Saturday, March 20, 1999
today's calendar
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S P O R T | Saturday, March 20, 1999 |
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Salgaocar clinch NFL title CALCUTTA, March 19 — Salgaocar Sports Club, Goa, won their maiden National Football League title edging past a spirited Mohun Bagan 1-0 in a super-six tie here today. Pakistan win by nine runs JAMSHEDPUR, March 19 — In a nail-biting finish, strong contender Pakistan snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as they beat World Cup Champions Sri Lanka by nine runs to win the inaugural match of the triangular series limited-overs cricket tournament here today.
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Gibbs slams ton as South Africa
dominate WELLINGTON, March 19 — Herschelle Gibbs’ second successive century guided South Africa to a commanding first innings total of 235 for two wickets by the close of play on the second day of the third Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve today.
Tyson may be freed on March 26 Anand
crashes to another defeat Moya
knows it is tough to stay No 1 Ukrainian
fails drug test
Football clubs not happy with AIFF Sarfraz
lacks credibility, says Boycott Airlines
enter semis |
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Salgaocar clinch NFL title CALCUTTA, March 19 (PTI) — Salgaocar Sports Club, Goa, won their maiden National Football League title edging past a spirited Mohun Bagan 1-0 in a super-six tie here today. Substitute Sabir Ali Mondal struck the winner in the 81st minute, propelling his team beyond the reach of the nearest rivals East Bengal. Both teams have played nine matches, with Salgaocar gleaning 20 points, four points more than the red and gold brigade. But Bagan were the better team on view today. They mounted pressure on the rival defence from the outset, and could have settled the issue in their favour, but for a series of misses by their forwards, particularly I.M. Vijayan. Title holders Bagan, who enjoyed complete midfield control from the start, suffered a mortal blow in the 61st minute, when their in-form medio Soumitra Chakraborty received his second booking of the match for bringing down Domingos Vaz and was marched out by referee Gulab Singh Chauhan. The departure of Chakraborty, the livewire of the Bagan midfield, reduced the local outfit to 10 men for the rest of the match. Seizing the opportunity, Salgaocar regrouped in the midfield, and carried out a number of fast counter attacks. Salgaocar’s goal came from one such attack when Bagan were temporarily reduced to nine men after Amit Das was stretched out following a fowl by Bruno Coutinho. Jules Alberto took a snipe at the Bagan goal, but the shot came off a defender to Sabir Ali Mondal who struck a firm left footer which hit the post and went in. Churchill Bros win CALCUTTA, March 19 (PTI) — Churchill Brothers, Goa, crushed FC Kochin 3-0 in a one-sided super-league tie of the third National Football League here today. The winners struck twice in the first half and scored an insurance goal in the later session to take their points tally to 15 from nine matches. They are now placed third after Goa rivals Salgaocar Sports Club and local giants East Bengal. Churchill took the lead through Mario Soares who found the target as early as the seventh minute. Keeping up the momentum, the Goa outfit consolidated their position as the tournament’s leading goal scorer, Philip Mensah struck in the 35th minute. This was Mensah’s 11th goal in the tournament, one more than Raman Vijayan of East Bengal. Churchill scored again a minute from the final whistle when k v Dhyanesh scored a suicidal goal. F C Kochin continued to
remain as wooden spooners with three points from nine
matches. |
Pakistan win by nine runs JAMSHEDPUR, March 19 (UNI) — In a nail-biting finish, strong contender Pakistan snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as they beat World Cup Champions Sri Lanka by nine runs to win the inaugural match of the triangular series limited-overs cricket tournament here today. Spearheaded by skipper and speedster Wasim Akram, Pakistan destroyed Sri Lankan tail in a span of six runs-the islanders who at one stage were sitting pretty with 231 for 5, were all out for 237. Pakistan, batting first, had scored 246 for nine in 50 overs and the world champions were all out for 237 with three balls to spare. Wasim Akram, who was declared ‘man of the match’, complemented his team mates for this fine victory. "It is the team effort which saw us through in this match’’, Akram said and added that both the juniors and seniors in the team did their job well which led to Pakistan winning this exciting tie. Pakistan will now move to Jaipur to play their next match with the hosts on March 24 while the Sri Lankans will play their match against India at Nagpur on March 22. Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga said: "We wanted to start this series on a winning note specially after losing the Asian Test Championship final in Dhaka. However, I am somewhat happy with our performance.’’ He said the turning point of the match was the run out of Arvind D’Silva. "We also dropped some vital catches’’, he added. Scoreboard Sri Lanka: |
Gibbs slams ton as South Africa dominate WELLINGTON, March 19 (Reuters) — Herschelle Gibbs’ second successive century guided South Africa to a commanding first innings total of 235 for two wickets by the close of play on the second day of the third Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve today. Gibbs followed his unbeaten 211 in the second Test with 115 not out as the tourists pushed their remarkable aggregate in the Test series so far to 1298 runs for the loss of just eight wickets. Taking just an hour to finish off the home side’s first innings from its overnight 211 for six to 222 all out, the tourists now lead by 13 runs and are well placed for their third consecutive total in excess of 400. Just two wickets fell in the afternoon session, including that of Gary Kirsten who was given a harsh "send off" by some members of the New Zealand team following a moment of controversy in the morning session when the batsman was given not out by third umpire Brent Bowden. Kirsten edged a delivery from Simon Doull to Chris Harris at first slip but, in attempting to take the catch Harris knocked the ball up in the air where Bryan Young dived from second slip to catch it. Kirsten, on 11 then, refused to walk and Bowden added to the drama by viewing a poor quality television replay several times before making his decision. The New Zealand players were clearly furious. When he was finally bowled by Shayne O’Connor for 40, he stopped twice on his way to the pavilion to demonstrate his disapproval at the behaviour of the fielders, notably Doull. The only other casualty of the afternoon was Jacques Kallis (17) who top edged an attempted hook off Dion Nash to fine leg where Matt Horne held a well judged catch. Earlier Shaun Pollock claimed all four remaining New Zealand wickets in 20 balls while conceding just one run to destroy the remainder of the innings and finish with 5-33, his ninth five-wicket haul. Adam Parore (5) and Chris Harris departed after both edging into the slip cordon, and Pollock made it three wickets in six balls when Doull edged to keeper Mark Boucher to depart for a third-ball duck. Although last man O’Connor survived 14 balls for his two not out, Dion Nash (2) fended a Pollock bouncer to short leg and the innings was over. Gibbs batted with composure and superb timing to complete his century from 184 balls with 14 boundaries — his only life came on 107 when Gary Stead dropped a sharp chance at cover point. Scoreboard South Africa first
innings: |
Wake-up call for Pak, says Akram JAMSHEDPUR, March 19 (PTI) — The stiff fight from Sri Lanka was a ‘wake-up call’ for Pakistan, according to captain Wasim Akram. "It was a real wake-up call for us. We should not be over-confident at any stage and against any opponent," Wasim Akram said after his team scored a memorable win in a cliffhanger contest. "It was a good result at the end, but our middle-order failed again. It has to do well next time," Akram, who was named 'man-of-the-match', said. The Pakistan skipper sent down the last over of the match with Sri Lanka needing 10 runs to win and two wickets in hand. He clean bowled Marvan Atapattu and Pramodaya Wickremasinghe with the second and third ball, respectively. "It was difficult for bowlers to adjust to one-day form of cricket soon after the arduous Asian Test series," Akram said and added that for him it was easy to adjust to the conditions. "It was one of the best wickets I’ve played on," he said and congratulated the full-capacity crowd that cheered his team throughout. Akram praised opener Shahid Afridi, who smashed 71 runs in a 148-run first wicket stand with Saeed Anwar, saying the youngster has been improving day by day. A dejected Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga offered no excuses saying couple of hasty runouts made the difference. "Hasty runouts at crucial stages cost us dear and it made the difference," Ranatunga said after his team’s defeat. He said their plan was to contain Pakistan within 200 runs and Pramodaya Wickremasinghe did well to keep the free-scoring Pakistanis on a tight leash. Applauding veteran Aravinda de Silva and attacking youngster Mahela Jayawardena’s batting, Ranatunga said they actually "brought the match within our reach." "It was a good pitch
to bat on," he said adding: "We have to
concentrate more on catching in our next encounter though
our ground fielding has been good." |
Anand crashes to another defeat MONTE CARLO, March 19 (UNI) — Vishwanathan Anand crashed to another defeat, losing to Vladimir Kramnik in the blindfold section of the eighth Amber Rapid and Blindfold Chess Tournament here. The Indian grandmaster however managed a draw in rapid play to salvage a half point from the third round. Anatoly Karpov won his third successive round in a handy manner again at 1.5-0.5 against Jeroen Piket. He now shares the top spot with Vladimir Kramnik. Both have 4.5 points each after three rounds. It has become clear Karpov is in good shape, winning each duel 1.5-0.5 without coming in danger. In rapid play, Gelfand continued to struggle as he missed a chance to draw with Ivanchuk. Karpov exerted tremendous pressure on Piket who crumbled and lost in a rook and bishop ending. The Kramnik-Anand rapid duel looked a dead draw for a while before Kramnik put some life into it. However it ended in a draw ultimately. Kramnik got some chances in the queens ending. But it did not fetch in win. The Kramnik-Anand rapid game was a queen’s gambit accepted which went to 54 moves before the draw was agreed to. In blindfold Anand went for the long castle and was punished severely by the imaginative Kramnik. He achieved his first black win in 18 games. Anand went down in just 24 moves of the Sicilian. In other rapid games, opening mistakes cost Alexi Shirov his rapid game against Veselin Topalov, while the same problem befell Predrag Nikolic against Joel Lautier. In the longest rapid game of the day, Topalov beat Shirov in 75 moves of a English game. Piket and Gelfand managed draws in the blindfold but lost the rapid games to Karpov and Ivanchuk respectively. In fact Piket had Karpov in trouble in blindfold and the former world champion had to play carefully to get a draw. Loek Van Wely and Ljubomir Ljubojevic shared the two games, with the former winning the rapid but losing in blindfold. Van Wely refused a draw and then blundered away a piece against Ljubojevic. Similar results were obtained in the pairing between Nikolic and Lautier. The Frenchman won the rapid game. But lost in blindfold. Karpov has the best score in rapid play at 2.5 out of three, while Kramnik, Lautier, Topalov and Van Wely have two out of three. Results: (rapid) Ivanchuk beat Gelfand: Piket lost to Karpov: Lautier beat Nikolic: Kramnik drew with Anand: Van Wely beat Ljubojevic: Topalov beat Shirov: Blindfold: Gelfand drew with Ivanchuk: Karpov drew with Piket: Nikolic beat Lautier: Anand lost to Kramnik: Ljubojevic beat Van Wely: Shirov beat Topalov: Overall standings: Kramnik
and Karpov 4.5 each: Lautier 4.0: Topalov, 3.5: Piket,
Nikolic, Ljubojevic 3.0 each: Anand, Shirov, Ivanchuk 2.5
each: Van Wely 2.0: Gelfand 1.0. |
Tyson may be freed on March 26 ROCKVILLE (USA), March 19 (AFP) — Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson could be released from jail on March 26 under a proposal from his lawyer that has been discussed with the fighter’s judge and prosecutor. Stephen Johnson, a Montgomery county district court judge, met with Tyson’s lawyers here on Wednesday and said he will rule on March 26 on the request to reduce Tyson’s one-year sentence for assault to eight months. On that date, Tyson will have served 50 days for the August 31 kicking and punching incident on two elderly motorists whose car rear-ended one being driven by Tyson’s wife Monica. That time behind bars would make Tyson eligible for a work-release programme that normally leads to home detention. Tyson, however, would likely be moved to immediate home detention to prevent disruption of typical activities for other inmates in the work-release programme. Paul Kemp, Tyson’s attorney, told Johnson that Tyson would make the most improvement at home. Where he could undergo therapy and train to resume his boxing career. Kemp had asked Johnson about a sentence reduction for Tyson on February 17. But the fighter hurled a television set two days later and the formal request was not made. Tyson’s jail sentence for assault led Indiana authorities to order him jailed for two months as a result of violating his probation after an early release for a rape conviction. But Tyson’s time served would fulfil that, a 60-day sentence actually being only 30 with good behaviour. Tyson might have an electronic anklet to monitor his movements and be required to check-in with authorities as well as be subject to unannounced visits from law-enforcement officials and curfew during home detention. Also required would be a two-week class on anger management and respecting others. But Tyson’s lavish two million-dollar mansion overlooking Congressional Golf Club in Bethesda would be a nicer place than Montgomery county jail to finish his sentence. And a gymnasium or other fight training facility could be considered a work-release job, since it would almost certainly lead to a rich payday later this year. Tyson stopped South Africa’s Francois Botha in January in his first fight back after reinstatement following banishment for biting Evander Holyfield’s ear in their title fight in June of 1997. Tyson said he was planning to conduct four fights this year and then retire. Much of the money from the pay-per-view bouts would go to paying tax bills Tyson owes on his various properties here and in Ohio, Nevada and Connecticut. While it would take Tyson several months at the minimum to regain any semblance of form, his draw on the pay-per-view circuit would almost certainly give him a path to world title contention. But his performances in
the ring would have to be closer to the 1980s glory days
of "Mike" era than the fighter who was helped
into position to fight for crowns by then-promoter Don
King. |
Moya knows it is tough to stay No 1 KEY BISCAYNE (Florida), March 19 (AP) — Carlos Moya's first tournament as the No. 1 player in the world could be his last. The Spaniard is just one of five men with a chance to emerge from the Lipton Champions ranked No. 1. Moya leads US star Pete Sampras by just 37 computer points, and Australia's Patrick Rafter, Russia's Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Spain's Alex Corretja also are in the chase. Moya, who plays Italy's Davide Sanguinetti in his opening match today or tomorrow, knows it won't be easy to stay No. 1. "I'm going to have to fight a lot if I want to win, because now all the players want to beat me" he said yesterday. "It will be difficult to win every match, because they're going to be extra motivated". Unseeded players were in action on Thursday. Among the winners were American Jennifer Capriati, who beat Croatia's Silvija Talaja 6-4, 6-3, and American Vince Spadea, who beat Argentina's Franco Squillari 6-3, 6-2. Petr Korda of the Czech Republic lost to Norway's Christian Ruud 6-2, 7-6 (8-6). Germany's Boris Becker was scheduled to play his first match in the USA since 1996 against Italy's Gianluca Pozzi last night. Moya, the defending French Open champion, is the 15th player and the first Spaniard to earn the No. 1 ranking. He overtook Sampras by winning his semifinal match last week in Indian Wells, California, prompting a memorable celebration on the court by Moya, his coach and trainer. They formed a circle, held hands and began jumping up and down. "Winning Grand Slams is great, but I think being No. 1 is the greatest thing that can happen to you", Moya said. "There have only been 15 players. That shows you how difficult it is to get up there." Moya, who lost a five-set final to Australia's Mark Philippoussis in Indian Wells, will try to improve on a modest 2-2 career record on Lipton's hardcourts. His ascent to No. 1 shows that Spaniards can succeed on surfaces other than clay. "Clay was my natural surface, where I move better", he said. "I don't have to think at all to hit the ball. But it was always in my mind that I wanted to be a good player on hardcourts". Moya's reign begins a year after Chile's Marcelo Rios became the first No. 1 player from South America. Rios rose to No. 1 by winning Lipton and held the spot for six weeks in 1998. "I'm going to try to
end the French Open as No. 1", Moya said. "That
will be difficult, but that's my next goal." |
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Chandigarh down Rajasthan CHENNAI, March 19 (PTI) — Services, helped by a hat-trick by Lal Machuana, and Chandigarh scored their second straight wins while Assam began their campaign with a 5-0 victory over lowly Pondicherry in the Santosh Trophy Football Championship today. Services outplayed Uttar Pradesh 3-0 in a cluster ‘A’ league match at Udhagamandalam, while Chandigarh beat Rajasthan 3-1 in a cluster ‘H’ tie at Chennai this evening. Earlier, Tripura defeated Madhya Pradesh 2-1 here. Machuana’s hat-trick was the second in the tournament after international Syed Sabir Pasha did so for Tamil Nadu in their opening encounter against Tripura on Wednesday. Assam thrashed Pondicherry in a one-sided match at Coimbatore as the third leg of the tournament commenced there today. Tridip Khound (6th, 65th min), Mohendra Brahma (55th), Nabajyoti (62nd) and Mrinal Boro (67th) were the scorers. The Kanwars’ (Varinder and Viney) and Rajiv Rattan were the scorers for Chandigarh while Abdul Mazid (80th min) scored the consolation goal (1-3) for Rajasthan.In the four team cluster H, Chandiharh have two wins and will now play Railways on March 22 to decide the qualifiers. Railways are also to play Andaman and Nicobar. Rajasthan have lost both their matches. In the
Chandigarh-Rajasthan match, the former’s forwards
totally depended on medio Varinder Kanwar, who also moved
up after his deft passings. Services get past Uttar Pradesh UDAGHAMANDALAM, March 19 (PTI) — Lal Machuana came up with a hat-trick to enable formidable Services defeat Uttar Pradesh 3-0 in a cluster ‘A’ league match in the 55th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy here today. In a one-sided match, Services forged ahead in the 38th minute when Machuana netted in the first goal. He fired in the second in the 70th minute and completed a well deserved hat-trick with two minutes left for the final whistle. With this win, Services have accumulated six points from two matches in the four-team league and with one more match to go against Jammu and Kashmir, brightened their chances for a quarterfinal berth. Uttar Pradesh have three points from as many matches, while Jammu and Kashmir and the other team in the pool — Mizoram — are yet to garner points having lost the lone match played so far. Services could have won today with a much more bigger margin but for Uttar Pradesh goalkeeper Dhatt, who came to his team’s rescue effecting a number of brilliant saves. Machuana took full
advantage of the ample space near the goalmouth given by
Uttar Pradesh defenders. |
Ukrainian fails drug test MONTE CARLO (Monaco), March 19 — (AP) Ukrainian shot putter Vita Pavlysh failed a drug test after winning the gold in indoor championship in Maebashi, Japan earlier this month and has been banned for two years by her federation. Anna Lagnani, a spokeswoman for the IAAF, the world governing body of athletics, yesterday said Pavlysh tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol. "Both samples were positive," Legnani said. Pavlysh will be stripped of hergold medal, which will go to Irina Korzhanenko of Russia, the silver medalist in Maebashi, Lagnani said. Pavlysh also won the gold
medal at the European Championship in Budapest, Hungary. |
Football clubs not happy with AIFF CALCUTTA, March 19 (PTI) — Even as the third National Football League reached its climax, major clubs of the country are 'aghast' at the 'insensitiveness' shown towards them by the All-India Football Federation. "All the six participants in the National League-Salgaocar Sports Club, Churchill Brothers, FC Kochin, East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and JCT — are peeved at the AIFF's attitude," spokesman for the clubs, Anjan Mitra told PTI here today. Demanding that representatives of the clubs be made office-bearers of the AIFF so that they could have a better understanding of the clubs' problems, Mr Mitra, the Mohun Bagan secretary, said: "We are yet to receive a major share of the gate money and appearance fee for last year's league". He said the AIFF was also taking major policy decisions without consulting the clubs. Which was only aggravating problems. "They unilaterally
decided to do away with the home and away format,"
he added. |
IOC corruption scandal LAUSANNE, March 19 (Reuters) — The International Olympic Committee expelled six members yesterday in a feat of cosmetic surgery unlikely to appease it many critics. Responding to a simmering corruption scandal which has provoked worldwide outrage, IOC members voted in favour of ejecting half a dozen of their colleagues. Mr Agustin Arroyo (Ecuador), Mr Zein El Abdin Abdel Gadir (Sudan), Mr Jean-Claude Ganga (Congo), Mr Lamine Keita (Mali), Mr Sergio Santander (Chile) and Mr Seiuli Paul Wallwork (Samoa) were each expelled for accepting bribes during Salt Lake City’s successful bid to stage the 2002 winter games. Four others had already quit one of the world’s most exclusive private clubs in a crisis which has threatened the future of the Olympic movement. But IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch, who has steadfastly ignored calls for his resignation, went on to the offensive in the opening morning of an extraordinary two-day session. Mr Samaranch, who told reporters before the meeting that he intended to carry on until 2001, detailed his achievements since assuming the leadership in 1980 during a defiant opening speech to the IOC. "Perhaps the most telling result is the tremendous success of the Olympic Games of the past several years," he said. "They have been some of the best games in the history of the Olympic movement both for sport, the city and country within which they were held. "I accept the responsibility for leading the IOC through the crisis. I am determined to do so and I need your support." The former Spanish diplomat and politician predictably breezed through a confidence vote 86-2, showing his grip on the IOC is as firm as ever. Just as predictably, members then voted in favour of the executive board’s recommendation to expel six of their colleagues. Vice-President Richard Pound, who has headed the IOC’s internal investigation, said the committee was putting its house in order. "We are at the end of the beginning," said the Canadian lawyer. "There is a fair amount of work ahead before we regroup and move on." Former Vice-President Marc Hodler, who revealed last December that agents were offering IOC votes in return for millions of dollars, was more cautious. "This is only the first step," he said. Suspicions that the IOC was prepared to jettison a few insignificant minnows in order to assuage public opinion were strengthened by Mr Wallwork’s immediate reaction. "I have the feeling I was the sacrificial lamb," Mr Wallwork said. "I thought about resigning but I also thought I could explain myself and be absolved but now I wish I had resigned." Mr Santander echoed Mr Wallwork’s sentiments in a metaphor derived directly from the soccer pitch. "It’s very sad who gets the yellow card and who gets the red card," he said. "I think the small countries were sanctioned." Mr Arroyo added: "I don’t think the whole thing was handled right. They were in too much of a hurry." Mr Ganga said: "We feel the decision does not solve the problems of the IOC. We would have like the session to have discovered more about the truth. Nevertheless we accept the decision with sporting grace. "I am an old man — a good winner, and a good loser." The six may yet be joined in exile by executive board member Kim Un-Yong, the most senior IOC member implicated in the Salt Lake City affair. Mr Pound confirmed the investigation panel were seeking further evidence that a senior official on the Salt Lake City bid committee had arranged to pay at least part of the salary of the South Korean’s son while he worked for a US company. Mr Kim received a warning
from the executive board and Mr Pound said he too could
be expelled if the allegations against him were fully
substantiated. |
Sarfraz lacks credibility, says Boycott JAMSHEDPUR, March 19 (UNI) — President of Board of Control for Cricket in India Raj Singh Dungarpur, India’s former captain Kapil Dev and England’s former Test opener Geoff Boycott today criticised Pakistan’s former fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz for his allegations of match fixing against Sunil Gavaskar. Boycott, who is a part of the television commentary team for the ongoing one-day triangular cricket series, said Sarfaraz lacks credibility while Gavaskar’s credibility is high among the people who love the game. Sarfraz in a television interview during the league match of Asian Test Championship in Lahore had alleged that India’s former captain and Pakistan’s former captain Asif Iqbal were also involved in betting and match fixing. Boycott criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for not taking enough steps to curb the menace of match fixing. He said the issue should have been tackled in 1995 itself, when it came to light. "The commission to probe betting and match fixing, which was promised is yet to be constituted," Boycott said. He said, "Though I
have no proof, I’m convinced that something is going
on that is not good for the game." |
Airlines enter semis HYDERABAD, March 19 — Fancied India Airlines scored a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Uttar Pradesh to move into the semifinals of the Senior National Hockey Championship here today. Former champions Airlines, who led 1-0 at the break, will clash with holders Indian Railways in the semifinals to be played on March 25. Indian Airlines scored their first goal through a penalty stroke converted by international Mohd Riaz in the 12th minute which was equalised by Uttar Pradesh’s Avinash Sarena via another penalty corner in the 44th minute at the Begumpet Stadium here. The winning goal for Airlines came from the stick of India star Samir Dad in the 56th minute. In other group matches, formidable Air-India scored their third straight victory, trouncing Universities 5-0 in group I. Air-India had earlier whipped Pondicherry 21-0 and Madhya Pradesh 13-1. Earlier in the morning, Karnataka drubbed Madhya Bharat 7-1 to register their second victory in group ‘G’ and in group ‘H’ Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) squeaked past Services 2-0 and Bengal blanked Assam 11-0. Karnataka, who had beaten Chandigarh 7-3 before losing to Central Excise 1-0 earlier in the pool, put up an improved display against Madhya Bharat. The play mostly revolved around Samson Fernandez, Bimal Lakra, Anandavelu and Kevin who began to put pressure on Madhya Bharat defence. Their efforts earned Karnataka a penalty corner in the 3rd minute itself, and they utilised this opportunity to open their account off an indirect attempt by Prakash Chalke from close range. Anandavelu added the second goal in the 19th minute and Kevin made it 3-0 for the southern outfit with a powerful reverse hit just before breather. Madhya Bharat pulled one back in the fifth minute after change of ends off the only penalty corner they earned. Hasrat Quereshi slammed in a rebound off Karnataka custodian Boppanna following a pass from Sanjay Pande to Sheelendra Choudari. But Karanataka notched up four more goals in the second half to complete the rout. The last four goals for Karnataka were scored in the space of 15 minutes with Kevin opening the goal-glut in the latter half by scoring his second goal in the 54th minute. Karnataka’s other goals came from Samson Fernandez (59th), Arjun Halappa (66th) and Bimal Lakra (69th). Tempers ran high in the evenly contested group "H" match between former champions Services and the CRPF. The first half was closely fought with the policemen getting their opening goal through Mukesh Kumar off a penalty corner in the 31st minute. The lone second half goal for the policemen was scored by skipper Tanveer Jamal, a minute from close. CRPF earned as many as 10 penalty corners and managed to score only once while Services failed to capitalise on all the six penalty corners they got. Devender Singh struck thrice and Suman Toppo found the mark twice in Bengal’s runaway 11-0 win over Assam in another group "H" tie. Results: Group G: Karnataka 7 (Kevin 2 — 28th, 54th, Prakash Chalke 1 — 3rd, Anandavelu 1 — (19th, Samson Fernandez 1 — 59th, Arjun Halappa 1 — 66th, Bimal Lakra 1 — 69th) b Madhya Bharat 1 (Hasrat Qureshi 1 — 40th). Half time 3-0. Group H: Bengal 11 (Devender Singh 3 — 11th, 13th, 52nd, Suman Toppo 2 — 16th, 22nd, Mangramunda 1 — 17th, Iqbal Singh 1 — 20th, Cyprian Barla 1 — 32nd, Kishore Kujur 1 — 40th, S. Singh 1 — 66th, Rajat Kinz 1 — 68th) b Assam 0. CRPF 2 (Mukesh Kumar 1 — 31st, Tanveer Jamal 1 — 69th) b Services 0. Air-India maintained their
winning spree by defeating Universities 5-0. Davinder
Kumar and international Gagan Ajit Singh scored a brace
each while Edward Aranha rounded off the tally in a
totally one-sided tie. |
Punjab storm into last four JAIPUR, March 19 (PTI) — Imphal National Games silver medallists Punjab outclassed Indian Railways 76-57 to storm into the semifinals of the National Basketball Championship here tonight. International Parminder Singh (sr) scored 35 points to lead last nationals’ runner-up Punjab into the last four stage at the 49th edition here. Punjab were locked in a neck-and-neck battle against agile Indian Railways with score reading 33-31 at the breather in Punjab’s favour, but accurate shooting by tall Parmindar and good feeding by captain Gagnesh Kumar (17 points) helped Punjab slowly widen the gap and win 76-57 in the end. In the men’s pre quarterfinals earlier in the day, Maharashtra beat Madhya Pradesh 72-64 after leading 38-25 at the interval and West Bengal edged past Uttar Pradesh 75-68 (half time 45-44) to make the last eight grade. In the women's section Maharashtra, runner-up in the last edition, beat Punjab 68-46 (half time 29-27) and Kerala beat Andhra Pradesh 53-48 (32-26 at halftime) to reach the semis. Earlier Tamil Nadu trounced Chandigarh 63-21 in a positional match.
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CFA to field women's team CHANDIGARH, March 19 — The Chandigarh Football Association is all set to broadbase its activities in the near future. Having been entrusted with the responsibility of managing the affairs concerning women's football in the city by the All-India Football Federation, the CFA is now actively involved in promoting the game amongst the fairer sex. The association was requested to field a women's team in the forthcoming seventh National Women's Football Championship being held in Shillong by the AIFF and the CFA has already conveyed its willingness to send a team from the city for the meet. According to Mr Rakesh Bakshi, secretary of the CFA, the association will approach local colleges of enlist their support in tapping talent among women footballers of the city. The CFA is also planning to fix a date for conducting trials soon to select the team. According to football coach Harjinder Singh, a former international, the interested girls can also come forward on their own for training sessions of about an hour daily. The coaching camp will be organised in cooperation with the Chandigarh Sports Department. It may be recalled that the Chandigarh Football Association was granted affiliation by the All-India Football Federation on November 2, 1996 and ever since football activities in the city have gained momentum. The city has already hosted the North Zone edition of the Federation Cup. Tournaments for schools in different categories are now an annual feature. Football teams from the city have already made a mark at the national level. In the ongoing National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy, Chandigarh have already notched up two convincing wins against Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Rajasthan. In the under-21 nationals, the Chandigarh Football team emerged champions for the first time. The performance of the team in the championship played at Varanasi in December last year was appreciated by the AIFF president, Mr Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi. Even in the all-India meet, which was played after a gap of about two months in Rajasthan, Chandigarh did not fare badly and lost to the strong Karnataka through a penalty after getting past a sturdy Bihar. Now with the CFA getting actively involved in women's football, eves from the city may also come up with some surprises at the national level.
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Move to shift schemes worries
SAI staff CHANDIGARH, March 19 — Employees of SAI working at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala, are perturbed over the recent decision of its corporate office at New Delhi to shift the central schemes numbering four to its Delhi office. The C and D category employees in a letter addressed to Director-General SAI, have appealed to the authorities not to do away with the schemes from Patiala. The employees have further apprised the head office that a similar decision of shifting such schemes proved to be a failure about 10 years back. The recent decision of the head office would make the staff at Patiala a surplus and may lead their transfer. Meanwhile, former Punjab
Minister and president of the Punjab Fencing Association,
Mr Brahm Mohindra, has sought reversal of the decision of
the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports. |
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Office-bearers CHANDIGARH (BOSR): The following have been elected office-bearers of the Chandigarh SAI Coaches Welfare Association: president — Mr BC Kaushal; secretary — Mr IP Nagi, senior vice-president — Mr NS Jassar; vice-presidents — Mr RS Kundu, Mr BS Randhawa, Mr Dinesh Sharma, Mr Surinder Mahajan, Mr MM Malhan and Ms Gurinder Kaur; joint secretaries — Mr Sanjeev Sharma and Ms Madhvi Bharj. Soccer panel office-bearers PATIALA, March 19 (FOSR) — Mr Shamsher Singh Boparai, an NRI, has been elected president of the Patiala District Football Association at a general body house meeting held here today. The other office-bearers, elected for a term of four years, are: senior vice-president — Mr Darshan Singh; vice-presidents — Prof Charan Dass, Mr O.P. Bangar and Mr J.S. Dhillon; honorary secretary — Mr S.S. Gill; cashier — Mr Bhawant Kaushal; joint secretary — Mr Jagdeesh Bhatia; and technical advisor — Mr Dalbir Singh. City gymnasts shine CHANDIGARH, March 19
(BOSR) — Two girl trainees of Moti Ram Senior
Secondary School, Sector 27, have done the city proud by
bagging the bronze medal in the recently concluded XLIV
National Schools Gymnastics Championship organised by the
School Games Federation of India at Surat (Gujarat).
Davinder Kaur got the third position in rhythmic (ball),
while Kamalpreet got the third position in rhythmic
(hoop) in the under-17 category. |
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