Maintenance of golf courses — at what cost?
NEW DELHI, July 23 — Consuming an average of 1500 kg of agro-chemicals every year and water which can quench the thirst of nearly 20,000 people, golf courses are far from eco-friendly and the sport anything but green, allege environmentalists.

Haryana eves pip Orissa
TIRUPATI, July 23 — A last minute goal by Balwinder Kaur helped Haryana pip an inspired Orissa 2-1 and set up a semifinal clash against Bihar, as the league phase came to an end in the women’s Federation Cup hockey here this evening.

PCB for early end to match-fixing row
ISLAMABAD, July 23 — The Pakistan Cricket Board’s ad hoc committee Chairman, Mr Mujibur Rehman, yesterday favoured an early end to the match-fixing controversy around the national team, but said it was too early to say anything on skipper Wasim Akram’s fate.

CFA to hold senior league in Aug
CHANDIGARH, July 23 — A special meeting of the general council of the Chandigarh Football Association affiliated to the All-India Football Federation was held here today under the chairmanship of its president, Mr A S Bains. Representatives of 36 affiliated units participated.

BCCI to decide on Sahara Cup issue
MUMBAI, July 23 — The working committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will review the scheduled international calendar, including the Sahara Cup series against Pakistan at Toronto, its President Raj Singh Dungarpur said here today.

India ranked joint 113th
MUMBAI, July 23 — India hold the joint 113th position with Barbados in the latest FIFA monthly rankings. India, thus, have maintained their position since the June rankings.

Muster, Becker to miss US Open
NEW YORK, July 23 — Former top-ranked players Boris Becker and Thomas Muster are the only men in the top 100 not entered in the U.S. Open.

Kiwis in sight of big lead

LONDON, July 23 (Reuters) — Opener Mathew Horne compiled an unbeaten 70 to leave New Zealand well set to take a big first innings lead as they reached 163 for three by tea on the second day of the second Test today.

It left them only 23 behind England who lost their last wicket soon after the start to be all out for 186 after after resuming at 183 for nine.

England captain Nasser Hussain was the last wicket to fall after top scoring with 61. He looked unlucky to be adjudged caught behind after the ball appeared to brush his pad.

It left England in desperate need of quick wickets but New Zealand openers Horne and Matthew Bell put on 43 together before Dean Headley trapped Bell leg before and two runs later captain Stephen Fleming was caught by wicketkeeper Chris Read.

But despite frequent bowling changes, England picked up only one more wicket in the afternoon session when Nathan Astle nudged left-arm paceman Alan Mullally to Read after making a lively 43 from 61 balls which included nine fours.

At the interval Roger Twose was unbeaten on 14, having helped Horne add 51 for the fourth wicket.

Earlier Dean Headley and Alan Mullally gave England some cheer with a double breakthrough early in the New Zealand first innings.

After Chris Cairns took his sixth wicket to bowl England all out for 186 within the space of two overs, New Zealand reached lunch at 75 for two in reply.

A fine diving catch from wicketkeeper Chris Read helped the home side reduce New Zealand from 43 for no wicket to 45 for two in the space of six balls.

Headley struck in his third over, then Mullally removed Kiwi captain Stephen Fleming for a single in the next over.

New Zealand were steadily reducing England’s small total when Headley fired a ball through Matthew Bell’s defence and umpire Mervyn Kitchen upheld the leg before wicket appeal after a few moments of deliberation, although it looked a shade high.

Then Fleming glanced at a ball swinging down the leg side and Read launched himself to pick up a low catch to his right.

Nathan Astle arrived to raise New Zealand’s 50 from 103 balls with two boundaries off Mullally, stretching for a third England wicket.

Scoreboard
England (first innings):
Butcher c Parore b Cairns 8
Stewart c Fleming b Nash 50
Hussain c Parore b Cairns 61
Thorpe c Astle b Cairns 7
Ramprakash lbw b Nash 4
Habib b Nash 6
Read b Cairns 0
Caddick run out 18
Headley lbw b Cairns 4
Mullally c Astle b Cairns 0
Tufnell not out 1
Extras: (B-5, LB-8, NB-14) 27
Total: (all out in 61.1 overs) 186
Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-79, 3-102, 4-112, 5-123, 6-125, 7-150, 8-165, 9-170.
Bowling: G. Allott 10-1-37-0, C. Cairns 21.1-1-77-6, D. Nash 23-11-50-3, N. Astle 7-3-9-0.

New Zealand (Ist innings)
Horne not out 70
Bell lbw b Headley 15
Fleming c Read b Mullally 1
Astle c Read b Mullally 43
Twose not out 14
Extras: 20
Total: 163 for 3
Fall of wickets: 1/43, 2/45, 3/112.

Uphill task for India
Pre-Olympic soccer

CALCUTTA, July 23 (PTI) — Faced with an uphill task of overturning a 0-2 deficit, India would be seeking to capitalise on home advantage when they clash with a confident Thailand in the pre-Olympic Asia group-9 second leg match here tomorrow.

The Indians have no option but to put up a more inspired performance to keep their hopes alive of progressing into the next round in what promises to be an exciting battle of skill and strategy at the Salt Lake Stadium.

The visitors find themselves in a far more comfortable position with a 2-0 cushion and would be hoping to score an early goal to put more pressure on the Indians.

Though handicapped to some extent by lack of any exposure trip, the Indians had themselves to blame for conceding two goals in the first leg match at the Suphan Buri Stadium and now have no option but to win by a 3-0 margin to qualify to the next round.

A 2-0 win for India would mean that both teams finish with equal points and the match would then spill over to extra time and tie-breaker to determine the qualifiers.

“We’ll try our best and hopefully things will fall into place. An early goal is an absolute must. The Thais two goal advantage is our biggest drawback,” chief coach P.K. Banerjee said.

The injuries to midfielder Hardeep Singh Sangha and forward Surjeet Singh have been a worrying factor for the Indian camp though two other injured players have recovered fully and would take the field tomorrow.

Sangha, one of the key players in the team, has a knee injury while Surjeet Singh is suffering from a painful ankle and it remains to be seen whether the duo can recover fully by tomorrow.

Banerjee does not believe that the prevailing slushy conditions due to the monsoon rains would work to India’s advantage as the Thai footballers were also used to such conditions.

Captain Dipendu Biswas indifferent form upfront has also blunted India’s firing line to some extent and the East Bengal striker would be hoping to make amends in his home city.

Despite finding themselves in a comfortable position, the Thais are not taking their opponents lightly and their chief coach Prapol Phongphanick has already indicated that his team would like to return home with a win.

Testing time for Bhutia in England
By Amardeep Bhattal
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 23 — For the past few days Indian football circles are agog with rumours of star striker Baichung Bhutia having made it big in the English league. Reports emanating from AIFF sources that Bhutia had signed up with England’s first division club Fulham FC generated unprecedented excitement amongst officials and players for the simple reason that no Indian has played for any English first division club till now. However, according to informed sources, no such deal has yet been finalised and the star footballer’s attempts to enter Mohamed Al-Fayed’s Fulham FC as a regular came to nought when he failed to clear the selection trials yesterday.

But what was the basis of these rumours? It was actually a message from the All-India Football Federation headed by Mr Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi to the Calcutta-based Indian Football Association (IFA) on July 16 that Baichung Bhutia should be given permission to play for Fulham FC in England, which fuelled speculation. The IFA lost no time in getting a document prepared and despatching it to the Fulham FC management. The letter stated that Bhutia’s ‘transfer’ to the English side was being allowed and the Indian federation had no objection to it.

However, the Fulham FC authorities were surprised on receipt of the letter because this was not what they had desired. All they had requested was formal permission from Bhutia’s parent club East Bengal to field Bhutia in a proposed friendly tie, and accordingly they had approached the Football Association (FA) of England. The FA authorities in turn approached the All-India Football Federation which further requested the Indian Football Association (IFA) to do the needful. The IFA showing undue haste swung into action and instead of getting in touch with Bhutia’s club East Bengal, prepared the wrong document stating that Bhutia’s ‘transfer’ was being allowed. Not only that, the IFA bosses also got in touch with the media and proudly conveyed the “news” that Bhutia was all set to play for Fulham FC in England as a regular while actually the English club was yet to try out Bhutia in the two friendly ties. Had Bhutia proved his mettle in these matches, Fulham would then have entered into a contract with the Indian striker. However, as things stand, Bhutia who was not included in the team in either of the friendly ties, is finally out of reckoning for a regular place in the premier English club after his rejection in the selection trials yesterday.

But for the 23-year-old nippy Indian forward all hope is not lost. His agent, Mr Raj Prohit, an NRI based in England who is also the owner of Sapphire Enterprises, is determined to put Baichung in the European circuit as a professional. Sapphire Enterprises which has been looking after Bhutia’s interests in Europe, has already engaged the services of two experts — Jaswinder Bains and Gordon Smith — besides Hedley Bonner who monitors his fitness.

Soon after reaching England two months ago, Baichung went for training in Sweden with Vassuland FC and AIK Stockholm. Till today he has been tried out by four clubs in England, including Fulham, and one in Sweden. Some more offers in England and elsewhere in Europe are in the pipeline. It seems it is only a matter of time before the young Sikkimese makes his debut in Europe.

Maintenance of golf courses — at
what cost?

NEW DELHI, July 23 (PTI) — Consuming an average of 1500 kg of agro-chemicals every year and water which can quench the thirst of nearly 20,000 people, golf courses are far from eco-friendly and the sport anything but green, allege environmentalists.

While the use of pesticides kills wildlife and pollutes the groundwater level, consumption of a large amount of water is a “shame” when there is a shortage of the natural resource in our country, they warn.

“On top of that soil erosion renders the land more prone to natural disasters caused by wind and rain,” says a report by Vatavaran, an environmental non-governmental organisation (NGO).

“If a country like Japan can ban development of golf courses why can’t India — where in Delhi alone about 1400 acres of land is used by golf courses — for as a sport which caters to a minuscule section of the society, golf does more harm than good,” it says.

But, golf course managers term these charges as “routine” and instead insist that golf resorts complement the natural vegetation around it and are in one word ‘eco-friendly’.

“We not only plant and maintain vegetation around our golf resorts but also supplement the efforts of the forest department by keeping vigil to stop illegal felling of trees”, says Pradeep Jain, Managing Director, Landbase India Limited, which manages the ITC Classic Golf Resort outside Delhi.

“We also do not use any chemical pesticides accept for the ones which have been extensively used for green revolution and are considered safe”, Mr Jain says claiming that “our project has been instrumental in checking soil erosion resulting in effective soil and water conservation”.

In a similar vein, S. Lal, Course Superintendent, Army Golf Course, says “we plant around 5,000 saplings every year on our course and are committed to protecting the surrounding environment”.

Nevertheless, environmentalist Dr Iqbal Malik notes that the continuous use of pesticides, at about 1500 kg every year, robs the earth of its natural recouping ability as they contain carcinogenic chemicals.

Fertilisers also result in growth of fungi and weeds and to eradicate them pesticides are used. But in the process organisms like earthworms, the natural aerators of the soil, also get killed, says Dr Malik.

“Golf keepers spoke the soil the aerate it which further kills the worms and pests. This actually helps in keeping away wild birds which prey on insects in the courses”.

Harji Malik, a sports journalist and an avid golfer herself, also concedes that golf courses do result in loss of habitat for certain species of wildlife, but says there are some golf course managers who are preserving their courses in an environment friendly manner.

“While the Delhi Gulf Club releases partridges in their lush green lawns, Sterling Golf Resort in Greater Noida has even developed wetlands to attract wildlife”, she says.

“I have never noticed any harmful effect of use of pesticides in our course and since its opening in 1968 there has been no environmental degradation there,” says Mr Lal.

Golf courses have a certain image and ambience to maintain and being commercial ventures they find it difficult to compromises on it, says Ravi Aggarwal of Srishti, another environmental NGO.

“They have to follow certain standards to propagate a certain lifestyle and pesticides are just a step towards keeping the golf course alive,” he says.

But Mr Jain discounts these charges and says their commitment to the preservation of the environment is reflected in their use of natural products as fertilisers.

“We recycle agro waste matter and wet garbage into organic manure through vermiculture and have even started using neem khali, in place of chemicals, which decomposes without leaving any residue.”

There is also no percolation of the chemicals into the soil as the grass grown is drought tolerant hybrid variety which required extremely low amount of fertilisers and could survive on hard water unfit for human consumption, argues Mr Jain.

The Vatavaran report points out that an 18-hole course requires around 3,000-5,000 cubic metres of water to keep the turf clean. This could have otherwise been available for domestic purposes.

“Even though some golf courses pump water through tubewells, this takes the water table further down,” says Dr Iqbal Malik, noting that “overuse of groundwater all the more deprives the people of the precious natural resource”.

“And even if the water is available it is already polluted by the pesticides which seep through to the ground-water table and thus make it unfit for drinking, says pollution hazards expert Dunu Roy.

But Mr Jain says that all tubewells on golf courses draw water from permanent aquifers that does not affect the water table of the area as there is a natural recharging process taking place at that level.

“Our irrigation system also takes into consideration the weather conditions and soil moisture content before releasing the water, and is controlled by a central computer which minimises chances of human error,” he says claiming that water wastage by local farming is much higher.

Check-dams had also been made to harness rain water in order to enhance underground recharging of aquifers, says Mr Jain.

But it is not just environmentally that golf courses had a negative impact, says Mr Roy: “They affect the social fabric of the area as well, as people have to be displaced to make way for the sprawling grounds”.

“Not only do they had to forego their homes but also their lands, which sometimes are their only means of livelihood,” he says.

Denying such charges, Mr Jain says the displaced people are adequately compensated and even given jobs at the resorts.

Malik, however, claims that most rehabilitation plans had only remained on paper and that in future golf courses should be allowed only on barren and waste land.

“There should also be a review of the existing ones as to the environmental problems caused by them,” she said.

For recreation purposes the stress should be more on games like ‘swimming and kabaddi’ which are not harmful to the environment, suggests Mr Roy, adding “local parks should also be developed into recreation places for the neighbourhood”.

For only then can our life ‘tee’ away from the harmful effects of golf courses, adds Malik.

Haryana eves pip Orissa

TIRUPATI, July 23 (PTI) — A last minute goal by Balwinder Kaur helped Haryana pip an inspired Orissa 2-1 and set up a semifinal clash against Bihar, as the league phase came to an end in the women’s Federation Cup hockey here this evening.

Haryana, who tied with Bombay on points (seven) after both scored two wins and a draw each in their league matches, topped group B on goal aggregate, as their goal difference was also equal at plus three.

Bombay meet defending champions Indian Railways in the other semifinal as the latter expectedly thrashed Andhra Pradesh 7-0 in an inconsequential match to top group ‘A’.

For Railways, internationals Kamala Dalal, Suraj Lata and Jyoti Kullu scored a brace each, and Manjinder Kaur the other goal.

After going up through an eighth-minute goal by Surinder Kaur, Haryana, runner-up in the Chennai Nationals, were outplayed by a fighting Orissa in the second half.

Orissa restored parity in the 65th minute through Anarita Kerketta off a penalty corner, pushing Haryana almost to a draw which would have meant a semi-final clash with Railways.

Just as the crowd egged on Orissa to score the winner, a counter attack by Haryana saw a long pass by Simranjit Kaur being pushed into the net by Balwinder in the 70th minute.

Orissa went into the match in a do-or-die situation and were shocked by the early setback. Haryana could have increased their margin in the 27th minute but a good save by custodian Amrita Tete off Simranjit Kaur denied them the chance.

Orissa went on the defensive, crowding the goal area and frustrating Haryana forwards. Binita Toppo, Agnelia Lugun and Nilima Kujur stood like a rock in the defence.

A tough talk by both teams’ coaches during the lemon break saw the match taking a turn-around.

The Orissa team put up an excellent overall show, mounting waves of attacks. The frontline led by Anarita Kerketta, Sarita Ekka and Mariam Lakra forced four penalty corners in a space of 14 minutes.

The last penalty corner, which brought off the equaliser, became a subject of controversy and after the match was over, Haryana coach Baldev Singh was seen arguing with umpire Happy Maan for awarding the penalty corner.

In the first match, Railways attacked right from the start and scored their first goal in the third minute through a penalty corner conversion by Jyoti Kullu. Manjinder Kaur increased the margin in the 19th minute with a rasping shot which brooked no answer from Andhra goalkeeper C. Haseena.

A solo effort by Kamala Dalal saw the holders go up 3-0 and the fourth goal was scored by Suraj Lata off their seventh penalty corner.

After changing sides, Kullu, Dalal and Suraj Lata scored their second goals to complete Raiways’ 7-0 tally.

The hosts, who finished their engagements without scoring a goal, however, put up an improved show today.

Azharuddin’s head may roll

MUMBAI, July 23 (PTI) — Mohd Azharuddin might be asked to provide a fitness certificate by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prior to the national selection committee’s meeting on July 28 at Nagpur to choose the Indian skipper for the forthcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka.

“I suppose so, the board secretary (Jaywant Lele) will be in action on that issue,” BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur told PTI here today when queried on the matter.

Azharuddin, who led India’s unsuccessful campaign in the World Cup before staying back in London to get his injured shoulder operated upon, is yet to return home.

Speculations are already rife in the media that Azhar is likely to get the boot and Sachin Tendulkar installed in his place on the hot seat of Indian cricket by the selectors.

BCCI to decide on Sahara Cup issue

MUMBAI, July 23 (PTI) — The working committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will review the scheduled international calendar, including the Sahara Cup series against Pakistan at Toronto, its President Raj Singh Dungarpur said here today.

“We (the board’s working committee) are meeting on August 3 (at Calcutta) when the matter will be discussed”, Dungarpur told PTI here today.

Dungarpur was reacting to the proposal of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for revival of the Sahara Cup tournament with India in Toronto in September which had been cancelled in the wake of the Kargil conflict.

Urging the BCCI to respond to the proposal immediately, PCB’s interim chief Mujibur Rehman said in an interview at Islamabad yesterday that he was for reviving the Sahara Cup since the Kargil crisis was over.

Affirming that he favoured continuation of cricketing ties with India, Rehman had said: “I am for it (Sahara Cup). If the sponsors are ready, I am ready.”

The series was called off after Sahara India, the sponsors, pulled out in the wake of the Pakistani intrusion in Kargil.

The BCCI working committee would also review India’s forthcoming tour to Sri Lanka for the August 22-31 tri-series, tours to Singapore and Nairobi in September (to play in triangular and quadrangular tournaments), visit by New Zealand in October-November followed by India’s tour to Australia, visit by South Africa in February-March and India’s tour to Sharjah in March-end.

PCB for early end to match-fixing row

ISLAMABAD, July 23 (PTI) — The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) ad hoc committee Chairman, Mr Mujibur Rehman, yesterday favoured an early end to the match-fixing controversy around the national team, but said it was too early to say anything on skipper Wasim Akram’s fate.

The ad hoc panel would not take any step in probing the betting and match-fixing allegations around Pakistani players since the matter was being investigated by a judicial commission, Mr Rehman said.

But he appealed to the Justice Mallik Mohammad Qayyum commission to release its report before the start of the next season to enable the team to take up new assignments with its morale high.

Mr Rehman said that he did not agree with allegations of match-fixing at the World Cup and strongly defended the Pakistan team for reaching the final.

“I don’t agree with that (allegations), we must give credit that this team has gone upto the final,” Mr Rehman, who was named as head of the interim panel after the PCB was dissolved by President Mohammad Rafiq Tarar in the wake of betting and match-fixing allegations following the World Cup final debacle, said.

Asked whether Akram, who is still in London, had got in touch with him or he had tried to contact him, Mr Rehman replied in the negative. The PCB interim panel chief, who was in Doha, Qatar, when his appointment was made, arrived home on Wednesday.

He, however, said he would call all the players and listen to their side of the story. “I will make my impression about the senior players once I talk to them”.

Mr Rehman said he might take the help of former Test players to run the board and that he would include three or four more members to the committee in 10 to 15 days and also constitute the new selection committee by then.

The new PCB chief denied reports that the Ehtesab (Accountability) Bureau headed by his brother Saifur Rehman was also inquiring into allegations that Pakistani players indulged in “objectionable activities” during the World Cup.

He said the Lahore High Court had only asked the Bureau to help in the probe.

Mr Rehman, whose appointment is said to have taken place because of his brother’s proximity to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, dismissed criticism that he had never played top level cricket.

CFA to hold senior league in Aug
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 23 — A special meeting of the general council of the Chandigarh Football Association affiliated to the All-India Football Federation was held here today under the chairmanship of its president, Mr A S Bains. Representatives of 36 affiliated units participated.

The meeting condemned the action of the honorary secretary, Mr Rakesh Bakshi in organising an ‘illegal’ meeting on July 10 and unanimously decided to remove him from the post. As a stopgap arrangement, the name of Mr P S Brar was proposed as ad hoc honorary secretary till regular elections are held, which are otherwise due in October.

Mr Bains also announced that the senior league under the aegis of the CFA would commence next month. The under-12, under-14 and under-17 championships will commence in the last week of August.

Mr D S Bedi, senior vice-president of the association, agreed to conduct the Shivalik Trophy from August 2 under the aegis of the association. Entries for this championship close with Shivalik Public School, or with Mr P S Brar at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, here.

India ranked joint 113th

MUMBAI, July 23 (PTI) — India hold the joint 113th position with Barbados in the latest FIFA monthly rankings.

India, thus, have maintained their position since the June rankings.

India are occupying the 17th spot, one rung below Vietnam (overall 112th), among the 39 Asian countries to make the international football federation’s ranking list.

Interestingly, India are nine slots behind Thailand (overall 78th) who are their opponents in the continental Pre-Olympics group 9 second leg tie scheduled at Calcutta’s Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.

They had lost to the same opponents 0-2 in the first leg tie hosted at Bangkok.

India have slipped down the FIFA rankings order by three places since the end of last year.

Muster, Becker to miss US Open

NEW YORK, July 23 (AP) — Former top-ranked players Boris Becker and Thomas Muster are the only men in the top 100 not entered in the U.S. Open.

Muster of Austria is ranked No. 84 on the ATP Tour, and Becker of Germany is No. 88.

Two of the 104 direct entries in the men’s singles championships from August 30 to September 12 are No. 1 Andre Agassi, the French Open champion and Wimbledon runnerup, and No. 2 Pete Sampras, the Wimbledon champion and four-time U.S. Open champion.

KVM boys move into final

LUDHIANA, July 23 (FOSR) — Kundan Vidya Mandir School thrashed GGN Public School 3-0 to enter the boys team championship final on the first day of the Eighth Sahodhya Complex Schools Table Tennis Championship at the KVM School here today. In the girls section, Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, BRS Nagar created an upset when they outplayed last year’s runners-up Tagore Public School, Aggar Nagar, 2-0. Unseeded Harleen Kaur, a ninth standard student, caused a major upset when she beat Damanpreet Kaur of Tagore Public School in straight sets 21-11. 21-15, while Jasleen overcame Mandeep Kaur 11-21, 21-10 and 21-9.

Results: Boys (Q-F) Sacred Heart SSS Sarabha Nagar beat Gobindgarh Public School 3-1. (Disney b Aman 18-21, 21-8, 21-13, Feroze lost to Raghav 10-21, 10-21, Karan Sood b Rohit 21-18, 21-16, Disney b Raghav 21-18, 21-16.)

Alpine International School beat BCM School 3-0.

Onkar b Tarun 18-21, 21-15, 21-19, Roobal b Ankur 21-19, 21-15, Atul b Sandeep 21-18, 21-17.

Semi-final: KVM School beat GGN Public School 3-0.

(Gaurav b Arvinder Singh 21-18, 21-11, Harminder b Guneet Singh 21-13, 21-15, Nimit b Inderjit Singh 21-10, 21-15.)

Girls section (league):

Sacred Heart SSS, BRS Nagar, beat Tagore Public School 2-0.

Harleen Kaur b Damanpreet Kaur 21-11, 21-15, Jasleen Kaur b Mandeep Kaur 11-21, 21-10, 21-9.

Gobindgarh Public School beat KVM School 2-0.

(Rajul b Anchal 21-15, 21-17, Sumedha b Kinnan 21-17, 21-16, Tagore Public School beat KVM School 2-0, Damanpreet Kaur b Anchal 21-11, 21-13, Mandeep Kaur b Manasvini 21-15, 21-17.)

Sacred Heart SSS beat Gobindgarh Public School 2-0.

(Harleen Kaur b Sumedha Sood 21-6, 21-3, Jasleen Kaur b Rajni 21-16, 11-21, 21-16.)

ONGC, PSEB cagers win

PATIALA, July 23 (FOSR) — ONGC managed to scrape past Western Railway 56-52 in a group A match on the second day of the sixth All-India Baldev Brar Memorial Basketball Championship here today.

ONGC player Suresh played fluently to disturb the Railmen in the last quarter. Ranjeet Singh, who accumulated 22 points for Western Railway, could not stop the ONGC cagers.

Local outfit PSEB overwhelmed Young Cagers Club (YCC) to win easily 60-45 in a group “C” encounter.

Results: PSEB bt YCC 60-45; SCR, Secunderabad bt RCF, Kapurthala 61-42; ONGC bt Western Railway 56-52; DCW, Varanasi bt Rest of Punjab 76-61; Punjab Police bt Western Railway 67-41.

Women’s: Jalandhar bt Rest of Punjab 45-23.

All-India Carrom Federation meeting

CHANDIGARH, July 23 (TNS) – The general council and the executive committee of the All-India Carrom Federation will be held at PAP, Jalandhar, on July 26 to elect a new set of office-bearers for a term of four years.

Big personalities of the carrom world, like the Secretary-General of the International Carrom Federation and the General Secretary of the All-India Carrom Federation, will attend the meeting.

REC overall champs

JALANDHAR, July 23 (FOSR) — Dr B.R. Ambedkar Regional Engineering College, Jalandhar has been declared the overall champion for the session 1998-99 in the Inter Technical College Sports Championships (boys and girls) with 37 points, while Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, BCET, Gurdaspur, and SLIET, Longowal, secured second, third and fourth positions with 34,19 and 16 points, respectively, according to Dr Gurmej Singh Dhaliwal, Director, Physical Education and Sports, Punjab Technical University.

Eighteen colleges and institutions from Punjab and Chandigarh participated Regional Engineering College, Jalandhar, also won 20 medals and cash prizes of Rs 4500 and was awarded the Championship Trophy in the All-India Inter REC Sports Meet conducted at REC, Warangal (Andhra Pradesh).

Punjab chess meet

JALANDHAR, July 23 (FOSR) — The Jalandhar District Chess Association will organise the Punjab State Chess Championship (for under 8,10,12,14 age groups) at Government Model Co-Education Senior Secondary School, Ladowali Road, here from July 31 to August 1, according to Mr Rajinder Sharma, general secretary of the association. Entries close on July 31.