Pakistan favourites in opener
JAMSHEDPUR, March 18 — Riding on the crest of their recent Test triumphs, a confident Pakistan would be eager to maintain their winning streak in the shorter version of the game as they lock horns with Sri Lanka in the opening match of the Pepsi Cup Triangular Series here tomorrow.

Disgraced six' make a quiet exit after verdict
LAUSANNE, March 18 — No one saw them come in and no one saw them leave. The disgraced six, who became the first IOC members to be expelled from the world’s most exclusive club yesterday, were as sought after as the absent Godot, much talked about but invisible to the eve of the waiting Press gathered below the chamber where they were tried and judged by their fellow peers.

Anand finishes runner-up
BANGALORE, March 18 — Chetan Anand led a sterling performance by the Indian badminton team, finishing runner-up in the boy's singles event of the German Junior International Tournament which concluded recently at Bottrop.

Focus on Williams sisters
KEY BISCAYNE, (Florida), March 18 — Since just about the time the youngest two of his five daughters — Venus and Serena — picked up tennis rackets, Mr Richard Williams has been telling the world they’d one day dominate women’s tennis.

Chandigarh outplay Andamans
CHENNAI, March 18 — Chandigarh came from behind to score thrice to beat Andaman and Nicbobar 3-1 in cluster ‘H’ while Railways and Uttar Pradesh won in contrasting style in the National Football Championship today.

JCT go down to East Bengal
CALCUTTA, March 18 — East Bengal kept their fading title hopes ticking as they blanked JCT, Phagwara, 2-0 in a super six tie of the National Football League here today.

Railways sail into semis
HYDERABAD, March 18 — Defending champions Railways stormed into the semifinals defeating Border Security Force 4-1 after leading 2-1 at half time in the quarter-finals of the National Hockey Championship here today.

Thukral, Selvi win TT titles
CHANDIGARH, March 18 — Arul Selvi of Indian Bank among girls and Deepak Thukral of Dena Bank emerged victorious in the women's and men's singles event respectively in the All-India Inter-Bank Table Tennis tournament which concluded here today at the Sector 23 TT hall.

KU awards sportspersons
KURUKSHETRA, March 18 — The Annual sports prize distribution function of Kurukshetra University was held in the university Senate Hall here yesterday.

Punjab, Railways in last eight
JAIPUR, March 18 — Defending champions Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Indian Railways and West Bengal from pool 'A' and Services, last year's runners-up Punjab, Karnataka and Maharashtra from pool 'B' have assured their quarterfinal berths in the men's section in the 49th Senior National Basketball Championship at the S.M.S. Stadium here this morning.

Pakistan favourites in opener

JAMSHEDPUR, March 18 (PTI) — Riding on the crest of their recent Test triumphs, a confident Pakistan would be eager to maintain their winning streak in the shorter version of the game as they lock horns with Sri Lanka in the opening match of the Pepsi Cup Triangular Series here tomorrow.

After having crowned themselves the Asian Test champions, Wasim Akram and his men would be determined to affirm their supremacy in the limited overs variety of the game as well to boost their confidence ahead of the World Cup in England.

The three-team championship will provide the three Asian sides an opportunity to try out new combinations and test the form of their players before the final World Cup squad is finalised later this month.

Going by current form, Pakistan clearly start as the overwhelming favourites against the injury-hit Sri Lankans but Akram and his men can hardly afford to be complacent against the islanders who still have the potential to spring a surprise against any fancied team.

The Lankans would be greatly handicapped by the injuries to key players like Sanath Jayasurya, Muthiah Muralitharan and Romesh Kaluwitharana and it remains to be seen how the team fares without the services of these star performers.

The mood in the Pakistan camp is upbeat as Wasim Akram has led from the front to script a marvellous turnaround for Pakistan cricket. Akram has managed to mould the team into a winning unit and the players have shown lot of determination and focus under his captaincy.

Led by wily Arjuna Ranatunga, the Lankans will be keen to erase the string of indifferent performances in recent limited overs tourneys, so that they can approach the World Cup in a more confident frame of mind.

Although the Lanka batting looks solid on paper with stalwarts like Aravinda De Silva, Arjuna Ranatunga, Marven Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, Hashan Tilekaratne in their ranks, the form of their bowlers have left much to be desired.

Barring pace spearhead Chaminda Vaas, none of the other bowlers in the squad have much experience in one-day cricket and it remains to be seen how other young bowlers manage to contain the formidable Pakistani batsmen.

The islanders will largely depend on the flamboyant Aravinda De Silva for putting up a big total while the other bats would be hoping to chip in with useful contributions.

Most of the Pakistani batsmen have been in fine nick and getting a substantial score on the placid Keenan Stadium track should not be much of a problem in what could turn out to be a high-scoring contest.

Pakistani openers Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi will be looking to give a rollicking start to the innings by taking advantage of field restrictions in the first 15 overs. Ijaz Ahmed and Inzamam-ul-Haq, who scored double centuries in the final of the Asian Test Championship in Dhaka, have a proven track record in one-day internationals.

Boasting of one of the finest bowling attacks in the world today, Pakistan will be relying on captain Akram and speedy Shoaib Akhtar with the new ball while off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has been equally devastating in one-dayers.

Pakistan have also included teenaged Imran Nazir in the squad but it remains to be seen whether the youngster gets an opportunity to play in the series.

The two teams arrived here by a chartered flight in the morning from Calcutta and had a light workout.

Both sides will announce their playing eleven only on the morrow after having a look at the track and weather conditions.

Security arrangements in and around the stadium have been beefed up and a large number of police personnel have been deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

The teams (from):-

Pakistan: Wasim Akram (capt), Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Ijaz Ahmed, Imran Nazir, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Moin Khan, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq, Azhar Mahmood, Arshad Khan, Abdul Razzak, Shahid Nazir.

Sri Lanka: Arjuna Ranatunga (capt), Aravinda de Silva, Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, Eric Upasantha, Ruwan Kalpage, Hashan Tilekaratne, Chaminda Vaas, Promodya Wikramasinghe, Hementa Botaju, Russel Arnold, Chandika Hathurasinghe, Avishka Gunawardene, Upul Chandana, Prasanna Jayawadene.

Umpires: Bomi Jamula and Dr S.C. Gupta. Third umpire: Francis Gomes.

Hours of play: 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. 1.10 p.m. to 4.40 p.m.

'Disgraced six' make a quiet exit after verdict

LAUSANNE, March 18 (AFP) — No one saw them come in and no one saw them leave.

The disgraced six, who became the first IOC members to be expelled from the world’s most exclusive club yesterday, were as sought after as the absent Godot, much talked about but invisible to the eve of the waiting Press gathered below the chamber where they were tried and judged by their fellow peers.

While their trial was going on the candidates for the 2006 winter games, the first one to follow the disgraced Salt Lake City winter games, paraded their wares.

But the members had more pressing things on their minds -the loss of perks such as first class flights and being wined and dined and see everything at first hand.

Those 91 peers of the IOC realm, in whose hands lay the future of the sacred six, broke from their onerous duties, a way that one of their number had called a ‘revolutionary day’, at around an hour into the session to savour the delights of coffee and prepare for their job as executioners.

There was a rattling of two coffee cups as the two dissenting voters in the vote of confidence over IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch contemplated being found out.

They at least had hidden behind the sanctuary of a secret ballot while the newly-boosted President, a former Spanish diplomat, contemplated delivering a hands on or rather a show of hands only approach to decide whether the six members were guilty or not. 

Called on to account the Spaniard found that the peasants were not for taking totally and was overwhelmed in the ensuing vote after petulantly informing that dissenting voices that he would need 30 per cent of the members to force a secret ballot.

The dissenters won it with an 85 per cent majority.

Thus the IOC proceeded to listen to what should have been 20-minute difference of their actions by the select six - most stretched beyond that - followed by the vote on each individual.

Not even Samoan Paul Wallwork could escape from the scent of IOC justice despite having recovered his mobility, and taken Commonwealth Games weightlifting silver in 1974, after a sporting accident had reduced him to a tetraplegic in 1959.

The unfortunate man selected for the job of bringing the accused from the ante room to the jury, some of whom had been guilty of lesser offences but were still allowed to sit in judgement, was IOC Senoir Vice-President Pal Schmitt, who if Mr Samaranch were to die in the next three months would succeed him.

Mr Schmit also had the unedifying task of dealing with them after the verdict had been announced, having them shepherd out the back door to a waiting car, an unpleasant trip back to the IOC hangout, the Palace Hotel.

Finally the august body sent their spin doctors out to spread the word that the stables had been cleaned, that every thing was going to be alright and that would be confirmed at a Press Conference by Secretary-General Francois Carrard and witchfinder-general Dick Pound.

As for the rest of the jury they would not be coming down the stairs to officially out their own version of events -something that seemed removed from reality.

Down they poured.

Former FIFA President Joao Havelange, who had spoken on Mr Samaranch’s behalf for the vote of confidence, bulldozed his way out of the building with a gruff ‘no’ to one question.

Pandemonium broke out as veteran IOC member Marc Holder, the man who precipitated the whole sleaze inquiry, was pursued down the narrow passageway as advertising boardings on the unfortunate building cites went flying - Turin, the strongest bidders against holders’ favoured city of Sion - being the prime victim.

The most surreal note was sounded by former Olympic sprinter Valery Borzov. Replying to a question in English, he said he would answer - but did his audience mind if it was in Ukrainian?.

Italian IOC member Franco Carraro was one of the few who dared condemn the day’s events, saying that only the weak had been preyed upon and that it was not a day for justice.

And then Schmitt descended and cast for the first time an insight into how the six had behaved and received the news of verdicts.

All were shattered but in particular Wallwork cried over his expulsion, blaming his soon to be ex-wife for his disgrace.

But below he would have found little sympathy from those people involved with the 2006 bids.

For him the games were over.

The scandal put an immediate halt to all visits to the bidding cities by IOC members, how to win them over is the problem facing the would-be visitors.

Were boxing judges bribed?

NEW YORK, March 18 (Reuters) — A grand jury in New York is investigating whether the judges in the controversial Holyfield-Lewis heavyweight boxing title fight received illegal payments, investigative sources said yesterday.

The probe ordered by the Manhattan District Attorney is the first to examine possible criminal conduct in Saturday night’s bout, which ended in uproar when the combined scoring of the three judges ruled it a draw despite what most experts considered a clear cut win by British boxer Lennox Lewis.

"We have to have legally sufficient evidence in order to impound any funds," a source close to the investigation said. "We will investigate how the judges were selected and did they receive payments that they failed to disclose."

The outcome of the fight between the USA’s Evander Holyfield and Lewis at Madison Square Garden is already being probed by three New York state authorities — the State Athletic Commission, the Attorney General, and a state senate panel.

Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau ordered the grand jury probe at the request of New York City Council Speaker Peter Vallone, who said he believed that Lewis "was robbed of the championship title."

The fight, instead of producing an undisputed heavyweight world champion, has plunged the boxing world into crisis, with expert boxing observers questioning whether the judging might have been rigged or was just incompetent.

Judge Stanley Christoudoulou of South Africa scored the fight 116-113 points in favour of World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Lewis. American Eugenia Williams had Holyfield winning 115-113 Judge Larry O’Connell of Britain scored it a draw at 115-115.

Holyfield retained his World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation titles and Lewis kept his WBC crown.

The judges were appointed by the three organisations and were paid standard fees.

In response, a spokesman for the District Attorney said: "We have launched an investigation into the Evander Holyfield-Lennox Lewis championship fight."

The grand jury can issue an indictment if it finds grounds for criminal charges or report to the state legislature to change boxing regulations. The probe is expected to take about two months.

New York State Senatior Roy Goodman is scheduled to chair a hearing on Thursday during which promoter King, fight managers and possibly some of the judges could testify, a spokesman for the lawmaker said.

Steve Elworthy rocks Kiwis

WELLINGTON, (New Zealand), March 18 (AP) — Steve Elworthy rocked New Zealand with four wickets as he successfully stepped in for injured South African paceman Allan Donald in the third cricket Test today.

A brilliant catch by Shaun Pollock undermined a spirited New Zealand fightback on the opening day and the hosts finished at 211 for six at stumps.

Elworthy, playing only his second Test after Donald was forced out with a stomach injury, claimed 4-58 including two wickets with the second new ball.

Pollock caught Gary Stead four overs before stumps to break the backbone of a New Zealand’s batting recovery.

The Kiwis had bounced back to 203 for four after slumping to 58-4.

The home side collapsed either side of a 145-run fifth wicket stand between Stead (68) and Chris Harris (66 not out) on a wicket that eased after producing lavish sideways movement early on.

The tough-minded Canterbury pair defied the early evils of a rain-affected pitch with a stubborn three-and-a-half hour defiance before South Africa wrested the initiative with the second new ball.

Stead, playing only his second Test after coming in for the still injured Stephen Fleming, edged an outswinger and Pollock at third slip dived to his right to complete the catch.

Elworthy, who took 2-1 in six balls soon after lunch, claimed night watchman Daniel Vettori nine balls later when Jacques Kallis took a low catch at second slip.

Elworthy improved on his 1-41 on debut against England at Trent Bridge in 1998.

"He caused a fair amount of problem to our batsmen,’’ said Stead. "He was very difficult to pick, especially with his arm coming over the sight-screen."

"I think they (South Africa) upped their intensity from Christchurch and were very sharp on the field. It was very tough out there.’’

Harris played a courageous knock, staying out for 225 minutes despite illness despite dehydration and vomiting spells.

Stead’s career-best innings lasted 212 minutes and included 10 boundaries off 153 balls. Harris hit nine boundaries off 172 balls.

In conditions extremely difficult for batting, New Zealand took lunch on 50 for the loss of openers Matthew Horne and Bryan Young in 29 overs.

Soon after lunch Nathan Astle and Roger Twose, who scored 12 runs in two hours, fell victim to Elworthy as the home side’s innings nose-dived to 58 for four in the 36th over.

Pollock, spearheading the attack, drew first blood when he forced an outside edge to remove the in form opener Horne in the ninth over of the morning.

Horne, with scores of 93, 60, 36 and 56 in the previous two drawn Tests, edged a catch to Daryll Cullinan at first slip after scoring two in 35 minutes.

SCOREBOARD
New Zealand (1st innings):
Horne c Cullinan b Pollock 2
Young c Rhodes b Kallis 18
Twose c Boucher b Elworthy 12
Astle b Elworthy 20
Stead c Pollock b Elworthy 68
Harris not out 66
Vettori c Kallis b Elworthy 4
Parore not out 0
Extras (18lb, 3nb) 21
Total: 211 for six
Fall of wickets: 1/7,2/32,3/57,4/58,5/203,6/207.
To bat: Dion Nash, Simon Doull, Shayne o’Connor.
Bowling: Shaun Pollock 22-10-30-1 (3nb), Steve Elworthy 21-7-58-4, Jacques Kallis 20-5-44-1, Lance Klusener 15-7-33-0, Paul Adams 7-2-12-0, Hansie Cronje 5-3-16-0.

Anand finishes runner-up

BANGALORE, March 18 (PTI) — Chetan Anand led a sterling performance by the Indian badminton team, finishing runner-up in the boy's singles event of the German Junior International Tournament which concluded recently at Bottrop.

Among other members of the junior team at present touring Europe, Arup Baidya and Saneva Thomas in the boy's section reached the quarter-final stage before being ousted from the tournament that ended on Sunday, a press note from the Badminton Association of India (BAI) said here today.

In the girls' section, Divya Ramesh reached the last eight where she lost to Atu Rosalina of Indonesia 11-4, 1-11, 3-11.

Anand, who defeated Andrew South of England in the semi-final, was consumed by German No. 1 Bjorn Joppien 13-15, 5-15.

Anand had outplayed Ian Pelethrope (England) 15-4, 15-7, Arthur Van Hamel (Ned) 15-6, 15-6 and Shinji (Japan) 15-12, 15-10 and Jonas Lyduch (Den) 15-11, 15-7 (quarters) on his way to semis.

Arup Baidya, who reached the last eight stage of the Dutch junior international, upset ninth seed Rune Massing (Ned) in the pre-quarter final before losing to second seed Endra Feriyanto of Indonesia 15-7, 5-15.

Saneva lost to eventual winner Joppien 5-15, 12-15. He had upset Hi Hoon Hoi of Korea in a pre-quarter finals 10-15, 15-10, 17-15.

D. Shwetha, Rahul and Ketari lost in the first round itself.

Focus on Williams sisters

KEY BISCAYNE, (Florida), March 18 (Reuters) — Since just about the time the youngest two of his five daughters — Venus and Serena — picked up tennis rackets, Mr Richard Williams has been telling the world they’d one day dominate women’s tennis.

Neither Williams sister is quite there yet — Swiss teen Martina Hingis reigns as number one — but they are dominating the buzz ahead of the big-time Lipton Championships starting today on this northern-most island of the Florida Keys.

Eighteen-year-old Venus is defending Lipton Champion and winner of last month’s Oklahoma City Tournament. Serena, 17, swings into Key Biscayne having won her first two career title in the last two tournaments she’s played — in Paris and last week in Indian Wells.

The sisters have been entering different tourneys to avoid competing against one another. At the Lipton, which boasts men’s and women’s fields worthy of a Grand Slam event, they are in separate halves of the draw and could only meet in a dream final.

The men’s side features 16 of the top 17 ranked players, and a new king of the mountain — Spaniard Carlos Moya, who bumped Pete Sampras from world number one last week at Indian Wells. All his closest challengers — Sampras, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Alex Corretja and Patrick Rafter are on hand.

The 16th-seeded Serena faces a potential fourth-round match with Monica Seles, a quarter-final test against Mary Pierce, and a possible clash with top seed Hingis in the semifinals.

Serena’s charge through a star-studded field at the Evert Cup, despite a knee injury, included victories over three top-10 players — Davenport, Pierce and Graf.

"I always believed I can beat the best, be the best, achieve the best," Serena said after her 6-3 3-6 7-5 victory over Graf in Indian Wells. "I’ve never had a problem with believing in myself."

The enterprising Williams sisters are also creating news off the court, having launched a monthly newsletter called the "Tennis Monthly Recap", partly aimed at helping them combat tour boredom.

As a budding journalist, Serena said after winning the Evert Cup she might have to interview herself for the next newsletter because "it’s a hot story."

World number one Pete Sampras, who turned down many interview requests from veteran tennis journalists at Indian Wells, agreed to be grilled by the Williams sisters for their Wimbledon issue.

Thus far, the only player to decline to talk with the sisters was Britain’s Greg Rusedski, who told Serena "my time is expensive," when she asked for the interview.

Both Venus and Serena are also preparing for another possible career besides tennis.

Regency Pictures, a film company that holds the worldwide television rights for the WTA Tour, has screen- tested both Venus and Serena, who are looking to add screen star to their burgeoning resumes.

IOC modifies games bidding system

LAUSANNE, March 18 (Reuters) — The International Olympic Committee today modified the bidding system for the 2006 winter games in an effort to avoid a repeat of the Salt Lake City bribery scandal.

But a special IOC session, which expelled six members for accepting bribes in Salt Lake City’s successful bid for the 2002 winter Olympics, insisted that all members would retain the right to choose the venue.

The IOC’s executive board had originally wanted to give the final decision on the 2006 games to a smaller selection committee to avoid any possibility of widespread vote-buying by candidate cities.

But faced with a revolt from members who did not want to lose their right to vote, the executive put forward a compromise which was accepted by today’s session.

Under the compromise, the selection committee will shortlist two candidates and the whole membership will then take part in a final vote on the venue.

A vote is scheduled to be taken on the 2006 games in June in Seoul with six candidates for selection - the Swiss town of Sion, Turin in Italy, Helsinki in combination with Lillehammer in Norway, Poland’s Zakopane, Slovakia’s Poprad Tatry and Austria’s Klagenfurt which is fronting a three-country effort with centres in Slovenia and Italy.

Sion and Turin are the current favourites.

Chandigarh outplay Andamans

CHENNAI, March 18 (PTI) — Chandigarh came from behind to score thrice to beat Andaman and Nicbobar 3-1 in cluster ‘H’ while Railways and Uttar Pradesh won in contrasting style in the National Football Championship today.

Railways streamrolled Rajasthan 6-1 in cluster H here while in Udhagamandalam UP Helped by Biklap Chaturvedi’s brace got the better of Jammu and Kashmir in cluster ‘A’.

Both matches in Chennai went on expected lines with better known teams coming out unscathed. While Railways were content with their 6-1 margin and muffed up plenty of goal scoring chances, taking things easy after their 5-1 lead at the break, Chandigarh surprised by an early Joseph goal of Andaman, scored thrice (two by Rajiv Rattan and brilliant medio Varinder Kanwar).

Though Chandigarh scored three goals, their forward Viney Kanwar, was unlucky not to have scored as at least on four occasions his tries came off the upright.

After initial domination, the talented but inexperienced Andaman were at the receiving end almost throughout the game. After Joseph put them in the lead in the fourth minute, ‘keeper John Valient received a red card for handling the ball outside the box in the 24th minute. Substitute ‘keeper Nepot was brought on at the cost of Camphell, who was enterprising in their attack.

JCT go down to East Bengal

CALCUTTA, March 18 (PTI) — East Bengal kept their fading title hopes ticking as they blanked JCT, Phagwara, 2-0 in a super six tie of the National Football League here today.

The Calcutta giants struck once in each half through Raman Vijayan and Emmanuel Opoku to take their points tally to 16 from nine matches, but are still a point behind leaders Salgaocar Sports Club of Goa, who have played a match less.

Salgaocar, who play Mohun Bagan tomorrow and wrap up their engagements against JCT on March 21, need three more points to put the issue beyond East Bengal.

Today’s match at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium saw an East Bengal domination, particularly in the midfield, though JCT looked more organised in the initial stages of both halves.

Ghanaian Emmanuel Opoku and Ranjan Dey, both of whom missed the F C Kochin match, played key roles, with the former sparkling as the midfield general and the latter giving a good account of himself as a midfield blocker.

East Bengal shot into lead in the 23rd minute following an excellent move. Dipendu Biswas ran down the middle and crossed to the far right for Carlton Chapman who centred from the corner flank and Raman Vijayan, lurking beside the far post, headed home.

The winners scored an insurance goal in the 63rd minute when Raman Vijayan on receiving a pass from Basudeb Mondal, unleashed an angular shot from top of the box. Opoku rushed in and changed the angle with a firm left footer which entered the corner of the net.

Railways sail into semis

HYDERABAD, March 18 (PTI) — Defending champions Railways stormed into the semifinals defeating Border Security Force (BSF) 4-1 after leading 2-1 at half time in the quarter-finals of the National Hockey Championship here today.

Railways will now meet the winners of the clash between Uttar Pradesh and Indian Airlines in the semifinals to be played on March 25.

Two superb hat-tricks by Mohammed Shakir and Iqbal Ahmed helped Bhopal make short work of Manipur 8-2 after leading 2-1 at interval in the opening group-1 league match.

Railways kept up their winning spree and dominated the proceedings. Their forwards, Ajinderpal Singh, Brijniv, Chanderpal and Anwar Khan functioned like a well oiled machine putting BSF defence under pressure time and again.

Railways scored their first goal through a penalty corner in the 8th minute. Chanderpal’s push from the endline was deflected by Anmole Aind on top of the circle for Ajinderpal Singh near the goal-mouth to do the rest.

International Rajesh Chouhan slammed home four goals as Air-India thrashed Madhya Pradesh 13-1 to register their second win from group-I in the National Hockey Championship here today.

Punjab and Sind Bank (PSB) opened their campaign with a 3-1 win over Universities in another group-I match while Bengal from group-H steam-rolled Kerala 8-4 in yet another league match.

In a match late last night, Madhya Bharath drew their second group-G league tie with Tata Sports 2-2.

Air-India, who massacred Pondicherry (21-0) in their opening league tie yesterday, continued their good work against Madhya Pradesh and led 6-0 at the lemon time.

Chouhan was in fine form today. He mesmerised the rivals with his deft stick work and deceptive moves to pump in four goals in the 31st, 33rd, 58th and 62nd minutes of the match.

Edward Arhana and Deepak Thakur, hero of yesterday’s match, showed their prowess with their beautiful one-two, one-two moves and scored three goals each.

Kishore Kumar, Davinder Kumar and Cornelius D’Costa also chipped in with a goal each for the air men.

Centre forward Richard Lal reduced the margin in the 59th minute for Madhya Pradesh.

In a dull and drab affair, the bankmen with a few internationals in their ranks, missed quite a few easy chances but still ended up winning with a 3-0 margin.

Universities too had their share of chances to score. Their forwards Ajit Pal Singh, skipper Sandeep Sangwan and Davender Pal Singh combined well but found the bank’s international custodian Alloysius Edwards a hard nut to crack.

PSB opened their account in the 21st minute through a field goal by former international Sanjeev Kumar Dang. The bankmen scored two more goals in the second half through Baljit Singh Chandi and Bhupinder Singh in the 60th and 65th minutes respectively to seal Universities’ fate.

Universities who forced four penalty corners failed to convert even one due to their stopper on the strike line Devender Pal Singh’s trapping was found wanting.

In a one sided encounter, Bengal blanked out Kerala 8-0. This is Bengal’s first win in their group-H league, while Kerala in their earlier encounters had lost to Services 10-0 and CRPF 10-0.

Rajat Minz was the highest scorer for Bengal by scoring three goals while Kishore Kujur, Cyril Ekka, Sumar Toppo and Magramundal scored a goal apiece.

Thukral, Selvi win TT titles
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, March 18 — Arul Selvi of Indian Bank among girls and Deepak Thukral of Dena Bank emerged victorious in the women's and men's singles event respectively in the All-India Inter-Bank Table Tennis tournament which concluded here today at the Sector 23 TT hall. Deepak bagged a double crown by winning the men's doubles title partnering Sunil Babras also of Dena Bank.

The top seed Arul Selvi dominated the game right from the beginning and Rinku Acharya who yesterday upset Seema Gargi in the semifinal could not go with the momentum of Arul and lost the first game at 11-21. The second game saw Rinku putting some magnificent smashes and this gave her a few points also. But Selvi who is among the top eight players of the country survived every crucial point and wrapped up the second game at 21-12. In the third and final game, the coach of Dena Bank team and former national champion Kamlesh Mehta gave some fine tips to have variation in the game for Rinku but the experienced Selvi who played a tough match against S Roy in yesterday's semifinal finished the match with a 21-12 win over the Dena Bank player Rinku to clinch the title.

Deepak Thukral, the top seed, beat his opponent Souvik Dey of United Bank of India and second seed in every department of the game. Deepak won the first game quite easily at 21-10 while in the second Souvik gave a splendid display by playing a neat game which took few points in a row from Deepak who finally finished at 21-17. The third game was won by Thukral at 21-12.

The men's doubles final between Dena Bank's Deepak Thukral and Sunil Babras and V Vasu and R Babu of Indian Bank provided some anxious moments with Deepak and his partner taking the first game easily at 21-14 while the second game extended to the final points at 26-24 in favour of the Dena Bank pair who won the match.

Mr Manoranjan Kalia, Health Minister, Punjab, gave away the prizes.

Results: Women's singles — Final: Arul Selvi (IB) b Rinku Acharya (DB) 21-11, 21-12, 21-12. Men's singles (final), Deepak Thukral (DB) b Souvik Dey (UB), 21-10, 21-17, 21-12.

Men's doubles (final) Deepak Thukral & Sunil Babras (DB) b V Vasu & R Babu (IB), 21-14, 26-24.

Men's singles (SF) Deepak Thukral (DB) b Rajdeep Sarkar (DB) 21-16, 21-14, 21-16: Souvik Dey (UB) b Sunil Babras (DB) 21-12, 16-21, 21-16, 21-17.

Men's doubles (SF): Deepak Thukral & S. Babras (DB) b M Boro & S. Roy (RBI) 22-20, 21-14: V Vasu & R Babu (IB) b Kamlesh Mehta & R Sarkar (DB) 21-17, 11-21, 21-19.

KU awards sportspersons
From Our Correspondent

KURUKSHETRA, March 18 — The Annual sports prize distribution function of Kurukshetra University was held in the university Senate Hall here yesterday. Dr B.N.S. Walia, a former Director of the PGI Chandigarh was the chief guest and Dr M.L. Ranga, Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University presided over the function. Dr Walia gave away the prizes and trophies to best players, coaches and managers of the team. About Rs 2.20 lakh was given to players on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Dr M.L. Ranga, highlighted achievements of the University in the past two/three years in the fields of education, culture and sports. He disclosed that the university honoured coaches, managers and other officials concerned for excellence. He said that the university gave Rs 5000 for gold medal, Rs 3000 for silver medal and Rs 2000 for bronze medal to individual sportspersons. To those who attain top position at all-India level competitions, the university gives Rs 3000 for a gold medal, Rs 2000 to silver medal winner and Rs 1000 to bronze medal winner.

Dr Ranga announced that the university would continue to provide necessary financial and other help to inspire players.

Dr B.N.S. Walia observed that Kurukshetra University had an excellent environment for achievements. He stressed that regular exercises for good health was essential for a sportsperson. Dr Walia, called upon the young men to work hard to achieve better results. He maintained that success in games was always based on quality and merit. The chief guest made these observations while comparing politics and sports.

Arjuna Awardee and Assistant Director of Sports of Kurukshetra University Mr D.S. Chauhan gave a report on varsity's sports department in 1998-99. He disclosed that Major Nitin Bali Trophy had been given to Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Yamunanagar (men & women) for inter-college tournament. For this Rs 5000 cash prize was given. Mr Chauhan disclosed that handball (men & women) of Kurukshetra University got the first position in All-India inter-varsity Championship. Similarly, power lifting (men), weight lifting (women), judo (men), Judo (women) and yoga (women) teams got second positions. Boxing gymnastics (men), gymnastics (women), yoga (men) teams got the third position in all-India inter-varsity competition. In the north-zone inter-varsity competition the kabaddi (mens) team of the university won third position and table tennis team (women) won fourth position. In north-zone university championship Kabaddi (men and women) teams got third position. For this Rs 400/- given to each member of the team. Similarly, table tennis which won fourth position in north zone inter-university championship was given Rs 300/- (each member of the team.)

The president of the Kurukshetra University Sports Committee, Mrs Sushil I.S. Uppal praised the vice-chancellor of the university for financial and other assistance to promote sports. Principals of several colleges were also present on the occasion.

Punjab, Railways in last eight

JAIPUR, March 18 (UNI, PTI) — Defending champions Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Indian Railways and West Bengal from pool 'A' and Services, last year's runners-up Punjab, Karnataka and Maharashtra from pool 'B' have assured their quarterfinal berths in the men's section in the 49th Senior National Basketball Championship at the S.M.S. Stadium here this morning.

Holders Indian Railways and Kerala from pool 'A', last year's runners-up Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh from pool 'B' have also made sure of their entry into the last eight in the women's section.

Tamil Nadu semifinalists at the previous nationals, virtually assured themselves of the top position in group 'A' beating West Bengal 79-52 in the league round.

In a group 'B' tie at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium complex Services, who pipped Punjab the previous day, beat Karnataka 65-52 to register their second consecutive win.

National Games bronze medallists Tamil Nadu, who were unlucky to lose to Bihar yesterday despite leading in the initial stages, had little difficulty in disposing of West Bengal 79-52 (half time 53-27).

Kanwapram (18), Suren (21), Sridhar (8), Sivasaran (6) were the main scorers in the Tamil Nadu line-up while Surjit Dev (20) top scored for Bengal.

Though some more league matches are yet to be played. Tamil Nadu have already assured themselves of the top position as they enjoy a better scoring rate.

In a group 'B' match Services who had shocked Punjab yesterday, had to struggle a bit against Karnataka but managed a good lead 39-28 at half time and a comfortable win 65-52 in the end to brighten their chances of topping the group.

Services' mainstay Phool Singh (9) looking a bit jaded after his fine showing in the previous matches, was outclossed by GRL Prasad who top scored with 15 points. Francis and Pawan Kumar were the other scorers.

For Karnataka BS Goutam (17), JMD Austin (9) Murlimohan (9) and R Rajan (8) scored.

In group 'D' tie Orrisa beat Jammu and Kashmir 60-30 after leading 25-20 at the half time.

Amrish Page (14), Dilip Kumar (9), Suraj Kumar (11), and Vijay Kumar (15) were the main scorers for Orissa while Bhanupratap (10), Azad Singh (6), Amit (5), and Sumit (3) combined well for Jammu and Kashmir.

Group 'C': Haryana 53 (Rajesh 14, Krishna 18. Sanjeev 10) beat Himachal Pradesh 56 (Vinod Kumar 14, Praveen 12, Brij Mohan 10).

Women's section — Group 'C': Chandigarh 47 (Jaspreet Kaur 16, Nivodita 8) beat J&K 2 (Monika 1, Pooja 1)

Group 'D': Orissa 45 (Pragyan b Singh 8, Pushpanjali 8, Rameshwari 8) beat Haryana 13 (Savita 5, Hema 2, Poonam 2)

Group 'E': Tamil Nadu 60 (Shyamla 12, Sunitha 11, Vidhya Sridharan 9) beat Assam 27 (Salima Begam 11, Majomi Bora 8, Mitali Das 5)

Rajasthan 36 (Nirmla Sani 20, Deepti Adhikari 4 Neha Mishra 4, Manisha Yadav 6) beat Gujarat 20 (MS Rani 7, Deepali 3. Anita 4).

Indoor stadium for Rohtak

ROHTAK, March 18 (FOC) — The proposed multi-purpose indoor stadium will provide an opportunity to budding sportspersons of this region to develop their talent.

This was stated by Mr G. Madhwan, Commissioner and Secretary, Sports, Haryana, after laying the foundation stone of the stadium at Chhotu Ram Stadium here today.

The stadium will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 78 lakh and will provide facilities for wrestling, judo, badminton, table tennis, handball, basketball and volleyball.

Mr Madhwan said the first instalment of Rs 25 lakh had been released by the authorities for construction of the stadium.

13 Punjab p'lifters in Indian squad

PATIALA, March 18 (FOSR) — Five senior and eight junior powerlifters of Punjab have been selected in the Indian squad scheduled to participate in the Asian Senior and Junior Powerlifting Championships (men and women) slated to be held in New Delhi from April 1 to 5.

Those in the senior squad are Rashpal Singh, Balwinder Singh, Sushil Kumar, Ashok Kapoor and Narinder Kaur. Those who have made it to the junior team are Piara Singh, Neeraj Giri, Gurmeet Singh, Kulwant Kumar, Surjit Singh Samra, J.S. Cheema, Ashok Kumar and Mandeep Kaur.

Mr S.P. Singh of PSEB will be the manager of the Indian squad which has as many as 42 powerlifters, out of which six are from PSEB.

Rupinderdeep Kaur is best athlete

CHANDIGARH, March 18 (TNS) — Rupinderdeep Kaur won the best athlete trophy of the Punjab Engineering College. Mr T.C. Gupta, vice-president of the Judo Federation of India and president of the Punjab Judo Association, who gave away the prizes, announced a cash award of Rs 10,000 to Rupinderdeep Kaur as incentive.