S P O R T S

Zaheer Khan, Ashish inspire high hopes
Chatsworth (South Africa), October 28
With the focus shifting from one-day cricket to the Test series, the Indians were gearing themselves up to provide a greater challenge to the home side as they go into the three-day match against South Africa ‘A’ starting here tomorrow. This being the only practice game ahead of the first Test at Bloemfontein from November 3, the primary concern for the Indians was to give vital match practice to the new members of the squad.

Exclusion of Mongia baffling: Dungarpur
Dubai, October 28
Terming India’s series of losses in final matches ‘a crisis of character’, former cricket board chairman Raj Singh Dungarpur has demanded greater transparency in selection procedures while advocating a ‘golden handshake’ for veteran speedsters Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad.

Games torch to touch 21 venues
Chandigarh, October 28
To give a true representative colour to the opening and closing ceremonies and the torch relay besides reflecting the sporting ethos of the host state, a meeting of prominent sportspersons, including Olympians, international and national-level players, would be convened at Ludhiana.

National Games on schedule: Dhindsa
Chandigarh, October 28
“We foresee no problem in holding the National Games on schedule. Most of the equipment needed for the Games has been imported. Further imports, wherever needed, would be completed soon,” stated Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, president of the Punjab Olympic Association and Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, here today regarding the sports extravaganza scheduled to get under way in Punjab and at Chandigarh from November 19 to December 1.

Jaroslav Poriz of the Czech Republic, right, tries to throw American Emanuel Yarbrough in the first round match of the open division in the 10th Sumo World Championships at Hirosaki, northern Japan, Sunday. Poriz won the match by throwing 340 kg American wrestler. — AP/PTI

	Ganguly left clueless after defeat October 28, 2001
	India fail to break final jinx October 27, 2001
	Indians need to click as a unit October 26, 2001
	Allan Donald to miss India series October 25, 2001
	Connor Williams included; Dighe recalled October 24, 2001
	Dighe likely to get the nod October 23, 2001
	India lift jr World Cup October 22, 2001
	Indians confident of winning title October 21, 2001
	Indian colts stun Germany, enter final October 20, 2001

Pak beat Zimbabwe Sharjah, October 28 Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 106 runs in the Champions Trophy encounter here today. Chasing a target of 280 runs for victory, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 173 runs in 39.1 overs. Earlier, Pakistan plundered Zimbabwe’s meek attack to pile up 279 for 6 in 50 overs. Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi hits a ball high to the leg side on his way to a half century during a one-day match against Zimbabwe which is part of the Sharjah Triangular Tournament at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday. — Reuters photo

RANJI TROPHY
Railways in command
New Delhi, October 28
Spinners Murali Kartik and Kulmani Parida captured eight wickets between them as Railways took a firm grip on the Central Zone Ranji Trophy league match against Rajasthan here today.

Punjab Ranji squad announced
Chandigarh, October 28
Punjab Ranji Trophy cricket team for the first two matches was announced by Mr M.P. Pandove, Honorary Secretary, Punjab Cricket Association, Mohali, after a 10-day camp of the Ranji probables.

Vikas, Shikha TT champions
Ludhiana, October 28
In a ding-dong battle, fourth seed Vineet Chopra of State Bank of Patiala prevailed over third seed Vikas Mahajan of Punjab State Electricity Board 4-2 and top seed Shikha Ghai from Amritsar demolished her city mate and third seed Rajni Gupta 3-0 to emerge champion in the men’s and women’s sections, respectively, in the 42nd Punjab State Inter-District and Open Table Tennis Championship which concluded at the Shastri Hall of Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

Surjit Academy in final
Jalandhar, October 28
In the Hyundai Punjab Champion Colleges Hockey League tomorrow, Surjit Academy, Jalandhar, will meet Namdhari Academy, Bhaini Sahib in the under-17 section while in the girls section, HMV College, Jalandhar, will clash with DAV College, Amritsar and DAV College will meet Lyallpur Khalsa College in the boys final.

PTTA to hold prize money tourney
Ludhiana, October 28
The Punjab Table Tennis Association has decided to start a prize money tournament in order to draw attention of youngsters towards the game. A decision in this regard was taken during the general body meeting of the PTTA held at Ludhiana today.

WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
Austria hold Israel 1-1
Ramat Gan (Israel), October 28
A dramatic injury-time goal by Andreas Hertzog kept Austria’s hopes of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup alive here yesterday when they drew 1-1 with Israel in their re-arranged qualifier.

Graf, Agassi happy with son’s birth

Berlin, October 28 Former German tennis champion Steffi Graf and US tennis star Andre Agassi have spoken of their happiness after Graf gave birth to a baby boy in Las Vegas on Friday, four days after the couple married. Seven-times Wimbledon champion Steffi Graf gave birth prematurely on Friday to a boy with the child's father Andre Agassi at her side. File photo shows Agassi (R) and Graf attending the Oscar De La Hoya versus Felix Trinidad welterweight championship fight on September 18. — Reuters photo

Humpy settles for quick draw
Hyderabad, October 28
Junior world chess champion women grandmaster Koneru Humpy, despite opting for a quick draw, leads the table with 6.5 points at the end of the eight round of the third Saturday GM Chess tournament being played at Belgrade in Yugoslavia on Sunday.

India safer than London Tube: Ramprakash
London, October 28
Englishman Mark Ramprakash has no fears about going to India for the upcoming three-match Test series. “There’s probably more danger going to Heathrow or using the Tube than visiting Bangalore and Mumbai,” said Ramprakash, one of the 11 England players, who on Friday committed to going to India.

PSEB in hockey semis
Patiala, October 28
Hosts Punjab State Electricity Board carved out an emphatic 2-0 win over Bhakra Beas Management Board to become the first team to make the last four grade of the 28th All-India Inter-Electricity Board Hockey Tournament played at the NIS complex here today.

Zaheer Khan, Ashish inspire high hopes

Chatsworth (South Africa), October 28
With the focus shifting from one-day cricket to the Test series, the Indians were gearing themselves up to provide a greater challenge to the home side as they go into the three-day match against South Africa ‘A’ starting here tomorrow.

This being the only practice game ahead of the first Test at Bloemfontein from November 3, the primary concern for the Indians was to give vital match practice to the new members of the squad.

Thus, Connor Williams, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra and Sameer Dighe, who joined the team for the Test series, were put through the paces at the Kingsmead, Durban, even though the others took a day off from practice.

These four and V.V.S. Laxman, who was called for the last two one-day matches, are a certainty for the match while captain Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid have opted out. Team management said Dravid had gone to Cape Town for a scan on his shoulder but stressed it was only a precautionary measure and the Indian vice-captain was not injured.

Baroda’s Williams, who has come as an opener in place of the injured Sadgopan Ramesh, would be eagerly watched as he braces himself for his first major international assignment.

Williams and Shiv Sunder Das, who couldn’t make much of the opportunity provided in the one-dayers, would be vital to India’s interests as a solid partnership from them would almost be a pre-requisite to a good total on these fast and bouncy tracks.

Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra, returning to the side after recovering from leg injuries, inspire high hopes for the beleagured Indians. For Dighe too, it is another chance to show his utility and make sure he is given preference ahead of Deep Dasgupta.

Apart from Ganguly and Dravid, the Indians are also sure to rest Javagal Srianth and Ajit Agarkar from this game.

From the host team, only fast bowler Charl Langeveldt has found a place in the South African Test squad but there were quite a few promising players waiting to make an impression.

The selection of freak left-arm spinner Paul Adams is an interesting choice as it indicates the options South Africa are looking to bolster their bowling attack in the absence of Alland Donald and Mofunenko Ngam, both of whom are injured.

Besides Langeveldt, one-day regulars Andre Nel and Justin Kemp are also in the team.

Teams (from):
Indians: Sachin Tendulkar, Shiv Sunder Das, Connors Williams, V.V.S. Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Sameer Dighe, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Javagal Srinath, Ajit Agarkar.

South Africa ‘A’: HD Ackerman, Paul Adams, Gulam Bodi, Justin Kemp, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Justin Ontong, Jacques Rudolph, Graeme Smith, Thami Tsolekile, Martin van Jaarsveld, Charl Willoughby. PTI

Exclusion of Mongia baffling: Dungarpur

Dubai, October 28
Terming India’s series of losses in final matches ‘a crisis of character’, former cricket board chairman Raj Singh Dungarpur has demanded greater transparency in selection procedures while advocating a ‘golden handshake’ for veteran speedsters Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad.

“The time has come for Prasad and Srinath to either take a long rest or they need a golden handshake before retirement,” Dungarpur was quoted as saying by the Gulf News.

“All good things come to an end. Their end looks very much on the cards,” he said.

Dungarpur said left-arm seamers Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan can forge a very good combination for the future with Ajit Agarkar being the third dimension of the pace attack.

“Ajit Agarkar is a good cricketer. He may have lived longer on promise, but he has the potential to be a top class cricketer,” he said in an interview to the daily in Sharjah.

Referring to India’s recent loss to South Africa in the final of the triangular one-day series — the ninth straight defeat in final matches — Dungarpur said it was difficult to provide one specific reason for the continued bad performance in the big matches. “But of course it is a crisis of character.”

“Like in the days of old when troops followed the king, the Indian team follows Sachin (Tendulkar) as soon as he is out,” he said.

Calling for a greater transparency in selection of the team, Dungarpur lambasted the selection committee for keeping Nayan Mongia out.

“Keeping Mongia out is disgraceful,” Dungarpur said. He suggested that the selection committee should make it clear why Mongia was not being picked. “It is very poor management on the part of (selection commitee chairman Chandu) Borde,” he said.

He urged Borde to prove that “there are no skeletons”. “The chairman being a fountainhead, he should be transparent,” he said in the interview at Sharjah.

On Sunil Gavaskar replacing him as chairman of National Cricket Academy, Dungarpur said there were not many people who know more cricket than the little master. “(But), I wish he (Gavaskar) is able to give time, he has so many commitments.”

Despite relinquishing the NCA post, Dungarpur said he was still associated with the game as he had something more to offer. “I am very involved with cricket in India. It will be difficult to ignore Dungarpur in Indian cricket. I think I still have a little bit to offer.”

Right now, he was planning a world class academy at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai. “We will have it for 12 month not just four months,” he said referring to the four-month stints at the NCA.

Dungarpur said he was planning to get Australian Bobby Simpson, Frank Tyson and former leg spinner Peter Philpott to coach players at the CCI academy along with some of the best Indian coaches. PTI

Games torch to touch 21 venues
Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 28
To give a true representative colour to the opening and closing ceremonies and the torch relay besides reflecting the sporting ethos of the host state, a meeting of prominent sportspersons, including Olympians, international and national-level players, would be convened at Ludhiana.

The chairman of the ceremonial and protocol committee, Mr R.S. Gill, who is also the president of the Punjab Basketball Association, says that suggestions given by outstanding sportspersons of the state would be given due weightage before finalising various ceremonies for the “memorable conduct of the Games”.

“The idea is to listen to all suggestions and ensure maximum participation of all stars of yesteryears as holding of such an event is a lifetime experience for a state,” Mr Gill said.

The route of the Games torch has already been finalised. It would touch all the 21 venues in five host cities in four days.

According to the schedule, the torch would be lit at Yadavindra Stadium in Patiala on November 16 and would be taken to the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports from where it would be take to the Polo Ground and pass through Baradari before it leaves Patiala on its way to Chandigarh via Rajpura and Zirakpur.

The same day, the torch would be taken to the Chandigarh Golf Club and then to Sukhna Lake and the Sector 10 tennis stadium. The same day it would also be taken to the new shooting range at SAS Nagar.

The first night halt of the torch would be the PCA Stadium at SAS Nagar.

On November 17, the torch would be taken from SAS Nagar at Sri Anandpur Sahib via Kurali, Ropar and Kiratpur Sahib touching all historic gurdwaras from where it would be taken to the Anandpur Academy of Martial Arts. The second night halt would be at Anandpur Sahib.

The next day, the torch would be taken to Jalandhar through Garhshankar, Nawanshahr, Banga and Phagwara before it reaches Guru Gobind Singh Stadium there.

The torch would be taken to the Burlton park (venue for hockey), Hans Raj Stadium (badminton), equestrian ground and indoor stadium of the PAP (equestrian sports and wrestling).

The third night halt would be PAP Indoor Stadium.

On November 19, the torch would be taken to Ludhiana through Phagwara and Phillaur. Before reaching Guru Nanak Stadium, the venue for the opening ceremony in the afternoon, the Games torch would touch Punjab Agricultural University hockey ground (women’s hockey), velodrome (cycling), indoor stadium (handball and volleyball) and basketball stadium (basketball).

Mr Gill said the final details about who will light the torch at Yadavindra Stadium, Patiala, the first runner, and other torch runners, and the runners who do the last lap and light the Games flame, would be taken after a meeting of all sportspersons sometime next week.

Meanwhile, rehearsals for the opening and closing ceremonies are going on at Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana, under the supervision of Mr Gill.

National Games on schedule: Dhindsa
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 28
“We foresee no problem in holding the National Games on schedule. Most of the equipment needed for the Games has been imported. Further imports, wherever needed, would be completed soon,” stated Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, president of the Punjab Olympic Association and Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, here today regarding the sports extravaganza scheduled to get under way in Punjab and at Chandigarh from November 19 to December 1.

Mr Dhindsa revealed that entries of all the states ( number of participants) had been received. The exact details like names of players and other details from each state would be received shortly, he said adding that nearly 10,500 persons — 7,500 players and 3,000 officials — would be involved in making the Games a success.

Mr I.S. Bindra, chairman, organising committee for National Games, speaking on the occasion, stressed that in case of obstruction on import of equipment in view of the current crisis in Afghanistan, the Sports Authority of India had been told to keep equipment ready. So if the need arose the equipment would be arranged at a short notice.

Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab, is holding a meeting next week to review the arrangements, he said. Besides, the steering committee formed to oversee the conduct of the Games would meet once a week. Secretaries of various committees have been told to remain in touch.

Netball, which is making its debut in the Games, would entail participation of at least 200 additional players. Punjab, which has a strong squad in the discipline, stands a good chance of winning the medal. With netball’s addition the number of events in the Games had gone up to 28.

Mr Dhindsa dismissed all doubts and uncertainties regarding the holding of shooting events at the shooting range under construction at SAS Nagar. “The range will be completed before time,” was his terse reply. Mr Dhindsa is slated to meet Mrs Sushma Swaraj, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting tomorrow regarding the telecast of various events of the Games on the national hook-up.

According to Mr T.C. Gupta, chairman, media committee, Union Sports Minister Uma Bharati is likely to open the Games at Ludhiana, while Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has agreed to preside over the closing ceremony.

Pak beat Zimbabwe

Sharjah, October 28
Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 106 runs in the Champions Trophy encounter here today.

Chasing a target of 280 runs for victory, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 173 runs in 39.1 overs.

Earlier, Pakistan plundered Zimbabwe’s meek attack to pile up 279 for 6 in 50 overs.

Fluent half-centuries from Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi, followed by a blistering attack from Abdur Razzaq, raised the highest total so far in the three-nation tournament.

Both teams are looking for their first win after losing their opening matches to formidable Sri Lanka.

Pakistan, electing to bat after winning the toss, never looked back after openers Taufiq Omer and Shahid Afridi ran up 45 in the first 10 overs.

Afridi smashed five sixes and three boundaries in his 67, while left-handed Anwar hit six fours and a six in 64.

Pakistan

Omer st A. Flower b Brent 18

Afridi b Streak 67

Anwar b G. Flower 64

Youhanna c sub (Olonga) b Marillier 26

Younis Khan b Friend 17 Razzaq run out 45

Akram not out 22

Latif not out 3

Extras: (lb-8, nb-9) 17

Total (for 6 wkts, 50 overs) 279

Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-136, 3-188, 4-190, 5-244, 6-258

Bowling: Streak 10-0-42-1, Friend 9-0-55-1, Brent 7-1-32-1, Ervine 6-0-51-0, Murphy 4-0-23-0, Marillier 8-1-35-1, Gripper 2-0-11-0, G. Flower 4-0-22-1.

Zimbabwe

Marillier b Akram 2

G. Flower c Umar b Waqar 2

Carlisle run out 43

A. Flower b S. Malik 51

D. Ebrahim c Latif b Malik 12

H. Streak not out 27

T. Gripper run out 0

S. Ervine c Latif b Afridi 0

B. Murphy lbw b Malik 0

G. Brent b Afridi 2

T. Friend b Akhtar 17

Extras: 17

Total (all out in 39.1 overs) 173

Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-5, 3-84, 4-112, 5-131, 6-132, 7-132, 8-138, 9-146, 10-173.

Bowling: S. Akhtar 6.1-0-39-1, W. Younis 5-0-20-1, S. Malik 7-0-43-3, W. Akram 6-0-16-1, A. Razzaq 7-0-31-0, S. Afridi 8-1-20-2. AFP

RANJI TROPHY
Railways in command

New Delhi, October 28
Spinners Murali Kartik and Kulmani Parida captured eight wickets between them as Railways took a firm grip on the Central Zone Ranji Trophy league match against Rajasthan here today.

Test discard Kartik served a notice to national selectors ahead of England’s tour next month to end with figures of 34-13-57-5 and Parida took (3/62) as Rajasthan slumped from 90 for no loss to 167 for 9 wickets at close on the second day, replying to Railways first innings total of 292.

Scoreboard

Railways (Ist innings):
J.P. Yadav lbw b Krishnakumar 1, S. Bangar st Jhalani b Salam 41, A. Pagnis lbw b Jain 126, Y. Goud st Jhalani b Kanwat 41, A. Sharma run out 2, R. Ali b Kanwat 15, S. Khanolkar c S. Sharma b Kanwat 18, S. Sahu c Johri b Jain 1, M. Kartik not out 25, K. Parida b S. Sharma 13, Z. Hussain lbw b S. Sharma 0.

Extras: (nb-3, w-4, lb-2.

Total: (All out, 97.5 overs) 292.

Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-61, 3179, 4-190, 5-223, 6-249, 7-351, 8-261, 9-292.

Bowling: S. Singh 6-0-15-0, P. Kirshnakumar 15-4-51-1, Md Aslam 17-4-41-1, S. Sharma 22. 5-4-70-2, L. Jain 15-2-40-2, R. Kanwat 22-4-73-3.

Rajasthan (Ist innings):
V Saxena c S Bangar b M Kartik 38, G Khoda c R Ali b K Parida 60, R Kanwat run out 1, Nikhil Doru c (sub) T.P. Singh b M Kartik 12, P Krishnakumar c A Sharma b K Parida 9, Sidharth Joshi lbw B M Kartik 1, S Sharma b K Parida 4, R Jhalani c A Sharma b M Kartik 14, Ad Aslam c K Parida b M Kartik 14, L Jain batting 4, Shamsher Singh batting 4.

Extras (b-1, 1b-2, nb-2, w-1) 6

Total (for 9 wkts, 81 overs) 167

Fall of wickets: 1-92, 2-95, 3-105, 4-124, 5-126, 6-130, 7-130, 8-158, 9-163.

Bowling: Zakir Hussain 7-2-20-0, J P Yadav 6-3-6-0, M Kartik 34-13-57-5, S Bangar 11-4-19-0, K Parida 23-5-62-0. PTI

Punjab Ranji squad announced
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 28
Punjab Ranji Trophy cricket team for the first two matches was announced by Mr M.P. Pandove, Honorary Secretary, Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), Mohali, after a 10-day camp of the Ranji probables.

Punjab will play their opening match against Himachal Pradesh at PCA Cricket Stadium, Mohali from November 1 to 4. Out of the selected players, Harbhajan Singh at present is doing duty with the Indian team in South Africa, whereas Reetinder Singh Sodhi, Yuv Raj will be joining the Team after return from South Africa before the start of the first match.

Mr Bhupinder Singh (senior) will be the coach and Mr Sushil Kapoor will be the administrative manager of the team.

The Team: Vikram Rathore, (Captain) Munish Sharma, Ravneet Ricky, Dinesh Mongia, Pankaj Dharmani, Reetinder Sodhi, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Sarandeep Singh, Gagandeep, Vineet Sharma, Ankur Kakkar, Ankur Sondhi, Babloo Kumar, Amit Uniyal, Vivek Mahajan, Sanjay Dhull, Sandeep Sawal.

Standbyes: Navdeep Singh Sanjay Mahajan, Harish Puri, R.P. Singh, Kailash Sawal, Gaganinder Garry, Lakhwinder Singh and Amit Kakria will be the standbyes.

Vikas, Shikha TT champions
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, October 28
In a ding-dong battle, fourth seed Vineet Chopra of State Bank of Patiala prevailed over third seed Vikas Mahajan of Punjab State Electricity Board 4-2 and top seed Shikha Ghai from Amritsar demolished her city mate and third seed Rajni Gupta 3-0 to emerge champion in the men’s and women’s sections, respectively, in the 42nd Punjab State Inter-District and Open Table Tennis Championship which concluded at the Shastri Hall of Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

The men’s final proved to be a keen tussle between Vineet and Vikas with the latter wrapping up first two games at 11-9 and 13-11. Trailing by two sets, Vineet started playing offensive game which paid dividends. He went into the lead at 3-2 and maintained it till the end to win the third game at 11-6. Vineet won the fourth set also quite easily (11-5) to level the score two-all.

In the fifth set, Vikas put up a tremendous fightback and gave some anxious moments to catch up Vineet twice, first at 8-8 and then at 9-9 but Vineet finally managed to romp home at 11-9. Vineet , in the sixth game toppled Vikas 11-9 to bag the men’s title.

The women’s final between two Amritsar girls, — Shikha Ghai and Rajni Gupta — turned out to be a one-sided affair with the former inflicting a crushing defeat by her city mate to clinch the title.

In the junior boys section, top seed Rohit Mahajan from Amritsar defeated second seed Rakesh Handa, also of Amritsar 3-2 while in the girls section, Anjali of Amritsar beat Manisha of Patiala in straight sets to emerge champions.

Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker, Punjab Assembly, gave away prizes to the winners.

Results: Cadet girls (semifinal) : Kavita (Ptl) b Meena (Rpr) 11-7, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9; Harpreet Kaur (Rpr) b Ankita (Ptl) 11-9, 10-12, 11-8, 11-7. Final:- Kavita b Harpreet Kaur 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8.

Cadet boys (Semifinal) : Kamaljeet Singh (Ptl) b Sahil Sharma (Ldh) 11-8, 9-11,11-8, 11-6; Manish Saini (Ptl) b Rohit Sharma (Ptl) 11-9, 6-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-9. Final:- Kamaljeet Singh b Manish Saini 11-7, 8-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9.

Sub-Junior girls (semifinal) : Manisha (Ptl) b Jaswinder (Rpr) 3-0. Final :- Manisha b Reetika 11-7, 9-11, 11-4, 11-9.

Sub-Junior boys (semifinal) : Ritesh (Asr) b Sahil Sharma (Ldh) 3-0; Chander Shekhar (Rpr) b Suraj (Asr) 3-0. Final : Ritesh b Chander Shekhar 11-9, 11-7, 11-6.

Junior Girls (semifinal) : Anjali (Asr) b Ravneet (Rpr) 3-0; Manisha Sharma (Ptl) b Navdeep (Asr) 3-0. Final : Anjali b Manisha Sharma 11-6, 11-9, 11-3.

Junior Boys (semifinal) : Rohit Mahajan (Asr) b Gaurav (Asr) and Rakesh Handa (Asr) b Sher Bahadur (Ptl). Final : Rohit Mahajan b Rakesh Handa.

Women (semifinal) : Shikha Ghai (Asr) b Shelly Dhawan (Asr) Rajni Gupta (Asr) b Neetika (Asr). Final : Shikha Ghai b Rajni Gupta 3-0.XMen (semifinal) : Vikas Mahajan (PSEB) b Janak Raj (PSEB) 4-1 Vineet Chopra (SBOP) b Rama Kant (Customs) 2-0 conceded. Final : Vineet Chopra b Vikas Mahajan 9-11, 11-13, 11-6, 11-5, 11-9 and 11-9.

Surjit Academy in final
Our Sports Reporter

Jalandhar, October 28
In the Hyundai Punjab Champion Colleges Hockey League tomorrow, Surjit Academy, Jalandhar, will meet Namdhari Academy, Bhaini Sahib in the under-17 section while in the girls section, HMV College, Jalandhar, will clash with DAV College, Amritsar and DAV College will meet Lyallpur Khalsa College in the boys final.

Today, girls of DAV College, Amritsar, demolished Government Physical Education College, Patiala, by 5-0 to reserve their berth in the final. DAV’s Sandeep Sandhu opened the account in the fourth minute and Sandeep Gill made it 2-0 for DAV in the 35th minute. In the 60th minute she netted the ball again to make it 3-0. Mandeep Gill scored through a penalty corner in the 62nd minute and Sandeep Sandhu rounded off the tally by scoring in the 68th minute to make it 5-0.

In the other match in the girls category, the win for GGS College of Women, Chandigarh went in vain against HMV College, Jalandhar as they could not reach the final despite their 1-0 win. The solitary goal was scored through a penalty stroke by Nishi.

In the under-17 section, Namdhari Academy, Bhaini Sahib, and Surjit Academy, Jalandhar, played a 3-3 draw. Namdhari Academy opened their account in the opening minute through Sher Singh, who scored again in the 38th minute. Surjit Academy narrowed the gap in the 47th minute when Joga Singh netted the ball and he fetched the equaliser in the 58th minute. Sher Singh of Surjit Academy took the lead again in the 66th minute to make 3-2. In the dying minutes Navjosh Singh of Namdhari Academy restored parity.

In the last match (boys section) between SGGS College, Chandigarh, and DAV College, Jalandhar. Gurpreet Singh scored in the 25th minute to give the former the lead. DAV got the equaliser through Kishan Singh in the 49th minute through a penalty corner.

PTTA to hold prize money tourney
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, October 28
The Punjab Table Tennis Association (PTTA) has decided to start a prize money tournament in order to draw attention of youngsters towards the game. A decision in this regard was taken during the general body meeting of the PTTA held at Ludhiana today.

After the meeting which was chaired by PTTA president, Rajesh Chhabra, Mr P. C. Bidhia, general secretary of the association and the vice-president of Table Tennis Federation of India informed that all the affiliated district associations had been been asked to deposit annually a fee of Rs 2500 and from this money the expenditure on the proposed prize money tournament would be incurred.

Mr Budhia further informed that regarding fielding of overaged players by some of the district associations it was resolved that in such cases the general secretary of the district association concerned and the coach would be held responsible. The next state meet would be conducted at Jalandhar, he said.

WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
Austria hold Israel 1-1

The Austrian squad was further weakened by the absence through suspension of Michael Baur, who scored in his country’s 2-1 win over Israel in the first match between the two nations in Group 7, and Thomas Flugel. Martin Stranzl was also missing through injury. AFP

Graf, Agassi happy with son’s birth

Berlin, October 28
Former German tennis champion Steffi Graf and US tennis star Andre Agassi have spoken of their happiness after Graf gave birth to a baby boy in Las Vegas on Friday, four days after the couple married.

The baby, who the tennis aces named Jaden Gil, weighed 2.6 kg and measured 50 cm, the German tabloid Bild reported yesterday.

He was born three weeks prematurely in a private clinic in the American gambling capital as Agassi looked on.

“It’s the happiest day of our lives,” the new parents said in a joint statement to another German paper, Welt am Sonntag.

“We are so grateful for this magnificent gift and we take joy in our future and in our responsibility as parents,” they added.

Graf’s manager Hans Engert told the same newspaper that Graf and Jaden Gil were in good health and had left the clinic on the day of the birth. AFP

Humpy settles for quick draw

Hyderabad, October 28
Junior world chess champion women grandmaster Koneru Humpy, despite opting for a quick draw, leads the table with 6.5 points at the end of the eight round of the third Saturday GM Chess tournament being played at Belgrade in Yugoslavia on Sunday.

The Bank of Baroda sponsored girl from Vijayawada is just half a point away from getting her second men’s GM norm. In the crucial ninth round she will play with white and take on a tough rival GM A. Goran Kosanovic of Yugoslavia, who has a ELO rating of 2442.

In the eighth round, Humpy settled down for a quick draw after six moves against international master Pavle Orlov of Yugoslavia. After the match, Humpy said she needed half a point to get her second men’s GM norm and settled for a draw as she wanted to concentrate for crucial ninth round with GM Goran, according to her website www.Koneruhumpy.Com. UNI

India safer than London Tube: Ramprakash

London, October 28
Englishman Mark Ramprakash has no fears about going to India for the upcoming three-match Test series.

“No one can give us a 100 per cent guarantee about safety, but I don’t think life should grind to a halt because of that.” AP

PSEB in hockey semis
Our Sports Reporter

Patiala, October 28
Hosts Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) carved out an emphatic 2-0 win over Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to become the first team to make the last four grade of the 28th All-India Inter-Electricity Board Hockey Tournament played at the NIS complex here today.

In the other matches played earlir in the day, Delhi Vidyut Board beat Andhra Pradesh Genco and BBMB trounced Andhra Pradesh Transco 9-0.

Apart from the hosts Punjab State Electricity Board, the other teams to complete the semifinal line-up are TATA, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) and Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board (MPSEB). PSEB will cross swords with TATA and TNEB will square of with MPSEB for a place in the final.

SPORTS BRIEFS

Lindsay Davenport of the US holds the winner's cup with a sponsor's mascot after the final of the WTA tennis tournament against Jelena Dokic of Yugoslavia in Linz on Sunday. Davenport won the match 6-4 6-1. — Reuters

RONALDO’S RETURN
MILAN: Twice World Player of the Year Ronaldo is “almost certain’’ to return to Serie A action against Lecce next Sunday, Inter Milan coach Hector Cuper said. Ronaldo has not played in Serie A for 23 months although he did make two substitute appearances in UEAF Cup games in September. The Brazilian striker ruptured a knee ligament during the Italian Cup final in April 2000. Speaking after Inter drew 0-0 with Juventus in Serie A on Saturday, Cuper said, “There is no problem with Ronaldo. He is doing quite well and he will almost certainly be there against Lecce’’. But Cuper said it was not yet sure if Ronaldo would be ready to play in Inter’s UEFA Cup second round, second leg match in Poland on Tuesday against Wisla Krakow. By coincidence Ronaldo’s last appearance in the Italian league came against Lecce on November 21, 1999 when he scored before limping off with a knee injury. Reuters

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
KERPEN: Four-time world champion Michael Schumacher is taking a trip back in time here this weekend putting his reputation on the line against the motor sports stars of the future. The German Ferrari ace is taking part in the final round of the World Karting Championship being staged at his home town track which is owned by his father. “For me, kart racing is fun,” Schumacher told autosport.Com. “It is my passion and I have often said what I love about it — the duel, the competition, the fight of wheel against wheel. “I have dreamt of taking part in a real, international kart race again for a long time, although I know I can only come off badly. “Everyone expects me to win. If I lose, I might look like an idiot. But that doesn’t interest me. “I just want to have fun and pit myself against the boys.” In the event, Schumacher will come up against the current leader of the karting championship, Italy’s Vitantonio Liuzzi. Schumacher, who has raced for Jordan, Benetton as well as Ferrari in his glittering 10-year Formula One career, first got the motor racing bug here at his father Rolf’s kart track. He went on to become both the German and European karting champion. AFP

PAES-BHUPATHI DUO IN FINAL
NEW DELHI: French Open doubles champions Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi has reached the final of the $1 million Swiss ATP tournament in Basel, Switzerland. Paes and Bhupathi, playing together in the ATP circuit after a break, defeated George Bastl and Ivo Heuberger of Switzerland in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinal yesterday, according to information received here. The duo will take on Ellis Ferreira of South Africa and Rick Leach of the USA, who beat Daniel Nestor of Canada and Nenad Zimonjic of Yugoslavia 7-6 (8/6), 6-2 in the other semifinal. PTI

AUSTRIA HOLD ISRAEL
RAMAT GAN (Israel): A dramatic injury-time goal by Andreas Hertzog kept Austria’s hopes of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup alive here yesterday when they drew 1-1 with Israel in their re-arranged qualifier. Hertzog scored from a free-kick in the first minute of injury-time after Shimon Gershon had given the Israelis the lead with a 55th minute penalty. Israel had gone into the match needing a win to overhaul the Austrians in second place in Group 7, which had already been won by Spain. AFP

LEE STRIKES FORM
SYDNEY: Australia fast bowler brett Lee showed he was close to his best form and fitness on Sunday with a five-wicket haul for New South Wales against South Australia. Lee (24), who struggled on the recent Ashes tour of England with nine wickets at 55.11, returned to Australia with a side strain injury ahead of next month’s three-Test series against New Zealand. Reuters