SEVILLE, SPAIN : U.S. athlete Gail Devers in action to win the women's 100-metre hurdles final at the seventh World Track and Field Championships in Seville, Spain on Saturday. — AP/PTI

Gail Devers wins hurdles; Engquist finishes third SEVILLE (Spain), Aug 29 — Gail Devers and Ludmila Engquist, two perfect illustrations of medical miracles, performed some miraculous feats at the World Championships last night. Greene ‘above others’ SEVILLE (Spain), Aug 29 — Canada’s Bruny Suri, second to double world-champion Maurice Greene in the 100m final, rates his American rival above any sprinter in history.

Women’s relay team finishes last
SEVILLE (Spain), Aug 29 — Indian women’s 4 x 400 m relay team produced a disappointing effort by finishing last in their heat to end up 15th out of 16th teams in IAAF World Athletic Championships here last night as India’s campaign in the meet ended on a dismal note.

Khalifman world chess champ
LAS VEGAS, Aug 29 — Grandmaster Alexander Khalifman of Russia today became the 14th world chess champion by beating grandmaster Vladimir Akopian of Armenia with a margin of 3.5 - 2.5 in the six-games World Chess Championship final match.

India edge past Poland
BERLIN, Aug 29 — India edged out hosts Poland 2-1 to set up a tough clash against Asian rivals South Korea in the final of the eight-nation junior challenge open hockey tournament (under-21) at Poznan, Poland yesterday.

Eves hockey team involved in mishap
WELLINGTON, Aug 29 — India’s women’s hockey team was involved in a fatal car accident in New Zealand less than 24 hours before they went on to play and beat New Zealand.

Venus Williams beats Davenport for title
NEW HAVEN, Aug 29 — Venus Williams served notice yesterday that she’s ready for the U.S. Open, beating top-seeded and American compatriot Lindsay Davenport 6-2, 7-5 for the Pilot Pen championship.

GMC Patiala, DMC in final
LUDHIANA, Aug 29 — Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, and Government Medical College, Patiala, reached final of the third North Zone Inter-Medical Colleges Table Tennis Tournament at the Dumra Auditorium here today.

India win but fail to qualify

COLOMBO, Aug 29 (PTI) — Skipper Sachin Tendulkar’s 23rd one-day hundred under pain and agony failed to inspire his team mates as India were knocked out of a final berth by a determined Sri Lanka despite winning the rain-hit last league tie by 23 runs in the AIWA Cup Triangular Cricket Tournament today.

Tendulkar cracked a courageous 120 and raised a 127-run third wicket stand with Saurav Ganguly (85) to enable India pile up 296 for four in 50 overs, but stoppage due to rain left Sri Lanka needing to make 271 in their allotted 42 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis rain rule for an outright win.

India eventually restricted Sri Lanka to 247 for nine, but the hosts achieved the crucial task of reaching 232 which helped them qualify to the August 31 final against Australia with a better net run rate than India after the two teams ended up level with two points from one win each.

Tendulkar decided to play despite severe back pain that saw him grimace time and again after each effort at making big shots, but lifted the hitherto poor batting to give his team a fine chance to restrict Sri Lanka to below 222 before the rain forced readjustment — which would have seen India make it to the final on better net run rate.

But Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya hit a superb 71 in a century opening stand with Marvan Atapattu (55), who completed a neat anchoring job with the aggressive Mahela Jayawardene (62) to help the hosts reach the important 232-run mark in the 40th over.

India were quite unlucky as the rain stoppage of well over half-an-hour gave Sri Lanka some advantage with the umpires also making a total hash of the calculations which saw them suddenly revise the equation on the basis of 42 overs after initially giving out that the Sri Lankan innings would be over 40 overs.

Indian hopes of upstaging Sri Lanka looked well and truly buried as Jayasuriya exploded into an array of shots, wading into paceman Venkatesh Prasad by slamming him to three fours each in successive overs

Jayasuriya raced to his fifty in only 34 balls and his 71 came off only 53 deliveries (8 x 4, 1 x6) even as Atapattu rode his luck at the other end.

The Indian fielding was pathetic for the most part as Tendulkar’s ploy to set an attacking placement paid little dividend.

Leg spinner Anil Kumble once again received punishment, but twice watched in dismay as Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, once again keeping wickets, dropped catches off Atapattu in his first and second overs.

While Atapattu (55 - 87 b, 3 x 4) kept one end steady and ran aggressively, vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene really set up the Sri Lankan success with a run-a-ball 62 (5 x 4, 1 x 6) where he spared none.

Indians lack confidence

HOW well is this current Australian team playing or how poorly are their opponents?

On the evidence of yesterday’s match, both scenarios are equally viable. The Australians are playing very confidently and doing just about everything spot on. The return to the side and subsequent good performances of Jason Gillespie has been one of the most pleasing aspects for the Aussies. He has all the attributes to be the spearhead of the Australian attack well into the new millennium. Not that Glenn McGrath will be relinquishing his position as number one for some time yet. I am sure that Steve Waugh is licking his lips at the prospect of these two excellent pacemen, working in tandem, causing havoc amongst opposition batsmen. Jason has been working extremely hard to return to the international scene. Changes to his action were needed after suffering back problems during the Ashes campaign in 1997. The resultant changes meant a difference to how his feet hit the ground in his delivery stride. All was working well until he started having problems with his front foot because of the changed position at landing that caused severe pain. Jason has now worked on a new shortened run up and the results have been outstanding. He generated some excellent pace and, on yesterday’s form, must be really happy with his progress. Another pleasing situation for the Aussies is the form of Andrew Symonds in his role of all-rounder. Over the last couple of years, the selectors have tried Brendan Julian and Shane Lee in this position with mixed results. Both are excellent cricketers but haven’t nailed down a permanent spot. Andrew has been given an opportunity to show what he can do and has really risen to the challenge. His batting, bowling and excellent fielding make him an ideal player for the limited overs game.

On the Indian side of the ledger, there is not much good news to report. Robin Singh continues to do a good job in the all-rounder role and Ramesh batted well for his 71. The bowling from Prasad and Srinath was of high quality. But the big guns haven’t fired a shot in anger. Saurav Ganguly started with a couple of cracking shots but still fell in the first over to Glen McGrath. On top of this, Dravid looks completely out of form. I suppose the late withdrawal of Sachin Tendulkar didn’t help the Indian cause but the simple errors that this team is making is the most concerning aspect. I am not one to openly criticise international cricketers too often because I know the amount of work everyone puts in and the pressure to perform is great, but the catches that are being dropped and the other things like the run outs and sundries conceded, are just basic errors.

The Indians are playing like a side with no confidence. Let’s hope that Sachin Tendulkar can overcome his back problem, grab the side by the scruff of its neck and demand a better and more passionate effort. I wrote the other day about the gulf between the Aussies and the other two teams competing in this tournament. I would suggest that India and Sri Lanka have a close look at what makes the Australians tick, the amount of preparation they put in, the fitness levels and the general attention to detail, and make an honest assessment of what they are doing themselves.

Come on India; show us all your true colours! — PMG

Khalifman world chess champ

LAS VEGAS, Aug 29 (UNI) — Grandmaster Alexander Khalifman of Russia today became the 14th world chess champion by beating grandmaster Vladimir Akopian of Armenia with a margin of 3.5 - 2.5 in the six-games World Chess Championship final match.

Khalifman drew the sixth game in 40 moves of modern benoni defence frustrating Akopian’s valiant attempts to equalise the match.

Khalifman, born on 18th January 1966, at Moscow is the third successive Russian with his surname starting with ‘K’ to be crowned world chess champion after Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov. The 14th world champion is well known for his hard work in the openings and is respected for his fighting spirit which has helped him win tournaments from Moscow to New York.

Khalifman’s passage to the world championship crown was not rosy but rather full of thorns. He started disastrously by losing the very first game to Indian grandmaster Dibyendu Barua. However, he came back to win the match in the tie breakers.

After beating GM Asrian easily, Khalifman surprised fancied GM Boris Gelfand to meet Romanian GM Nisipeanu in the semi-finals. He had to break the Romanian’s spirited resistance before winning the match on tie breaker again. He had won the right to meet GM Vladimir Akopian of Armenia for the world title and a cash prize of $ 6,60,000.

Alexander Khalifman started the match on a winning note, punishing Akopian’s unsound piece sacrifice with a prefect technique. Akopian drew the second game but equalised the match soon by winning the third gams. A rest day followed with the match tied at 1.5 - 1.5.

Khalifman produced his best in the fourth game and defeated Akopian convincingly. Thereafter, he drew both the games to pocket the match with 3.5 - 2.5 margin. He had become the world chess champion.

Greene ‘above others’

SEVILLE (Spain), Aug 29 (AP) — Canada’s Bruny Suri, second to double world-champion Maurice Greene in the 100m final, rates his American rival above any sprinter in history.

“In the 100, I think he’s even stronger than Carl Lewis,” said Surin, who’s idolised the eight-time world champion his entire life. “When Maurice runs poorly, he runs 9.90.”

Greene won the 100 title in 9.80 in the world championships before also taking the 200, a feat not accomplished in a major international championship since Lewis in the 1984 Olympics.

“Maurice has a consistency no other sprinter has ever had before him,” Surin said. “`That’s why he beat me in the final.”

But if Surin has a strong, open respect for Greene, those feelings do not extend to the American’s training partner Ato Boldon.

“He’s someone who is so egocentric, who believes he’s above everyone,” Surin told the French sports daily L’Equipe. “He has a stupid attitude, there’s no other word for it.”

“I think he received a blow to his morale when he realised my name now figures ahead of his in the 100m annals.”

Surin said his name could have ranked above Greene’s, but for a mistake in the 100 final.

“I made a mistake that surely cost me the victory,” said Surin, who ran 9.84 in the 100 final. “I tightened up. Maurice finished in 9.80. If I had beaten him, I would have finished in 9.78.”

More Mori: Hurdler Fabrizio Mori will be happy if he never has to watch another television replay.

Mori won Italy’s first gold medal at the World Championships in the men’s 400m hurdles, but was assured of victory only after a Jury of Appeal ruled that Mori had not run out of his lane in yesterday’s final.

Stephane Diagana of France was second, and the French filed a protest, which was rejected three hours after the race’s end.

“We already have doping ruining everything. Now we’re putting TV cameras in the mix, too,” Mori said yesterday.

But he did benefit from a videotape earlier here.

Mori was initially disqualified for running out of his lane during the semifinals, but Italy successfully appealed with the help of a video replay, putting the hurdler in the final.

HURTING HAILE: Haile Gebrselassie, the 10,000m world champion, has pulled out of next week’s Van Damme Golden League meet because of blisters and a sore Achilles tendon.

“The blisters on his feet are open and he cannot walk normally,” Van Damme organiser Wilfried Meert said yesterday.

“His Achilles tendon is also somewhat swollen,”

Meert said Gebrselassie’s season likely is over.

The Ethiopian runner has long had problems with blisters.

He suffered from blisters after winning a gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and again in Athens two years ago, when he won his third world title.

India edge past Poland

BERLIN, Aug 29 (PTI) — India edged out hosts Poland 2-1 to set up a tough clash against Asian rivals South Korea in the final of the eight-nation junior challenge open hockey tournament (under-21) at Poznan, Poland yesterday.

Centre-forward Prabhjot Singh struck the all-important winner with a fine field conversion six minutes from the final hooter after India’s 16th minute lead through full-back Len Aiyappa was neutralised by the spirited hosts late in the second half.

Aiyappa enabled India take the lead when he converted a penalty corner in the 16th minute, but Bartolomiej struck the equaliser in the 57th minute off a penalty corner.

Coach C.R. Kumar was happy in his team entering the final, but felt India should have won by a bigger margin. “Our forwards, particularly Prabhjot Singh and Inderjit Singh, missed quite a few sitters early on in the match, he said.

Jung Sion Lee scored the tournament’s third hat-trick as Korea toppled strong Germany 3-1 in the other semifinals after leading 2-1 at half-time.

Jung, who is the tournament highest scorer with seven goals, struck twice in quick succession, in the 24th and 29th minute through a penalty corner and field attempt consolidated the lead with a 58th minute field goal.

German captain Max Landshaut narrowed the lead with a field conversion just two minutes left for halftime, which was also the first goal conceded by the Koreans in this tournament.

Korea also hold the distinction of having scored the most number of goals in this tournament — 24.

Germany will now take on Poland in the match to decide the third and fourth places.

In other matches, Belgium beat England 4-1 on tie-break after the team were level at one-all at the end of regulation and extra time. Scotland beat Egypt 4-3 after leading 4-2 at half time.

In classification matches, Belgium take on Scotland for the fight for the fifth and sixth spots while Egypt and England meet to decide the last two places.

Gail Devers wins hurdles; Engquist finishes third

SEVILLE (Spain), Aug 29 (AP) — Gail Devers and Ludmila Engquist, two perfect illustrations of medical miracles, performed some miraculous feats at the World Championships last night.

The 32-year-old Devers, who has overcome life-threatening Graves’ disease, ran the race of her life, winning the 100-metre hurdles title for the third time in 12.37, the fastest in the world in seven years and an American record.

The inspirational Engquist, 35, now in the midst of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, was a fast-closing third in 12.47, her best of a star-crossed year, and just behind silver medalist Glory Alozie of Nigeria (12.44).

The warmth and empathy between Devers and Engquist was evident after the stunningly fast race.

The two hugged and embraced, then took a victory lap together, each stopping to kiss Engquist’s husband, Johan.

“I was proud of Ludmila that she came back and accomplished what she did,” Devers said. “It let everybody know if you are believing in yourself dreams do come true.”

For Devers, the dream did come true — again.

This was her fifth gold medal, the most by any woman ever at the championships. She also has one each in the 100m dash and 400 relay, and will try to extend her record to six in the relay today.

The dream almost disappeared over the last of the 10 hurdles, a scary reminder of the 1992 Olympics, when she fell while leading and had to scramble over the finish line for fifth place.

Devers’ time was the fastest since Engquist ran 12.26 at Seville on June 6, 1992, and broke her U.S. record of 12.46 at Stuttgart, Germany, on August 20, 1993.

Devers was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease in 1989 and didn’t compete again until June 1991. Her condition, requiring radiation and chemotherapy treatments, became so serious that she came close to having a foot amputated. She then made an astonishingly rapid recovery and won the 100 hurdles at the 1991 USA Championships

The disease flared up again this year and she ran the World Indoor Championships in extreme pain, finishing second. It still bothers her occasionally, causing her difficulty in sleeping and eating, and her body to ache badly.

Despite all the physical anguish, Devers could lay claim to being the greatest woman track and field athlete of the decade and the best sprinter-hurdler ever. In addition to her accomplishments in the World Outdoor Championships, including two silver medals, she has won two Olympic 100 titles and one relay gold medal, and two World Indoor Championships.

Enquist’s performance capped the most remarkable and inspirational story of the championships.

The Russian-born Swede was diagnosed with breast cancer in March. She had her right breast removed on April 21, and returned to competition July 30, winning a race in Stockholm.

Engquist has continued to train through four chemotherapy sessions. She will undergo the fifth of her six treatment on Thursday.

Before the championships, Engquist had said she only hoped to reach the final. But she won all of her qualifying heats, including a sizzling 12.50 in Friday’s semifinals, establishing herself serious contender for the gold.

In the race, Devers broke on top quickly, with Engquist trailing badly. Engquist rallied, but too late to catch Devers or Alozie, the world’s top-ranked hurdler last year.

Yesterday’s most popular winner with the crowd of 52,273 was marathoner Abel Anton of Spain.

Anton overcame searing heat of 36°C at the start and won his second straight world title in 2:13:36, 27 seconds ahead of Italy’s Vicenzo Modica.

As Anton entered the stadium for the final lap, he raised his hands and blew kisses to the crowd. The fans responded with chants of “Ole, ole.”

Anton said he was helped — not just by the screaming fans in the stadium — but by the entire city.

Spain’s Martin Fiz, the 1995 champion and the runner-up to Anton in 1997, finished eighth at 2:16:17, and South Africa’s Gert Thys, the second-fastest marathoner in history, was 15th at 2:17:13.

In yesterday’s other finals, Cuba’s Ivan Pedroso, the four -time world indoor champion in the men’s long jump, won his third outdoor title at 8.56 metres; Morocco’s Salah Hissou set a championship record in winning the men’s 5,000 at 12:58.13, and Greece’s Mirela Manjani-Tzelili took the women’s javelin with season’s best 67.09 metres.

Eves hockey team involved in mishap

WELLINGTON, Aug 29 (AFP) — India’s women’s hockey team was involved in a fatal car accident in New Zealand less than 24 hours before they went on to play and beat New Zealand.

Two Tongans died instantly in the crash at Te Horo, north of Wellington.

The players were returning to Wellington from Levin, where they lost the second game in their three-match series against New Zealand, when one of the two vans in which they were travelling was involved in a crash with a car driven by one of the dead men.

Several players were treated for shock and minor cuts.

But the team went ahead with the last game of their series, and won 5-0 win in Wellington. They lost their previous games 5-1 and 2-0.

Team manager Rupa Saini said the crash was traumatic for the players, who were questioned by police for two hours last night.

The police were still investigating the cause of the crash and were appealing for witnesses.

Venus Williams beats Davenport for title

NEW HAVEN, Aug 29 (AP) — Venus Williams served notice yesterday that she’s ready for the U.S. Open, beating top-seeded and American compatriot Lindsay Davenport 6-2, 7-5 for the Pilot Pen championship.

It was Williams fifth singles title of the year and moves her one back of No. 1 Martina Hingis, who has six. Williams has beaten Davenport in their last two meetings. Davenport, the No. 2 player, holds an 8-3 edge in their career meetings.

Williams, ranked a career-high No. 3 in the world, said the difference in their last couple meetings has been confidence and better technique.

“I don’t get overpowered anymore. I’m feeling good about playing the big points,” she said.

Both battled from the baseline for most of the one hour, 24 minute match as their hard-hitting styles kept them well off the net. Williams had the speed to track down Davenport’s rifle returns and the athleticism to turn them into points.

Williams, the fastest server in the women’s game, served seven aces at the crucial points. Davenport, conversely, struggled with her service game and double-faulted three times in the final game.

Down 4-5 in the second set, the second-seeded Williams fought off two set points and evened the set when Davenport double-faulted. Davenport only won three points the rest of the way.

“Venus is going to be tough to beat. She’s athletic and extremely fast. Those are some great assets to have,” said Davenport, who has four singles titles this year, including Wimbledon.

The tournament was the final tuneup before the U.S. Open, where Davenport will defend her 1998 title.

“I know I can play better than I did today,” said Davenport. “You just have to start over right now and get ready for next week.”

Williams reached the U.S. Open final in her first try in 1997. She said she’s ready for Flushing Meadows.

“I’ve been ready since the first time,” said Williams. “I guess it wasn’t the right time.”

Women’s relay team finishes last

SEVILLE (Spain), Aug 29 (PTI) — Indian women’s 4 x 400 m relay team produced a disappointing effort by finishing last in their heat to end up 15th out of 16th teams in IAAF World Athletic Championships here last night as India’s campaign in the meet ended on a dismal note.

The quartet of M.K. Asha, K. Rosa Kutty, K.M. Beenamol and Jincy Philiphs clocked a slow three minutes 36.54 seconds, well behind the national mark of 3:31.55 set by Vandana Rao, Vandana Shanbag, Shiny Wilson and P.T. Usha in the 1987 world championship at Rome.

Teenaged woman distance runner Sunita Rani’s brave effort of 15 minutes 41.81 seconds in coming 10th in her 5000 metres heat — her national record is a hand-timed 15:41.4 set earlier this month in Bangalore federation cup meet — was the lone saving grace, but she also could not qualify for the final.

Woman javelin thrower Gurmeet Kaur could manage only 51.97 m as the Bangkok Asian Games bronze medallist ended up 14th in a field of 15 in her qualifying group. The mark for automatic progress was pegged at 61.00 m.

GMC Patiala, DMC in final
From Our Sports Reporter

LUDHIANA, Aug 29 — Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, and Government Medical College, Patiala, reached final of the third North Zone Inter-Medical Colleges Table Tennis Tournament at the Dumra Auditorium here today.

In the men’s semifinals DMC Ludhiana ‘A’ routed DMC Ludhiana ‘B’ 3-0 while GMC Patiala overcame a spirited fight from Dasmesh institute of Research and Dental Studies, (DIRDS), Faridkot 3-2. In the first match, Inderpreet Singh of DMC ‘A’ fought a pitched battle against Mahesh Mehra of DMC ‘B’ before emerging victorious 21-16, 18-21, 21-19. Vikash Mittal outwitted Gagan Jindoni 21-17, 21-19 to make it 2-0 in favour of DMC ‘A’. In the third match, Avneesh of DMC ‘A’ faced a stiff resistence from Nadish Garg when he scraped past 21-19, 17-21 and 21-19 to clinch the issue for his team 3-0.

In the second semifinal, DIRDS, Faridkot’s Varun crushed Rajan of Government Medical College, Patiala, 21-7, 21-15. Neeraj lost to Amit 10-21, 18-21 to make it one-all. Government Medical College, Patiala, went ahead through Suresh who defeated Karan 21-9, 21-13. Varun of Faridkot provided respite to his team when he recorded victory in his second match against Amit 21-15, 21-16 to make it 2-all. In the deciding match, Rajan of Patiala blunted Neeraj’s fight back to win 21-10, 21-12 and the match.

Earlier, Mr Prem Nath Gupta, secretary, DMC and Hospital, inaugurated the tournament.

Results

Men’s team championship (quarterfinals): Government Medical College, Patiala, beat Government Medical-College, Chandigarh 3-1 (Amit Kashyap b Amit Gupta 21-16, 21-13, Suresh lost to Geetinder 21-18, 15-21, 13-21, Rajan b Divyesh 21-12,21-15, Amit b Geetinder 21-19,19-21,21-18).

Dayanand Medical College (A) Ldh b Christian Medical College Ldh 3-0 (Inderpreet Singh b Kapil 21-17,21-12, Vikas b Abhay21-18, 21-10, Anurag Duggal b Chepsy 21-1+21-7, 21-16), DMC Ldh beat Tanda Medical College Kangra 3-2, (Mahesh Mehra b Dheeraj 21-13, 21-16, Gagan lost to Chandradeep 21-15, 18-21, 13-21), Nadish b Abhay 21-5, 21-19, Mahesh lost to Chandradeep 14-21,9-21, Gagan beat Dheeraj 21-16,21-14).

Dashmesh Institute of Research and Dental Studies, Faridkot, beat Govt Medical College, Jammu, 3-1 (Varun b Sumit 21-12,21-10, Neeraj b Syed Qadri 21-13, 22-20), Vikram lost to Wasim 14-21, 18-21, Varun b Syed 21-13, 21-10.)

Semifinals Govt MC Patiala b Dirds, Faridkot 3-2 ( Varun b Rajan 21-7, 21-15, Neeraj lost to Amit 10-21, 18-21, Karan Lost to Suresh 9-21, 13-21, Varun b Amit 21-15, 21-16, Neeraj lost to Rajan 10-21, 12-21.

DMC Ldh (A) beat Dayanand Medical College (B) Ldh 3-0 (Inderpreet Singh b Mahesh Mehra 21-16, 18-21, 21-19, Vikas Mittal b Gagan Jindoni 21-17, 21-19, Avneesh b Nadish Garg (21-19, 17-21,-21-19).

Women’s singles (quarterfinals): Satinder (GMC Patiala) b Madhulika (DMC Ldh) 21-18, 21-17, Shaila (Christian Dental College, Ldh b Anubha (DMC) Ldh 21-16, 21+18-21, 21-19, Rakhi (Chandigarh Medical College) b Dimple (DMC Ldh) 21-18, 21-19, Mandeep (DMC Ldh) b Tripat (Chandigarh Medical College) 21-17,21-18.

Title for NIS club

PATIALA, Aug 29 (FOC) — National Institute of Sports (NIS) Hockey Club beat STC, School 4-2 to win the title in the inaugural National Sports Day Hockey Tournament which concluded at the NIS here today.

Having two former Olympians, Rajinder Singh and Didar Singh in their ranks, the NIS boys never had to stretch themselves much in recording a convincing victory. For NIS Hockey Club Rajinder Singh, Didar Singh, Breznehve and Deepak Thakur sounded the board. For STC School Jaswant and Harsh scored a goal each.

On the occasion of the National Sports Day which is being celebrated in memory of hockey legend Dhyan Chand whose birth Anniversary falls today. NIS employees also organised a blood donation camp.

Cricket trials

BATALA, Aug 29 (FOC) — Trials to select Gurdaspur district team for Punjab State Inter-District (Under-19) cricket championship for Dhruv Pandove Trophy will be held on September 5 at 10 a.m. at S.L. Bawa DAV College ground here. According to the honorary secretary, Gurdaspur District Cricket Association.

The probables must bring their birth certificates from the head of their respective institutions as a proof of their age. Players born on or after September 1, 1980 are eligible.

Hisar chess

HISAR, Aug 29 (FOSR) — The Hisar District Chess Tournament will be held here at the local Eliot Club from September 10 to 12, according to the secretary of the Hisar Chess Association here today.

The tournament is being organised in the memory of late Mr Radhey Shyam who was an outstanding chess player. The competition will be held according to international rules of FIDE, he said adding that the competitions would be held in open senior and junior groups.