B’desh announces 19-member squad
DHAKA, Feb 28 — Bangladesh has announced a 19-member squad to contest the next cricket World Cup in England, naming Aminul Islam as captain, officials said.

Pakistan drop Salim Malik
KARACHI, Feb 28 — Pakistan dropped experienced batsman Salim Malik for their third Asian Test against Sri Lanka and introduced sensational teenager Imran Nazir, selectors announced today.

Indian colts pile up 204 for 4
MUMBAI, Feb 28 — Opening batsman Anshu Jain’s compact 58 off 107 balls and an unbeaten fifth wicket stand of 82 off 31.4 overs by left hander Satish Viswanath (batting 47) and vice captain Mohammed Kaif (batting 38) helped India under-19 reach 204 for four off 68 overs in their first innings on the second day of the one-off test against Sri Lanka here today.

Special nets for Agarkar, Kambli
MUMBAI, Feb 28 — New ball bowler Ajit Agarkar and middle order batsman Vinod Kambli would attend a special nets to prove their fitness at the Cricket Club of India (Brabourne Stadium) here on Monday (March 1).

Sri Devi lifts singles title
CHANDIGARH, Feb 28 — Sri Devi Gadgil of Bangalore justified her seeding when she lifted the women's singles title in the All-India Civil Services Badminton Tournament at War Heroes Stadium, Ambala, as per information reaching here.

RCF advance in Guru Gobind Singh soccer
CHANDIGARH, Feb 28 — On the sixth day of the All-India Prize Money Football Tournament organised by Shri Guru Gobind Singh Football Society, Delhi Blues lost to RCF 1-2 at Jalandhar today.

Salgaocar down East Bengal
MARGAO, Feb 28 — Two second-half strikes helped Salgaocar down fancied East Bengal 2-1 and avenge their away defeat, in the National Football Super League here today.

Vijay Kumar to the fore
NOIDA, Feb 28 — Vijay Kumar led from start to finish as he sailed to a comfortable win in the inaugural Sir Padampat Singhania Open Golf Championship, which concluded today at Noida Golf Course.

Tendulkar hits ton in drawn tie

COLOMBO, Feb 28 (PTI) — Sachin Tendulkar scored an uncharacteristically dull century before the second Test of the three-nation series against Sri Lanka ended today in a boring draw on a placid wicket which saw 1309 runs being scored for the fall of 22 wickets.

The star Indian batsman Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 124, his 19th Test century made in 235 ball with nine hits to the fence and one six, as India scored 306 runs for the loss of five wickets before the match was called off as draw on the fifth and final day here.

The Indians had made 518 for seven in their first innings to which Sri Lanka responded with 485, thanks to a magnificent double ton by Mahela Jayawardena.

The dead track at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground here ensured that there was no possibility of either side winning which left India with 10 bonus points from two matches against 17 for Pakistan, who won the inaugural match of Asian Test Championship at Calcutta.

The third league tie of the series, between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at Lahore from March 4 to 8, will decide which team will make it to the Dhaka final starting on March 12.

Sri Lanka with four points, will either have to beat Pakistan or earn at least seven bonus points to make it past India into the final.

The wicket came in for strong criticism from former England opener Geoffrey Boycott who recommended that it should be dug up and relaid with "positive" clay so as not to kill Test match cricket in the emerald island.

But Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin found playing here marvellous, saying the "pitch was good".

When the islanders take on Pakistan, Sri Lanka will be without the services of two of their best batsmen — skipper Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda De Silva — who are both standing down with injuries. Bowling spearhead Chaminda Vaas has also been rested, leaving the Lankan side a fairly young one.

Hashan Tillakeratne was named the captain for the tie with Jayawardena, who struck his maiden double century by scoring 242, as vice-captain. Though the crucial tie had a dour ending, Jayawardena will not forget the Test as his marathon innings earned him the man-of-the-match award.

Tendulkar, who came in after the fall of overnight batsman V.V.S. Laxman (25), joined Saurav Ganguly and shared a 139-run partnership for the third wicket.

The partnership came to an end when the left-hander missed a ball from Aravinda De Silva in an attempt for a big hit and was stumped. Ganguly hit eight fours in 78 runs, his second half-century of this match.

Tendulkar, who scored a fluent 53 in the first innings on the opening day here and was deceived by the very first ball the next day, played a disciplined knock and went on to hold one end throughout the day.

Though the fate of the match was known yesterday when play was stopped following rain interruption, the day began with hope that opener Laxman would seize the opportunity and make a big score to cement his place in the team.

But Lankan paceman Eric Upashantha trapped him plumb before the wicket on 25.

Tendulkar and Ganguly batted patiently to stave off some last minute attempt by the Sri Lankan bowlers before the Bengal bat was deceived by De Silva.

Tendulkar batted sedately to complete his century in style despite wickets falling at the other end. Skipper Mohammed Azharuddin (15) spooned a catch to Russell Arnold off De Silva and Anil Kumble (10) also fell cheaply. He was caught by Vaas off Arnold.

India did not play Rahul Dravid, who was injured yesterday while fielding at forward short leg and Nayan Mongia who was laid up with stiff neck.

The agony of going through the motions finally ended after both teams agreed to call of the match after commencement of mandatory overs.

Scoreboard:

India (1st innings): 518 for 7 decl.

Sri Lanka (1st innings): 485

India (2nd innings):

Ramesh c Tillakeratne b Upashantha 30

Laxman lbw b Upashantha 25

Ganguly st Kaluwitharana b De Silva 78

Tendulkar not out 124

Azharuddin c Arnold b De Silva 15

Kumble c Vaas c Arnold 10

Prasad not out 9

Extras (b-1, lb-3, nb-9, w-2): 15

Total (for five wickets): 306

Fall of wickets: 1-50, 2-73, 3-213, 4-253, 5-283.

Bowling: Vaas 18-3-58-0, Perera 14-2-60-0, Upashantha 15-2-41-2, Arnold 23.4-4-54-1, De Silva 18.2-2-59-2, Jayawardena 14-1-30-0, Tillakeratne 1-1-0-0.

Players 'carrying' niggling injuries
By Abhijit Chatterjee
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH: It was during the India versus Sri Lanka match of the Asian Test Cricket Championship at Colombo that the question of the fitness level of the Indian players came up for discussion. Dr Ravinder Chadha, the medical officer -cum-physio of the Indian team, speaking to Star TV commentator Charu Sharma was candid enough to admit that the average fitness level of the Indian players on a scale of one to ten was just six. And the ideal situation, according to Dr Chadha himself, should be nine out of ten.

Dr Chadha admitted that with so much cricket being played by the Indian team he , as also Andrew Kokinos, the physical trainer of the Indian team hired at great expense by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to develop the physical fitness of the Indian players , did not get enough time to work on the physical fitness of the players. He also admitted that a number of players were carrying niggling injuries which could aggravate if the players did not get enough rest.

This statement should send alarm bells ringing among the powers that run the Board of Control for Cricket in India especially since the last World Cup of this millennium is scheduled to be held in England from the middle of May next. The Indian team , among all the international teams, is playing the maximum amount of cricket. Last year it was the Indian team which played the maximum number of one-day internationals. And, as any player will vouch, a one-day tie extracts the maximum from the player.

That the Indian team is not fully fit is apparent from the fact that during the Chennai Test between India and Pakistan, the first match of the "Friendship series", star batsman Sachin Tendulkar was troubled by a bad back, which probably denied a victory to India, which is still to heal fully. Also, star bowler Javagal Srinath was rested by the selectors for the Colombo Test even when it was apparent that India had to win this match if it wanted to be in contention for a berth of the final of the tournament, having lost the first match to Pakistan at the Eden Garden. But then Srinath has to be nursed if he is to be at peak form for the World Cup. The same holds true for Sachin Tendulkar although the team management did not have the moral courage to "rest " him for the Colombo Test.

Even if India fail to make the final of the Asian Test Cricket Championship it has a very heavy schedule right up to the World Cup. After the completion of the Test championship India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are scheduled to play in a triangular series in India after which India are scheduled to play in yet another one-day tournament at Sharjah. So where is the time for the players to improve their physical fitness level ?

Let us admit that if India do not improve their fitness level then their chances of doing well in the World Cup will go down because cricketing-wise there is very little to differentiate between the participating teams.

Remorseless 246 n.o. by Cullinan

AUCKLAND, Feb 28 (Reuters) — Daryll Cullinan made the third highest score by a South African, a remorseless and occasionally brilliant 246 not out, by the close of the second day’s play of the first Test against New Zealand today.

South Africa’s 562 for five was the highest score against New Zealand, surpassing the 524 for eight declared at Wellington in 1952-53, an innings which included 255 not out from former captain Jackie McGlew, a score second only to Graeme Pollock’s 274 against Australia in 1970.

Cullinan passed 150 for the third time in 46 Tests and then topped his previous best of 168 scored against the West Indies in Cape Town two matches ago.

He shared stands of 183 with Gary Kirsten, 74 with Hansie Cronje, 141 with Jonty Rhodes and an unbroken 67 with Shaun Pollock.

The home side claimed just three wickets all day, one in each session.

Resuming at 245 for two, Cullinan and Kirsten took their third wicket partnership from 148 to 183 before Kirsten, resuming on 109, fell to a fine delivery from left arm seamer Geoff Allott which flew from the edge of the bat to Nathan Astle at second slip.

Kirsten, who equalled Dudley Nourse’s South African record of nine Test centuries on the first day, batted for five minutes over six hours and faced 281 balls, hitting 15 boundaries in his 128.

Cullinan survived a scare on 97 when a top edged pull fell just short of Roger Twose at midwicket but reached his seventh Test century soon afterwards with a sharp single. The hundred came from 176 balls and contained 13 fours and a six.

Another pull shot off Allott, this time perfectly struck, was dropped by a leaping Simon Doull at wide mid-on when Cullinan had 132 but that was to be the only chance he offered as he took lunch on 142 and tea on 171.

The afternoon wicket belonged to Hansie Cronje (30) who lost patience in facing the nagging but unthreatening Chris Harris and sliced a drive to cover. It was Harris’ 10th wicket in his 15th Test.

Rhodes (63) also fell to Harris after tea when lofting a drive to mid-off but by then all eyes were on Cullinan who was closing in on the fifth double century on this ground, a series started by Walter Hammond who scored a then world record 336 in 1933.

Another Englishman, Keith Fletcher, scored 216 in 1975 before West Indian Gordon Greenidge (213) and Pakistan’s Javed Miandad (271) completed the set in the 1980’s.

By the close of play New Zealand had been comprehensively batted out of the game while captain Dion Nash was forced to contemplate his odd decision to bowl first.

Cullinan had batted nine hours and 55 minutes, faced 436 balls and hit 25 fours and two sixes in his 246. The second six was driven over extra cover to take take him from 233 to 239. The unfortunate bowler was Nash.

Scoreboard

South Africa (Ist innings) (overnight 245-2)

Kirsten c Astle b Allott 128

Gibbs b Vettori 34

Kallis lbw b Doull 7

Cullinan not out 246

Cronje c Allott b Harris 30

Rhodes c Twose b Harris 63

Pollock not out 39

Extras (4b 9lb 2nb) 15

Total (for five wickets, 186 overs) 562

Fall of wickets: 1-76 2-97 3-280 4-354 5-495.

Bowling: Doull 28-6-65-1, Allott 33-5-133-1 (1nb), Nash 28-2-97-0 (1nb), Vettori 42-8-120-1, Harris 43-10-85-2, McMillan 3-0-19-0, Astle 9-1-30-0.

Kunte beats Rahman; Nilotpal held

DHAKA, Feb 28 (PTI) — The day belonged to Indian campaigners as international master Abhijit Kunte beat local favourite Ziaur Rahman while his compatriot Nilotpal Das held Hungarian GM Peter Szkeley to a draw in the ninth round of the 4th United Insurance Grandmasters Chess Tournament here yesterday.

Kunte overcame Ziaur’s challenge in just 44 moves. Playing white side, Kunte adopted reti opening against the Bangladeshi.

In the middle game, Ziaur exchanged a bishop for a knight with Kunte attacking on the kingside and Ziaur trying to break on the queen side, the Indian used his pair of bishop for a mating attack. The local IM had to give his queen for a rook and bishop and resigned after the 44th move on losing his bishop.

With the victory, Kunte raised his tally to four-and-a-half points while Nilotpal Das logged two-and-a-half points.

An 'unforgettable experience': Kapil

NEW DELHI, Feb 28 (UNI) — Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev has preserved the ticket of the historic bus journey to Lahore to show it to his grandchildren.

"It was a great honour for me to accompany Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s inaugural bus ride to Pakistan which turned out to be an experience I will never forget,’’ said the highest Test wicket taker.

Feeling a loss for words to express the "memorable" journey, the former all-rounder said "watching history being made was easier than describing it."

"What a feeling one gets at Wagah, when suddenly from the Indian tricolour and our soldiers, you see the Pakistani flag flying in the wind and the sentries and guards saluting you," said Kapil who saw Pakistan for the first time as an individual and not as a cricketer, who thought of and saw nothing but the game.

"All I can say is that the trip had a vision for tomorrow. Whether it is a successor not is not the point. The effort should be appreciated," he said.

However, the honoured passenger hoped that the warmth, gestures and symbolism of the right kind and spirit could indeed work their magic to dissipate the barriers and walls constructed between the countries over the decades.

Sharing the "unforgettable experience" during his ceremonial sojourn, Kapil said:" All through the trip I felt we were from one land and our parents were the generation which experienced the love and hate. They left their homes, friends and even families to move on and bore deep scars which were visible to us. We have heard innumerable stories of the partition from them and have formed biases over incidents we have not witnessed. Let’s forget them now and not pass them on to the future generation. With the passage of time, the scars of partition will lighten until we barely notice them.’’

The former cricketer said the aim on both sides should be to strengthen the economy with joint hands and forget about the Kashmir issue for the moment.

About a section of the Pakistanis who opposed the trip Kapil pointed out: "This happens all over. But when the majority is with you, go for it."

"If last year’s nuclear tests struck a discordant note in Indo-Pak relations, the inaugural bus ride has set the tone for harmony,’’ he added.

MacGill wins battle as Aussies prosper

POINTE-A-PIERRE, Trinidad, Feb 28 (Reuters) — Stuart MacGill won the battle of Australia’s leg-spinners with a six-wicket haul that wrecked the West Indies President’s XI on the first day of their four-day match yesterday.

MacGill ended with six for 45 as the President’s XI were dismissed for 177 while Shane Warne took just one for 50.

When bad light ended play with nine overs remaining, Australia were 73 for one, with Michael Slater unbeaten on 35 and Justin Langer 11.

Opening bowler Glen McGrath caused the initial damage by taking the first three wickets after the home side won the toss and chose to bat.

But then MacGill, showing excellent control, took over, claiming all but one of the remaining wickets.

Only a third-wicket stand of 82-run partnership between Dave Joseph and Lincoln Roberts hindered the visitors.

Joseph top-scored with 64 and Roberts made 38. Opener Dare Ganga, who had to leave the field for a long period for treatment to a back injury, was the only other player to reach double figures. He made 15.

Slater and Matthew Elliott started the Australian reply briskly, adding 45 for the first wicket before Elliott (22) was caught behind by Wayne Phillip off fast bowler Nixon McLean.

Slater’s unbeaten 35 came from 45 balls and included five fours.

Indian colts pile up 204 for 4

MUMBAI, Feb 28 (PTI) — Opening batsman Anshu Jain’s compact 58 off 107 balls and an unbeaten fifth wicket stand of 82 off 31.4 overs by left hander Satish Viswanath (batting 47) and vice captain Mohammed Kaif (batting 38) helped India under-19 reach 204 for four off 68 overs in their first innings on the second day of the one-off test against Sri Lanka here today.

Earlier, the visitors, who were 211 for seven overnight in their first innings, were bowled out for 231 runs off 110 overs just 33 minutes before lunch.

The hosts are just 27 runs behind their rivals’ total with six wickets in hand and a lead of 150 plus tomorrow could put the visitors under pressure to save the match.

The Lankans with the permission of the Indian team think-tank made one change today as their left arm medium pacer, Ruwan Sujeewa De Silva, who was in the playing eleven took seriously ill yesterday night and was replaced with right arm medium pacer Sathpath Kalum.

The Indians made a poor start losing their skipper R.S. Sodhi with just 17 runs on the board. Sodhi was caught by wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardena off Prabath Nishantha for six.

Soon after Kaif received a painful blow on his rib cage off Nishantha’s short pitch delivery and had to retire hurt. However, the gutsy middle order batsman from Uttar Pradesh came back after the fall of Venugopal Rao’s wicket with the home team’s score reading 122 for four to steady the rocking boat along with Vishwanath.

Earlier, Kaif, Jain and Neeraj Patel (20) had put on 53 runs between them for the second wicket before Indian juniors lost three quick wickets that of Patel, new man Venugopal Rao (12) and Jain for 58.

Jain, who hit nine fours in his stay of 180 minutes at the wicket, pulled off spinner Pubudu Senevirathne straight to Thilina Kandambi at mid-wicket while Patel was bowled by leg spinner Malinga Bandara, who has played one Test for the Lankans against the Kiwis.

Venugoal Rao was caught at mid-on by Prabath Nissanka off Kalum and the Indian juniors were in real trouble at 122 for four off 36.2 overs before Kaif (with his seven fours so far) and Vishwanath (six boundaries) did the repair work.

In the morning, Sodhi turned a fine spell and finished with figures of three for 49 including the wicket of left hander Ranil Dhamika for three.

Mumbai Ranji Trophy left arm spinner Rajesh Pawar wrapped up the tail to finish with two for 39 while Malinga Bandara remained unbeaten on 21 off 106 balls.

Indian team coach and former Test star Krishnamachari Srikkanth told reporters after the day’s play that he was satisfied with his boys’ performance.

"Though my boys threw away a couple of wickets due to rash strokes, Kaif and Vishwanath came good and I think if we can manage a lead of 150 plus we should be able to put pressure on the Lankans", he added.  

Sri Lanka (first innings) overnight 211 for seven. I. Daniels c Vora b R.S. Sodhi 59, U. Fernando b R.S. Sodhi 15, M. Gajanayake c R.S. Sodhi b R. Muzumdar 3, T. Kandambi c M. Kaif b V. Rao 68, C. Silva c R.S. Sodhi b M. Kaif 12, P. Senevirathne lbw V. Rao 13, P. Jayawardena lbw R. Muzumdar 20, M. Bandara (not out) 21, R. Dhammika c V. Rao b R.S. Sodhi 3, S. Kalum c V. Rao b R. Pawar 2, P. Nishantha c M. Kaif b R. Pawar 1,

Extras: (2-b, 6-lb, 6-nb) 14.

Total: (all out off 110 overs) 231.

Fall of wickets: 1-32, 2-53, 3-103, 4-141, 5-176, 6-180, 7-203, 8-224, 9-227.

Bowling: S. Srivastav 12-4-32-0, S. Hazare 23-6-43-0, R.S. Sodhi 28-12-49-3, R. Pawar 25-7-39-2, W. Mujumdar 10-2-40-2, M. Kaif 3-1-10-1, V. Rao 9-4-10-2. 

India (first innings): A. Jain c P. Kandambi b P. Senevirathne 58, R. S. Sodhi c P. Jayawardena b P. Nishantha 6, M. Kaif (batting) 38, N. Patel b M. Bandara 20, V. Rao c P. Nissanka b S. Kalum 12, S. Vishwanath (batting) 47.

Extras: (4-b, 4-lb, 1-w, 14-nb) 23.

Total: (for 4 wkts off 68 overs) 204.

Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-89, 3-104, 4-122.

Bowling: P. Nishantha 12-3-35-1, S. Kalum 12-3-41-1, U. Fernando 6-3-9-0, R. Dhammika 18-3-53-0, M. Bandara 13-2-36-1, P. Senevirathne 7-1-22-1.

Special nets for Agarkar, Kambli

MUMBAI, Feb 28 (PTI) — New ball bowler Ajit Agarkar and middle order batsman Vinod Kambli would attend a special nets to prove their fitness at the Cricket Club of India (Brabourne Stadium) here on Monday (March 1).

The executive secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sharadh Diwadkar, said here yesterday that the two players would attend the nets under the watchful eyes of Indian team physio Andrew Kokinos and team doctor Ravindra Chaddha before the World Cup probables would be pruned from 30 to 19 on March 3.

Agarkar, who suffered a stress fracture of the leg just before the New Zealand Tour, and Kambli with an ankle injury sustained last April have already produced their fitness certificates to the board.

However, the board has appointed its own doctor to certify the two players completely fit before considering them for the selection.

B’desh announces 19-member squad

DHAKA, Feb 28 (AFP) — Bangladesh has announced a 19-member squad to contest the next cricket World Cup in England, naming Aminul Islam as captain, officials said.

The team included two left-arm spinners, three specialist opening batsmen and six seamers, the officials said, adding that a final list of 15 was expected by the end of March.

Team: Aminul Islam (captain), Akram Khan, Faruq Ahmed, Shahriar Hosain, Javed Omar, Mehrab Hossain, Jahangir Alam, Al Shahriar Rokon, Mahbubur Rahman, Naimur Rahman, Enamul Haq, Mohammed Rafiq, Khaled Mahmud, Niamur Rashid, Khaled Masud, Hasibul Hossain, Shafiuddin Babu, Manjural Islam and Aminul Islam Bhola.

Pakistan drop Salim Malik

KARACHI, Feb 28 (AFP) — Pakistan dropped experienced batsman Salim Malik for their third Asian Test against Sri Lanka and introduced sensational teenager Imran Nazir, selectors announced today.

Malik’s brother-in-law Ejaz Ahmed also missed out on a place in the final 15 due to his ankle injury.

The selectors earlier omitted pacer Waqar Younis for the third match in the Asian Test Championship starting in Lahore from Thursday.

"I am surprised at my exclusion. I don’t think I played badly in India but they are torturing me to no end by keeping me in and out," Malik told AFP.

Middle order batsman Mohammad Wasim will replace Malik in the team.

The selectors delayed naming probables for the 1999 World Cup until later this week. The deadline for naming World Cup squad is March 15.

Tillakeratne to lead Lanka

COLOMBO, Feb 28 (PTI) — Sri Lankan cricket authorities today rested injured skipper Arjuna Ranatunga, veteran Aravinda De Silva and bowling spearhead Chaminda Vaas while naming a virtually young team led by Hashan Tillakeratne for the third Asian Test Championship league match against Pakistan starting on March 4.

Young Mahela Jayawardena, who sparkled with bat scoring a double ton, was named Tillakeratne’s deputy.

Aravinda De Silva was originally named captain by the Lankan cricket officials who said Ranatunga and Vaas were being rested following injuries picked up during the match against India.

De Silva was later omitted from the squad after aggravating his hamstring injury while bowling today. He picked up two wickets including that of Saurav Ganguly.

Skipper Arjuna Ranatunga, who pulled a hamstring on Friday while batting, opted out.

However, the omission of Vaas, one of the mainstay of Sri Lankan bowling, came as a surprise but cricket board sources said he was being rested for the world cup.

Team: Hashan Tillakeratne (captain), Romesh Kaluwitharana, Mahela Jayawardena, Russel Arnold, Marvan Atapattu, Avishka Gunawardene, Promdaya Wickramasinghe, Ruchira Perera, Suresh Perera, Chandhika Hathurasinghe, Ruwan Kalpage, Niron Bandarthilake, Upul Chadana, Sajeeva De Silva.

Fast bowler Pramodaya Wickramasinghe and Suresh Perera are being recalled. Eric Upashanta, who made an impressive debut against India here, is also being replaced by allrounder Upul Chandana.

The selectors have, however, retained spinners Ruwan Kalpage and Niroshan Bandarathilake.

Ranatunga’s injury and exclusion from the team adds to woes of the Sri Lankan team which was already struggling without its star batsman Sanath Jayasurya and spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who are recovering from minor surgeries.

The new look Sri Lankan team will have a tough task at hands in Lahore. It will have to earn seven bonus points in an event of a draw against Pakistan to surge ahead of India on points and make the Dhaka final.

An outright win (12 points) will also see Sri Lanka setting up final against Pakistan, who already have 17 points.

Sri Devi lifts singles title
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Feb 28 — Sri Devi Gadgil of Bangalore justified her seeding when she lifted the women's singles title in the All-India Civil Services Badminton Tournament at War Heroes Stadium, Ambala, as per information reaching here. Sri Devi ousted Sangeeta Raj Gopalan of Madhya Pradesh in the final at 11-7, 11-5. However Sangeeta had the consolation of winning the doubles title partnering Vandana of the same state but they had to struggle hard in overcoming the stiff challenge of Sri Devi and her partner Saroj Chaudhary of RSB Chandigarh. The MP pair won at 15-17, 15-7, 15-8.

The veteran's women's singles title went in favour of Vandana Saxena of Madhya Pradesh when she dethroned Sarojini Gogte of Bihar at 11-1, 11-5.

Other results: men singles: QF-Anil Kumar (Raj) b Satya Vart (Del), 15-7, 15-7: Vijay (CS, Delhi) b Deepak Saxena (Kanpur), 4-15, 15-11, 15-7; KS Shiv Kumar (Chennai) b Arun Pardesi (MP), 15-8, 15-8, 15-1: K. Sunderam (CS, Delhi) b Suresh Sonewane (Mumbai), 12-15, 15-5, 15-4.

Veterans singles: QF-Pardeep Sharma (MP) b Rajneesh Srivastava (UP), 15-12, 9-15, 17-16: Suresh Gupta (Kpr) b KC Joseph (Krl), 15-3, 15-6: BB Pandey (UP) b R.S. Malik (Har), 13-15, 15-10, 15-5. Veteran's doubles: (Men) QF-Hariharan and K.C. Joseph (Krl) b R. Srivastava and Hira Lal (UP), 15-7, 15-0: S. Bhushan and Venketshwar (AP) b V.R. Achutarao 7 L. Kondaram (Ktk), 15-6, 15-6: H.K. Sharma and S.K. Gupta (Del) w/o M.S. Bhogra and P.G. Karoop (Guj): G.R .Sukumar and Bhagat Ram (Hyd) b Pardeep and M.P. Solanki (MP) 15-4, 15-6.

RCF advance in Guru Gobind Singh soccer
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 28 — On the sixth day of the All-India Prize Money Football Tournament organised by Shri Guru Gobind Singh Football Society, Delhi Blues lost to RCF 1-2 at Jalandhar today.

The action packed match played at Shri Guru Gobind Singh Stadium on a fast pace saw both the teams carrying out raids.

Manjinder Singh, centre-forward of RCF, scored a brilliant goal with a header in the 25th minute of the first half. Dinesh Kumar of Delhi Blues equalised in the 36th minute through a penalty kick. The second half was dominated by RCF but the goalkeeper of Delhi Blues brought off brilliant saves on difficult shots. In the 60th minute the second goal was scored by Jasbir Singh of RCF.

The match was inaugurated by Mr R.K. Sharma, General Manger, Punjab National Bank, Jalandhar. A meeting was also held which was presided over by Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner, Gurdaspur, who is patron of the society in connection with the arrangements for the final to be played on March 3. The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal will be the chief guest.

Salgaocar down East Bengal

MARGAO, Feb 28 (PTI) — Two second-half strikes helped Salgaocar down fancied East Bengal 2-1 and avenge their away defeat, in the National Football Super League here today.

Salgaocar, who have never lost their home match against East Bengal, scored first in the 50th minute through striker Alvito D’ Cunha and consolidated their lead four minutes later through Bruno Coutinho.

East Bengal reduced the margin in the 74th minute through a penalty scored by substitute Dipundu Biswas.

At the end of the third round, Salgaocar and Churhcill are tied with seven points each, but Salgaocar head the table for having more number of goals.

East Bengal are placed third with four points, followed by Mohun Bagan, who also have four points. JCT are in the fifth place with two points, while FC Kochin are at the bottom without a single point.

In today’s match, East Bengal were reduced to 10 men with six minutes left for the match to end when referee Ravi Shankar gave marching orders to defender Jackson Agaypong after he got his second booking for a foul on Alvito D’Cunha.

East Bengal got another blow as medio Emmanuel Opoku, who got his second booking today, will not play against Mohun Bagan on March 2. Earlier, Opoku had got a yellow card while playing against JCT.

Salgaocar dominated the match throughout with their midfield taking control over the proceedings.

Salgaocar’s Habib kept the attack moving along with Jules Alberto and Venkatesh. Salgaocar got at least four opportunities to score in the first half, but their strikers either lost direction or were denied a goal by the East Bengal keeper.

With just five minutes left for the interval, East Bengal’s Chapman made a goal-line save off a flag kick taken by Bruno.

East Bengal forced two flag kicks which nearly culminated into a goal, but Baichung Bhutia’s header hit the right post and keeper Juje Siddi collected off the rebound.

After change of ends, Salgaocar took the lead in the 50th minute. Bruno Coutinho from his own half sent a through pass to D’Cunha. He took a rasping left-footer past the onrushing keeper Bibhas Ghosh into the net.

Four minutes later, Salgaocar consolidated the lead. Habib from the right sent a cross to Jude who headed towards Bruno on the left, getting the better of defender Musa. Bruno controlled the ball and took a curling shot which went to the far end of the net to keeper Ghosh’s left.

Salgaocar could have increased their lead, but D’Cunha’s weak shot was blocked by keeper Ghosh.

East Bengal was awarded a penalty in the 74th minute after Bhutia was brought down by defender Roque Pereira, who later got a yellow card by the referee. The resultant penalty was converted by substitute Dipendu Biswas.

Vijay Kumar to the fore
From Our Sports Reporter

NOIDA, Feb 28 — Vijay Kumar led from start to finish as he sailed to a comfortable win in the inaugural Sir Padampat Singhania Open Golf Championship, which concluded today at Noida Golf Course.

The leader in order of merit this season now looks set for a second consecutive Mahindra ‘Player of the Year’ award as he opened a huge lead on top with this win. On the final day, Vijay carded the day’s best of four-under 68 to aggregate 12-under 276, 10 strokes better than the twice Honda-Siel PGA champion Uttam Singh Mundy, who finished at two-under 286 after playing a three-under 69 round today. In the third position was Vivek Bhandari, with a four-day tally of three-over 291.

For his effort, Vijay secured a cheque of Rs 83,300, while Mundy was richer by Rs 55,550 in this tournament.

The silent assassin’s never-ending hunger for titles, served him only too well as he romped home for his fifth title win of the season with yet another exemplary display of golf, posting four-under 68, his third under-par score in four rounds on a course that had the cream of Indian golf-guessing. Vijay had a flawless round with two birdies each on his from and back nine. Starting off with a birdie on the 1st, birdies followed on the 8th, 12th and the 18th. "Although I was more or less certain of winning, Mundy’s late charge put a bit of pressure on me and forced me to tighten my game overall."

It was a brave fight put up by Mundy. Starting off brilliantly, Mundy completed a hat-trick of birdies when he sank in a gem of an 8-feet putt on the third. Close on the heels of this was a birdie on the sixth, to position him at four-under before making the turn. All was hunky dory on his return journey, until he three-putted on the 18th for a bogey to fetch him a three-under 69 for the day.

Bhandari, winner of the Honda-Siel PGA Championship last season, scored a bogey on the second on his front nine and seemed like regaining his form with birdies on the 10th, thanks to a brilliant chip-in-from 15 feet, and the 14th. However, all the good work was undone as a bogey on the 16th was followed by a double bogey on the 18th.

The other sub-par card of the day was turned in by Mukesh Kumar, who sank in four birdies, on the first, 7th, 13th and 16th. Twice two-putting three feet putts, Mukesh bogeyed his second and third holes to finish at two-under 70 for the day.

Rakesh Sharma took full advantage of playing on his home course, to claim the amateur title by an eleven-stroke margin, with an eight-over 80 on the final day, which took his aggregate to 309. Jasjit Singh placed at second spot with a tally of 320.

Sunita, Surender best athletes

ROHTAK, Feb 28 (FOSR) — Sunita Dahiya of Hindu College, Sonepat, and Surender Singh of Jat College, Rohtak, were adjudged the best athletes at the 23rd annual athletic meet of M.D. University, Rohtak, which concluded here today.

Sunita clinched the top honour after emerging winner in 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500 m. Surender Singh won the 1500m, 5000m and 10000 metres even. Sandeep of Vaish College, Bhiwani, won the high jump event creating a new meet record. He jumped 1.85 metres.

The overall trophy was claimed by Jat College Rohtak in the men's section whereas Hindu College, Sonepat, bagged the trophy in women's section.

Lt-Gen (Retd.) O.P. Kaushik. Vice-Chancellor, gave away the prizes to the winners.

A member of the Indian's women's hockey team in the Bangkok Asian Games Sunita Dalal was also awarded a cash prize of Rs 5100 on the occasion.

The Vice-Chancellor called upon the university athletes to make all out efforts to win the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for which he announced a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh from his own resources.

DAV, SD College in final

AMRITSAR, Feb 28 (FOSR) — DAV College, Jalandhar, and GGD SD College, Chandigarh, today entered the final of the 7th Nehru-SAIL Champion Colleges Hockey Tournament at the Guru Nanak Dev University stadium, here.

In the first semifinal played between DAV College Jalandhar and Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi, DAV college won the match 4-1.

Baldeep Singh, captain of the DAV team, scored the first goal in the 29th minute. Harmeet Singh scored two field goals in 39th and 43rd minutes. In the second half Jamia Milia Islamia's Prabjot Singh scored in the 56th minute.

Immediately thereafter Ajit Pal Singh of DAV College scored a goal in the 59th minute.

In the second semifinal GGD SD College, Chandigarh, defeated Government Mayo College, Lahore (Pakistan) by 1-0. The goal was scored by Inderjit Singh through a penalty corner.

The final will be played tomorrow.

Title for DCW

PATIALA, Feb 28 (FOSR) — Fancied Diesel Component Works (DCW) prevailed over Mahindra College 75-56 in the men's section to lift the title in the Patiala District Basketball Championships at the local polo grounds here today.

In the girls section Polo Club defeated Samana Club 26-18 to win title. The prizes were distributed by Mr Paramjit Singh Sarao, Commandant, 36th Battalion.

Sports scientist Sodhi dead

PATIALA, Feb 28 (FOSR) — Dr H S Sodhi (49), Senior Scientific Officer of SAI and coordinator of the sports sciences faculty at the National Institute of sports (NIS) died here yesterday due to cardiac arrest.

Dr Sodhi is survived by his wife, two daughters and a six-year-old son.

An international acclaimed expert in the field of sports sciences, Dr Sodhi was associated with various teams in preparation for the Bangkok Asian Games.

Dr Sodhi, the seniormost sports scientist in the Sports Authority of India (SAI), had authored numerous books and research papers, particularly in the field of sports anthropometry and was widely travelled.

His cremation was a largely attended affair and among those present were cricketer Navjot Sidhu, head of the NIS, Mr G S Anand, sports medicine expert Dr Ashok Ahuja various national coaches, coaches of the state Sports Department, top officers of SAI and officers of the district administration.

Dr Sodhi's brother Mr Maheshinder Singh, who lit the pyre, is a former Ranji Trophy cricketer.

SGFI office-bearers

CHANDIGARH, Feb 28 (BOSR) — Kerala has offered to organise athletics for Schools Nationals in the age group, 14, 17 and 19 in the month of April this year, according to newly-elected Secretary of the School Games Federation of India, Mr PS Chhabra. The players, who have yet not completed 19, till December 31, 1998, will be eligible to take part in these games.

Meanwhile the new office-bearers of the SGFI are: president-CL Negi; Vice-Presidents: Ravinder Talwar, B.Gaverill, RS Pandey and Smt Kavita Chaudhary,Secretary — PS Chhabra; Jt. Secretaries — HNS Rao, Bhuri Singh, S.K. Day, and Treasurer-TR Chauhan.

UT basketball meet from March 4

CHANDIGARH, Feb 28 (BOSR) — Chandigarh Basketbal Association will organise the UT State Basketball Championships for men and women from March 4 to 6 at Sports Complex, Sector 7 here, according to Mr KS Bharti, secretary of the association. During the championship 15 men and an equal number of women will be selected for a 7-day coaching camp from March 7 to 13 at the Sports Complex, Sector 46.

The UT teams will be selected during the said coaching camp which will represent Chandigarh in the 49th Senior National Basketball Championship to be held at Jaipur from March 15 to 22.

SJOBA rally on March 21

CHANDIGARH, Feb 28 (BOSR) — The St. John's Old Boys Association will organise the 1999 SJOBA Thunderbolt Sub-Himalayan Open Rally on March 21, according to a press note of the St. John's Old Boys Association. The even will be open on two wheelers and four wheelers such as cars and jeeps. The rally will cover a total distance of 300 km from Chandigarh to Chail (Himachal Pradesh). The first leg will cover Barotiwala, Garkhal and Dharampur while the second leg will cover Chail, Gaura, Johadjee and Mallah before terminating at Chandigarh. The entry forms will be available at SCO 123-124, (Basement), Bridge Road, Sector 17, Chandigarh and the last date of entries is March 18.

Punjab B'ball postponed

LUDHIANA, Feb 28 (FOSR) — Due to unavoidable circumstances, the 49th Punjab State Senior Basketball Championship for men and women scheduled to be conducted at Hoshiarpur from March 1 to 3 has been postponed, according to Mr Teja Singh Dhaliwal, general secretary, Punjab Basketball Association.

The new dates will be announced later, Mr Dhaliwal has said.