 |
|
| Thursday, March 30, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
|
Windies power to 10-wkt victory |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Venus may retire, says father
Indian eves go down to USA
|
|
SHARJAH, March 29 (UNI) — The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) seems to be in a tight spot over the selection of the national side for its upcoming tour of the West Indies in view of recent injuries to key players, ace off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, all-rounder Azhar Mehmood and veteran opening batsman Saeed Anwar besides strike bowlers Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar who are playing the ongoing triangular series here. Saqlain and Azhar Mehmood are already here awaiting a fitness test ahead of the team selection which has been delayed despite the arrival of top PCB functionaries, including Chairman Tauqir Zia, Director (Operatios) Yawar Saeed and Rameej Raja, member of the Advisory Council. Saqlain and Azhar have recently come out of injuries and they are being put through a rigorous fitness test by Pakistani coach Javed Miandad. After a marathon meeting of the PCB on Monday, Yawar Saeed reasoned out the delay in selecting the squad saying: “It (West Indies) is a long tour and far off making it difficult to send replacements mid-way through.” Pakistan play a triangular series there along with Zimbabwe followed by three Tests. The PCB has also been sent into indecision following the recurrence of groin injuries of both Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar who though played against India on Sunday after missing the match against South Africa. Wasim, eyeing the highest tally in Test cricket, is very keen to tour the Caribbean, and has informed the team management that he was physically capable of going through the paces there. But Akhtar is a little sceptical about his physical fitness. The team management is, however, yet to hear a final word from him. Pakistani captain Moin Khan wants to have Wasim Akram in the team anyway. “Even a half-fit Akram is an asset to the team,” he had said earlier. The former captain is a key figure in the team think-tank along with Moin and Miandad. Saeed Anwar, recovering in London after an operation of his knee, has expressed his desire to join the squad in the West Indies later. He is also keen to play the Asia XI- World XI match at Dhaka (Bangladesh) on April 8 as part of the ICC’s cricket week celebrations. But it is doubtful whether he would be able to make it to Dhaka for the Asia XI squad, to be led by Wasim Akram. In the eventuality of his absence, Indian skipper and opener Sourav Ganguly, who is one of the reserves, is to step into his slot. Earlier, reports quoting a PCB official had referred to a rift between Miandad and Raja over the inclusion of former captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif in the squad. The report said while Miandad was in favour of inclusion of Latif who is a better wicketkeeper, Raja thought that this would stoke dissension in the team which is led by a stumper. The Pakistan team is
leaving for the West Indies on April 2 from here. |
Miandad: Pak are better fighters SHARJAH, March 29 (PTI) — Pakistan cricket coach Javed Miandad yesterday said his team held a superior record against India because they played better under pressure and were “better fighters”. Miandad, who has returned to the key job to reverse Pakistan’s sliding fortunes, said the view that Australia and South Africa were at the top while sub-continent cricket was on the downswing was “all a myth”. He said Pakistan could
dominate India because of the team’s core strength.
“I think it is the mental make up and skill which
decide the winner. Further, we always tend to play well
under pressure,” Miandad told PTI referring to the
win in the ongoing triseries here and in Australia
recently. |
Windies power to 10-wkt victory KINGSTON, March 29 (AFP) - The West Indies powered to a 10 -wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first session on the final day of the second cricket Test at Sabina Park yesterday. Openers Sherwin Campbell and Adrian Griffith raced past their victory target of 72 well before lunch after the home side resumed at eight without loss. Both played extravagant strokes as they set about the Zimbabwean attack. Griffith scored an unbeaten 54 which included 11 fours and came from just 38 balls. He smashed four fours from a Bryan Strang over and Campbell (16 not out) then hit Trevor Gripper to the boundary in the 13th over to take his side to 75 for no wicket and secure the victory. The win followed yesterday’s celebrations for Courtney Walsh’s record 435th Test wicket and the 2-0 series win is the first for Jimmy Adams’ team since the West Indies beat England 3-1 in the Caribbean in 1998. AP adds: The West Indies scored a come-from-behind victory by 35 runs over Zimbabwe in the first Test more than a week ago in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Griffith, who had scores of zero, zero and six in his previous three innings, showed his aggressive intent from the time the West Indies resumed. His first stroke was a top-edged pull off Henry Olonga over the slips, but most of his other strokes were genuine. The 28-year-old notched his third half century in Test with his fourth boundary in one over from left-arm medium pacer Bryan Strang. Fellow Barbadian Campbell swiftly brought about the end with a cover drive for his only four, off part-time off-spinner Trevor Gripper. A crowd of close to 6,000, allowed free entry in anticipation of the West Indies’ victory, swarmed onto the field to join in the celebrations. They followed captain Jimmy Adams and his players around the outfield on a lap of honour. Adams was declared man of the match for his unbeaten 101 in the West Indies’ first innings. It was the second straight day that Jamaicans were celebrating, following wild scenes yesterday when countryman Courtney Walsh became Test cricket’s leading wicket-taker by taking his 435th wicket to surpass Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev’s record of 434. Yet another Jamaican, Franklyn Rose, was named man of the series. Seven of the 13 West Indies players in the Test series were from Jamaica. SCOREBORD West Indies (1st innings): 339 Zimbabwe (2nd innings): 102 West Indies (2nd innings): (overnight eight without loss) Campbell not out 16 Griffith not out 54 Extras (nb-5) 5 Total (without loss, 12.4 overs) 75 Bowling: Strang
3-0-21-0; Johnson 5-1-27-0; Olonga 3-0-20-0; Flower
1-1-0-0; Gripper 0.4-0-7-0. |
Sachin Tendulkar, Akram hail Walsh’s feat SHARJAH, March 29 (PTI) — Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and Pakistan pace duo Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis joined the cricketing world to shower praise on Caribbean fast bowler Courtney Walsh who emerged the world’s highest Test wicket-taker. Tendulkar said the world had just seen a superb feat being performed. “It is not easy to reach 435 — even reaching 400 is a great performance,” the former Indian captain said. Referring to Walsh eclipsing Kapil Dev’s world mark of 434, he said it should not be taken that an Indian has lost the world record. “I don’t think one could look at it this way. Both Kapil and his records have their own merits.” Former skipper Mohammad Azharuddin too felt Walsh’s record must not be seen as one better than Kapil Dev’s. “Both are unique feats. Both have performed over so many years and their longevity is remarkable.” Pakistan’s Wasim Akram, one of those striving to reach the same pinnacle having taken 383 wickets so far, and fellow fast bowler Waqar Younis were effusive in praising Walsh. The 33-year-old Akram said: “his record is a new motivation to me. We both have been chasing this record for so many years now. He has reached there first. I think I also can do it. After all he is 38 and if I maintain my fitness I also can play for another two years.” Waqar too was all praise for Walsh. “For me the most important aspect of Walsh’s cricket is his fitness. He has bowled for the West Indies and Gloucestershire all these years without a break”. The fact he is so tall and yet is injury free is remarkable. If you are tall and a fast bowler, you tend to have back trouble and stress fractures but I don’t ever remember Walsh suffering from such injuries. He deserves a salute.” Former South African fast bowler Richard Snell, who played in the first ever Test against the West Indies in 1992 — on South Africa’s return from international ban — and has seen Walsh perform from close quarters, said “it is amazing. His longevity is remarkable”. West Indian fast bowlers generally tend to last longer. But Walsh has outlived all. I have played against Kapil Dev also and both are legendary fast bowlers.” Pakistan coach Javed Miandad, too, paid his compliments. “I have played against him and seen how talented he is. His line, length, control everything is remarkable. To me his biggest plus point is his dedication. My congratulations to him.” Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar congratulated West Indian fast bowler Courtney Walsh for becoming the highest Test wicket-taker, describing him as a rare cricketer and “sportsman to the core”. Gavaskar, the first batsman to reach 10,000 Test runs and record holder for the most number of Test centuries, said Walsh’s achievement spoke volumes of his dedication, determination and discipline and fitness to stay at the top for such a long time. “More importantly, he has shown that a bowler does not have to sledge and show disrespect to the batsmen to get wickets. Courtney Walsh is a rare cricketer, a sportsman to the core and the record now belongs to one of the nicest persons the game has known,” he said in a statement released here yesterday. “As an Indian, I am sad that Kapil’s record has been broken. I have seen first hand the back-breaking effort that Kapil put in and with no disrespect at all to all those who bowled with him, Kapil often ploughed a lone furrow with the ball that too mainly on Indian pitches which hardly encourage fast and swing bowlers and therefore Kapil’s was a truly stupendous achievement”. “His mark may have been overtaken but to me Kapil Dev is second to none and still India’s greatest cricketer and its pride and joy,” Gavaskar, who was present to watch the ongoing one-day cricket triseries here added. Indian captain Sourav Ganguly praised West Indian pace great Courtney Walsh for becoming the highest wicket-taker in Test history but said it could be a spinner who could get to his record soon. “I think both Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan have got a chance of having a crack at the record, given their success,” said Ganguly. “Looking at the fast bowling talent in the world, I don’t think anyone could last that long. It could be a spinner who will reach that mark next”. “Wasim Akram is 52 wickets away and it will not be easy for him to reach that mark,” said Ganguly. Ganguly said although
Walsh was a great bowler, personally he found Akram more
difficult to negotiate. “As a batsman I find Akram
more difficult than Walsh”. |
Walsh dropped from 1-day squad KINGSTON, March 29 (AFP) — Courtney Walsh, the leading bowler in Test cricket, has been omitted from the 15-member West Indies squad for the triangular limited-overs series involving Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Walsh and opening batsman Adrian Griffith have been dropped from the squad which just completed a 2-0 series win in Tests against Zimbabwe as four additions have been named the boost the numbers. Philo Wallace, Laurie Williams, Nixon McLean and Mervyn Dillon are four added to the squad for the first tri-series to be hosted in the Caribbean, which opens with back-to-back ties between the hosts and Zimbabwe here on Saturday and Sunday. Wallace flew into Kingston yesterday from Trinidad, where he has been playing club cricket for bottom-of-the-table Moosai Sports. He got to Sabina Park just in time to join in the festivities following West Indies’ ten-wicket triumph. He is being rewarded for a productive Busta Cup West Indies first-class championship. In six matches, he scored 371 runs at an average of 37.10 including two centuries. Squad: Jimmy Adams
(capt), Sherwin Campbell (vice-capt), Curtly Ambrose,
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Mervyn Dillon, Chris Gayle, Wavel
Hinds, Ridley Jacobs, Reon King, Nixon McLean, Nehemiah
Perry, Ricardo Powell, Franklyn Rose, Philo Wallace,
Laurie Williams. |
Indians grab lead in youth chess TEHRAN, March 29 (PTI) — Indian players were in high spirits going into fifth round today as three of them jumped into sole lead while two others held a share of the top spot in the Asian Youth Chess Championships here. Former world under-12 bronze medallist Tania Sachdev (3.5) emerged sole leader in the girls’ under-14 section after beating S.Paridar (2.5) of Iran in Sicilian dragon variation while child prodigy V.K.Sindhu (4) continued her reign at the top in the girls’ under-10 section last evening. Sindhu beat Iran’s F.Seidi (2.5) with black pieces in the exchange variation of French defence to take control with an all-win record. An Indian was also in sole charge in the boys U-10 section. M.Abhinav emerged at the top, beating V.Azamatkosuba (3) of Kazakhstan in Schevengen variation of Sicilian defence with black pieces. Former world U-10 boys winner P.Harikrishna and Abhijeet Gupta were sharing the lead in their respective groups. Harikrishna played out a quick 12-move draw with Iran’s H. Tahmasebi (3.5) in French defence to share the U-14 top spot with the Iranian while in under-12 Gupta (3.5) beat G. Pezeshkian of Iran to emerge joint leader with R.Ozhumabaev (3.5) of Kazakhstan who drew with D.Ngueyn of Vietnam. Q.A.Nguyen (3.5) was the lone non-Indian in sole lead in the 48-player age-group tournament after beating B.Khallaeva (3) of Turkmenistan in the girls’ under-12 section. India’s Krutika Nadig was following close behind with three points after beating compatriot Mary Ann Gomez (2). Results (4th round): Boys: under-14 — H.Tahmasebi (3.5) Iran drew P.Harikrisham (3.5), H.Abdulla (3) UAE b S.Alavimoghadam (2.5) Iran, A.Nasri (3) Iran b D.Chakravarty (2) India. Under-12 — R.Dzhumabaev (3.5) drew D.Nguyen (3), A.Gupta (3.5) b G.Pezeshkian (2) Iran, A.Esenova (3) Turkmenistan, b G.Rohit (2) India, Z.Safoev (3) Tajakistan b O.Norooz (2) Iran. Under-10 — M.Abhinav (4) India, b U.Azamatkozubai (3) Kyrgyzistan, P.Oerini (3) Iran b A.Abdullamzaoeh (2.5) Iran, D.Dushujanav (3.5) Kazakhstan b A.Tatishev (2) Kazakhstan. Girls: under-14 — Tania Sachdev (3.5) India b S.Paridar (2.5) Iran, Eesha (2.5) India drew D.Tuitebaeva (2.5), S.Bayat (2.5) Iran drew D.Aketaeva (2.5). Under-12 — Q.A.Nguyen (3.5) Vietnam b B.Khallaeva (3) Turkmenistan, K.Nadig (3) India b M.Gomes (2) India, J.Tilenbaeva (2.5) Kyrgyzistan drew L.Y.Jing (2) China, Z.M.Moosavi (2) Iran drew A.Pourkashian (2) Iran. Under-10 —
V.K.Sinohu (4) India b F.Seidi (2.5) Iran, B.Ting (3.5)
China b N.Mai (2) Vietnam, O.Danilyuk (3) Kazakhstan b
A.Baoelem (1) Iran. |
TN start favourites against Punjab CHENNAI, March 29 (UNI) — Tamil Nadu start favourites as they lock horns with Punjab in the quarterfinals of the Ranji Trophy Cricket Championship at the MA Chidambaram Stadium tomorrow. Punjab, winners in 1993 and the runners-up in 1995-96 season, would have to do their homework really well if they are to pull off an upset win over the formidable Tamil Nadu, who have the advantage of home turf. Tamil Nadu, who would be strengthened by the presence of Robin Singh if he reaches in time from Sharjah, would also be looked to avenge the defeat they had suffered against Punjab at Amritsar in the quarters last year. “We have a good young side and the record of good performance in the competition so far. But Tamil Nadu are more experienced”, Punjab captain Vikram Rathore, who himself has four centuries to his credit this season, said. Tamil Nadu’s S Sharath, who has been named skipper in the absence of Robin Singh, said the home team would have to put up a strong score on the good batting wicket and hoped that the spinners would come good as the wicket would help them from day three in the five day match. Tamil Nadu’s batting would also be strengthened by the return of left hander S Sriram, whose stupendous double century in the supper league catapulted him into the national side. Tamil Nadu had defeated Saurashtra and took first innings lead against Haryana, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh in the five team group C in the super league. UP meet Hyderabad KANPUR, (PTI): Former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin, after a successful comeback to the national side, and Mohammed Kaif, batsman-in-waiting for the middle-order slot, will renew their rivalry when Uttar Pradesh meet Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal starting here tomorrow. A keen tussle is on the cards with the hosts eager to put the record straight by avenging their defeat by Hyderabad in 1998 season. Still smarting from the battering they received against last year’s finalists Tamil Nadu in their last super-league encounter, UP will be looking to redeem some lost pride while Hyderabad come fresh from a 71-run victory over Baroda in their last match. Both teams are waiting
for their star batsmen — Azhar and junior World Cup
winning captain Kaif — to return from the tri-nation
cricket series in Sharjah. They are expected to join
their respective sides by late evening. |
Bagan’s Igor highest goal scorer MARGAO, March 29 (PTI) — Igor Shkvirin of Mohun Bagan, after notching 11 goals, won the distinction of being the highest scorer in the fourth edition of the 12-team National Football League Championship. Igor has been awarded a prize of Rs 1 lakh. He now joins Bhaichung Bhutia, Raman Vijayan and Philip Mensah, who were the highest scorers in the last three editions. Igor, who during the penultimate stage was tied with Francis Silveira of Churchill Brothers with nine goals each, earned the distinction in the final stage after he found the net twice during Bagan’s tie against Tollygunge. Silveira, who scored six goals in the first two matches and was the first person to score hat-trick in this league, fell short of the distinction by a goal when he found the net only once during Churchill’s tie against JCT. He with his tally of 10 goals had to be content with the second place. Francis Silveira and M. Najeeb of Mahindras have scored a hat-trick each in this league. With the first six teams getting cash awards, Mohun Bagan, Churchill Brothers, Salgaocar, F. C. Kochi, JCT and Mahindras became richer by Rs 40 lakh, Rs 22 lakh, Rs 16 lakh, Rs 12 lakh, Rs 9 lakh and Rs 5 lakh respectively. JCT, who received less number of yellow cards, is the front runner for the fair play award of Rs 2.5 lakh. BSF and Dempo, who stood last, are being relegated to the second division. Mohun Bagan, Churchill Brothers, Salgaocar F.C. Kochi, JCT, Mahindras, East Bengal, Tollygunge, SBT and ITI have qualified for the next season. Other two slots will be filled by two teams who top the second division league this season. In all 169 goals were scored in this high profile league. Following are details of goals scored by the players: Igor Shkvirin (Mohun Bagan) 10 goals. Francis Silveira (Churchill Brothers) 10 goals. Issac Tondo (F.C. Kochi), Ignatious S. (SBT), Rocky Baretto (Churchill), M. Najeeb (Mahindras) — 8 goals. Hardip Gill (JCT), R.C. Prakash (ITI) 7 goals, Seriki Abdulateef (Tollygunge), I.M. Vijayan (F.C. Kochi), Andriy Malchevsky (Churchill), Joao Santos (Salgacoar), RJM Barretto (Mohun Bagan) — 6 goals. Jules Alberto (Salgaocar), Bassam Khatib (Mahindras) — 5 goals. Dipendu Biswas, Stephen Abarowei (Bagan), Willie Brown, O.L. Fereira, Dipankar Roy (East Bengal), Marcus Carvalho, Somatai Shaiza (Churchill), Hardip Singh Saini (JCT), Ashif Saheer T (SBT) and Geroge Iekeh (ITI) — 4 goals. Gbenga Lawal, Dharamjit Singh (Salgaocar), Ahmadi K. Seied (Dempo), Hardip Singh Sanga (JCT), V.P. Saji (SBT), Chandan Das (Tollygunge), Jo Paul Anchery (F.C. Kochi), Manjit Singh (Mahindras), James Singh (Bagan), and Basudeb Mondal (Bagan) — 3 goals. Samshi Reza, Bernard O, Satish Minz, Abbas Ali Rizvi (Mahindras), S. Venkatesh, Bruno Coutinho and S.O. Adenekan (Salgaocar), Ram Pal, Harinder Singh (JCT), Gabriel Emechete, P. Muralidharan (ITI), Qwoyami Isiaka, Sashitduley, Kajal Bhattacharjee (Tollygunge), Mohammed Raza (Dempo), Noel Wilson, Sunday Seah (F.C. Kochi), Jouseph, Harbinder Singh (BSF), Emmanuel Opoku, Jackson Agaypong and Falguni Dutta (E. Bengal), Abdul Hakeem N.A. (SBT) — 2 goals. Vinu Jose, T. Shabeer
Ali, (SBT), Yousuf Ahmmed, Candid Maringh, Kenethraj
(ITI), Denis Cabral, Alvito D’Cunha, N.S.
Ravichandran (Salgacoar), Abdul Khalique, Kasif Jamal,
Samuel O. Mollo, R.P. Singh (Bagan), Srikantha Dutta,
Aboyami Felix, Partha Sarat Hidey (Tollygunge), Jaswinder
Singh, Prabhjot Singh (JCT), Gunabeer Singh, Ram Rai,
Eugine Gray, Tejinder Kumar, Nousahad K. (F.C. Kochi), P.
Renedy Singh, Bijen Singh, Raman Vijayan, Tushar Rakshit,
S.K. Sanjib (E. Bengal), Gurjit Singh Atwal, Prasanto
Das, Sane Lama, S.S. Negi, Satinder Singh (BSF), Kaustav
Ghosh, Mykola Shevchenko, Osumanu Husseni, Oscar Hunda
(Churchill), Ramesh Rajak, Aqueel Ansari (Mahindras),
Kannan Priolkar, Remus Gomes and Edwin Fernandes (Dempo)
— 1 goal. |
|
KEY BISCAYNE, March 29 (AP) — For Venus Williams, 19 could be retirement age. Williams, who has yet to play a match this year, may give up tennis to focus on her education and investments, her father has said. “She’s considering that very seriously,” Richard Williams said. “On a scale of 10, I’d say she’s a 7 or a 7 1/2 (to retire).” Williams said he advised his daughter to take at least the rest of this year off. She has been sidelined since November, citing tendinitis in both wrists for the layoff. “She has been playing a long time now, and she needs time off to rest,” Richard Williams said. “She needs to get more education. “She has enough money now for sure. She has some unbelievable investments paying off very well. She’s in a great position right now.” Venus, who finished last year ranked No 3, has career earnings of nearly $ 4.6 million. That doesn’t include her lucrative endorsement contracts. “If Venus retired from tennis, she’d be making a statement,” her father said. “That’s why it’s time to walk away. I’ve seen too many black athletes come out of the ghetto and earn all that money, and four or five years later they’re broke and no one cares who they once were.” Venus’ 18-year-old sister, Serena, is the reigning US Open champion. She may retire when her endorsement deal with Puma expires in three years, her father said. “Because of the planning we’ve done with these two girls, they don’t need tennis any longer,” he said. “When they’re 30 years old, they’ll have 10 or 12 businesses. The things they’ll be doing when they’re out of tennis will surpass tennis so much.” The sisters’ mercurial father acknowledged that his attitude regarding their retirement might seem surprising. He taught them the game and has long touted them as future No 1 players who will dominate the women’s tour. “Maybe I’m crazy,” he said. “Do you think I’m crazy?” Speculation that Venus Williams might be tired of tennis has been building in recent weeks. She has postponed her return to the WTA tour three times, most recently last week when she withdrew from the Ericsson Open two days before the tournament. Serena, eliminated on Monday in the fourth round by Jennifer Capriati, last week said she would be surprised if Venus retired. “I expect to see her back and competing soon,” Serena said. Venus, reached at her home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida declined to be interviewed. Lindsay Davenport, who has dominated the women’s tour in recent months, put little stock in Richard Williams’ remarks about Venus. “I wouldn’t
take anything he says too seriously,” Davenport
said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw her
playing again soon”. |
Full-strength Aussie team for Davis Cup PARIS, March 29 (AFP) — Two-time US Open champion Pat Rafter, back in action after a six-month lay off following shoulder surgery, was today named to join Lleyton Hewitt, Mark Philippoussis and Mark Woodforde in Australia’s Davis Cup team for their world Group quarterfinal with Germany in Adelaide from April 7 to 9. John Newcombe, the captain for the defending champions, named left-hander Woodforde just three months after the doubles expert said he was bowing out after Australia’s 1999 final triumph over France. But his long-time doubles partner, Todd Woodbridge, was overlooked by Newcombe who was enthusiastic about Australia’s prospects. “The current form of Lleyton Hewitt, the Davis Cup return of Pat Rafter, the power and determination of Philippoussis and stalwart Mark Woodforde. What more could a Davis Cup captain ask for?” he asked. Rafter will make his first appearance in Davis Cup competition since July 1999. German captain Carl-Uwe Steeb announced that Tommy Haas will once again lead Germany in the absence of No. 1 Nicolas Kiefer. Steeb retained the same team that beat Holland 4-1 in Leipzig in the previous round which means Rainer Schuttler, David Prinosil and Marc-Kevin Goellner will join Haas. The brunt of the responsibility will fall on Haas as Kiefer has declined to play Davis Cup this year — preferring to concentrate on other events and prepare for the Sydney Olympics in September. The other singles spot will go to either Schuttler or Prinosil but Steeb will wait before making his decision. “I will see who is
on better form,” said Steeb who will count on
Prinosil and Goellner to play doubles. “Australia
are favourites, but as outsiders we can put them in
danger and we are going there to win,” said Steeb. |
Shruti,
Parnita share lead CHANDIGARH, March 29 — Shruti Khanna and Parnita Garewal served notice of their return to form with identical scores of one over par 73 as the eighth Chandigarh Open Spice Ladies Amateur Golf Championship entered its serious phase with the first round of the 54-hole competition here today. With Irina Brar just one stroke behind at 74 it promises to be a battle royale for the honours as all three young ladies have much at stake. Parnita is defending the title, whilst Shruti and Irina are last year’s and this year’s India No 1, respectively. Curiously all three opened with a boggy on the first hole. Shruti Khanna steadied making pars and scoring a birdie on the fifth to be one over at the turn after dropping a shot on the eighth. Two birdies on both the short holes to follow however earned her a level par back nine to get the day’s best gross. Parnita, who after firing birdies on the forth, seventh and eighth was one under par at the turn, let slip her advantage with three bogeys in the back nine and would have slid further but for a brilliant birdie putt on the 18th. Irina on the other hand played her usual brand of steady golf returning pars and avoiding bogeys except on the seventh, eighth and 17th. Two birdies on the 6th and 9th saw her finish both halves on over par 37. In the Silver Division yesterdays star performer Rohini Majithia once again held sway with a gross 89 closely followed by Rana Alam (90) and Gurbrinder Johl (92), mother of local professional Amandeep Johl. Pikka P. Singh who played one under 71 (nett) is in contention with them for the Rani Jagdish Kaur Cup. Neelu Chopra leads the Bronze Division (gross) by a five stroke margin over Nirmal Milkha Singh and young Mina Johl. For the nett trophy 14-year-old Jaskirat shares the lead with Nirmal Milkha Singh at 5 under par 67 (nett). Among the senior ladies Gurbrinder Johl has a narrow lead over Taran Simran Singh and Binny Bath. The results for day are as under: Grewal Salver (0-12 handicap) gross: Shruti Khanna (73), Parnita Garewal (73), Irina Brar (74). Spice Challenge Cup (0-36) Nett: Nirmal Mikha Singh (67). Bawa Gill Trophy (13-24) gross: Rohini Majithia (89), Rana Alam (90), Gurbrinder Johl (92). Meters and Instruments Trophy (25-36) gross: Neelu Chopra (93), Nirmal Milkha Singh (98), Mina Johl (98). Chandigarh Ladies Challenge (0-12) nett: Shruti Khanna (68), Parnita Garewal (70), Irina Brar (72). Rani Jagdish Kaur Cup (13 to 24) nett: Rana Alam (68), Rohini Majithia (71) Pikka P. Singh (71). Elless Trophy (25 to 36) nett: Jaskirat Kaur (67), Nirmal Milkha Singh (67). Lady Governer’s Cup Senior Ladies (Gross): Gurbrinder Johl (92), Taran Simran Singh (93), Binny Bath (93). Junior (below 21 years): Parnita Garewal (73) Irina Brar (74). Subjuniors (Below 15 years): Sonavi Chopra (95), Neha Majithia (96). Best gross score of the day: Shruti Khanna. Best nett score of the day: Nirmal M. Singh. Closest to the pin:
Kushal Datta. |
Punjab
Frontier in final JALANDHAR, March 29 — Host-Punjab Frontier’s volleyball team entered the final of the 25th BSF Inter-Frontier Championship defeating Tripura Cachhar and Mizoram Frontier 25-21, 25-22, 25-19 at Ashwani Stadium here today. In basketball, Rajasthan and Gujarat Frontier entered the final defeating Tripura Cachhar and Mizoram Frontier 74-36. In kabaddi DIG (HQ)
Delhi defeated hosts Punjab Frontier 49-44. South Bengal
defeated Rajasthan and Gujarat Frontier 39-27, while
Kashmir Frontier played a draw with Jammu Frontier. |
|
CHALAKUDY (Thrissur) March 29 (PTI) — Orissa carved out a hard fought 2-1 victory over Chandigarh in a cluster-vii match in the 56th Senior National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy here today. After a barren first half, Orissa forged ahead in the 59th minute through striker Meghrai Tudu. But Chandigarh drew parity through striker Rajeev Rattan in the 61st minute. Medio Kapur Chand Yadav saved the day for Orissa in the 78th minute by notching the winner. After a rather insipid show in the first session, Orissa shrugged off their lethargy and took control with a series of raids from both the flanks, catching the Chandigarh defence off guard on a number of occasions. Orissa strikers Tudu and Laxman Chatterjee, raided the Chandigarh territory at regular intervals and got their reward in the 59th minute when Tudu tapped in a curling flag-kick taken by Laxman on the left flank. However, Rajeev Rattan equalised for Chandigarh with a brilliant effort in the 61st minute when he drew Orissa custodian Annindya Deb out and lobbed over his head into the empty goal. But medio Yadav sealed
Chandigarh’s fate when he blasted home a right
footer from just outside the penalty box. |
|
MILTON KEYNES, March 29 (PTI) — India ended their campaign in the women’s Olympics Hockey Qualifying Tournament without a single point, going down 1-2 to the USA in their final league match here today. The Indians, who led 1-0 a half-time thanks to a 31st minute Jyoti Sunita Kullu strike, failed to press home the advantage as the USA came back strongly to score twice through Cindy Warley (48th minute) and captain Tracey Fuchs (66th min). India lost 1-3 to Spain,
0-1 to Ireland and 0-4 to formidable Germany in their
other group ‘A’ engagements. |
Azad to
head coaches’ forum CHANDIGARH, March 29 — India’s first cricket Dronacharya awardee, Mr Desh Prem Azad, has been unanimously elected Chairman of the Dronacharya Awardee Sports Coaches Forum at its general body meeting held at the PCA Stadium, SAS Nagar, on Tuesday. Mr Azad’s name was proposed by Mr Bahadur Singh (athletics). No other name was proposed. The house further authorised Mr Azad to nominate the office-bearers of the forum. Mr Joginder Singh Saini (athletics) was nominated General Secretary of the forum. A four-member committee under the chairmanship of Mr Bhalachandra Bhaskar Bhagwat (wrestling) has been constituted to draft the constitution of the forum. The other members of this committee are Mr Gurcharan Singh (cricket) and Mr Bahadur Singh (athletics) while Mr J.S. Saini will be the convener. Mr Azad is the President
of the Chandigarh Golf Association and is also member of
the Chandigarh Sports Council. |
Discount
for sportsmen CHANDIGARH, March 29 — The Haryana Government has decided to give 75 per cent discount on bus fares to sportspersons for participating in the state-level sports meet. Sportpersons can avail this benefit for travelling from district headquarters to the place of the sports meet and back. The state government decided to give this concession to following a request by the Haryana Olympic Association, an official press note said. It added that only
sportspersons recommended by the district Olympic
committees would be considered for this facility for
participation in the meet being organised by the Haryana
Olympic Association. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh Tribune | In Spotlight | 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 119 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
