Federation Cup final postponed

Powerlifting team

Agassi struggles to win

Trials

Indian juniors drub Bermuda

24 probables for kabaddi camp

Punjab, UP 'B' to clash for title

Athletes in Action triumph

IOA to accept 'best team'

NEW DELHI, Aug 12 (PTI) — The row over the cricket team’s selection continued to rage as the Indian Olympic Association announced a list of 93 members, including 20 officials, for the 16th Commonwealth Games to be held in Kuala Lumpur from September 11 to 21.

IOA Secretary General Randhir Singh announced at a press briefing that entry by names had been submitted to meet the deadline (August 11) for six events — weightlifting, badminton (men and women), boxing, shooting (men and women), hockey (men) and hockey (women). But he was still awaiting the list from Indian Cricket Board.

Reiterating IOA’s firm stand that only the ‘best team’ would be permitted to participate in the Commonwealth Games as it was a matter of India’s pride, Randhir Singh accused the BCCI of not responding to IOA’s communication to forward the list of players forthwith.

"The last date for sending names was yesterday. IOA will allow only the best team, but my bigger fear is that unless we forward the names in the next 48 hours or so, we stand the danger of the organisers refusing to entertain the entry,’ he said.

The BCCI had already said it would pick on September 4 the teams for Commonwealth and the Toronto Sahara Cup series against Pakistan from September 12 to 20 — the clash of dates between the two events leading to the current controversy — but Randhir Singh said would be "too late".

The IOA Secretary said in case the cricket team was not entered eventually, IOA stood to paying a penalty as per the games constitution.

Randhir Singh, who declared that IOA would accept nothing but the best cricket team and said "IOA, like everyone else, is capable of deciding which is the best team," later conceded it was upto BCCI to decide which was indeed the best team.

"If BCCI picks a side and says this is the best team, we will go by it," he said in an informal chat, when asked whether IOA had any technical standing to refuse a list forwarded by BCCI.

He, however, said the ‘best team’ would be one that had players like Sachin Tendulkar and Mohd Azharuddin, those of proven quality who were capable of holding the country’s flag afloat in the games. "With Australia being in our group and only one team qualifying to the semifinal, it is important that we send our best side," he said.

But Randhir Singh, however, was not categorical when asked whether IOA would go to the extent of not forwarding the cricket team if it felt BCCI has not fielded the best for the Commonwealth Games.

B.S. Ojha has been named the Chef de Mission of the Indian contingent with S.M. Bali the Assistant Chef de Mission.

MUMBAI: The controversial issue of which Indian cricket squad would take part in next month’s Commonwealth Games is expected to be decided at the working committee meeting of the BCCI scheduled at Delhi on August 19 and 20.

The issue of participation in the games is to come up for discussion at the two-day meeting, according to BCCI sources.

The BCCI and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) are at loggerheads over the issue of the full-strength cricket team’s participation at Kuala Lumpur.

The BCCI has all along maintained that the best Indian team would take part in the Sahara Cup series against arch rivals Pakistan at Toronto which is clashing with the multi-discipline Commonwealth Games, where the sport makes its debut.

The BCCI bigwigs have gone on record to say that only the second-best squad can be sent to Malaysia.

However, the IOA is not satisfied with the BCCI’s stand that they are contracted to the International Management Group (IMG), promoters of the Toronto series, to send the best national squad for the Sahara Cup.

IOA president Suresh Kalmadi told PTI in Pune today that it would not send a second-string cricket team to the games.

IOA is "very clear" on the issue, the apex sports body president Kalmadi stated categorically in response to cricket board chief Raj Singh Dungarpur’s statement in Calcutta yesterday that it (the board) would not allow IOA to "dictate" to it.

"If the cricket board wants to send a team for the Sahara Cup for commercial reasons, the IOA can be very clear that it will not send a second string to the Commonwealth Games", Kalmadi said.

The BCCI’s top-brass are peeved at the IOA stand as they feel that the latter is in no position to dictate terms to the cricket board, which is not affiliated to it.

Board president Raj Singh Dungarpur had said in Calcutta yesterday that efforts would be made to send two balanced teams for the Sahara Cup and the Commonwealth Games.

"Final decision on the composition of the squads rested on the BCCI and the national selectors", he had said.

"We will hold discussions with the IOA and also with four or five leading players, but under no circumstances will we allow ourselves to be dictated to by the IOA", the BCCI president had said.

"If IOA tries to dictate that Sachin Tendulkar should be included in the Kuala Lumpur team, that’s unacceptable to us", he had added.

Shruti Dhawan sails into q-finals

CHENNAI, Aug 12 (UNI) — Reigning champion Uzma Khan of Andhra Pradesh, streamrolled Liza Pereira of Maharashtra 6-1, 6-1 to storm into the girls' singles quarterfinals in the Iob-Mcc National Junior Hard Court Tennis Championship here today.

The high bounce of the tretorn-txt balls imported from Sweden, being used for the first time in a competition in the country, bothered many players as they found it difficult to adjust to it.

But Uzma, who had a feel of the disconcerting bounce of the ball during her tiresome opening round yesterday, adjusted herself well today and put paid to the hopes of Liza, who caved in meekly.

There were no surprises in the other girls' pre-quarterfinal matches as third seeded Shruti Dhawan of Delhi eclipsed unseeded Sandya Kannuri of Tamil Nadu with an authoritative 6-1, 6-4 win, while local lass Vishnu Preetam halted the progress of qualifier B. Nischella of Andhra Pradesh in a prolonged encounter.

After winning the closely contested first set 7-5, which saw both players trading serves repeatedly, Nischella, who caused a mild flutter defeating her better-rated rival Jhanvi Sunderrajan in the first round yesterday, showed signs of recovery as she blasted Vishnu Preetam to win the second set 6-1. But the latter got her acts together and won the decider 6-3 in a match that lasted nearly two hours.

Karnataka’s S. K. Tara overcame a brief but belated challenge before showing the way out to Geeta Manohar of Andhra Pradesh 6-0, 6-4, while the fragile T. Yamini defeated Samrita Sekar 6-1, 6-3 in an all-Tamil Nadu affair.

However, the contests in the remaining seven first round matches in the boys' singles provided some keen fare with most of the matches stretching to the full distance.

Kedar Shah of Maharashtra lost his way in the second set against C. Mohanty of Delhi, but found his rhythm in the third to win 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, while Tamil Nadu players Vijay Rajagopal and N. Mukundan battled hard on a hot and humid day before putting across their respective rivals in a gruelling three-setter. While Vijay Rajagopal defeated Sunil Kumar of Chandigarh 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, Mukundan had the better of Vinod Kumar Seva of West Bengal 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.

Uzma, who had won almost every other tournament held in the country during the last two years, got off to a rollicking start. It was all over in just 45 minutes. Controlling the game from the baseline, Uzma hardly made any mistake gaining a quick 3-0 lead by breaking Liza in the first and third game. Liza, who struggled with her first serves, committed double faults at crucial junctures, and sank some easy forehand shots in the net.

Results:

Girls (pre-quarterfinals): Uzma Khan (AP) bt Liza Pereira (Maha) 6-1, 6-1; Shruti Dhawan (Delhi) bt Sandhya Kannuri (TN) 6-1, 6-4; T. Yamini (TN) bt Samrita Sekar (TN) 6-1, 6-3; S. K. Tara (Kar) bt Geeta Manohar (AP) 6-0, 6-4; Vishnu Preetam (TN) bt B. Nischella (AP) 7-5, 1-6, 6-3.

Boys (first round): Anand Sitaram (AP) bt Jaidev Punjabi (Chand) 7-5, 7-5; Uday Kumar Reddy (TN) bt Sajit Lodi (MP) 6-0, 6-1; Kedar Shah (Mah) bt C. Mohanty (Delhi) 6-1, 4-6, 6-2; Vijay Rajagopal (TN) bt Sunil Kumar (Chand) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4; Akshay Vishal Rao (Chand) bt Harshit Sharma (Bengal) 6-3, 6-2; Akshya Jagdale (Maha) bt Abhishek Jagnani (Bengal) 6-3, 6-2; N. Mukundan (TN) bt Vinod Kumar Seva (Bengal) 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.

Sodhi leads India 'A' to victory

AMSTERDAM, Aug 12 (PTI) — India 'A' completed a total rout of Holland outclassing the hosts in all three one-day cricket matches when the visitors scored an emphatic eight-wicket victory in the final tie here yesterday.

An unbeaten 79-run third wicket partnership between Reetinder Singh Sodhi (48 n.o.) and left-hander Rohan Gavaskar (44 n.o.) helped India 'A' overcome early losses and overhaul Holland’s meagre total of 96 all out with 23 overs to spare.

The Dutch were bowled out for 96 in 40.3 overs with Mumbai bowlers Sairaj Bahutule (4/27) and Rajesh Pawar (3/17) claiming the honours.

India 'A' had a shaky start losing openers Nikhil Haldipur (6) and Rajeev Kumar (0) in quick succession to Dutch spinner Houtez, with the scoreboard reading 19.

Sodhi and Gavaskar combined well and batted at will to complete the Indian victory allowing no further damage. India scored 98 for two in exact 27 overs.

Gavaskar, who is tipped to tour with India’s cricket team for the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, hit seven fours and a six in his classy knock of 44 off 69 balls. His partner Sodhi took 80 balls for his unbeaten knock of 48 (4x4, 1x6).

Earlier, the Dutch could not even reach the three digit figure after India 'A' bowlers ran through their batting order. Only Zulfikar (38) could put up some resistance to the spin bowling of India 'A' vice-captain Bahutule and spinner Pawar, who were both helped by good fielding.

India 'A' had won their earlier two matches by 54 runs and 171 runs, respectively.

India 'A' will play Holland in their last match of the current tour, a three-day affair, from tomorrow. The visitors also won the first three-day match by an innings and 139 runs with one full day to spare.

Brief scores:

Holland — 96 all out in 40.3 overs (Zulfikar 38, Bahutule 4/27, Rajesh Pawar 3/17).

India 'A' — 98 for two in 27 overs Sodhi 48 n.o., Rohan Gavaskar 44 n.o.).

Friday decision day for Tyson?

TRENTON (New Jersey), Aug 12 (Reuters) — Friday could be decision day for Mike Tyson.

That is when New Jersey’s State Athletic Control board is expected to decide whether to let the ex-heavyweight champ back into the ring in the garden state after his year-long exile for biting off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear, officials announced yesterday.

Tyson, 32, will be at a public meeting in Trenton, his lawyer, Mr Anthony Fusco jr, said yesterday, adding that he hoped his client did not speak this time.

At a key July 29 board hearing on his license application, with a crucial career decision at stake, the boxer lost his temper and muttered an obscenity in the last minutes of questioning.

"Obviously if he had it to do over again, he wouldn’t have done that," Mr Fusco told Reuters in a phone interview from his Passaic, New Jersey, office. "I would have gagged him at that point if I had known what he was going to do."

In any case, Tyson won’t have much to say on Friday depending on how the vote by two members of the three-member board goes. "There’s nothing more for him to say but thanks or no thanks," Mr Fusco said.

If Tyson does not get the license, Mr Fusco said he would try elsewhere. "We’ve got 49 other states," the attorney said.

Despite the hearing blunder, Tyson has a good chance of securing the New Jersey license and becoming the main draw on Atlantic City’s lucrative boxing circuit.

The license would mean millions in revenues for the city’s casinos that would ripple to surrounding restaurants and other businesses, though Mr Fusco said he has not been contacted by Atlantic City casino king Donald Trump. "No, I haven’t heard from the Donald," he said.

Tyson will be accompanied by his wife, Mr Fusco and manager Shelley Finkel.

Two members of the board — Gary Shaw and chairman Gerard Gormley — are expected to return to public session after deliberating in executive session and vote on the application.

If they deadlock, a third member, Mr Steven Katz, could vote to break the tie, but not on Friday, said board spokeswoman Rhona Utley-Herring.

Katz has been out of the country and would first need to view videotapes of the July 29 hearing and review other information before he could vote, she said.

Boxing Commissioner Larry Hazzard does not have a vote, "but obviously he had input into the decision," the board spokeswoman said.

Hazzard could have granted Tyson the license unilaterally, but as a Tyson ally did not want to be accused of favouritism and moved the decision to the board venue.

Getting the license would end a year of exile for the embattled boxer.

Nevada officials revoked his license and fined him $ 3 million last July over the Holyfield ear incident. Tyson applied to New Jersey in early July, days after the one-year ban ended.

Both Nevada and New York say New Jersey is acting dishonourably by entertaining Tyson’s application, but New Jersey’s Attorney Heneral has defended the move as the right of the state and of Tyson.

Answering accusations of a money motive, board spokeswoman Ytley-Herring said state taxes from Tyson’s fights on television and gate receipts are capped at $ 100,000. "Money is not an issue for the state," she said. "Of course, residuals might benefit other businesses," she added.

Rios no match for Daniel Vacek

MASON, (Ohio) Aug 12 (AP) — Marcelo Rios of Chile, who took over the top ranking on the ATP tour this week, was no match on Tuesday night for power-serving Daniel Vacek of the Czech Republic.

Vacek, ranked 53rd in tour standings, blew away Rios 6-3, 6-2 in 62 minutes in the second round of the $ 2.45 million ATP Championship.

"I made a lot of mistakes," Rios said. He was serving big. I think it’s tough to play a guy like that."

Rios, looking lacklustre, stayed at the baseline most of the time, hung his head after hitting numerous returns into the net and watched helplessly as Vacek repeatedly knocked the ball past him.

It was Rios’ first tour match as the No. 1 player, although he held that position for about four weeks earlier this year. It also was his first match on a hard court since March, and he was bothered by the lights.

"I always have a tough time at night," Rios said. "I have a hard time returning big serves at night."

Rios failed to hold serve in the sixth game, so all Vacek had to do was stay on serve the rest of the set. Vacek broke Rios in the third game of the second set, won the next game with a 126 mph ace and broke Rios again in the fifth game.

Both players held serve the rest of the way, although Vacek made the last game interesting, double-faulting at 40-15 and twice more before putting Rios away.

It was Vacek’s first win over a No. 1-ranked player, although he had beaten Rios once in four previous matches.

"I know what to serve and get him off balance a little bit," Vacek said. "I was mixing up quite well, moving around and playing to spots he doesn’t like so well."

In another evening match, Magnus Larsson of Sweden upset countryman Jonas Bjorkman, the no. 6 seed, 6-7 (2-7), 6-2, 6-3.

The evening programme was rife with upsets. Magnus Larsson of Sweden defeated countryman Jonas Bjorkman, the no. 6 seed, 6-7 (2-7), 6-2, 6-3. And Jan-Michael Gambill beat 16th-seeded Cedric Pioline of France 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.

Haryana sports calendar
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 12 — The Haryana Government has released its sports calendar for the year 1998-99.

Mr Ram Sarup Rama, Minister of State for Sports here said block level rural sports competition would be held from September 14 to 18 in all blocks. District level women sports meet would be organised on August 20 to 21 at all district in headquarters whereas State level women sports meet would be organised at Gurgaon from August 26 to 28. Training camp before the national level women sports group-I would be organised from September 6 to 21 at Ambala. The National women championship group-I would be held in some other state from September 24 to 27.

District level rural sports meet would be conducted on September 29 and 30 at all district headquarters. State level rural sports championship would be held at Sirsa from October 9 to 11. A training camp would be organised at Sonipat from October 12 to 26 before going to the All-India Rural Sports Championship group-I and another training camp before the All-India Rural Sports Championship group-II would be organised at Rohtak on November 8 to 17 and another training camp for group-III would be held at Kurukshetra from November 18 to December 2.

Mr Rama said that National women sports championship group-II would be held at Rohtak from November 19 to 22 and for group-III at Kurukshetra from December 4 to 7. District sports day would be celebrated at all district headquarters and the state sports day would also be celebrated at Karnal on January 3, 1999.

The District 'Kumar' and 'Kesari' competitions would be held at all district headquarters on January 7 to 8 and state level 'Kumar' and 'Kesari' competitions would be organised at Rohtak from January 14 to 16. Rural Invitation Sports Championship would be organised at Fatehabad from February 4 to 6.

Overwhelming wins for Anil, Vinod
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 12 — Anil, representing Hisar gave a remarkable punching display along with his footwork against Gurpal Singh of Fatehabad and the referee had to stop the contest in the first round (outclass) in light heavyweight category quarterfinal bout in the senior section of the sub-junior, junior and senior Haryana Boxing Championship being held at Panchkula, near here, today.

In another light heavyweight quarterfinal category, Vinod of Bhiwani beat Jasbir Singh of Faridabad when referee stopped the contest (out class) in the first round. Bhiwani's Vinod started with a volley of punches which the rival Jasbir Singh found too hot to handle and fell down twice and the refree stopped the contest in favour of Vinod.

In lightweight category of the quarterfinal bout, Tara Chand of Faridabad knocked out Panchkula's Sushil in one minute.

The results:

Senior groups (q-finals) Lightweight (71 kg) Ajay Pal (Pkl) b Mohinder (Jind) by walk over; Middle-weight ( 75 kg): Dalbir (Bhiwani) b Vijender (Rohtak) retd-IV round, Nirwan (Jind) b Sunil (Sonepat) RSC(H) II round.

Light heavyweight (81 kg): Anil (Hisar) b Gurpal Singh (Fatehabad) RSC(OC)-I, Vinod (Bhiwani) b Jasbir Singh (Fbd) RSC(OC)-I.

Junior groups:

Light flyweight 48 kg: Akhil (Bhiwani) b Avinash (Ambala) RSC-I, Rajbir (Pkl) b Kuldeep (Rohtak) on pts; Mandeep (Hisar) b Krishan (Fbd) on pts.

Flyweight (51 kg): Sanjant (Fatehabad) b Satish (Ambala) retd-I, Naveen (Hisar) b Manjeet (Rohtak) by K/O-I; Sunil (Pkl) b Surender (Bhiwani) disqualified-IV, Sunil (Kaithal) b Mukesh (Gurgaon) RSC(OC)-I.

Bantamweight (54 kg): Jai Parkash (Bhiwani) b Deepak (Fbd) on pts, Mangal (Rohtak) b Satish (Hisar) RSC(OC)-III, Satish (Jind) b Sandeep (Fatehabad) RSC(OC)-III, Jitender (Pkl) b Vijay (Ambala) RSC(OC)-I.

Featherweight (57 kg) Rajesh (Fbd) b Jai Bhagwan (Panipat) RSC-IV, Premraj (Hisar) b Gurwinder (Pkl) RSC (OC) - III, Sunil (Rohtak) b Rahul (Ambala) retd - II.

Lightweight (60 kg) Jaipal (Panipat) b Bhim Singh (Gurgaon) on pts, Kuldip (Rohtak) b Rakesh (Y. Nagar) on pts, Vikram (Hisar) b Manoj (Jind) RSC (OC) - I, Tara Chand (Fbd) b Sushil (Pkl) by K/O-II.

Light welterweight (63.5 kg) Dharaminder (GGN) b Virender (Jind) w/o, Rajesh (Rohtak) b Lokesh (Fbd) RSC III, Satish (Bhiwani) b Sunil (Sonepat) RSC (OC) - II, Vikram (Hisar) b Baljit (Ambala) retd. - I.

Light Middleweight (67 kg); Joginder (Rohtak) b Suresh (Fatehabad) disqualified;

Sub-junior groups:

B-13 (15-16 years) 51-54 kg (semifinals) Dharamvir (Bhiwani) b Bhupinder (Hisar) on pts. Vikas Dahiya (MNSS, Rai) b Surender (Jind) on pts.

B-14 (54-57 kg) Parveen (Bhiwani) b Manjit (Panipat) RSC (OC)-I, Davender (Rohtak) b Vineet (Hisar) retd-I.

A-13 (16-17 years) 51-54 kg: Rajnesh (Bhiwani) b Jaspinder (Fbd) on pts, Vijay (MNSS, Rai) b Ashok (Y. Nagar) K/O - I, A-14 (54-57 kg) Pardeep (Pkl) b Hom Dutt (Fbd) RSC-III, Ghanshyam (MNSS, Rai) b Rajesh (Hisar) on pts.

TV brings performance
of umpires in focus
By Abhijit Chatterjee
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 12 — Television has brought the performance of cricket umpires in sharp focus. With seven to nine cameras in operation around the field together with expert commentary from former international stars who have collectively played over 100 Tests and more, the work of the umpire has become all the more difficult in modern days.

It must be remembered that the umpire has a split second to hand out a leg before decision or a more difficult bat-pad decision. But the commentator has the option of viewing the situation again and again before he arrives at an "expert " decision.And it must be remembered that the "expert" decision is not necessarily correct as the cameras are recording the event from more than 100 yards and more .

The role of umpires has come into focus again following the outburst by South African cricket boss Ali Bacher, who condemned the standard of umpiring in the Test series between England and South Africa which the hosts won 2-1 . Bacher, who holds key position on the International Cricket Council, has urged the team management of South Africa to take up the issue of "bad umpiring" with the council.

While not calling the "neutral" umpire in the Headingley Test(the last test of the series which England won by a slender margin to record their first series win in years) a cheat , Ali Bacher went on to say that he did discuss the issue with former England chairman of selectors Ray Illingworth, who also agreed that the standard of umpiring in the series was "below par". The "neutral" umpire, or more technically the ICC deputed umpire, for the Test was Javed Akhtar of Pakistan.

The International Cricket Council's decision to appoint one "neutral umpire" and one umpire from the home country for any Test series has generally been welcomed by all cricket playing countries. But what should be remembered is that umpires are human and they can make mistakes. But they do not cheat .

One more disturbing trend seen in recent times is the fact that there is more criticism of umpires from say India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka than of umpires from Australia , New Zealand or South Africa. But does it mean that umpires from the sub continent make more mistakes than umpires from Australia or South Africa ?

Ali Bacher has conveniently forgotten the functioning of umpires like Peter Willey and Cyril Mitchley when India toured South Africa in 1996-97. These two gentlemen made some glaring mistakes , especially in deciding leg before wickets, the same thing which has come into sharp focus now in the just concluded England -South Africa series.

In the England-South Africa series English umpire Merv Kitchen (also on the ICC panel) gave controversial decisions against South African batsmen Jacques and Jonty Rhodes while Javed Akhtar adjudged a total of eight batsmen out leg before wicket-- two English and six South Africans, at least three in controversial circumstances, including Allan Donald, South African opener Gehardus Liebenberg and England opener Mike Atherton.

What is the way out of this situation ? The International Cricket Council appoints match referees for all Tests. The council should ask the match referee to give a detailed report on the performance of the umpires so that they can be graded say after every six months. The match referee can ask the two rival captains as also the cricket coaches to give their own report on the umpiring and on the basis of these reports the match referee can give his report to the ICC. If the umpires know that their performance is under scrutiny then they will be all the more careful.

Also, recent suggestions that the role of the third umpire should be enlarged are sound as he can watch the replay time and again and can then communicate his verdict to the umpires in the middle. Not that this is a foolproof system but then by adopting this method there might be less cribbing.

Haryana to send 250-member contingent
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 12 — Haryana will send a 250-member contingent to the National Games to be held at Imphal from October 4 to 14. The participation will be limited to 26 of the 27 games, the Haryana Olympic Association (HOA) announced at a meeting held here today.

Mr Chander Mohan, president, HOA said after the meeting that the HOA will demand Rs 5 lakh for its contingent. He said three state coaching camps in all 26 disciplines will be held at the various coaching centres from September 5 to 28.

HOA has requested all participating associations to send their entries for individual and team events by August 20 so that the names may be forwarded to the Games' technical conduct committee well in time.

The chef-de-mission, Mr R.S. Malik, deputy chef-de-mission, Mr Ram Sharma, and secretary cum-treasurer, Mr Randhir Kumar will accompany the contingent, Mr Chander Mohan said.

Name of the disciplines with member of participants are: Archery-8, athletics - 45, boxing - 14, Canoeing and Kayaking - 22, gymnastics - 18, hockey (women) - 18, handball (men and women) - 36, kabaddi (men and women) - 28, rowing - 16, sepak takraw (women) - 14 swimming - 10, taekwondo (men and women) 30, triathlon (men and women) 10, weightlifting (men and women) - 19, and wrestling (free and romanstyles) 36. The strength of the shooting, judo, and cycling teams would be announced later.

Federation Cup final postponed

CALCUTTA, Aug 11 (PTI) — Lack of accommodation facilities has forced the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to postpone the first preparatory camp of the senior national probables at Bangalore.

AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi said yesterday that the revised schedule of the camp, originally scheduled to begin at the SAI camp from Monday, would be announced in a couple of days after sorting out the problem of accommodating the probables.

He said the Federation Cup final, earlier slated for September 6, had been postponed to September 13 "due to unavoidable circumstances".

AIFF sources said the decision was taken after a request from F.C. Kochin which had appealed to the AIFF to postpone its Federation Cup pre-quarterfinal encounter against Mohun Bagan here on August 19 as several of its players would be doing national duty for the under-19 side in Bangalore.

The semifinals would be held on September 6 and 7 and the third-place play-off on September 12.

Powerlifting team
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 12— The Chandigarh Powerlifting Association has announced a 12-member senior men's team to represent Chandigarh in the XXIV Senior National Powerlifting Championship being held at Hyderabad from August 24 to 27, according to a press note of the association.

The team: Rajinder Kumar, Romesh Kumar, Paramjit Singh, Tarsem Singh, Didar Singh, Mewa Singh, Manjit Singh, Nirmaljit Singh, Inderjit Singh, Bhupinder Singh, Amandeep Singh and Vijay Kumar.

Mr K.G. Thapar and Mr H.S. Bansal will accompany the teams as manager and coach, respectively.

Agassi struggles to win

CINCINNATI, Aug 12 (DPA) — Andre Agassi secured his 40th victory on hardcourt this year, struggling to move past young German Nicolas Kiefer 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 to reach the second round of the $ 2.45 million ATP championship.

Agassi, winner of two titles last month on north American hardcourts, emerged victorious yesterday from a battle of two players with a similar look and style.

German leading man Kiefer wears the same brand of clothing as Agassi, relies heavily on his powerful forehand, hits a two-fisted backhand, has only a token amount of close-cropped hair on his head and has the same pigeon-toed strut as Agassi.

On court, both wore the same clothes, with only their caps — Kiefer wore his back-to-front — distinguishing him from his rival.

Trials

CHANDIGARH (BOSR): Trials to select the Chandigarh men's and women's weightlifting teams for the National Games to be held at Imphal from October 4 to 14, will be held at the Sector 30 weightlifting coaching centre here on August 16 at 11 a.m., according to Mr H.S. Bansal, secretary of the Chandigarh Amateur Weightlifting Association.

Indian juniors drub Bermuda

MUMBAI, Aug 12 (PTI) — India drubbed Bermuda 3-0 to top the three team pool-G in the tenth World Junior Men’s Team Squash Championship at Princeton in New York yesterday.

India, who had beaten debutants Zimbabwe 3-0 in their opening pool tie, will now play the pool-E runners-up in the knockout stage, according to information received here today.

India’s Rohan Juneja, who is suffering from shin problem, took just 27 minutes to drub Sam Stevens 9-3, 9-6, 9-0. Captain Ritwik Bhattacharya ensured his team would top the pool with an easy 9-6, 9-0, 9-0 win in just under 21 minutes.

In the third tie, Rohan’s twin brother Gaurav Juneja, who is struggling with a groin strain, defeated 15-year-old Bermudean Michael Stout 9-5, 9-3, 9-4 to wrap up the issue.

24 probables for kabaddi camp
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 12 — The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) has invited 24 Indian probables for the fourth phase of the national coaching camp at Patiala in preparation for the Asian Games to be held in Bangkok in December.

According to Mr Rohtas Singh, treasurer, AKFI the final phase of the camp will also be held at NIS, Patiala, from October 8 to December 2 and the next day the kabaddi team leaves for Bangkok. There is a 10-day break between the fourth and final phase of the camp.

Ashan Kumar of the Services, an experienced kabaddi coach and a former Asiad gold medallist (1990) and Vijender Singh have been invited for the coaching assignment, Mr Rohtas Singh said.

The following have been invited: Ganeshan, Bhaskaran, Prabhakaran, Muruganandhan (all from Tamil Nadu), Naresh Kumar, Jagat Singh, Rambir Singh, Balwan Singh (all from Haryana), Virender Kumar, Ranbir Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Vijay Kumar (all from Delhi), Sanjay Purohit (Madhya Pradesh), Bhima Dharela (Orissa), Vikram Singh (Punjab), Ram Mehar Singh, Jai Singh (both from Services), Parmeshwaran (CPESCB), Srinivasa (Andhra Pradesh), Vishwajeet Palit (West Bengal), Dharnindhar (Bihar), Ram Singh (Panjab) , Asraf (Kerala) and Jai Kawar (CCSSCB).

Punjab, UP 'B' to clash for title

NEW DELHI, Aug 12 (PTI) — Last year’s runners-up Punjab thrashed holders Orissa 5-1 for an emphatic revenge win to set up a summit clash with Uttar Pradesh ‘B’ in the Independence Gold Cup Sub Junior (U-14) Hockey Tournament today.

Uttar Pradesh ‘B’ continued their dream run by thrashing Manipur 6-1 in an equally one-sided semifinal at the National Stadium.

Forward Gurbaj Singh scored four goals, three in the second half, for Punjab after Ismail Toppo had given Orissa the lead in the 18th minute. Jatinder Singh (61st) converted a penalty stroke for the other Punjab goal. The teams were locked 1-1 at the breather.

Orissa did earn six penalty corners but wasted all.

Uttar Pradesh ‘B’ jumped to a 3-0 first half lead in completely outplaying the speedy Manipur. The northeastern side managed a lone consolation goal 10 minutes into the second half through skilful centreforward M. Chittaranjan, who had scored eight goals in two league matches.

UP went ahead in the fifth minute when S. Alam scored off a penalty corner. Jagdesh Yadav made it 2-0 six minutes later and Prem Kumar added the third in the 13th minute.

Mohd Hanif (51st), Mahadev Yadav (54th) and Alam (56th) added three more to complete the rout. UP converted only one out of six penalty corners forced while Manipur failed to cash in on the two the gained.

Athletes in Action triumph
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 12 — Athletes in Action Basketball Club of the USA defeated Indian Juniors in a friendly match by 37-30 after leading 24-21 at the half time at the Sector 8 DAV Senior Secondary School here tonight.

The city basketball lovers had an opportunity to witness a most thrilling match between two teams. India Junior basketball team travelled from Patiala to play a friendly match on the request of Mr Ravinder Talwar, Secretary of the Chandigarh Basketball Association.

AIA's Jeff Gillingham was the top scorer with 18 points who helped by his team-mate David Bobalic to contribute eight points, Ryon Lillia got six points, David Smith scored four points and Sala Phillp made a fine basket (two points).

For India Junior cager Desh Raj did well on the court and earned 10 points while his team-mate Mohit Bhandari scored eight points. Ranjit Singh contributed six points and Gajinder Singh collected four points to reduce the margin.

Athletes in Action Basketball Club team will also they matches in Delhi, Jaipur on their return journey.

Mr R.K. Rao, Deputy Commissioner-cum-Director, (Sports) Chandigarh Sports Department, was the chief guest.