Kluivert to stay with AC Milan

Ivanisevic outlasts Lareau

TORONTO, Aug 4 (Reuters) — Tenth-seeded Croatian Goran Ivanisevic disappointed record crowds on the first day of the Canadian Open by defeating Canadian Sebastien Lareau 7-6 (14-12) 7-6 (7-4).

A civic holiday in Toronto and a promotion that allowed families to enter for free resulted in a total of 20,346 fans crowding the site yesterday.

Malivai Washington of the USA posted the only upset of the day when he beat 13th-seeded Jan Siemerink of the Netherlands 7-6 (7-2) 6-3.

In a match between the Black brothers from Zimbabwe, Wayne, 24 and ranked 105th, defeated Byron, 28, and ranked 32nd, 6-4 6-0.

In other first-round matches, Australian Scott Draper outlasted American Jim Courier 7-5 5-7 6-4 and 14th-seeded Aussie Mark Philippoussis won 6-4 6-3 over American Doug Flach.

The Ivanisevic-Lareau contest saw several momentum swings. The 16th-ranked Croatian served three double faults in a row to go down 3-4 in the opening set. But then Ivanisevic broke the 95th-ranked Canadian on four points on his way to a eight-point run.

Ivanisevic won the first-set tiebreak on his sixth set point with a blistering serve return winner.

Lareau led 5-2 in the second set but Ivanisevic rallied and finished the tiebreak and the match with his 20th ace.

Ivanisevic, who lost in the first round last week in Los Angeles, is still haunted by losing to world number one Pete Sampras in the Wimbledon final last month.

"Even half the time today, I was thinking about Wimbledon and I’m still having trouble finding my motivation," Ivanisevic said. "I’m thinking if I could have made those two service returns (on set points in the second-set tiebreak), I could have won Wimbledon."

"We both played to a high standard," said Draper, who was able to get the better of Courier with aggressive groundstrokes.

Several hours after the match, a pensive, despondent Courier sat immobile by himself on the steps of a tournament van for about 45 minutes.

Washington, a finalist at Wimbledon in 1996, has been hampered by a knee problem that required surgery in April, 1997. His win over Siemerink was his first since April.

"I’ve been playing a limited schedule this year," said the 217th-ranked Washington. "I missed the French Open and Wimbledon and I’ve kind of said to myself that how I do this summer will be a telltale sign for the rest of the year and next year."

YMCA enter semifinals
By Amardeep Bhattal
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 4 — A series of missed chances cost debutants Youngster Club dear as the promising outfit of City beautiful bowed out of the North Zone Kalyani Black Label Federation Cup Football Tournament 3-4 via the penalty shootout against the Young Men's Christian Association, Jammu and Kashmir, at the Sector 17 football stadium here today.

The 90-minute gruelling battle for supremacy remained deadlocked without a goal being scored and 30 minutes of extra time also failed to settle the issue. In the tie breaker that followed, YMCA emerged victorious converting four spot kicks while Youngster Club could convert only three. By virtue of today's win, YMCA have now entered the semifinals.

It was certainly not Youngster Club's day as they made their exit from the tournament despite enjoying the upper hand for a major part of the proceedings. The team functioned like a well-oiled machine and gave a good display of footwork through several intelligent moves. The YMCA citadel remained under constant threat most of the time with Vinay Kanwar, Mohan Singh, Rajesh Kaushik and Rajiv Rattan moving in tandem in the rival territory. However, while the forwards missed several good chances at regular intervals, the YMCA goalkeeper Firdaus Ahmed also rose to the occasion to effect many a good save. Firdaus in fact emerged as the hero of the YMCA team as he also managed to save two of the spot kicks in the crucial penalty shootout.

Youngster Club started dictating terms right from the kick-off. In the second minute right winger Rajiv Rattan sent a high lob into the penalty box but centre forward Rajesh Kaushik failed to get his head to the ball despite being in an enviable position.

Ten minutes later Rajiv Rattan missed a gilt edged chance. Having outpaced a couple of rival defenders on the right flank, he moved in dangerously and the goalkeeper advanced to check him but he beat him with a quick body swerve. However, as luck would have it his feeble kick struck the goal-post.

Midway through the first half, right half Virender Kanwar again initiated a move for the Chandigarh team putting Rajiv Rattan in possession. However, Rajiv's cross from the right went abegging as left winger Mohan Singh failed to trap the ball.

YMCA took some time to settle down. Deepak Kumar, Ishfaq Ahmed and Intikhab Alam made some counter attacks and right winger Ishfaq Ahmed in particular looked threatening. However, nothing came off such moves and the two sides went for the lemon break without a goal to their credit.

Srinath available for selection

BANGALORE Aug 4 (PTI) — Pace spearhead Javagal Srinath has fully recovered from the side strain he suffered in late March and has declared himself available for national selection.

"I am 100 per cent fit and I have been bowling all out. I need some more practice to touch my peak again," the lanky bowler, who turned out for Indian Airlines in the Buchi Babu Tournament in Chennai last week, told PTI here.

The Karnataka paceman said he was available for the camp starting in Chennai on August 21 and that he would bowl all out if picked by selectors, who meet in Mumbai on August 9.

Bowling in the Buchi Babu Tournament, where his team failed to make the quarterfinals, had done him a lot of good as he aims to touch his fiery best in time for tournaments in September and the Dhaka ICC Mini World Cup in late October.

Srinath, who gained appreciable pace and movement on return to action opening the attack for MCC XI against World XI in the July 18 Diana memorial tie at the Lord’s was happy with his effort.

"It was more psychological for me and it is good I went into the game without any pain. On the whole I don’t think I bowled badly. I bowled perhaps 60 to 70 per cent and all I need is more match practice," he said.

Srinath, who was forced out for eight months last year due to a rotator cuff tear in his bowling arm, said the rib strain was commonplace among fast bowlers. "Since I am coming back from the second injury, I want to be physically stronger. That’s what I am working at."

Asked about his treatment and whether he was still in touch with the doctors, Srinath said strengthening the side muscles was very important for him. "My shoulder strengthening has to keep on going. At the same time I have to look after my sides," he said.

The 28-year-old paceman said he realised it would take some time for him to fully recover from the side strain after he spoke to cricketers who had suffered similar injury.

Chris Carins (New Zealand medium-pacer) had the same injury and he took the same amount of time to return to the game.

Pakistan's Wasim Akram had this problem and he took six months to get back into the game. Once I came to know all this I knew my injury will take four to six months to heal.

Asked if he was preparing for next year's World Cup, he said it was a long way off. "There are many other games coming up before it. I will take one game at a time," he said.

Srinath was grateful to all those who had stood by him and encouraged to recover fast. "Such encouragement will motive anybody to come back at the top level," he said.

Gavaskar fashions India 'A' victory

DEVENTER, Aug 4 (PTI) — Young Rohan Gavaskar hit up a classy unbeaten 69 to propel India ‘A’ team to its first win of the current cricket tour of Holland yesterday.

The left-hander’s effort was well supplemented by all-round performance by Venka Pratap and a tight bowling spell by vice-captain Sairaj Bahutule as the team beat Holland by 54 runs in the first of the three one-dayers here.

After its first three matches, against Denmark, were ruined by rain, this match was the first to provide a result.

Put in to bat, India ‘A’ posted a modest total of 196 for six in 50 overs and thanks to tight bowling and fielding. The tourists successfully defended the total bowling out the hosts for 142 with three balls to spare.

Wicket-keeper M.S.K. Prasad made a significant contribution snapping up five victims, three of them caught, along with Nikhil Haldipur (38) and Reteender Singh Sodhi (37) in giving India ‘A’ victory.

Leg-spinner Bahutule (3/29) turned the ball well and was ably supported by Vanka Pratap (2/20) in containing the Dutch batsmen.

The highlight of India ‘A’ innings was Gavaskar’s chanceless 69 not out which included six fours and a huge six, and his ninth wicket partnership with Vanka Pratap (22 N.O. -2x4).

For the hosts, whose team comprised many ethnic Asians, R. Singh was the highest wicket taker with 4 for 36.

India ‘A’ suffered an early loss when captain and opener Vikram Rathore went out cheaply in damp and overcast conditions. But Haldipur and Sodhi combined well to put on 67 runs for the second wicket and prevented Holland from gaining further breakthroughs.

Gavaskar played positively right from the start and was largely instrumental in preventing a middle-order collapse.

For Holland, Zulfikar (38) and Van Troust (24) were the top scorers, but they never really posed any threat to India ‘A’s modest total. The two were associated in 40-run partnership for the fourth wicket, the only respectable stand that host batsmen could manage against India ‘A’s tight bowling.

Coach Krish Srikkanth said he was expecting a total of 225 plus from Indian batsmen to prevent any anxieties for the visitors.

"The fourth wicket partnership between Van Troust and Zulfikar which yielded 48 runs was good for Holland, but did not do us any damage," he said.

The coach said: "The damp and soggy pitch made it difficult for the batsmen to score and a solid partnership from Holland batsmen could have consolidated their fight against us," Srikkanth said.

Brief scores:

India ‘A’: 196 for 6 in 50 overs (Rohan Gavaskar 69 no, Nikhil Haldipur 38, Reteender Singh Sodhi 37, Vanka Pratap 22 no; R. Singh 4/36).

Holland: 142 all out in 49.3 overs (Zulfikar 38, Van Troust 24, Sairaj Bahutule 3/29, Venka Pratap 2/20).

Pak team needs a motivator: Raja

LAHORE, Aug 4 (ANI) — Former dashing Pakistan batsman, Wasim Raja has taken to his new job with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as national team coach.

He says the Pakistan team of brilliant players does not need a coach but a motivator.

"The Pakistan cricket team is very talented," he said yesterday. "And at this level the players do not require a coach. What they need is a motivator who could collect them on a platform and help them perform their best," Surrey-based Raja said.

Raja said for this the PCB must bring in technical expert to correct the declining trends. "There has to be someone who could encourage Pakistan players to fight till the full extent on a cricket field."

The PCB is currently running an ICC-approved coaching course for Pakistan retired Test cricketers and first class playing players. Raja is heading the coaching drills.

Raja, brother of former Pakistan Test captain Rameez, revealed he was going to lay out the modes of coaching he learnt from the England and Wales Cricket Board approved centres.

He said Pakistan needed players who could transfer the knowledge they had gripped during their careers, but Raja emphasised on transferring the right things.

To a query, the once-bearded Raja said the right age to start training for a player is under-10 when he has the ability to understand the techniques of the sport. "One should not finish the natural talents of a player through constant coaching," warned Raja.

He said Pakistan should hire three different coaches for their fielders, batsmen and bowlers of the national side to supplement a common practice followed in England.

The former all-rounder dispelled the notion that Pakistan could do well by separating their Test and one-day teams for future games.

Last year Australian and England separated their teams for cricket’s two versions but Raja said it was not necessary for Pakistan to copy others in an attempt to ease pressures on themselves.

Raja has conducted coaching courses since 1981 and is currently associated with Surrey Coaching Centre in Guilford besides working as a teacher of geography in Canterham.

What role will Bobby Simpson play?
By Abhijit Chatterjee
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 4 — What exactly will be the role of former Australian skipper and coach Bobby Simpson, who has been appointed consultant by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Bobby Simpson, who signed a contract with the BCCI in February last, has been assigned the job by the board till the 1999 World Cup, scheduled to be held in England .

The national selectors of the board are scheduled to meet in Mumbai on August 9 to pick up 20 players, who will form the nucleus of the Indian team for the next World Cup. These selected players are scheduled to attend a coaching camp from August 21 to September 4 at Chennai under the supervision of Bobby Simpson.

The first question one would like to ask is: what are Bobby Simpson's credentials as a one-day specialist ? Going through the record books one learns that Bobby Simpson, who made his international debut in 1957, has in a career spanning over 20 years , played only two one-day internationals, both against the West Indies in 1978, the year he retired from competitive international cricket. Therefore, the one-day experience of the "consultant" comes into sharp focus because the national team is now preparing for next year's World Cup.

The contract between the board and Bobby Simpson was finalised after the former Australian skipper had come to India as match referee for the series against Sri Lanka late last year. At that time Indian cricket was going through a very bad phase with the team performing below par, both in the longer version as well as in one-dayers. At that time the senior functionaries of the board approached Simpson with the proposal that he should agree to become consultant for the Indian team. Simpson, who has also coached the Australian team for some time agreed but on the condition that he would join only after the tour of India by the Australian team scheduled in March-April last. The board agreed to this condition also.

As said earlier Indian cricket was going through a bad phase when the contract with Simpson was signed. But subsequently, the fortunes of Indian cricket took an upswing with the team winning the Independence Cup in Bangladesh, the Sharjah Cup, the four-nation tournament in India and the Independence Cup in Sri Lanka. The only tournament which the Indian team lost during this period was the three-nation series involving Australia, Zimbabwe and India at home. But India immediately overcame this loss with a fine win at Sharjah . In this tournament too Australia were the main opposition.

The Indian cricket already has a cricket coach, a physiotherapist and a team doctor. Also, when the team travels abroad it has an administrative manager also. Therefore, what will Simpson do? As has been stated by certain board functionaries the Australian will have no role in team selection and will only draw up strategies. But is one to believe that there is nobody else among all the Indian players with international experience who can do this job?

There are many former players who probably have more cricketing acumen that the former Australian allrounder. The names which quickly come to mind include those of Kapil Dev (and who can forget the way he led India to victory in the 1983 World Cup held in England), Sunil Gavaskar or even somebody like Mohinder Amarnath (he also has done some good coaching of the Bangladesh team).

One might argue that neither Kapil or Gavaskar will be willing to forego their business and other commitments to take over as consultant of the Indian team but if the money is right then they can be coaxed to do national duty. As it is Simpson will be given £ 2000 per week when he is in India . Besides this payment the board is already spending $ 2000 on physio Andrew James Kukinos, who has also come from Australia. The physio is also paid allowances admissible to the members of the Indian team.

One might know that Simpson is suffering from an acute knee problem. Therefore, he is not in a position to join the players on the ground and cannot involve himself in active participation at nets. He will, therefore, sit on the sidelines and draw up strategies. Of what use is this? And also it is not known whether he will accompany the team on tour because strategies can only be worked out after seeing the wicket condition, weather and the relative strength of the opposition.

Deadly Gough serves warning to SA

LONDON, Aug 4 (Reuters) — England paceman Darren Gough swept Yorkshire to an overwhelming English championship victory against Worcestershire yesterday.

Gough took five for 36 as Worcestershire were skittled for 94 at their Worcester headquarters. The innings and 160 runs success left Yorkshire joint third.

Gough’s figures, added to his four for 30 haul in Sunday’s one-dayer, means he is full of confidence for this week’s deciding fifth Test against South Africa on home turf at Headingley.

"I have been bowling well all season and now I am getting figures to prove that I am on song," said Gough. His victims included Test players Graeme Hick and Tom Moody.

Scottish all-rounder Gavin Hamilton did the rest of the damage with four for 17.

Yorkshire took 24 points from their fourth win of the season but remained 42 adrift of leaders Surrey who beat Sussex with a day to spare.

Bad weather spoiled any challenge envisaged by fourth-placed Lancashire and second-placed Leicestershire. Their match at Old Trafford was called off an hour before the start.

Nottinghamshire’s home game against Northamptonshire was also washed out.

Kent, in danger of losing to Derbyshire, had to survive only 32 balls on final day because of prolonged rain at Derby.

An undefeated 97 by Martin Speight saw Durham to safety against Hampshire at Southampton.

Results on the final day of four-day English county championship cricket matches yesterday:

At Derby: match drawn. Kent 165 (P. Defreitas 5-55; K. Dean 4-52) and 129-5 (M. Ealham 61 no). Derbyshire 260 (R. Weston 97; D. Headley 5-64). Derbyshire 9 points, Kent 7.

At Southampton: match drawn. Durham 203 (A. Morris 4-30) and 332-9 (M. Speight 97 no, D. Boon 54, J. Morris 50). Hampshire 396 (R. Smith 134, A. Aymes 54). Hampshire 11 points, Durham 8.

At Old Trafford: match drawn. Leicestershire 218-7 (A. Habib 56) v Lancashire. Lancashire 6 points, Leicestershire 4.

At Trent Bridge: match drawn. Northamptonshire 346 (M. Loyee 103, R. Montgomerie 54; P. Strang 4-92). Nottinghamshire 380-5 (P. Johnson 105, U. Afzaal 103 no, G. Welton 55; P. Taylor 4-62). Nottinghamshire 11 points, Northamptonshire 8.

At Worcester: Yorkshire beat Worcestershire by an innings and 160 runs. Yorkshire 455-9 decl. (D. Lehmann 200, M. Wood 94, A. McGrath 50). Worcestershire 201 and 94 (D. Gough 5-36, G. Hamilton 4-17). Yorkshire 24 points, Worcestershire 4.

Sport calendar for Punjab schools
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 4 — The Punjab Education Department (Sports Wing) has finalised the sports calendar for the 1998-99 in all disciplines for age groups of under-14, under-17 and under-19.

According to Ms Vidya Vati, Director of Public Instruction (Schools), Punjab, the entire Punjab school competition schedule would be completed in less than three months. However, the games' calendar would be prepared according to fixtures of the School Games Federation of India (SGFI). She said Punjab school probables would be chosen for the National School Games to be held at various venues in the country.

The Punjab State School Athletic Championship for boys and girls under-14, under-17 and under-19 and the Punjab State Primary Athletic Championship for boys and girls under-11 will be held at Bathinda from October 12 to 16. Besides this the Punjab State Circle Kabaddi Tournament for boys under-19 will also be held at the same time, she added.

Ms Vidya Vati said the SGFI has allotted the National School Games in fencing, boxing, handball, basketball and kabaddi under-19 for boys and girls to Punjab for the last week of October. However, the final dates and venue will be announced shortly after consultation with Punjab Government.

The state sports calender is: (September): Swimming for boys and girls under-14, 17 and 19 years and water polo for boys under -19 at Jalandhar from September 2 to 5; volleyball, kho-kho (boys and girls under-17 and kabaddi (boys and girls under-14 at Ropar from September 7 to 10; kabaddi (boys and girls under-17 and under 19 years and primary for boys and girls under 11 years at Moga from September 7 to 11; volleyball for boys and girls under-14 and under 19 years, fencing for boys and girls under 19 years and basketball for boys and girls under 17 and under 19 years at Bathinda from September 7 to 11.

Football for boys under 17 years, hockey for boys and girls under 14 years at Hoshiarpur from September 7 to 11; football for boys and girls under 19 years at Malerkotla (Sangrur) from September 7 to 11; football for boys under 14 years at Fatehgarh Sahib from September 7 to 11; kho-kho for boys and girls under 14 and under 19 years and kho kho primary for boys and girls under 11 years at Sangrur from September 7 to 11; judo for boys and girls under 14, under 17 and under 19 years; wrestling for boys under 14 and 19 years and wrestling primary for boys under 11 years at Jalandhar from September 14 to 18.

Table tennis for boys and girls and under 14, 17 and under 19 years, basketball for boys and girls under 14 years at Kapurthala from September 14 to 18; gymnastic and rythmic gymnastics for boys under 14, under 17 and under 19 years and gymnastic primary for boys and girls under 11 years at Gurdaspur from September 27 to 30.

October: Handball for boys under 19 years at Dhilwan Kalan (Faridkot) from October 6 to 10; handball for boys and girls under 14 and under 17 years and girls under 19 years at Faridkot from October 6 to 10; badminton for boys and girls under 14, under 17 and under 19 years at Sangrur from October 6 to 8; athletics for boys and girls under 14, under 17 and under 19 years, athletics primary for boys and girls under 11 years and circle kabaddi for boys under 19 years at Bathinda from October 12 to 16; hockey for boys and girls under 17 and under 19 years at Amritsar from October 26 to 30.

November: Cricket for girls under 19 years at Sangrur from November 5 to 9; cricket for boys under 19 years (C.K. Naidu) at Pathankot from November 5 to 9 ; cricket for boys under 16 years (Vinoo Mankad) at Moga from November 5 to 9; cricket for boys under 14 years at Patiala from November 5 to 9; softball for boys and girls under 19 years at Mansa from November 25 to 29 and ball badminton for boys and girls under 14 and under 19 years at Muktsar from November 25 to 29.

BCCI panel to study rule changes

CHENNAI, Aug 4 (PTI) — The technical committee of the Indian cricket board will study the recent rule changes brought forward by the game’s world governing body before making a decision on ratifying and accepting them.

BCCI Secretary, J.Y Lele, told PTI that the changes discussed at the recent umpires meeting in London have not yet been accepted by the Indian board.

‘The board is awaiting reports with explanations and recommendations from both S Venkatraghavan and V.K Ramaswamy, the two who attended the meeting as International panel umpires from India.

‘The umpires’ reports would be forwarded to the board’s technical committee and their decision would be placed for final decision before the working committee,’ Lele said.

The decision to accept all the amendments or part of them rests only with the technical and working committees, he said, adding that if the changes are accepted, they would become operative from September 1.

It is not obligatory for the ICC-member countries to accept rule changes in toto. The right to bring in rule changes is vested only with the MCC, and not the ICC.

In fact, a few rules were brought forward by the MCC last year, but were not accepted by the BCCI. In particular the rule making it mandatory to take the second new ball after 110 overs was turned down by the BCCI as it felt in Indian conditions, it should be 100 overs. It is now mandatory in both domestic and international matches to take new ball after 100 overs.

The umpires committee meeting also did not bring in any fresh rule for third umpires and the present guidelines continue.

Rod Laver back in ICU

LOS ANGELES, Aug 4 (Reuters) — Tennis great Rod Laver, who suffered a stroke last week, is back in a hospital’s intensive care unit being treated for a fever, doctors said.

A spokeswoman for the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Centre yesterday said Laver was in serious condition, but he was responding to treatment and doctors expected he would be out of the intensive care unit by the end of the week.

"He was returned to the intensive care unit to manage a fever which has caused what doctors expect to be a temporary neurological condition," said Roxanne Moster.

She said Laver, 59, had been removed from the ICU toward the end of last week, but was brought back on Friday night when he developed the fever.

The great Australian left-hander suffered a stroke last Monday while taping a television segment.

Dr Neil Martin, a neurosurgeon and director of the UCLA stroke centre, said Laver had suffered partial loss of movement in his right hand, arm and leg.

Laver, a redhead whose serve earned him the nickname "The Rocket", is the only player ever to win two Grand Slams by sweeping all four major tennis championships in a calendar year — Wimbledon, the French, U.S. and Australian Opens — in both 1962 and 1969.

With a total of 11 Grand Slam singles titles, Laver is tied for second all-time with Bjorn Borg behind Roy Emerson, who has 12 singles wins.

Owen "as good as" Ronaldo

LIVERPOOL, Aug 4 (AFP) — England's teenage sensation Michael Owen is as good as Brazilian superstar Ronaldo, the world's number one footballer, according to Liverpool skipper Paul Ince.

Liverpool play Inter Milan at Anfield tonight but sadly for the 40,000 plus fans, Ronaldo will not be there to face England's new idol.

But England midfielder Ince said: "Michael has a long way to go but then so has Ronaldo. People forget that Ronaldo is only 21 and they say he is the greatest in the world.

But that's because they haven't seen anything like him for a while and because he is so young.

But as far as I'm concerned, Michael is up there with him. They are different kinds of strikers but both very good indeed.

It's a shame Ronaldo won't be playing but I'm sure the crowd will not mind too much because they will have Michael to welcome home."

Ronaldo is still on his holidays and Inter Milan will field a virtual shadow for the prestige friendly with six of their superstars being left behind.

P. Harikrishna, Aarthi national
under-18 chess champs

BIKANER, Aug 4 (PTI) — Pendalya Harikrishna of Andhra Pradesh added fillip to his burgeoning career by claiming the boys title in style along with Aarthi Ramaswamy (TN) in the girls section in the National Under-18 Chess here today.

The 12-year-old Harikrishna, former world under-10 and current national sub-junior champion defeated overnight leader M.R. Venkatesh (TN) to log full seven points.

His AP colleague Beenish Bhatia also gained seven points beating S. Satyapragyan (Orissa), but Harikrishna took the title owing to superior progressive score of 34.0 to Bhatia’s 32.0.

Venkatesh, early leader P. Mahesh Chandran and his Tamil Nadu teammate T.V. Karthikeyan finished with 6.5 points each. Venkatesh, with a progressive score of 37.5 took the third place while Mahesh Chandran (37.0) and Karthikeyan (35.5) finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Asian sub-junior girls champion Aarthi Ramaswamy, who had assured herself of the title with a round to spare yesterday, showed her prowess with an impressive win over Bihar’s Neha Singh to aggregate eight points to be left clear at the top.

Nisha Mohota (WB), the lone IWM in the fray, came up with a good win over Swati Ghate (Mah) to finish second with seven points. J.E. Kavitha (6.5) ended third on the basis of her superior progressive score over stalemate M. Sangeeta (6.5).

World girls under-10 champion Koneru Humpy (AP), Swati, Manasi Dadarkar (both Mah), Y. Prathiba (TN) and Anuradha Beniwal (Har), all with six points, finished in that order.

Revised telecast of Sachin's 'sizzling tons'

MUMBAI, Aug 4 (PTI) — Sports channel ESPN has revised the telecast schedule of the programme "Sachin's sizzling centuries" which is a tribute to Tendulkar's batting exploits.

According to an ESPN release, the revised telecast schedule is (with time in brackets):

Aug 12 (10.30 pm) repeat on Aug 13 (6.30 pm) and Aug 18 (9 pm). Aug 19 (10.30 pm) repeat on Aug 20 (2.30 pm) and Aug 22 (6 pm).

Judo trials
From Our Sports Reporter

HISAR, Aug 4 — Trials to select Haryana teams for the sub-junior national judo championship to be held at Mumbai from August 21 to 23 and junior team for junior national judo championship to be held at Cuttack from September 2 to 6 will be held here at Mahabir Stadium on August 9 at 10.00 am, according to a spokesman of the Haryana State Judo Association here today. Judokas born before August 21, 1988, are eligible to take part in the sub-junior trials.

25 boys selected for cricket camp
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 4 — The Chandigarh Cricket Association affiliated with the Haryana Cricket Association has selected 25 boys in the under-16 age group for an intensive training camp prior to the Haryana Inter-District Cricket Championship, according to Mr Surinder Singh, secretary of the Chandigarh Cricket Association.

Mr Surinder Singh said the camp of 20 days will commence tomorrow at the Sector 8 DAV Higher Secondary School. Dr Ravinder Chadha, doctor of the national cricket team, will inaugurate the camp at 3 p.m.

The secretary of the association further added that former players like Kapil Dev, Chetan Sharma and Sarkar Talwar would visit the camp and give tips to the young cricketers.

The following are the boys selected for the camp: Rajat Bhandari, Nitin Bhutani, Suraj Mohan, Sanjay Beakta, Anshol Arora, Rakesh Verma, Nishiay Trehan, Rajiv Parmar, Amardeep Sonkar, Gurcharan Singh Walia, Anshuman Sharma, Sukhjinder Singh, Ishpreet Singh, Mandeep Sodhi, Gurwinder Singh, Arvind Chaudhary, Ricky Khosla, Gautam Gupta, Rajat Talwar, Manpreet Singh, Sarv Mittar, Sunny Behal, Sunil Bishnoi, Abhishek Kapoor and Anurag Chopra.

Kluivert to stay with AC Milan

MILAN, Aug 4 (Reuters) — Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert will stay at AC Milan next season despite interest from England’s Manchester United, the Serie 'A' side has said.

"Club officials talked to both player and the player’s agent Sigi Lens in recent days and the result is that Patrick Kluivert will stay with AC Milan", a spokesman said yesterday.

Asked whether Kluivert had reached any agreement with United or any other English club, the spokesman said: "No. There are absolutely no agreements."

The British media had reported that Milan and United had agreed to £ 9 m (approx. Rs 64.8 million) transfer fee for Kluivert, who joined Milan from Ajax Amsterdam on a free transfer a year ago.

The reports said the club and player still had to agree to wages.

Milan said last month they had rejected an offer from English champions Arsenal for Kluivert, who still has three years left to run on his contract at the San Siro.