Chandigarh, December 10
A fine knock of 77 runs by Sachin Dhiman helped National Cricket Academy to beat Vivek High Asian Cricket Academy by three wickets in the last match of the Triangular Twenty20 Cricket Cup 2007. The tournament was organised by Vivek High Asian Cricket Academy and Twenty20 Cricket Federation of India at Vivek High School, Sector 38-B, here today.

Vivek High Asian Cricket Academy won the toss and elected to bat.

They scored 163 runs for 6 in the allotted 20 overs. Umesh Khera contributed 48 runs while Sutixen Mehta and Akshit Kohal scored 32 and 34 runs, respectively. NCA’s Sarvpreet Saini claimed three wickets for 32 runs.

While replying, the NCA team achieved the target in 19.2 overs. Vivek’s Sutixen Mehta and Manjit Singh claimed two wickets each for 28 and 23 runs, respectively.

Brief scores

Vivek High Asian Cricket Academy: 163 for 6 in 20 overs (Umesh Khera 48, Sutixen Mehta 32 and Akshit Kohal 34, Savrpreet Saini 3 for 32).

National Cricket Academy: 164 in 19.2 overs (Sachin Dhiman 77, Jaspal Singh 48, Sutixen Mehta 2 for 28, Manjit Singh 2 for 23).

Man of the match: Sachin Dhiman (National Cricket Academy).

Man of the series: Akshit Kohal (Vivek High Asian Cricket Academy). 

Panchkula, December 10
The cricket fever at the ICL reached its zenith today with singer Sunidhi Chauhan performing at the grounds of Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Sector 3 here.The versatile singer rendered catchy numbers. She seemed to enjoy every bit of the singing and so did the audience.

Whether it was the foot-tapping ‘Dhoom macha le’, the melodious ‘Sajna diwani’, the rocking ‘Crazy kiya re’, or the seductive ‘Mindblowing mahiya’, Sunidhi sang with zeal, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Dressed in blue jeans and a red kurti, the graceful singer seemed to savour every moment on stage.

“I sing with all my heart and I believe this always works”, she said.

So what is it like singing for cricket? “I am not a hardcore cricket fan but Twenty20 has evoked my interest in the sport,” she said, adding that its soccer and basketball that has interested her.

“Performing for the ICL was simply ecstatic.”

On her favourite numbers, the singer said she was in love with ‘Kehta hai mann’, ‘Meri zindagi mein aye ho’ and ‘Mere hath mein tera hath ho’ from Fanaa. For which actress does she love to sing ?

“ I have sung several songs for Urmila and Preity Zinta. But is Lara Dutta who performs the best on my songs,” she said.

Chandigarh, December 10
In spite of winning bronze in the Asian Roller Hockey Championship held at Kolkata in the first week of this month, local members of the national team are upset over the indifferent attitude of the Chandigarh Roller Skating Association (CRSA) and the Chandigarh administration towards them.

Nine out of the 10 team members belonged to the city, whereas in the national girls’ team, which won gold medal in the event, two local players were part of the winning squad.

Talking to the TNS, local skaters lamented that the team could have done better had they got the support of the CRSA.

“What we have achieved is just because of our efforts. Nobody is there to support us and the association has turned a blind eye to the needs of players,” rued Abhishek, a local skater.

“Instead of getting financial assistance from the association, we had to shell out Rs 3,000 each to attend three preparatory camps held before the championship. Besides, we had to bear the travelling expenses from our pocket for participation in the international championship,” said Amandeep and Arjun, other local members.

“The association even charged Rs 400 from each player as entry fee to participate in the Chandigarh State Roller Skating Championships,” alleged skaters.

Besides, the association never bothered to provide kits or other skating paraphernalia to skaters, alleged Abhishek.

CRSA president Jagpal Singh said the Chandigarh sports department had not released grant to the association since 1993, so they (the association) had to manage the funds on their own to conduct the state championships.”

UT sports director I.S. Sandhu said the association had not submitted previous accounts of the grant issued earlier.

“We are ready to give them the grant if they clear their pending accounts,” he added.

Ludhiana, December 10
Northern Railway, Delhi, eves began their campaign in a style, demolishing Dhanoa XI, Punjab, 11-0 on the second day of the XIth All-India Mohinder Partap Singh Grewal Women's Hockey Tournament being played at Prithipal Singh Astroturf Stadium, Punjab Agricultural University, here today.

Dhanoa XI girls, who gave a good account of themselves yesterday by holding 2-2 Sports Authority of India (SAI), North, Sonepat, were pale shadow as they surrendered meekly without posing any challenge to their rivals. They were trailing by five goals at half time.

The second match played between Madhya Pradesh Academy, Gwalior, and Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, ended in a draw (3-3).

Gwalior players drew the first blood in the sixth minute through Jahanara and five minutes later, RCF equalised the score when their captain Jyoti S. Kullu found the target.

Three minutes before the half time, Madhya Pradesh Academy, again took the lead through Amubi Devi. Deepika of RCF restored parity in the 49th minute while Aruna of Gwalior struck nine minutes later to take her side ahead again. RCF's Mukta neutarlised the lead in the 63rd minute.

In another match, Northern Eastern Railway (NER), Gorakhpur, defeated SAI, North, Sonepat, 4-1.

In the last match of the day, Western Railway, Mumbai, managed to defeat South Eastern Railway (SER), Kolkata 2-1.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Brother-in-law of slain convict booked
Tribune News Service

Kharar, December 10
Fatehgarh Sahib, Ropar and Patiala are the worst districts in terms of road safety and traffic management in Punjab.

According to an analysis done by Navdeep Asija, scientist with Transportation Research and Injury Prevention Programme (TRIPP), on road safety in Punjab for 2006, these districts have been found to have an alarmingly high rate of accidents.

Fatehgarh Sahib and Ropar have the highest crash ratio and lowest vehicle density.

In 2006, when Mohali was part of Ropar district, maximum number of accidents took place on the Kharar-Kurali stretch leading up to Ropar.

The stretch handles the entire traffic of Punjab towards Chandigarh.

The district-wise breakup in terms of fatal accidents puts Ludhiana on top, followed by Amritsar and Jalandhar.

However, detailed road safety diagnosis on all districts based on severity index, crash ratio, total road length and vehicle density shows a different picture, as Ropar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts come under high alert category. These are followed by Patiala, Mansa, Moga, Muktsar and Nawan Shahr districts.

“Detailed analysis on this parameter reflects the problem of traffic mismanagement in these districts. Every year, insurance companies give away Rs 1,200 crore in form of motor vehicle claims in the state. Even if 10 per cent of this money is spent on research and development on preventive measures and introducing new road technologies, things will be much better,” Navdeep added.

He has sent this analysis with a set of recommendations to DIG, SSP and DCs of all districts of the state.

He has also recommended that safety should be prime concern of every contractor undertaking any road project. “Safety concern is nobody’s baby. When the state government is not committed towards safeguarding lives of pedestrians, cyclists and other commuters, why will private contractors be?” he added.

Patiala, December 10
Students desirous of taking AIEEE test-2008 have been finding it hard to get forms from the local branch of Syndicate Bank, which has been entrusted with the responsibility of issuing forms to students.

Enquiries revealed that students had been returning empty-handed from the bank.

Branch manager S.K Dhall said 1,200 forms had been received by the bank for general category students, which had been sold out.

He added that in order to tide over the paucity of forms, the bank had written to the authorities concerned but even then students would have to wait for a few more days till the bank received the forms.