India to "perform certain duty" and he is expected to return with his assessment on January 16.

The PCB sent Brig Rafi to India to assess the security arrangements at the venues where Pakistan team will be playing following threats from Shiv Sena to disrupt the matches.

Team-mates give "Der Bomber's"
life a new meaning

MUNICH, Jan 13 (Reuters) — If anyone has a right to squirm with frustration as modern strikers struggle to master the art of shooting accurately and scoring goals, it is Gerd Muller.

The same "Der Bomber" who once shot, stabbed or rifled in 365 Bundesliga goals in 427 games for the Bavarians and an amazing 68 in 62 appearances for Germany.

The best goalscorer of all time? Few would argue. He won everything.

But since his net-busting heyday of the late 1970’s, while his records remained unbroken, the man himself nearly was — by alcohol. Fading glory and boredom combined with the opportunities created by owning his own bar in Fort Lauderdale while he played in America in the twilight of his career turned him into an alcoholic so surreptitiously he hardly knew it had happened.

"I did not realise, I just did not know," he said as he sat in the offices at Bayern’s training fields where, now, nearly 10 years on, he works as a coach to the Bavarian club’s under-21’s.

"Then, they just saved me from it."

The "they" Muller referred to were his friends and former team-mates Uli Hoeness and Franz Beckenbauer.

Now General-Manager and President of Bayern Munich respectively, these two are at the centre of the long-awaited overhaul of German football, set in motion recently when Beckenbauer became vice-president of the German Football Association (DFB). Some have already claimed this is the biggest challenge of Beckenbauer’s life and success could be his most important triumph.

This, according to those who work around them in the offices at Bayern, is not true — their greatest moment came in the salvation of 53-year-old Muller’s life.

Muller was back in Munich, jobless and drinking, when he bottomed out, but without the single chilling moment of depression that made him catch his own face in the mirror of life. Hoeness rescued him, organised his entry into a clinic south of Munich, arranged for his costs to be met by an insurance claim, supported him as much as possible and warned him that he had to stay sober to keep the job that lay ahead.

As he talked, Muller’s spectacles glinted in the wintry sunshine above a trimmed grey beard which gave him a semi-academic air. He hardly looked like a retired goalscorer, but Muller confirmed the existence of his greatest fear.

He dreads a return to the bottles of beer, wine, whisky other spirits which wrecked his life, upset his marriage to Uschi and his relationship with his only daughter in the days before Hoeness took him by the scruff of the neck in 1990.

"Now, when I go to a dinner, any kind of function, anywhere, I always check the food and the drinks first," he said. "I ask about the sauces on the meat, the cream in the puddings. I need to know if there is any alcohol anywhere.

"I never want to go back and it only takes one drop. I was lucky because Bayern saved me. My family helped me. I did not understand any of it. I was incapable of helping myself until Uli helped me."

For Paul Gascoigne, the recovering English star who was recently admitted to an alcoholics’ clinic, he has understanding. "He needs his friends and he needs support to help through this time," he said.

"That is so important. It takes so much to get through this time. At my clinic, they wanted me to stay longer. But I was there for four weeks and it was enough for me. I came out and have stayed out."

Muller’s bravest act has been repeated every day since. It was not a goal which won a Bundesliga title, or those which helped Bayern Munich lift the European Cup for three successive years in 1974, 1975 and 1976, or any in his personal assault on the World Cup’s striking records.

No, it is in his determination to stay dry, respected and employed by Bayern — the club he loves which has dragged him back from near-oblivion.

"I have incredible respect for him," said Karin Potthoff, Hoeness’s secretary. "I knew him as a player and as a man and have known him these last 10 years. He has a true strength of character. Now we all feel like friends with him here at Bayern. I think that is part of his strength too."

Muller himself, back living in a tracksuit, is content. His days are filled with training boys and youths. He takes satisfaction in seeing them grow and improve, but admits, with harsh realism, that the raw talent of his own generation no longer seems to exist. "There is too much else in the world now for boys," he said.

"It is difficult for everyone. Goalscorers are not made, they come naturally. But the standards everywhere are not what they were. Ronaldo? He is, I think, a little over-rated. "I think there is too much sport, too much money, television and other entertainment. Yes, too many temptations...."

His story is an example that many of today’s players can learn from.

Hair facing World Cup ban

SYDNEY, Jan 13 (AFP) — Australian cricket umpire Darrell Hair is facing a World Cup ban over his criticism of Sri Lankan spinner Mutthiah Muralitharan.

The limited-overs World Cup in England starts in May and the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) must nominate its umpire by the end of the month.

That is also when the International Cricket Council wants a resolution of yesterday’s decision taken at its Christchurch meeting to charge Hair with bringing the game into disrepute.

With Steve Randell facing child sex charges later this year, Daryl Harper is likely to get the World Cup appointment even though he has not officiated outside Australia and only stood in his first two Tests this summer.

ICC chief executive David Richards said on Monday that Hair would be charged for comments in his recent book "The Decision Maker".

Hair labelled Muralitharan’s bowling action as diabolical and said he would have called two more Sri Lankan bowlers for illegal actions if he had known Australia would later boycott its 1996 World Cup match in Colombo.

That left him open to accusation of not performing his duty.

Hair created worldwide headlines in December 1995 for no-balling Muralitharan seven times in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Umpires are barred from making comments detrimental to the game and Hair could face the same penalty as players, who can be suspended for three Tests or six one-day matches if found guilty.

Hair has already stood down from Sri Lanka’s one-day matches here this season to avoid the ACB having to sack him.

The ACB has also deliberately not given Ross Emerson any Sri Lankan games. Emerson called Muralitharan in a one-dayer in Brisbane soon after Hair’s rulings.

In Brisbane, Sri Lankan team manager Ranjith Fernando said the controversy over Muralitharan was finished.

"The spinner himself would not comment on the possible disciplinary action facing Hair".

News of the charges against Hair filtered into the Sri Lankan dressing room during Monday's four-wicket one-day loss to England, but the Sri Lankans chose not to speak publicly on the issue.

JCT hold edge over Air-India

MUMBAI, Jan 13 (PTI) — Local team Air-India, without a point after two matches in the group A National Football League, have a lot at stake when they take on another young outfit JCT, Phagwara in, their first home match at the Cooperage ground here tomorrow.

JCT, who have played two matches so far, have one point to their credit after a courageous draw against last year’s winners Mohun Bagan at Delhi in their league opener when they were reduced to 10 men throughout the second half.

JCT, whose custodian Virender Singh had brought off a save from a spot-kick against Bagan, had lost their second match against Dempo and are also eager to take full points against Air India.

Both the teams have some young and talented footballers in their ranks and tomorrow’s match could produce a keen battle for supremacy.

JCT will have the services of Deepak Kumar Mondal, who was shown the red card in the very first match against Bagan.

Apart from him JCT has players like Tarsem Lal, Sukhdev Singh, Harjinder Singh, Kuldeep Singh and Daljeet Singh to choose from in the defence.

Hardeep Singh, Rampal Singh, Hardeep Saini, Hardeo Sangha and Hardeep Gill have shown time and again that they have the talent and enterprise in the mid-field.

The forward line would be spearheaded by Harvinder Singh Bhupender Singh, Surjeet Singh, Jasvir Singh and Sukhjeet Singh with Dipankar Roy and Charanjeet Singh adding strength to the Bench.

Air India, who finished fourth last year, had lost 0-3 to debutants Tollygunge Agragami in their lung-opener and 0-2 to Bagan at Calcutta by putting up a disjointed show and need to organise themselves much better against the millmen from Punjab.

Air-India will have either Yousuf Ansari or Shyam Samant under the bar.

Henry Piccardo, Radhakrishna Dube, Ajay Acharya, Subir Sinha and Ozbern D’Souza have to put up an improved display in defence for the airmen to come out with flying colours.

Mid-fielders Taposh Ghosh, Dennis George, Kambiton Singh and Ratan Singh need to show better understanding with their forwards if they have to pull off a win over their gutsy opponents.

Former international Godfrey Ferreira, Khalid Jameel, Anthony Fernades, Abbas Ali Rizvi and Nitin Shetty would be manning the home side’s forward line which looks decent at least on paper.

The Air-India team is coached by Bimal Ghosh.

Mahindras edge out ITI

BANGALORE Jan 13 (PTI) Mahindra and Mahindra edged past a lacklustre local outfit Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) 2-1 in the group "B" Coca Cola National Football League fixture here today.

Mahindra’s did not play to their potential but a poor show from the ITI men helped them to pick up full points in their second league encounter after losing to Salgaocar 3-0 in Goa in their opening match.

ITI were lucky to be gifted a goal in the 20th minute. Right winger Bheema Rao dribbled past the defender inside the box and crossed powerfully. Defender Sushanta Mazumdar dived towards his left but only managed to deflect it into his own goal.

After change of ends, the Durand Cup winners got the equaliser in the 52nd minute. Left wing back Rishi Kapoor brought down Manjit Singh and Shamsi Raza scored off the penalty.

Mahindras failed to capitalise off a weak ITI defence as striker R.C. Prakash was off colour.

In the 72nd minute, Manjit Singh found the groove from the left flank off Shamsi to push into the far post beating goal keeper Balaji.

ITI missed quite a few opportunities in the first half itself. R.C. Prakash had an easy header in front of the goal mouth for a beautiful cross from Alexey Drobotor.

C. Prakash was brought in place of R.C. Prakash in the 65th minute but the move failed to yield results.

Mahindra’s goalkeeper Manoj Jabbi was kept busy in the first half but after the breather the scene moved to the ITI citadel.

Indians falter in singles
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Jan 13 — Indian tennis players Vinod Sridhar, Vishal Uppal and Harsh Mankad faltered in the prequarterfinals dashing Indian hopes in singles in the Gold Flake Aces ITF Men's Futures Tennis Tournament here at the Chandigarh Club courts today.

In the doubles section, Syed Fazalludin of India pairing with Cedric Kauffman of France gave some hope to the home side by reaching the last four. Now the top seed Amir Hadad of Israel will take on Cedric Kauffman of France, eighth seed, Simon Larose of Canada will face Armando Brunold of Switzerland, Yves Allegro of Switzerland will vie with Jonathan Erlich of Israel, and Artem Derepasko of Russia will play against Ivo Karlovic of Croatia in the quarter finals of men's singles tomorrow at the CLTA courts.

Earlier, on court one, Vishal Uppal played against 690 ranked Swiss player Armando Brunold and on unexpected lines. Vishal disappointed the spectators when he lost the first set tamely in just 23 minutes. The lethargic-looking Uppal who gave an impressive performance during all these days could make 1-1 in the second set but in the rest of the five games did not see any frantic effort from Vishal who succumbed to the Swiss player at 1-6 and lost the match.

Amir Hadad, the top seed from Israel proved too good for another Indian Vinod Sridhar who entered the main draw through a wild card. Haded wrapped up the match at 6-1, 6-1 against Sridhar in just 42 minutes.

Harsh Mankad, who had made it to the main draw as a lucky loser gave some anxious moments to Canada player Simon Larose and the weak serve of Mankad proved fatal and lost the first set in 30 minutes at 2-6. In the second set, Mankad improved his down the line volleys and on some occasions also took the serve point from the Canadian which gave the Indian 2-2 at one point. But after that, Mankad was able to bag one more game form Larose and went down fighting to him at 3-6 in 35 minutes.

Results: Men's singles: Second round (PQF) Amir Hadad (Israel) b Vinod Sridhar (India), 6-1, 6-1; Cedric Kauffman (France) b Patrick Erhardt (Germany) 6-3, 7-5; Simon Larose (Canada) b Harsh Mankad (India) 6-2, 6-3: Armando Brunold (Switzerland) b Vishal Uppal (India) 6-0, 6-1: Y. Allegro (Switzerland) b Simon Aspelin (Sweden) 7-6 (4) 6-4. J. Erlich (Israel) b Andy Ram (Isrl) 6-2, 6-1: A. Derepasko (Russia) b J. Kato (USA), 6-4, 6-2: Ivo Karlovic (Croatia) b O. Chvapil (Czech) 6-4, 6-4.

Men;s doubles: Quarterfinal: S. Fazalludin (Ind) and C. Kauffman (Frn) b A. Quereshi (Pak) and A. Ram (Isrl) 7-6 (0) 6-2: J. Erlich and A. Hadad (Isrl) b S. Larose (Can) and M Lee (USA) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4: I. Karlovic (Crt) and M. Kogan (Isrl) b T. Meringoff (USA) and V. Uppal, (Ind) 6-3, 6-4: S. Aspelin (Swed) and J. Robichaud (Can) b O. Chvapil and J. Hernych (Czech) 5-7, 7-6 (3) 6-3.

Haryana judo squad for nationals
From Our Sports Reporter

HISAR, Jan 13 — The Haryana State Judo Association has selected 16 judokas, including eight girls, to represent Haryana in the Senior National Judo Championships to be held at Bangalore from January 15 to 19, according to Mr S.S Nandal, hony general secretary of the association, here today.

International Arun Kumar Dahiya of Rohtak and Anil Kumari of Hisar will lead the men's and women's teams, respectively.

The members of the teams are;

Men: 56 kg Ajmer Singh (Haryana Police), 60 kg Kuldeep Saini (Karnal), 66 kg Pawan (Faridabad), 73 kg Sanjeev Kumar (Hissar), 81 kg Bhagat Singh (Haryana Police), 90 kg Arun Kumar (Rohtak), 100 kg Praveen Kumar (Hisar) open weight; Ashok (Rohtak).

Women: 44 kg Neelam (Hisar), 48 kg Renu (Hisar), 52 kg Savita (Hisar), 57 kg Anil Kumari (Hisar), 63 kg Neelam Punia (Sonipat), 70 kg Hem Lata (Rohtak), 78 kg Ranjana (Kaithal), Open weight; Seema (Sirsa).

Tek Chand, judo coach of Kaithal, will be the coach of the team, while Balwinder Kaur Joga of Rania and Satya Dev will accompany the team as manager and assistant manager, respectively.

Medals for Aarti, Paviter

CHANDIGARH, Jan 13 (FOSR) — Aarti Mehta of Carmel Convent School, Sector 9, won gold medal in Air Pistol Junior Women (NR) by securing 349/400 in the just-concluded VIIIth All-India GV Mavalankar Shooting Championship at Asansol (West Bengal) on January 4, according to a press note of the Chandigarh Rifle Association. Paviter Singh Bajwa also won a gold and a silver in the .220pen std refile prone in junior and senior men, respectively.

Gymnastics squads

CHANDIGARH, Jan 13 (BOSR) — Chandigarh Gymnastics Association has selected the following gymnasts both men and women to represent Chandigarh in the 40th Senior National Gymnastics Championship to be held at Rajsamand (Rajasthan) from January 15 to 19.

The team is:

Artistic (men): N. Priyo Kumar, Sourav Dass, Baleshwar Kumar, Gautam Bharti, Keshav Paul, Sajjal Paul, Loken Singh (all from ITBP).

Rythmic: (women): Davinder Kaur, Rama Bagga (Tramp Intl. Club), Jessica, Komal (Alpine School).

Aerobics (Women): Ms Rajesh Hooda, (Alpine), Kanchan Arora (Tramp Club).

Men: Vinod Bajaj, Bhupinder Singh (ITBP).

Mr Samir Dev will be the coach and Mr S.S. Budhwar manager of the team.

Trials from Jan 16

CHANDIGARH, Jan 13 (BOSR) — Trails to select the Chandigarh schools team for the national games in gymnastics and football will be held from January 16 to 18 at different venues. The gymnastics trails for boys and girls under 14, 17 and 19 will be conducted at Sports Complex, Sector 7 while football trials for boys under 17 will be held at Football Stadium, Sector 17. National School Games are scheduled to be played at Surat (Gujarat) from February 2 to 6 while for the National Games in football the dates are yet to be confirmed by the SGFI.

Soccer trials

CHANDIGARH, Jan 13 (BOSR)— The Haryana Football Association will conduct trials to select the state sub-junior team for participation in the National Sub Junior Football Championship to be held at New Delhi in the first week of February. The trials will be held at Karna Stadium, Karnal, on January 17 at 11 a.m.

The selected players will also attend a coaching camp to be organised by the Sports Department, Haryana, at Faridabad from January 19, according to a press note of the association.

UT powerlifters corner glory

CHANDIGARH, Jan 13 (BOSR)— The Chandigarh powerlifting team took part in the XXth Junior Men's and Women's Powerlifting Championship at Lucknow on January 8. The team won two gold, one silver and two bronze medals. Surjit Singh won both the gold. Surjit Singh and Didar Singh won the gold and silver medals in 56 kg class and bench press respectively. Surjit lifted a total weight of 507.5 kg (squat 190, bench press 102.5 and dead lift 215 kg). In dead lift he secured another gold and a bronze in squat. Didar Singh also won a bronze medal in 90 kg class by lifting a total weight of 635 kg.

Trials today

CHANDIGARH, Jan 13 (BOSR)— The Panchkula Amateur Body Building Association will organise the trials to select the Panchkula team at, Swastic Vihar, Panchkula on January 14 at 4 p.m. The team will participate in the fourth Haryana State Junior Body Building Championship to be held at Gurgaon from January 17.

The participants must be below 21 years and should report with original birth certificates.

Wrestling contests from Jan 21

ROHTAK, Jan 13 (FOSR)— Sports Department, Haryana, will organise state-level wrestling competitions at Chhotu Ram Stadium, here from January 21 to 23. As many as 473 wrestlers from 19 districts of the state are likely to participate in the three-day event. A spokesman of the department disclosed that bouts for the state-level Kumar and Kesri titles would be conducted simultaneously. Wrestlers up to 16 years of age will clash in the 27, 30, 32, 35, 38, 40, 42, 45, 48, 52 and 59 kg categories whereas grapplers up to the age of 18 years will be eligible to participate in the 46, 50, 54, 58, 63, 68, 74 kg and above categories.

Seniors have been bracketed in the weights of 48, 52, 57, 62, 68, 74 kg and above. Aspirants for Kesri and Kumar titles have been kept in the above 74 kg and below 74 kg categories respectively. As per norms of the championship each district can field two wrestlers for each weight category.

Haryana gymnastics from Jan 15

CHANDIGARH, Jan 13 (TNS) — The Haryana Sports Department has decided to organise a state-level gymnastic competition from January 15 to 17 at Ambala.

The competitions are being organised for all age groups. Six apparatus would be organised for men and four for women according to the FIG rules.

Women players have been advised to bring their audio cassettes for the floor exercises. The participants should report along with their coach to the District Sports and Youth Welfare Officer, Ambala, on January 14.