DUBAI : (Left) Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin holds the Sharjah Champions Trophy Cup. (Right) Jubilant Sachin Tendulkar leaves the field after India defeated Zimbabwe by 10-wickets in Dubai on Friday — AP/PTI

Azhar looking for win in New Zealand
SHARJAH, Nov 14 — Captain Mohammad Azharuddin was hungry for more victories as he lifted India’s sixth one-day trophy this year by winning the triangular Coca Cola Cup Cricket Tournament thrashing Zimbabwe here last night.

• 'I wanted to enjoy batting'

Sportspersons of Pak, Bangladesh denied visas
AMRITSAR, Nov 14 — Visas have been denied to the sportspersons of Pakistan and Bangladesh who had undergone kindey transplantation or other similar operations for first SAARC transplant sports meet and 5th All-India Transplant Sports Championship slated to be inaugurated here tomorrow.

BSF pip PSB for title
JALANDHAR, Nov 14 — Beighton Cup champions Border Security Force pipped five-time champions Punjab and Sind Bank 2-1 to lift their maiden title in the 15th Indian Oil Surjit Memorial Hockey Tournament at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium here today.

Anant pips Benjamin for U-16 crown
NEW DELHI, Nov 14 — Third seed Anant Sitaram of AP humbled fourth seed Benjamin Xavier (Maharashtra) to lift the U-16 title in the AITA Open Sub/Mini Junior Tennis Tournament here today.

Nehra, Sehwag wreck Punjab
NEW DELHI, Nov 14 — Punjab, after restricting Delhi to 315 in the first innings, failed to wrest the initiative as the hosts’ pace-spin attack reduced them to 217 for nine at close of play on the second day of their four-day North Zone Ranji Trophy match at the Ferozeshah Kotla Grounds here today.

Henman enters semi-finals
STOCKHOLM, Nov 14 — Tim Henman blanked Magnus Gustafsson in a third-set tiebreak to reach the semifinals of the Stockholm Open last night and a berth in the ATP Tour World Championships.

Graf outplays Hingis
VILLANOVA (Pennsylvania), Nov 14 — Unseeded Steffi Graf, already rebounding from wrist surgery, overcome a sore leg yesterday to beat second-seeded defending champion Martina Hingis and move into the semi-finals of the Advanta Championships.

HP bowlers leave Services struggling
NEW DELHI, Nov 14 — Himachal bowlers struck vital blows to leave Services struggling at 197 for seven in their first innings at close on the second day of their North Zone Ranji Trophy cricket tie at the Harbaksh Stadium here today.

Tollygunj beat JCT by solitary goal
SILIGURI, Nov 14 — Tollygunj Agragami defeated JCT (Phagwara) by a first-half goal in a group-A match of the Tata Team 104th IFA Shield Football Tournament played at the Kanchanjunga Stadium here today.

Ogorodov loses cool, title
CALCUTTA, Nov 14 — Second seed Vadim Kutsenko of Uzbekistan put in a disciplined performance to tame top seed compatriot Oleg Ogorodov in straight sets and claim the title in the ITF Futures tennis circuit meet at the South Club here today.

BMFC hold Bagan
CALCUTTA, Nov 14 — Formidable Bengal Mumbai Football Club sailed into the semifinals of the 104th IFA Shield Football Tournament holding Calcutta giants Mohun Bagan to a 1-1 draw in a group B league encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium here today.

Azhar looking for win in New Zealand

SHARJAH, Nov 14 (PTI) — Captain Mohammad Azharuddin was hungry for more victories as he lifted India’s sixth one-day trophy this year by winning the triangular Coca Cola Cup Cricket Tournament thrashing Zimbabwe here last night.

"I want to win in New Zealand. We have a tough tour ahead of us and I want to do well in the coming series," Azharuddin said of the tour which follows.

"If we keep the same tempo and win the series, that will be icing on the cake," an elated Indian skipper said.

India will play three Tests and five one-dayers in New Zealand during December and January next.

"I really like to compliment my bowlers who performed brilliantly on a flat wicket," Azharuddin said and added: "There was no way we could have lost the match after such a good start given by the bowlers."

On Sachin Tendulkar’s spectacular 21st century which gave India an easy victory, Azhar simply said: "He takes my breath away everytime he goes to the crease."

He was all praise for Anil Kumble, Ajit Agarkar and Javagal Srinath who destroyed the Zimbabwean batting order but cautioned: "We don’t have to rest on our laurels. We want to continue working hard for the coming tour."

India recorded them sixth tournament victory at this famed desert venue since the Sharjah tournaments were launched in 1984.

Tendulkar, who was adjudged man-of-the-match for his century, said he never batted with idea of scoring 100. "I just decided to enjoy my batting and put my country on a sound start. It just happened that I scored another century on the way."

The batting maestro on his cheap dismissal to Henry Olonga in the last league match on Wednesday said: "I was little bit restricted," but gallantly added: "Olonga is an international bowler and bowls some good deliveries and I am bound to get out to good ones."

Tendulkar was richer today by Rs 12.5 lakh for his performance on the day.

Apart from being adjudged man-of-the-series (Rs 1.05 lakh), he bagged the man-of-the-match award (Rs 63,000), fastest 50 (Rs 42,000) — scored in 28 balls — and most sixes in the tournament (Rs 42,000) — eight in all.

Tendulkar was given a special award of Rs 10 lakh for scoring his 21st one-day century.

Another record that Tendulkar surpassed and went unnoticed was becoming the only batsman to have won most man-of-the-match awards.

Tendulkar won the award 32 time, crossing Vivian Richards 31, which he equalled on November 8.

Zimbabwean skipper Alistair Campbell also praised the Indians for winning the trophy.

"They bowled and fielded well and deserved to win," he said. Campbell, however, was happy about Zimbabwe’s performance in the first major final.

I wanted to enjoy batting: Sachin

MUMBAI, Nov 14 (PTI) — "I wanted to enjoy batting. I knew if I stayed at the wicket, I will get a big score," master batsman Sachin Tendulkar today said about his stupendous unbeaten knock of 124 against Zimbabwe in the Coca Cola Cup final at Sharjah.

Tendulkar, who struck six sixes and 12 fours in his 21st one-day century in the title clash which India won by 10 wickets yesterday, said he and Saurav Ganguly gave India a good start.

"We batted well and saw the side through," Tendulkar told reporters at the Sahar international airport here on his arrival from the desert kingdom this evening.

Tendulkar reiterated that there was nothing personal about his assault on young Zimbabwean paceman Henry Olonga who was hit for 41 runs in his first four overs.

"Olonga is an attacking bowler and I am an attacking batsman. I just went for my shots," the Indian maestro said.

Skipper Mohd Azharuddin did not accompany the team, which returned in two batches, as he had reportedly gone to Muscat.

Coach Anshuman Gaekwad, in his unstained praise about Tendulkar’s knock, said the batting wizard had already brought India into the 21 century in one-day cricket.

Gaekwad described the triumph, six out of nine engagements for the team this season, as a gift from the team to the people of the country.

He also pleaded to the public and media not to get upset over one or two losses.

Gaekwad had a special word of praise for his bowlers too who had performed so creditably in the three national championships also, featuring world champions Sri Lanka.

The Indian coach said the fielding needed a bit of improvement though "it is looking up now."

Gaekwad expressed satisfaction over the running between the wickets of his batsmen except for the last league game against Zimbabwe.

Looking forward to the December-January New Zealand tour for which the team is to be selected on November 17, Gaekwad said a different approach is needed. "It is something different. We have to prepare accordingly", he said.

BSF pip PSB for title
From Amardeep Bhattal
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Nov 14 — Beighton Cup champions Border Security Force pipped five-time champions Punjab and Sind Bank 2-1 to lift their maiden title in the 15th Indian Oil Surjit Memorial Hockey Tournament at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium here today.

In what was in fact a repeat of the 1989 final, the security men mesmerised the crowd with an excellent display of coordination to which the bank men had no answer. Punjab and Sind Bank did try to make a match of it late in the second half but the BSF defence stood its ground with fortitude with goalkeeper Jagdev Singh playing a stellar role to thwart the rival resurgence. With the today's title win, BSF emerged as the only unbeaten team in the tournament by winning all their matches from day one.

Punjab and Sind Bank were a bit of colour. Despite the return of regular centre-half Sandeep Singh, whose visa for the Canada trip has been delayed, Punjab and Sind Bank were more on the receiving end. The absence of Olympian Sanjeev Kumar who was running temperature in the first half also had an adverse impact on the morale of the team. Olympian Rajinder Singh (Senior), who played a pivotal role yesterday, also could not do much in the face of repeated onslaughts by the security men.

BSF's forwardline comprising Habil Topno, Marinus Lakra and Peter Tirkey was in devastating form.

The trio moved up and down in tandem, with Habil capturing the hearts of the crowd through some fine runs on the left.

Punjab and Sind Bank commenced the proceedings in a promising note, forcing two penalty corners in the first three minutes. Off the second one, left back Christopher Ekka made a goal-line save after Harpreet Channi's hit had the goalkeeper beaten.

BSF took some time to settle down. After carrying out a couple of unsuccessful forays in the rival territory, the security men finally took the lead in the 22nd minute. The goal, in fact, was the result of a defensive lapse by full back Harpreet Sidhu of Punjab and Sind Bank who failed to make a timely clearance, BSF's Habil Topno, who was lurking in danger zone, struck like lightning, unleashing a powerful hit on the run which beat goalkeeper Teja Singh hands down (1-0).

The inclusion of Sanjeev Kumar despite ill health in the second half did make some difference. However, the Punjab and Sind Bank forwards were well marked by the BSF defenders.

The second goal for BSF came in the 39th minute. Following a counter-attack, Sushil Kumar attempted a hit from the top of the 'D' but the Punjab and Sind Bank custodian Teja Singh managed to push the ball away, Marinus Lakra, who was standing nearby, did not let the opportunity go waste and off the rebound shot home making it 2-0 for his side.

With time running out, Punjab and Sind Bank mounted pressure. Their sustained efforts eventually bore fruit eight minutes from the final hooter when off a penalty corner, centre-half Sandeep found the target with an angular hit (1-2).

Soon after, when the final hooter was sounded it was all over for the bank men. The victory sent a wave of joy in the BSF camp and the players were hugged and cheered by scores of enthusiastic supporters who had lent vociferous support from the stands.

Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, Punjab, who was the chief guest, gave away the prizes. The winners were awarded a cash prize of Rs 60,000 besides the trophy while the runners up were awarded a cash prize of Rs 40,000 and the trophy. He also announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh for the Surjit Memorial Hockey Society, the organisers of the tournament. Among those present on the occasion were Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, Union Minister, and Mr Jagjit Puri, secretary of the society.

Teams:

BSF: Jagdev Singh, Naiman Kullu, Cristopher Ekka, Bismabir Singh, Kuljinder Singh, Brinder Guria, Shinu Herenz, Narinder Singh, Devinder Kumar, Marinus Lakra, Habil Topno, Jasjit Singh, Linus Ekka, Peter Tirkey, Sushil Kumar and B.K. Kullu.

PSB: Alloysius Edwards, Rajender Singh (jr), Sarbjeet Singh, Bhupinder Singh, Sandeep Singh, Harkanwaljot Singh, Harpreet Singh Channi, Rajinder Singh, Parminder Singh, Sanjeev Kumar Dang, Ram Saran, Bhupinder Singh (jr), Harpreet Singh Sidhu, Sandeep Singh (jr), Ranjeet Singh and Teja Singh.

Anant pips Benjamin for U-16 crown

NEW DELHI, Nov 14 (UNI) — Third seed Anant Sitaram of Andhra Pradesh humbled fourth seed Benjamin Xavier (Maharashtra) to lift the U-16 title in the AITA Open Sub/Mini Junior Tennis Tournament here today.

Anant Sitaram outplayed Xavier 6-3, 6-2 in one sided final.

Benjamin who had stunned highly-rated second seed Sunil Kumar of Chandigarh in the semifinals, failed to reproduce the same form and played tentative, error prone game.

Anant capitalised on his rival’s mistake to make the title clash virtually a no contest.

Top seed Nishank Mishra of Delhi won the U-14 title as he overpowered spirited fourth seed Rohan Gajjar of Maharashtra in a long drawn final.

Nishank won the first set rather Easily (6-2) but Gajjar rallied back strongly to win the next in tie break.

However, in the crucial third set Nishank managed to down Gajjar to emerge 6-2, 6-7(3) 6-4 winner.

In a keenly-contested match,top seed T. Yamini of Tamil Nadu, the only remaining seeded player left in the fray, justified her ranking, downing Y. Lakshmi Reddy (Andhra) to win the girls U-16 title.

Yamini had to fight it out in the first set which she won in the tie breaker 7-6(5) but then clinched the next without much fuss.

In girls U-14 section, second seed Isha Lakhani routed seventh seeded Lata Assudani 6-1, 6-2 in an all-Maharashtra final to clinch the title.

Nehra, Sehwag wreck Punjab

NEW DELHI, Nov 14 (PTI) — Punjab, after restricting Delhi to 315 in the first innings, failed to wrest the initiative as the hosts’ pace-spin attack reduced them to 217 for nine at close of play on the second day of their four-day North Zone Ranji Trophy match at the Ferozeshah Kotla Grounds here today.

Pankaj Dharmani (48), Reetinder Sodhi (36) and Navjot Sidhu (34) were the only notable scorers for Punjab while the rest of their batsmen collapsed to Delhi’s bowling attack.

Pankaj Dharmani made the most of two lives, scoring 48 runs before Mithun Manhas spectacularly snapped him off Virender Sehwag at square-leg.

After Dharmani fell, Punjab lost wickets at regular intervals as Ashish Nehra (3/52), Sandeep Angurala (2/13) and Virender Sehwag (3/15) ran through their batting order.

Punjab openers Reetinder Sodhi and Skipper Vikram Rathore (23) put on 50 runs for the first wicket when Vijay Dahiya took an easy catch behind the stumps off Nehra to send Rathore back to the pavilion.

Sodhi and Sidhu added 40 runs for the second wicket, and that was all Punjab batsmen could do in facing the hosts’ sharp bowling and tight fielding.

Earlier, Delhi, resuming at 299 for eight, folded their innings with the addition of just 16 runs, Rahul Sanghvi remaining unbeaten on 17.

Transplant games
Sportspersons of Pak, B' desh denied visas
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Nov 14 — Visas have been denied to the sportspersons of Pakistan and Bangladesh who had undergone kindey transplantation or other similar operations for first SAARC transplant sports meet and 5th All-India Transplant Sports Championship slated to be inaugurated here tomorrow.

These games are held every year in India, but it was for the first time that SAARC countries were involved. The organisers of the meet had earlier announced that Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan and Japan had confirmed their participation. While 20 transplant sportspersons of Nepal have already reached here to participate in the meet, no sportsperson from any other SAARC country could reach here. Apart from 20-member team of Nepal, 300 transplant sportspersons from the host team India are taking part in the meet.

The participants would take part in all athletic events — 100 mts, 200 mts, 400 mts, races, long jump, discus throw, shot put — table tennis, badminton and fun games.

This is for the second time that sportspersons from Pakistan could not reach India due to denial of visa. Earlier, members of the Allied Bank of Pakistan were denied the visa by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad which robbed the 15th All-India Surjit Memorial Hockey of the much-publicised glamour in the last week.

Meanwhile, following appeal for organ donation made by the organisers "Flying Sikh", Milkha Singh pledged to donate his both kidneys after the death.

Awareness walk for organ donation was, earlier, flagged off by the "Flying Sikh" from the Heritage Club cricket ground which culminated at Medical College Grounds in the evening.

Speaking on the occasion, Milkha Singh strongly criticised SAI and NIS, Patiala, for their alleged apathy towards the sportspersons. He said that though the NIS had produced more than 30,000 coaches with an investment of crores of rupees since its inception, it had miserably failed to produce good sportspersons. Similarly, SAI had failed to encourage the sportspersons of international repute.

On organ donations, Milkha Singh said that people should come forward to fill the pledge forms to donate their organs after their death. It would keep them alive even after death, he said.

Dr Maurice Slapak, president, World Transplant Games Federation, would inaugurate the meet at Guru Nanak Dev University grounds tomorrow.

Randhawa slips to third spot

BANGKOK, Nov 14 (PTI) — Halfway leader Jyoti Randhawa slipped to the third place as he struggled to a one-over-par 73 but Jeev Milkha Singh maintained his joint fifth position while other Indians in the fray, returning sub-par rounds, moved up the leaderboard in the Omega Tour's Thailand Open Golf today.

Randhawa, who played his first two rounds bogey free, dropped his first shot of the championship at the par five third on his way to an outward 37.

The winner of last week's Hero Honda Masters' played the back nine one better by firing two birdies and one more bogey to finish the penultimate round on 12-under 204.

Jeev with a two-under 70 (206) maintained his fifth position, Amritinder Singh rose significantly from the 16th to the 9th place today with a three-under 69 to be just three strokes behind.

Arjun Atwal who shared the 16th spot with Amritinder yesterday climbed five rungs to be placed 11th (70-209).

Amandeep Johl was joint 31st after being placed 43rd at the halfway mark with a two-under 70 for an aggregate of 214.

Vivek Bhandari who spoilt things for himself with a poor 75 in the second round, made amends in the third with a one-under 71 to rise from the 62nd to the 47th position.

Henman enters semi-finals

STOCKHOLM, Nov 14 (AP) — Tim Henman blanked Magnus Gustafsson in a third-set tiebreak to reach the semifinals of the Stockholm Open last night and a berth in the ATP Tour World Championships.

Henman, ranked 10th in the world and the highest seed (3) left in this tournament, won 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-0) before a sellout crowd at the Royal Tennis Hall.

"It was very close as the scoreboard shows, it was a very good tiebreak," Henman said. "That was the difference between us. It put me in the championships. It’s been on my mind for the past six weeks. I’m really, really pleased."

Henman broke for 4-2 in the third set. But the Swede, cheered on by his home fans, broke right back in the next game. Both players then held their serves, setting up the tiebreak.

Henman, who clinched the seventh and penultimate berth in the ATP tour World Championships in Hanover, Germany, later this month, will play Todd Martin in the semifinals.

Martin stopped Takao Suzuki’s run in the Stockholm Open, beating the Japanese qualifier 6-3, 6-4 in the first quarterfinal.

Two British players are now in the opposite side of the draw going into the semifinals. The only British player to win the tournament, one of the world’s oldest indoors, was Mark Cox in 1976 after a stunning semifinal win over Jimmy Connors.

Greg Rusedski outlasted Daniel Nestor in a quarterfinal clash between two Canadian-born players 7-6 (7-2), 1-6, 6-3.

In the semis, Rusedski will play Thomas Johansson or Jason Stoltenberg, who upset top-ranked Pete Sampras in the opening round.

Santiago: Juan Antonio Marin of Costa Rica upset top seeded Marcelo Rios of Chile 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5 to reach the semifinals of the Chevrolet Cup Tennis Tournament.

The defeat blocked Rios’ hopes of recovering the No. 1 ATP ranking, which he would have reached by winning his hometown tournament for the first time ever.

Second-seeded Felix Mantilla of Spain also advanced to the semifinals by beating Jim Courier of the United States 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6).

Also advancing was Youni El Eynaoui of Morroco with a victory over Mariano Puerta. El Eynoui was ahead 6-1, 2-0 when his Argentine rival withdrew with an injured waist.

Francisco Clavet of Spain gained his spot in the semifinals with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Nicolas Lapenti of Ecuador.

Graf outplays Hingis

VILLANOVA (Pennsylvania), Nov 14 (AP) — Unseeded Steffi Graf, already rebounding from wrist surgery, overcome a sore leg yesterday to beat second-seeded defending champion Martina Hingis and move into the semi-finals of the Advanta Championships.

Graf defeated Hingis 6-2, 4-6, 6-0 after having to leave the court momentarily for medical treatment on a pulled leg muscle. When she returned, Graf regained command, allowing Hingis only eight points in the final five games.

Graf will meet sixth-seed Nathalie Tauziat, who downed Amanda Coetzer 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, in one semi-final. The No 1 seed Lindsay Davenport, the top-ranked player in the world, and fifth-seeded Monica Seles, will face off in the other.

Graf’s victory continues an impressive streak since returning to the tour last week in the Leipzig Open after a two-month layoff from wrist surgery. Graf beat Tauziat 6-3, 6-4 last Sunday to win the tournament.

HP bowlers leave Services struggling

NEW DELHI, Nov 14 (PTI) — Himachal bowlers struck vital blows to leave Services struggling at 197 for seven in their first innings at close on the second day of their North Zone Ranji Trophy cricket tie at the Harbaksh Stadium here today.

Off-spinner Nischal Gaur (3 for 39) and medium-pacers Praveen Sharma (2 for 36) and Rahul Panta (2 for 45) did the damage as Services, replying to Himachal’s first innings tally of 267, were 70 runs behind with only three wickets in hand.

Services batting was awfully slow as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

Services batsmen Amit Nadkarni (38 batting) and Sanjay Sirsat (seven batting) were together when play was called off 15 minutes before scheduled close due to bad light.

Chinmaya Sharma, Services captain and batting mainstay, fell cheaply bowled for 12 as Panta struck twice in the space of five balls. He had dismissed Sanjay Verma (33) and the setbacks left Services struggling at 118 for five.

They partially recovered only due to C.D. Thomson (26) and the unbeaten effort of Amit Nadkarni, who together added 52 runs for the sixth wicket.

Services may have to rue the fact that they allowed Himachal to add 83 runs for the last wicket yesterday.

Tollygunj beat JCT by solitary goal

SILIGURI, Nov 14 (PTI) — Tollygunj Agragami defeated JCT (Phagwara) by a first-half goal in a group-A match of the Tata Team 104th IFA Shield Football Tournament played at the Kanchanjunga Stadium here today.

Dipankar Biswas scored the match winner in the 28th minute from a Bastab Roy pass.

JCT's star forward, Dipankar Roy who scored two goals against Singapore Club Jurong F.C. yesterday in their 2-1 win, could not find the net today despite working hard.

Agragami could have increased the margin had Nigerian Chibozor not missed a header at the goalmouth in the 60th minute.

A JCT move after lemon break initiated by substitute Saravanan created an opportunity to earn the equaliser for the team but Sukhjit Singh failed to control properly in the rival penalty box.

East Bengal take on Jurong F.C. tomorrow.

Ogorodov loses cool, title

CALCUTTA, Nov 14 — Second seed Vadim Kutsenko of Uzbekistan put in a disciplined performance to tame top seed compatriot Oleg Ogorodov in straight sets and claim the title in the ITF Futures tennis circuit meet at the South Club here today.

The hard-hitting Kutsenko played safe during the long rallies to carve out a 6-3, 6-3 victory over favourite Ogorodov in the all-Uzbekistan final which lasted for 132 minutes.

The temperamental Ogorodov had himself to blame for the debacle as he lost his cool and concentration quite often allowing his opponent, who seemed very composed right through the match, to wriggle out of tight situations.

With this title win, Kutsenko has earned 16 ATP points and a purse of $ 1,950 for emerging champion in the $ 15,000 prize money event which gave the players an opportunity to collect valuable ATP points.

Ogorodov collected 12 ATP points and a purse of $ 1,350 for taking the runners up position in the five-day championship.

The match saw a number of long rallies as both the players tended to be a little defensive and relied on a baseline game on the clay court to earn the points.

BMFC hold Bagan

CALCUTTA, Nov 14 (PTI) — Formidable Bengal Mumbai Football Club (BMFC) sailed into the semifinals of the 104th IFA Shield Football Tournament holding Calcutta giants Mohun Bagan to a 1-1 draw in a group B league encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium here today.

Royal Thai Air Force and Mohammedan Sporting drew 2-2 in another encounter in the same group.

Bagan drew first blood in the 17th minute when their Nigerian striker Chima Okerie struck with a right footer following a Satyajit Chatterjee pass.

BMFC restored parity in the 39th minute of the lacklustre exchange through Gurinder Pal Singh whose powerful volley shook the net after Abhey Kumar did the spadework from the left.

In the other match, the Thai team went ahead in the 23rd minute through Worawit, but sporting drew level when their striker Manoharan found the target in 57th minute.

The airmen again took the lead in the 87th minute when their fleet-footed striker Songserm Maperm slotted home, but Sporting's Kenyan recruit Moses Owira brought the team on an even keel three minutes from the final whistle.

BMFC have completed their league engagements with five points, a point ahead of Mohun Bagan, who only need a draw in their concluding group league encounter against the Thai team on Monday.

Vidhu, Roma to clash in final

PANCHKULA, Nov 14 (BOSR) — Vidhu Vatrana of Punjab and Roma of Haryana will clash in the final of the girls under 16 while Akash Singh of Chandigarh will take on Dilpreet of Punjab in the boys under 16 section in the 4th Tara Chand Memorial Prize Money Badminton Tournament here. Shehnaz and Aarti of Punjab will meet Nidhi and Gauri of Haryana for the girls doubles title. Doubles event (above 35) Jatinder Mahajan and Anil Mittal of Haryana would take on MP Dogra and Virinder Mehta of Chandigarh in the tomorrow's final.

Amit, Binwant in 151-run stand

PATIALA, Nov 14(FOSR) — Having conceded a narrow but vital first innings lead, Patiala bounced back into the match in style hammering 239 for 5 in their second essay against Chandigarh in the M L Markan Cricket Tournament final match played at the Dhruv Pandove Stadium here today. Overnight 59 for 6 Chandigarh scored 115 in their first innings before being all out, thereby snatching a 40-run lead. In their second knock a hurricane 151-run opening wicket partnership involving centurion Amit Chopra and Binwant Singh enabled the hosts to pile up 239 for 5 before skipper Harikrishan Kali enforced the declaration.

Chandigarh Club triumph

NEW DELHI, Nov 14 (FOSR) — The trio of Sandeep Sandhu, S.P.S. Matharoo and Harkirat helped Chandigarh Club win the Northern Region Johannie Walker International Club Golf Championship at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) course here today.Chandigarh team notched up 443.4 points. Army Golf Club (Dhaula Kuan) were the runners-up with a tally of 445.4 points. Sanjiv Khanna (Classic Golf Resort) got a hole-in-one. Vikram Rana (Army) was the winner in the 0-9 handicap category with the gross score of 157. Matharoo was the winner (160) in the 10-16 handicap category, while M. Chaturvedi (Rambagh) (179) was the best in the 17-24 handicap category.

SJOBA run evokes good response

CHANDIGARH, Nov 14 (BOSR) — The SJOBA-Nike run organised here today evoked a massive response. Nearly 750 participants competed on the 9-km route with accompanying facilities like medical care and water arrangements being taken of. The run was held to promote sense of physical fitness among the people and prepare them for the 1999 SJOBA Nike run. Prizes were awarded to the first 10 runners in each of the nine categories. A certificate of participation was given to all the runners.

National School Games begin

CHANDIGARH, Nov 14 (BOSR) — The XLIVth National School Games-1998 were declared open with a colourful and impressive ceremony at Sector 42 Hockey Stadium here today. More than 2000 participants from 20 states and union territories took part in the marchpast amidst the presence of the chief guest, Lt General BKN Chhibber (Retd) Governor, Punjab, and Administrator, Chandigarh Administration, who formally declared the meet open. Joginder Singh, a hockey player of Chandigarh, took oath on behalf of the participants. Ms Anuradha Gupta, Secretary, Education, welcomed the guests and the participants while Mr DS Mangat DPI (S) and the organising secretary gave a vote of thanks. Thousands of school students drawn from various schools of the city presented a colourful cultural programme. Haryanvi dance and the bhangra by children were the main attractions.

School athletics from November 17

CHANDIGARH, Nov 14 (TNS) — The 44th Punjab School Athletics Championship in U-11, U-14, U-17 and U-19 year age groups (both boys and girls) will begin at Sports Stadium, Bathinda, from November 17, according to a press note issued here today. Circle kabaddi has not been included in the games dates for which will be announced later. The competitions will end on November 21 when prizes will be given.

Govt SSS-23 win

CHANDIGARH, Nov 14 (BOSR) — Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 23, defeated Bhavan Vidyalaya, Sector 27, by eight wickets in the under 19 section of the UT Inter School Cricket Tournament here today.

Football trials

PHAGWARA, Nov 14 (FOC) — In order to prepare the Punjab state football team for participation in the eighth under-21 National championship trials for selection of probables will be held at the local JCT Stadium on November 19 at 10 a.m. Disclosing this here, Mr GS Virk, Secretary, Punjab Football Association said probables should be born on or after January 1, 1978.

Cricket trials

CHANDIGARH, Nov 14 (TNS) — Trials to select the State Bank of India Chandigarh circle cricket team will be held on November 18 at 10 a.m. at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium. The team will represent the circle in the SBI Inter Circle Cricket Tournament to be held at Delhi from November 26.