HEALTH

PGI seeks donations for patient
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July14
The PGI today appealed to the people to donate Rs 20,000 for a 15-year-old boy suffering from weakness of all four limbs and respiratory paralysis.

Pradeep Kumar admitted to the PGI emergency ward, needs urgent essential drugs for his treatment which are very expensive, a PGI press note said.

Those who want to contribute may contact the office of the PGI Superintendent and cheques may be issued in favour of the Director, PGIMER.

100 persons donate blood
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 14
The Thalassaemia Children Welfare Association here today organised the sixth blood donation camp.

The camp was inaugurated by the Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge, Justice G.S. Singhvi. Justice Singhvi congratulated donors and the YMCA for helping the Blood Transfusion Department of the PGI.

About 100 persons donated blood in the camp.

The Thalassaemia department authorities appealed the people to donate blood for saving lives of the people suffering from the fatal genetic disorder. 

Meeting of mentally ill persons
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, July 14
The Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, organised a meeting of members of the Association of Mentally Ill Persons. About 30 families attended the meeting. The meeting was called to decide on the objectives, rules and regulation and activities for the day-care centre, to be started soon at the “Raen-Basera”.

SPORTS

Shooting range caught in a row
Arvind Katyal

Chandigarh
The city has been chosen as the venue of shooting, tennis, golf and rowing events of the 31st National Games. But as the progress of the National Games is tardy, so are the preparations. The tennis stadium in Sector 10 is to be the venue of tennis competitions, but no camp has so far been held here. Instead, camps have been scheduled at Amritsar. The infrastructure for golf, tennis and rowing is almost complete but shooting has run into rough weather. The Sector 25 range was supposed to be the venue but the Chandigarh Administration has refused to upgrade the range unless it is given its control in the long run. In June last year, Lt Gen (retd) JFR Jacob, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, visited the venue and inspected the range and it seemed that things would get going. But when the UT wanted complete control of the range, if it was to be used as the venue of the shooting events in the National Games, Punjab which is to host the games did not agree. As the argument continues, the sport suffers.

Now with hardly two months left for the National Games to begin, there has been no decision about the venue or any camp to be held there. The fate of the shooters can only be imagined. Now the Punjab Rifle Association is making efforts to speed up the construction of a new shooting range at Government College, SAS Nagar.

Good news for cricket

Last week brought good news to the Punjab Cricket Association when for the first time after 1999, the PCA stadium at SAS Nagar, was allotted two Test matches against England and Zimbabwe at the end of the year. Ever since Mr I.S. Bindra’s relations with the Board of Control for Cricket in India soured, no international match has been allotted to the PCA. But these two events will get enough sponsorships to the PCA which has been gasping for funds to balance its accounts. Mr Bindra, known to be a marketing genius, also has the responsibility of securing sponsorships for the forthcoming National Games as he is also the Organising Secretary of the games.

Young tennis players

Three city tennis players have been to Europe for international circuit matches. They are Sunil Kumar, Amanjot Singh and Shruti Dhawan. Sunil, after playing in the Wimbledon and other tournaments abroad has returned along with Amanjot. Both have shown good performance. Shruti is still in Europe. According to a tennis expert, the question is not of winning the matches. The exposure helps build the player’s confidence and temperament. If this trend continues, the city is likely to produce some top-ranking players. 

Summer skating camp concludes
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, July 14
It was a display of ‘real action on wheels’ for the skaters of the KB DAV Centenary School, Sector 7, as the 45-day long summer skating camp organised at the school skating rink ended today evening amidst fervour and gaiety.

The chief guest on the occasion was Mr B.S. Bahl, senior vice-president, DAV College Managing Committee. Others present on the occasion included Inder Pal Singh, adviser to the president of the Roller Skating Federation of India, and coach Harpreet Singh.

The programme began with floral felicitation by children. Various competitions including rink race, musical chair race, a roller hockey match and a fancy dress show, were also organised on the occasion.

Ms S Acharya, highlighted the achievements of the skaters of the school. The chief guest honoured six skaters of the KB DAV Skating club, Mehak Paul, Manjit Singh, Jyotika, Shivam Thakur, Devanshi and Sachin. He applauded the efforts put in by the coaches, Principal of the school and the staff in making this camp a success.

Carrom association

Ms J. Saupin, chairperson of Saupin School, Sector 9, Panchkula, and Mr R.S. Yadav, an international umpire, have been elected president and general secretary of the newly formed Panchkula District Carrom Association.

Other office-bearers are vice-president — Mr Rakesh Babuta; joint-secretary — Mr Satish Sharma; treasurer — Mr Pawan Sharma;

It was decided to hold the first Panchkula District Carrom Championship on August 11 and 12 at the school. On the basis of performance in this meet, players will be selected for representing Panchkula district in the Haryana State and Inter-District Carrom Championship. The association will also hold umpires examination during this meet.