SPORT

Sports meet concludes
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Dec 23 — A week-long annual sports meet of Sri Guru Harkishan Model School, Sector 38, today came to a vibrant end with colourful closing function presided over by Mr Jaswinder Singh Sandhu, Minister of Agriculture, Haryana. He later gave away Rs 5,100 from his discretionary grant in appreciation of the school having done well in sports and other activities.

He in his speech said that such activities promote local as well as national culture. Ms Karamjit Kaur, Principal, thanked the chief guest for his gracing the occasion.

Earlier the function began with young students of the primary classes, spanish country dance by students of Classes of IV to VI, drill with hoops by students of Classes IX and X in colourful clothes earned appreciation of the gathering. Aerobics by the young girls of Classes VI to X was the another highlight of the function which got maximum appreciation from the select gathering of parents, guests and children.

The Haryanvi song students attired in colourful clothes earned applause. The thrilling beats of Bhangra by the youthful boys and girls in tastefully bright attired clothes also won appreciation. Also present were Mr Brahmjit Kalia, District Education Officer, UT.

Dhindsa inaugurates gym

A new multi-gymnasium centre catering to all the physical exercises for an individual was inaugurated at the Chandigarh Press Club, Sector 27, by Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Union Minister of Chemical and Fertilisers here.

It was Mr Dhindsa who earlier in his capacity as Union Minister for Sports had sanctioned about Rs 2 lakh for this centre and had instructed the local Sports Authority of India to do the needful.

Mr Jagtar Singh Sidhu, President of the club, said with the installment of latest kind of machines at the centre, the media persons will have immense benefit. He said that a regular instructor will also be provided for the guidance of the people. 

Sports festival inaugurated
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Dec 23 — The Labour Department, UT, Chandigarh, organised a two-day Chandigarh Industrial Workers Sports Festival-2000 which was inaugurated by Mr R.S. Gujral, Home Secretary, UT, at the Sports Complex, Sector 7. As many as 750 workers coming from 37 industrial establishments of the UT took part.

Mr M. Ramsekhar, Labour Commissioner, in his address said spirit behind these sports was to bring employers and employees at a common platform for the development and growth of the nation. He said that these sports were organised second time after a gap of 24 years. Mr S.C. Kohli, president of the association, said that this event was organised in 20 events and got massive response.

In the events conducted today, winners in athletic events are, Balbir-Long jump; Raj Kumar-800 metres; Padam Singh-shot put; Ramesh Singh-Javelin throw; Balwinder Singh- 200 metres.

In the volleyball events, Ordnance Cable Factory defeated St Stephen’s School-45 at 25-18, 25-3 while Hotel Aroma beat Arvind Industries at 25-14, 25-22.

In other matches, Micron Instruments defeated Bhushan Industries by 15-11, 15-11 while Arvind Industries outplayed Pasco Motors by 15-1, 15-1.

Dr Sidhu made psychologist of Indian team
By Arvind Katyal

CHANDIGARH, Dec 22 — The newly appointed Sports Psychologist of the Indian men hockey team, Dr J.P.S. Sidhu, is quite elated at his new assignment. He is working as the Joint Director Sports, UT, and has been associated with hockey for the past many years. He is also the secretary of the Chandigarh Women’s Hockey Association and recently accompanied the Indian hockey team to Sydney Olympics, as an observer.

He attended the 6th Indian Olympic Committee World Congress in Sports Sciences, held in Sydney in October last year and the 2nd Asian Science Congress in Sports Sciences and Football at Kuala Lumpur. He said that it was basically neuro-muscular coordination which helped in achieving the optimum from any player.

Dr Sidhu, after his return from Sydney, had in his report submitted to the Indian Hockey Federation pointed various reasons for debacle of the Indian hockey team. These include, stress play, stress of expectations, stress of winning matches, lack of strategic play against certain teams, myopic visualisation by coaches concerned, lack of mental toughness, less substitutions and withdrawal of marked players. Another reason cited was the weakness in conversion of penalty corners into goals.

He said that he was happy to accept this new task and praised the IHF President K.P.S. Gill for being open to any valuable suggestion. He said that in the first week of January 2001, the Indian team would be attending a camp at Patiala in preparation for the World Cup qualifying meet and he had decided to be with the team at least for two days in a week.

He said that for stress and strain, cybervision methods would be adopted and another attempt would be made to make gut part of the body stronger. He said that apart from these, diet requirements would also be properly monitored. He said yoga also plays important role in increasing the concentration level and various relaxation techniques would prove to be of utmost help to the players.

Jasjit, Dhanda win tennis doubles title
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 23 — Dr Jasjit Singh, CMO, Punjab Raj Bhavan, Chandigarh, and J.S. Dhanda, XEN National Highways, Karnal, won the doubles title in the All-India Civil Services Tennis Tournament which concluded at Imphal Officers Club, Manipur, on 21.12.2000. In the finals they beat fancied pair of Madhya Pradesh — C.K. Khurana and S.P. Nagar — in a keenly contested match 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Dr Jasjit Singh was also the runners-up in the veterans singles final where he lost to S.M.M. Quadri 6-2, 4-6, 1-6.

The concluding function was presided over by Mr Ved Marwah, Governor of Manipur.