Don’t write off Germany, says Bierhoff BONN, Aug 7 — German captain Oliver Bierhoff believes his team has a future despite their poor showing at the Confederations Cup.

Christie ‘road rage runner’
LONDON, Aug 7 — Besieged by the media amid drug allegations, former Olympic 100-metre champion Linford Christie is now accused of running over a news photographer’s foot and crashing into another car.

Charge sheet served on NIS scientist
PATIALA, Aug 7 — The NIS authorities are still clueless about the whereabouts of one of the country’s leading sports scientists Dr H.A. Khan even as the Sports Authority of India (SAI) head office at New Delhi has placed him under suspension and a charge sheet served on him.

B’desh hope to host Asia Cup
DHAKA, Aug 7 — Bangladesh is confident the 5th Asian Cup Cricket Tournament will be held in Dhaka.

Gilchrist outplays Agrawal
CHENNAI, Aug 7 — Former champion Peter Gilchrist of England scored an easy victory over India’s Arun Agrawal to move into the final of the World Professional Billiards Championship here this evening.

Associations lack professionalism
CHANDIGARH, Aug 7 — Any sport, in order to be managed effectively, and with a professional approach, actually requires the services of a management expert. The Central sports ministry recently mooted such a proposal but till now no federation or association has agreed to the proposal.

National mark by Sunita in 1500m

BANGALORE, Aug 7 (PTI) — Asian Games bronze medallist Sunita Rani (Punjab) stole the limelight creating a new national mark in the women’s 1500 m event while four meet records were bettered on the opening day of the fifth Federation Cup Athletic Championships here today.

The 19-year-old Patiala girl, presently in the junior camp at the Sports Authority of India here, improved upon her Asian Games performance and won the event with a timing of 4:08.01 clipping four seconds of the previous record held by Molly Chacko (4:12.01) since 1994.

Sunita Rani, winner of bronze in the Bangkok Asian Games last year with a timing of 4:13.66, later said: “It was an unexpected victory. I am very happy and I will be doing very well at the World Athletic Championship at Seville in Spain”.

The final year BA student, hailing from Sunam near Patiala and being trained by Renu Kholi, had an easy win as the Bengal tigress Jyothirmoy Sikdar, the gold medallist at Bangkok, is not taking part in the cup.

A Railways employee at the diesel coach works department, Sunita, has got all the chances of shattering another record in the 5000m on the concluding day of the championship. She had clocked 15:54.47 to bag the silver at the Bangkok Asian Games.

The meet records came in the 1500 m men, long jump women, 400 m (men) and in the men’s hammer throw events.

In the 1500m, Gulab Chand of Uttar Pradesh clocked 3:46.0s, clipping 03.3s of Satish Kumar’s 1995 record to claim the first gold for his state. Kurubagathi (S.Rly) and I A Shivananda (Kar) took the silver and bronze respectively.

Anju Markose of Tamil Nadu set a new meet record with a leap of 6.27m in the long jump. She broke the 1995 record of 6.25m held by Lekha Thomas. Another contender G G Pramila (Sr) finished second with a leap of 6.19m and J J Shoba (AP) the bronze.

In the men’s 400m, P Ramachandran of Tamil Nadu grabbed the gold with a new meet record of 45.0s, erasing the old mark of Parmjit Singh (46.21). Jata Shankar (UP) and Prabhjot Singh (Pun) came second and third respectively.

The last meet record of the day came in the hammer throw event when Ishtaq Ahmed of PSEB hurled to a distance of 67.41m, bettering the 1997 record held by Pramod Kumar Tiwari (66.92m). Tiwari finished second at 67.05m.

Jincy Philip of CRPF clinched gold in the 400m race for women with a timing of 53.2 secs. While, M K Asha (53.7s) and Rosa Kutty (53.9s) won silver and bronze respectively.

Uttar Pradesh led the days proceedings winning two gold and two silver medals. The second gold came in the 10000m event through Harish Tiwari, who clocked 30.48.4s.

Monika of Chagarh bagged the gold in the women’s shotput hurling the iron to a distance 14.66m.

Vintage showing by Waldner

EINDHOVEN (Netherlands), Aug 7 (AFP) — Reigning world men’s singles champion Jan Ove Waldner rolled back the years here yesterday with a vintage performance against China’s 1995 champion Kong Linghui in the quarterfinals of the 45th World Table Tennis Championships.

With China winning the first crown of the tournament earlier yesterday — the mixed doubles — and looking set to do the same in the women’s singles and the other doubles events, Waldner knows that not only Sweden but the whole of Europe will be behind him when he takes on Ma Lin in the last four.

China’s strength in depth may be the envy of the world but the men’s singles title is the blue riband event of the championships with Chinese officials openly admitting that they will consider themselves to have failed if that title remains in Europe.

Four of the previous five world titles in this category have gone to Europe with Waldner proving the chief torturer with two victories.

The other semifinal will also be a Sino-European affair with second seeded Liu Guoliang, the reigning Olympic champion, due to confront the man who has proved the surprise package of the men’s tournament Werner Schlager of Austria.

On paper Liu would seem to be the hot favourite, but Schlager has won two of the previous three games between the two men.

But Waldner has an even better record against Ma — the 33-year-old Swede has won all six matches against him.

However, Ma — like Schlager — has raised his game during the tournament and earlier Friday clinched the first title of the games with bash full 16-year-old partner Zhang Yingying in the mixed doubles.

The timid teenager was lost for words after her triumph, eventually managing a “I am very happy” for the assorted journalists, who were obviously expecting a Shakespearean monologue given the dramatic pause before she answered her question.

That event confirmed the strength in depth of the Chinese with all eight quarter-finalist pairings representing the dominant power in the sport.

The women’s singles is also something of a one-sided contest with three of the four semi-finalists from China.

Korea’s Ryu Ji Hye will have to surpass herself if she is to emerge victorious with Wang Nan, the top seed and hot favourite, her semi-final opponent.

The other semi-final sees Li Nan, unheard of before this tournament, continue her fairytale run against Zhang Yining.

The men’s event is proving a fascinating tussle between China and Europe with every round seeming to shift the pendulum back the other way.

Pan Am Games
Cuba win 9 gold

WINNIPEG (Manitoba), Aug 7 (Reuters) — Cuba dominated the Pan American Games as they picked up nine more gold medals, five of them in boxing.

Cuban fighters yesterday won all of their bouts on the first night of boxing finals, while their compatriots collected more golds in weightlifting, fencing, archery and swimming.

Canada’s Joanne Malar swam the second fastest time this year as she won the women’s 200 individual medley to claim her third swimming gold, a tally matched by Brazil’s Fernando Scherer.

It was a mixed day for the Domincan Republic, who will host the next games in 2003.

Wanda Rijo provided them with their only gold medal by winning the women’s 75 kg weightlifting, a previous gold having been taken away from the country after women’s high jumper Juana Rosario Arrendel failed a doping test.

On the negative side, the country’s most famous singer, Merengue star Wilfrido Vargas, failed to show up for a concert in what was to be a Dominican contribution to a series of shows in the city.

Games organisers said there had apparently been a mix-up between the Dominican delegation, responsible for bringing Vargas to Winnipeg, and the singer himself.

Spokesman Brian Koshul said Vargas’s intended participation in the closing ceremony was also in doubt: “We have plenty of other guests but it is a shame for them (the Dominican Republic) as they are the hosts of the next games,’’ he said.

Maikors Romero began the Cuban celebration in boxing, outpointing Mexico’s Liborio Romero 8-4 in the light flyweight final.

Mario Kindelan in the lightweight, Juan Hernandez in the welter-weight and Odlaniel Solas in the heavyweight all overcame Canadian opponents while Yohason Martinez easily beat Arthur Palac of the USA in the middleweight.

The only non-Cuban to win was Gerald Tucker of the USA who outclassed Venezuelan Nehomar Cermeno 15-3 in the bantamweight final. Tucker’s semifinal win over Waldemar Font had wrecked Cuban dreams of winning all 12 categories in the sport, where countries are allowed only one boxer per category.

Cuba also claimed their first gold in swimming when Rodolfo Falcon took the 100 metre backstroke gold in 54.93 seconds, the second fastest time in the world this year.

Malar’s time of two minutes 14.18 seconds in her event was also the second best in the world this year as she helped take Canada’s total of swimming golds to 11, their best ever in the Pan American Games.

AIFF names probables for SAF Games

CALCUTTA, Aug 7 (PTI) — The All-India Football Federation (AIFF) today announced the list of 31 probables for the forthcoming SAF Games to be held in Kathmandu from September 25 to October 4.

The probables have been asked to attend the coaching-cum-selection camp to be held at the SAI southern centre in Bangalore from September 5, an AIFF press note issued here said.

Sukhwinder Singh will be the chief coach and he will be assisted by A.M. Sreedharan (assistant coach) and Brahmananda (goalkeeping coach).

The following is the list of probables : Prasanta Dora, Basudeb Mondal, Ranjan Dey, Debjit Ghosh, Falguni Dutta, Lolendra Singh, Anit Ghosh, Renedy Singh, James Singh, Bijen Singh, Dipendu Biswas, Sheik Sanjeeb (all IFA), K. Dhanesh, I.M. Vijayan, Dinesh Nair, Mahesh Gawli, Suresh M, A.S. Feroze, Noel Wilson (all Kerala), Bruno Coutinho, Robert Fernandes, S. Venkatesh, Roque Barreto, Alvito D’Cunha (all Goa), Probhjot Singh, Deepak Kumar Mondal, Hardeep Sangha, Surjit Singh (all Punjab), Virender Singh, Mohammed Najib, Kalyan Choubey (all WIFA).

Selectors fail to give a start
By Abhijit Chatterjee
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 7 — The national selectors of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have failed in their duty to give Indian cricket a new start after the team’s disastrous outing in the World Cup. Instead of trying to pinpoint the deficiencies which led to the miserable performance of the national squad and making the necessary corrections, the national selectors have opted to retain more or less the same squad which did duty in the World Cup.

True, the tenure of the national selectors is nearing its end with the annual general body meeting of the BCCI — which also finalises the composition of the selection committee — scheduled to be held late next month, a number of national selectors (who have a maximum tenure of four years at a stretch) are eligible for reappointment. Therefore, it would have been in the fitness of things if this committee had started the process of change by inducting players who can serve Indian cricket into the next millennium.

The World Cup is to cricket what the Olympic Games is to athletics, or hockey or basketball. One does not mind if a team loses in matches outside the Olympics. Similarly, it would not have mattered if the Indian team lost here and there if the process helped to make a strong team for the next World Cup. With four years yet to go for the next World Cup cricket the national selectors could have given players like Baroda’s Jacob Martin or Karnataka seamer Doda Ganesh or Delhi all rounder Varinder Sehwag or even Bengal’s Laxmi Rattan Shukla, who at one time was touted to be a future Kapil Dev, a chance to show their skills.

Even before the national selectors met there was a big question mark over the inclusion of two players in the squad for Sri Lanka — deposed skipper Mohammad Azharuddin and wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia. Both players played much below par in the World Cup and Mongia, who in spite of the fact that he had taken the best catch of the World Cup, in particular looked totally jaded. It was but natural that their performances and form would come up for discussion at the meeting of the national selectors. The two players , however, made things easy for the five “wise men” by opting out from the tour on grounds of physical fitness

The return of Vinod Kambli only points to one fact — the new skipper Sachin Tendulkar is having his say in team selection. After all it is a well known fact that Kambli has a special place in the new skipper’s heart (they are old school chums who shared a record stand in schools cricket which is still unbroken). But the question is: what has Kambli done to merit a recall after he was injured while fielding in a one-day international against Zimbabwe at Cuttack last year. Would it not have been better if a regular middle-order batsman was selected for the slot vacated by the deposed captain?

If Kambli could have been given yet one more chance to prove his worth what was wrong in giving a similar opportunity to Saba Karim, whose work both in front and behind the wicket has proved beneficial to Indian cricket in the past whenever the Bengal stumper had been given an opportunity. True, Prasad is a youngster but the selectors should have applied similar yardsticks both for Kambli and Karim. But unfortunately, in the first case they “needed” the experience of Kambli but in the same breath they wanted to blood fresh talent in a department which can well be described as the pivot of the fielding side.

Don’t write off Germany, says Bierhoff

BONN, Aug 7 (Reuters) — German captain Oliver Bierhoff believes his team has a future despite their poor showing at the Confederations Cup.

“I am convinced that with the team we’ve got at the moment, we will qualify for the (2000) European Championship,” he was quoted as saying by German daily Die Welt in an interview released yesterday.

Bierhoff, who missed the trip to Mexico because he was involved in AC Milan’s pre-season build-up, added: “There is a general feeling abroad that German football is going through a crisis”.

“(Fiorentina’s Joerg) Heinrich and me are the only two Germans to play in top Italian clubs. Before, you had 10, 11 Germans playing in Italy.

“When you look at the level of the Bundesliga, you see that Germany no longer belongs to the absolute top level. But we should not be ashamed of ourselves. Italy had a goalless draw with Belarus, world champions France are not doing that well and England have problems too.

Christie ‘road rage runner’

LONDON, Aug 7 (AP) — Besieged by the media amid drug allegations, former Olympic 100-metre champion Linford Christie is now accused of running over a news photographer’s foot and crashing into another car.

The daily Mirror newspaper, whose photographer suffered injured toes in the incident, described Christie’s actions in yesterday’s headline: “Road rage runner.”

Accompanying the report were pictures of the photographer grimacing in pain with his foot apparently under the wheel of Christie’s mercedes and of the photographer being treated by ambulance officers.

Christie’s public relations company ‘Nuff Respect” said the incident occurred outside the 39-year-old sprinter’s home when he was caught up in an “invasion of Press on to his driveway.”

“In an attempt to leave his house he was besieged by photographers,” a statement said. “A photographer jumped out in front of Linford’s moving car and as Linford swerved to miss the photographer, a collision occurred, while the photographer suffered injured toes.”

Advantage Amritraj
Hewitt was most impressive

BEFORE Wimbledon ’99, the interest in women’s tennis exceeded men’s tennis by a wide margin and then came the July 4 shootout between the champion Pete Sampras and the new French Open champion Andre Agassi. Strangely, after Agassi took that final in straight sets, he became the new No. 1 player in the world with Sampras moving to No. 2. The following week the Australian Pat Rafter took over the No. 1 spot followed by Sampras and Agassi and then came the start of the hard court season.

The first event in preparation for the US Open was the Mercedes Benz Cup in Los Angeles. Sampras and Agassi seeded No. 1 and 2, respectively made it to the finals with not much trouble. But, during the event, the most impressive was the young Australian Leyton Hewitt, who had just come off his Davis Cup debut against the USA. He had beaten Todd Martin in the opening match which helped Australia beat the USA. Hewitt and Agassi were to meet in the quarterfinal and the much awaited match turned into a disappointment as Hewitt fell over and twisted his ankle badly and then was helped off the court.

Tim Henman, after that semi-final showing at Wimbledon, seemed like he still had not recovered from the physical and mental pressure in London. Both he and another crowd favourite Goran Ivanisevic went early in the tournament. Another player to watch closely besides Leyton Hewitt is Andrew Ilie, originally from Romania but brought up under the Australian tennis system. Very few players hit the ball as hard as he does, especially since he is well under six feet tall and hits a one-handed backhand. His semi-final against Agassi was fun to watch though you always knew who was going to win. So, it came down yet again between the two best players in the world who had been trading the No. 1 ranking for a couple of weeks along with Australian Pat Rafter. Once again, Sampras won, playing the big points in the tiebreak a little better and with his serve making the difference.

Having lost the No. 1 ranking for two weeks after Wimbledon, Sampras is back at No. 1. He has now won 19 straight matches and barring any unforeseen circumstances, he is on course to win the US Open and break Roy Emerson’s record of twelve Grand Slamtitles

The event in Los Angeles brought out all the stars of Hollywood. The opening night included a charity doubles match between Sampras and Robin Williams against Agassi and Billy Crystal. Both the stars played much better than expected and gave the crowd a lot to laugh about. Andre’s ex-wife Brooke Shields was there every day and talking to her at length, I was surprised to see how close she and Agassi were since their divorce. Star Trek’s William Shatner, Olympic Rafer Johnson, actor Charlton Heston and teen superstar Sarah Michelle Gellar were all there to watch the tennis and enjoy the social events. Talking to Agassi after his semi-final win, I was very impressed to see him so focused on his tennis and his burning desire to win the US Open again. The one thing that seemed to give him the most satisfaction, though, was the fact that he and not Sampras had the French Open title which put him in an elite group of five players to win a career Grand Slam.

—PMG

Charge sheet served on NIS scientist
From Our Sports Reporter

PATIALA, Aug 7 — The NIS authorities are still clueless about the whereabouts of one of the country’s leading sports scientists Dr H.A. Khan even as the Sports Authority of India (SAI) head office at New Delhi has placed him under suspension and a charge sheet served on him.

When contacted, the Executive Director (ED) of the NIS, Lt-Col. B.S. Ahluwalia confirmed the development, saying that it was “unfortunate not only for the institute but also for the country”.

The SAI authorities are particularly miffed over the fact that despite having spent lakhs of rupees on Dr Khan’s salary apart from providing him with other perks, he has simply absconded even as a number of national hockey, weightlifting and several other national camps in preparation for the Sydney Olympics are in progress here.

B’desh hope to host Asia Cup

DHAKA, Aug 7 (PTI) — Bangladesh is confident the 5th Asian Cup Cricket Tournament will be held in Dhaka.

Bangladesh Cricket Board Chief Saber Hossain Chowdhury told PTI today the tournament is held in participating countries on rotation basis. This time it is expected to be held in Dhaka.

“We have not heard anything contrary to that as yet”. However, he added everything would be firmed up in this regard at the Asian Cricket Council meeting at Colombo on August 30.

He was reacting to reports in a section of the Press that the Asia Cup would not be held in Dhaka.

Mr Chowdhury said West Indies had confirmed it would play two one-day internationals and a three-day match with Bangladesh in Dhaka in October this year. The Windies will arrive on October 1 and, after playing these matches here, leave for Sharjah.

Meanwhile, a new three-member national selection committee was announced today by BCB after its executive committee meeting last night.

Gilchrist outplays Agrawal

CHENNAI, Aug 7 (PTI) — Former champion Peter Gilchrist of England scored an easy victory over India’s Arun Agrawal to move into the final of the World Professional Billiards Championship here this evening.

In the semifinal, the 30-year-old Briton outplayed the 16th ranked Agrawal 1501-569 in four hours halting the Indian, who had yesterday upset defending champion and world No 2 Geet Sethi.

The possible rival to Gilchrist in the title clash would be the favourite and three-time champion Mike Russel, also of England.

In the first session of the second semifinals, world No 1 Russel had an enviable lead of 1001-331 over his compatriot Chris Shutt.

Russel has been in great form and improving his game in every match of this championship. In fact he achieved his 1001 in only 13 visits, with breaks of 69, 96, 247, 352 and a unfinished 129.

In the match between Gilchrist and Agrawal, the former had lot of freedom and played lot more easily. Yet, he did not take things for granted and never yielded ground to his rival.

Gilchrist, making his title appear ance after a gap of four years, got into his best form on the eve of the final tomorrow.

The Englishman regularly produced big breaks to pile up pressure on Agrawal, who could not find his rhythm and missed even the in-offs in his maiden semifinal.

On the other hand, Gilchrist kept up the momentum as he displayed total control over top table play and coasted to big breaks.

The former champion started the match with a 44 and 119. He had six century breaks in all and few breaks of over 80.

Associations lack professionalism
By Arvind Katyal

CHANDIGARH, Aug 7 — Any sport, in order to be managed effectively, and with a professional approach, actually requires the services of a management expert. The Central sports ministry recently mooted such a proposal but till now no federation or association has agreed to the proposal. Last week, former world badminton champion and ace Indian shuttler, Prakash Padukone, who runs the BPL Badminton Academy at Bangalore and is the Executive President of the Badminton Association of Indian (BAT), also favoured the suggestion of utilising the services of professionals to be provided by the ministry. This would lead to better management of associations, many of which are being run in a haphazard manner.

These associations indulge in politicking and even in Chandigarh, one of the most literate cities, it has been noted that for personal gains, and to remain in power to enjoy hidden financial benefits, these vested interests play an important role.

The recent slump in the industrial sector has further put a question mark on the viability of these associations. Normally, President, fulfils the financial expectations, whereas the secretary acts as a co-ordinator or convener in majority of cases. The Senior Vice-Presidents, and a battery of Vice-Presidents, all are expected to help the association with finances or other matters.

The resources of the councils are too meagre and they have to depend on the sponsors and mileage gained from tournaments helps in getting finances.

At present most of the associations suffer from a financial crisis and internal fighting. Most administrators have no love for the game but it is the players who actually suffer. Former players, may prove to be the ideal ones to run associations as they understand better the intricacies of the game and the problems faced by the players. It would lessen the present imbalances and work for solving the crisis which most associations face today.

Chandigarh is one of the privileged cities of India, as most of the facilities are available here and players from three neighbouring states, who come to study here, sometimes settle here and play for Chandigarh.

Moreover in many disciplines UT players are allowed a direct entry to the nationals. But the associations in the city too have now become prone to infighting and ultimately the players suffer due to their callous attitude.

At present the city has direct affiliations in many games, including basketball, badminton, volleyball, hockey, lawn tennis, table tennis, rowing, judo, handball, weightlifting and wrestling. But swimmers have to represent other states as the city has no association for swimming. Parents of the swimmers had to join hands a few days ago to organise the tournament in the absence of any recognised association. One of the parents said they even had approached the Swimming Federation of India last year for their ward’s entry to the nationals, being the best swimmer of Chandigarh, but their request was turned down on the plea of absence of any recognised association.

Sangrur boys to the fore
From Sushil Goyal
Tribune News Service
ROPAR, Aug 7 — Jaspreet Singh of Sangrur and Kirandeep Kaur of Ropar stole the limelight in the under-19 boys and girls sections, respectively, on the penultimate day of the Punjab State Subjunior and Junior Swimming Championships, at the Nehru Stadium swimming pool here today.

Jaspreet Singh got the first position in 400 metres individual medley and 100 metres butter fly events. Kirandeep Kaur secured the first position in 400 metres individual medley and 200 metres free style.

In the 4 x 100 metres medley relay in the under-19 boys section, Sangrur obtained the first position. In the same section, Puneet Rana of Ropar got the position in 100 metres breast stroke while in 200 metres free style Manmohan Singh of Sangrur secured the first place.

In the under-17 boys section, Ropar got the first place in 4 x 100 metres free style relay. Devinder Pal Singh from Ropar secured the first position in 100 metres butter fly and 200 metres free style while Gurbir Singh also from Ropar stood first in 100 metres breast stroke.

In the under-17 girls section, Nehar Bector from Patiala got the first position in 200 metres back stroke and 100 metres butter fly. Patiala won the 4 x 100 metres medley relay. Himanshu of Sangrur won the 100 metres breast stroke.

In the under-14 boys section, Sangrur secured the first position in 4 x 50 metres medley relay, Harpreet Singh of Ferozepore and Navpreet of Patiala stood first in 100 metres back stroke and 50 metres free style, respectively. In 4 x 50 metres free style relay, Sangrur won the event.

In the under-14 girls section, Ludhiana won in 4 x 50 metres free style relay. Harpreet Kaur of Hoshiarpur and Sukhmandeep of Ludhiana secured the first place in 100 metres back stroke and 50 metres free style, respectively.

Under 19 (Boys): 200 metres back stroke — Jaspreet Singh (Sangrur) 1, Harsimran Brar (Ropar) 2, Sukhwant Singh (Amritsar) 3. 4x100 metres individual medley — Jaspreet Singh (Sng) 1, Manmohan Singh (Sng) 2, Sukhwant Singh (Asr) 3. 100 metres butter fly — Jaspreet Singh (Sng) 1, Kuldip Singh (Sng) 2, Sukhwant Singh (Asr) 3. 200 metres free style — Manmohan Singh (Sng) 1, Puneet Pal Singh (Asr) 2, Harsimran (Rpr) 3.

Under 19 (Girls): 200 metres back stroke — Kirandeep Kaur (Rpr) 1, Rupinderjit Kaur (Sng) 2, Sukriti Khanna (Ludhiana) 3. 400 individual medaly — Kirandeep Kaur (Rpr) 1, Rupinderjit Kaur (Sng) 2, Deepika Mehra (Pta) 3. 200 metres free style — Kirandeep Kaur (Rpr) 1, Rupinderjit Kaur (Sang) 2, Deepika Mehra (Pta) 3.

Under 17 (Boys): 200 metres back stroke — Dalbir Singh (Sng) 1, Devinder Pal Sing (Rpr) 2. 400 metres free style relay-Ropar 1, Sangrur 2. 100 metres butter fly — Devinder Pal Singh (Rpr) 1, Manraj Singh (Sng) 2. 100 metres breast stroke — Gurbir Singh (Rpr) 1, Arvind Puri (Ldh) 2. 200 metres free style — Devinder Pal Singh (Rpr) 1, Dalbir Singh (Sng) 2.

Under 17 (Girls): 200 metres back stroke — Neha Bector (Pta) 1, Navneet Kaur (Sng) 2. 4x100 metres medley relay — Patiala 1, Ludhiana 2. 100 metres butters fly — Neha Bector (Pta) 1, Anisha Maheshwari (Ldh) 2. 100 metres breast stroke — Himanshi (Sng) 1, Neha Bector (Pat) 2.

Under 14 (Boys): 4x50 metres medley relay — Sangrur 1, Ropar 2. 100 metres back stroke — Harpreet Singh (Fzr) 1, Gurpreet Singh (Sng) 2. 50 metres free style — Navpreet (Pta) 1, Ravinder Kumar (Sng) 2. 4x50 metres free style relay — Sangrur 1, Patiala 2.

Under 14 (Girls): 4x50 metres free style relay — Ludhiana 1, Ropar 2. 100 metres back stroke — Harpreet Kaur (Hoshiarpur) 1, Vibha Babbar (Ldh) 2. 50 metres free style — Sukhmandeep (Ldh) 1, Vibha Babbar (Ldh) 2. 50 metres free style — Sukhmandeep (Ldh) 1, Vibha Babbar (Ldh) 2.

S.P. Singh stars in Khalsa College win
From Our Sports Reporter
AMRITSAR, Aug 7 — A fine all-round performance by S.P. Singh, who scored 86 runs and took three wickets, helped Khalsa College beat Hindu Sabha School by 47 runs in the semifinal of the Amritsar District League-cum-Knock Out Championship at Gandhi Ground here today.

Brief scores:
Khalsa College: 190 all out (S.P. Singh 86, Jang Bahadur 40; Deepak Kumar 4 for 30, Kuniti 2 for 27).

Hindu Sabha School: 143 all out (Rajesh 25, Deepak 25; S.P. Singh 3 for 22, Rajan Gill 3 for 22, Jang Bahadur 2 for 15).

Arun memorial meet from Aug 17
From Our Sports Reporter
SANGRUR, Aug 7 — The Arun Memorial Punjab State Sub-Junior and Veteran Badminton Championships will be held at Amritsar from August 17 to 21, according to Rajan Kumar, honorary Secretary, Amritsar Badminton Association.

The championship will be held for age groups of under-10, 13,16 (both boys and girls) along with the competition for players above 45 years. Entries close on August 13 with the Secretary, Punjab Badminton Association, Jalandhar.