Film stars Vinod Khanna with Prity Zinta, Shilpa Shetty and others arriving at the benefit football match between film stars XI and cricketers XI organised for the families of the soldiers killed in Kargil, at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in New Delhi on Sunday — PTI

Cricketers prevail over film stars NEW DELHI, July 12 — It was a different ball game, but there was no stopping Sachin Tendulkar from claiming the limelight. The star batsman struck two goals and lanky paceman Venkatesh Prasad banged in three as the Indian cricket team walloped a spirited side comprising top Hindi film stars 6-2 in a high-profile benefit tie at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to raise funds for the jawans who fell fighting in Kargil.

Tejinder upsets Shelly Dhawan
JALANDHAR, July 12 — In a big upset unseeded Tejinder Kaur of host Jalandhar defeated second seed Shelly Dhawan in women’s singles quarterfinals of the North India invitation and first Punjab Ranking Table-Tennis Tournament here today.

Captain’s selection on July 27 or 28
MUMBAI, July 12 — The Indian cricket captain for the August 22 to 31 one-day tri-series in Sri Lanka will be chosen on July 27 or 28 and the rest of the squad members would be picked in the first week of August.

Shakti completes golden hat-trick
BANGALORE, July 12 — Continuing his splendid run, Railways’ Shakti Singh captured a shot put and discus double to complete a hat-trick to steal the show in the third leg of the Amateur Athletic Federation of India international circuit meet here today.

Women’s soccer gets a foothold in USA
LOS ANGELES, July 12 — Twenty determined young women conquered America’s traditional antipathy towards soccer this summer.

Mendis sacked as manager
COLOMBO, July 12 — Sri Lanka’s World Cup debacle has claimed another casualty with former skipper Duleep Mendis axed as team manager today.

Players flouted Rule 17: Lele
MUMBAI, July 12 — Indian World Cup team members Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Robin Singh contravened rule 17 of the cricket board’s (BCCI) bylaws by airing their views in the media so soon after the mega event, according to its Secretary Jaywant Lele.

Indian shuttlers lose
NEW DELHI, July 12 — India put up a good show but faltered in the doubles to lose 2-3 to Singapore in the boys team second round at the third Asian Junior Badminton Championships in Yangoon, Myanmar.

Beckham to miss Australian tour
SYDNEY, July 12 — Sydney tycoon Rene Rivkin conceded today that England midfield star David Beckham would miss European champions Manchester United’s football tour of Australia.

State govt stand irks Rupa Saini
PATIALA, July 12 — Rupa Saini, manager of the senior national women’s hockey squad till the 2002 Pusan Asian Games, is not paid her salary and daily allowance, by the Punjab Government whenever she accompanies the Indian women’s hockey team as it does not consider her on national duty during such trips.

• Woodbridge out of Davis Cup squad

Jeev set for maiden entry to a ‘major’

NEW DELHI, July 12 (PTI, UNI) — Jeev Milkha Singh fired a superb five-under 66 to set himself up for a maiden entry to a “major” on a mixed day for Indians in final round qualifiers for next week’s British Open Golf Tournament in Scotland.

The 27-year-old Jeev was in his elements on a windy day at the Monifieth Links course, one of the four venues being used for the 36-hole qualifier, and was one shot off the pace set by Wayne Westner of South Africa yesterday, according to information reaching here today.

Jeev was sharing the second spot with fellow Asian PGA contestant Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand and English amateur Gary Wolstenholme.

After poor finishes in his last two European PGA tour events denied him a direct entry, Jeev was on the threshold of becoming the second Indian to play in the British Open, the 128th edition of which is starting at Carnoustie Course on Thursday, after Gaurav Ghei played at Royal Troon in 1997.

With one round to go Jeev was extremely well placed at Monifieth where 120 players are chasing 12 spots in the British Open field.

The Chandigarh-based pro started poorly by bogeying the second but came back strongly to birdie last three holes of the round and will require another low round to make it through.

But the rest of the Indians had a mixed day. Vivek Bhandari and Amandeep Johl returned level-par scores but Jyoti Randhawa, Arjun Atwal, Arjun Singh, Firoz Ali and Amritinder Singh returned unimpressive cards.

Bhandari returned a level-par 73 at the downfield course to be tied for the 35th place while Amandeep Johl did the same at the par-71 Montrose links.

At Monifieth links, where Jeev excelled, last year’s Hero Honda New Delhi Masters winner Randhawa could manage only a four-over 75 to be 88th over while Atwal tallied 76 at the Montrose Links with Arjun Singh a stroke behind him.

Indian Open champion Firoz Ali came up with five-over 78 at Downfield to share the 80th spot while at the Panmure Course, Amritinder Singh returned a dismal 12-over 82.

Jeev, the lone Indian on the highly-competitive European PGA Tour, is part of a strong Asian PGA contingent for the final qualifying rounds of the third major of the year.

The U.S Masters, the U.S Open, British Open and the U.S PGA Championship comprise the four majors on PGA tour.

A total of 33 Asian players are spread over the four qualifying venues. They have taken advantage of the royal and ancient ruling which allows the top-80 Asian PGA players from last year’s order of merit to by-pass the open’s regional qualifying rounds and go straight into the final 36 hole qualifiers.

“I’ll take that,” said Singh. “There is a lot of pressure out there. There are only 12 spots available so you can’t afford mistakes. I just tried to be patient and not force anything. I hit the ball solidly.”

Brazil beat Argentina, in last 4

CIUDAD DEL ESTE, (Paraguay), July 12 (Reuters) — Argentina’s amazing run of Copa America penalty misses continued as they were beaten 2-1 by arch-rivals and defending champions Brazil in the quarter-finals yesterday.

Ronaldo scored the winner for Brazil with his fourth goal of the tournament to become the leading scorer. Earlier, Ivan Zamorano, his team-mate at Italy’s Inter Milan, grabbed the decisive goal to give Chile a shock 3-2 win over Colombia in the day’s other quarter-final. A third Inter player, Argentina’s Javier Zanetti, had an outstanding match but his efforts were in vain.

Argentina’s penalty phobia began the previous Sunday when Martin Palermo amazingly missed three in a 3-0 first round defeat by Colombia.

This time, captain Roberto Ayala stepped forward after Beto fouled Gustavo Lopes with Brazil 2-1 ahead and only 12 minutes left. But Ayala fared no better than Palermo, as his weak shot was saved by Brazil goalkeeper Dida and Argentina were on their way home after their third successive Copa America quarter-final defeat.

“I had faith I was going to score,” said Ayala afterwards.

The match capped a drama-packed weekend in which the four quarter-finals produced 16 goals and the team which scored first in each ended up being eliminated.

Brazil will face Mexico, who beat Peru on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw on Saturday, in Wednesday’s semi-final in Ciudad Del Este. Tomorrow, Chile take on Uruguay, who knocked out hosts Paraguay on penalties after a 1-1 draw on Saturday, in Asuncion.

Brazilians always see meetings with Argentina, who of the few sides in the world who are not intimidated by the sight of the famous gold shirts, as grudge matches, claiming their neighbours habitually resort to provocation and trouble-making.

Yesterday, both sides produced their quota of crunching tackles and both were equally guilty of theatrics. The referee had an impossible task telling real fouls from dives with so much playacting going on.

Argentina began well and took an 11th minute lead through Juan Pablo Sorin. They continued to be the more coherent side but three minutes of individual brilliance won the game for Brazil.

The first was the free kick from which the otherwise ineffective Rivaldo equalised in the 33rd minute. The second was the 48th minute long-range shot from which Ronaldo scored the winner. And finally came Dida’s penalty save, his second of the Cup.

Colombia, under former chemical engineer Javier Alvarez, had emerged as one of the title favourites after winning all three first round matches and had been expected to beat Chile.

They twice led through Jorge Bolano and Victor Bonilla but defender Pedro Reyes twice headed Chile back on level terms. Then Zamorano ran onto a long through pass by defender Miguel Ramirez and scored a well-taken solo goal to knock out the competition’s most entertaining side.

For the semifinal, Chile, who have never won the title, will welcome back Zamorano’s striking partner Marcelo Salas, suspended for the last two games.

ACB sets deadline for India, Pak

MELBOURNE, July 12 (AFP) — Pakistan and India have until next month to confirm they will play here next January in a triangular one-day cricket series.

Concern about the series is growing because of the Kargil situation. The Australian board is exploring alternatives in case either or both countries decide to pull out.

“The August directors’ meeting is a critical time-frame,” ACB Chairman Denis Rogers said today. “We’re going to push that itinerary as hard as we can”.

ACB Chief Executive Malcolm Speed stressed no country had been contacted about filling in.

“We put forward a number of possible alternatives — none of which is compelling and none of which is easy,” Mr Speed said.

“The sorts of things that might happen, and they’re very remote, may be we seek to swap India or Pakistan with another country touring somewhere else and bring someone else here.

“We can’t leave that until the last minute. That would be very much the last resort.”

Mr Rogers said the ACB had looked at a range of options, including inviting the West Indies and New Zealand in a four-team one-day competition, or merely having an extended two-team competition if only one of the subcontinent nations decides to come.

Pakistan and India are scheduled to tour Australia from October to February, but former Indian captain Kapil Dev and Indian board chief Raj Singh Dungarpur have said their country must reconsider cricket ties with Pakistan because of the Kargil crisis. India and Pakistan yesterday agreed to a military disengagement in the region.

The ACB also confirmed that Australia would go to Sri Lanka next month for a three-Test tour. The team will be announced later this week.

There had been some concern about Sri Lanka because of security.

The board agreed to release fast bowler Glenn McGrath to play county cricket in England next year when he will replace Tom Moody as Worcestershire’s overseas player.

But Mr Speed will put together a policy that can be used for future requests, as the board is concerned about the strain of a county season upon Australia’s top cricketers.

Tejinder upsets Shelly Dhawan
From Our Sports Reporter

JALANDHAR, July 12 — In a big upset unseeded Tejinder Kaur of host Jalandhar defeated second seed Shelly Dhawan in women’s singles quarterfinals of the North India invitation and first Punjab Ranking Table-Tennis Tournament here today.

In the men’s singles all the seeded players entered the semi-finals.

In the women’s singles quarterfinals Shelly Dhawan of Amritsar lost to Tejinder in tough two games. Tejinder Kaur was down 6-10 in the first game, but recovered by winning the first game 21-19. She then kept her nerve against experienced Shelly and won the second game as well by 22-20.

The following are the results:

Men’s singles quarterfinals: Vaneet Chopra (SBP) beat Vikramaditya (Asr) 21-19, 21-18, 21-17. Punkaj Sharma (PSEB) beat Vikas Sharma (Asr) 21-18, 21-15, 21-12. Ramakant (Customs) b Ajay Thukral (Customs) 27-29, 12-21, 21-19, 21-18, 21-13. Vikas Mahajan (PSEB) beat Munish Joshi (Jal) 22-20, 21-19, 21-19.

Women’s singles quarterfinals: Tejinder Kaur (Jal) beat Shelly Dhawan (Asr) 21-19, 22-20. Shikha Ghai (Asr) beat Parminder (Asr) 21-17, 16-21, 21-18. Kuldeep Kaur (Jal) beat Pinki (Ropar) 21-19, 21-19. Rajni Gupta (Asr) beat Anu (Jal) by 20-22, 21-18, 21-19.

Cadet boys quarterfinals (under-12): Ritesh (Asr) beat Mohit Sharma (Asr) 21-6, 21-17. Kamaljit (Pat) beat Aks (Jal) 21-10, 21-14, Sahil Sood (Budhlada) beat Sukhdev (Ropar), 21-10, 21-12. Vishal Raj (Pat) beat Manish Saini (Pat) by 21-18, 19-21, 21-19.

Sub Junior girls (under-14) quarterfinals: Ravneet (Ropar) beat Anjali Dhawan (Asr) 21-18, 18-21, 21-16, Sukhveer (Farid) beat Lalita (Khanna) 21-19, 21-17, Manisha (Pat) beat Yashpreet (Pat) 21-18, 22-20, Ritika (Ropar) beat Charu (Jal) 21-19, 21-17.

Sub Junior boys (under-14) quarterfinals: Rohit Mahajan (Asr) beat Randeep (Pat) 21-18, 18-21, 21-19, Ritesh (Asr) beat Sherbahadur (Pat) 21-18, 21-16. Shail (Asr) beat Robin Verma (Pat) by 21-18, 21-19. Shashi Bhushan (Budhlada) beat Vaneet (Ropar) 21-16, 21-18.

Girls singles (under-17) quarterfinals: Gurvinder (Jal) beat Meenakshi (Jal) 21-19, 18-21, 22-20. Ritika (Ropar) beat Anjali (Asr) by 21-18, 21-17. Gurpreet (Ropar) beat Ravneet (Ropar) 21-18, 21-14, Rishu (Jal) beat Hardeep (Jal) by 21-19, 21-18.

Boys singles (under-17) quarterfinals: Disney (Ludh) beat Puneet (Ropar) 21-16, 21-14. Mohit Kundra (Asr) beat Loakesh (Ropar) 21-16, 18-21, 21-19. Kamish Saini (Jal) beat Tilak Raj (Jal) by 21-18, 21-17. Sumit Bahri (Jal) beat Rakesh (Ropar) 21-18, 21-12.

Captain’s selection on July 27 or 28

MUMBAI, July 12 (PTI) — The Indian cricket captain for the August 22 to 31 one-day tri-series in Sri Lanka will be chosen on July 27 or 28 and the rest of the squad members would be picked in the first week of August.

“The exact date and venue of the selection committee meeting to choose the captain will be finalised soon”, cricket board Secretary Jaywant Lele told PTI here today.

“The rest of the team members are to be named in the first week of August by the selectors in consultation with the captain and coach who will attend the meeting”, he added.

India, hosts Sri Lanka and newly- crowned world one-day champions Australia are slated to compete in the triangular competition.

Cricketers prevail over film stars

NEW DELHI, July 12 (PTI) — It was a different ball game, but there was no stopping Sachin Tendulkar from claiming the limelight.

The star batsman struck two goals and lanky paceman Venkatesh Prasad banged in three as the Indian cricket team walloped a spirited side comprising top Hindi film stars 6-2 in a high-profile benefit tie at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to raise funds for the jawans who fell fighting in Kargil.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Defence Minister George Fernandes and Information and Broadcasting Minister Pramod Mahajan along with a galaxy of top actors were among a huge gathering of over 25,000 assembled for the grand show organised by the Sahara India Group last evening.

Tendulkar once again showed his competitiveness and dribbling prowess by scoring the first and fourth goals as the cricketers led 5-0 at half time before Navjot Sidhu made it 6-0.

The celluloid heroes left their play-acting a bit late, rallying to pump in two late goals through Akshay Khanna and the popular star Shahrukh Khan, who headed the ball in.

The Indian World Cup squad, barring skipper Mohammed Azharuddin, Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath were seen in action in the match played over 80 minutes.

But the “star” eleven, with Mithun Chakraborty, Govinda, Anil Kapoor, Akshay Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan and Saif Ali Khan in the forefront played their hearts out.

Shakti completes golden hat-trick

BANGALORE, July 12 (PTI) — Continuing his splendid run, Railways’ Shakti Singh captured a shot put and discus double to complete a hat-trick to steal the show in the third leg of the Amateur Athletic Federation of India (AAFI) international circuit meet here today.

The burly 38-year-old reigned supreme in shot put with an effort of 18.74 metres and then won the discus at 54.65 metres, burying the entire field as he did in the first two legs at Nagarcoil and Thiruvananthapuram.

Sri Lankan champion Chintaka de Zoysa also completed a three-in-a-row by claiming the men’s 100 metres in a fine effort of 10.42 secs with the fine synthetic track at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium proving a great encouragement.

Anil Kumar of Services came second at 10.53 seconds ahead of Iran’s Saghar Abdul Ghafar (10.54), with G. Thirugnanadurai, who finished behind Zoysa in the first two legs, pushed to fourth.

Lijo David Thottan claimed the men’s quarter mile with a fine effort of 46.78 secs followed by Felix Leboo (Kenya) who clocked 46.86.

The Kenyan running machines, as expected, dominated the men’s 1,500 metres and 3,000 metres. In the shorter event, Gideon Chirchir, Joseph Mutua and Mainade Dedan of the African country finished 1-2-3, in same fashion as in previous leg.

Chirchir also came second in the 3,000 metres, behind compatriot Charles Kamathi (7:56.56), who retained the title he won at Nagarcoil, while Iran’s Zarekar Ahmad was third.

The following are the results of the third leg of the AAFI international athletic circuit meet here today. (Indians unless otherwise specified in the parenthesis)

Results (men):

100 m: 1. Chinthaka D Zoya (Sri Lanka, 10.42 secs) 2. Anil Kumar 10.53 secs. 3. Saghar Abdul Ghafar (Iran, 10.54 secs)

400 m: 1. Lijo David — 46.78 secs. 2. Felix Leboo (Kenya, 46.86 secs) 3. P. Ramachandran (Customs, 47.32 secs)

1500 m: 1. Gideon Chirchir (Kenya, 3:43.67 secs) 2. Joseph Mutua (Kenya, 3:46.10 secs) 3. Maniade Dedan (Kenya, 3:47.22 secs)

Hammer throw: 1. Pramod Tiwari 66.21 mtrs. 2. Virendra Punia 65.33 mtrs. 3. Subdeep S. Mann 65.19 mtrs.

Shot put: 1. Shakti Singh 18.74 mtrs. 2. Jaiveer Singh 17.40 mtrs. 3. Ali Sayah Irani (Iran, 16.96 mtrs).

(Women):

100 m: 1. Saraswathi Dey 11.60 secs. 2. Vinitha Tripathi 11.96 secs. 3. Hellen Chemtai (Kenya, 12.03 secs).

400 m: 1. Movchen Tatiana (Ukraine, 54.05 secs). 2. M .K. Asha 54.22 secs. 3. Nisha Mol 54.52 secs.

800 m: 1. Sunitha Rani: 2:06.99 secs. 2. K.M. Beenamol: 2:10.07 secs. 3. Hanna Njeri (Kenya, 2:10.22 secs).

Long jump: 1. GG. Pramila 6.14 mtrs. 2. Anju Markose 6.04 mtrs. 3. N.G. Nayanthi (Sri Lanka, 5.98 mts).

Hammer throw: 1. Jabeshwari Devi 48.92 mtrs. 2. Binitha 46.33 mtrs. 3. Phool Pathi 43.26 mtrs.

Women’s soccer gets a foothold in USA

LOS ANGELES, July 12 (Reuters) — Twenty determined young women conquered America’s traditional antipathy towards soccer this summer.

As the USA celebrates not only winning the women’s World Cup (WWC) for a second time, but also hosting the world’s best attended women’s sporting event ever, the euphoria of the past three weeks is giving way to hopes and fears for the future.

“The future of football (soccer) is feminine,” said Mr Sepp Blatter, President of soccer’s world governing body FIFA even before the staggering success of the 1999 WWC.

“Even in this macho-minded sport, there is progress,’’ Mr Blatter added.

Ticket sales for the WWC totalled 650,000 — dwarfing the 112,000 sold for the last WWC in Sweden in 1995 and reflecting an enthusiasm for the world’s most popular sport in a nation many people had regarded as a soccer desert. The global television audience for the 32 World Cup matches contested by 12 nations was an estimated one billion.

Poised and personable, the athletes of team USA became media darlings after years of obscurity and were the new heroines of scores of teenage girls more accustomed to cheering cute ice skaters or gymnasts than grass-stained soccer players.

“This is history in the making. There are bigger things happening here than just us winning a game,” said striker Mia Hamm.

The numbers alone appear to support the confidence of Hamm and the men in suits who run FIFA which says that about 30 to 40 million women around the world play organised soccer, including 7.5 million in the USA.

But much depends on the ability of the women’s game to continue to attract corporate sponsorship and to move onto the the world professional stage.

There are currently no professional soccer leagues for women anywhere in the world and in many of the bastions of male soccer prowess, the women’s game is a very poor relation.

China, runners-up to the USA on Saturday after an impressive run in the WWC, has a division one women’s soccer league and a high-level tournament. But only 10,000 women in a nation of 1.2 billion people play soccer.

“Most fathers cannot accept girls playing soccer. It’s the culture. Girls are supposed to be shy and studious and not so active,” said Chinese striker Sun Wen.

In Norway, a professional league is “many years back” said Karen Espelund, General Secretary of the Women’s Norwegian Football Association, adding that Norway’s success in reaching the semifinals in the USA should boost the women’s game there.

The U.S. Soccer Federation is conducting a feasibility study for the formation of a professional women’s league with a possible launch date in 2001.

Mr Alan Rothenberg, president of the US Soccer Federation, says a pro-league is not just an option. “We have to have a women’s professional league in this country if we’re going to stay at the top of women’s soccer,’’ he said.

But corporate America seems ambivalent and some industry experts feel that the finest hour of the women’s game has already come and gone.

“It has been a wonderful event. Nobody’s losing money on it,’’ said Nova Lanktree of Sports Celebrity Network. “And a month from now it will be a nice memory, just like the Olympics in 1996.’’

Mr Tommy Kain, soccer brand manager at Nike which was one of 11 corporate sponsors of the 1999 WWC, acknowledges that the sport is healthy as far as participation is concerned. “But they still have a fight ahead of them regarding television ratings, corporate sponsorships, licensed sales, global respect and editorial space,’’ he said.

Ms Marla Messing, president of the WWC, has already witnessed a minor miracle over the past three weeks. Perhaps it’s not too ambitious to hope for another.

“This is an evolutionary process and not a revolutionary process,’’ she said.

“If you take a country like the UK Or Brazil, one thing they love is to see great football, no matter who is playing. When they see that women can play great football, I believe they will come round.’’

Mendis sacked as manager

COLOMBO, July 12 (PTI) — Sri Lanka’s World Cup debacle has claimed another casualty with former skipper Duleep Mendis axed as team manager today.

Mendis, who promised to adopt secret tactics during the England World Cup but was at a loss to explain the islanders’ abysmal showing as defending champions, has been replaced by businessman Chandra Schafter, board officials said here.

An official announcement is expected soon.

Schafter, a former national level cricketer, will manage the home side in next month’s one-day tri-series against India and Australia and Test series to follow against Australia.

The removal of Mendis comes hot on the heels of naming Sanath Jayasuriya to take over as skipper from the disgraced Arjuna Ranatunga.

Aravinda De Silva was replaced as vice-captain by young Mahela Jayawardene and three coaches, including Aussie Trevor Chappell, were shown the door to give Aussie Dave Whatmore a free hand at the job.

Mendis, whose promised strategy failed to work as Sri Lanka were knocked out in the first phase of the World Cup, later admitted everything they tried failed miserably at the championship.

Players flouted Rule 17: Lele

MUMBAI, July 12 (PTI) — Indian World Cup team members Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Robin Singh contravened rule 17 of the cricket board’s (BCCI) bylaws by airing their views in the media so soon after the mega event, according to its Secretary Jaywant Lele.

“Ganguly, Dravid and Robin Singh will be asked to explain why did they not abide by the rules”, Lele told PTI here and added that they knew about the board’s stipulation and had agreed to abide by it.

“Rule 17 of the board’s bylaws bars a player from writing, giving interview or talking to the media about any tour for two months after the conclusion of the tour”, he said.

“The letters asking for their explanation will be sent soon”, Lele added.

Indian shuttlers lose

NEW DELHI, July 12 (PTI) — India put up a good show but faltered in the doubles to lose 2-3 to Singapore in the boys team second round at the third Asian Junior Badminton Championships in Yangoon, Myanmar.

Promising Abhishek Bakshi rallied from a set down to beat Kendrick Lee 6-15, 15-7, 15-9 and A. Pridvi made it 2-1 for India when he edged past Kuo Wen Wayne 13-15, 17-14, 15-5 in the third singles.

India began losing when Pallay Kumar Deka was thrashed 7-15, 2-15 by Gerald Ho in the opening singles but their weakness in doubles eventually to be proved their undoing.

Beckham to miss Australian tour

SYDNEY, July 12 (AFP) — Sydney tycoon Rene Rivkin conceded today that England midfield star David Beckham would miss European champions Manchester United’s football tour of Australia.

But Mr Rivkin, organising the two-match tour, told ABC radio that Australian fans would still be able to see the best club side in the world.

Jaap Stam is a late inclusion for the squad. The Dutch international defender has declared himself fit to travel after recovering from surgery and will take on the Australians at the MCG on Thursday and at Stadium Australia on Sunday.

Star forwards Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Ryan Giggs and Teddy Sheringham are all scheduled to arrive in Melbourne with the European champions on Wednesday.

Mr Rivkin also denied he would have halved the European club champions’ $ 4 million fee for the matches at Melbourne on July 15 and in Sydney on July 18 if Beckham was left behind.

“That was just a suggestion by some of my more enthusiastic employees,” he said.

In any case, Beckham reportedly returned from honeymoon with Victoria “Posh spice” Adams carrying an injury.

United manager Alex Ferguson will also not be making the trip to Australia because he has to be at the Buckingham Palace on July 21 to be knighted.

State govt stand irks Rupa Saini
From Our Sports Reporter

PATIALA, July 12 — Rupa Saini, manager of the senior national women’s hockey squad till the 2002 Pusan Asian Games, is not paid her salary and daily allowance (DA), by the Punjab Government whenever she accompanies the Indian women’s hockey team as it does not consider her on national duty during such trips.

According to the Punjab Education Department anybody accompanying a national squad as either coach, manager or doctor, will get only 30 days ‘sports leave per year’ contrary to Union Government’s circular which treats such persons on national duty. Rupa Saini, who captained the Indian team in the Moscow Olympics, has now written to the Union Secretary of Sports, Mr D.K. Manavalam.

The state government had doled out huge incentives to Punjab players who were a part of the Indian hockey team which won a gold at Bangkok, but the members of the women’s team, which won a silver, were yet to be honoured.

Woodbridge out of Davis Cup squad

MELBOURNE, July 12 (Reuters) — Todd Woodbridge has withdrawn from the Australian Davis Cup squad to play the USA in a world group quarter-final tie in Boston, Tennis Australia said in a statement.

Shooting meet from July 26

CHANDIGARH, July 12 (BOSR) — The Punjab State Rifle Shooting Association will conduct the 35th Punjab State Shooting Championship in rifle and pistol events for men and women from July 26 to 28, at Patiali Ki Rao Shooting ranges, Sector 25, according to Mr Raja K.S. Sidhu, secretary of the association. The events would be organised for men/ women and junior men and women.

The competitions will be conducted according to the National rules and ISSF formats. The events will be held in .22 rifle, air rifle, air pistol, centre fire pistol in NR section, and air rifle and .22 peep sight rifle in ISSF category in both men and women sections.

Entries close on July 26 with organising secretary at Shooting ranges, Chandigarh.

On the basis of performance in this three-day meet, the state team will also be selected which will participate in the 1Xth GV Mavlankar National Shooting Championship to be held at Chennai from August 22 to 31 this year.

S.P. Singh stars in Sports Club win

AMRITSAR, July 12 (FOSR) — A devastating knock of 52 in 16 balls by S.P. Singh helped Sports Club beat Youth Club by five wicket in the Amritsar district cricket league-cum-knockout championship at Gandhi Ground, here today.

The knock included eight fours and two sixes.

Brief scores:

Youth Club: 149 for 8 (Varun Bajaj 36, Chopra 25; Rajan Gill 3 for 25, Sundeep Sawal 2 for 26, Pankaj Bahl 2 for 24).

Sports Club: 152 for 5 (S.P. Singh 52, Davinder 26, Jang Bahadur 20).

Weightlifting trials

CHANDIGARH, July 12 (BOSR) — The Indian Weightlifting Federation will hold the selection trials on July 13 at Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala, to select the Indian junior men team for the Asian Weightlifting Championships to be held at Wu Han China, from August 28 to September 5, this was revealed by K.D.S. Nagra, Secretary, Punjab Weightlifting Association.

The age group for the juniors is below 20 years and the trials would start at 4 p.m.