DLTA becomes nerve-centre of tennis activity
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, February 1
The Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) has become such a nerve-centre of the game that even the International Tennis Federation (ITF) is surprised as to how the All-India Tennis Association (AITA) is able to host so many international events so well.

But AITA secretary Anil Khanna, who is also the president of the DLTA, believes that quality emerges from quantity and the experience gained in hosting so many international events so well has not only equipped the AITA with competently organising prestigious ties, but it has also learnt the valuable lesson that how beneficial such events are to the Indian players.

The fine showing of players like Sania Mirza, Karan Rastogi, Divij Sharan and Tushar Liberhan has vindicated the AITA’s decision to invest its resources in junior talent in a big way by giving them the right kind of exposure, but importantly, bringing home more international competitions for the juniors to help them earn valuable points and experience without undergoing the hardship of playing in alien conditions all alone.

Karan Rastogi, who made it into the semi-final of the Australian Open boys singles, is the latest player from the AITA stable to make waves at the international level.

No wonder, the ITF has upgraded the Adidas International Junior Championship, starting at the DLTA courts from Monday, to a Grade II event.

Mr Anil Khanna was delighted that Adidas, which has been synonymous with tennis in India “are now involved with ITF tournaments, especially this one, that has been given Grade II rating by the ITF.”

Shruti keen to defend title

New Delhi: Defending champion Shruti Khanna is all set to defend her title in the Navision India 87th All-India Ladies Amatuer Golf Championship which began at the Karnataka Golf Association course on Sunday.

Shruti, who won the previous tournament on the tour—the West Bengal Open—also leads the IGULS Order of Merit, with a total of 47 points. The long-haired lass from Delhi is in great form, having played the recently concluded PSPB inter-unit golf tournament at the same course. And so are her opponents like Shalini Malik, Mayali Talwar and Anjali Chopra..

However, it will not be a cakewalk for Shruti as she faces stiff challenge from youngsters like Manavi Halwasiya, who lost to Shruti in the previous edition of the event held in Delhi. The 16-year-old lass, who recently won the Eastern Open, is also studying for her board exams.

The local challenge is being led by Bhavana Shetty who is fast improving under the able guidance of Brandon De Souza, finishing second at the West Bengal Open.

As many as 60 prizes are up for grabs in the tournament which has a rich history. It made its debut way back in 1906 at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club. OSR

Sonnet teach Little Masters a lesson

New Delhi, February 1
Sonnet defeated Little Masters by 49 runs in a Super A Division match of the DDCA League at the Mohan Meakins ground. Scores: Sonnet Club: 248 for 9 in 40 overs (Rahul Diwan 111, Deepak Joon 32, Suhail Sharma 27 n o, Umesh Choudhary 2 for 57).

Little Masters: 199 for 6 in 40 overs (Umesh Choudhary 63, Deepak Bhatnagar 30, Shivam Sharma 28 n o, Deepak Joon 2 for 33).

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) defeated R R Gymkhana by 22 runs in a Super A Division match at the Yamuna complex ground.

ONGC: 221 for 8 in 40 overs (Manoj Mudga l55, Radhey Shyam 61, Avhinav Bali 5 for 44). R R Gymkhana: 199 for 7 in 40 overs (Agnesh Surya 67, Pritipal 39, Hemant Bansal 35, Sunil Joshi 2 for 28, Mohd Saif 2 for 29). Central Warehousing Corporation defeated Mohan Meakins by 53 runs in a Super A Division match. Scores: CWC: 159 for 4 in 30 overs (Rajeev Vinayak 55, Lalit Yadav 35, Sunil Sudan 31, Mukim Khan 2 for 36). Mohan Meakins: 106 all out in 24.2 overs (Rajender Madan 20, Rakesh Raman Jha 5 for 14, Arun Sethi 3 for 8). OSR

Poorvi Delhi Centre lift Rajiv Gandhi title
Our Sports Reporter

Captain Ramit Gill with the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Cricket Trophy.

New Delhi, February 1
All-round displays by Robin Bisht (45 and 3 for 36) and Ramit Gill (3 for 41 and 42) enabled Poorvi Delhi Coaching Centre defeat Gyan Bharati South Delhi Academy by six wickets in the final of the second Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Under-17 Cricket Tournament at the Picnick Hut ground in Ashok Vihar. Robin Bisht was declared the man of the match. Ramit Gill got the best all-rounder award while Ankur Julka was declared the man of the tournament.

Scores: Gyan Bharati: 225 for 9 in 35 overs (Ankur Julka 105, Amitoze Singh 46, Gaurav Updhayay 31, Robin Bisht 3 for 36, Ramit Gill 3 for 41).

Poorvi Delhi: 226 for 4 in 30.1 overs (Mannu Kapoor 57, Robin Bisht 45, Ramit Gill 42, Nitish Kumar 3 for 38).

Top teams for Karwariya Cup
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, February 1
Prominent teams such as Indian Airlines, Air-India, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Malviya Club, Collage Group, Air Sahara, UP Cricket Association and Devi Lal XI will participate in the All-India Vashishtha Narain Karwariya Cup Cricket

Tournament starting on February 3 at the Madan Mohan Malviya Stadium in Allahabad.

The winners will receive a cash prize of Rs 51,000 while the runners-up will get Rs 21000. Prominent players of the country are expected to represent various clubs in the tournament.