SPORTS

Narrow miss for shooting star
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, May 17
Sabeeha Dhillon, who shot 389 out of 400 in the 10-metre Air Rifle event in the international junior shooting competitions (below 21) at Suhl, Germany which concluded on May 12, has alleged that she was informed only the night before the event that she would be dropped from the team and her score would be considered in the individual section only. Sabeeha, who competed with world class shooters, was later adjudged 19th in the individual section.

According to the national games bronze medallist, Chetanpreet ,another city shooter, who finally scored 388/400 and secured 22nd position was inducted in the team in her place. Sabeeha, even after performing better than her counterpart in the finals could not be considered for the team event. This led to her missing the chance of being part of the Indian Air Rifle women team that won the bronze medal. The gold-medal winners were Germany and Switzerland won the silver.

In team championships, a three- member team is generally allowed and other two members were Raj Kumari and Meena Kumari. Sources informed this reporter that even Raj Kumari was once dropped as she had met with a minor accident. But she was included in the team later, with just five hours left for the event to begin.

When contacted, Sabeeha said before leaving, at Delhi, she was told by her coaches that the Indian junior women Rifle team would have Raj Kumari, Meena Kumari and herself. So she prepared her shootout plan accordingly for Suhl. But she was told of her exclusion only at the eleventh hour. That did not deter her from putting her best foot forward and she had a series of 99, 96, 99 and 95 (total 389). She said both Chetanpreet and Meena Kumari secured the 22nd and 24th place respectively while she got the 19th. Sabeeha was however happy that India had secured the bronze medal

She also asserted self-assuredly that in the forthcoming National camp to be held at Delhi by the end of this month, she would prove herself. In the camp, the team for the 12th Olympics' shooting meet to be held at Plzen, Czech Republic in mid-June will also be selected by the National Rifle Association of India.

Skating championship results
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, May 17
The Old Students Association of Blue Bird High School, Sector 16, today held a roller skating championship in the skating rink of the school. Young skaters from Class I to V took part in various events like class I and II in rink race I and musical chair, II and IV in obstacle race and rink race I, class V students in rink race I and II.

The president of the association Michael gave away the prizes to the skaters. Ms R. Bhatnagar, principal, said the Haryana Sports Department had provided the institution with skating coach AD Sharma, Ram Chander, a basketball coach, to train the schoolchildren.

The results are: rink race (Class I)- boys: Shubham 1, Himanshu 2, Achal 3. girls-Pooja 1, Shagun 2,Yashika 3. rink race (class II)-boys: prabal 1, Raman 2, Gurpreet 3. girls- Diksha 1, Neetika 2, Pallavi 3.

Rink race (class III): boys- Ankush 1, Prabhjot 2, Sahil 3. girls-Kirti 1, Sonia 2. Rink race (Class IV) : boys: Sumit 1, Akshay 2, Aman 3. girls: Kashish 1, Rajshree 2, Meghna 3. rink race:I (Class V): Boys- Lovish 1, Rahul 2, Mohit 3. girls: Bhanvi 1, Pooja Dhiman 2, Divya 3.

Rink race II: boys: Rahul 1, Lovish 2, Deepanand 3. girls: Bhanvi 1, Divya 2, Neha Sharma 3.

Basketball championship

The Chandigarh Basketball Association will conduct the Chandigarh sub-junior basketball championship for boys and girls in below 13 section later this month. According to a release of the association, the exact date and venue will be finalised after receiving the entries of the teams. Players born on or after January 1,1989 were eligible to take part in the same. Sixteen probables in both groups will be selected for coaching camps to be held from June 1 to 14. The UT team will be selected in the camp for the sub-junior national basketball championship to be held at Pondicherry from June 17 to 22.

Selection trials

Shivalik Public School , Sector 41 and SAS Nagar will hold the selection trials for its basketball and athletics academy on May 25 in the Sector 41 grounds. The academy will provide the trainees facilities like free boarding, lodging and coaching by MS Gill for basketball and Ranvir Singh Duhan in athletics, respectively.