Dist badminton results

Farooq visits hockey stadium

Ramanpreet wins carrom title

Austrian rider hurt in crash

Wins bout but loses title

Good display by golfer Mehra

Sporting pip PSEB, move into semis

CALCUTTA, Aug 30 (PTI) — Mohammedan Sporting sneaked into the semifinal of the KBL Federation Cup edging out Punjab State Electricity Board 4-3 via tie-breaker at the Salt Lake Stadium here today.

The quarterfinal encounter, played in intermittent rain, went to penalty shoot-out after 120 minutes of scheduled and extra time failed to produce any goal.

Moses Ohira, Joy Kabui, Amitava Ghosh and Subir Ghosh converted the spot kicks for the winners, while Arjan Ali’s decisive shot went over the bar.

For PSEB, veteran Sandeep Saini, Jujhar Singh and Harjap Singh found the target while Dalip Kumar’s grounder was saved by sporting custodian Shanti Majumdar and Sukhbir Singh’s shot ballooned over the bar.

The match, played at a tardy pace, seldom rose to any height with the rivals dishing out a pedestrian brand of soccer. Both teams carried out sporadic raids into the opponent territory but the movements lacked the required sting and punch to be productive.

Sporting will now clash with the winners of tomorrow’s quarter-final at Mumbai between Mohun Bagan and the State Bank of Travancore, Thiruvananthapuram. The match will be played here on September 6.

Sporting, however, could have won the match earlier had their forwards managed to convert the chances that came their way. The two Kenyans — Moses Ohira and Cassius Owino — worked hard upfront but failed to break the deadlock.

In the 30th minute, Owino got a loose ball inside the rival box, but failed to make contact. In the 52nd minute he muffed up another chance when his weak shot from close with PSEB custodian Jatinder at his mercy was off-target.

In between, in the 31st minute, the Punjab outfit’s seasoned striker Sandeep Saini unleashed a long-ranger but a confident Majumdar calmly gathered the ball.

PSEB, however, lived dangerously with its goalkeeper Jatinder becoming a bundle of nerves and fumbling time and again. In the 37th minute, he fumbled while trying to grip the ball, which slipped out of his hands and went for a flag kick. A minute later, he unnecessarily tipped over the bar an innocuous shot which was coming straight to his hands.

He again faltered in the 77th minute while collecting a Owino shot following a Ohira cross, but succeeded in gathering in the second attempt.

Three minutes later, PSEB launched an attack down the left, but Sukhbir’s angular shot was fisted by Majumdar.

Six minutes from the scheduled time, Ali Reza crossed to Arjan Ali whose shot first hit Jatinder who gathered the ball in the second attempt.

In the dying minutes of the match, PSEB came close to scoring as Sukhbir centred for an unmarked Jatinder inside the box, but sporting left back Subir Ghosh came as if from nowhere to clear the ball.

The electricitymen got another chance 23rd minute into the extra time, but Majumdar again showed his class as he dived to substitute Ramesh Kumar’s feet to prevent a certain collapse.

Bagan coach upset with the ground

MUMBAI, Aug 30 (PTI) — Title contenders and Calcutta giants Mohun Bagan’s star Nigerian striker Chima Okeri is yet to arrive for tomorrow’s quarter-final match against State Bank of Travancore, Thiruvananthapuram in the KBL Federation Cup Football Tournament at the Cooperage here.

Bagan coach Amal Dutta told PTI today that Okeri was expected to join the team tomorrow morning after seeing off his wife, who was flying to London today.

Meanwhile, Dutta was very upset with the ground conditions which he described as "pathetic".

It is very sad that the number one city in the country cannot even maintain a football ground properly while small towns in Kerala, Goa, Assam and Bengal have maintained them very well, he said.

To make matters worse his boys had to cool their heels in their hotel rooms as the Western India Football Association (WIFA) officials at Cooperage refused to let the Bagan team practice on the ground without giving any specific reasons.

In fact, the coaches of other teams who have played on this ground in the past week, including Air-India and Salgaocar Football Club, Goa, have complained about the bad condition of the ground but to no avail.

An upset Dutta said: "Even if it rains a little bit the ground will be very slippery and we will definitely protest if that happens as we cannot put our players at risk".

When contacted, WIFA assistant secretary Wali Mohammed said: "If they think that the ground is in bad shape let them cancel the game and go.

"It is difficult to maintain the ground during rainy season and with the wet spell continuing from past seven to eight days we have been helpless.

"In fact we had also told the all-India body of our helplessness to conduct these matches during monsoon but they insisted that we hold at least two or three matches to finish the Federation Cup on time,'' he added.

When asked why the Bagan team was not allowed to practice on the ground, Mohammed said: "As it is the coaches who are unsatisfied with the ground conditions and if we had given the ground for practice just a day before the match, the ground would have been damaged beyond repair''.

Meanwhile, all the Bagan players, including their defenders Jeevan Moras, Ghana import Omello, their skipper B. Mondal and goalkeeper Hemant Dora were looking forward to tomorrow's match.

Bagan's mid-field consists of Satyajit Chatterjee, Debjit Ghosh, Iran import Basim and R.P. Singh while their forward line has Amit Das, the never-aging Okeri and I.M. Vijayan.

The bankmen, who had shocked reigning champions Salgaocar club, Goa, 1-0 in the pre-quarter final match last week, would be oozing with confidence and hoping for a repeat performance.

Their forward line includes Ignatious Sylvester, V.P. Shaji and A. Sunil Kumar with S. Earnest as the substitute.

In the mid-field Lanel Thomas, Shabeer Ali, V. Suresh Babu and V. Vinaya Kumar would be doing duty while their defence consists of V. Siva Kumar, Jiju Jacob and Martin Mathew with the ever agile Feroz Sheriff under the bar.

Their bench strength comprises S. Jaya Kumar, Dipu Krishnan, A Johnson, P.N. Manoj, M. Finian and Ebin Rose apart from Earnest.

Graf beats Novotna, lifts title

NEW HAVEN, Aug 30 (AP) — Steffi Graf has returned to the winner's circle easily beating Wimbledon champ Jana Novotna 6-4, 6-1 for the Pilot Pen Championship.

It was the first title in more than a year for Graf, who had knee surgery in June 1997. Holding the trophy, she said, felt "awesome".

"It's been a long way, but it's special to be here right now, to be at this point," Graf said yesterday. "It's worth doing what I done."

What she did was carve up Novotna's athletic serve and volley game in one hour, seven minutes.

The winner of 21 Grand Slam titles, Graf put on a dominating display of precision, power and quickness. She kept Novotna off the net, scoring winners from both sides of the racket. She said her backhand was probably her most improved shot.

"It makes life a little easier. I didn't really make a lot of mistakes and felt I was controlling the points," Graf said.

Novotna, the no. 2 seed, managed only nine points in the second set.

"She was really overpowering and played unbelievable tennis," said Novotna, who admitted being tired.

Novotna played in both the singles and doubles draw and competed until 10.30 p.m. (local time) Friday with partner Mariann Deswarot, of South Africa, in her doubles semifinal, which was suspended due to rain.

She still had more tennis left last afternoon.

Graf reached the final with straight set victories over unseeded Henrieta Nagyova, no. 7 seed Amanda Coetzer and defending champ and top seed Lindsay Davenport.

Novotna, who will improve from third to second in the WTA Tour rankings tomorrow, advanced to the title game in straight sets over three unseeded players, Chanda Rubin, Amelie Mauresmo and Julie Halard-Decugis.

Graf's last title came in May 1997 on the clay courts of Strasbourg, a month later she had surgery on her left knee. The Pilot Pen was her ninth tournament of the year and the first time she reached the finals.

She still holds the longest winning streak at the U.S. Open. Graf, who will break into the top 30 tomorrow the first day of the U.S. Open, hasn't lost at Flushing Meadows since the 1994 final against Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. Her 1996 victory at the U.S. Open gave her 21 Grand Slam wins, second behind Margaret Court's record of 24.

The 29-year-old German nearly missed the Pilot Pen. After being bounced early in the Du Maurier last week, she planned to relax in Florida to rest up before Monday's open. She was overruled when coach Heinz Gunthardt told her she needed more matches.

"I felt maybe I needed a few days off. Heinz didn't think so," she said. "And he was very right."

Venus sets eyes on US Open title

NEW YORK, Aug 30 (Reuters) — After last year’s spectacular US Open debut, there is only one thing Venus Williams can imagine doing for an encore.

"My goal this year is definitely to win the tournament. I think there is no other option available," said Williams, who will be seeded fifth at the year’s final Grand Slam tournament beginning tomorrow at the National Tennis Centre.

The lofty expectations of the 18-year-old American are quite different from what she was looking to do last year, Williams recalled during a promotional appearance this week.

"I’m not sure what I thought coming into the Open (last year). I think my goal was the quarterfinals and then be serious after that. I did better," said Williams, who became the first unseeded woman finalist at the Open since 1958, before her amazing run ended with a loss to Martina Hingis.

Williams is basing her goal of claiming her first major championship on a season of consistently improved play on the WTA Tour.

"I think I am a much better player," said Williams, a quarter-finalist at the year’s first three Grand Slams - the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.

"I’m a smarter player. I make better decisions on the court," Williams said in analysing her game.

"I think I know how to get myself out of tough situations, when to get a first serve in, how to play a shot, find somebody’s weakness," said Williams, who won her first career singles titles this year at Oklahoma City and then added the prestigious Lipton International Title.

"I think my chances are much better," noted Williams, who opens her second US Open campaign against Elena Wagner of Germany.

A bout of tendinitis in the left knee this month disrupted her preparation and forced her out of last week’s Canadian Open, leaving Williams with a few lingering doubts about her fitness for the two-week hardcourt tournament.

"I just really need to take good care of myself and not play too much, not have any hard matches," said Williams, who had a noticeable limp and did not dismiss the prospect of wearing a support bandage next week.

"Maybe I should ask my opponents to go easy on me a little bit," joked Williams.

And if she falls short of her US Open goal? "I think I would still have had a good year no matter how I did here," she said.

Approach to sports 'bureaucratic'

KOCHI, Aug 30 (PTI) — Experts in various disciplines of sports at the national level have expressed deep concern over the deteriorating standards of Indian sportspersons at the international level.

"Today, we have reached a stage wherein even disciplines in which India used to dominate are no longer ours", they said at a two-day symposium on "International sports arena — can India ever excel?" at Thiruvananthapuram recently.

However, the experts felt India could excel "if we have a will to do it and the will to get it".

Excellence in sports can reach international levels when each sportsperson was ensured financial and social security and respectability — then sportsmen would work and find their own ways to achieve the end. Mere discussions will not help, the participants said.

The only thing which can come out is to find out the professional way of doing things which will yield results and will heal India’s much-bruised sporting pride, it was stated.

According to K.P.S. Gill, President, Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), if there is a slim chance of a gold medal coming India’s way in the Olympics, it is in hockey. The government should recognise sports as an industry and pump in money accordingly, he said and added that the country was sure to win the rewards.

"Flying Sikh" Milkha Singh, said sportsmen and coaches of today lack discipline and emphasised the need for hard work.

Discipline and sincerity which alone would help athletes reach greater heights, he said. He also suggested securing the services of a foreign coach, who should be given at least five years to produce results.

Olympian M.P. Ganesh, executive director, Sports Authority of India (SAI), in his paper presented in absentia, said public sector undertakings could play a major role in promotion of sports by creating infrastructure.

Further they could also provide support by providing jobs to sports persons of national and international calibre, establishing sports academies, providing financial assistance to upcoming sportspersons and sponsoring national teams for international competitions.

Capt K.A. Pillai, a medal winner in an international skiing championship, said in India the approach to sports was bureaucratic. The only means of encouraging sports was by offering employment, he said.

He called for a change in attitude towards training and effective utilisation of sports facilities that have been made available. He emphasised the need for a national sports policy and a national plan of action to win medals at the Olympics.

Prof Pathros Mathai, dean, physical education, Kerala University, said with the present level of status in sports administration, training and competition pattern, expectations to reach international standard were not fully justified.

Accountability was applicable not only to athletes and coaches but also the sports administrators, Mathai said, adding that an independent monitoring committee be set up to oversee efficiency of national federations and state associations.

Sportspersons belonging to schools, universities and public undertakings should also get international exposure, he said.

Another expert, C.S. Ebraham said physical education programme in school curriculum had been neglected since independence and needed re-organisation. The selection process should be scientific and begin at schools.

To produce a champion, sophisticated infrastructure was not a must. "There is no magic diet to produce a champion. What to consume shall have the priority over how much to consume".

Scientific selection, appropriate training, purposeful competition and above all an ambition to achieve would give the nation at least a few stars, he said.

Comparing the sports policies of Australia, China and India, Usha Sujit Nair, physical education teacher with the Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education Thiruvananthapuram said: "Sports to many Australians is life and the rest shadow".

Special AGM to okay 3-member panel

JAIPUR, Aug 30 (UNI) — A special annual general body meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will have to approve the recommendations of the rules committee to have a three-member selection committee instead of existing five members, said BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur today.

He told reporters here that the rules committee headed by him had recommended a three-member selection committee, but it would come into force only after making an amendment in the rules of the BCCI and such a step can only be taken through the special annual general body meeting.

The regular annual general body meeting of the BCCI to be held on September 22 and 23 will not consider this issue, he added.

He admitted that there had been lot of criticism of the existing five selectors who were allegedly being pressurised from their respective zones while selecting the national team.

Mr Dungarpur, who was here to inaugurate an inter ward cricket tournament, being conducted by a local Hindi daily "Rajasthan Patrika", that the BCCI would have a panel of scouts to assist the three selectors in spotting talented players from first class matches during the domestic cricket season. A similar system was being adopted in England and Australia, he said.

On IOA president Suresh Kalmadi’s suggestion of sending the best team to Kuala Lampur for the Commonwealth Games he said that BCCI will select two Indian teams — one for the Commonwealth Games and the other for the Sahara Cup — a five one-day series between India and Pakistan.

He said that it was most unfortunate that such a controversy has been raised. He, however, said he would meet Mr Kalmadi tomorrow in Delhi.

When asked, why Bob Simpson from Australia has been chosen as coach of the Indian team preparing for next year’s World Cup when players like Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev were available, Mr Dungarpur said Simpson had the experience of three world cups behind him. Besides Gavaskar and Kapil Dev never came forward to help and prepare the team, he added.

When asked whether the offer made to them, he said though no formal offer was made, but he knew that both of them had no time.

The BCCI president was full of praise for Simpson while calling the coaching camp currently in progress at Chennai as "wonderful". He was equally appreciative of the coach Anshuman Gaekwad and the skipper Mohd. Azharuddin for their approach. He said he had never heard of Indian players going to the gym. "They are going now at Chennai," he added.

India would be a strong squad in the World Cup. The present medium pace attack consisting of Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad and Ajit Agarkar is the best ever he said and added that Saurav Ganguly will be a match winning bowler in the World Cup under English conditions.

Mr Dungarpur said he had spoken to Ganguly about what would be expected from him there.

He said efforts were being made to have the third and final camp of the Indian team in England prior to the World Cup. Though hosts have allowed each country to reach there only a week before the cup, but the BCCI would request them for a 15-day camp. During that time India will play three warm up matches against county sides.

He said Sachin Tendulkar was actually running the whole show for the Indian team in the middle. While referring to his telephonic conversations with Tendulkar before removing him from captaincy, Mr Dungarpur said he had told Tendulkar to continue giving his 100 per cent to the team as a player. "I am happy that Tendulkar is not only giving his 100 per cent but one hundred ten per cent,’’ he said and appreciated Gaekwad and Azharuddin for making Tendulkar perform outstandingly.

Mr Dungarpur was of the opinion that South Africa along with Australia and of course the hosts England would be strong challengers for the World Cup. Pakistan could also do well if their problems within the team were over by then.

Sunil, Shikha TT champions
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 30 — Sunil Bambhoo and Shikha Sharma bagged men's and women's singles titles, respectively, in the Prof R.S. Mehta Memorial Table Tennis Tournament which concluded at the Sector 23 Table Tennis Hall here this evening.

In men's singles final match, Sunil Bambhoo defeated Anoop K.C. in four well-fought games by 22-20, 12-21, 23-21 and 21-16 while in the girls singles final tie, Shikha Sharma overpowered Barkha K.C. 18-21, 21-13, 21-16.

In the men's singles match, Anoop took the initial lead in the first game and at one time led by 19-10 but he suddenly lost concentration and lost the game at 20-22 while in the second game both players moved neck-and-neck till the score was eight-all.

At this moment, Anoop executed fine forehand drives and scored continuously and won the game at 21-12. Sunil won the third and the fourth games, though he faced good resistance, 23-21 and 21-16 and the match.

In women singles final, Barkha K.C. took the lead in the first game and won at 21-18. But in the second game, Barkha could not match Shikha Sharma and lost the game at 8-21. Third and fourth games were won by Shikha Sharma easily.

In cadet singles boys category, Sajal Kaushal beat Vineet Kumar of Punjab by 15-21, 21-18, 22-20 in the final.

The results:-

Junior Boys Singles:-

Semi Finals: Sumit Bari (Pb) b Sumit Grover (Chd.) (21-14, 21-18, 21-15) Bakul Aggarwal b Ritesh Chauhan (HP) (21-13, 21-15, 21-17). Finals: Sumit Bari (Pb) b Bakul Aggarwal (Pb) 21-19, 16-21, 21-14, 11-21, 21-9.

Junior Girls Singles:- (semi finals): Rishu (Pb) b Rajni Verma (21-10, 13-21, 21-8, 21-18) Gurminder (Pb) b Tejinder (Pb). (Final): Gurminder (Pb) b Rishu (Pb) 15-21, 21-16, 14-21, 21-12, 21-18).

Women's Singles:- (Quarterfinal): Shikha Sharma b Tejinder (21-12, 22-20, 21-14), Gurminder b Meenakshi (21-16, 21-17, 21-16), Anu b Mamta Bhambri (21-10, 21-16, 21-17), Barkha K.C. b Anuradha Bansal (21-10, 21-13, 21-9).

Semifinals: Barkha K.C. b Gurminder (Pb) (21-17, 21-11, 21-14), Shikha Sharma (Chd) b Anu (Pb) (21-10, 21-9, 21-13.

Men's singles: (quarterfinal): Sunil Bamboo b Harish Kumar (12-21, 21-16, 21-18, 16-21, 21-19) Tarun Akku b Manu Sharma (21-16, 26-24, 21-15), Munish Joshi b Saurav Sharma (21-16, 21-18, 21-11), Anoop K.C. b Ajay Thukral (21-9, 17-21, 21-12, 21-12).

Semifinals: Sunil Bamboo (Chd) b Tarun Akku (Chd) (16-21, 21-19, 7-21, 21-19, 21-15), Anoop K.C. b Munish Joshi (Pb) (13-21, 24-22, 21-19, 17-21, 21-12).

'No decision' yet on teams' composition

CHENNAI, Aug 30 (UNI) — Chairman of the selection committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Kishen Rungta today confirmed that the selection of the teams for the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and the Sahara Cup competition at Toronto in Canada, would be announced here on September 2.

Mr Rungta arrived here to watch the 22 probables undergoing the first preparatory camp under consultant Bobby Simpson and coach Anshuman Gaekwad. Three other selectors M.P. Pandov, Shivlal Yadav and Sambaran Bannerjee also joined Rungta. The other member, former coach and captain Ajit Wadekar, would be joining them tomorrow morning.

Talking to newsmen at the M.A. Chidambaram stadium, while watching the players ironing out their game at the camp, Mr Rungta said, however, the composition of the teams was not yet clear. No clear decision has yet been taken as to who will be in which team, he added.

"We will be selecting two teams on September 2, Mr Rungta said, answering questions. The selectors would get down to their task after Wadekar’s arrival, he added.

It may be recalled that the BCCI had sparked off a controversy by first indicating that a team may not be fielded at the Commonwealth Games, where cricket is being introduced for the first time, as the dates clashed with Sahara Cup matches against Pakistan.

Then it said that a team would be picked and cleared for the games under the direct aegis of the International Cricket Conference (ICC).

Meanwhile, sources said that the BCCI President Rajsingh Dungarpur would be meeting the Sports Ministry Tomorrow, after which the composition of the team for the Commonwealth Games would be clarified to the selection committee.

During his visit to the camp here Mr Rajsingh had said that the players were prepared to go anywhere the board asks them to.

BCCI Secretary Jaswant Lele is arriving here tomorrow.

Anand's hat-trick helps GMSSS-22 win
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 30 — Last year's champion Shivalik Public School, Sector 41; St John's High School, Sector 26; Guru Nanak Public School, Sector 36; and Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 22; qualified for the semifinals for the Sub-Junior Chandigarh Football Tournament for Shivalik Trophy (under 16 years) being held at the Sector 17 Football Stadium here today.

In the first quarterfinal match, Govt. Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 22 beat St Xaviers Secondary School, Sector 44 by 3-1. For winners Anand Parkash scored a hat-trick.

The match started on a fast pace. Xaviers lads made first dangerous move which was well saved by the rival custodian. They succeeded in scoring its first goal in the 13th minute through right winger Manoj Singh. At half time St Xaviers led by the solitary goal.

After half time, the Sector 22 school lads were a changed lot and their right winger Anand Parkash scored an equaliser in the 35th minute with solo efforts. He added another goal in the 46th minute after getting a pass from his team-mate Mandeep Singh and later he again beat the rival goal-keeper and ball straight went inside the goal net.

In another quarterfinal match St John's High School, Sector 26, beat Government High School, Sector 37, 5-4 via tie-breaker rule.

In the third quarterfinal match of the day, Shivalik Public School, Sector 41 blanked St Soldier International School, Sector 28 by 7-0.

The right striker Neeraj opened the account for Shivalik lads in the 15th minute with solo efforts. Kamaljit scored second goal in the 20th minute. Neeraj added two more goals in 22nd and 24th minutes. Winners led by 4-0 at the half time.

After half time, they scored three more goals through Kamal Jit (one) and Rajbir Singh (two).

In the last quarterfinal of the day, Guru Nanak Public School, Sector 36, defeated St Stephen's School, Sector 45, by an identical margin of 3-1 via tie-breaker rules
.

Superb unbeaten ton by Yuvraj
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 30 — A superb unbeaten century (108) by Yuvraj Singh enabled Godrej Cricket club to rout Mohali Gymkhana XI by 5 wickets and win the final of the Monsoon Cup League Cricket tournament at the Sector 8 DAV School ground here today.

The Godrej club opted to field first. Punjab Ranji players Krishan Mohan and Munish Arora opened for Mohali Gymkhana. After settling down, Krishan Mohan played some elegant shots, pulling Nain to mid-wicket fence twice.

Munish Arora played the sheet anchor role initially but later on opened up to hit a classic 70 off 68 balls including 5 fours and 3 sixes. His knock enabled the Mohali team to score a respectable 183 runs in the allotted 30 overs.

The Godrej Club were jolted by Ranji player Ubaid Kamal who dismissed three batsmen in his initial spell of four overs. However, Yuvraj stood confidentally and smashed 28 runs including 2 sixes and 4 fours in one over of T P Singh. His 50 came off just 29 balls including 4 sixes and 5 fours.

Arun Tuli scored 35 off just 32 balls. Yuvraj carried his bat through as he scored an unblemished 108 off just 72 balls including 7 sixes and 8 boundaries.

Godrej Cricket Club achieved the target easily in the 25th overs.

Munish Arora and Arun Tuli were declared the best batsman and all-rounder respectively.

Brief Scores:-

Mohali Gymkhana XI:- 183 all out in 29.4 over (Munish Arora 70, Navdeep Singh 37, Krishan Mohan 34, R P Singh 4 for 23, Yuvraj Singh 2 for 4, Kailash Sanwal 2 for 40).

Godrej Cricket Club:- 186 for 5 in 24.4 overs (Yuvraj Singh 108 n.o.).

Amit in fine nick
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 30 — An unbeaten half century (51 n.o.) by Amit Bhardwaj enabled Tari XI to score a convincing 7-wicket victory over Nikkamal Babu Ram JJ XI in the second Youth Club cash prize cricket tournament near Derabassi today.

The Nikkamal team scored 73 runs in the allotted 20 overs. The target was easily achieved in the 16th over as Amit Bhardwaj blasted an unbeaten 51 off just 31 balls.

Brief Scores:- Nikkamal Babu Ram JJ XI:- 73 all out in 19.4 overs (Swinder 22 n.o., Sandeep Sonu 3 for 8, Amit Bhardwaj 3 for 9).

Tari XI:- 74 for 3 in 15.4 overs.

In another match a fine knock of 47 runs by Jatinder enabled Industrial Cricket Club to beat High Court XI by 50 runs.

Brief scores:- I C C XI:- 112 for 8 in 20 overs (Jatinder 42, Rajiv Dutta 27, Rajinder Kohli 3 for 15).

High Court XI :- 72 all out (Harjit Singh 29, Parveen 2 for 6, Anil Chaudhary 2 for 8, Aman Kumar 2 for 7).

Rafter prevails over Rusedski

JERICHO (New York), Aug 30 (Reuters) — Australian Patrick Rafter, gearing up for the defence of his U.S. Open title starting next week, beat Britain's Greg Rusedski to reach the final of the $ 15,000 Hamlet Cup tennis event.

The second-seeded Rafter, who claimed the open at the expense of Rusedski in last year's Grand Slam final at Flushing Meadows, broke the Briton once in each set in recording a 6-4 7-5 victory.

Rafter, who has complied a rousing 17-2 record and won twice already during the summer hardcourt season, will face eighth seed Felix Mantilla of Spain in today's final.

Mantilla defeated 18-year-old Russian Marat Safin 6-3 5-7 6-4 in yesterday's second semifinal, Safin, who reached the round of 16 at the French Open with wins over Andre Agassi and defending champion Gustavo Kuerten, was playing in his first semifinal on the Tour.

Rafter, also a finalist here last year, broke Rusedski in the 11th game of the second set to go up 6-5 and secured the victory when his volley return set up Rusedski's backhand into the net.

The fourth-seeded Rusedski fell to 1-5 lifetime against Rafter, failing to capitalise on three break-point chances and committing 18 unforced errors.
Rafter 25, will be seeking his fifth singles title of the year here, which would tie Marcelo Rios for ATP Tour lead.

Mantilla had reached the semifinals with a three-set win over Kuerten, Mantilla, winner of six career singles titles on clay, is looking for his first hardcourt title.

Chang, Haarhuis enter final

BROOKLINE (Massachusetts), Aug 30 (Reuters) — Fourth seeded Michael Chang escaped several sticky situations to defeat talented French qualifier Sebastien Grosjean 7-5 4-6 6-3 in the semifinals of the MFS pro tennis championships.

Chang's victory last night put him into the championship match against wild card entry Paul Haarhuis of the Netherlands, who ousted third-seeded Frenchman Cedric Pioline by the same 7-5 4-6 6-3 score in the first match of the day.

Chang, who has been struggling with three-setters in his last three matches, took the first set with a break in final game as Grosjean hit two unforced backhand errors. It was the first set Grosjean had lost in four tournament matches.

The 20-year-old Grosjean, playing in only his second career-semifinal, used his big forehand to get the vital break in the seventh game of the second set to even the match.

Chang, surviving an exchange of break's early in the third set, used his patient and potent baseline strokes to get the clinching break at 5-3, then served out the final game.

Haarhuis, making his first ATP Tour final since 1996 and looking for his second career singles titles, mastered Pioline with a superior service and a more effective all-round attack.

In the first set, Haarhuis trailed 4-2 and 5-3 before breaking back in 10th game to even the set. Two games later on set point, Pioline double-faulted but he captured the only service break of second set in the ninth to level the match.

The Frenchman, however, made four unforced errors to lose his serve at love and fall behind 5-3 in third set. Haarhuis ended it on his second match point as Pioline volleyed long.

Nazma, Sumit to clash for title
From Our Sports Reporter

HOSHIARPUR, Aug 30 — Top seed Rohan Kapoor of Jalandhar and second seed Dilpreet Singh of Ludhiana will clash in the junior boys singles final in the Punjab Junior Badminton Championships here.

Sumit and Nazma will fight for top honours in the junior girls singles.

Holder Rohan Kapoor played a perfect tactical game keeping the shuttle low and not allowing the tall Amandeep to use his usual attacking game. Rohan, who won 15-2, 15-11 in just over 30 minutes dazzled his opponent with powerful smashes in all corners of the court. He won the first game rather comfortably but in the second game Amandeep staged a remarkable recovery and took an early lead of 8-4. But the accumulated a number of unforced errors which cost him the game.

Dilpreet Singh won the second semifinal defeating Jalandhar's Ramanjit singh 15-12, 15-7 in 25 minutes. Displaying fine foot-work and playing some good down the use smashes Dilpreet led 8-3 at one stage. But Ramanjit with some powerful smashes managed to level the score at 8-8. Both players fought tooth and nail for every point. They were neck and neck till 12-12. But patience and perseverance saved the first crucial game for Dilpreet.

A tired Ramanjit was unable to wage a battle in the second game. Ramanjit who used all his power and stamina in the first game made many mistakes, which ultimately cost him the match.

Top seed Nazma Parveen faced no resistance from Sangrur's Shehnaz in the first semifinal of the girls singles. She disposed of Shehnaz 11-3, 11-3 in just 17 minutes.

But the second semifinal between Navdeep of Patiala and Sumit of Jalandhar was a cliff hanger, which was fully extended to three games.

Sumit recovered to win the match 11-3, 7-11, 11-4. In the first game Sumit hardly moved but in the second she was a totally different player. Attacking Navdeep's suspect back-hand she wrapped up the second game. This was a ding dong battle. Sumit drubbed tall Navdeep in the third game in just 7 minutes.

Results: (all semi)

Boys singles (u-19): Rohan Kapoor (jal) b Amandeep (Ldh) 15-6, 15-11 Dilpreet Singh (Ldh) b Ramanjit Singh (Jal) 15-12, 15-7.

Girls Singles (u-19): Nazma (Ldh) b Shehnaz (Sang) 11-3, 11-3 Sumit (Jal) b Navdeep Kaur (Pta) 11-3, 7-11, 11-4.

Boys doubles (u-19): Rohan & Nitin (Jal) b Touseef & Harinder (Pat) 15-12, 15-10 Dilpreet & Ramandeep (Ldh) b Harmandeep & Ramanjit (Jal) 15-4, 15-5.

Girls doubles (u-19): Nazma & Sumit (Ldh) b Sandhya & Madhuri (Jal) 15-2, 15-2 Navdeep & Vidhu (Pat) b Indermeet & Navdeep (Hsr) 15-12, 15-1

Results for third place:

Boys singles (u-19): Amandeep (Ldh) b Ramanjit (Jal) 15-2, 15-4

Doubles (u-19): Harinder & Touseef (Sang) b Harmandeep & Ramanjeet (Jal) 12-15, 17-14, 15-12.

Girls Singles (u-19): Navdeep (Pat) b Shehnaz (Sang) 11-7, 11-0.

Doubles (u-19): Sandhya & Madhuri (Jal) b Navneet & Indermeet (Hsr) 15-11, 15-8.

Carl Hooper's 157 n.o. rescues Kent

LONDON, Aug 30 (Reuters) — A magnificent 157 not out by Carl Hooper saved Kent from defeat in their English county championship match against struggling Northamptonshire yesterday.

Kent had resumed on the final day 109 behind with two second innings wickets down. But Hooper and Alan Wells (77) thwarted Northamptonshire's hopes of recording only their third win in 14 first class matches as Kent reached 377 for seven and forced a draw.

Durham's hopes of a first victory in almost three months were dashed by a dogged stand between Derbyshire's Kevin Dean and Michael May.

Derbyshire closed on 269 for nine, 40 runs ahead.

Scores and results:

Day three

At Bristol: Gloucestershire 355 (M. Alleyne 116; A. Caddick 5-97) and 187-6 (T. Hancock 73), Somerset 396 (M. Burns 96, M. Trescothick 92).

Day four

At Derby: Match drawn. Derbyshire 205 (I. Blackwell 57) and 269-9 (K. Barnett 98, Phillips 5-56), Durham 434-6 decl. (J. Daley 157, M. Roseberry 97, M. Speight 52 not out).

At Northampton: Match drawn. Kent 218 (A. Wells 79) and 377-7 decl (C. Hooper 157 not out, A. Wells 77). Northamptonshire 391 (A. Swann 85, R. Bailey 79, A. Penberthy 61; D. Headley 5-79).

Lanka last-wicket pair pile on the agony

LONDON, Aug 30 (Reuters) — Sri Lanka last wicket pair Suresh Perera and Muttiah Muralitharan piled on the agony for England with a swashbuckling stand of 59 on the fourth day of the one-off Test at the Oval today.

Perera stroked an unbeaten 43 in his first innings in test cricket and Muralitharan struck 30 as they boosted their side from 532 for nine to 591 all out in reply to England’s 445.

England openers Mark Butcher and Steve James took their side safely through seven overs to tea at 13 without loss.

Up to the moment pace bowler Perera and off-spinner Muralitharan joined forces, England had gained a measure of respite from Sri Lanka’s run spree by taking six wickets for 8 after the touring side resumed at their overnight 446 for 3.

However, on a pitch more akin to Colombo than Kennington, Perera and Muralitharan embarked on an entertaining partnership that gave the touring team an unexpected but useful late boost.

Perera showed composure and spirit, as well as a number of fine strokes including a handsome six over long-on off Angus Fraser, as he made his runs from 77 deliveries.

The 10th wicket pair completed their half-century stand of 60 deliveries. It was finally broken by Ian Salisbury’s first test wicket of the season.

Leg-spinner Salisbury, who took 0-106 in the last two tests against South Africa, had Muralitharan caught behind by Alec Stewart as he tried to cut a ball outside off stump.

Darren Gough provided the initial lift by dispatching Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga (51) and Hashan Tillekeratne with consecutive deliveries in the third over of the morning.

Ranatunga added only one to his overnight score before he was lbw playing round a half volley from Gough whose next ball trapped Tillekeratne leg before.

Romesh Kaluwitharana produced several dashing strokes before falling to Dominic Cork, and Ben Hollioake had Aravinda de Silva caught behind off a thin outside edge, ending the Sri Lankan vice-captain’s patient but cultured innings of 152. He batted 462 minutes, faced 292 balls and hit 17 fours.
Fraser removed Kumara Dharmasena and Pramodya Wickremasinghe in quick succession after lunch.

SCOREBOARD
England (Ist innings): 445
Sri Lanka (Ist innings):
Jayasuriya c Stewart b Hollioake 213
Atapattu lbw b Cork 15
Jayawardene c Hollioake b Fraser 9
De Silva c Stewart b Hollioake 152
Ranatunga lbw b Gough 51
Tillekeratne lbw b Gough 0
Kaluwitharana c Crawley b Cork 25
Dharmasena lbw b Fraser 13
Perera not out 43
Wickremasinghe b Fraser 0
Muralitharan c Stewart b Salisbury 30
Extras (b-16, lb-19, w-1, nb-4) 40
Total 591
Fall of wickets: 1-53, 2-85, 3-328, 4-450, 5-450, 6-488 7-504, 8-526, 9-532
Bowling: Gough 30-5-102-2, Fraser 23-3-95-3, Hollioake 26-2-105-2, Cork 36-5-128-2, Salisbury 25.5-7-86-1, Ramprakash 5-0-24-0, Butcher 11-2-16-0.
England (IInd innings): 13 without loss.

BAI threat to pull out of C’wealth Games

NEW DELHI, Aug 30 (PTI) — Close on the heels of the cricket row, doubts over the Indian badminton team’s participation in next month’s Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games have been raised with the association threatening to pull out if the Indian Olympic Association insisted that the entire Indian contingent would fly only by the Malaysian Airlines. Badminton Association of India president V.K. Verma yesterday said the team would pull out if it was not permitted to fly Air India. “It is a matter of national pride that we fly our carrier than some foreign airline.”Mr Verma said it was unfortunate that the IOA decided on a foreign airline. The BAI has conveyed its stand to the apex body as well as the Sports Ministry.

“All other contingents will be reaching Kuala Lumpur only by their national carriers. It symbolises national pride and it has always been the practice to fly Air-India for meets like Olympics and Asian Games,” he said.

“It’s really surprising as the government is meeting all expenses. The IOA decision is hasty. Rather than succumb to pressure, we will pull out,” he added.

“In fact, Air-India has given a carte blanche to the IOA, offering fares lower than that of any foreign carrier and till now it has been to the full satisfaction of our athletes. Despite that the IOA has gone in for a foreign carrier,” Mr Verma, who insisted he was not speaking in his capacity as Air-India’s northern region Director, said.

The badminton squad, training in Bangalore, is scheduled to leave for Kuala Lumpur on September 4 from Chennai.

Bierhoff criticises Vogts

HAMBURG, Aug 30 (AP) — AC Milan forward Oliver Bierhoff was the latest player to sharply criticise coach Berti Vogts over Germany’s poor World Cup performance in excerpts of a newspaper interview.

Bierhoff told Welt Am Sonntag, a Sunday weekly, that Vogts didn’t communicate with his players, banished them to the bench too quickly and failed to support them enough at soccer’s premier event.

“The players were too often ignored at the World Cup. We weren’t offered reasons for decisions, when we would have liked to have an answer,” said Bierhoff.

Bierhoff, now the team’s acting captain, scored three goals and was one of the few German players to turn in a strong performance in France.

The team, which has captured three World Cups, was blasted by both the media and public after the second straight quarterfinal ousting under Vogts. Before that, German fans had been spoiled by the team reaching four of five finals.

Bierhoff also found fault with the way Vogts constantly shuffled his lineup, benching stars like midfielder Anoy Moeller, in hopes of solving the team’s lacklustre performances in France.

“In the future, I hope Vogts builds a solid foundation and offer us more certainty than at the World Cup. It can’t be that if you have one poor match, you’re already being second-guessed,” Bierhoff said.

Altogether nine players have quit the team since France, many because their career end was imminent. But two of them, libero Olaf Thon and midfielder Stefan Reuter, said they refused to continue playing for Vogts.

Lessing regains triathlon crown

LAUSANNE, Aug 30 (AP) — Britain’s Simon Lessing has recaptured his triathlon world championship a record fourth title.

The 26-year-old Briton yesterday completed the 1,500-metre swim, 40-kilometer cycling course and ten-kilometre run in one hour, 55 minutes and 30.5 seconds, a convincing 26.9 seconds ahead of New Zealand’s Paul Amey.

Australia’s Miles Stewart, the 1991 champion, finished third, 33.7 seconds back.

"I’m so happy with this victory,’’ said Lessing, who began swimming at nine, and won his first triathlon at 14. "Each year the competition gets tougher and tougher so victory becomes sweeter and sweeter. This is the first time my family was able to come and see me compete so that also made it even better.’’

World champion in 1992, 1995 and 1996, Lessing finished third last year in Perth.

District badminton results
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 30 — Karan Sahoo and Varun Sahoo reigned supreme to clinch the titles in boys under 16 years singles and doubles and boys under 19 years singles and doubles in the Panchkula District Badminton Championship which concluded at the Sector 7 Community Centre, Panchkula, near here today.

The results are: (all finals):

Girls under 10 years singles: Kannu Aggarwal b Pallavi Aggarwal 11-9, 11-5.

Boys under 10 years singles: Parteek Mittal b Abhiraj 15-9, 15-7.

Boys under 13 years singles: Sachin Garg b Saurav Kapoor 15-9, 10-15, 17-15; doubles: Gaurav Kapoor and Parteek Pawan b Sachin and Saurav 15-12, 15-11.

Girls under 16 years singles: Nidhi Chaudhary b Gauri Sharma 11-6, 7-11, 12-10.

Women singles: Preetika Sharma b Samritika Sharma 11-5, 11-5.

Boys under 16 years singles: Karan Sahoo b Varun Sahoo 15-12, 9-15, 17-15; doubles: Karan Sahoo and Varun Sahoo b Piyush Aggarwal and Sachin 15-13, 15-1 .

Boys under 19 years singles: Varun Sahoo b Karan Sahoo 15-12, 15-10; doubles: Karan Sahoo and Varun Sahoo b Puneet Chahal b Piyush Aggarwal 15-2, 15-3.

Men's singles: Neeraj Ahuja b Puneet Chahal 15-3, 15-2, doubles: Jatinder Mahajan and Rajesh Bhambri b Mahesh Garg and Anil Mittal 12-15, 15-6, 15-9; doubles: Jatinder Mahajan and Rajesh Bhambri b P. Verma and Vikas Jain 15-10, 15-11.

Farooq visits hockey stadium
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 30 — The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, today visited KK Hakhu hockey stadium here and took stock of the progress achieved in laying the astro-turf.

The stadium, first of its kind in the state, is estimated to cost Rs 5 crore. Over Rs 1.50 crore have been spent on lying the astro-turf and creating other facilities.

Accompanied by the Industries Minister, Mr Bodh Raj Bali, and the Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Mr SS Slathia, the Chief Minister discussed with the officers steps being taken for early completion of the stadium.

Ramanpreet wins carrom title
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 30 — Ramanpreet Pahwa clinched the title in boys singles category of the eighth Sub-Junior Chandigarh Carrom Championship which ended at the Sector 45 St Stephen’s High School here today. He crushed Aita Ram 25-4, 25-4 while girls singles title was claimed by Bhavneet Kaur who scored an easy 25-7 win over Pallavi Piplani.

Boys doubles crown went to Ramanpreet Pahwa and his partner Baninder Singh, who beat Hasneet and Taranpreet Pahwa by 24-4, 25-1 in one-sided affair. Girls doubles title went to Shashi Bawa and Poonam Jain who ousted Pallavi Piplani and Evelen by 25-7.

Cricketers meet spastic kids

CHENNAI, Aug 30 (PTI) —In the midst of hectic training, the national cricket probables took time off from their camp to meet young inmates of the Spastic Society of India at the MA Chidambram Stadium here today.

It was an extended session for the players also getting proficient with new training methods that have been introduced on a daily basis since the camp began on August 21.

For the first time, the players will do "sand running". For this, the 22 probables, coach Anshuman Gaekwad, consultant Bobby Simpson, physio Andrew Kokinos and team doctor Ravinder Chadda will go to Fishermen's Cove, the seashore location near the tourist spot of Mahabalipuram.

Gaekwad said physical conditioning exercises, sand running and catching practice will be gone through on the beach. The campers will play a 40-over a side match on September 1.

Meanwhile, national selection committee chairman, Kishen Runta, who had a meeting here with three of the members — M.P. Pandove, Shivlal Yadav and Sambran Banerjee (Ajit Wadekar is expected tomorrow) — told reporters, "we have been asked to select two strong teams (for the Commonwealth Games and Sahara Cup tournaments). We will announce them on September 2."

The committee members watched the probables in action during the full session today, which lasted over five hours.

The cricketers will attend a fund-raising dinner on September 2 organised by the Spastic Society.

Austrian rider hurt in crash

SPIELBERG (Austria), Aug 30 (Reuters) — Austrian superbike rider Sebastian Vitzhum was in intensive care after crashing in qualifying for today’s 10th championship round.

He sustained head and lung injuries yesterday after skidding off on the A1-ring. Vitzhum was taken to a hospital in nearby Leoben and was reported to be in stable condition.

The Austrian news agency APA said brake problems had probably led to the former professional ski racer's crash.

Wins bout but loses title

LAS VEGAS, Aug 30 (Reuters) — Unbeaten International Boxing Federation junior flyweight champion Mauricio Pastrana of Colombia stopped Carlos Murillo of Panama in the ninth round in a bout scheduled for 12, but still lost his title.

Pastrana failed three times during a 2 1/2 hour period to make the 108-pound (49 kg) limit at the official weigh-in prior to the bout.

Under IBF rules, Pastrana could not retain his title even with a win. Had Murillo won he would have been crowned the new champion, but Pastrana was victorious so the title was declared vacant.

Pastrana, 25, lost the title but improved his record to 19-0 with 16 bouts finished within the distance. The 27-year-old Murillo now has a mark of 37-6.

The bout ended at 2:50 of the ninth when the referee waved the bout to a halt after Pastrana landed a barrage of unanswered blows to the head of the challenger.

Pastrana won the title last year and defended successfully twice before being thwarted on the scale.

Good display by golfer Mehra

NEW DELHI, Aug 30 (PTI) — Indian pro Smriti Mehra fired a superb three-under 69 to be three strokes adrift of the leading pack when fading light suspended play in the second round of the $ 7,00,000 LPGA state farm Rail Classic Golf Tournament at Springfield, Illinois (USA), yesterday.

Mehra, the first Indian golfer to play on the Ladies Professional Golfers Association (LPGA) tour, had carded a five-under-67 on the opening day for a two-round aggregate of eight-under par 136, according to results provided by AFP.

Maintaining excellent form at the halfway stage, the Indian pro, looking for her first LPGA title after her creditable sixth place finish at the British Open last month, came up with a fine display under fading light to share the fourth place with Americans Susie Redman (68, 68) and Tracy Hanson (66, 70).

Michele Redman (USA) fired a nine-under-par 63 for an aggregate of 11-under 133 to share the top spot with four others — Martha Nause, Cindy Mccurdy, Tammie Green and Vickie Odegard (all USA) — going into the next round today.

Thirty-two players were still on the course when play was suspended. They will complete the second round before start of the next round.