ASC, SRC record wins
CHANDIGARH, Sept 29 — It was a lucky day for teams from the Services in the 28th All-India Gurmit Memorial Hockey Tournament at the Sector 42 hockey stadium here today.

Mike Russell enters
billiards final
AHMEDABAD, Sept 29 — World number one and defending champion Mike Russell of England rallied magnificently with a break of 489 in over 38 minutes to pip world number five Robby Foldvari of Australia and enter the final of the Florsheim World Professional Billiards championship here today.

Sr Nehru hockey from November 14

Chandigarh Police, Union Club win

• Police meet results
• Impressive spell
  by Gulzarinder
• HP athletic meet
  at Hamirpur
• DAV-8 win title
  

• Indian challenge
  ends in Asian TT
• Gandhi replaces
  injured Paranjpe
• Sports Wing, Mahilpur,
  win soccer title
  

Sidhu, Sanghvi likely to play today

HARARE, Sept 29 (PTI) — Though shorn of any competitive edge, the Indian team management is taking the final one-day tie in the Hero Honda one-day series against Zimbabwe tomorrow very seriously to make a clean sweep.

Looking ahead to distant battles, India is expected to field the reserve players to keep them match-fit and give their key performers a break, despite the series wrapped up with India winning both weekend games at Bulawayo last week.

The seriousness was in evidence when the visitors dropped a plan to visit the Victoria Falls yesterday and flew into Harare in the morning.

The seniors, paceman Javagal Srinath in particular, is certain to get a break and Orissa seamer Debashish Mohanty is likely to be included. Even left-arm spinner Rahul Sanghvi and veteran Navjot Sidhu might make it to the playing eleven.

Sanghvi could replace Anil Kumble rather than being preferred over teenaged off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, Sidhu could be in for Saurav Ganguly, if the team management is keen to give the veteran a chance.

Ganguly’s fitness could have a bearing on this. Since he pulled his hamstring in the second game of the Sahara Cup series in Toronto earlier this month, Ganguly’s movements on the field are tentative.

In the second one-dayer at Bulawayo on Sunday, he was averse to running full-tilt, not only during his unbeaten century but also while fielding.

Sachin Tendulkar is unlikely to be rested for tomorrow’s game. Not only is the superstar in terrific form, he also likes to be in the thick of action and could have a more demoralising effect on the home bowlers, so important in view of the Test match ahead.

Besides, tomorrow’s game would be Tendulkar’s 200th one-day international, coming in the ninth year of his international career, and a cause for celebration.

His presence would also help generate positive attention for cricket in Zimbabwe. A full house is expected not only to cheer the home side but also to watch the world’s best in action.

India might experiment by promoting Robin Singh and Ajit Agarkar to give them a longer batting stints.

Zimbabwe have had little going their way despite captain Alistair Campbell leading the way with two excellent fifties. Leg-spinner Paul Strang is expected to fully recover from pain in the midriff — after soaking up a Javagal Srinath lifter — and be fit enough to bowl.

The experienced medium-pacer Eddo Brandes, who was not fit for the first two matches is also expected to return tomorrow. However, Grant Flower and Guy Whittal are not expected to recover from their injuries even in time for the one-off Test starting on October 7.

Indian batsmen have been having a roaring time of late in the shorter version of the game.

Out of record stands for each wicket in one-dayers, India has four. The 252 between Saurav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar for the opening wicket (against Sri Lanka, Colombo, July 1998), 275 by Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja for the fourth wicket (against Zimbabwe, Cuttack, April 1998), 223 by Azhar and Jadeja for the fifth wicket (against Sri Lanka at Colombo, August 1997) and 126 by Kapil Dev and Syed Kirmani for the ninth wicket (against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells, June 1975).

The 275-run stand between Azhar and Jadeja also happens to be the world record for any wicket in one-dayers.

Interestingly not a single record is against England, South Africa, New Zealand or World Cup champions Sri Lanka.

Teams (from):

India: Mohd Azharuddin (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Ajay Jadeja, Robin Singh, Nayan Mongia, Anil Kumble, Ajit Agarkar, Javagal Srinath, Debashish Mohanty, Navjot Sidhu, Harbhajan Singh and Rahul Sanghvi.

Zimbabwe: Alistair Campbell, T. Madondo, M. Goodwin, Andy Flower, Gary Brent, Craig Wishart, Craig Evans, Paul Strang, M. Nkala, Mpulelo Mbangwa, Andy Whittall, John Rennie, Adam Huckle, Bryan Strang and Eddo Brandes.

Hours of play (Ist): 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. and 5.10 p.m. to 8.40 p.m.

MCC opens doors to women

LONDON, Sept 29 (Reuters) — The Marleybone Cricket Club (MCC), which used to run the game in England and wrote the first laws in 1835, joined the 20th century with less than two years left yesterday by voting to allow women to become members.

Nearly 70 per cent of the club’s membership chose to break with a 211-year-old tradition and let ladies into the long room at Lord’s for the first time.

Although the club gave up running cricket in England in 1968, it still looks after the game’s laws and has a high public profile.

Following a special general meeting at Lord’s, club president Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie said: "It’s a great thing for the game and for cricket. There will be a better atmosphere in the club. I’m delighted we have been able to achieve this."

A total of 13,466 members took part in the vote, some 77 per cent of the membership of 17,250. Some 9,394 (69.8 per cent) voted in favour of women and 4,072 (30.2 per cent) voted against.

During what Ingleby-Mackenzie described as an "acrimonious" meeting, some conservative members continued to voice their objections.

But it seems the committee decision to hold a second ballot just eight months after the proposal to admit women failed to gain the necessary two thirds majority was a tactical success even though many members had protested at what they saw as bullying behaviour.

"This completely vindicates what we have done," said Ingleby-Mackenzie. "This is the clearest statement of the wishes of the club."

But there was one sour note for women’s rights when he suggested that the club could create an all-male bar in the pavilion.

"I’m a member of Sunningdale Golf Club and the Turf Club. They have all-male bars as well as mixed and the atmosphere there allows gentleman to discuss gentleman matters."

Women could be in the pavilion as early as next season if they are proposed as honorary members.

But the overwhelming majority of ladies wishing to join will have to go on to an 18-year waiting list and be behind the thousands of men waiting to join.

Rachel Heyhoe-Flint, the former England women’s captain, who tried to break down the barriers in 1991 said: "It’s been well worth waiting for. But I still have to wait and see if I am going to be admitted."

Davis Cup no more enthuses Americans

STOCKHOLM, Sept 29 (Reuters) — US captain Tom Gullikson can only dream of the kind of problem his Swedish counterpart Carl-Axel Hageskog has — which of his nation’s top players to leave off the Davis Cup team.

Hageskog, along with most of his European colleagues, need merely mention the word Davis and before cup rolls off their tongues. The roster is over-flowing with top-ranked players.

Gullikson, meanwhile, is left to beg, cajole and coax whomever is left after endorsement obligations, muscle strains, fatigue and myriad other reasons whittle down his list of candidates.

"We don’t really ever have trouble getting our players to play. Davis Cup is a great source of pride and the players grow up with this feeling so naturally they want to play," Hageskog, Sweden’s captain, said as his team completed a 4-1 semifinal victory over Spain yesterday.

They will face Italy in the final in December.

Sweden fielded three of their top four players in Jonas Bjorkman, Thomas Johansson and Magnus Larssen with only Thomas Enquist — who has been plagued by a string of injuries — failing to make the team.

"We have had plenty of singles players to challenge for the Davis Cup and when you have that competition you play well. No-one, including myself, can be sure to play. That is why we are so strong," Bjorkman said.

And even Enqvist was on hand for the weekend tie to cheer his compatriots on against Spain, whose team featured the country’s two top players, world number five Carlos Moya and seventh-ranked Alex Corretja.

The USA were forced to field a team that did not include world number one Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi or Michael Chang, their top three players.

Their problem seems clear: apathy.

Even though the USA have won the cup 31 times, the American public sees little value in the event and many American players are of the same opinion.

After fighting through crippling cramps and horrendous conditions to help the USA beat Russia for the cup in 1995, Pete Sampras complained he came home to little more than some kind words from friends and relatives.

In Europe, Davis Cup winners are feted as conquerors of the world. "In Davis Cup we are not playing for money but for our country and of course we want to be a part of tennis history," said Moya.

In Sweden, where tennis ranks alongside ice hockey and soccer as the most popular sport, it’s not only the chance to win that attracts players. With few chances to show your talent in front of a home crowd, players literally change their schedules to ensure they are available if called upon.

Johansson had his first taste of Davis Cup play more than a decade ago as a ball boy. Since then, he said he has dreamed of playing in the tournament, a dream that was realised on Friday when he stepped out onto the court against Moya.

"It’s hard to describe what happened (on Friday), it’s really unbelievable. I think you can’t experience anything greater," said Johansson.

Davis Cup officials say they were aware the competition may have to adapt, and quickly, to retain its place in the affections of the games’ driving forces.

In a small step to adapt to television’s demand, qualifying events in next year’s Davis Cup will introduce a "no advantage" scoring system for the first time.

When the game reaches deuce, the winner of the next point takes the game. And more radical changes are in the wind.

Some critics, including Sampras, think the cup should follow the route of golf’s Ryder Cup and be played every two years.

Until then, Europe’s Davis Cup dreams will remain US players’ worst nightmare.

Mike Russell enters billiards final

AHMEDABAD, Sept 29 (PTI) — World number one and defending champion Mike Russell of England rallied magnificently with a break of 489 in over 38 minutes to pip world number five Robby Foldvari of Australia and enter the final of the Florsheim World Professional Billiards championship here today.

In the other semifinal, world number two Geet Sethi of India was leading world number six David Causier of England 694-664 after first two hours of play.

Russell, who looked out of depth in the first session, justified his top ranking with a splendid performance and showed the stuff the champions are made of despite trailing 376-466 after the first session.

Russell, who visited the table 18 times in the first half, could make just three good breaks of 51, 86 and 50 and looked out of form for the most part of first session.

However, in the second he returned with a bang and in his very first visit achieved 489, the highest break of the championship so far.

This left his Aussie opponent totally shattered and he never looked like making a match of it from then on. Russell had three more decent breaks of 50, 84 and 104 which sealed Foldvari’s fate.

Foldvari, who had won the world championship in 1986, had breaks of 76, 103, 121, 83, 60, 61 and an unfinished 60 which was not good enough.

"In the first session it was very humid and sticky and I could not get the cue to run through the ball", Russell said after the match.

"That one break of 489 really won the match for me. In fact he should have punished me when he took an early lead. When Robby gets into a rut of his own then he gets slower and slower and a break of 50 by him is as good as a 200 by others as he consumes lot of time", he added.

About his own game he said "I am alright at the top of the table but I am still not satisfied with the in-offs. I hope I will get better for the final."

Foldvari said he had enough chances. "I did not play as well as I wanted to. Though I had a couple of lucky shots at the top of the table but failed to capitalise on it".

Complimenting Russell for his big break, the Aussie said "that was a great break and I was only hoping he would miss but he did not. Probably that was the turning point of the match".

Results (semifinals): Mike Russell (Eng) bt Robby Foldvari (Aus) 1151 (51, 86, 50, 489, 50, 84, 104)-755 (76, 103, 121, 83, 60, 61, 60 uf).

Geet Sethi (Ind) leads David Causier (Eng) 694-664 after the first session.

Sethi, Russell set up title clash

AHMEDABAD, Sept 29 (PTI) — World number two Geet Sethi of India outplayed world number six David Causier of England 1436-1265 to set up a title clash with world number one and defending champion Mike Russell at the Florsheim World Professional Billiards Championship here today.

Three-time world professional champion, Sethi, who broke with the yellow ball, started off shakily and his first 13 visits to the table produced just 115 points, 39 being the highest.

However, in his 14th visit, he came up with a break of 209 to narrow the margin from 490-115 to 490-324 after his rival had got breaks of 97 (first visit), 67 (third), 95 (fifth) and 53 in the seventh visit to the table.

Earlier, Mark Russell of England rallied well after being down 376-466 to oust world number five Robby Foldvari of Australia 1151-755 in the first semifinal.

In today’s play, both winners notched up breaks of 400-plus when the chips were down. The Englishman came up with a break of 489 in 38.21 minutes while the Indian had a break of 403 in 32.46 minutes.

ASC, SRC record wins
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 29 — It was a lucky day for teams from the Services in the 28th All-India Gurmit Memorial Hockey Tournament at the Sector 42 hockey stadium here today.

While Army Service Corps, Jalandhar, winners of the title a few years back, huffed and puffed before overpowering a determined South Central Railway, Mumbai by a solitary goal, Sikh Regimental Centre had to wait for the tie breaker before settling the issue 5-3 after the two teams were locked 2-2 at the end of regulation period. The two Army outfits will now clash tomorrow for a berth in the pre-quarterfinals.

The first match between Sikh Regimental Centre and DLW, Varanasi, was full of action with the two teams sharing the honours before the breather and then at the end of the regulation period.

DLW, Varanasi, launched several attacks in the first half but it was only in the 26th minute that their sustained efforts bore fruit. Having outwitted a couple of defenders, Dinesh Yadav shot home from a difficult angle to make it 1-0 in favour of the Varanasi team.

Undeterred by the setback, SRC counter-attacked with vigour. Manpreet Singh, Lalit Indwar and Rajpal displayed fine coordination but it was finally Sukhminder Singh who restored parity for the Army outfit three minutes before lemon time when they were awarded a penalty corner. Off the subsequent push, the ball came to Sukhminder who beat goalkeeper Narendra with a hard hit (1-1).

However, as soon as the game resumed after half time, DLW once again forged ahead through a penalty corner conversion by full back Amit Kumar. This goal spurred the Army men into action and they went all out to come back into the game.

Eventually it was defender J. Minz who once again brought SRC on even terms with the rivals when he made full use of a penalty corner to hit past the hapless Narendra under the DLW bar (2-2).

With the issue remaining deadlocked, the tie breaker rule was applied in which Baljit Singh, Vinay Kumar and Rajpal successfully converted their strokes while for DLW only Anwar Khan was on target.

In the second match, both ASC and South Central Railway were evenly matched but ASC, with experienced players like K.K. Poonacha and Gobai Herenj in their ranks, eventually carried the day through a late second half strike by Herenj.

The tie was well-contested and SRC came close to scoring on a number of occasions but could not succeed. While on some occasions poor finishing let them down, on other occasions the woodwork stood in the way to deprive them of a goal. Centre-half Shyam Carriappa in particular was in devastating form and had the ASC custodian H.K. Chawdhary not brought off some brilliant saves, the story perhaps would have been different.

After the two sides were locked goal-less at the breather, ASC mounted pressure in the second half and their sustained efforts were rewarded in the 56th minute when they were awarded a penalty corner. Left-back Gobai Herenj did not let the opportunity go waste and his stinging hit deflected into the goalmouth off the goalkeeper's pads much to the relief of his team-mates.

Both the sides were awarded four penalty corners each.

Tomorrow's fixtures: PSEB v PSB Academy — 10.30 a.m. SRC v ASC — 12 noon. Customs v Shivalik Club — 1.30 p.m. Assam Regiment v Western Railway — 3 p.m.

Newcombe to end rift with Philippoussis

SYDNEY, Sept 29 (Reuters) — Australia’s Davis Cup captain John Newcombe is ready to end a rift with Mark Philippoussis and welcome him back to the team.

Newcombe said that he would send a fax to U.S. Open finalist Philippoussis this week, seeking to have the matter resolved by the start of the Australian summer circuit in January.

Newcombe was speaking after Australia completed a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan in a world group qualifying tie in Townsville, Queensland, yesterday.

Philippoussis missed the tie after accusing Australian coach Tony Roche of showing bias towards Pat Rafter by sitting with Rafter’s entourage during the U.S. Open final contested by the two Australian players.

Relations have been strained since Philippoussis chose not to take part in last April’s Davis Cup tie against Zimbabwe, which Australia lost.

"I’m going to contact Mark again and see if we can’t get it settled by January and I can’t do much more than that," Newcombe said.

"If someone wants to come to the table and talk, the door’s open. The boys (Davis Cup team) have all got together amongst themselves this week and they’re happy for Mark to come back as long as he’s part of the team.

"For four years I was very close to Mark and this last nine months, I mean, that closeness is gone, and I have no problem about bringing it back because I have no axe to grind with Mark."

Tennis Australia president Geoff Pollard said: "The main thing now is to move on and continue the success of Mark, Pat and other Australian players as witnessed at the U.S. Open."

Jason Stoltenberg, who filled the second singles spot behind Rafter against Uzbekistan, agreed.

"I really don’t know what Mark’s feeling. All I know is on behalf of the players we all want him back," Stoltenberg, players’ spokesman in the Davis Cup team, said.

"We’d love to see him back in the team and there won’t be any hard feelings if Mark is willing to come and put the work in that we’re putting in and wants to do it as much as we do. Then we’ll be a happy team and a much stronger team."

Philippoussis last played in the Davis Cup in a semifinal loss to the U.S. a year ago.

His manager, John McCurdy, said today: "I know he’d like to play for his country and obviously things have to be resolved.

"There’s been too much speculation about the dispute and too much attention has been paid to Mark’s position in the team at the last two cup ties.

"Mark expressed his disappointment at the press conference after the U.S. Open but he’ll be back home in Australia by the end of the year and we hope to have a decision by then."

AP win Chairman's Trophy
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 29 — Andhra Pradesh won the Chairman's Trophy for overall best state programme to mark the conclusion of the 3rd Special Olympics National Games at Panjab University grounds here today.

A colourful closing ceremony marked an end to five days of competition which provided ample amount of exposure to special children. A march past by different contingents was followed by a floral farewell by an Indian Air Force helicopter. Mr Mahabir Prasad, the Governor of Haryana, announced the games closed.

It was a treat to watch hundreds of special children dancing to lilting tunes of "Hum honge kaamyab" and "Papa kehte hain " rendered by Naresh Jacob. Fireworks came towards the end.

Karnataka won the trophy in the senior men's handball competition. West Bengal won it in the senior women's category. The volleyball trophy in the men's category was won by West Bengal while in the women's category the team from Kerala emerged as the winners.

Maharashtra won the first place in the junior category for football. In the seniors category, West Bengal walked away with the trophy. Even in the unified team category, West Bengal emerged as the winners.

Maharashtra won the basketball trophy in the seniors category. The trophy in the women's category was won by Tamil Nadu.West Bengal walked away with the trophy for cricket. Prizes for recognition of services were also given to two members of each team that participated.

The best march past trophy went to the of West Bengal contingent.

Mr Satya Pal Jain, the local MP and Mr Jagdish Sagar, advisor to the UT Administrator were also present. Ms P. Chandermohan, the organising secretary, proposed the vote of thanks.

Other results are as follows: Football (Individual skills) — Sundeep (Andhra Pradesh) (gold), M.A. Hannan (AP) (silver ) and Amit Sutar (Maharashtra) (bronze); category II — Subash Mukherjee (West Bengal) (gold) and Sumitra Chaterjee (WB) (silver); category III — Sanjiv Kumar (Bihar) (gold), Prima Biswas (WB) (silver) and Suresh (Karnatka) (bronze).

While the gold medal in mixed football went to Maharashtra, the silver was secured by Tamil Nadu. In the seniors category the trophy went to West Bengal. Kerala got the silver medal while the bronze was secured by Bihar. In the group B category Maharashtra won the gold medal. Delhi received the silver while Madhya Pradesh got the bronze.

In the pentathalon Sajan from Kerala won the gold medal. Anand from Karnatka, M. Kumar from Tamil Nadu and Biju Lazor were the other medal winners in this contest.

Karnataka won the team handball gold medal in the division A of the contest. Kerala and Maharashtra received the silver and the bronze medals, respectively. In the division B of the contest (boys) Tamil Nadu secured the gold medal. West Bengal and North West Zone received silver and bronze medals, respectively.

Gold medal in basketball went to Maharashtra. Kerala had to settle with the second prize while the team from Orissa won the bronze medal. In the women's category Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh were the medal winners.

Winners in the shot-put included Archana Bobdle, Nidhi Jain, Sohini Bagchi, Usha Henry, Namita and Pinky.Winners in the high jump were Mukesh Joshi (Rajasthan), Manoj (Kerala) and Amit (Rajasthan).

More than 4000 athletes, coaches and volunteers from 17 states participated in various events over the past five days. Teams from Philippines and Taiwan also participated.

Ms Neelu Sarin read out the report of the games and informed that 650 gold, 660 silver and 640 bronze medals were awarded to winners.

Haryana eves shock Air-India

CHENNAI, Sept 29 (PTI) — Centreforward Surinder Kaur struck a hattrick as Haryana shocked last year’s quarterfinalist Air-India 4-1 (halftime 1-0) in pool ‘D’ of the Bank of Baroda 49th Senior Women’s National Hockey Championship here today.

Surinder Kaur drew first blood in the 11th minute with a reverse flick and added two more in the dying minutes and Simarjeet Kaur scored the final goal. Air-India’s consolation goal came through Bhupinder following a free hit.

Apart from this upset, the matches were once again lopsided with plenty of goals coming from the winners.

Mumbai downed Bundelkhand 9-0 (HT 3-0) to be the biggest victor of the morning in pool ‘F’. Papki (3), Jyoti (2), Silbinia, Poonam, Susani and Paulina, were the scorers.

Strong Orissa, despite losing some players from last year to Railways, still had enough firepower to outplay Gujarat 6-0, after changing over with 3-0 lead in pool "G", Annarita and Ashrita (two each) Anita and Mukta (penalty corner) were the scorers.

In the evening, Pepsu had little trouble in scoring a runaway 7-0 (HT 3-0) win over Andhra Pradesh, who appeared to be underprepared after coming in as last-minute replacement for Indian Universities.

Captain Charanjeet, who scored three goals, one of them off a penalty stroke, was the star of the match. Savita, Mandeep, Harjinder and Kiran added to the tally in this pool ‘D’ tie.

In the last match of the evening, in pool ‘C’ which turned out to be a dull and drab affair, Maharashtra and Mahakoshal, the bottom teams of the pool, were both bereft of ideas though the former managed to score through Tracy to go 1-0 up by half time.

Ganesh, Rekha bag TT titles
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 29 — On the final day of the Raj Kumar Babuta Memorial Haryana State Ist Ranking Table Tennis Tournament held at DAV Public School, Sector 8, Panchkula, here today, Ganesh Ahuja of Sirsa, retained the men's singles title when he beat Jinendra Jain of Faridabad in four games.

Rekha Sehgal of Sirsa outclassed Monika Singhal also of Sirsa in straight games 21-19, 22-20, 21-9 to win the women's title.

In the boys' section Neeraj Kumar of Panchkula clinched the title defeating Sunil Ahuja of Sirsa 21-13, 21-18, 21-17.

Results: Men (semifinals): Jinendra Jain (Fbd) b Anup (Fbd) 21-18, 21-11, 21-17, Ganesh Ahuja (Srs) b Neeraj Mani (Knl), 21-10, 22-20, 19-21, 21-16 position 3 and 4: Neeraj Mani (Knl) b Anup (Fbd) 23-21, 21-19.

Final: Ganesh Ahuja (Srs) b Jinendra Jain (Fbd).

Women (semifinals): Monika (Srs) b Bhawna (Rhk) 21-13, 21-15, 22-20, Rekha (Srs) b Meenu (Srs) 21-11, 21-15, 21-13.

Final: Rekha (Srs) b Monika (Srs) 21-19, 22-20, 21-9.

Girls semifinals: Monika Singhal b Subhra (Bhn) 18-21, 21-10, 21-7, 21-8 Preeti (Rhk) lost to Meenu (Srs) 15-21, 17-21, 21-19, 15-21.

(Final): Monika Singhal (Srs) b Meenu (Srs) 21-16, 21-17, 21-16.

Boys semifinals: Sunil Ahuja (Srs) b Gagan (Knl) 21-18, 21-18, 21-16, Neeraj Kumar (Pkl) b Neeraj Mani (Knl) 21-14, 16-21, 21-13, 21-19.

Final: Neeraj Kumar (Pkl) b Sunil Ahuja (Srs) 21-13, 21-18, 21-17.

Slovakia in Davis Cup world group

BUENOS AIRES (Argentina), Sept 29 (AP) — Slovakia advanced to the 1999 Davis Cup world group, squeaking past Argentina 3-2 on a final, four-set victory on Monday by Dominik Hrbaty over Hernan Gumy. Hrbaty downed Gumy 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the decisive three-hour match, which was at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis club with 3,500 fans in attendance.

The outcome spelled a bitter disappointment for Argentina, which has been bidding for the past six years to advance beyond group one of the American zone competition.

Singles play kicked off the series on Friday and Argentina led 2-1 after the weekend doubles. But Slovakia’s Karol Kucera tied it 2-2 by defeating Franco Squillari 6-3, 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (7-3), 6-4 earlier yesterday.

The Kucera-Squillari match was resumed after being postponed late Sunday for lack of light.

Hoddle denies World Cup drug rumours

LONDON, Sept 29 (AFP) — England coach Glenn Hoddle, on course to sign a new contract by the end of the week, has denied rumours he forced his World Cup squad to take performance-enhancing drugs.

Hoddle has almost two years of a four-year deal to run and the football association are understood to be keen to see him agree a two-year extension to take in the 2002 World Cup.

Meanwhile, the England coach has claimed he informed clubs before France 98 that players could be blood-tested and given vitamins.

Every player in his squad was given a vitamin and mineral supplements and two were prescribed and given boosters by injection.

Manchester United boss Alek Ferguson has since questioned the practice.

"I’m afraid some people must have their heads in the sand," Hoddle said, emphasising all the pills and injections were legal and prescribed by Dr Yann Rougier, a biochemist who helped Arsenal last season.

"To suggest there is anything wrong or that the players are on drugs is outrageous. It is so far from the truth. Dr Rougier has worked with the best in the world in the last 15 years, with AC Milan and Monaco and individual athletes."

Hoddle’s contract negotiations, meanwhile, are continuing with England preparing for upcoming Euro 2000 clashes against Bulgaria and Luxembourg.

Indian challenge ends in Asian TT

NEW DELHI, Sept 29 (PTI) — Former national champion S. Raman alone showed a semblance of fight as India bowed out 0-3 to strong contenders Japan in the quarterfinals and ended their challenge in the team event of the Asian Table Tennis Championship at Osaka.

Raman shook Hiroshi Shibutani by wresting the opening game 21-14 in the second singles before going down 15-21, 21-16. Koji Matsushita beat national champion Chetan Baboor 21-15, 21-14 in the first singles while Toshio Tasaki wrapped up the tie for the hosts with a 21-17, 21-9 win over Arup Basak, as per results provided by AFP.

Earlier in the day, Indian men powered their way into the quarterfinals defeating Pakistan 3-0 in the decisive group ‘G’ tie, but their women counterparts failed to make it to the last eight stage from group ‘G’ despite beating Australia 3-1 in their final league tie.

Indian men had made the quarterfinal with their second straight win in their group, after yesterday’s 3-0 win over Brunei, but Thailand women made it to the last eight at the cost of India and Australia.

In men, China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea took their places in the semifinal. China downed Indonesia 3-0, Taiwan beat Australia 3-0 and South Korea got past Hong Kong 3-0.

Sr Nehru hockey from November 14

NEW DELHI, Sept 29 (PTI) — The 35th Senior Nehru Hockey Tournament will be held here from November 14 to 27, as per the calendar finalised by the Nehru Hockey Society here today.

The programme gets under way with the fifth girls Tournament from October 8 to 17 followed by the 27th junior boys (under-17) event from October 17 to November 2.

The 16th sub-junior tournament will follow from November 2 to 13 ahead of the senior men’s event. The seventh champion colleges tournament is scheduled to be held from February 11 to 20.

About 15 teams are expected to take part in the girls tournament this year.

Chandigarh Police, Union Club win
From Our Sports Reporter

PATIALA, Sept 29 — Chandigarh Police thrashed Patiala Police by the odd goal in three to move into the next round of the 23rd All India Gurdarshan Memorial Football Tournament played at Nabha, near here, today.

After a barren first half in which the only purposeful move made by Balwinder Singh of the Patiala outfit richocheted off the cross piece. It was in the second half that the match came to life. Chandigarh mid fielder Shiv Shambu managed the midfield in an intelligent manner and with incisive passes was instrumental in his team scoring all three goals.

After Narinder put Chandigarh Police a goal up, Shiv Shambu fed his forward Munish with a deceptive pass who chipped the ball in the net past an onrushing goalkeeper to make it 2-0. The margin was reduced when Gurbax scored for the Patiala team but the issue was finally settled in favour of the cops from Chandigarh when Ajay Kumar, again fed by Shambu, headed the ball home 3-1.

In the second match of the day Union Club, Yamunanagar, beat Union Club, Ambala, 5-4 taking the tie-breaker route after both teams were locked 1-1 in the regulation time. The Yamunanagar team did try to launch attacks from both wings but more often than not the surges ended outside the penalty box.

On the other hand, the forwards of the Ambala team were starved off some good passes by their mid-fielders and whatever moves they construed were blunted by the rival defence. In the tie-breaker Anil, Sanjay, Manglesh and Vinod found the net for Yamunanagar while Pardeep, Suraj and Rajesh Sharma scored for Ambala.

Basit Ali’s evidence "too explosive"

LAHORE, Sept 29 (ANI) — A Pakistani Judge heading a probe into betting and match-fixing allegations against national cricketers has said that evidence recorded by a top batsman was "too explosive" to be disclosed.

"The evidence recorded by Basit Ali is too explosive to be disclosed," Justice Malik Qayyum of the Lahore High Court said.

Qayyum is the president of a judicial commission currently recording evidence of various cricketers Ali was summoned last week to record his statement.

"If the statement of Test cricketer Basit Ali is made public at this juncture, everyone will be baffled, so it is wise not to do so now," the Judge said without elaborating.

The Judge’s observation came when Salim Malik, the senior batsman who is one of the prime suspects of match-fixing, while recording his statement told him that the only formal charge made against him was by Basit Ali.

Justice Qayyum assured Malik that Ali did not give any statement against him, adding that he can’t disclose what Basit Ali said "because if I did at this stage, it will create panic and shock."

Pak Judge summons 4 Aussies

KARACHI, Sept 29 (Reuters) — The Judge investigating charges of betting and match-fixing in Pakistani cricket has summoned four Australian cricketers, including skipper Mark Taylor, to appear before him next week.

The orders were issued by the Lahore High Court on a directive from Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum, who heads a government-appointed commission of inquiry into alleged malpractice in the national sport.

The orders were sent to Steve Bernard, the Australian team manager, who was asked to make the players available before the inquiry officer at any convenient time next week.

"I am to request you that if convenient and so desired, Mark Taylor, Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh, or any other Australia cricketer, may appear and testify before the honourable inquiry commission," the summons, obtained by Reuters today, said.

"I have directed to say that honourable Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum is holding an inquiry into the allegations levelled by some persons against certain members of the Pakistan cricket team about betting and match-fixing.

"During the course of the inquiry, it has come to notice that similar allegations were also levelled by Australian cricketers namely, Mark Taylor, Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh against Salim Malik during the previous Australian cricket team’s tour of Pakistan," the summons added.

Police meet results
From Our Sports Reporter

JALANDHAR, Sept 29 — Punjab Police and CRPF shared the gold in the water polo final of the 47th All-India Police Aquatic and Cross Country Championships on the concluding day at PAP swimming pool, here today.

Punjab Police and CRPF shared six points each, whereas BSF got the third place by defeating CISF 13-12.

In the three-metre spring board diving Chandan Das of Punjab Police won the gold with 392.10 points, Mohinder Billore of Punjab Police got silver with 391.10 whereas Deepak Singh of CISF got bronze with 335.75 points.

In 400 metres freestyle Kailash Nath of CRPF got the Ist place clocking 4.14.84 seconds. S.H. Hakimuddin of BSF got second with 4.28.56 and Dinesh Rajoria of BSF got third place with 4.37.74 seconds.

S.H. Hakimuddin of BSF won the gold with 0.25.33 seconds in the 50 metres freestyle event, Ramesh Kumar got second place with 0.25.47 seconds and third place went to M. Shivjit Singh of CRPF with 0.26.29 seconds.

In the 200 metres individual medley J. Abhijit of BSF set the new meet record clocking 2.17.02 seconds, Raja Ram of CRPF got second place with 2.18.31 seconds whereas the third place went to Kailash Nath of CRPF 2.19.56 seconds.

BSF set a new meet record in the 4x200 freestyle relay clocking 8.21.86, the second place went to CRPF (8.23.76 sec) and CISF got third place (8.50.70 sec).

Gandhi replaces injured Paranjpe

MUMBAI, Sept 29 (PTI) — Bengal middle-order batsman Devang Gandhi has replaced injured Mumbai left-hander Jatin Paranjpe in the 14-member Rest of India squad to take on Ranji Trophy champions Karnataka in the five-day Irani Cup tie commencing at Bangalore on October 1.

Paranjpe twisted his ankle in a local Kanga league match here on Sunday, prompting the national selectors to find a suitable replacement in the side to be led by Hyderabad’s Vangipurappu Laxman.

"The first choice for replacement was MP’s Amay Khurasia, but he informed the board that he has not yet fully recovered from the viral infection he suffered at Kuala Lumpur (during the Commonwealth Games) earlier this month", Indian cricket board executive secretary Sharad Diwadkar said.

The selectors then decided on the 27-year-old Bhavnagar-born Gandhi, he added.

The Rest of India team: V.V.S. Laxman (Hyderabad, capt), Amol Muzumdar (Mumbai), Jyoti Yadav (UP), Devang Gandhi, Rohan Gavaskar (both Bengal), S. Sharath (TN), M.S.K. Prasad (WK, Andhra), Nikhil Chopra, Robin Singh Jr (both Delhi), Paras Mhambrey (Mumbai), N. Madhukar (Andhra), L. Sivaramakrishnan (Baroda), Sanjay Raul (Orissa) and Rajesh Pawar (Mumbai).

Impressive spell by Gulzarinder
From Our Sports Reporter

PATIALA, Sept 29 — An impressive spell of pace bowling by Gulzarinder Chahal (5 for 42) enabled Patiala to restrict Bathinda to 242 on the first day of the Katoch Shield Cricket Match being played at the Dhruv Pandove Stadium here today.

Put in to bat, Bathinda, at one stage, were cruising comfortably at 150 for 3 before Chahal bowling a tidy line and length, struck, claiming five wickets. For Bathinda Roshan Lal (53) and Manpreet Singh (44) played defiant knocks to help their team pile up 242 before being all out off the last ball of the stipulated 90 overs.

Scores: (Bathinda 242 all out (Roshan Lal 53, Manpreet Singh 44, Sunil Kumar 36, Ravi Kumar 26, Neeraj Kumar 26, Gulzar Chahal 5 for 42.)

Sports Wing, Mahilpur, win soccer title
From Our Correspondent

HOSHIARPUR, Sept 29 — Sports Wing, Mahilpur won soccer title defeating Sports School, Jalandhar, through tie-breaker 4-3 in the 44th Punjab School Games in football and hockey which concluded at Mahilpur 24 km from here today.

In hockey Sangrur girls won the title by defeating Hoshiarpur 1-0 while Surjit Academy, Jalandhar, won the title in boys section by defeating Amritsar 3-0.

Mr Iqbal Singh Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner, gave away the prizes to the winners. He announced Rs 51000 to Government Senior Secondary School, Mahilpur.

Eighteen teams of football and 25 teams of hockey participated in these games.

HP athletic meet at Hamirpur
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, Sept 29 — The first HP prize money athletic meet will be held at Hamirpur on October 23 and 24. This was stated here today by Mr Bhupinder Singh, the district secretary of the association.

He said here that the meet would be inaugurated by Mr Anil Sharma, the state president of the association and member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha).

The Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, will be the chief guest on the concluding day function.

The meet was to be held on September 19 and 20 earlier. However, it was postponed due to sports meets of the school children all over the state.

He said that cash prizes would be given to the first three winners in each category. All competitors would also be given to and fro fair and free board and lodging during their stay at Hamirpur.

DAV-8 win title
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 29 — St. Stephens, Sector 45, beat GMSSSS-22 to lift the boys under-17 title in the Inter-School Badminton tournament which concluded at GMSSS, Sector 23-A, here yesterday.

Results: Boys (Under-14): GMSSSS-35 (1), Moti Ram-27 (2), Bhavan Vidaliya-27 (3). (Under-17): St. Stephan-45 (1), GMSSSS-22, SPS-41, (3). (Under-19): DAV 8 (1),GMSSSS-35 (2), GMSSSS-16 (3).