Indian shuttlers bow out

Completion of sports projects by March-end

Fryatt for Volvo Masters Golf

Heavy response to Golden Jubilee run

Strong BCCI rejoinder to IOA

MUMBAI, Aug 13 (PTI) —The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today reacted strongly to the "outburst" of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on the participation of the cricket team in next month's Commonwealth Games.

While BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur termed IOA's posture as "rather unfortunate and uncalled for", secretary Jaywant Lele asserted that the team will not play under the IOA banner.

Lele, in a hard-hitting letter to Randhir Singh, made it clear that the cricket team would not take part in the games under any banner other than that of BCCI or the ICC and that cricket being a non-Olympic event "any step that affects the autonomy of our board will have serious repercussions".

Dungarpur, in a press statement issued here, expressed surprise at the demand of IOA chief Suresh Kalmadi and secretary-general Randhir Singh that the "best Indian cricket team" be sent to Kuala Lumpur and the latter’s insistence that the list of players be provided forthwith as the deadline of August 11 had already passed.

Stating that the BCCI had agreed to send the cricket team to the games in good faith on the request of its parent body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), Dungarpur said he felt there was no reason for any controversy and wanted various points to be clarified by IOA regarding participation of the cricket team in the September 11-21 games.

Raising several queries which "need to be addressed immediately", Lele today said the BCCI was not affiliated to IOA and its parent body was ICC.

"It was our understanding that cricket was being introduced for the first time in the Commonwealth Games and that on the request of its organising committee (SUKOM) to ICC that the cricket-playing nations agreed to send their teams for participation in these games.

It, however, appears that the Indian team is being called upon to participate under the IOA banner. You would kindly appreciate that under no circumstances would our board want to participate in the games under any banner other than its own or that of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

"You would also appreciate that cricket is not an "Olympic event and any step that affects the autonomy of our board would have serious repercussions", Lele added.

The BCCI Secretary has also sought IOA’s clarification on certain points "so that there is no confusion or embarrassment to anyone".

Among the points BCCI wants clarified by IOA are status of the matches in the games (whether the organisers have found out from ICC whether they are "official" or not), sporting of sponsors’ logos and random dope testing.

"The cricketers are professionals and get paid for playing the matches. Our board is bound by contract with ITC limited for team sponsorship and, as a result, it is imperative for our cricketers to wear "Wills" logos on their shirts during the matches in the games and will not sport "Reebok" or any other logo", Lele has stated.

About dope testing, Lele explained that the BCCI and Indian cricketers were in the dark about substances which are "prohibited" in the games while adding that the BCCI did not support drug abuse in sports in any way.

Since there is no practice of dope testing in cricket the board felt" it may be unjust and unfair on our part to subject our cricketers to dope tests, especially because they are totally unaware of such practice and also of the drugs that are prohibited in the games", Lele has written.

Stating that any wrong move in this subject would be a major source of embarrassment, not just for Indian cricket, but for the entire sporting fraternity of the country, he said the BCCI has invited constructive suggestions on the issue.

Lele has also sought an urgent clarification from the London-based ICC chief executive, David Richards, whether the Kuala Lumpur ties would be accorded "official" one-day international status to enable the board's working committee, which is meeting at Delhi on August 19 and 20, to decide on the cricket team's participation in the games.

UNI: The ICC observer's report on the condition of the pitches in Kuala Lumpur would decide the composition of the Indian team for the Commonwealth games.

If the report is 'negative' then it will put the BCCI in the clear and the IOA will have to accept a second, third or even a fourth string team, board president Raj Singh Dungarpur said.

The BCCI is hoping to receive the report by the time it has its working committee meeting in Delhi on August 18 and 19 where a final decision on the composition of the Indian team for the Commonwealth Games will be taken.

Kuala Lumpur is an equatorial country and it rains a lot there, so curators would never find adequate time to prepare an international standard pitch. ICC realised this at the recent eight-a-side even played at the same venue and, therefore, decided to send an observer, Mr Dungarpur said, adding that if the observer found the pitches 'unfit' then there will be no time to relay them.

Saying that the working committee will not overrule the selectors decision, he gave an indication that the team for the games may be announced earlier then September 4 which is the last day of the Chennai preparatory camp for the 22 probables.

When asked that other participants had not given any importance to the condition of the pitches in Malaysia, Mr Dungarpur said the ICC report will give them a chance to review their position.

Kapil announces scholarship plan
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 13 — In an effort to promote the game of cricket in Haryana , the former star allrounder Kapil Dev has decided to institute a scholarship scheme for budding cricketers of the state.

Speaking to TNS today during a short visit to the city of his birth, Kapil Dev said that one outstanding cricketer of each district of Haryana in the under-19 category would be given a scholarship of Rs 1000 per month.

Further, to promote the game he said that he along with other former players of the state had decided to conduct the M.M. Lal Jan Memorial Open Inter-District Cricket Championship. The matches would be held at four places--- Chandigarh, Faridabad, Bhiwani and Gurgaon. The final of the tournament, to be played on knockout limited over basis, would be conducted at Chandigarh.At the conclusion of the tournament, Kapil Dev said, cricketers who perform well in the tournament would be selected for a special coaching camp. The venue of the special coaching camp would be decided later.

Kapil Dev, who today took time off to address young cricketers attending a coaching camp organised by the Chandigarh Cricket Association at the Sector 8 DAV Senior Secondary School, said such camps would be organised at all districts and he would personally visit the camps to give tips to the young cricketers.

The next such camp would be held at Gurgaon, Kapil Dev disclosed. Also, requests to hold such camps had been received from other districts also, including Ambala, Yamunanagar, Panipat and Sonepat.

Speaking about the affairs of the Haryana Cricket Association, Kapil Dev said it seemed that neither Mr S.K. Mishra, President of the Haryana Cricket Association, nor Mr Ranbir Singh, secretary of the association, had any time to promote the game. He was of the view that if they could not do anything either for cricket or for cricketers they should quit their posts at the earliest.

Kapil Dev promised that "no cricketer will suffer" in his ongoing struggle to bring about transparency in the working of the Haryana Cricket Association. But he was surprised by the inaction of both Mr Mishra and Mr Ranbir Singh. The star allrounder was of the firm view that players must have the best of facilities and opportunities . For this he was willing to give cricketing gear to any district unit of the Haryana Cricket Association which wanted to promote the game.

Kapil's valuable tips to trainees
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 13 — World's highest wickettaker Kapil Dev, an old student of the local DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, visited his school in a different capacity here this evening. He came to watch the Chandigarh cricket coaching camp for under 16 which is being run players by the Chandigarh Cricket Association affiliated to the Haryana Cricket Association here today.

Kapil Dev came here on the request of the Secretary of the Chandigarh Cricket Association, Mr Surinder Singh. Dr Ravinder Chadha, Indian cricket team doctor, former Haryana Ranji player Rakesh Jolly and Principal Ravinder Talwar were present alongwith city cricket lovers to greet Kapil Dev.

Kapil Dev met the campers and trainees of this coaching centre and talked to them about their knowledge of the game. Later, he said: "I have visited 300 schools in the country and never seen such a good grassy outfield anywhere else." He spent two hours on the ground where he played cricket in his heydays.

Later he visited the nets where senior and junior cricket trainees were doing practice under local cricket coach, Mr S.S. Bawa. He also advised and corrected bowling technique of some young cricketers. He also gave some valuable tips to the bowlers, saying "I remember my days when I used to do practice at this ground".

He also met the boarders who were there to see one of world's leading allrounders of yesteryears. "My aim is to promote cricket in Haryana and admire its cricketers. The Haryana cricketers do not need my service and we will help those cricketers who approach us."

Kapil Dev told mediapersons that floodlights will be provided in this ground so that cricketers can practise late at night. "Money is not a problem as I am the old student of this school."

Lucrative win for Marion Jones

ZURICH, Aug 13 (Reuters) — American world sprint champion Marion Jones produced another lucrative win at the Zurich Grand Prix yesterday but the richest meeting in athletics turned out to be a painful experience for Olympic champion Donovan Bailey.

The Canadian pulled up near the halfway point of the men’s 100 metres final with a pulled thigh muscle and had to be helped from the track in pain and taken to hospital, putting in doubt his participation in the rest of the season.
Doctors said he was expected to be out of action for at least three weeks.

Just a few minutes earlier Jones had dominated the women’s 100 from start to finish to clock 10.77 seconds and notch up her fourth victory in the golden league series.

The series of seven meetings shares out a jackpot of $1 million to athletes who win their events at all of the seven meetings.

Jones, who also won the long jump with a distance of 7.31 metres which equalled her world best of the year, is a serious contender with three meetings remaining.

She faces opposition from American 400 hurdler Bryan Bronson, Morocco’s middle-distance star Hicham El Guerrouj and 5,000 metres world record holder Haile Gebrselassie who all won their events to stay in the battle for the cash.

Jones, the second-fastest woman of all time behind fellow American Florence Griffith-Joyner, has run faster this season, having clocked 10.71.

But she dominated the Zurich sprint. American Chryste Gaines, who took second place in 11.04, and Ukraine’s third-placed Zhanna Pintusevich (11.07) were never in contention.

The performance was one of the highlights of a warm and calm evening which was perfect for athletics.

American world and Olympic hurdling champion Allen Johnson and middle-distance runner Maria Mutola produced the fastest times in the world this year for the men’s 110 hurdles and women’s 800 respectively.

Double Olympic champion Michael Johnson clocked the fastest men’s 400 metres of the season with a smooth victory in 43.68.

El Guerrouj went desperately close to breaking his own world record for the 1,500 metres when he clocked three minutes 26.4 seconds, the second-fastest run of all time.

At the bell, the Moroccan looked capable of breaking his record of 3:26.00 which he ran in Rome last month but he slowed up over the last 100 metres and just missed the target. Five athletes had started the meeting with a chance of winning the jackpot.

But Nigeria’s 400 metres runner Charity Opara dropped out of contention after a defeat by German Grit Breuer. Breuer caught Opara in the last five metres to just win in 49.51 with the Nigerian second in 49.59.

Bronson kept his eyes on the prize with a victory in the men’s 400 metres hurdles in 47.70.

Gebrselassie was never in danger of losing the 5,000. For half of the race, he was on pace to break his own world record of 12:39.36 set in Helsinki on June 13.

But the Ethiopian slowed in the last 2,000 metres and finished in 12:54.08.

Mutola was pushed all the way in the women’s 800 by American Jearl Miles-Clark to win in 1:56.11.

A few minutes later Johnson became the first hurdler to go under 13 seconds this year when he won the 110 race in 12.98 seconds.

But Kenyan-born Dane Wilson Kipketer, who smashed the world 800 metres record here last year but is just returning to action after Malaria, was defeated in the two-lap race, finishing behind Kenyan Japheth Kimutai who won in 1:42.87.

One year ago he was celebrating one of the greatest 800 performances of all time. Yesterday he was just happy to finish the race after a tough year.

UP 'B' upset Punjab, clinch title

NEW DELHI, Aug 13 (PTI) — Uttar Pradesh ‘B’ withstood a late charge by last year’s runners-up Punjab to register an upset 4-3 victory and claim the honours in the second Independence Gold Cup Sub-Junior (U-14) Hockey Tournament at the National Stadium today.

Nippy centre forward Jagdesh Yadav struck a hattrick of field goals showing his opportunism in fine measure to give UP a cozy 4-1 lead into the second half after leading 3-1 into the breather of a well fought final in humid conditions.

The UP lads, most of them wards of the sports hostel in Banares, also gained sweet revenge for the 1-4 thrashing they received from favourites Punjab in their pool match.

The speedy Yadav hoisted the lead in the seventh minute with a try that seemed to come from outside the circle but held legitimate by umpire Narender Singh. But he scored two more in the space of three minutes (24th, 27th) and hardworking inside forward Mohd Hanif (41st) found the fourth.

Punjab, who had brooked no challenge thus far and had also knocked out last year’s winners Orissa in the semifinal, were quite subdued today after early enterprise from Gurbaj Singh and Harbinder Singh were thwarted by UP goalkeeper Taif Ali Khan and defender Rajneesh Pandey.

Defender Jarnail Singh came up with two stunning direct hits off penalty corners, to make it 1-1 (22nd min) and 2-4 (49th). Gurbaj Singh (55th) narrowed it to 3-4 as Punjab rallied brilliantly late in the second half, but in vain.

UP defence withstood five out of seven penalty corners by Punjab though they missed all the four they had.

Uttar Pradesh ‘B’ were presented the gold cup and a cheque for Rs 21,000 with Punjab claiming Rs 11,000 along with the runners-up plate.

The winning coach, Kaushalinder Pal Singh, from the Banares Sports Hostel, was presented with Rs 5,000.

Eleven players were presented with Rs 1000 each as incentive for their fine performance here and 22 others named for a special camp which would be the basis for their induction to various SAI hostels.

The players were shortlisted by Olympians Zafar Iqbal, Ajitpal Singh and Rajinder Singh.

List of players receiving incentive cheques:

Jarnail Singh (Punjab), Anthony Hemram (Orissa), Somarjit Singh (Manipur), Rajesh Kumar and Santosh Kumar (UP ‘B’), Sashi Kanta (Manipur), Jitender Singh, Gurbaj Singh (both Punjab), Mohd Hamid (UP ‘B’), Pfokrelo (Nagaland), R.K. Jasobanta (Manipur).

List of players selected for SAI camp:

Forwards: Mazhar Mamel (UP), Inderpal Singh, Balbir Singh (Punjab), Shams Alam (UP ‘B’), Ramandeep Singh (Har), Jagdesh Yadav (UP ‘B’), Dheeraj Sharma (Har).

Halfbacks: Nitish Kumar (UP ‘A’), Thejakarienya (Naga), Rajwinder Singh (Punjab), Manbir Singh (Punjab), Ajaya Ekka (Oris), Mandeep Sigh Punjab), Marcus Tirkey (Oris), Harish Preet (Har), Prem Kumar (UP).

Defenders: Bikram Jeet (Har), Jagan Jothi (TN), Harbinder Singh (Punjab).

Goalkeepers: Taif Ali Khan (UP ‘B’), Sapna Sharma (Har), Bikash Topno (Oris).

Uzma, Shruti move into semis

CHENNAI, Aug 13 (PTI) — Top seed Uzma Khan of Andhra Pradesh will take on Maharashtra’s Shruti Dhawan (third seed) while Radhika Tulpule (Mah-fourth) plays state mate Radhika Mandke in the semifinals of the girls singles (under-18) in the IOB National Junior Hard Court Tennis Championship here.

In their respective quarterfinals this morning, Uzma did not concede any games in eliminating Tamil Nadu’s Vishnu Preetham while Shruti Dhawan brushed aside T. Yamini 6-2 6-0. Radhika Tulpule downed a fighting S.K. Tara of Karnataka 7-5 6-2 and Radhika Mandke put paid to the aspirations of giant killer, Harsimran Kaur of Chandigarh 6-2 6-2.

In the boys doubles quarterfinals, the unseeded pair of Akshay Jagdale (Maha) and Avinash Arun (TN) upset fourth seeded Sanzaruz Zaman (WB) and Vijendra Laad (Maha) 6-4 2-6 7-5. The other three seeded pairs took their appointed places in the semifinals.

The boy’s doubles semifinals will be: top seeded Vijay Kannan (Del) and Mustafa Ghouse (Maha) versus third seeded pair of Akshay Vishal Rao (Chd) and Sunil Kumar (Chd) and second seeded duo of Ravikiran Bhat (Kar) and Rohan Bhopanna (Kar) versus Akshay Jagdale and Avinash Arun.

The results:

Girls (under-18) singles (quarter-finals): Uzma Khan (AP) b Vishnu Preetham (TN) 6-0 6-0 Shruti Dhawan (Maha) b T. Yamini (TN) 6-2 6-0 Radhika Mandke (Mah) b Harsimran Kaur (Chd) 6-2 6-2 Radhika Tulpule (Maha) b S.K. Tara (Karna) 7-5 6-2.

Boys doubles (quarter-finals): Ravikiran Bhat (Kar) and Rohan Bopanna (Kar) b Syed Safraz (TN) and Udaykumar Reddy (TN) 6-1 6-2 Vijay Kannan (Del) and Mustafa Ghouse (Maha) b C.S. Mohanti (Del) and P. Chaturvedi (Del) 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 Akshay Vishal Rao (Chd) and Sunil Kumar (Chd) b Vijay Rajagopal (TN) and Kamala Kannan (TN) 6-4 7-5 Akshay Jagdale (Maha) and Avinash Arun (Maha) b Sanzaruz Zaman (WB) and Vijendra Laad (Mah) 6-4 2-6 7-5.

Afro-Asian Games in Delhi
From Our Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI, Aug 13 — After a lull of several years, the concept for the Afro-Asian Games has resurfaced and the first Games will be hosted by New Delhi in 2001, according to IOC secretary Randhir Singh.

The 10-day Games will be held in six disciplines, including football, swimming and athletics (compulsory), one discipline to be recommended by the host continent, one by non-host continent and one by the host organising committee.

The Afro-Asian Games will be held every four years and the second Games will be hosted by the African continent. The Games will be owned exclusively by the Afro-Asian Games Organisation (AAGO). The executive board will be: Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Sabah (president); Jean Claude Ganga (vice-president); Suresh Kalmadi (vice-President-host country-ex-officio); vice-President- to be nominated; Randhir Singh -secretary; Tommy Sithole - deputy secretary; Shantiparb Tejavanija --treasurer; two members to be nominated. Total- nine members.

The Afro-Asian Games will be treated as qualifying Games. The first four athletes/teams in each event in the continental Games will qualify for the Afro-Asian Games.

These proposals have been accepted by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), according to Mr Randhir Singh.

Mr Randhir Singh has also been elected as vice-president of the Commonwealth Games Federation for the period 1998-2002. The names of the panel for the CGF were recommended jointly by the continent.

Mr Randhir Singh will be the first Indian to serve on the Commonwealth Games Federation.

As many as 93 sportspersons will take part in the Games at Kuala Lumpur from September 11 to 21.

Disciplines: weightlifting, badminton, boxing, shooting, hockey (m), hockey (w), and cricket (list awaited).

Chef De Mission: Mr B.S. Ojha, Assistant Chef de Mission: Mr S.M. Bali.

Weightlifting: Arumugam Karvtha Pandiyan, Dharam Raj Wilson, Murugesan Barun, Ganpathy Gnanasekar, Govindaswmay Yadivelu, Satheesah Rai, Sandeep Kumar, Ajay Kumar Sirohi, (Coach), Davinder Kumar (Coach), Suresh Sehgal (Manager). Shooting: Roopa Unnikrishnan, Satendera Kumar, Samresh Jung, Anjali Ramakant Ved Pathak, Kuheli Ganguli, Manavjeet Singh Sandhu, Bhanwarlal Dhaka, Silpi Singh, Ajab Rao Mahadeo Dt Elegote, Tambukutirya Changappa Palangappa, Airira Pemmaiah Subbiah, Tere Anuja Ashok, Mansher Singh, Sushma Rana, Rajiv Kumar Bhatia, Dhiren Bhatia, Sunny Thomas, Tibore Goncacl.

Hockey (women): ISJ Tingongleima Chanu, Sandeep Kaur, Mrystella Tirkey, Sanggai Ibemhal Chanu, Sita Gussain, Renu Bala, Nidhi Khullar, Manjinder Kaur, Pritam Rani, Jyoti S. Kullu, Ferdina Ekka, Innocent Helen Mary, Suman Bala, Sunita Dalal, Waikhom Surja Lasta Devi, Kamla Dalal, Rupa Saini, G. S. Bhangu, N.S. Saini, and Dr Ashok Ahuja.

Badminton: Pulloela Gopi Chand, Markose Bristow, George Thomas, Jasseel P. Ismail, Abhinshyam Gupta, Nikhil Kanetkar, Prakash Ramesh Padukone (manager), Uday Pawar, Syed Mohammed Arif, Vincent Lobo, Aparna Lalji Popat, Ghapla Deepti, Pamidimukkala Venkata Veralakshmi, Majusha Kanwar, Archna Deodhar, Neelima Chowdhary, Madhumita Bisht. Kumar Jitender, Gurubachan Singh, Nagangom Dingko Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Narottam Singh Rawat (Coach), Gurbakhsh Singh Sandhu (Manager), Blass Fernandez (Coach).

Hockey (men): Gagan Ajit Singh, Dilip Tirkey, Lajras Barla, Ramandeep Singh, Nabi Mohammed Riaz, Sanjeev Kumar, Baljeet Singh, Baljeet Singh, Lakshmmanan Prabhakaran, Baljeet Singh, Selvraj, Jude Menezes, Dhanraj Pillay, Sabu Verkey, Cheops Dcosta, Nandanoori Mukesh Kumar, A.B. Subbiah, M.R. Prameshwaran Ramesh, Dr P.J. Sebastian, M.K. Kaushik (coach).

Bhiwani pugilists dominate
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 13 — Bhiwani district pulgists dominated in the senior weighing categories and sailed into the finals on the penultimate day of the sub-junior, senior and senior Haryana Boxing Championship being held at the Sector 10 Haryana Model High School, Panchkula this evening.

In the lightweight (60 kg) category in senior section semifinal bout, Panchkula's Virender Fangi unleashed powerful punches on his rival Sonepat boxer Rakesh, who fell and the referee had to stop the contest in favour of Virender, who entered the final.

In light-welterweight (63.5 kg) category semifinal bout in junior section, Dharmender, representing Gurgaon, knocked out his rival pugilist Rohtak's Rajesh in the first round while in another semifinal of the same weight, Satish (Bhiwani) beat Viktam of Hisar when referee stopped the contest (outclass) in the second round.

The results (all semifinals):

Light Flyweight (48 kg): Surender (Bhiwani) b Sandeep (Panchkula) RSC-III, Virender (Hisar) b Ashok (Faridabad) on pts.

Flyweight (51 kg): Naveen (Bhiwani) b Jitender (Rohtak) on pts, Ramesh (Fatehabad) b Vijay Fatehabad on pts. Bantamweight (54 kg): Rajesh (Hisar) b Ashok (Y-Nagar) on pts, Sushil (Sirsa) b Parveen (Faridabad) RSC (OC)-III.

Featherweight (57 kg): D. Nagi (Panchkula) b Sultan Singh (Fatehabad) w/o Jatinder (Bhiwani) b Rajesh (Y-Nagar) on pts.

Lightweight (60 kg): Subodh (Bhiwani) b Jatinder (Hisar) RSC-II, Devender (Sonepat) b Rajnish (Rohtak) RSC-II.

Light welterweight (63.5 kg): Virender Dangi (Panchkula) b Rakesh (Sonepat) RSC-I, Harpreet (Fatehabad) b Bhupender (Bhiwani) on pts.

Welterweight (67 kg): Ram Rattan (Bhiwani) b Gurmej (Jind) w/o, Surender (Hisar) b Ranjit (Kaithal) w/o.

Light Middleweight (71 kg): Vinod (Bhiwani) b Shakitesh (Hisar) retd-I, Ajay Pal (Panchkula) b Naveen (Rohtak) K.O.-I.

Middleweight (75 kg): Vinay (Hisar) b D. Anand (Fatehabad) RSC-I, Dalbir (Bhiwani) b Narwar (Jind) RSC-I.

Junior categories (all semifinals): Light Flyweight (48 kg) Akil (Bhiwani) b Jasbir Singh (Fatehabad) w/o, Mandeep (Hisar) b Rajbir (Panchkula) on pts.

Flyweight (51 kg): Naveen (Hisar) b Sanjay (Fatehabad) on pts, Sunil (Kaithal) b Surjit (Panchkula) on pts.

Bantamweight (54 kg): Jai Parkash (Bhiwani) b Mangal (Rohtak) on pts, Satish (Jind) b Jitender (Panchkula) on pts. Featherweight (57 kg): Shashikant (Bhiwani) b Rajesh (Faridabad) RSC (OC)-II, Pankaj (Hisar) b Sunil (Rohtak) RSC (I)-I, Lightweight (60 kg): Kuldeep (Rohtak) b Jai Pal (Panipat) on pts, Tara Chand (Faridabad) b Vikram (Hisar) on pts.

Light Welterweight (63.5 kg): Dharamender (Gurgaon) b Rajesh (Rohtak) K/o-I, Satish (Bhiwani) b Vikram (Hisar) RSC (OC)-II. Welterweight: Rakesh (Kaithal) b Pardeep (Hisar) K/o-III,

Light middleweight (71 kg): Joginder (Rohtak) b Navdeep (Faridabad) on pts, Ravinder (Bhiwani) b Rajesh (Hisar) RSC (H)-I.

GM norm slips away from Konguvel

KOSZALIN (Poland), Aug 13 (PTI) — Former national ‘A’ champion P. Konguvel (5) missed an excellent chance to earn his maiden GM norm when grandmaster E. Rozentalis of Lithuania defeated him convincingly in the 9th round of the M.K. Cafe Cup Chess Tournament here last night.

Needing an outright victory to win his first GM norm, Konguvel, playing with black for second consecutive time, was at disadvantage right from the start and lost meekly.

Title favourite Igor Khemkin (7.5) of Israel agreed for a quick draw with black pieces against fellow-GM Igor Novikov (6.5) of Ukraine and topped the table with clear one point lead. The Israeli needs a draw in the last round tonight to claim the crown. However, even with a loss, he should win the tournament on better tie-break.

Facing alapin variation, a favourite of rozentalis, Konguvel made serious mistake in the opening which cost him a pawn and then the Lithuanian gave him no chance to recover.

Rozentalis systematically transposed the opening advantage into a winning situation and won the endgame at ease.

The Indian, however, has an outside chance of winning the norm if he scores a win in the final round against GM Brodsky.

Important results: GM Novikov (6.5) drew GM I Khemkin (7.5) GM Krasenkov (6.5) beat GM Adianto (5.5) GM S. Sarunas (5.5) lost to GM Beliavsky (6.5) GM Ehlvest (5.5) lost to GM Emil Sutovsky (6.5) GM Z. Hracek (6.5) beat IM Socko Bartosz (5.5) GM Rozentalis (6) beat IM P. Konguvel (5).

Indian shuttlers bow out

NEW DELHI, Aug 13 (PTI) — Indian shuttlers failed to show any resistance as four of them bowed out meekly against better rated opponents in the second round of the Singapore Grand Prix World Series Badminton at Singapore last night.

Anuj Gupta stretched third-seed Luo Yigang of China to extra points in the first game before collapsing the second game to lose 14-17, 3-15, according to results from Reuters.

Left-handed Nikhil Kanetkar lost to Malaysia's fourth seed Ong Ewe Hock 15-5, 15-5 in the other men's singles second round match.

World number one and top seed Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark began his campaign in style by beating Jason Wong of Malaysia 15-6, 15-7.

In the women's section, Neelima Choudhary succumbed 2-11, 4-11 to Lidya Djaelawijaya of Indonesia while Divya Ramesh was beaten 2-11, 1-11, by Wong Miew Kheng of Malaysia.

Completion of sports projects
by March-end
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 13— Important projects pending with the Punjab Sports Department will be completed by March end.

According to the Director, Sports, Punjab, Col Raminder Singh, all technical and financial aspects concerning the Astroturf at Ludhiana, construction of 16 block level stadia and three stadiums in the memory of Kabaddi players were discussed with the Minister of Sports, Mr Nusrat Ali Khan, and the Principal Secretary, Mr B.R. Bajaj. It was decided that these projects would be taken up immediately. The Sports Minister emphasised that monitoring of infrastructural development should be done by the government from time to time.

The minister also approved the list of 350 players who have been admitted to various educational institutions in the state. He also appreciated the performance of the under-14 hockey team of the Surjit Hockey Academy, Jalandhar, being run by the Sports Department. He assured due recognition and incentives for the team and hoped that teams in other age groups would also do well in the coming competitions.

Fryatt for Volvo Masters Golf
From Our Sports Reporters

NEW DELHI, Aug 13 — Asian specialist Ed Fryatt is back in Asia this week chasing region’s another top title, the Volvo Masters of Malaysia at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club.

The 27-year old Englishman triumphed on his last visit to Asia for the Volvo China Open in April. He was also victorious the last time he was in Malaysia, at the Malaysian Open in January, when he defeated Lee Westwood in a sudden-death play-off. "It is nice to be back. I always enjoy coming here. I don’t have to worry about wearing sweaters for one thing", said Fryatt, who has just returned from playing on the PGA European Tour for the first time.

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh was also competing in Germany and had been expected to make the trip to the Volvo Masters of Malaysia. This week’s tournament would have marked Singh’s first event of the season on the Asian PGA’s Omega Tour but unfortunately he was forced to return home because of a back injury. Singh’s disappointment at being unable to return to the Tour where he has won three times, was offset by the fact that he retained his European Tour card by playing well in Germany. A strong field has assembled for the Volvo Masters of Malaysia including China’s Zhang Lian-Wei, winner of the event in 1995 and 1996.

Heavy response to Golden Jubilee run
Tribune News Service

KASAULI, Aug 13 — More than 500 children, soldiers and civilians participated in the Golden Jubilee run organised by the Army Garrison here this morning to commemorate 50 years of independence. The run was flagged off by Mr B.K. Nehru, former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

All participants carried tricolours and wore national colours on their dresses. Sweets and prizes were distributed to all children and other participants by Col G.P.S. Bedi, Officiating Commander of the Garrison. Colonel Bedi exhorted all participants to feel proud of their country and contribute towards its further development and progress.

The Garrison has been actively involved in various welfare projects for civilian population in and around Kasauli. Medical camps and recruitment rallies have been organised here in the recent past.