S P O R T

Slater, Waugh hit centuries
WELLINGTON, March 25 — Michael Slater and Steve Waugh plundered centuries as Australia established a first innings lead over New Zealand in the second cricket Test at the Basin Reserve here today.

Anand triumphs in rapid chess
MONTE CARLO, March 25 — Viswanathan Anand is booming back into the kind of form he is known for in rapid chess, as he outplayed Predrag Nikolic in the eighth round of the Amber Chess Tournament. But in blindfold, where he continues to lead the section, the Bosnian player helped him to a quick draw.

Draw thwarts BSF hopes
LUDHIANA, March 25 — Border Security Force, Jalandhar’s hopes of retaining their hard-earned slot in the National Football League went up in smoke as Karnataka league champions Indian Telephone Industries, Bangalore, battled to a goal-less draw in their concluding tie at Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

US athlete Michael Johnson jubilates after setting a new world record of 30.85 seconds in the 300 meter sprint in Pretoria, South Africa on Friday. — AP/PTI photo

Goodwin props up Zimbabwe
KINGSTON, March 25 — Zimbabwe’s Murray Goodwin hit his second Test century to spur his team to 220 for five at the close of the second cricket Test against the West Indies at Sabina Park.

Salgaocar to go all out for victory
MARGAO, March 25 — Salgaocar will go all out for a win to finish among the top three when they lock horns with Mahindra and Mahindra of Mumbai in their final match of the fourth edition of the National Football League here tomorrow.

Spain beat India in qualifiers
MILTON KEYNES (England), March 25 — India’s bid for a berth in the Sydney Olympics got off to a disastrous start yesterday as they went down 1-3 to 1992 champions Spain in their opening match in the women’s Olympics hockey qualifying tournament here.

Churchill beat JCT, finish 2nd
MARGAO, March 25 — Churchill Brothers scored a convincing 3-0 win over JCT in their final match to finish runners-up behind champions Mohun Bagan in the fourth national Football League here today.

Indian rowers to train in USA
CHANDIGARH, March 25 — Indian rowers, performed spectacularly by at the Asian qualification championships in October to clinch a berth for the Sydney Olympics, felt Mr K P Singh Deo, President, Rowing Federation of India, who was in the city to witness the trials at the ongoing camp of Indian rowing team.

Udham Singh’s death condoled
PATIALA, March 25 — Several international hockey players and former Olympians condoled the death of the four-time Olympian Udhan Singh who died on Thursday.

POA reviews progress
CHANDIGARH, March 25 — The meeting of the Punjab Olympic Association to review the progress to hold National Games in November was held today. It was chaired by the Union Sports Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who is also the President of the POA.

REGIONAL SPORT BRIEFS

Mira Verma in TT finals

India keen to clinch spot in final

SHARJAH, March 25 (PTI) — Buoyed by their fighting victory over Pakistan under pressure, India will be keen for a repeat performance against their arch-rivals and clinch a final spot within the distance in the Coca Cola Cup one-day tri-series second league clash here tomorrow.

After their 10-wicket thrashing against South Africa, India showed nerves of steel to achieve a modest target by weathering the four-pronged Pakistan pace attack to bounce back into the tournament with veteran Mohd Azharuddin leading the way with a world record 58th half century.

South Africa’s three wicket win over Pakistan in another low-scoring affair last night to virtually clinch a place in the March 31 final has left India in an ideal position to drive home the psychological edge at the Sharjah Stadium.

The Indian attack, which never let go the advantage after making early inroads into Pakistan’s largely inexperienced batting line-up, reaped the rewards for a disciplined approach and will strive to realise full batting potential as well.

Skipper Saurav Ganguly today announced paceman Javagal Srinath, omitted for the game against Pakistan, will not be included and will sit out at least for the last two league ties.

After two low-key batting performances, India will be looking forward to batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar producing one of his Sharjah specials.

Tendulkar, who has been adopting a sedate approach to complement skipper Saurav Ganguly’s all-out aggression, will aim to cut loose after making only five and 11 in the first two games.

Pakistan, who lost their 14th straight contest against South Africa last night, showed a lot of grit to make their rivals toil despite defending a modest 196 without injured pace stalwart Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar.

Both Akram and Akhtar, nursing groin strains, are doubtful for tomorrow’s tie and Pakistan team management’s move to enlist the services of medium pacer Azhar Mahmood and off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq to bolster the attack — they are slated to arrive next week — could prove to be too late.

According to the Pakistan camp, fast bowler Shahid Nazir is likely make it for tomorrow’s all-important game.

India, under Ganguly’s inspirational leadership, are on a high and are actually feeling superior to Pakistan for the first time in a long while, especially at this venue.

India, who arrived here after beating South Africa 3-2 in the one-day series at home, have shown rare flexibility in batting and bowling and their fielding also looked sharp in the tie against Pakistan which featured two run outs.

“Srinath will not be playing the next two games,” Ganguly emphatically said as he strove to take a firm grip over the team and show that poor performances will not be tolerated.

India, who meet South Africa in their final league tie on Monday and aim to hand the Proteas their first defeat in eight outings in Sharjah, will however be wary of 18-year-old opener Imran Nazir, who has been impressive with strokeful knocks of 43 and 71 in the first two ties.

Teenager Nazir revealed his class in his 115-run stand for the second wicket with youngster Younis Khan, who made 48, against South Africa and only Lance Klusener’s inspired burst of five for 43 undermined the innings.

India will also be wary of their poor net run rate that could undo them in case they let Pakistan off the hook.

While South Africa with four points are at the top of the table, India are at the bottom in terms of net run rate after their slow scoring to overhaul Pakistan’s 146 and a modest 164 they achieved against South Africa in the lung opener.

A worried Pakistan skipper Moin Khan said: “Our middle order is a worry at the moment. We need to improve a great deal and must win tomorrow’s game”.

The only silver lining has been the form of its young batsmen Nazir and Younis Khan.

The Peshawar-born Nazir has shown his class with sweetly timed strokes as well as his ability to produce big hits despite a frail physique.

The teenager who played his inaugural Test against Sri Lanka in the Asian championship at Colombo last year and made his one-day debut against Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam during the triangular series has eased into the gap left by the absence of seasoned Saeed Anwar.

Though Shahid Afridi has failed to click as opener, Younis Khan has brought his ability, seen in a debut Test hundred against Sri Lanka in the recent series back home, into the shorter version too.

Though Nazir and Younis consumed too many overs in their century stand, Pakistan coach Javed Miandad said: “What do you expect from inexperienced players? They deserve encouragement and not criticism”.

South African skipper Hansie Cronje warned Pakistan had a very experienced bowling line up that always found a way to choke batsmen and the Indians will be determined not to let that happen.

Ganguly slams Sharjah pitches

SHARJAH, March 25 (PTI) — Indian captain Saurav Ganguly today slammed the kind of pitches prepared for the Coca Cola Cup one-day cricket series and blamed the low-scoring games thus far on them.

“They have to give wickets where there are runs. The outfield is slow and it adds more to the anguish. The wicket is slow, the ball doesn’t travel and 200 becomes a winning total,” he said.

The highest score thus far from three league ties has been 196 made by Pakistan in their three-wicket defeat against South Africa last night.

“Because of these conditions, you see empty stands here. You could see looking at people in the stands. I have never seen an India-Pakistan match played here in front of empty stands,” Ganguly told reporters on the eve of the crucial tie against Pakistan.

The classy left-hander said he had a sore and swollen hip, suffered after being struck by an express delivery from Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar, but assured he would play.

“There is a lot of swelling but I am not going to sit out,” he said.

Ganguly said Pakistan, despite losing both their league games, could be a different proposition tomorrow and also felt despite reports of injuries to pacemen Wasim Akram and Akhtar both could play.

Slater, Waugh hit centuries

WELLINGTON, March 25 (AFP) — Michael Slater and Steve Waugh plundered centuries as Australia established a first innings lead over New Zealand in the second cricket Test at the Basin Reserve here today.

Looking shaky at 51 for four after the loss of two wickets in the first 35 minutes, Australia set up a 20-run first innings lead over the Kiwis at the end of the second day’s play.

Slater claimed his 14th Test hundred and Waugh his 22nd as they put on 199 runs for the fifth wicket to seize the initiative and put the pressure back on Stephen Fleming’s Black Caps with three days to play.

At the close, Australia were 318 for five with Waugh unconquered on 109 and Damien Martyn not out 41. The Kiwis scored 298 in their first innings yesterday.

It was Slater and Waugh’s near record partnership which swung the balance after first innings centurion Chris Cairns had removed Justin Langer (12) and Mark Waugh (3).

Slater crashed 22 fours and a six in his 278-minute innings to be finally out when he attempted to hook part-time bowler Craig McMillan and was caught behind by Adam Parore about an hour before bad light stopped play.

The partnership fell just 14 runs short of the fifth wicket partnership of 213 between the two countries, set 14 years ago by Greg Ritchie and Greg Matthews at the ground.

Slater and Waugh became the first Australian batsmen to score Test centuries in New Zealand since Allan Border’s 114 at Christchurch in 1986.

Waugh, like Slater looking for a big score after a recent run of outs, passed England’s David Gower to become Test cricket’s sixth all-time leading run-getter.

He also passed David Boon and Neil Harvey to become the fourth Australian batsmen with the most test hundreds behind Greg Chappell, Allan Border and Don Bradman.

Waugh brought up his century in 260 minutes with 16 fours.

Upon Slater’s departure Martyn came to the crease and continued Australia’s scoring momentum to put on an unfinished 68 runs for the sixth wicket in his breezy 41.

New Zealand laboured away without Auckland Test spinning hero Daniel Vettori, who did not return for the final session after injuring his lower back while fielding.

The attack was carried by Cairns, but he was punished with the second new ball and in one over he went for 13 runs.

Fleming admitted to problems containing the Australian batsmen on a flat pitch heading into tomorrow’s third day and the likelihood of a significant Australian innings lead with Adam Gilchrist next in.

Australia, who lead the three-match series after a 62-run victory in last week’s Auckland Test, are chasing a record ninth consecutive Test victory here after equalling a 79-year-old Australian milestone in the opening Test against New Zealand.

New Zealand began strongly in the morning session when Cairns, who slammed 109 in the first innings, had Langer caught behind for 12 and Mark Waugh caught close to the wicket for three to leave the Australians at 51 for four.

Anand triumphs in rapid chess

MONTE CARLO, March 25 (UNI) — Viswanathan Anand is booming back into the kind of form he is known for in rapid chess, as he outplayed Predrag Nikolic in the eighth round of the Amber Chess Tournament. But in blindfold, where he continues to lead the section, the Bosnian player helped him to a quick draw.

Anand’s 1-5-0.5 win placed him in the third position overall, as Alexi Shirov and Veselin Topalov occupy the first two slots. Shirov logged his eighth successive win by the margin of 1.5-0.5, over Jeroen Piket, while Topalov moved from joint second with Anand to sole second, with an excellent 2-0 triumph over former world champion Anatoly Karpov in the eighth round.

Anand, who has always had a good result in rapid against Nikolic continued the trend. With black pieces he went in for the slav defence and with Nikolic not pressing, black (Anand) managed neutrality soon. Anand soon won a pawn and converted that into a good win for one more rapid win that gives his score in rapid section also a lot of respectability. He now has 4.5 points of eight in rapid and that placed him joint fourth.

Anand opened with queen pawn opening in the blindfold and facing the queen’s Indian defence, the Indian opted for the petrosyan variation. But Nikolic (black) managed to neutralise the advantage of white and then accepted the draw when offered by Anand. Anand still leads the blindfold section with six points out of eight and is half a point ahead of second placed trio of Shriov, Topalov and Ramnik.

Rapidplay: Topalov beat Karpov Kramnik beat Ljubojevic Ivanchuk beat Lautier Gelfand drew with Van Wely Piket drew with Shirov Nikolic loses to Anand.

Blindfold: Shirov beat Piket Anand drew with Nikolic, Karpov loses to Topalov, Van Wely drew with Gelfand, Lautier drew with Ivanchuk, Ljubojevic loses to Kramnik.

Rapidplay standing: 1 Shirov 6.5 ; 2 Ivanchuk 6.0, 3 Topalov 5.5, 4 Gelfand, Anand, Kramnik 4.5; 7 Van Wely, Karpov 4.0, 9 Piket, Nikolic 2.5, 11 Lautier 2.0, 12 jubojevic 1.5.

Blindfold: Anand 6.0, Topalov, Shirov, Kramnik 5.5; Karpov 4.5; Piket, Gelfand 4.0; Ivanchuk 3.0; Nikolic, 5.5; Karpov 4.5; Piket, Gelfand 4.0; Ivanchuk 3.0; Ljubojevic, Lautier, Van Wely 2.5.

Overall standing: 1 Shirov 12, 2 Topalov 11.0, 3 Anand 10.5, 4 Kramnik 10, 5 Ivanchuk 9.0, 6 Gelfand, Karpov 8.5, 8 Piket, Van Wely 6.5, 10 Nikolic 5.0, 11 Lautier 4.5, 12 Ljubojevic 4.0.

Draw thwarts BSF hopes
From Amardeep Bhattal
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, March 25 — Border Security Force, Jalandhar’s hopes of retaining their hard-earned slot in the National Football League went up in smoke as Karnataka league champions Indian Telephone Industries, Bangalore, battled to a goal-less draw in their concluding tie at Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

Needing an outright win to stay in contention for the next edition, BSF mobilised all their resources to force their rivals into submission but the Bangalore outfit, who had come dangerously close to relegation, eventually survived to make yet another bid for the prestigious title next year. For BSF, who had made their debut in the NFL this year, it was the end of the road and the para-military outfit will once again have to come through the gruelling second division, the basis for qualification to the NFL.

Although the goal-less draw gave ITI only one point to boost their tally to 18 points placing them at the 10th position in the 12-team league, the result was rather satisfying for the struggling Bangalore outfit. A beaming Prasad Shetty, manager of the team, as also the playes were seen hugging each other at the end of the tense 90-minute encounter.” More than anything else, it was the question of our survival,” said a satisfied Shetty after the match. The BSF coach, on the other hand, who remained on his feet throughout the match passing on directions from the sidelines, was rather saddened as his team, despite some breathtaking performance, made an inglorious exit from the NFL.

With their survival at stake, both the teams made a cautious start and had an equal share of the exchanges in the first half. It was in the 15th minute that ITI made the first serious attempt through Gabriel, whose powerful long ranger was neatly collected by Bibhas Saha under the BSF bar, BSF also hit back in similar fashion with stopper back Satinder Singh testing Balaji from 30 yards.

Midway through the first half, BSF had a golden chance to forge ahead. The veteran Avtar Singh, who was fielded as a full back, despatched a cross for striker D.S. Negi, who after cutting in from the right, sent a measured pass to promising medio J. Oseph. Oseph’s back-heeled attempt almost resulted in a goal but N. Balaji managed to hold the ball in a last-ditch attempt.

Ten minutes from lemon time, ITI’s George Iekha who manage to cut through was in a good position to score but Tapan Bhattacharjee of BSF made a goal-line clearance.

BSF also got a chance in a counter-attack but Vijay Kumar’s powerful long-ranger saw N. Balaji making a timely collection. On changing ends, the match picked up momentum. A booming right footer by ITI’s George Lekha, who made full use of a yawning gap in the BSF defence, missed the target by inches. This was followed by another fine attempt by striker RC Prakash, whose through pass to George saw the latter desptaching a powerful grounder but Saha displayed good anticipation to thwart the move. Prakash once again tried to make full use of the rebound with BSF custodian out of charge but luckily Tapan Bhattacharjee managed to deflect the ball away from the goal-line to prevent damage.

With the minutes ticking away, BSF’s desperation knew no bounds. Coach Shyam Kumar effected several substitutions, bringing in Gurjit Atwal, veteran Abhay Mahato and NG Mandi in place of Avtar Singh, Sane Lama and Harbinder Singh. However, the security men could not do much although they did manage to keep ITI under sustained pressure in the last quarter.

Goodwin props up Zimbabwe

KINGSTON, March 25 (AP) — Zimbabwe’s Murray Goodwin hit his second Test century to spur his team to 220 for five at the close of the second cricket Test against the West Indies at Sabina Park.

Goodwin lashed nine boundaries in a magnificent 113, adding 176 for the fourth wicket with his captain Andy Flower before they both fell off successive balls in the last 10 minutes of the match yesterday.

Flower, who himself scored a century in the first Test, contributed 66.

Veteran fast bowler Courtney Walsh, starting the day five wickets away from passing Kapil Dev’s world record of 434, made an early breakthrough for the West Indies, removing Grant Flower for two. That wicket moved him level in second spot with Richard Hadlee on 431, but the 37-year-old could not further boost his tally despite the urgings of a crowd of about 7,000.

Walsh’s youngest pace colleague, Reon King, added to the visitors’ woes in the morning session, dismissing Trevor Gripper and struggling left-hander Neil Johnson just before lunch.

The defensive-minded Gripper perished to a rare attacking shot, his miscued pull finding Walsh’s safe hands. The 24-year-old made 11 in 109 minutes in a promising stand of 35 with Goodwin.

Johnson followed for his second duck of the series without adding to the score. Demoted after failing as opener in the opening Test loss in Trinidad, the tall 30-year-old edged King low to Chris Gayle at first slip.

Zimbabwe, who won the toss, struggled to lunch at 40 for three off 27 overs. But the next four hours were almost totally dominated by the positive strokeplay of Goodwin and Flower. Goodwin, benefitting from a difficult chance before the break at gully to captain Jimmy Adams off Franklyn Rose when 16, blossomed, bringing up his half century in just over three hours, off 134 balls with his sixth four. The diminutive right-hander was particularly strong on the cut and also drove well through the onside.

Adams, in front of his fellow Jamaicans in only his second Test as skipper, used himself, Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul as part-time spinners but could not dislodge the enterprising pair.

But when he entrusted the second new ball with King and Rose in the last half hour of the day, the mood quickly changed. The positive foot movement and fluent strokes were replaced by uncertainty.

Still, it took a run out to break the soild partnership.

Goodwin was the batsman to suffer, sent back late by the striker Flower as he sought a single to backward square leg. Wavell Hinds was quick to pounce and his return to Adams over the bowler’s stumps was accurate and found the batsman a foot short.

As Goodwin walked off after hitting nine boundaries in his 324-minute, 239-ball effort, Flower slumped in disappointment as the West Indians celebrated, on and off the field.

Salgaocar to go all out for victory

MARGAO, March 25 (PTI) — Salgaocar will go all out for a win to finish among the top three when they lock horns with Mahindra and Mahindra of Mumbai in their final match of the fourth edition of the National Football League here tomorrow.

With Mohun Bagan having clinched the title taking an unassailable lead with 44 points from 21 matches, the contest in the final round will be for the second to fifth positions, the contenders being Churchill Brothers (38 points), Salgaocar (36), FC Kochin (34), JCT (34) and Mahindras (33).

Churchill need only a draw against JCT today to finish second while Salgaocar, whose chances suffered a jolt when they lost their last match against Churchill 1-2, need to win and see the other Goan contender lose to claim the runners-up’s spot.

Sixth-placed Mahindras can finish third by winning tomorrow if FC Kochin and JCT lose their matches as they have a goal difference of 12 against Salgaocar’s seven.

Mahindras defenders Christopher and Ramesh Rajak will not play tomorrow, having collected two bookings, and are expected to be replaced by Sushanta Mazumdar and Naushad Moosa.

Mahindras, who have played well in Goa, winning their encounters against Churchill and Dempo, will go all out for a win to end their league engagements on a happy note.

Striker Bassam-al-Khatib and the nippy M. Najeeb, Mahindras’ main scorers, have combined well up front and will pose a threat to the Salgaocar defence which has looked suspect in the last couple of matches.

Salgaocar, however, will be boosted by the return of Franky Baretto, who missed their last tie against Churchill because of a suspension.

Mahindras coach Harish Rao said: “My boys are in good shape and will go all out for a win. We have played well in Goa and have won both the matches played here earlier and hopefully will win tomorrow also, which will keep us in contention for the third spot”.

Revenge match for F C Kochin

THRISSUR: An absorbing tussle for supremacy is on the cards when FC Kochin and East Bengal clash in their last match in the fourth edition of National Football League championship here tomorrow.

After the completion of the 21st round matches in the 12-team league, Kochin have 34 points and are placed fourth in the table while the Calcuttans are in the seventh slot with 29 points to their credit.

Kochin’s chances to finish third are bright if they win tomorrow. Salgaocar, currently hold third position with 36 points behind Mohun Bagan, who are assured of the title with 44 points, and Churchill Brothers (38 points).

East Bengal, coming here after their brilliant 3-1 win over arch rivals Mohun Bagan, are in a confident mood while the hosts with their inconsistent defence have a tough job at hand.

However, FC Kochin coach T.K. Chathunny was optimistic. “We will go all out for a win. It is a revenge match for us. The home advantage is with us and the mood of the team is very high. The boys are raring to go,” he said.

The Calcutta outfit have the added psychological advantage of having defeated FC Kochin in their first leg encounter. The visitors are likely to bank on nippy striker Dipankar Roy Bijen Singh, Willie Brown and Oassies Pereira to deliver the goods.

The defence would be manned by Falguni Dutta, Anit Ghosh and Jackson Agaypong while Carlton Chapman in the midfield should boost their morale.

Kochin team after its stunning 0-1 loss to BSF did well in their next match against Dempo, Goa, Emerging 4-0 winner and are expected to go all out for a win.

Kochin have the best striker in mercurial I.M. Vijayan, unfortunately nursing a knee injury, but the form shown by the other striker liberian Isaac Tondo, should strengthen the team. The return of attacking medio Eugene Gray into the side after his one-match suspension for earning a red card in the match against BSF, Tejinder Kumar and Noel Wilson would give the razor touch in the midfield.

Young Mahesh Gawli, the stopper-back, along with captain Jo Paul Anchery have been doing a good job for the team in the rear. Goalkeeper Sunday Seah and substitute kepper Saji Joy also have had a good tournament so far.

However, the team that settles fast and capitalises on half chances should have the last laugh. The match is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.

Spain beat India in qualifiers

MILTON KEYNES (England), March 25 (PTI) — India’s bid for a berth in the Sydney Olympics got off to a disastrous start yesterday as they went down 1-3 to 1992 champions Spain in their opening match in the women’s Olympics hockey qualifying tournament here.

The Indians, placed in the tough group A with Germany, Ireland and the USA being the other teams, lost ground from the start as Spain controlled the match and never allowed them many chances.

Seasoned forward Sonia Barrio struck twice, by converting penalty strokes, while Sonia De Ignacio-Simo scored the other goal for the winners. Mamta Kharab scored the consolation goal for India almost at the stroke of the final hooter.

Needing to finish among the top five to join defending champions Australia and continental winners the Netherlands, South Korea, Argentina and South Africa in Sydney, the Indians did well to match their speedy rivals midway through the first session but were totally outclassed in the second half by the Spaniards for whom Barrio did the star turn.

The 29-year-old forward, playing her 197th international, won a penalty stroke in the 24th minute when her fierce drive from inside the box struck defender Kamala Dalal’s foot on the goal-line. Barrio herself took the stroke and easily fired the ball past Indian skipper Tingonleima Chanu to put Spain ahead 1-0.

The Indian hopes of a fightback after change of ends did not materialise as Spain struck again within 10 minutes with Barrio again leading the way.

The speedy forward played a dummy off a penalty corner and instead of firing the ball at the goal pushed it to De Ignacio-Simo, who made no mistake from close range.

Barrio, who was replaced by Luria Lopez late in the second period, scored her second goal off another stroke, awarded after Chanu had brought down Nuria Camon inside the circle.

Churchill beat JCT, finish 2nd

MARGAO, March 25 (PTI) — Churchill Brothers scored a convincing 3-0 win over JCT in their final match to finish runners-up behind champions Mohun Bagan in the fourth national Football League here today.

Churchill, who needed only a draw to finish second and win a cash prize of Rs 22 lakh, went into the lead through Rocky Baretto in the sixth minute. After going into half-time 1-0 up, they increased the lead through Somatai Shaiza (87th minute) and substitute Francis Silveira (88th).

Punjab outfit JCT dominated the second half but failed to score due to the wayward shooting of their forwards. Their defence was also vulnerable in the absence of injured defenders Prabhjot Singh and Dipak Mondal.

Churchill got a dream start. Baretto accepted a pass on the right from Andriy Malchevsky, went past defender Daljit Singh and essayed a firm right-footer which entered the far end of the net. This was Baretto’s eighth goal in the league.

Churchill were forced to make two substitutions midway through the first half when defender Denzil Ferrao had to be rushed to hospital in an unconscious state after hitting his head on the ground following a collision with Jaswinder Singh while going for an aerial ball. Soon after, another defender, Osumanu Husseni, left the field due to a hamstring injury. Anthony Mathews and Ukrainian medio Mykola Shevchenko were the replacements.

Indian rowers to train in USA
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, March 25 — Indian rowers, performed spectacularly by at the Asian qualification championships in October to clinch a berth for the Sydney Olympics, felt Mr K P Singh Deo, President, Rowing Federation of India, who was in the city to witness the trials at the ongoing camp of Indian rowing team.

He along with his team officials met the Union Sports Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who promised to support rowing and agreed to sending teams for advanced training in USA this summer.

Mr Deo, who yesterday witnessed the speed trials at Sukhna Lake where 14 Indian rowers are training for the past one month, told that next two stages anthropometry and physiology will also be judged to make the final selection for the coxless pair for Sydney Olympics. He was accompanied by Major O P Bhatia, Executive Director, Sports Authority of India, and other experts of sports sciences from NIS, Patiala, and others SAI officials.

He said six rowers and two caoches will train for 120 days in New York under renowned coach Ted Bonanno. The rowers will practise with US rowers to get maximum exposure. The total training expenditure will be Rs 35 lakhs.

Col C P Singh secretary general of RFI, said the federation planned to induct more units like Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Manipur. He said 500 metres length area could be suitable as a rowing meet venue.

The RFI planned to have a centre of excellence for rowing at Chandigarh so that girls from Punjab and Haryana could be nurtured. Such excellence centres will be in coordination with the SAI who is already running these centres in other parts of the country. At the present camp the calorie level has been enhanced to 6200 and more use of honey and sprouts would be made.

India hope to get a medal in next Asian Games at Pusan (Korea) in 2002. The rowers training in the USA wil move to Sydney directly in first week of September.

Udham Singh’s death condoled
From Our Sports Reporter

PATIALA, March 25 — Several international hockey players and former Olympians condoled the death of the four-time Olympian Udhan Singh who died on Thursday.

The senior Vice-President of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), Prof Gursewak Singh, in his condolence message said: “My association with Udham Singh goes back to nearly four decades. Udham had an uncanny sence of anticipation and with his deft stickwork left many rival defenders in a state of inertia. A stick was to him what a paint brush would be to an artist. Personally I have lost a very dear friend.”

Arjuna Awardee and former Olympain Harmik Singh, who captained the squad in the 1972 Munich Olympics said: My initial years in hockey were shaped by Udham Singh who over the years became a father figure to me. He was instrumental in shaping the careers of several Olympians like Ajit Pal Singh, Surjit Singh and others. Had not a finger injury come to the fore before the1948 London Olympics, Udham Singh would have been the first Indian to represent the country in five successive Olympics. At present Harmik Singh is employeed as a senior hockey coach at the NIS here.

Dr Manmohan Singh, an executive member of the medical commission of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) also paid rich tributes to the hockey legend saying: “Udham Singh, being a hard task master, would strive to get the best out of his wards. He was very much against the use of drugs in modern sport and also had the fear that the dope menace would enter the game he so passionately loved”.

Similar sentiments were expressed by other international players who either played with the former giant or who at one time or the other were his pupils. Udham Singh was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1965 after Pritipal Singh in 1963 and Charanjit Singh in 1964.

TNS adds from Chandigarh: Union Minister of Sports and Punjab Olympic Association (POA) President Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and POA Secretary General Arvind Khanna in a statement said, “The country as well as Punjab have lost a legendary hockey hero with the demise of Udham Singh.”

“Udham Singh was one of the finest left inside forwards ever in subcontinent and has gone into the Guinness Book of World Records for having represented the country in four consecutive Olympic Games from 1952 to 1964”, they said.

Several Olympians and international hockey players, including Sukhvir Singh Grewal, Jagdeep Singh Gill, Hardeep Singh Grewal and Gurdip Singh Pannu, said the contribution of Udham Singh to the game of hockey was unprecedented.

Till his last day, he remained assoiated with the game. After retiring from international hockey, Udham Singh, who retired as a Superintendent of Police in the Border Security Force, continued to play in the domestic circuity for a long time.

After retiring from service, he associated himself with Sansarpur hockey training centre. These international players urged the Punjab Government to raise a suitable memorial for Udham Singh at Sansarpur.

Meanwhile, Mr R.S. Gill, Mr Teja Singh Dhaliwal and Mr B.S. Brar, all office-bearers of the Punjab Basketball Association, and Mr S.S. Channy and Mr Ashok Aggarwal, president and Secretary of the Punjab Handball Association, also expressed their shock at the sudden demise of Udham Singh. They sent their condolences to the members of the bereaved family.

POA reviews progress
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, March 25 — The meeting of the Punjab Olympic Association to review the progress to hold National Games in November was held today. It was chaired by the Union Sports Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who is also the President of the POA. A two minute silence was observed on the death Olympian Udham Singh.

It was announced that Mr IS Bindra, principal secretary, Sports, Punjab, will be the secretary general of the National Games organising committee and Mr Arvind Khanna will be the organising secretary.

Mr Dhindsa said former players of repute, Arjuna awardees will also be inducted as members the committee after taking formal aproval of Mr Badal. The committee also noted the infrastructure facilities proposed to be provided for the conduct of competitions in different games. He said all medal winners of Punjab in last National Games in Manipur and in other international competitions will be honoured by the Punjab Government soon.

The action plan relating to the preparation of state contingent to take part in National Games was also reviewed. Mr Bindra appealed to the members to make concerted efforts to meet the expenditure for the conduct of the games and volunteered to make every effort to tap resources from all sources. Various senior officials of state associations were also present and assured of their help for the successful hosting these games.

REGIONAL SPORT BRIEFS

Mira Verma in TT finals

PATIALA, March 25 (FOSR) — Mira Verma showed remarkable agility and reflexes to reach the final in the table tennis event for women in the third annual State Bank of Patiala annual sports meet which commenced at the Physical College of Education grounds here today afternoon. In the final Mira Verma will cross swords with Manju Sharma who had the least of problems in disposing of her semifinal rival.

Earlier, the two-day sports meet was inaugurated by Mr R.S. Nanda, General Manager, State Bank of Patiala.