Surjit Academy affiliated to HI

Jalandhar: Hockey India (HI) has approved the affiliation of Surjit Hockey Academy, Jalandhar. Iqbal Singh Sandhu, Secretary, Surjit Hockey Society, said keeping in view the ongoing coaching camp for the last 110 days and outstanding performance of Surjit Hockey Society over last 37 years, the HI has given affiliation to Surjit Hockey Academy in its executive board meeting held on January 19. Sandhu said with the recognition the Surjit Hockey Academy would now be able to participate directly in the national championships. The trials to select the probables for the Surjit Hockey Academy in sub-junior and junior in boys and girls categories would be conducted soon for the upcoming national championships. The registration of players for the same will be started soon. Surinder Singh Bhapa, chief PRO of society, said with direct affiliation of Surjit Hockey Academy with the HI, the Punjab players would now be able to participate in the National Hockey Championship in greater numbers, which would facilitate them in future gradation in sports, admission in educational institutions and jobs under sports quota. Surjit Hockey Society is conducting free coaching camp here at the stadium for last 113 days under the supervision of chief coach Rajinder Singh, an Olympian and Dronacharya awardee and Davinder Singh, assistant coach of the Surjit Hockey Academy. TNS

Dead crow sample sent for testing

Talwara: The sample of the crow found dead near Pratap Bhawan located in Sandpur No 1, a village near Talwara, has been sent to the Northern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Jalandhar, to get the bird flu test done. Veterinarian Dr Charanjit Singh Mukerian said if the sample of the crow found dead in Talwara was found positive for bird flu, then the samples would be examined from the laboratory in Bhopal. He said on January 9, two pigeons were found dead with Mukerian’s Mata Rani Chowk. These were also investigated for bird flu in Jalandhar and their report came out to be negative. Similarly, on January 13, a pigeon was found dead in ITI Talwara. Its sample was sent to Jalandhar, too, for investigation and the report was negative. OC