India humble Kiwis by 5 wickets
AUCKLAND, Jan 16 — Paceman Javagal Srinath provided early initiative and Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid struck enterprising half-centuries as India subdued New Zealand by five wickets in the fourth and penultimate one-day tie here to go 2-1 up in the series.

• End of the road for Navjot?
• India protests against Rixon’s remarks

East Bengal take on ITI today BANGALORE, Jan 16 — Despite uncertainty over three top players, Calcutta league champions East Bengal will go all out for full points against Bangalore champions Indian Telephone Industries when they clash in the group ‘B’ National Football League here tomorrow.

Opinion divided on Korda issue
MELBOURNE, Jan 16 — Leading tennis players today prepared to discuss the positive drug test returned by Australian Open champion Petr Korda, with the men’s game apparently split over what should be done.

Bengal clash with MP in final today
CALCUTTA, Jan 16 — Hosts Bengal would be hoping to maintain the winning streak when they lock horns with a determined Madhya Pradesh in the final of the Wills Trophy limited overs knock-out tournament at the Eden Gardens here tomorrow.

Easy victories for Sasikiran, Konguvel
LINARES, Jan 16 — Indians had a good day at the Linares Chess tournament where four players led by overnight leaders A Kharlov and Alexi Dreev shared the lead with 6.5 points each.

England omit Cork from squad
LONDON, Jan 16 — England paceman Dominic Cork was today omitted from a 30-man provisional squad for the World Cup in May and June.

Allan sends Windies crashing
CENTURION (South Africa), Jan 16 — Brian Lara hit a brilliant 68 but the West Indies crashed to 144 all out on the second day of the fifth Test against South Africa today.

Vote-buying charges rock Japan
TOKYO, Jan 16 — Japan, host-of last year’s winter Olympics, today became deeply embroiled in a scandal over vote-buying to stage games.

India humble Kiwis by 5 wickets

AUCKLAND, Jan 16 (PTI) — Paceman Javagal Srinath provided early initiative and Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid struck enterprising half-centuries as India subdued New Zealand by five wickets in the fourth and penultimate one-day tie here to go 2-1 up in the series.

Srinath rocked the top order with a quick three wicket burst as New Zealand were restricted to 207 for seven in 50 overs after skipper Mohd Azharuddin inducted the rivals on a lively Eden Park pitch and India cruised to victory making 208 for five wickets in 43.5 overs.

Rahul Dravid, the Man of the Match, maintained his fluent run with another delightful fifty (51 - 71 b, 5 x 4, 1 x 6) and raised an 88-run second wicket stand with Saurav Ganguly (50 - 72 b, 6 x 4) to set the stage for Azharuddin (35) and his deputy Ajay Dadeja (36) to collar the bowling.

This more than made up for Sachin Tendulkar’s (5) failure and both Robin Singh (14 n.o.) and Nayan Mongia (6 n.o.) were at hand to complete the formalities at the end.

It was bowling hero Srinath (3/41), who captured three for 22 in his superb seven-over first spell, and fellow seamer Venkatesh Prasad (1/24 in 10 overs) who rocked the Kiwi top order as India came right on top in the morning.

New Zealand were tottering at three for 29 at one stage.

With a point to prove after certain unkind remarks in the media by New Zealand’s Aussie coach Steve Rixon, India completely dominated the attack.

Tendulkar, who has had an average one-day series so far, missed the line of a Chris Cairns (3/28) in-cutter to be trapped lbw, but Ganguly was in serene touch as he and Dravid smoothly built up the stand.

Ganguly straight drove Simon Doull, his tormentor on this tour, and flicked him for fours as he and Dravid never let the scoring rate drop. The left-hander reached his 21st fifty with more punishing shots off Doul.

Dravid, who has amassed 180 runs from four innings, was in flow. He cover drove Cairns with a horizontal bat, produced a stunning pull off Larsen and stayed on the backfoot to crack a good length delivery over two mid-on fielders for four.

Ganguly was caught behind in the 26th over to end the 119-ball stand and Dravid, who struck left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori over extra cover for his lone six, was beaten and bowled by a Cairns inswinger in the next over.

Cairns took two for four runs in his three-over second spell to give the hosts a flicker of hope.

But Azharuddin (35 - 41b, 4x4, 1x6) and Aadeja (36 - 41b, 2x4, 3x6) put on 64 runs for the fourth wicket and went after Vettori. Azhar struck him over mid-on and through midwicket for fours and hit a six over short extra cover while his deputy cover drove and hoisted the spinner into the sightscreen.

Jadeja then struck Chris Harris for two sixes in one over to pull India close to victory before he and Azhar fell in quick succession, but there were very few runs needed which were achieved without trouble.

Jadeja was all aggression, especially after Harris appealed as the batsman patted back a delivery in the 34th over. Harris went up in appeal for a catch, but Jadeja insisted the ball had bounced and umpire Steve Dunne referred it to the third umpire who ruled he was not out.

Jadeja and Azhar fell in the space of five runs to Simon Doull which reduced India to 188 for five in the 40th over, but Robin Singh only stepped up the race to victory by swinging Doull over fine leg for a huge six.

Earlier, pacemen Srinath and Prasad gave India a splendid start. The lanky Srinath who generated superb pace and movement removed Bryan Young (0), Matt Horne (1) and Roger Twose (7) in quick succession even as his Karnataka teammate made life miserable for Craig McMillan (24), who has been in punishing form in this tour.

Prasad took only one wicket, but bowled 10 overs on the trot and really bottled up the Kiwis. He had McMillan in all sorts of trouble with excellent length and swing.

He struck McMillan in his body trying to step out and then saw an edge fall just short of Ganguly in the slips. But Prasad was not to be denied when he finally bowled McMillan.

The Kiwis were given some respectability only because of trusted Cairns, who top-scored with 44, Nash (36) and Chris Harris (42) and Vettori (22 n.o).

Coming together with less than two overs left, Harris and Vettori added 26 runs with the latter scoring 22 of them. Dravid dropped Harris at long leg off Anil Kumble in the 45th over and the batsman celebrated it with two mighty sixes to take New Zealand past the 200-mark.

End of the road for Navjot?
By Abhijit Chatterjee
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH: One had ardently hoped that Punjab's most technically competent batsman, Navjot Sidhu, would end his career after representing his country in the 1999 World Cup, scheduled to be held in England from the middle of May next. But the national selectors of the Board of Control for Cricket in India willed it otherwise and the Punjab opener does not even figure in the list of 30 probables for the World Cup announced by the selectors on Friday at Calcutta. The list of probables will first be pruned to 20 by February end while the final list of 15 players (this year the organisers are permitting teams to have 15 players unlike the 14 as previously allowed) will be announced before the March 31 deadline set by the International Cricket Council.

With conditions being what they are in England one was of the firm view that India would need the services of some batsmen who could hold one end up in the World Cup. But with Rahul Dravid coming so good in the ongoing series against New Zealand (where the conditions are somewhat similar to what the cricketers will encounter in England) whatever little chance there was of Navjot finding a place in the England-bound squad evaporated. With Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly coming good as openers the only slot where Navjot (who is otherwise an opening batsman) could have been fitted was the one drop position. But this too has been blocked by Rahul Dravid who has finally come good in one-day cricket as well.

For too long has this Karnataka batsman been labelled only as a "Test player". That he is a very competent cricketer is apparent from the fact that all his centuries in international cricket have been scored abroad where the pitches are more "bowler friendly" unlike in India where the pitches are tailormade for Indian bowlers (read spinners). But it augurs well for Indian cricket that Rahul Dravid has touched a purple patch in one-day cricket as well. And it could not have come at a more appropriate time.

Navjot should have seen the writing on the wall. He last turned out for the country in the Sahara Cup against Pakistan in Toronto in September last where he had scores of 45, 24, 15, 62 and zero in the five matches. After the Toronto outing the Punjab batsman did not figure in the Indian team either in the ICC Trophy played at Dhaka or the Champions Trophy in Sharjah. Also, he does not figure in the on-going one-day series in New Zealand after a string of poor performances in the Test series which preceded the one-dayers.

After the first Test between India and New Zealand was rained off, Navjot had scores of zero and 34 in the second Test while in the third he had scores of one and 13. The Punjab opener looked a pale shadow of his former self. Neither could he come to the pitch of the deliveries nor could he stonewall the New Zealand bowlers as he has done so confidently in the past.

The only thing working to his advantage is his experience. With 136 one-day internationals under his belt, Navjot has scored a total of 4415 runs (highest score 134) in 127 innings at an average of 37.10. But now he looks woefully out of touch and the national selectors have picked the 30 on current performance rather than on reputation.

Looking at the list of probables one was surprised to see that players like Punjab's Harvinder Singh or Delhi's Robin Singh Jr, who replaced the injured Ajit Agarkar in the first half of the New Zealand tour, do not figure in the list. But such a thing is expected, specially with the players not performing up to expectations.

The list of 30 is to be pruned to 20 by February 28. But how will the national selectors judge the performance of the players with no one-dayers scheduled between now and the end of February. A ticklish answer which the BCCI can only answer.

Hadad completes grand double
By Arvind Katyal

CHANDIGARH, Jan 16 — He came, he played, he conquered. This in a nutshell, is the story of Amir Hadad representing Israel who today annexed the men's singles title in the $ 10000 Gold Flake Aces ITF Futures Tennis Tournament which concluded at the CLTA courts here in Sector 10. Amir outplayed compatriot Jonathan Erlich in straight sets at 6-3, 6-4 in the match lasting 76 minutes. Earlier, Hadad in partnership with Erlich had yesterday bagged the prestigious doubles title, and today it was his second crown in this coveted international tournament of ITF in which top players from many countries vied for honours.

Amir also became richer by $ 1300 today and from the doubles he got his share of $ 630. Erlich as runners up was given $ 900. In this tournament, 72 per cent of the total prize money was for singles and the rest for doubles.

Moreover, Hadad will also get 18 ATP points as singles winner and 12 points will go to Erlich as loser finalists and this will further improve their world rankings, said, Mr Rajan Kashyap, chairman of CLTA which hosted this international tournament. Chandigarh will also host the ITF junior tournament for boys and girls from February 8 next month.

The Hadad-Erlich tie in the foggy morning went into two sets. In the beginning Erlich started playing in an offensive mood, but the cool tempered Hadad knew the weak points of the 416th ranked Jonathan who was forced to invite trouble by negative returns thus losing the vital points. Hadad led 1-0, then Erlich drew level 1-1. Again it was 2-1 but Erlich neutralised the lead at 2-2. This was the end of the spree for Erlich and Hadad with backhand cross court placings, surged ahead at 5-2. Here a magnificent serve of Erlich reduced the margin to 3-5 in favour of Erlich who went down fighting ultimately in the next game and the set in 31 minutes to 385th ranked Amir.

In the second set, it became a practice with third seed Erlich to go for second serve after making a fault with the first one. Erlich led at 1-0 in the beginning and a double fault at this moment made the score 1-1. Then a beautiful slice at deuce gave Erlich the advantage which he soon converted with a forehand slice which dodged past the top seed Hadad. Now it was the turn of Hadad to show his class which he did by trying to make Erlich run all over the court in the chilly weather. Hadad at this juncture led 4-2. Erlich struck back and a high lobs which went out of reach of Hadad and gave the next game to Erlich who was losing 3-4. Hadad and Erlich had come to India for the first time. They tried to exhibit world class tennis. The next games were taken by Hadad with ease and at 6-4 he wrapped up the set in 45 minutes and the title. Immediately after the win, Hadad threw balls in various corners of the centre court stadium and invited a big applause from the spectators. He also gave autographs to the enthusiasts and one girl took the ball also. Later, Hadad praised the grass courts at the CLTA complex and from Monday he along with Erlich will be playing in the next leg of the ITF Tournament at Ahmedabad and then in Mumbai later this month.

East Bengal take on ITI today

BANGALORE, Jan 16 (PTI) — Despite uncertainty over three top players, Calcutta league champions East Bengal will go all out for full points against Bangalore champions Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) when they clash in the group ‘B’ National Football League here tomorrow.

East Bengal are likely to miss the services of midfielders Emmanuel Opoku, Basudev Mondal and Tushar Rakshit. According to coach Manoranjan Bhattacharjee, Opoku, the Ghana recruit, is nursing a muscle tear and Tushar Rakshit is ill. Mondal may also miss the match, he said.

ITI, who lost their last match to Mahindras, will look forward to star striker R.C. Prakash and Krygyzstan forward Alexy Drobotov to deliver the goods.

Both teams have played two matches each. East Bengal have four points from a victory against F.C. Kochin and a draw with Salgaocar while ITI beat Indian Bank and lost to Mahindras and have three points.

ITI coach Krishnaji Rao, a worried man as Prakash was off colour and and the foreign players were yet to find their bearings, however said his team would go all out for a win.

IB meet Mahindras

CHENNAI: Indian Bank will look for their first win when they take on Mahindra and Mahindra, Mumbai in their group ‘B’ Coca Cola National Football League tie at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here tomorrow.

Indian Bank, who have struggled in the early part of their campaign in the last two editions, go into their first home match after two losses, including the 1-5 drubbing they suffered at the hands of F.C. Kochin in Kollam last week after 0-1 reverse against Indian Telephone Industries in Bangalore.

Mahindras, who were to have been relegated with Churchill but were retained in the league, have emerged with flying colours under new coach Syed Sahid Hakeem by winning the Durand Cup and Chief Minister’s Cup in New Delhi.

They lost their opening match 0-3 to Goa league champions Salgaocar but bounced back to beat ITI, Bangalore last week.

"Our team is yet to click and will play with a positive approach. We are confident of gaining full points tomorrow", D.V. Sundar, the bank’s Sports Secretary said.

Hakeem preferred to keep a low profile saying: "We also have regrouping problems but we are picking up."

In attack the Mumbai team looks a shade better off with Manjit Singh (formerly of East Bengal), P.J. Jose (joined from Air India) and medios Andrew Louis, Shamsi Raza, Sanjay Rawal and Santosh Kashyap. Bank will depend much on the skills of left-footed forward Syed Sabir Pasha and creative midfielder Hamilton Bobby.

Opinion divided on Korda issue

MELBOURNE, Jan 16 (Reuters) — Leading tennis players today prepared to discuss the positive drug test returned by Australian Open champion Petr Korda, with the men’s game apparently split over what should be done.

"It’s impossible to get away from the topic," leading players representative Todd Martin said after winning the Sydney International, a warm-up event for the Australian Open which starts on Monday in Melbourne.

While the scheduled ATP Tour meeting was not called specifically to discuss Korda’s positive drugs test at Wimbledon last year, it will certainly be high on the agenda.

Players have expressed a wide variety of opinions over the past week, some calling for the wiry Czech player to be banned from the game.

Others, including former world number one Andre Agassi and Dual US Open winner Pat Rafter, have said Korda deserves the benefit of the doubt at least until the full circumstances of his case are known.

Martin, one of the senior representatives on the ATP Tour players’ council, has warned in the past week against a "lynching" of Korda over the affair.

Korda has vowed to attend the annual meeting of about 200 of his peers, saying he had nothing to hide and was not afraid to stand up in front of his peers.

Martin said Korda would not be called on to speak. "I think that would be a terrible position to put him in, don’t think it would be appropriate," Martin said, adding Korda was free to voice his opinion if he wanted to.

The ITF announced in December that Korda tested positive for the performance enhancing steroid nandrolone at Wimbledon.

Korda has maintained he did nothing wrong but has refused to comment on what those exceptional circumstances might be, saying the matter was in the hands of his lawyers.

The ITF has said it will appeal against the light penalty to the court of arbitration for sport in Lausanne.

That appeal was due to be lodged this week, but Korda’s lawyers said on Wednesday the 30-year-old Czech had begun proceedings in the English high court challenging the ITF’s right to appeal against the sentence.

Martin’s win over world number two Alex Corretja in the Sydney final means he will not arrive in Melbourne in time for the start of the meeting.

He said the meeting would probably be chaired by America’s Jim Grabb or Britain’s Tim Henman in his absence.

The meeting will also be attended by ATP Tour chief executive officer Mark Miles and ITF president Brian Tobin.

Miles issued a statement yesterday saying nothing would be decided at the meeting.

Bengal clash with MP in final today

CALCUTTA, Jan 16 (PTI) — Hosts Bengal would be hoping to maintain the winning streak when they lock horns with a determined Madhya Pradesh in the final of the Wills Trophy limited overs knock-out tournament at the Eden Gardens here tomorrow.

Led by the seasoned Utpal Chatterjee, Bengal have a clutch of talented youngsters who have performed consistently in domestic tournaments and would be hoping that they carry on the good work in what promises to be an exciting battle.

The hosts appear to have a slight edge having registered two huge victories to storm in the final but no team can afford to be complacent in the shorter version of the game.

Bengal routed Tamil Nadu by 111 runs here in their opening match and then carved out a resounding 127-run victory against Delhi in the semi-final at Jamshedpur.

Madhya Pradesh have also put up a decent performance demolishing Wills XI by 63 runs in their first match at Agartala and then pulling off a thrilling two-run victory against Mumbai at Cuttack to make their way into the final.

Bengal, however, seems to have a more balanced team with a number of all-rounders in their ranks but how well they perform in crunch situations remains to be seen.

Bengal would be hoping that openers Nikhil Haldipur and Laxmi Ratan Shukla provide another rollicking start to the innings to ease the pressure on the middle order batsmen.

Shukla, who has been included in the list of 30 probables for the World Cup, has performed the role of pinch-hitter to perfection and his blistering 136 against Delhi would have given him a lot of confidence.

The other opener Nikhil Haldipur has also been in good form with two consecutive half centuries while Devang Gandhi, who cracked 103 against Tamil Nadu, was capable of tearing any bowling attack to shreds on his day.

The presence of the experienced Saba Karim lends solidity to the Bengal batting line up while Rohan Gavaskar, Ajay Das and Charanjit Singh were capable of chipping in with useful contributions.

Madhya Pradesh would be depending on in-form Amay Khurasia to put up a reasonable total on the board as none of the other batsmen have much experience in one-day matches. Opener J.P.Yadav, C.P.Sahu and Abbas Ali have been playing well in domestic tournaments.

The visitors have two experienced spinners in captain Rajesh Chouhan and leg-spinner Narendra Hirwani but whether they can make much of an impact on the Eden track remains to be seen.

The heavy wintry morning atmosphere could assist the medium-pacers in the early stages of the match and the team winning the toss may be tempted to exploit the conditions.

Bengal were likely to retain the same team that won the semi-final match against Delhi while Madhya Pradesh may strengthen their bowling attack by including a specialist bowler.

Easy victories for Sasikiran, Konguvel

LINARES, Jan 16 (PTI) — Indians had a good day at the Linares Chess tournament where four players led by overnight leaders A Kharlov and Alexi Dreev shared the lead with 6.5 points each.

Indian women’s trio, S Vijayalaxmi, Mrunalini Kunte and Pallavi Shah and S Sasikiran, V Sarvanan and P Konguvel in men’s scored easy victories against their rivals.

IM D.V. Prasad, looking for his GM norm, drew his game with GM Constantin Landa with white pieces. The game was played in sicilian defence where Prasad was having an edge in the middlegame. But in the endgame Constantin got perpetual checks and the game was drawn. If Prasad wins the next two games he would make the norm.

IM Abhijit Kunte escaped with a draw from a hopeless position against Estardon N.

IM R.B. Ramesh lost his second consecutive game to H Olaffson of Iceland. Ramesh played slav defence against Olaffson’s queen pawn opening. Ramesh lost an exchange in the middlegame and resigned on the 44th move.

CS Gokhale also crashed to his second defeat when he was outwitted by American IM Watson.

While Dreev and Kharlov played out a quick draw to maintain their lead, A Minasian of Armenia and M Sorokin (Argentina) posted victories against Kazakh M Kazagaleyev and D Svetushkin, respectively to join the leaders.

Important results and points position: A Kharlov (Rus) 6.5 drew with A Dreev (Rus) 6.5 A Minasian (Arm) 6.5 beat M Kazagaleyev (Kaz) 5.5 D Svetushkin (Mda) 5.5 lost to M Sorokin (Arg) 6.5 V Burmakin (Rus) 6 drew with Sokolov (Rus) 6 S Tiviakov (Rus) 5.5 drew with Grischuk (Ukr) 5.5 U Bologan (Mda) beat Borges M (Spain) 5 Noguiras (Cuba) lost to G Giogadze (Geo) 6.

India protests against Rixon’s remarks

AUCKLAND, Jan 16 (PTI) —The Indian team today decided to lodge a protest against New Zealand coach Steve Rixon for making uncharitable comments in the media about the visitors, terming it "indecent, arrogant and totally uncalled for".

The Indian team manager S.D.A. Drabu said Rixon’s comments in a newspaper this morning had upset the team a great deal and they were filing the protest with New Zealand cricket chief executive Christopher Diog.

Rixon has been quoted by a newspaper as saying, "we were in the box seat in Wellington. Looking at the Indians, it seems the first thing they have in mind is to take the first flight home".

The protest letter states: "It seems Mr Rixon is uncontrollable... This despite our having a word with you (DOIG) in Dunedin to restrain him".

Drabu said it would be best if Rixon returns to his country instead of taking a jibe at a visiting team.

Anshuman Gaekwad, the coach of the Indian team, said it was improper for Rixon to have made such a comment.

"It would be good if he minds his own team. He has no right to comment on us. It would be better if he leaves our business to us," Gaekwad said, adding "I can tell you boys were pretty upset and did play as if with a point to prove."

"We are not in the business of retaliating. It is always better to let your actions speak. They are louder than words."

At Dunedin when India had rejected the proposal of playing the abandoned first Test under light or during the extended hours, Rixon had made a nasty comment that "matches are not won in dressing room."

England omit Cork from squad

LONDON, Jan 16 (Reuters) — England paceman Dominic Cork was today omitted from a 30-man provisional squad for the World Cup in May and June.

Poor performances in the recent Australian tour and continued problems at his Derbyshire Club, where he is captain led to his shock omission.

But officials said he could still be included later.

Other notable omissions from the squad were opener Mark Butcher, who scored a century in the opening Test against Australia this season, and pace bowler Andy Caddick.

The squad, to be captained by England skipper Alec Stewart includes all 15 players currently on duty for England in the current one-day series against Australia and Sri Lanka.

Newcomers include Scottish-born Yorkshire paceman Gavin Hamilton, Leicestershire batsman Ben Smith and Darren Maddy and Lancashire's Andrew Flintoff, who played in last summer's Test series against South Africa.

The squad must be reduced to 19 by the end of February and the final 15 is expected to be announced in March.

The squad: Alec Stewart (captain), Mark Alleyne, Michael Atherton Ian Austin, Ally Brown, Douglas Brown, Robert Croft, John Crawley, Mark Ealham, Neil Fairbrother, Andrew Flintoff, Matthew Fleming, Angus Frasher, Ashley Giles, Darren Gough, Gavin Hamilton, Dean Headley. A Hegg, Graham Hick, Adam Hollioake, Ben Hollioake, Nasser Hussein, Nick Knight, Darren Maddy, Peter Martin, Alan Mullally, Mark Ramprakash, Ben Smith, Graham Thorpe, Vince Wells.

Allan sends Windies crashing

CENTURION (South Africa), Jan 16 (Reuters) — Brian Lara hit a brilliant 68 but the West Indies crashed to 144 all out on the second day of the fifth Test against South Africa today.

South Africa led by 169 runs on first innings.

The West Indies captain, who went in at five for two, lashed his runs in two hours off 77 balls.

But his dismissal started a collapse of seven wickets for 42 runs in seven overs as the visitors succumbed to a barrage of short-pitched deliveries.

South Africa’s champion paceman Allan Donald bowled with barely bridled aggression in taking five for 49, his 17th five-wicket haul.

Donald took three for nought in his final two-over spell, and claimed those wickets in the space of six deliveries.

Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul added 97 runs for the third wicket before Lara recklessly turned his back on the ball in attempting to fend off a vicious bouncer from Donald and sent looping catch to Jacques Kallis in the gully.

Chanderpaul played with impressive composure for his 38 and was the only other batsman to reach double figures.

Vote-buying charges rock Japan

TOKYO, Jan 16 (Reuters) — Japan, host-of last year’s winter Olympics, today became deeply embroiled in a scandal over vote-buying to stage games.

The media accounts also quoted outspoken remarks by the Governor of Nagano Prefecture, where the winter games were held, warning US authorities not to investigate Japan and describing Salt Lake City, site of the next winter games in 2002, as a "strange place" because of its mormom population.

The scandal in the Olympic movement broke out last month when International Olympic Committee executive board member Marc Hodler charged bidding cities had contracted agents to secure votes for their cities.

Hodler said that along with Salt Lake City, there were irregularities for the selection process in the Atlanta Games in 1996 and Nagano.

Although no one has so far made any direct accusations of corruption in Nagano’s bid, the report has cast a new cloud of suspicion over the western Japanese city’s bid after a series of indirect suggestions of wrongdoing in the past week.

Nagano Mayor Tasuku Tsukada, who had repeatedly denied that his city had contracted an agent to help its Olympic bid, reversed course earlier this week and said some 40 million yen was paid to a Swiss-based agency.

Ranji Trophy ties at Patiala

PATIALA, Jan 16 (FOC) — Patiala will host two Ranji Trophy super league matches, the first bieng the Railway-Orissa tie to be held from February 5 to 8 and the second the Railways-Maharashtra match slated to be held from February 14 to 17.

Both the matches will be held at the Diesel Component Works (DCW) sports stadium. The DCW will become the second ground in the city to host a Ranji Trophy match, the first being the Dhruv Pandove Stadium.

It was after a two-member team from the Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) visited the DCW Grounds today to oversee arrangements for both the matches that a final decision was taken in consultation with the honorary secretary of the BCCI, Mr J.Y. Lele, to conduct the matches at the DCW Cricket Ground.

The DCW is a subsidiary of the Indian Railways and the super league ties had to be shifted here after the Karnail Singh Stadium at Delhi, which traditionally hosts Ranji Trophy matches involving the Railways, was found unfit with respect to the playing conditions.

Punjab athletics squad

CHANDIGARH, Jan 16 (BOSR) — The Punjab Amateur Athletic Association has selected the following athletes to represent Punjab in the National Games to be held at Imphal (Manipur) from February 14 to 24. The final fitness trials will be held on January 31 at PAP complex, Jalandhar. The athletes are: Men: Ajayraj Singh, Sanjeev Kumar, Paramjit Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Amandeep Singh, Balwinder Singh, Sahib Singh, Jangjit Singh, Rajinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Ajit Singh, Paramjit Singh II, Gurjant Singh, Bhadur Singh, Navpreet Singh, Avtar Singh, Kanwalpreet Singh, Satinder Singh, Sahdeep Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Satvir Singh, Jagdish Vasnoi, Gamdhoor Singh, Phullal Singh Gurdev Singh, Bhagwant Singh, Sucha Singh.

Women: Sunita Rani, Sharad Chandok, Romala Devi, Deepinder Kaur, Harbans Kaur, Amandeep Kaur, Harpreet Kaur, Neelam J singh, Harjeet Kaur, Swaranjit Kaur, Paramjit Kaur, Rajdeep Kaur, Sukhdev Kaur, Surinderjit Kaur and Hardip Kaur.

Ranjitgarh shooters excel

CHANDIGARH, Jan 16 (BOSR) — The 34th Punjab State Shooting Championship concluded today at Ranjitgarh Rifle Club, PPA Phillaur (Punjab) and RRC, PPA won the overall championship with 13 gold, nine silver and seven bronze medals. Ludhiana district remained runners-up with three gold, nine silver and six bronze medals.

In the individual section, Haneetinder Singh Jakhar of Patiala was declared the best shooter in men's category while Jagroop Kaur of RRC, PPA Phillaur was the best in the women's section. Haneetinder won two gold medals and one bronze whereas Jagroop Kaur bagged one gold and two silver medals.

Mr Nustat Ali Khan, Minister of State for Sports, Punjab, gave away the prizes and asked the shooters to play with more dedication so as to bring glory to the state and the nation, in sports.

Mr T.S. Dhillon, Organising Secretary and Mr Raja Sidhu, secretary, Punjab Rifle Shooting Association, also spoke on the occasion.

Ramandeep honoured

LUDHIANA, Jan 16 (FOSR) — Ramandeep Singh, a former student of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and a member of the Asiad gold medal winning hockey team, was honoured at a function organised by the PAU Students Association here yesterday.

Mr K S Aulakh, PAU Director of Research, who presided over the function, remarked that the Indian hockey team had brought back lost glory after a long gap of 32 years. He urged sportspersons to draw inspiration from the hockey team and bring more laurels to the state and the country in international competitions.

The Director, Students Welfare, Mr MS Bajwa congratulated the state government for granting a special promotion to Ramandeep, who is in the Punjab police.