LBA, Amritsar district emerge champions

Our Sports Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 26

The Ludhiana Basketball Academy (LBA) and Amritsar district emerged champions in the men’s section and women’s section, respectively, during the 68th Senior Punjab Basketball Championship which concluded at Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

In the women’s section, Jalandhar and Ludhiana district finished at second and third places, respectively, while in the men’s section, Faridkot district secured the second position and hosts Ludhiana district had to content with the third place.

On the last day of the four-day championship, in the last league fixture in the men’s section, the Ludhiana Basketball Academy warded off resistance from their experienced opponent Faidkot before wrapping it up 93-75.

Faridkot players were leading at the end of the second quarter, however, academy trainees not only wiped out the deficit, but surged ahead to clinch the issue which fetched them the winners’ trophy.

The star performer for the winning side was Arshdeep Bhullar who sank in 22 baskets, while Harman fought well for the losing side, accounting for 21 points.

In another match (men), Ludhiana district defeated Jalandhar district 90-77 to secure the third position. Jaspreet Singh dropped in 26 baskets to fashion Ludhiana’s win, while Amritpal Singh scored 28 points for the losers.

Earlier, in the day, Amritsar district drubbed Ludhiana district 57-30 to romp home champions. Smriti added 21 points for the visitors, while Jalandhar district defeated Patiala district 74-62 to finish as runner-up.

Rana Gurjit Singh, Cabinet Minister, Punjab, gave away prizes to the winners. He announced Rs 2-lakh grant for the Punjab Basketball Association (PBA). He appreciated the association for conducting a signature campaign ‘Say Yes to Sports and a big No to Drugs’ during the championship.

Rajdeep Singh Gill, former Punjab DGP, and president of the Punjab Basketball Association, along with Punjab Basketball Association senior vice-president Yurinder Singh Hayer, Punjab Basketball Association vice-president Mukhbinder Singh, and Punjab Basketball Association general secretary Teja Singh Dhaliwal, and other office-bearers, besides hockey Olympian Hardeep Singh Grewal, were present.

Players honoured

Players of Punjab teams who emerged champions in the 34th Youth National Basketball Championship held at Hyderabad and in the 68th Junior National Basketball Championship held at Noida, besides those who brought fame to the state by representing the country in different overseas tournaments and their coaches, were honoured at the prize distribution function on Tuesday. They were felicitated by RS Gill, president, Punjab Basketball Association, for their outstanding contributions to the game.