Bhupathi-Paes duo bags doubles title
NOTTINGHAM, Sept 24 — India number one Leander Paes today drew to meet world number eleven Greg Rusedski in the opening singles of their Davis Cup world group play-off tie against Britain to be played here from tomorrow.

Davenport replaces Hingis as No. 1
HAMBURG, Oct 12 — Lindsay Davenport of the USA today became the eighth player to win the world number one position in women's tennis, replacing Swiss Martina Hingis at the top of the WTA Tour list. The reigning US Open champion Davenport, 22, climbed to the top by making it into the semifinals of the Filderstadt Tournament last week.
Jones considering suing Sarfraz Nawaz
SYDNEY, Oct 12 — Former Australian Test cricketer Dean Jones today said he was considering suing former Pakistan pace bowler Sarfraz Nawaz for alleging that he (Jones) was forced to retire from international cricket due to involvement in illegal betting.

Britain's Tim Henman holds aloft the cup after beating Andre Agassi of the United States to win the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament in Basle, Switzerland, on Sunday — AP/PTI

Henman beats Agassi to
win Swiss title
BASLE (Switzerland), Oct 12 — Tim Henman beat Andre Agassi in four sets in the Swiss Indoor Championship final yesterday, the first back-to-back titles of his career.

• Brig G.S. Sandhu is chief of AAAC
• DAV, SD school to meet in final
• Tisco, Punjab cops in semis
• Central Zone excel

Bhupathi-Paes duo bags doubles title

NOTTINGHAM, Sept 24 (PTI) — India number one Leander Paes today drew to meet world number eleven Greg Rusedski in the opening singles of their Davis Cup world group play-off tie against Britain to be played here from tomorrow.

Mahesh Bhupathi will take on Tim Henman, the current British top seed who enjoys a world ranking of 15 in the second singles, according to the draw made at the Nottingham Tennis Centre here today.

"It is a good draw for us. It is the draw India was hoping for," Indian non-playing captain Jaidip Mukherjea told PTI after the draw.

With Leander Paes taking on Rusedski, coming out of a bad ankle injury he suffered during this year’s Wimbledon championship, "we have a draw which we can build upon. Though the tie looked very tough, everything now depends on Paes giving India a good start," Mukherjea added.

Paes and Bhupathi, ranked world number three in doubles, are expected to meet Henman and Neil Broad who have been named for doubles by British non-playing captain John Lloyd.

"We have got a fair draw," said John Lloyd after the draw and asserted that the Canada-born Rusedski, last year’s U.S. Open finalist, was showing full fitness ahead of the tie.

India, who start as clear underdogs against Britain, will be hoping that both Paes and Bhupathi produce their usual Davis Cup heroics to enable them put it across in the tie held on plexipave hard courts.

India thrashed Britain 4-1 on grass in the world group play-off tie in 1992 and since then the latter have been unable to bounce back into the elite 16-member world group.

India had a job on their hands but Mukherjea felt nothing was impossible. Though both Rusedski and Henman were ranked very high "Leander has the potential to cause an upset as he is a very good Davis Cup player," he said.

"It can be said to be the best draw for India with Leander in good nick after his sensational upset of Sampras a month ago," he added.

Paes claimed his first ATP title at the New Port, Rhode Island grass court event, and then stunned the American world number one on his way to the semifinals at the Pilot Pen hardcourt event in New Haven ahead of US Open.

Though India had always opted for grass at home, playing on hardcourt was not exactly a major handicap. "I hope it does not make much difference as our boys are now used to these courts," he said.

Bhupathi won a singles in India’s 1-4 loss to Italy on slow clay in Genoa this April and they are definitely better off with the return of Paes, who missed that tie due to a shoulder injury.

The 25-year-old Indian currently ranked number 88 after touching a personal best of 73 before the U.S. Open is in fine form and this should be a major encouragement.

The Indians, training with Prahlad Srinath and Syed Fazaluddin as the other members, have found the courts here a bit slow and balls heavier. This could help the Canada-born Rusedski, last year’s U.S. Open finalist who is endowed with a booming serve.

John Lloyd said though Britain were overwhelming favourites to win the tie, they were keeping their fingers crossed as the Indian duo were capable of upsetting any opponents in Davis Cup on their day.

"This is true more on grass courts. We had the option and we went for acrylic court as we know Indians perform well on grass," he said after the draw.

But India can hope to apply pressure if they can end the opening day on level terms. "Henman will start a very strong favourite to beat Bhupathi but on his day Paes can beat anyone in the world and I wanted him to play the opening singles," Mukherjea added.

Rusedski was also wary of Paes: "He is a very attacking player who will chip and charge everything. He is a very flashy player. Sometimes he gets everything in, other times everything goes out. It will be a tough match."

Henman, who regained the British number one spot after the US Open said: "With the team we have, we belong in the world group and we realise the importance of this tie."

If India manage to take the tie to the final day by clinching a singles tomorrow and the doubles on Saturday, the pressure could well be on the British.

Davenport replaces Hingis as No. 1

HAMBURG, Oct 12 (DPA) — Lindsay Davenport of the USA today became the eighth player to win the world number one position in women's tennis, replacing Swiss Martina Hingis at the top of the WTA Tour list.

The reigning US Open champion Davenport, 22, climbed to the top by making it into the semifinals of the Filderstadt Tournament last week. She was even assured of the throne a few hours earlier on Friday because Hingis had lost her quarterfinal game in Germany.

Hingis had to relinquish the number one position after 81 weeks. The Swiss had at 16-and-a-half years been the youngest ever number one when she took over from Steffi Graf on March 31, 1997.

Graf is the longest-reigning number one with 374 total weeks since the ranking system was introduced back in 1975.

The other top-ranked players were Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles, Tracy Austin and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario.

Davenport is the first American-born number one since Evert last held the top in 1985. Navratilova handed in her Czech passport for an American during her career. Seles was a Yugoslav when she was a regular number one, and American when she was listed a co-number one with Graf in the wake of her stabbing incident in 1993.

Davenport can hold on to the top at least for a few weeks because the second-placed Hingis is out with an injury.

The only other change in the top 10 was the first ever placing in that elite group of Belgian Dominique Van Roost, who courtesy of her Filderstadt semifinal berth with a victory over Hingis climbed from 12 to nine. The Filderstadt winner Sandrine Testud moved from 8 to 14.

WTA tour top 10 as of October 12:

1 Lindsay Davenport (USA) 5,578 pts, 2 Martina Hingis (Switzerland) 5,282, 3 Jana Navotna (Czech Republic) 4,819, 4 Arantxa Sanchez Vicario (Spain) 3,768, 5 Venus Williams (USA) 3,063, 6 Monica Seles (USA) 2,855, Conchita Martinez (Spain) 2,464, 7 Nathalie Tauziat (France) 2,381, 9 Dominique Van Boost (Belgium) 2,155, 10 Patty Schnyder (Switzerland) 2,133.

Henman beats Agassi to win Swiss title

BASLE (Switzerland), Oct 12 (Reuters) — Tim Henman beat Andre Agassi in four sets in the Swiss Indoor Championship final yesterday, the first back-to-back titles of his career.

Henman, the sixth seed and hottest player on the men’s circuit at present, followed up the successful defence of his Tashkent crown two weeks ago with a masterful 6-4 6-3 3-6 6-4 win.

The victory stretched the British number one’s winning streak to 12 matches and avenged a defeat by the former-world number one earlier this year in the Los Angeles Open final.

With both players attacking from the opening serve, it was Agassi who produced the first break opportunity of the match at 3-3 in the first set.

But the fourth seed was unable to convert, Henman fighting off three break-points with the help of his booming serve.

By contrast, world number 11 Henman, was quick to capitalise on his chances.

He broke the American at his first opportunity at 5-4 to take the set then carried the momentum into the second, breaking Agassi again to go 2-0 ahead.

Agassi, world number eight, looked to have steadied himself when he immediately broke back.

But Henman responded with a break of his own to retain control of the set.

Agassi looked poised to make another return from the abyss when he claimed the only break of the third set to jump back into the contest.

Jones considering suing Sarfraz Nawaz

SYDNEY, Oct 12 (PTI) — Former Australian Test cricketer Dean Jones today said he was considering suing former Pakistan pace bowler Sarfraz Nawaz for alleging that he (Jones) was forced to retire from international cricket due to involvement in illegal betting.

Describing the allegations as "absolute nonsense", Jones said he was considering legal action against Sarfraz and, if necessary, would fly to Pakistan to testify under oath and clear his name.

"I am speaking to my legal advisers at the moment, that’s all I can really say," Jones said.

Sarfraz had told a Lahore High Court commission of inquiry into match-fixing and betting in Pakistan cricket that Jones had somehow been involved with illegal betting, which led to his controversial retirement in 1994.
"All I can say is that I wasn’t involved," the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) online quoted Jones as saying. "I haven’t been involved in match-fixing or anything like that and I’m pretty bloody upset with the situation but there’s not much I can do."

According to the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, when asked what other countries had done to players involved in betting, Sarfraz told the commission: "In other cricket playing countries, if players are found to be involved in match-fixing and betting, they are made to retire or face the consequences."

"It’s very disappointing you hear these type of things from an ex-player, but there’s not much I can do because there’s a thing called privileged protection, and he can say what he likes under oath in court," ABC quoted Jones as saying.

"But if he gets outside of the court and says something, well, we can nail him".

Earlier, Jones told Sydney Morning Herald that the allegations were: "Absolute nonsense. And any inquiry to the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) will also give you the same answer."

Jones said apart from rejecting an offer of $ 50,000 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in August 1992, his involvement with illegal bookmakers was "absolute zilch."

"Damn well, I was retired," he said, "but not because of the Pakistani thing," he said.

Lillee and Marsh had placed a 15 pound bet at 500-1 on England to win the 1981 Headingley Test against Australia, but they were neither suspended nor disciplined for it in any way.

The tour manager, Fred Bennet, did not mention it in his tour report, and the bet never became public until the following year, when Lillee gave a detailed account in his autobiography ‘My life in cricket’, the paper reported.
Graham Halbish, who was ACB chief executive when the first match-fixing allegations were made in 1994, said there was never any suggestion of Jones’ involvement other than that an offer was made to him.

"Dean Jones is on record as saying he was approached during a tour of Sri Lanka. I think he referred to someone carrying a biscuit tin full of money into a hotel and offering it to him," ABC quoted Halbish as saying.

"He declined the offer and is on the record as doing so and you will find that is the only mention (related to betting) at all in respect to Dean (Jones)."

Halbish also told the Herald that "there was never any discussion at the board about Dean other than the instance he made public himself."

"He certainly wasn’t the subject of any discussion along those lines. I’m sure Dean has his own reasons as to why he might not have been picked up for Australia more, but I’m absolutely sure it had nothing to do with what Sarfraz is saying."

The paper said former selector Jim Higgs had supported Jones in vehemently denying allegations that involvement in match-fixing had led to his omission from the national side.

Higgs, a selector at the time of Jones’ removal, said he never heard the suggestion that Jones had provided information for a bookmaker, which was raised by Sarfraz at the inquiry in Lahore.

"I’ve never heard it and I wouldn’t have any suspicion of it," Higgs said. "I just don’t think he’s that sort of bloke," Higgs told the Herald.

Malaysia through to ACC final

KATHMANDU, Oct 12 (AP) — Malaysia defeated Hong Kong in the semifinals of the 10-nation Asian Cricket Council Tournament being held in the Nepalese capital, to enter the final yesterday.

Malaysia will face favourite Bangladesh in the final on Tuesday.

Batting first, Malaysians scored 174 runs losing only eight wickets. Opening batsman Suresh Singh made 48 runs off 92 balls hitting three boundaries. He was lbw off a throw by Hong Kong’s captain Stewart Brew, who picked a total of four wickets while fellow bowler Rahul Sharma knocked off another four wickets.

Hong Kong batsmen tried their best to reach the target of 175, but were all out in less than 36 overs. Rahul Sharma, the highest scorer in his side, made 50 runs, but was caught by K. Ramdass off M. Muniandy’s ball.

Muniandy was later declared man- of-the-match.

Indian athletes to the fore
From Our Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI,Oct 12 — There was nothing much to enthuse over as Indian athletes were overwhelmingly superior to other participants in the second Raja Bhalindra Singh Athletic Meet at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here today.

Rachita Mistry just prevailed upon veteran P.T. Usha in the 100 metres for women. It was a closely fought race.

Both Mistry and Usha were off to a brilliant start. Midway Usha seemed to be in command. But Mistry sprinted in a grant style to finish just ahead of the renowned athlete Usha. Mistry clocked 11.69, while Usha was timed at 11.71.

Jyotirmoyee Sikdar won the 800 m for women in style. She did not appear to go all out in the race as she was dominating athlete in the race. She clocked 2:03.94 K.M. Beenamol was third.

Harbans Kaur (India) was outstanding in the shot put for women. She achieved the distance of 17.34 metres. Harpreet Kaur was second followed by Yanina Korolohik (England).

A. Derai became the fastest man in the country. He won the 100 metres dash with the timing of 10.70 secs. Anil Kumar was second, while Owusu Dako was third.

Results: 800 metres (women): Jyothirmoyee Sikdar (India) 1 time: 2:02.24. Rosa Kutty (India) 2,K.M.Beenamol (India) 3.

100 metres (women): Rachita Mistry (India) 1 time: 11.69, P.T.Usha (India) 2, V. Jayalakshmi (India) 3.

Shot put (women): Harbans Kaur (India) 1: Dist: 17.34 metres. Harpreet Kaur (India), Yanina Korolohik (Bel) 3.

100 m (men) (A) A.Dorai (India) 1 time: 10.70. Anil Kumar (India) 2, Owusu Dako (England) 3.

100 Metres(men) (B): Anand Menezes (India) 1: time 11.20. Bennet K.Raja(India) 2.

Sushant, Manjusha lift titles
Tribune News Service

BHIWANI, Oct 12 — Fourth seeded Sushant Saxena of Uttar Pradesh beat second seed Abhin Shyam Gupta of Air-India 7-15, 15-9 and 15-13 and top seed Manjusha Kanwar of Maharashtra beat third seeded P.V.V. Laxmi, of Andhra Pradesh by 7-11, 11-5, 11-1 to claim the men's and women's titles, respectively, in the Indian Grand Prix Prize Money Badminton Championship at Bheem Stadium here today.

In the semifinals Sushant Saxena beat Nikhil Kantikar of Air-India 15-7, 12-15, 15-8 and second seed Abhin Shyam Gupta of Air India beat Sri Kant Bakshi of Ralways 15-7, 15-6.

In the women's semifinals top-seeded Manjusha Kanwar of Maharashtra beat fourth seeded Sampada Shetty 11-4, 11-6 and third seeded P.V.V. Laxmi of Andhra Pradesh beat second seeded C.H. Deepti 6-11, 11-3, 11-2.

The mixed doubles title was won by Mayur Chatekar and Kirti Kadam. They beat Harish Chander and B.R. Meenakshi 15-12, 8-15, 15-7.

The women's doubles title was won by P.V.V. Laxmi and Madhumita Bist who beat Manjusha Kanwar and Archana Deodhar by 15-8, 15-1.

The men's doubles title was won by George Thomas and Marcos Brestow beating Jassel P. Ismail and Vincent Lobo 15-11, 15-11.

Mr R.S. Verma, Chief Secretary, Haryana, gave away the prizes.

Results (Men's singles) semifinals: Abhin Shyam Gupta (A.I.) b Srikant Bakshi (Rly) 15-7, 15-6, Sushant Saxena (U.P.) b Nikhil Kanitkar (A.I.) 15-7, 12-15, 15-8.

Final: Sushant Saxena (U.P.) b Abhin Shyam Gupta (A.I.) 7-15, 15-9, 15-13.

Women's singles semifinals: Manjush Kanwar (Mah) b Sampada Shetty (Mah) 11-4, 11-6, P.V.V. Laxmi (A.P.) b C.H. Deepti (A.P.) 6-11, 11-3, 11-2.

Men's doubles semifinals:- George Thomas and M. Bristow w/o Rajiv Bagga and M. Ghate P. Ismail and Vicent Labo b Bhushan and Srikant Bakshi 15-10, 15-11.

Women's singles final: Manjusha Kanwar (Mah) b P.V.V. Laxmi (A.P.) 7-11, 11-5.

Women's doubles semifinals: Manjusha Kanwar and Archana Deodhar b Glory Xavier & Deepti 15-2, 15-5. P.V.V. Laxmi (A.I.) and Madhumita Bisht b Sampava Shetty and B.R. Meenakshi 15-3, 15-4.

Final: P.V.V. Laxmi and Madhumita Bisht beat Manjusha Kanwar and Archana Deodhar by 15-8, 15-1.

Ali Sher, Feroz Ali for Aravalli Open
From Our Sports Reporter

FARIDABAD, Oct 12 — Ali Sher and Feroz Ali, two Indian Open champions, are among 72 who have confirmed participation in the Rs 6 lakh Royal Challenge Aravalli Open from Wednesday.

Ali Sher will endeavour to display the form that he showed while winning the Le Meridien — Gorkana Pro-Am last week. Feroz Ali will be making a comeback after a gap of two weeks due to back muscle injury that he sustained at the McDowell Centenary Open at Bangalore.

Defending champion Vijay Kumar will also be a strong contender for the title. Last year he won as many as seven titles. Shiv Prakash is another golfer in the race for the title.

Mr S.K. Misra, the brain behind the competition, said the nine-hole course was very challenging and exciting. "It has been rendered more difficult than what it was last year", said Misra, adding: "There are water-bodies on third, sixth and eighth holes". A combination of different tee-areas on each hole and three extra greens make it an interesting course."

There are four par-5S, the longest is the 584-yard 11th, and five par-3S. The shortest is the 140-yard 4th.

While the winner will get a cheque for Rs 99,960, the runner-up will receive Rs 66,660.

The cut after two days will be applied with 40 pros and ties in the fray.

Punjab CC lift title
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 — Punjab Ranji player Pankaj Dharmani's superb knock of 67 and his partnership of 93 runs with Reetinder Sodhi (48) enabled Punjab Cricket Club to beat Bishnoi Club by five wickets and win the final of the fifth J.P. Atray Memorial Cricket Tournament at PCA Stadium, SAS Nagar, today.

The Punjab Cricket Club skipper Vikram Rathore won the toss and elected to field first. Vijay Dahiya and Oniel Wilson, who opened for Bishnoi Club could not face the hostile spell of bowling by India player Harvinder Singh. Wilson, who was sent as pinch hitter, skied an easy catch to point. Dahiya was also caught at mid on by Sanjay Mahajan off Lalit Kapoor.

Pankaj Joshi and Ajay Sharma carried the score to 63. Pankaj was caught by Rathore off the bowling of Reetinder Sodhi. Then followed a partnership of 62 runs between Ajay Sharma and Mithun Minhas. Ajay played a flamboyant knock of 60 runs which included a six and five hits to the fence. He was run out by a superb direct hit from Dinesh Mongia. Mithun carried on confidently but Bishnoi Club lost his wicket at the crucial stage as he was stumped by a beautiful flighted delivery from left-arm spinner Tejinder Singh.

Towards the end of the innings India under-19 player Virender Sehwag played a gem of an innings as he smashed 33 runs of 21 balls, including one six and four boundaries. Skipper Kuldeep Bishnoi increased the run rate as he smashed a huge six over long on off Tejinder Singh. Bishnoi Club could manage a modest total of 201 runs in the allotted 50 overs.

Ravneet Ricky and Vikram Rathore opened for Punjab Cricket Club. They found the going tough against some fine pace bowling by Delhi Ranji player Ashish Nehra and Amit Bhandari. Ricky was the first to go as he was caught behind off Nehra. Vikram Rathore trying to pull a short delivery from Bhandari was caught at square leg by Sehwag.

Pankaj Dharmani and Reetinder Sodhi steadied the innings with a partnership of 93 runs. Dharmani's knock of 67 included a six and three boundaries which came of 98 deliveries. Sodhi played the sheet anchor role as he scored 48 runs of 83 balls including a mighty six and two boundaries.

Left-hand batsman Dinesh Mongia finished the match in style as he scores 33 runs in 35 balls which included two boundaries. The Punjab Cricket Club comfortably chased the target with 14 balls to spare.

Mr I.S Bindra, President, Punjab Cricket Association distributed the prizes. The Punjab team won a purse of Rs 40,000 while Bishnoi Cricket club were richer by Rs 20,000.

Scoreboard
Bishnoi C.C: Vijay Dhaiya c Sanjay Mahajan b Lalit Kapoor 4, Oniel Wilson c Tejinder Singh b Lalit Kapoor 1, Pankaj Joshi c Vikram Rathore b Reetinder Sodhi 12, Ajay Sharma run out 60, Mithun Minhas st. Pankaj Dharmani b Tejinder Singh 47, Sumeet Dogra run out 6, Vishal Singh Yadav b Sanjay Mahahan 12, Virender Sehwag c Navdeep Singh b Harvinder Singh 33, Kuldeep Bishnoi st. Pankaj Dharmani b Tejinder Singh 7, Ashish Nehra n.o. 5, Amit Bhandari lbw Harvinder Singh 2, Extras: 12.
Total: 201 all out in 44.2 overs.
Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-15, 3-63, 4-111, 5-123, 6-148, 7-156, 8-180, 9-195.
Bowling: Harvinder Singh 7.2-2-21-2, Lalit Kapoor 7-0-26-2, Reetinder Sodhi 5-0-24-1, Navdeep Singh 10-0-55-0, Tejinder Singh 10-0-45-2, Sanjay Mahajan 5-0-27-1.
Punjab C.C.: Ravneet Ricky c Vijay Dhayia b Ashish Nehra 6, Virkram Rathore c Virender Sehwag b Amit Bhandari 15, Reetinder Sodhi lbw Sumeet Dogra 48, Pankaj Dharmani c Ajay Sharma b Ashish Nehra 67, Dinesh Mongia n.o. 33, Harminder Jugnu b Amit Bhandari 10, Tejinder Singh n.o. 1, Extras: 24.
Total: 206 for 5 in 47.4 overs.
Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-37, 3-120, 4-175, 5-197.
Bowling: Oniel Wilson 5.4-0-31-0, Ashish Nehra 10-2-22-2, Amit Bhandari 5-0-24-2. Vishal Singh Yadav 8-0-35-0, Virender Sehwag 10-1-34-0, Sumeet Dogra 4-0-21-1, Ajay Sharma 5-0-25-0.

DAV, SD school to meet in final
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 — Defending champions DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, sailed into the final of the Chandigarh State Junior Football Championship (under-19) defeating Government MSS School, Sector 20, 4-0 at the Sector 17 football stadium here today. In the second semifinal SD Public School, Sector 32, outclassed Government Model School, Sector 23, by five goals to nil.

In the first semifinal DAV school were a better side and played a coordinated game. There speedy wingers Ashish and Kalarjit broke the rival defence several times but the strikers failed at crucial moments. DAV opened their account in the 10th minute when right full back Deepak beat the rival defence with his speed and sent an angular pass to right-striker Harish who only had to put the ball in the empty net. Thereafter DAV boys mounted more pressure and scored the second goal in the 16th minute through left-striker Dinesh.

After the lemon break, DAV lads further increased the margin by scoring the third goal in the 45th minute when right striker Harish scored another goal for his team. He was followed by his team-mate Kalarjit who scored the fourth goal with a solo effort in the 56th minute.

In the second semifinal, SD Public School, Sector 32, trounced Government Model S.S School, Sector 23, by five goals. SD school boys were a superior side and scored the first goal in the sixth minute when right striker Sandeep scored with a powerful shot. He was followed by his team-mate Ankur Chopra who scored the second goal in the 10th minute. The government school boys tried hard to stop the onslaught. However SD School succeeded in scoring the third goal in the 24th minute when right-winger Avneet beat the rival defence with his speed and beat the rival goalkeeper with a powerful shot. At half time the score was 3-0 in favour of SD Public School, Sector 32. After the lemon break the SD school boys added two more goals through right-half Narinder in the 40th and 46th minutes and qualified for the final.

Tisco, Punjab cops in semis
Tribune News Service

GIDDERBAHA, Oct 12 — Tisco (Bihar) men's team entered the semifinals of the first Raja Porus All-India Basketball Tournament at Baba Ganga Ram Municipal Stadium defeating BSF 63-54 on the fourth day of the Prize Money championship today.

BSF took an early 12-3 lead but could not maintain the tempo and soon both the teams were level at 16-16.

After drawing level, both teams marched on. Soon the score was 29-29. Vipin of BSF by scoring two points gave his team a slender lead over Tisco and the score at the end of the first half was 32-29.

In the second half BSF could not bear the onslaught of Tisco. They succumbed to pressure and finally caved in to hand Tisco the match on a platter. With ample support from spectators, Tisco won the match 63-54. Shahid Qurashi's performance was praiseworthy.

In another match Punjab Police entered the men's semifinals defeating Western Railway, Jaipur by 93-64. Ram Kumar of Western Railway was well marked by the Punjab cops.

The contest remained one-sided from the start.

The BSF men's team also entered into semifinals, defeating RCF 82-65. Satya Narian collected 21 points while Vipan Kumar collected 19 points for the BSF team. For RCF Surinder Pal collected 12 points and Ranjan Singh 11. The fight was one sided.

The Western Railway men's team also entered into semifinals defeating Rest of Punjab team with 73-49. In this match international Ram Kumar of Western Railway again stole the show with his excellent shooting skills and earned 21 points for his team. Amarjeet and Pardeep of Rest of Punjab team collected 14 and 11 points for team respectively.

In the women's section, Central Railway, Punjab, Sothern Railway and Eastern Railway have reached into semifinals.

The semifinals and final contests in men's and women's sections will be held tomorrow and prize distribution, will be presided over by Union Industries Minister, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Indian lads down Brunei
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 — India beat Brunei by two goals to one yesterday in the 27th Asian School Football Championship being played at Cheju (Korea), according to reports reaching here today.

The Indian lads dominated the proceedings from the start and in the fourth minute, Mukan Yadav of India sent a nice through pass to Duleswar who after dribbling past two Brunei defenders took a powerful kick. The ball struck the bar and off the rebound Lanunzira Josep made no mistake to send the ball in. India were leading by 1-0 at the breather.

After resumption of play in the second half, both teams displayed good soccer. The Brunei team which is trained by a German coach changed tactics and started using their wingers. Consequently they succeeded in scoring the equaliser in the 60th minute.

After the equaliser, India mounted pressure on the Brunei defence. In the 85th minute Tridip, the left winger, centred the ball and Duleswar made no mistake in send in it into the Brunei goal.

In this championship India are placed in group-A with Korea, China, Brunei and Vietnam. India will play their next league match against China tomorrow.

Brig G.S. Sandhu is chief of AAAC
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 — Brigadier Gurdip Singh Sandhu, a former international athlete and coach, was unanimously elected President of the Amateur Athletic Association Chandigarh at the general body meeting held here today while Mr Shangara Singh has been re-elected secretary.

Brigadier Sandhu was coach of the Indian athletics team to Sri Lanka and chief coach of the Services athletics team for more than a decade.

Mr Devinder Singh Thakur, Mr R.C. Jeevan, Mrs Sneh Mahajan, Mr P.S. Sangha, Mrs Neena Puri, Mr Naresh Thakur, Mr Chetan Singh Litt and Mr Arjan Singh have been elected Vice-Presidents while Mr Bharat Mitter and Mr Jarnail Singh will be Joint Secretaries.

Mr S.K. Joshi has been re-elected Treasurer.

'Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh, who had been president of the association for the past 22 years, has been nominated Patron-in-Chief for life while Mr D.S. Bedi will be the chief patron.

Representatives of 26 affiliated units were present at the meeting.

Central Zone excel
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 — Central Zone dominated the proceedings in both under-16 and under-19 cricket matches of the KVS Sports meet here today.

At KV-2, 3BRD in a pool B match (under-19) Central Zone won by 132 runs against North Zone-(W). Scores; North-(W), 118 all out in 28 overs. Central-(R) 250 for 6 wickets in 40 overs.

South Zone became the winners in a pool C match, when they ousted West Zone by 67 runs. Scores; South: 163 all out in 37.4 overs. West 96 all out in 21.4 overs.

Delhi Hostel from pool D, South Zone (W) from pool A, North Zone from pool C and Central Zone from pool B have entered the semifinals. In under-16. Central Zone beat South Zone by 156 runs. Scores: Central, 206 runs all out in 29 overs. South: 50 runs all out in 15 overs. Central Zone scored another victory in the U-16 age group, when they got the better of South Zone by seven wickets. Scores: South: 117 for all out in 30.5 overs. Central: 118 for 3 in 19 overs.

Football tourney postponed

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 (TNS) — The Eleventh Open Football Tournament scheduled to be held from October 9 at SAS Nagar has been postponed. The tournament will now be held from October 29 to 31 at Dasehra ground, SAS Nagar. Entries close with BK Flour Mills, SCF 1, Phase II, SAS Nagar, on October 25, according to Mr Kanwarjit Singh Nanda, general secretary of the Mohali Football Club.

Former football stars, including Jarnail Singh, Inder Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Harjinder Singh and Parminder Singh, will be honoured on the occasion.

DAV school win

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 (BOSR) — DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, beat Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33, by 150 runs in the Shivalik Trophy Cricket Tournament here today.

In another match, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35 defeated SD Public School, Sector 32, by 23 runs. Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 27 beat Government High School, Sector 40 by 5 wickets.
Brief scores: DAV-8; 205 for all out in 25 overs.
GMSS-33; 55 runs for all out in 13.2 overs.
GMSS-35; 192 for 9 in 25 overs. SD PS-32; 169 for 8 in 25 overs.
GHS-40; 99 all out in 21 overs.
GSSS-27; 100 for 5 in 18.5 overs.

BSF triumph

MANDI, Oct 12 (FOSR) — Border Security Force Jalandhar defeated Himachal Pradesh XI 3-2 in the opening match of the second All-India Independence Gold Cup Hockey Tournament at the historical Paddal grounds here today.

Earlier, Mr Mansa Ram Food and Civil Supplies Minister inaugurating the tournament.

In the second half the H.P. boys made some good efforts managed to score another goal to make it 3.2.

Bathinda win

BATHINDA, Oct 12 (TNS) — The district cricket team (under-19) won their match against Sangrur district in the Punjab State (under-19) Cricket Tournament.

The Bathinda team with the help of Ranjit Bhola (122 n.o.) made 378 for seven while the Sangrur team went back to the pavilion with the score- board reading 170 all out.

Ranjit Bhola who scored an unbeaten century also took five wickets by conceding only 35 runs.

Punjab Jr kho-kho

PATIALA, Oct 12 (FOSR) — The Junior Punjab Kho-Kho Championship for boys and girls will be held at Meerheri, near Sangrur from October 15 to 17. Boys under-18 years and girls under 16 as on December 31, 1998, are eligible to take part in the championship. Entries close with Mr Darshan Singh, secretary, District Kho-Kho Association, 15/772, Malerkotla byepass road, Dhuri, Sangrur before October 13.

During this championship Punjab boys and girls team will be selected for the Junior National Championship to be held at Nasik from November 1 to 5.

Chandigarh h'ball from Oct 16

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 (TNS) — Chandigarh Handball Association is organising 13th state junior and sub-junior handball championships for boys and girls from October 16 to 18 at DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8-C, Chandigarh, according to Mr Ravinder Talwar, hony general secretary of the Chandigarh Handball Association. Players born on or after 2.1.79 (for junior) and 2.1.83 (for sub-junior) are eligible to participate.

Entries closes on October 15 with Mr Ravinder Singh, handball coach, DAV Sec School, Sector 8-C. Eligible players should bring their original date of birth certificates.

Chandigarh boys junior handball team will be selected on the basis of performance in the championship. The team will participate in the 21st Junior (Boys) National Handball Championship to be held at Rohtak (Haryana) from October 25 to 29.

Body Line triumph

PATIALA, Oct 12 (FOSR) — A determined innings of 40 runs by Brijinder Batish enabled Body Line Cricket Club to carve out an emphatic 6-wicket win over Prime Cricket Club in the first Bobby Memorial Cash Prize Cricket Tournament played here today.
Scores:
Prime Cricket Club: 113 all out (Daljit 22, M. Bhandari 3 for 20, Javed 3 for 20). Body Line Cricket Club: 114 for 4 (Brijinder Batish 40, Sanjeev Sharma 25, Raj Kumar 2 for 20).

Cricket trials

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 (TNS) — Trials to select Haryana cricket team for Cooch Behar Trophy will be held at KVM High School, Rohtak, on October 18 at 9.30 a.m., according to Mr Ranbir Singh Mahendra, secretary, Haryana Cricket Association.

Patiala boys win u-14 cricket

PATIALA, Oct 12 (FOSR) — Patiala defeated Ludhiana by one wicket in a nailbiting finish to win the cricket tournament in the boys (under-14) event of the 44th Punjab School Games which concluded here yesterday.

Needing 123 to win Patiala at one stage were comfortably placed at 63 for one before a middle order slump saw them tottering at 86 for 9. A gallant last wicket partnership saw Patiala overcoming their rival's target by one wicket.

In the girls (under-17) volleyball event Hoshiarpur beat Ropar in straight sets to win the title.