SPORTS

Prem Chand to compete in Asian Games
M.S.Unnikrishnan

New Delhi, June 19
Flexing his muscles has been a way of life with Prem Chand Degra. His “body beautiful” has earned him many a coveted title, including the Mr Asia and Mr Universe crowns. But he had faded into self-imposed oblivion after winning the Asian Championship title in Delhi in 1996.

Though he had been on hibernation for over six years, Degra had not allowed his chiselled body to go out of shape. He kept his date with workouts in religious regularity, and at 47 plus years, Prem Chand Degra looks the same Degra the world of bodybuilding had seen seven years ago.

The inclusion of bodybuilding, considered as an amateur sport, as a medal event in the Asian Games in Busan (South Korea) to be held later this year, has once again pumped up the competitive adrenalin in Degra to make him come out of his retirement.

Prem Chand has announced his intention to participate in the Asian Games at Busan, as he strongly feels that he can strike it rich there.

The prospects of bringing a medal to the country has prompted Prem Chand to give a rethink about his “exile” from competitive bodybuilding, though he has made it clear that he would go through the selection trials process, to be held in Mumbay on July 31, in all its intent and purpose.

Prem Chand feels that some younger bodybuilders like Vitander Singh, Prasad and T V Polly are medal prospects who would give him a tough run in the selection trials. But Degra has “every intention of not only participating in the Asian Games, but also winning a medal for the country”.

And the hue of the medal he’s determined to bring home is gold. No less, though the competition in Busan would be very tough what with countries like Iran, Iraq, China, South Korea and Japan itching to display their “body beautiful”.

But Degra has a glorious track record as he is an eight-time winner of “Mr Asia” and nine-times winner of the “Mr India” titles. Awards and rewards have come to him by the dozens, including the Arjuna Award, the Padma Shri Award and the Maharaja Ranjit Singh award. But Degra is keen to add the Asiad gold to his kitty to sign off from the sport in style.

Bodybuilding was included as a competitive event in the inaugural Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951, for the first and last time. But the Asiad organising committee at Busan has decided to resurrect the sport, and Prem Chand Degra may well land the middle weight (80kg) gold, if he “qualifies”, that is.

Prem Chand has found a benefactor in Mahesh Chaudhary, himself a bodybuilding enthusiast, and managing director of Hercules Healthcare Products. Hercules is supporting Degra in his chase for an Asian Games gold.

“Hercules has pledged to provide Degra all possible help in achieving his cherished goal”, announced Mr Chaudhary. And Degra is determined to make his chase for Asiad glory a golden reality.

Gautam Gambhir hits century for Chand Khanna
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, June 19
India ‘A’ player Gautam Gambhir hit a sparkling century of 108 and an all-round performance by Sumit Dogra (38 and 3 for 27) enabled defending champions Chand Khanna Club beat New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) by 75 runs and entered the semi-final of the sixth Lala Hariram Aggarwal Memorial Day-Night Cricket Tournament at the Karnail Singh Stadium in the Capital.

Chand Khanna captain Sumit Dogra won the toss and elected to bat. They scored 224 for six in 30 overs. Gautam Gambhir and Sumit Dogra added 111 runs for the third wicket. Gautam Gambhir’s century knock of 108 came off 73 balls with the help of 13 fours and three sixes. Sumit Dogra scored 38.

In reply, NDMC folded up for 149 in 22.4 vers with Sumit Dogra and Rajeev Uniyal (3 for 16) wrecking their batting line-up.

Saroj Rai and Tara Chand tried to put up a stout resistance by adding 78 runs for the third wicket. Tara Chand scored 47 off 42 balls with the help of seven fours and two sixes.

Saroj Rai made 38 runs. Sanjay Gill slammed 20 runs off just eight balls with three fours and one six. Still, NDMC woefully failed to meet the winning target.

Smt. Anita Arya, MP was the chief guest of the match. Gautam Gambhir was presented the BDM Man of the Match award by Mange Ram Garg. Tara Chand was adjudged the best batsman while the best bowler award went to Rajeev Uniyal.

Scores: Chand Khanna Club: 224 for 6 in 30 overs (Gautam Gambhir 108, Sumit Dogra 38, Varun Kumar 26, Sanjay Gill 2 for 45, Pramod Rai 2 for 48).

NDMC: 149 all out in 22.4 overs (Tara Chand 47, Saroj Rai 30, Sanjay Gill 20, Rajeev Uniyal 3 for 16, Sumit Dogra 3 for 27, Gautam Gambhir 2 for 14).

Ishan stars in Tyagi Academy’s win

New Delhi, June 19
A fine all-round performance by Ishan Kumar (96 not out and 2 for 24) guided Tyagi Sports Academy to a seven-wicket victory against Baptist School in a league match of the S R Malhan Memorial (Under-16) Cricket Tournament at the Tyagi Public School ground.

Sheetal, Shruti sail into semis

New Delhi, June 19
The first four seeds expectedly qualified for the singles semi-finals, but in contrasting styles, on day three of the ITF Women’s Circuit Masters Tennis Tournament at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association courts in the Capital.