HEALTH

Free eye operations held
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 1
The weekly free eye operation camp was held at Lok Kalyan Samiti today. A total of 40 patients had been registered for the operation. Of them, three patients absented themselves, four were rejected on medical ground while 34 operated upon. Seven patients have been implanted Intra Ocular Lens.

The camp was sponsored by the Human Care Charitable Trust. The HCCT has been sponsoring free eye operations (cataract) at Lok Kalyan Samiti for the last three years. About 200 patients are benefited every year under the programme. To date, the HCCT has sponsored 543 cataract operations and planned to continue sponsoring more such camps in the future. This is one of the several welfare activities carried out by the trust. The Managing Trustee, Mr N P Thareja, along with the members of his family, was present at the closing function of the camp to bless the patients. All patients were provided with torches for use at night.

SPORTS

Baichung to feature in Star Sports
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, February 1
Indian soccer star Baichung Bhutia will be featured in the Harsha Online, the interactive one-hour programme, pioneered by ESPN Star Sports and presented by Harsha Bhogle, on February 4 at 8 pm.

Bhaichung Bhutia, hailing from a small village in Sikkim, has come a long way and has a series of accomplishments to his credit. With his transfer to the English second division club Bury FC, from the great Manchester area, Bhutia became the first-ever Indian footballer to sign a professional contract with a club in Europe.

This versatile striker has the unique distinction of scoring the only hattrick in any East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan match. He was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1999.

Bhutia, who came to limelight through the Subroto Cup in New Delhi, became the highest goal-scorer in the first edition of the National Soccer League.

Vandana Murali crashes out of ITF tourney
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, February 1
Top-seeded Vandana Murali of India went down to fifth-seeded Yekaterina Morozova of Kazakhstan 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 to sail into the semi-final of the ITF South and Central Asian Under-14 Tennis Tournament at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) court in the Capital on Friday.

However, second-seeded Sandri Gangotri and Sandhya Nagra kept the Indian hopes alive when they beat Swetha G K of India 6-0, 6-1 and seventh-seeded Vlada Ekshibarova of Uzbekistan 2-6,6-4, 6-2 respectively.

In the other match, fourth seeded Maria Vasilyeva of Kazakhstan downed eighth-seeded Madura Ranganathan of India 6-3, 6-3.

In the boys singles, two Indian colts have put themselves in line for a medal. Fourth-seeded Sumit Gupta made short work of ninth-seeded Acmal Sulaimanov of Tejkistan 6-0, 6-1 while unseeded Jeevan Nedunchezian stunned second-seeded N S Nischendiren of Sri Lanka 7-5, 6-1 to setup a semi-final clash between them.

Top-seeded Franklyn Emmanuel of Sri Lanka got the better of seventh seeded Sanam Singh of India 7-5, 6-2 while tenth-seeded Umarov Jamol of Uzbekistan shocked and scrape past third-seeded Alexander Lidzar of Kazakhstan 6-1, 6-1 in other matches.

Results of doubles matches: Girls: Vasil/Kanykey (Kaz) beat Dandeniya/Abhaysinghe (Sri Lanka) 6-1, 6-0; Ranganathan/Murali b Swetha/ Tatyana (Kgz) 6-2, 6-4; Ekshibarova/Sitdjemileva b Kim/Saithodjaeva 4-6, 7-5, 6-3; Morozova/Rakheem b Nagraj/ Gangotri 7-6, 6-3.

Boys: Emmanuel/Nischendiran b Aman/ Rijal 6-3, 6-3; Seleznev/ Lidzar b Rao/Jain 6-3, 4-6, 6-3; Uzajiv/Jamol b Sabanathan/Jeevan 6-3, 6-3; Singh/Gupta b Ahmad/ Ram 6-3.

Vijay Singh’s brother for Honda Masters
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, February 1
While Jeev Milkha Singh remains the favourite to win the Hero Honda Masters 2002, another Singh is determined to make his mark. Entering the field in the $ 300,000 competition, to be held at the DLF Golf and Country Club from February 13, is Krishna Singh, brother of world no 9 and 2000 Masters champion Vijay Singh. Krishna, a resident of Fiji, unlike brother Vijay who stays in Pnte Vedra Beach, Florida (US), has been playing in Asia for some time, but could never reach the highs achieved by his illustrious brother. Krishna would be playing in India for the first time.

However, he will have to compete against several Asian PGA and Indian Tour stalwarts, including Asia No I Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand and defending champion Arjun Atwal and Jeev Milkha Singh, the two Indians now playing on the European Tour.

Krishna and Vijay played several tournaments in Asia in the 80s.In those day, Krishna was considered more talented than Vijay, who was more hard-working. Vijay’s legendary work ethics took him to the top of the golfing world, while Krishna is yet to make his mark.

Aryavart Dabas lifts archery title
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, February 1
Aryavart Dabas of Noida College of Physical Education emerged the individual champion in the Ch. Charan Singh University Inter-College Archery (Indian Round) Men’s Championship at the Ch. Charan Singh University ground, Meerut.

Sandeep Yadav, also of Noida College, secured the second place, in the Indian round.

Results: Individual championship: Aryavart Dabas (536 points); Sandeep Yadav (255 points); 30m: Aryavart Dabas (291 points),Sandeep Yadav (135 points); 50m: Aryavart Dabas (245 points), Sandeep Yadav (120).

Digvijay ties with Uttam Mundy
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, February 1
Digvijay Singh put together some brilliant iron-play in his closing holes to tie with Uttam Singh Mundy in the lead at a tally of three-under 213 after the penultimate round of the Rs 10 lakh Telegraph Open Golf Championship. The final day's play of the 18th leg of the season's Golf Tour, is headed for a thrilling finish with Delhi's Gaurav Ghei placed just three strokes behind the leaders.

Ghei is third at level par 216 while Indrajit Bhalotia occupies the fourth spot at three-over 219. Lucknow's Vijay Kumar put together a superb four-under 68 to tie fifth with Delhi's Shamim Khan at 220 while Rafiq Ali, SSP Chowrasia and Feroz Ali are tied seventh with Mhow's Mukesh Kumar at 221.

Digvijay Singh, into his third season on the professional Tour, proved yet again why he is considered one of the most talented golfers on the Tour. The Meerut-based golfer, who celebrated his birthday on Wednesday, seems hell bent on starting his 30th year with a win. His round was not a bed of roses. 

Chinnappa stars for Bechtel in Teri Cup
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, February 1
A fine all-round performance by N N Chinnappa (3/19 and 46 n o) helped Bechtel beat Max New York by seven wickets in the ninth Teri Cup Cricket Tournament organised by TERI (Tata Energy Research Institute) at the Central Secretariat ground.

Max New York won the toss and opted to bat, but Chinnappa and Sunil Bhatt gave excellent bowling performances to give Bechtel the upper hand.

Scores: Max New York: 149/9 in 25 overs (Sushant Kalra 36, 3x4; Sita Ram 26, 4x4; Sundeep Bhardwaj 24, 4x4; N N Chinnappa 46 n o, 7x4; Sushmit M 39; 5x4, Sunil Bhat 33 n o; 2x4; Shieo Thomas 2/17).

National Judo Championship
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, February 1
The Judo Federation of India (JFI) will conduct the Junior National Judo Championship from February 24 to 28 at the Chhotta Nehru Stadium, Indore (Madhya Pradesh). Over 450 judokas from 30 affiliated State associations/units are expected to participate in the Nationals.

The JFI president Jagdish Tytler announced in the Capital that the Senior National Judo Championships will be held from March 2 to 5 at the Andheri Sports Complex, Andheri (West), Mumbai. He said over 500 judokas from all over the country will participate in the championships.

Zakir Hussain, Tabu to play ESPN Super Selectors
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, February 1
Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Husain and top Bollywood actress Tabu will play Super Selector—the innovative, interactive and integrated game show pioneered by ESPN Star Sports and hosted by well-known actor Naseeruddin Shah on Saturday, February 2. The show will be aired at 20 hours on Star Sports and at 23 hours on ESPN on the same day.

Zakir and Tabu will be joined on the sets by Navjot Singh Sidhu, who would share with the viewers his expert perspective and more priceless “Sidhuisms”.

ADMINISTRATION

Shailaja takes over as CS

New Delhi, February 1
Ms Shailaja Chandra today took over the charge as the Chief Secretary of the Government of NCT of Delhi. She succeeds Mr P. S. Bhatnagar who retired yesterday.

An IAS officer of the 1966 batch, Ms Chandra was earlier Secretary of the Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy, Government of India. She has also served as Additional Secretary in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Joint Secretary in the Department of Power, Union Ministry of Energy. TNS