New Delhi: Ace Tennis doubles pair Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi at a press conference held to announce the Heineken Open 1999 in New Delhi on Thursday — PTI

Paes, Bhupathi not to snap tie-up NEW DELHI, Sept 23 — Tennis ace Leander Paes today said he and Mahesh Bhupathi will continue to pair up on the ATP Tour and there was no question of breaking the partnership which has won two Grand Slam titles this year. Team ‘will do well’ without Bhutia NEW DELHI, Sept 23 — In the absence of star striker Baichung Bhutia, chief national coach Sukhvinder Singh hopes the new combinations worked out during the camp would click and help India successfully defend the football title in the eighth SAF games at Kathmandu.

First Indian batch reaches Kathmandu
KATHMANDU, Sept 23 — Athletes from South Asian countries have started arriving in batches as preparations are in full swing to get the venues ready before the last SAF Games of the millennium get underway here on Saturday.

Chandigarh rout Vidarbha 16-0
MUMBAI, Sept 23 — Pooja Rawat today emerged as another star forward notching seven goals, including a hat-trick, in Delhi’s thumping 15-0 league victory over lowly Pondichery on the second day of the National Junior Women’s Hockey Championship here at the Mahindras Stadium.

Kenya series live on DD
NEW DELHI, Sept 23 — Doordarshan will telecast live the Indian campaign in the four-nation LG Cup one-day cricket tournament beginning in Nairobi in September 25.

NZ Federation Cup soccer at Karnal
CHANDIGARH, Sept 23 — A meeting of the executive committee of the Haryana Football Association was held here yesterday under the chairmanship of Mr L.M. Jain, president of the association.

India go down to Aussies
SYDNEY, Sept 23 — India scored two goals in the last 16 minutes but that was too late and too few as they went down 3-5 to Australia in their second tie of the four-nation Australia Cup Men’s Hockey Tournament here today.

Sports academies’ results positive
CHANDIGARH, Sept 23 — National campers from Punjab sports academies run by the Sports Department, Punjab, have started giving the desired results.

• Selection committee to meet on Sept 25
• Patel manager for Nairobi
• State record by Seema

Murali spells doom for Aussies

GALLE, Sept 23 (Reuters) — Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan took five wickets as Australia, 123 for no wicket at tea, slumped to 188 for five at close of the second day of the second Test today.

Replying to the home side’s 296 all out, Michael Slater and Greg Blewett put on 138 for the first Australian wicket before Muralitharan ripped through the batting, taking five for 50 in 31 overs.

Australian captain Steve Waugh, who defied medical advice to play with a broken nose, was unbeaten on two at close.

Blewett was the first to go when he was bowled by Muralitharan for 62. Slater fell four runs short off a century when he was stumped by Romesh Kaluwitharana off Muralitharan, who went on to take the wickets of Justin Langer (7), Mark Waugh (10) and Ian Healy (4).

Earlier Australian pacemen Glenn McGrath and Damien Fleming made short work of Sri Lanka’s lower order to dismiss the home side for 296 inside an hour at the start of the second day.

Sri Lanka, resuming on 254 for six, lost their last four wicket for the addition of 42 runs in 52 minutes.

McGrath picked up three wickets for 81 and Shane Warne, who did not bowl today, ended with three for 29 off 25 overs. Fleming took two for 74.

Sri Lanka (first innings):Jayasuriya c M. Waugh bMcGrath 0Atapattu c Healy b Warne 29Arnold c Warne b Miller 50De Silva c S.Waugh b Fleming 64Jayawardene c Blewett b Warne 46Ranatunga c Miller b Warne 10Kaluwitharana b McGrath 25Vaas c Ponting b Fleming 41Herath run out 3Zoysa c M.Waugh b McGrath 1Muralitharan not out 7
Extras (b-4 lb-8 nb-8): 20
Total: 296
Fall of wickets: 1/0 2/80 3/100 4/193 5/206 6/226 7/262 8/288 9/288
Bowling: McGrath 26.5-7-81-3 (7nb), Fleming 23-6-74-2 (1nb), Miller 23-1-72-1, Warne 25-11-29-3, Ponting 4-1-7-0, M. Waugh 2-1-9-0, Blewett 3-0-12-0.

Australia (first innings)
Slater st Kaluwitharana b Muralitharan 96
Blewett b Muralitharan 62
Langer c Ranatunga b Muralitharan 7
M. Waugh c Ranatunga b Muralitharan 10
S.Waugh not out 2
Healy c Jayawardene b Muralitharan 4
Ponting not out 0
Extras (b-1 lb-4 n-2) 7
Total (for five wickets) 188
Fall of wickets: 1-138 2-160 3-179 4-182 5-188
Bowling : Vaas 9-3-31-0, Zoysa 6-1-9-0, Herath 28-5-78-0 (1nb), Muralitharan 31-10-50-5 (1nb), Jayasuriya 9-1-15-0.

Bangalore to have cricket academy

JAIPUR, Sept 23 (UNI) — The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to set up a national cricket academy at Bangalore.

The BCCI also constituted a working group to prepare a detailed scheme and programme for setting up the academy.

After the conclusion of the two-day BCCI general body meeting at Rambagh Palace Hotel, J.Y. Lele, honorary secretary, told newsmen that the AGM also ratified the working committee’s decision to have a national academy and five zonal academies in order to activate the supply lines of young cricketing talents. It has urged that possibilities be explored to start the academy in conjunction with the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

He said that a working group has been formed comprising the outgoing president Raj Singh Dungarpur as chairman and Sunil Gavaskar and Brijesh Patel as members.

The BCCI has decided to send a number of physical trainers-cum physiotherapists abroad to gain expertise so that they are able to contribute to the modern demands of the game in the years to come.

BCCI secretary J.Y. Lele said that the board would also urge all associations playing in Ranji Trophy to appoint physical trainers for their respective teams.

He said only one physical trainer-cum-physiotherapist will be appointed for the senior Indian team from now onwards on requirement. The assistance of a local doctor can be sought by the team, he added.

The BCCI members have expressed concern over the incident involving the selection of Mithun Minhas of Delhi in the India “A” team for the series in Los Angeles.

Lele said the board has expressed its genuine regret with the assurance that such incidents will not be repeated.

In a related development, Dr. M.K. Bhargava has been appointed the manager of the Indian team that will tour Australia from November this year to February next year.

Samiran Chakraborty will be the manager of the Indian team for the Sharjah Tournament in March 2000 as well as the Asia Cup in Dhaka in April next year.

First Indian batch reaches Kathmandu

KATHMANDU, Sept 23 (PTI) — Athletes from South Asian countries have started arriving in batches as preparations are in full swing to get the venues ready before the last SAF Games of the millennium get underway here on Saturday.

A small batch of Indian participants, including the football team, flew in here this morning while the remaining members of the 232-strong Indian contingent will reach here in the next two days.

Athletes from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bhutan have started flying in and have been accommodated in various hotels in this picturesque capital city, the commercial and cultural hub of Nepal.

The renovated Dashrath Stadium, venue for the showpiece athletic event and opening and closing ceremonies, witnessed hectic activities as hordes of workers gave finishing touches to get everything ready before the opening ceremony, which is expected to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Himalayan kingdom.

The 12-event South Asian sporting extravaganza will be organised in five main venues set up at an approximate cost of 24 crore Nepalese Rupees. The 12 events are athletics, boxing, football, karate, kabaddi, shooting, swimming, taekwondo, table tennis, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling.

Around 3000 sportspersons, officials and media representatives from seven countries are expected for the games being held in Kathmandu after a gap of 15 years after having staged the inaugural edition of the meet in 1984.

A total of 1069 athletes from the seven participating countries will be competing for 532 medals, including 161 gold, during the 10-day meet which was again expected to be dominated by India, like in all the seven previous editions.

Security arrangements have been beefed up in and around Kathmandu to ensure that the games pass off smoothly with the deployment of additional security forces during the event. Besides the policemen, around 600 volunteers have been recruited to assist the security personnel at the venues.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr Dhal Mal Thapa, who is also the Chairman of the security committee for the games, said: “Special security arrangements have been made for making this event safe”.

The security officials are erecting two command posts each at the main Dashrath Stadium and Virendra International Sports Complex at Satbodato while the ward police stations at the valley and outskirts will also be mobilised.

“We have already made assessment of potential threats and are taking precaution to ensure the overall safety during the games,” Mr Thapa said.

There will be stringent checks on all points of arrival, from Tribhuvan International Airport to every point of entry along the border. In addition, several walk-throughs and metal detectors will be installed at most of the hotels where the participants are to stay.

Work is also on to make the main Press centre, located at Hotel Woodlands, operational before the opening ceremony. Three professional groups, including two from India, will manage all the computer database required during the games.

Festoons and banners welcoming the participants have surfaced in all the important areas of the city which is keen to capitalise on its tourism potential.

The games have evoked an enthusiastic response from the people who are hoping that Nepal would be able to secure a sizeable number of gold medals with the introduction of events like karate and taekwondo. The fact that Kathmandu is staging the mega event after a long time has only added to the general excitement among the Nepalese.

Meena, a popular cartoon character, will be one of the main attractions of the two-hour long opening ceremony on Saturday. Brought to real life by a group of children from Nepal Bal Sangathan, an orphanage, the ‘Meena’ contingent will march on the track with a banner appealing to society to “give the girl child a chance.”

Paes, Bhupathi not to snap tie-up

NEW DELHI, Sept 23 (PTI) — Tennis ace Leander Paes today said he and Mahesh Bhupathi will continue to pair up on the ATP Tour and there was no question of breaking the partnership which has won two Grand Slam titles this year.

“We are playing together next season,” Paes declared scotching reports that they would rethink on their partnership at the end of this season.

“We are the best team in the world when we play together. There is no question about it (of breaking the team),” Paes told a press conference here to announce their participation in the $ 7,25,000 Heineken Open to be played in Singapore from October 9 to 17.

“We have set our routines and schedules in such a way that we peak during the Grand Slams, and we plan to continue with it next year,” Bhupathi said.

The world number one pair, who reached the doubles summit in April this year, have been assured to end the year as the top team regardless of what happens in the remaining weeks.

“We have nine more weeks of tennis remaining in this season and whatever happens during the period, we’ll end the year number one,” Paes said.

The Indians take a week off before heading to Shanghai. Their next stop will be Singapore where they have been assured wild cards for singles event.

“We are hoping to improve on our singles rankings, which have plummeted this season. Getting wildcards is a good opportunity for us to do a bit in singles too,” Paes said on the pairs’ arrival in the capital.

The crack Australian combination of Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge have also confirmed their participation in the Singapore event.

“They are a tough team, but we love challenges and I am sure we’ll regain the title we won in 1997,” Paes said.

Paes and Bhupathi beat the Woodies in 1997 final and the Aussies returned next year to beat the Indians.

“We want to get the title back. More so for the devoted Indian fans in Singapore who give us vociferous support whenever we play,” Bhupathi said.

“It’s not going to be easy and there will be pressure on us. We have to take things calmly and in our stride by taking one match at a time,” Paes added.

“We are delighted to have Leander and Mahesh playing at the Heineken Open,” said Alexander Brown, managing director of ESPN-Star Sports, the event managers.

The two, who have been assured of ending the year as number one well in advance, however, will not have such an easy ride next year, when ATP will enforce a new system of rankings.

Chandigarh rout Vidarbha 16-0

MUMBAI, Sept 23 (UNI) — Pooja Rawat today emerged as another star forward notching seven goals, including a hat-trick, in Delhi’s thumping 15-0 league victory over lowly Pondichery on the second day of the National Junior Women’s Hockey Championship here at the Mahindras Stadium.

In other group matches Bihar swamped Tamil Nadu 5-0 and Gujarat in a match of ordinary teams prevailed over Jammu and Kashmir 3-0. But the day’s biggest slaughter was executed by Chandigarh posting 16-0 win over Vidarbha.

All losers were thrashed yesterday also and again could not score a single goal.

Earlier Jyoti Bali, the inside-left of Chandigarh, had also given a superb show of stick work which matched Rawat’s performance. She also fired a hat-trick in a tally of seven goals. Meanwhile, Mizoram and Rajasthan failed to arrive for the event.

Aldine Karketta led the Bihari assault on Tamilians with four goals and for Gujarat Rutvi Trivedi scored a brace.

Both Rawat of Delhi and Bali of Chandigarh are potential India players though there are early days and the opposition is absolutely meek. But they exhibited the ingredients like stamina, power, dribbling and most of all sense of timing which go to make a top star. The tournament’s best two teams, holders Haryana and runners up Manipur are yet to play and it will be interesting how the first two days heavy scorers play against them.

Team ‘will do well’ without Bhutia

NEW DELHI, Sept 23 (PTI) — In the absence of star striker Baichung Bhutia, chief national coach Sukhvinder Singh hopes the new combinations worked out during the camp would click and help India successfully defend the football title in the eighth SAF games at Kathmandu.

With the 22-year-old striker joining the English second division club FC Bury, the Indian coach has planned new combinations in the strike force comprising skipper Jo Paul Ancheri, I.M. Vijayan, Raman Vijayan and Bruno Cutinho.

Sukhwinder was confident India, who beat Bangladesh 1-0 in the final at Madras in 1995, and also claimed the SAARC title at Goa earlier this year, would do well in the tournament starting on September 24. The team leaves here today.

“Bhutia’s absence will definitely be felt, but football is a team game and you can’t depend on one player. Now that he will not be there we will have do our best with whoever is available,” he told reporters after the Indian team defeated a Delhi XI 3-1 in a warm-up match at the Ambedkar Stadium here yesterday.

“We have worked out a few combinations and I hope they click,” he added.

The Indian team looked rusty and error-prone in the match but that was expected as neither the coach nor the players wanted to go all out and risk injury ahead of the games.

“It was only a warm-up match and no one wanted to risk injury. Further, the ground was also uneven. Overall I am happy with the preparations. The boys are capable of playing far better and I hope they do that at Kathmandu,” he said.

Skipper Jo Paul Ancheri, who had a nightmarish 1995 final when a severe knee injury put him out of action for a long time, was confident of a good show at Kathmandu.

“We had a good camp of 10 days at Patiala and all players are fit. I am confident we will perform well,” he said.

The versatile Ancheri said apart from Bangladesh, Nepal and Maldives, India would also face a tough challenge from Pakistan, whom they meet in their group “B” opener on September 26. Nepal and Bhutan are the other two teams in the group.

Group “A” includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives.

Ancheri said Bhutia’s absence would not be felt as the mercurial striker was also not in the line-up for the final in the last edition at Chennai.

India had won the gold medal in 1985 and 1987 also.

Besides Ancheri, I.M. Vijayan, Sabir Pasha and Bruno Coutinho, who led the side, will also be seen in action in the Nepalese capital.

Of the three, Pasha, who scored the match-winner in the final against Bangladesh in 1995, looked in top form as he slammed in two second half goals against Delhi XI.

Raman Vijayan, expected to partner his more famous namesake I.M. Vijayan upfront, also did well though he missed a couple of easy chances.

India pull out of Asia Cup

ISLAMABAD, Sept 23 (PTI) — Following Pakistan’s intrusions in Kargil, hockey ties, too, between India and that country have been snapped with India pulling out of the Asia Cup Championship to be held in Lahore in November.

Pakistan hockey chief Akhtar Rasool today announced the Indian pullout from the Asia Cup to be held from November 18 to 28 and hinted at possible action against India.

When contacted, Indian Hockey Federation president K.P.S. Gill told PTI in New Delhi “there is nothing like taking action” in such cases.

Apparently as a retaliatory measure, Mr Rasool said in Lahore that next month’s six-nation tournament in Chandigarh, in which Pakistan was to take part, had been cancelled.

The fact, however, according to Mr Gill, was that the tournament was postponed due to the elections now on in the country.

Mr Rasool, a great centre-half of yesteryears, also expressed his doubts about the annual hockey series between the two countries saying it would be held after getting the required permission from the Pakistan Government in view of the strained relations between the two countries.

Kenya series live on DD

NEW DELHI, Sept 23 (PTI) — Doordarshan will telecast live the Indian campaign in the four-nation LG Cup one-day cricket tournament beginning in Nairobi in September 25.

Doordarshan has made arrangements for live telecast of the three Indian matches and the final, while also putting out highlights of all the matches.

South Africa, Zimbabwe and hosts Kenya are the other teams in the tournament.

While the live telecast of matches will begin from 12.02 pm the highlights of the matches will be presented on DD-1 the next day.

The live telecast will begin with the India-South Africa match on September 26, which will be beamed from 12.02 pm to 2 pm on DD-1, 2 pm to 3.30 pm DD-2, 3.30 pm to 4 pm on DD-1, 4.30 pm to 7 pm on DD-1 and 7 pm till the end on DD-2.

DD-1 will begin the live telecast of the India-Kenya and Zimbabwe-India matches on September 29 and October 1, respectively from 12.02 pm to 2 pm, 2 pm to 2.25 on DD-2, 2.20 pm to 4 pm on DD-1, 4.30 pm to 7 pm on DD-1, 7 pm to 7.30 pm on DD-2 and 7.20 pm till the end on DD-1. The final match will come live on DD-1 on October 3 from 12.02 pm to 2 pm, 2 pm to 3 pm on DD-2, 3 pm to 4 pm DD-1, 4.30 pm to 7 pm on DD-1 and 7.00 pm till the end of the match on DD-2.

NZ Federation Cup soccer at Karnal
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 23 — A meeting of the executive committee of the Haryana Football Association was held here yesterday under the chairmanship of Mr L.M. Jain, president of the association.

It was decided to hold the North Zone Federation Cup Football Tournament at Karnal in October. Winner clubs from Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal, Chandigarh, U.P., Delhi, Railway Sports Board and Haryana will compete for qualification from north zone.

The state subjunior (U-16) championship has been allotted to DFA, Fatehabad. It will be held in November.

The state junior (U-19) championship has been allotted to DFA Hisar which will also be held in November.

The senior football championship will be organised by DFA Ambala in February, 2000 while the Haryana Rural Football Championship will be held at Pundri in February, 2000.

The Haryana Super Club League Championship will be organised by DFA Faridabad in January, 2000, while the state schools (U-19) championship will be held at Bahadurgarh in January, 2000. This tournament for schools is being introduced for the first time.

India go down to Aussies

SYDNEY, Sept 23 (PTI) — India scored two goals in the last 16 minutes but that was too late and too few as they went down 3-5 to Australia in their second tie of the four-nation Australia Cup Men’s Hockey Tournament here today.

Deepak Thakur (49th and 60th minutes) and Mohammed Riaz (56th) netted for India while Matthew Smith (10th), Paul Gaudian (25th), Michael Brennan (28th), James Elmer (54th) and Ben Taylor (55th) struck for the hosts at the State Hockey Centre here.

In the other match of the day, South Korea beat Canada, winner of the first leg at Canberra, 3-2.

Jung Seong-Tae (4th, 49th) and Yeo Yoon-Gon (34) scored for the South Koreans while Canada’s goals came from Andrew Griffiths (14th min) and Paul Wettlaufer (22nd).

Sports academies’ results positive
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 23 — National campers from Punjab sports academies run by the Sports Department, Punjab, have started giving the desired results. According to Col Raminder Singh, Director Sports, Punjab, this was a long time scheme where boys under-12 years were selected and given training in various disciplines besides giving them free education, board and lodging facilities.

After five years the players have now started getting into national camps. Giving details he said Sarbinder Singh, a lawn tennis player of the Speed Academy at Ludhiana, had gone to play in the Asiad School Championship which is in progress at Jakarta.

Seven players — Kanwalpreet Singh, Bikramjit Singh, Jugraj Singh, Parmeet Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Prabhjeet Singh and Pawiterjeet Singh — all products of Olympian Surjit Hockey Academy, Jalandhar, had been selected for the Indian junior hockey camp to be conducted by the Indian Hockey Federation. Numerous players from these academies have achieved the distinction of being members of various teams. He further said that the target for every player under this scheme was to get into the national squad and win a medal in the international competition. “We are proceeding in the right direction and in the days to come. Punjab will once again be a major nursery for national teams,” Col Raminder Singh added.

Selection committee to meet on Sept 25

MUMBAI, Sept 23 (PTI) — The newly-appointed national selection committee, headed by Chandu Borde, will meet in Chennai on September 25 to begin its job in earnest by selecting three teams, it was announced by the cricket board here today.

The selectors will choose the Rest of India squad to clash with Ranji champions Karnataka in the October 1-5 Irani Cup tie at Bangalore besides selecting the India “A” and Board President’s teams to play against the visiting New Zealand team in three-day ties at Pune and Jodhpur.

Patel manager for Nairobi

AHMEDABAD, Sept 23 (PTI) — The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Vikrambhai Patel as manager of the Indian cricket team for the four-nation tournament at Nairobi from September 25 to October 3.

Patel, who is the Secretary of Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), was yesterday informed of the decision by the BCCI, whose annual general meeting was held in Jaipur.

Patel will join the Indian cricket team today, according to a GCA statement here.

State record by Seema
From Our Sports Reporter

HISAR, Sept 23 — Seema Antil of Sonepat set a state record in shotput on the inaugural day of the three-day 13th Haryana State Women’s Sports Festival here today.

She covered a distance of 12.19 metres, erasing the record of 11.84 metres set by Sugan Yadav of Bhiwani in 1995. Poonam Sahu of Hisar and Kavita of Sonepat were second and third with 9.95 metres and 9.52 metres, respectively.

Mr Raj Kumar Saini, Sports Minister, Haryana, inaugurated the festival. About 2,000 players and officials are taking part in the festival being organised by the Sports and Youth Welfare Department, Haryana.

Eight players of Hisar district were honoured for their outstanding performances in international and national competitions. Those honoured are: Satish Yadav, Narender, Arvind, Madan Lal, Sanjeev Kumar, Satish Barsar and Renu Chanda (judo) and Manmeet Singh (football).

Savita of Rohtak won the 1,500 metres (under-16) in 5 minutes 22 seconds. Renu from Rohtak and Sonika from Ambala were second and third with 5.24 and 5.30, respectively.

In 800 metres Harpreet of Ambala clocked 2 minutes 37 seconds to win the race. Anita of Sonepat and Bhavna of Rohtak were second and third.

In volleyball Kurukshetra beat Karnal 25-13, 25-7 and Hisar beat Bhiwani 25-14, 25-12. In basketball Panchkula beat Gurgaon 26-6 while Yamunanagar beat Sonepat 17-9. In kabaddi Jind beat Fatehabad 57-36 and Bhiwani beat Kaithal 38-9.

In under 16 kabaddi Jind beat Kaithal 27-17 and Hisar beat Gurgaon 19-3.

Punjab swimming from Oct 8

LUDHIANA, Sept 23 (FOSR) — The 33rd Punjab State Senior Swimming and Waterpolo Championship for men and women will be held here at the municipal corporation swimming pool from October 8 to 10, according to Col Raminder Singh, President, Punjab Swimming Association (PSA).

Entries close on October 6 with the General Secretary, PSA. Swimmers, who will represent Punjab at senior national meet, will be selected during this three-day meet. They will undergo training in coaching camps to be held at Jalandhar for men and at Ludhiana for women from October 11.

The final teams selected after the coaching camp will participate in the 54th Senior National Aquatic Championship scheduled to be held at Pune from October 26 to 31.

Bathinda overall champs

BATHINDA, Sept 23 (TNS) — Bathinda district today emerged winners in the 45th Inter-District School Games held here.

In a press note issued here today, Mrs S Kataria, DEO, said Bathinda boys won the basketball and handball titles while they lost to Sangrur in kabbadi.

Seven events, including handball, basketball, football and kabbadi, were held in the city from September 20 to 23 in which about 1500 players all parts of Punjab participated.

Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, who gave away the prizes to the winners, also announced a holiday in the schools for tomorrow.

PSEB win

PATIALA, Sept 23 (FOSR) — Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) carved out an authoritative seven-wicket win over Phoenix Cricket Club to enter the final of the third Maharaja Hira Singh Memorial Cricket Tournament played at Nabha, near here, today.

Scores: Phoenix Cricket Club: 190 for 7 in 35 overs (Navneet Gill 37, Sumit Kalia 24, Kulbir 43 n.o. Amit Kakria 2 for 31, R. Deegia 1 for 17, Munish Arora 1 for 30).

PSEB: 191 for 3 in 29 overs (Munish Arora 79 n.o. Shahid Khan 37, S. Tinku 41, S. Kapuria 25 n.o.)

Earlier in the quarterfinals, PSEB beat LIC by five wickets to make the semifinal grade.

Scores: LIC: 224 for 5 in 35 overs (Dinesh Mongia 107, Rajesh Patha 47, Sandeep Kohli 3 for 35).

PSEB: 225 for 5 in 34 overs (Shahid Khan 60, S. Kohli 41, Sanjeev Kapuria 35 n.o. D. Mongia 2 for 33, Vineet Jain 2 for 31).

Technical official

LUDHIANA, Sept 23 (FOSR) — Mr Balraj Sharma, Vice-President, Swimming Federation of India (SFI) and General Secretary, Punjab Swimming Association, has been invited for the eighth SAF Games as a technical official. The games start at Kathmandu on September 25.

BSF win title

FARIDKOT, Sept 23 (UNI) — Border Security Force (BSF) won the eighth Baba Farid Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, beating Central Railway, Mumbai, 4-2 at the Government Barjindra College Hockey Stadium here this evening.

This was fifth consecutive win for the BSF and the credit went to inside-right B. Kuloo who scored thrice.

Centre forward Bishamber Singh’s goal in the 62nd minute gave BSF a 4-2 lead, which sealed the fate of the railwaymen.