SPORTS

Court order on roller skating infuses new life into fraternity
G. S. Paul
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 31
The order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court directing Indian Olympic Association to include roller skating as a medal discipline in the 33rd National Games has infused new life amongst the skating fraternity.

The National Games have been scheduled to be held at Guwahati (Assam) from February 9 to 18.

Feeling dejected by the non-inclusion of roller skating in the National Games, the Chandigarh based Wonderland Skate Club had filed a writ in the Hon’ble High Court praying for its inclusions as a medal discipline on the pattern of Roller Skating Federation of India.

The petition was filed on the grounds that the National Sports Policy has twin objectives of “Broad Basing” of sports and “achieving excellence in sports”. Moreover, the country has proven its potential.

As per the sports policy the sports disciplines are to be prioritised on the basis of proven potential, popularity and international performance.

It was submitted before court that admittedly roller skating is the fastest growing sport in the country it is not only competitive but thrilling also. In recognition of sports excellence one Naman Parkh was awarded the “Arjuna Award”, the highest sports award. Since the game fulfills the requisites of the Olympics chapter, it stands recognized by Indian Olympic Association which had included Roller Skating as a demonstration game in 1996 National Games and a medal event in 2002.

It was alleged that non-inclusions of Roller skating in the National Games will discriminate the skaters as compare to above sports persons as they will not get the benefits of their sports achievements at the time of admission. Since inspite of the serving of summons the Indian Olympics Association and the Assam Olympics Association did not put in their appearance taking note of this fact.

The Hon’ble High Court was pleased to direct the Indian Olympic Association and the Assam Olympic Association to include roller skating as a medal discipline.

When contacted Naseeb Singh Sewak, President of Petitioners Club, whose son is also international skater, showed his happiness and enthusiasm for the region that his efforts for the betterment of the game now stands honoured. He also asserted that had the Indian Olympics Association any intention of implementing the National Sports Policy in its true spirit, his club would not have gone to the High Court for the redressal of grievances of the skaters.

Mr VP Singh, President of Roll’n Skate Club, Chandigarh, while extending his gratitude to the Hon’ble High Court expressed his resentment regarding the attitude of the administration. He stated that what to talk of the attitude of the Indian Olympics Associations even the Chandigarh Administration had also given step-motherly treatment to the skaters of Chandigarh. He stated that for all intents and purposes the Chandigarh Administration is following Punjab rules, but inspite of the fact that skating stands graded in Punjab and Haryana, nevertheless the administration has not graded the skating as a sport for giving benefits at the time of admission and the time entering into govt job.

Inter-School Athletic Meet kicks off
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 31
Gurjant Singh of Government Model High School-42 stood first in the 600-metre while Sandhya Yadav (GMSSS-16) emerged winner in the girls’ 400 metre race on the inaugural day of the Inter School Athletic Meet u-14 (boys and girls). The meet has been organised by the local Inter School Tournament Committee at the Sector 46 Sports Complex here.

Chief guest Mr Ashwani Kumar, DPI (Schools), UT Administration, declared the meet open by hoisting a flag. This was followed by a march past of 300 students of various schools.

According to the sports secretary, Mr Jarnail Basota, “This is our effort to inculcate the spirit of sports among boys and girls and to tap hidden talent.”

Results (top three spots in order of merit) -- U-14 (boys) 600 metres: Gurjant Singh (GMHS-42), Inderjit Singh (GMHS-42), Sumit Hooda (GMSSS-32); 400 metres: Aatish Kumar (Stepping Stone-37), Jinu S. Sani (St. Anne’s -32), Shubham (GMH S-43); Long jump: Maninder (GMHS-42), Vivek (GHS-Behlana), Amit Kumar (GHS-Behlana). Shot put: Joji Methew (St. Anne’s-32), Gagandeep Singh (GMHS-42), Diljot (GMHS-42); Discuss throw: Joji Mathew (St. Anne’s-32), Siddarth B (St. Anne’s- 32), Daljot (GMHS-42); 4X100 metre relay: GMHS-42, Stepping Stone-37, St. Anne’s-32.

Under-14 (girls): 400 metres: Sandhya Yadav (GMSSS-16), Diksha (St. Soldier-28), Kalpana (GMSSS-21); Shotput: Vandana (Stepping Stone-37), Assema (St. Anne’s-32), Madhuri (Saupin’s School-32); Long jump: Vasvi Sood (Stepping Stone-37), Swati (Shishu Niketan-22), Jasmeen Kaur (Stepping Stones); 600 metres: Diksha (St Soldier’s), Kusum (GMSSS-35), Jyoti (Guru Harkrishan Public School-40).

Dev Samaj team wins yoga meet
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 31
The team of Dev Samaj College of Education won the Panjab University Inter-College Yoga B-Division (Women) Championship that concluded at PU gymnasium hall here today.

The team, which comprised Nimrita, Suman, Anjali, Mithu Dass, Shalu Jaswal and Shefali Bansal, performed different “asanas” and accumulated 343 points to grab the title.

While Kiran Devi, Riti Rani, Jyoti, Sonia, Raman Devi and Jaswinder of MBBGRGC Girls College, Mansowal, stood second with 332 points.

In the individual events, Manisha Sharma of the Government College of Education, Sector 20, was declared winner with 84.5 points. Kiran Devi (75 points) of MBBGRGC Girls College, Mansowal, and Namrita (74 points) of Dev Samaj College of Education, Chandigarh, got the second and the third positions, respectively.

St John’s beat Vivek, enter finals
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, January 31
Surayansh’s unbeaten knock of 62 proved futile for Vivek High School, Sector 38, as St John’s School, Sector 26, beat Vivek in the second semifinal of the first Satluj Numero Uno u-14 inter school cricket tournament.

St John’s beat Vivek by a slender margin of eight runs and entered the finals.

The tournament was played at Satluj Public School, Sector 4, here, today. After winning the toss, St John’s opted to bat first and made 150 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 25 overs.

The Vivek team was in deep trouble when they lost the first 3 wickets for just 20 runs Suryansh played valiantly and was supported by Manik. The school ended up scoring 142 for eight.

Brief scores

St John’s-26 : 150/8 in 25 overs (Jayant 30, Prithvi 28, Anmol 27, Kamaljeet 20, Shivam Bhambri 2/15, Suryansh - 2/19); Vivek-38: 142/8 in 25 overs (Suryansh 62 (n.o.), Manik 21, Ananya 20, Anmol 3/25, Vishnu 2/23).

MCM Blue Caps trounce APJ Academy
Tribune News Service

Mohali, January 31
MCM Blue Caps Academy, Sector 36, trounced APJ Cricket Academy by 33 runs in the second match of the 1st U-13 APJ Cricket Cup being played at the Mohali Cricket Association grounds here today.

Batting first, MCM Blues were all out for 149 runs in 29 overs. Vivek was the highest scorer with 34 runs followed by Angad who scored 26 runs. Sarthak of APJ Cricket Academy took five wickets for 20 runs in 5.3 overs. Varun and Pranav took 2 wickets each.

In reply, APJ Cricket Academy, Kharar were all out for 116 runs in 28 overs. Sahil (21) and Omik (17) were the main scorer. Abhishek took three wickets for 17 while Parmeet took two for 16 runs. The next match will be played between MCA-11 and MCM Blues tomorrow at the MCA grounds.

Brief scores

MCM Blues: 149 all out in 29 overs (Vivek 34, Angad 26, Sarthak 5 for 20); APJ Cricket Academy: 116 all out in 28 overs (Sahil 21, Omik 17, Abhishek 3 for 17, Parmeet 2 for 16).

Airtel-Press Club cricket tourney begins Feb 3

Chandigarh, January 31
The Airtel-Chandigarh Press Club Inter-Media Cricket Tournament will start from February 3 at St John’s High School in Sector 26 here.

Participating teams would include The Tribune, Electronic Media, Indian Express, Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala, Dainik Bhaskar, Times of India and Press Club-XI. The tournament which will culminate on February 25. Mobile service provider Airtel will be the sponsor of the tournament.

“The tournament will be played on a knock-out basis. Matches will be played every Saturday and Sunday,” said Mr Maneesh Chhibber, Convener, Sports Committee, Chandigarh Press Club. All league matches will be held at St John’s School.

While the first six matches (four quarter-finals and two semi-finals) matches will be of 20 overs a side, the finals will be 25-over-per-side. For each match, a match observer will be appointed, who will file a detailed report about the proceedings. — TNS

Khalsa College varsity baseball champions
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 31
Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujarkhan Campus, Ludhiana, emerged the champion in the Panjab University Inter-College Baseball (women) Championship concluded at the PU grounds here today.

Guru Nanak Girls College, Ludhiana, got the second position while local MCM DAV College for Women and Ramgarhia Girls College, Ludhiana, secured third and fourth positions, respectively.

Earlier, in yesterday’s match, Guru Nanak College for Women, Ludhiana, defeated Ramgarhia Girls College of Ludhiana by 16-6.

Netball trials today
Tribune news Service

Chandigarh, January 31
Trials to select Chandigarh netball team will be held on February 1 at 3 pm at the Government Model High School, Sector 28 here.

The team will participate in Senior National Netball Championship to be held at Oonaloe (AP) from February 24 to 28. The interested players can report to G.P. Paul on the school premises tomorrow at 3 pm.