Monday, October 9, 2000,
 Chandigarh, India






THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
S P O R T S

Pak humiliate off-colour Lanka
NAIROBI, Oct 8 — Former World Cup champions Pakistan turned in a flawless display against a strangely off-colour Sri Lanka to enter the semifinals of the $ 1 million ICC Knock-Out Trophy at the Nairobi Gymkhana Club grounds here today.

Kiwis take on Zimbabwe today
NAIROBI, Oct 8 —Zimbabwe and New Zealand will meet in the third quarterfinal match of the $1 million icc Knockout Trophy at the Nairobi Gymkhana Club grounds here tomorrow within a week of their last match of the one-day series played in Zimbabwe.

Lanka succeed in appeal against Hair
NAIROBI, Oct 8 — Sri Lanka have succeeded in their appeal against the appointment of Australian umpire Darrell Hair to referee their matches during the icc Knock-Out Trophy tournament.

Yuvraj comes through with flying colours
A
n India-Australia one-day game has in recent times invariably been a feast for the cricket lover. Both teams have players who love to play aggressively and keep the crowds and the viewers entertained.


 

EARLIER STORIES
 

Germany beat England; Italy, Spain triumph
HAMBURG, Oct 8 — Dietmar Hamman spoiled England’s farewell party for Wembley Stadium as Germany beat the hosts 1-0 in the top matchup of 21 World Cup qualifiers in Europe yesterday.

Serena Williams pockets title
TOKYO, Oct 8 — Sydney Olympic doubles champion Serena Williams celebrated her debut in Japan by beating Julie Halard-Decugis to win the singles title at the WTA Princess Cup Tennis Tournament today.

Rousing welcome for Malleswari
YAMUNANAGAR, Oct 8 — Sydney Olympics medal-winner, Karnam Malleswari was given a rousing welcome by the people of Yamunanagar here today. Malleswari the only Indian to win a medal at Sydney was received in an open Gypsy.

Sunil Kumar seeded sixth
NEW DELHI, Oct 8 — Runner-up in 1998 Vijay Kannan of Tamil Nadu has been given the top billing while defending champion Sunil Kumar of Chandigarh, a wild card entry, has been seeded sixth in the men’s section of the DSCL National Open Tennis Championship to be held at the Delhi Tennis Association courts here from October 9 to 14.

Harmeet stars in pro-am win
CHANDIGARH, Oct 8 — Local lad Harmeet Kahlon carded a superb three-under 69 to guide his team to win the pro-am event of the Rs 10 lakh Hero Golf 2000 Chandigarh Open, the sixth leg of the Wills Sport Golf Tour, being played at the Chandigarh Golf Club.

Germany’s Michael Schumacher leaves Ferrari’s pit after making his second pit stop during the Japanese Grand Prix
Germany’s Michael Schumacher leaves Ferrari’s pit after making his second pit stop during the Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit on Sunday. Schumacher went on to clinch the championship and his Ferrari team also took the Constructors’ Championship. — Reuters photo


  • Saini shines in PSEB victory

  • HOA to groom talented players

  • CBSE b’ball meet results


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Pak humiliate off-colour Lanka

NAIROBI, Oct 8 (UNI) — Former World Cup champions Pakistan turned in a flawless display against a strangely off-colour Sri Lanka to enter the semifinals of the $ 1 million ICC Knock-Out Trophy at the Nairobi Gymkhana Club grounds here today.

Pakistan won by nine wickets chasing Sri Lanka’s inadequate score of 194.

Pakistan opener Saeed Anwar scored his 18th one-day international hundred, his 105 not out coming with a six from just 134 deliveries that also included 12 fours. Yousuf Youhana on 42 (83 balls two fours and two sixes was the other unbeaten batsman. Imran Nazir (40, 41 balls, five 4s) was the only Pakistan batsman dismissed.

After Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya won the toss and opted to bat, the Pakistan bowlers led by Wasim Akram struck at regular intervals to restrict heir opponents. Only Jayasuriya (39), Russell Arnold (38) and Romesh Kaluwitharne (270) were able to put up any resistance as the Sri Lankans failed to find the sort of form that had helped them overwhelm the West Indies just three days ago.

Akram had three wickets for 40 runs from his 7.4 overs. Azhar Mahmood, opening the bowling in the absence of Waqar Younis, who was ruled out by an upset stomach, took three for 52 from 10 overs, while the tonsured Saqlain Mushtaq had two for 30 from eight overs and Abdur Razzak one for 35 from 10.

Pakistan were given a steady start by Saeed Anwar and Nazir who put on 90 before Nazir was run out. With nothing in the pitch to assist the bowlers, Anwar and Youhana saw their side home without any further damage.

Electing to bat, Sri Lankan batsmen never looked comfortable against the pace trio of Wasim Akram, Azhar Mahmood and Abdur Razzaq as wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals.

The top order, with the exception of captain Sanath Jayasuriya, who topscored with 39, failed en masse and only a late resistance by Russel Arnold (38) and Romesh Kaluwitharana (27) salvaged some hope for the Sri Lankans setting up an asking rate of 3.9 for Pakistan.

Sri Lanka started disastrously losing two wickets with just eight runs on the board.

Avishka Gunawardene, who scored his maiden one-day century in the previous match against the West Indies on Wednesday, flopped today when he was bowled by Wasim Akram in the third over of the innings, for five runs.

The generally reliable Marvan Atapattu, who had a wonderful run against Pakistan in recent times, added to Sri Lankan woes when he, after facing just three balls, was caught behind off Azhar Mahmood in the very next over for a duck.

Mahela Jayawardene then joined his skipper and the duo looked to resurrect the falling innings with Jayasuriya playing aggressive strokes in his characteristic style.

He hit three sixes, two off Akram and one off Mahmood, and four fours in his 41-ball knock before being deceived by a slower delivery by Akram and offered a simple catch to Moin Khan behind the stumps.

Sri Lanka slumped to 100 for five in the 21st over when Jayawardene (11) and Kumara Sangakkara (19) also departed cheaply before Arnold and Kaluwitharana started the damage control exercise.

They added 56 runs for the sixth wicket — the highest for the innings — to raise hopes of a revival but Azhar Mahmood dismissed both of them within a space of seven balls to put paid to those hopes. Sri lanka were 159 for seven.

Chaminda Vaas (11), Upul Chandana (13) and Nuwan Zoysa (10) added crucial runs in the final overs but it was too much to expect them to raise a big total.

In the end Sri Lanka had to face the ignominy of being bowled out 26 balls inside their quota of 50 overs to set a rather easy target for Pakistan.

Akram, once again turned out to be the most successful bowler for Pakistan claiming three wickets for 39 runs with Azhar Mahmood taking three for 52.

Scoreboard

Jayasuriya c Moin b W. Akram 39

Gunawardene b W. Akram 5

Atapattu c Moin b Mahmood 0

Jayawardene run out 11

Sangakkara b Razzaq 19

Arnold c Moin b Mahmood 38

Kaluwitharana lbw Mahmood 27

Vaas c Nazir b Saqlain 11

Chandana not out 13

Zoysa b Saqlain 10

Muralitharan b W. Akram 0

Extras (nb-5 w-9, lb-7) 21

Total (all out in 45.4 overs) 194

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-8, 3-63, 4-76, 5-100, 6-156, 7-159, 8-179, 9-191.

Bowling: W. Akram 7.4-2-40-3, Mahmood 10-0-52-3, Razzaq 10-1-30-1, Saqlain 8-0-30-2, Khan 10-1-35-0.

PAKISTAN:

Anwar not out 105

Nazir run out 40

Youhana not out 42

Extras: (w-2, nb-5, lb-1) 8

Total: (for one wicket in 43.2 overs) 195

Fall of wickets: 1-90.

Bowling: Vaas 10-0-42-0, Zoysa 7-0-44-0, Arnold 5-0-19-0, Muralit-haran 10-1-39-0, Chandana 8.2-1-34-0, Jayasuriya 3-0-16-0.
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Kiwis take on Zimbabwe today

NAIROBI, Oct 8 (UNI) —Zimbabwe and New Zealand will meet in the third quarterfinal match of the $1 million icc Knockout Trophy at the Nairobi Gymkhana Club grounds here tomorrow within a week of their last match of the one-day series played in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe emerged with credit from the one-day event at home after having lost the Test matches. They came back strongly after their defeat at Harare by seven wickets to beat New Zealand over successive days at Bulawayo.

Former captain Alistair Campbell was the hero of the fightback at Bulawayo. In the second game, he scored 96 as Zimbabwe won by 21 runs and on the very next day missed a maiden one-day hundred with an unbeaten 99 as Zimbabwe crushed New Zealand by six wickets.

Given the boost in confidence from those matches, the game tomorrow therefore promises to be an interesting one. For years, Zimbabwe have seen Campbell as the one to provide them stability and runs. He has moved up and down the order but as their premier batsman, he has not delivered with any real frequency. A long lean spell during his time as captain followed and the fact that he is back among the runs is good news for the new skipper Heath Streak.

Other than Campbell, Streak has a squad with all-rounder Guy Whittal key contributor with both bat and ball, the flower brothers, grant and Andy, and seamer Henry Olonga, who destroyed India with his closing spell at the World Cup last year.

Not a team of star players, Zimbabwe have come back strongly under streak’s inspirational leadership and their most recent results means they go into this match on level terms with New Zealand.

New Zealand too are a team lacking star value other than the charismatic Chris Cairns but are always a dangerous team to underestimate. Having qualfied for the semifinals of the World Cup in England and a series of consistent displays thereafter is evidence that they can never be taken for granted. Cairns alone is on his day capable of winning a match by himself, and he has good support in a number of others.

In skipper Stephen Fleming and batsmen Nathan Astle and Craig Mcmillan they have a nucleus of class players. Behind them are experienced players in the likes of Adam Parore, Roger Twose and Chris Harris.

Yet, it remains to be seen how they have recovered from the traumas of Bulawyo.

Teams:

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (capt), Geoff Allott, Nathan Astle, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Craig Mcmillan, Dion Nash, Chris Nevin, Adam Parore, Craig Spearman, Scott Styris, Roger Twose and Paul Wiseman.

Zimbabwe: Heath Streak (capt), Guy Whittall, Alistair Campbell, Stuart Carlisle, Andrew Flower, Grant Flower, Mpumelelo Mbangwa, Mluleki Nkala, Henry Olonga, Gavin Rennie, Paul Strang, Mark Vermeulen, Dirk Viljoen and Craig Wishart. 
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Lanka succeed in appeal against Hair

NAIROBI, Oct 8 (AFP) — Sri Lanka have succeeded in their appeal against the appointment of Australian umpire Darrell Hair to referee their matches during the icc Knock-Out Trophy tournament.

The former world champions had criticised the International Cricket Council (icc) for appointing the 48-year-old Hair to umpire their quarterfinal match against Pakistan here today.

Hair raised a storm last year when he no-balled Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing during a Test series against Australia.

Now the world cricket governing body has reviewed the appointment of the six umpires in the icc Knock-Out Trophy, keeping the controversial Australian clear of all the matches where Sri Lanka was involved.

David Richards, the icc Chief Executive was apologetic.

“The icc has for some time chosen not to utilise Hair in matches in which Sri Lanka are participating, in the best interests of both parties,” he said.

Unfortunately an administrative error was made in our original umpire list, and this has now been rectified,” Richards added.

Hair will also not referee matches involving Zimbabwe, avoiding another clash with bowler Andy Flower.

Flower was called for throwing three times by Hair during the recent home Test series against and New Zealand.
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World Cup qualifiers
Germany beat England; Italy, Spain triumph

HAMBURG, Oct 8 (DPA) — Dietmar Hamman spoiled England’s farewell party for Wembley Stadium as Germany beat the hosts 1-0 in the top matchup of 21 World Cup qualifiers in Europe yesterday.

Italy, Spain, Czech Republic and Poland also notched wins on the second weekend of qualifiers for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

The Liverpool-based Hamann struck a low, skidding free kick from 32 metres out, which keeper David Seaman could only barely get a hand to as the sold-out crowd of 76,377 was left stunned after just 14 minutes.

The Wembley rematch of the 1966 World Cup final and the 1996 European Championship semifinal gave Germany a maximum six points from two group 9 matches.

Greece pulled even with Finland on three points in group 9 after defeating the Scandanavians 1-0 in Athens on Nikolaos Liberopoulos’s goal on the hour mark. England have zero points after their qualification campaign opener.

The England-Germany showdown was not only the final match ever at Wembley Stadium, it was also Kevin Keegan’s last one as England coach.

Keegan apologised to his players, the England fans and the English Football Association, but said he was no longer the man for the job, which he took over 20 months ago.

“I just don’t feel I can find that little bit extra that you need at this level to find a winning formula.

Technical Director Howard Wilkinson is expected to take charge for England’s next qualifier, on Wednesday in Finland.

Italy grabbed the lead in group 8 with four points thanks to a fast and aggressive first half, as they earned their first victory under coach Giovanni Trapattoni with a 3-0 win over Romania. Filippo Inzaghi (12) Marco Delvecchio (16) and Francesco Totti (41) all tallied in the first half.

Georgia cruised to a 4-0 victory against Lithuania to earn their first three points in group 8.

Spain cruised to the top of group 7 by beating a dull Israel 2-0 on goals by Gerard Lopez (22) and Fernando Hierro (53) in front of 80,000 fans at Bernabeu, where Spain have not played since 1988. Elsewhere in group 7, Liechtenstein lost 1-0 at home to Austria, who won their first qualifier.

Polish striker Kaluzny’s hat-trick (24,62,73) proved too much for Belarus as the Poles won 3-1 to retain their lead in group 5 with a perfect six points.

Ukraine earned their first victory in group 5 by storming back from a 2-0 deficit with three goals in 15 minutes, including a double by Andriy Shevchenko (45,59). In group 5’s other match, Norway and Wales drew 1-1 in Cardiff.

Estonia took over the lead in group 2 with six points from three matches after they defeated 10-man Andorra 2-1 in La Vella.

Holland crushed Cyprus 4-0 in Nicosia to earn their first victory (4 points) in group 2, while Portugal drew 1-1 at home against Ireland to drop to third, behind the Dutch on goal difference.

In Teplice, Jan Koller (17,41) and Pavel Nedved (44,90) each scored doubles as the Czech Republic breezed by Iceland 4-0 to take sole possession of first place in group 3 with six points.

Denmark and Northern Ireland drew 1-1 in Belfast and both teams are two points behind the Czechs, while Bulgaria earned their first group victory with a 3-0 win over Malta on Bisser Ivanov’s two goals (39,65). Szilard Nemeth struck 20 minutes before the final whistle to give Slovakia a 1-0 win over Moldova and take over sole possession of the lead in group 4.

Sweden looked as though they would be even on six points with Slovakia after Henrik Larrson’s header in the 68th minute. But Turkey’s Tayfur Havutcu converted a penalty two minutes into second-half injury time for the 1-1 draw, giving both teams four points.

Macedonia earned their first points in the group on Friday when they won at home 3-0 against Azerbaijan.

Slovenia took a 2-0 lead at half-time and fought off Luxemburg 2-1 for their first victory in group 1. The Slovenians have four points and lead the group because the matchup of Yugoslavia and Russia was postponed because of unrest following the presidential elections in Yugoslavia.

In group one’s other match, Switzerland came back after a 1-0 deficit to win 5-1 on a hat-trick by Kubilay Turkiylmaz (43,45pen,54pen).

Scotland remained perfect in group 6 with a 2-0 win at San Marino while Belgium moved to four points after a 4-0 laugher at Latvia. In an international friendly in Johannesburg, South Africa held world football champions France to a goal-less draw in the Nelson Mandela Challenge match.
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Serena Williams pockets title

TOKYO, Oct 8 (AFP) — Sydney Olympic doubles champion Serena Williams celebrated her debut in Japan by beating Julie Halard-Decugis to win the singles title at the WTA Princess Cup Tennis Tournament today.

The American second seed, who had been struggling to hit her lightning first serves, regained her big serves at the right moment to score a 7-5, 6-1 victory over the French fourth seed in 65 minutes.

“It was great to come to Japan. I hope I will come back again,” said Williams, who won the Sydney Olympic doubles gold medal with her sister Venus.

“This victory, anytime you win in a tournament, it’s good. I’ve won only three this year, it’s my third one. I use it obviously to move up my ranking.”

Williams got off to a solid start, hitting three aces to score two love games, and stood firm in her service games throughout the match, never facing a single break point against her.

Although Williams missed her first break chance in the fourth game, she capitalised on a triple break opportunity when Halard-Decugis hit a cross-court drop shot wide to surrender the first set.

The spirited 1999 US Open champion, who hit a total of 10 service aces, completely dominated the second set.

“My serve was better today, for sure,” said Williams, 19. “I’ve practiced on it, of course, I wanted it to be better for the final to make sure everything going good,” said Williams.

“I hit a few more aces and I was getting contact points a little bit better. Overall my play was better, because whenever I play in the final, I always step up my match, because it’s the last match of a tournament.”

Williams stretched her record against Halard-Decugis to four straight wins without a loss in major tournaments, never losing a set.

It was the American’s third title of the season, following her victories at Hannover and Los Angeles, and eighth overall. She earned a winner’s check of $ 87,000.
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Yuvraj comes through with flying colours

An India-Australia one-day game has in recent times invariably been a feast for the cricket lover. Both teams have players who love to play aggressively and keep the crowds and the viewers entertained. There is also the personal individual battle between batsman and bowler and this does seem to set the trend for the rest of the innings, if not the match. The bounce that the quicker bowlers had got in the earlier matches prompted the Australian bowlers to go in without a spinner, apart from the fact that on similar pitches in Australia the Indians had not coped well with the delivery aimed at the rib-cage. The way McGrath and Lee bowled in the beginning did show that they thought the way to keep the openers quiet was pitching it short and not allowing them to get onto the front foot which they are used to doing in the sub-continent pitches.

Tendulkar, of course, is comfortable on either foot and he batted as if he had a point to prove about Indians not being able to bat on bouncy pitches. He took to McGrath and the bowler’s usually immaculate figures went awry but his usual gruffness was intact and in fact increased after the treatment from the openers. Brett Lee at the other end had bowled with pace and fire and was the one who put the brakes on the batsmen and also got Tendulkar snicking to slips. Gillespie was fortunate to get wickets to some casual shots from Dravid and Ganguly and these three big wickets falling with the score not yet 100 did not augur too well for India. It was the perfect setting for the players trying to establish themselves in the side and both Kambli and Yuvraj Singh grabbed the opportunity with glee.

Kambli may not have quite convinced the doubters but Yuvraj’s performance showed that here is a young man to watch out for. His temperament was excellent and against a side like the Australians who are past masters at applying pressure he came through with flying colours. It is not the runs that he scored but the manner in which he got them was the impressive thing about his batting. Also the way he locked his eyes on to the opposition and did not look away, to me that was far more exciting, for at this level it is temperament that separates the men from the boys and Yuvraj showed he has it. Now it needs to be ensured that he is told the difference between being arrogant and being supremely self-confident for that will make a difference to his success on and off the field. Adam Gilchrist is the danger man for any opposition for he has the ability to turn the game in a few overs and he had just begun to do that when Zahir Khan had him caught. Here is another cricketer who has it in him as could be seen when he was batting for he showed plenty of cheek and confidence. The Ponting-Bevan partnership was crucial for not only are these two gifted stroke-makers but are also superb runners between the wickets and this enables them to keep the scoreboard ticking at a healthy rate. On a pitch as good as this the opposition needs to bowl a great delivery or produce an extraordinary fielding effort to dismiss them and that’s how they were out. Yuvraj Singh at mid-on picked up and threw the stumps down at the bowler’s end to get Bevan run out. This is not an everyday occurrence as Bevan is the fleetest of runners between the wickets in one-day cricket. Robin Singh then brought off a superb catch to send Ponting back to the pavilion.

Brett Lee is supposed to send shivers down the spines of most batsmen with his speed but he did send them down the back of plenty of Indian supporters with his big-hitting. After a start where he could barely touch the ball the young fast bowler hit one of the biggest sixers seen off Zahir Khan and then sent Australian hopes soaring with his assault on Kumble. Zahir showed his temperament by going from the other end and getting the Australian captain bowled and that was it.

India had beaten Australia at the last ICC’ knockout in Dhaka and once again proved the hoodoo team for the world champions. It is a sweet victory after their experience Down Under and hopefully will have restored confidence back in Indian cricket irrespective of how India does in the rest of the competition.

It is also a time to welcome a new star. India has the king of cricket in Sachin Tendulkar, the Prince of Calcutta in Ganguly and they just have discovered a new ‘Yuvraj’ of Indian cricket. — PMG
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Rousing welcome for Malleswari
From Ashwani Dutta

YAMUNANAGAR, Oct 8 — Sydney Olympics medal-winner, Karnam Malleswari was given a rousing welcome by the people of Yamunanagar here today. Malleswari the only Indian to win a medal at Sydney was received in an open Gypsy.

In the scorching heat in the afternoon she came along with her husband Rajesh Tyagi. Malleswari was received by Mr Rajiv Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Yamunanagar, K.K. Sandhu, SSP and other senior officials.

Malleswari married to Rajesh Tyagi in 1997 and the two reside in Professor Colony, Yamunanagar. She is an officer in the Food Corporation of India. Posters carrying Malleswari’s photograph and proclaiming her to be a “Nation’s Pride Haryana’s Pride” were pasted on walls. She said she was satisfied with her performence in the Olympics. The entire city bore a festive look and banners felicitating Malleswari were hung by different organisations. The Deputy Commissioner said the state-government will honour Malleshwari on October 20 at Rohtak, where she will be presented a cheque of Rs 25 lakh.

KURUKSHETRA, (UNI) : Residents of the Ladwa town in Haryana today gave a warm welcome to Olympic bronze medal-winner Karnam Malleswari.

“I cannot speak. I can only lift heavy weight,” the ‘power lady’ who was returning to her Yamunanagar home told the huge gathering.

The reception was by a relation of Malleswari’s husband S. Tyagi. Several social and voluntary organisations joined the reception.

Malleswari said the credit of her medal-winning performance, the only success of the Indian contingent, went to the people of India as to her parents and her husband who inspired her.
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Sunil Kumar seeded sixth
From Our Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI, Oct 8 — Runner-up in 1998 Vijay Kannan of Tamil Nadu has been given the top billing while defending champion Sunil Kumar of Chandigarh, a wild card entry, has been seeded sixth in the men’s section of the DSCL National Open Tennis Championship to be held at the Delhi Tennis Association courts here from October 9 to 14.

With Davis Cup players Prahalad Srinath, Syed Fazaluddin and Harsh Mankad preferring to skip the nationals, lesser players have been given seedings on the basis of their national rankings. The eight men’s seeds are Vijay Kannan, Vinod Sridhar (Tamil Nadu), Vishal Uppal (Delhi), Sandeep Kirtane (Maharashtra), Nitin Kirtane (Maharashtra), Sunil Kumar (Chandigarh), Saurav Panja (Bengal) and Rishi Sridhar (Tamil Nadu).

In the 32-player men’s main draw, there are four wild cards and eight qualifiers. Amanjot Singh of Chandigarh has made it to the main draw via the qualifying route. He and Sunil Kumar are the only two players representing Chandigarh in the men’s event. The confusion about Sunil’s representation was sorted out by the organisers here today as he would be representing Chandigarh, though his entry had been forwarded by the Calcutta-based Paes-En-Sports.

The national championships is a golden opportunity for Sunil Kumar to exhibit the strides he has made after winning the title here last year, as a 16-year-old. The victory catapulted him to the top league, though he could not cement his place in the Davis Cup team, after being included in the squad for the tie against Lebanon at Lucknow early this year.

The men’s field is a blend of youth and experience as there are some seasoned campaigners like the Kirtane cousins, Jagdish Tanwar, Asif Ismail and Saurav Panja are in the fray. The nationals will also afford an opportunity for youngsters like Akshay Vishal Rao, who along with Sunil Kumar is a product of the Punwire coaching scheme of the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association, Vijendra Laad, Tushar Gautam, Shivang Mishra and others to test their skills in better company.

In the women’s section, headed by defending champion Sai Jailakshmi of Indian Oil Corporation, all the top players are in the fray, barring Nirupama Vaidyanathan, who is concentrating on the women’s circuit, and former champion Uzma Khan, who is presently studying in the USA.

The other seeded players in the women’s section are Rushmi Chakravorthi, Archana Venkataraman, Sonal Phadke, Arathi Venkataraman, Megha Vakharia, Radhika Tulpule and Tara S. Kanbargimaili.

After the senior events, which will conclude on October 14, the junior events will follow, and the championships will conclude only on October 24.
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Harmeet stars in pro-am win
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 8 — Local lad Harmeet Kahlon carded a superb three-under 69 to guide his team to win the pro-am event of the Rs 10 lakh Hero Golf 2000 Chandigarh Open, the sixth leg of the Wills Sport Golf Tour, being played at the Chandigarh Golf Club.

K.P. Sekhon and team finished second while Devendra Patel’s team finished third.

The day’s best card was brought in by Harmeet Kahlon and Amritinder Singh who each posted a fine three-under 69.

The prizes were given jointly by Mr Pawan Kant Munjal, MD & CED, Hero Honda Motors, and Mr Sunil Kant Munjal, MD, Hero Cycles, at a prize distribution ceremony followed by lunch held on the club lawns.

Some of India’s leading golfers could be seen in action at the pro-am. Winner of the main event, Amritinder Singh, the only Indian representative on the European PGA Tour, Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjuna Awardee and ‘Rookie of the Year’ award winner for the ‘99-2000 season Harmeet Kahlon; leading prize money winner on the Wills Sport Golf Tour for the past three seasons running and runner-up at the main version of the event, Vijay Kumar; regular on the Asian PGA Tour and a household name in Indian golf, Gaurav Ghei, winner of the Wills Southern Open 2000, Indrajit Bhalotia; fourth ranked golfer on ‘99-2000 season’s Order of Merit, Shiv Prakash; two-time Indian Open winner, Ali Sher; joint runner-up at the ‘99 Indian Open SSP Chowrasia, two-time winner of the Honda-Siel PGA Golf Championship Uttam Singh Mundy; winner of over 100 tournaments in a career spanning 25 years and more, Rohtas Singh and leading amateurs turned-pros, Digvijay Singh and Amrit Dube were some of the big names participating.

Kahlon and his team of B.S. Basi, Dr B.C. Gupta and Desh Prem Azad, better known as legendary Test cricketer Kapil Dev’s coach, brought in a winning score of 216.

At second place with a tally of 217 were K. P. Sekhon and his team of Bobby Sandhu, Gen B. S. Randhawa and Rajiv Kaila.

The team of Devendra Patel, S.S. Boparai, Gp Capt Grewal and the former physio of the Indian cricket team, Dr Ravinder Chadha, scored 219 points for their third place finish.

Kahlon as the pro in the winning team earned Rs 6,000 for his effort while Sekhon and Patel pocketed Rs 4,000 and Rs 3000 each. The amateurs in the top three teams each received glittering trophies. Harmeet Kahlon and Amritinder Singh earned Rs 2,000 each for returning the day’s best card.
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REGIONAL SPORT BRIEFS

Saini shines in PSEB victory
From Ravi Dhaliwal

NABHA, Oct 8 — Attack was the mantra the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) players chanted as they walloped giant-killers, JCT Academy 5-0 to annex the title at the 25th All-India Gurdarshan Memorial Football Tournament which concluded at its traditional venue the Government Ripudaman College grounds here today.

The academy team was first to come near scoring when striker’s Kuldeep Singh’s rasping shot beat custodian Balwinder but much to the teams dismay the ball hit the post to rebound back into play. Remarkably quick on the counter-attack, the powermen tasted success when Sandeep Saini sent in a long diognal from the right flank. The ball was collected by skipper Dalip Kumar, who though tailed by two defenders, Taranjit, and Parminder, had enough space to find the desired angle. The captains left-footed grounder found the far corner of the netting past the diving JCT custodian Gurpreet Singh.

Sandeep Saini, who was the fulcrum of the attack for the winers and who stood out for his astute distribution, received a superb cross from the left wing and from a goal mouth melee tapped the ball home to make it 2-0 for the powermen.

Minutes later it was again the reliable Sandeep Saini who was a work. Instead of coming from the right, winger Madan Lal squared the ball for Saini who was charging down from the middle. With plenty of time he drew out the custodian Gurpreet and slotted in the powermen’s third goal.

Seconds into the second half, Madan Lal enlarged the leeway when his rasping shot brooked no resistance from the defensive phlax and found the netting off a acute angle. For the next 20 minutes, while the powermen became complacent the academy team was trampling all over the rivals territory but failed to translate their superiority into goals and the boys missed at least three clear chances during this period.

For PSEB, Sandeep Saini completed the rituals when he put his team another goal up following a through pass from the right flank. Saini wrong-footed the rival custodian to complete the powermen’s victory margin of 5-0.

HOA to groom talented players
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 8 — Talented boys and girls would be identified during the sports festival from October 20 to 23 at Rohtak and groomed at HOA and government expense for national and international sports events.

This was disclosed here today by Mr Abhey Singh Chautala, president, Haryana Olympic Association. He said that as many as 5000 sportspersons including coaches, technical members and officials, would participate in the mega sport event.

Transport Department had already issued directions to extend to and fro 75 per cent bus fare concession to the players and team members travelling from different areas of the state for participation in their competitions.

Mr Chautala said full dress rehearsal as a prelude to the festival for the march past would be held on October 20 in which various contingents representing their respective revenue divisions would carry colourful flags.

In all 21 competitions would be held at Rohtak except squash which would be organised at Gurgaon.

Sheikh Ahmad-al-Fahad-al-Sahael, President, Olympic Council of Asia, had been invited to grance the occasion. Mr Om Prakash Chautala, Chief Minister, Haryana, would perform the opening ceremony at 11.30 a.m. while on the closing ceremony Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Union Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare, would be the chief guest.

Karnam Malleshwari, bronze medalist in Sydney Olympic in weightlifting, would be awarded a cheque of Rs 25 lakh.

CBSE b’ball meet results
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Oct 8 — The third day’s results of the fourth CBSE cluster XII Basketball Tournament being hosted by DAV Public School, Lawrence Road:

Girls: 1. Nankana Sahib Public School, Ludhiana b Harkrishan Public School, Amritsar, 16-6; 2. General Gurnam Singh Public School, Sangrur, beat Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan Public School, Amritsar 34-21; 3. DAV Public School, Lawrence Road, Amritsar, beat Police Public School, Amritsar, 30-15.

Boys: 1 DAV Public School, Lawrence Road, Amritsar, b Kirpal Sagar Academy, Nawanshahr 28-27; 2. Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Amritsar, b Jhamku Devi Public School, Faridkot, 40-8; 3. Police Public School, Amritsar, b BSF Public School Jalandhar, 78-39; 4. MGN Public School, Jalandhar, b Khalsa Public School, Amritsar, 35-8.

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