Punjab circle retain basketball trophy
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, November 4
Continuing the winning spree, hosts and the reigning champions, Punjab circle, prevailed over their spirited opponents, the last year’s runners up, Haryana circle 109-90 to retain the trophy in the 16th All-India Postal Basketball Tournament which concluded at Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

Initially, Haryana circle enjoyed a lead of six points but Manpreet Singh and Pawan Kumar of Punjab circle displayed quick reflexes and feeded other players well which enabled their side to level the score and then racing into the lead which they maintained till the long whistle. Punjab circle spikers established a lead of 14 points (44-30) at half time.

Haryana circle’s Sanjay was outstanding, he scored 37 points, while Hemant contributed 12 points. For the winners, Pawan Kumar, Manpreet Singh and Rajan Walia scored 15, 27 and 13 points, respectively. S. Dhaliwal contributed 10 points.

In a match to decide the third position, Gujrat circle outnumbered Tamil Nadu circle 64-52. Kalotra (22), Gohil (10) and S.S. Nair (14) were the main scorers for Gujrat circle while for the losers Fredrick and J Bhaskar scored 25 and 14 points, respectively.

Mr Apinder Singh Grewal, Ludhiana Mayor, gave away prizes to the winners. Mr A.S.I Pal Singh, Chief Postmaster General, Punjab circle; Mr Vivek Kaul, Director, Postal Services, and Mr Teja Singh Dhaliwal, general secretary, the Punjab Basketball Association, were also present at the prize distribution function.

Cricket tourney

A fine allround display by the captain, Amrit Pal ( 32 runs and 3 for 38 ) helped Baba Ishar Singh Senior Secondary School to beat Wylie Public School by 11 runs in the quarter final of the Inter Schools Cricket Tournament being organised under the Dainik Jagran Utsav 2001 at the Punjab Agricultural University ground here today.

Wylie Public School won the toss and asked Baba Ishar Singh Senior Secondary School to bat first.

In the allotted 20 overs, Baba Ishar Singh Senior Secondary School made 144 runs after losing 6 wickets. Amrit Pal, captain led from the front by scoring 32 runs. Joginder hit a quick 30, which included one sixer and two hits to the boundary. Amrinder Singh and Puneet contributed 22 and 20 runs respectively. For Wylie Public School, Saurabh grabbed 4 wickets while conceding 35 runs.

In reply, Wylie Public School were all out for 133 runs. Saurabh top scored with 31 runs, followed by Sandeep who made 20 runs. The bowling honours for Baba Ishar Singh Senior Secondary School were shared by Sukhmeet and Amrit Pal who took three wickets each for 25 and 38 runs respectively.

Mandi Gobindgarh

Kabaddi tourney

A kabaddi tournament will be organised by the Haripal Memorial Sports Club at Kumb village, 3 km from here, from November 8 to 10, according to Mr Karamjit Singh Bhagrana, senior vice-president, Punjab State Karamchari Dal, Punjab, in a press note released here on Sunday. Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance and Planning Minister, will give away prizes on the last day. OC

Samrala

Sports meet

A meeting of the executive body of the Malwa Sports Association was held here yesterday. It was chaired by Mr Malkiat Singh Dhillon. The decision to hold the 9th annual sports festival from December 15 to 17 at the local Malwa College Bondli-Samrala was also taken.

Bullock-cart race, kabaddi matches, horse race, dog race and tug-of-war will be the main attraction of the meet, according to Mr Behari Lal Saddi, its chief advisor-cum-press secretary.

The executive thanked Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, MP, for the grant of Rs 21 lakh for the promotion of sport activities in the area. The executive also decided to honour national-level winners in sport or athletics belonging to Samrala sub-division.

Mr Kanwaljeet Singh, Finance Minister, Punjab would be the chief guest, Mr Saddi added.

Tributes were also paid to Alankar Toni son of Mr Devi Dayal Sharma, an international kabaddi player.