SPORTS

Rural sports meet ends
Our Correspondent

Machhiwara, September 8
The four-day rural olympics of Punjab, being held at Kot Gangu Rai village, concluded yesterday after entering into the fifth day because final matches of volleyball and kabaddi open were conducted yesterday. Baba Nag Bhag Cup of Kabaddi was clinched by Otalan after beating Khurd kabaddi team. In volleyball, Panjeta defeated Gado-Lakhowal team.

Results of the meet which was organised under the patronage of the Guru Nanak Dev Sports Club at Gurdyal Stadium were: kabaadi (28 kg) — Rupalan I, Khehra II; 32kg — Kot Gangu Rai I, Kotari II; 42 kg — Jhammat I, Mani Kalan II, 48 kg — Kaunke Kalan I, Mallah II; 52 kg and 57kg — Kot Gangu Rai I, Kakrala Bhai Ka II and 62kg — Dhurkot I, Jalajan II.

Races: 100m (Girls): Narinderpal Kaur from Government College, Ludhiana I, Manjit Kaur II and Akwinder Kaur Khanna III; 200 m: Narinder Kaur I, Manjit Kaur II and Akwinder Kaur III; 400m — Akwinder Kaur 1, Ravinder Kaur, Ludhiana II and Teji Rani Khanna III; 800m — Ravinder Kaur I, Niharika Khanna II and Kamaljit Kaur, Ludhiana, III; 1500m — Jaswinder Kaur Ludhiana I, Niharika II and Inderjit Kaur III; and 5000m — Jaswinder Kaur Ghungrali Sikhan III.

Boys: 100m — Ikbal Singh Sports College Jalandhar I, Gurmeet Singh II and Naib Singh Ludhiana III; 200m — Iqbal Singh I, Gurmeet Singh Gurdaspur II and Mandeep SIngh Gurdaspur II ; 400m — Kamaljit Singh Barwali Khurd I, Iqbal Singh II and Mandeep SIngh III; 800m — Kamaljit Singh I, Rajesh Kumar Sultanpur Lodhi II and Sukhwinder Singh Kadiana Kalan III; 1500m — Rajesh Kumar I, Parmjit Singh Katani II and Kulwinder Singh Kharar III; and 500m — Rajesh Kumar I, Kulwinder Singh II and Samsad Kot Gangu Rai III.

In bullock-cart races, Inderjit Singh, Kot Gangu Rai, I, Honey, Kot Gangu Rai, II and Randhir Singh, Lalton III.

The prize distribution ceremony was presided over by the State Transport Minister, Mr Tej Parkash Singh Kotli, and Mr Ishar Singh Meharban, a former minister. Rajya Sabha member Lala Lajpat Rai and Mr Gurcharan Singh Ghalib, MP, also paid a visit and announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for the Kot Gangu Rai - Katani Kalan road.

A date with Kapil
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 8
It was ‘gali’ cricket, but there was much more to it, with the Cricketer of the Century, Kapil Dev, playing cricket with the street cricketers. It was not just a playing session for street cricketers, but an interactive innings with one of the greatest cricketers of the world, to whom they bowled 10 balls each with some of them getting him out.

His date with the ‘gali’ cricketers started in the morning at the cricket ground of Punjab Agricultural University. Kapil recalled, “It has been my Ranji ground and I have played Ranji matches on this ground and claimed many wickets since it is the fastest pitch in India”.

Amrik Singh’s joy knew no limits when he started bowling to Kapil. He was supposed to bowl 10 balls to Kapil. Then followed others who were waiting eagerly for their turn. Subsequently, Kapil answered various questions of budding cricketers, explaining to them various points of fast bowling.

Some of them wanted to learn about inswing and outswing. He did not disappoint anyone, providing answers to everyone on his cricketing career and bowling techniques.

Kapil maintained that he wanted to promote cricket and did not want it to go the hockey way. “I want to reassure the budding cricketers about their future in the game”, he stated, emphasising the need for encouraging youngsters and providing them the proper direction.

On encouraging other sports disciplines in the country, Kapil observed that sports culture was yet to evolve in the country. “Do not compare the country with the USA, where sports are organised by professional sports clubs”, he remarked. He pointed out, “In India, sports is governed by businessmen, politicians and bureaucrats”.

Kapil visited different schools and colleges and had interactive playing sessions with the cricketers. In fact, the entire route was decorated to give a hero’s welcome to him.

Ludhianavis honour Kapil, Pandey
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 8
The Cricketer of the Century, Kapil Dev and the Chief Director, Vigilance Bureau, Punjab, Mr A.P. Pandey, were honoured here yesterday by the Ludhiana Citizens’ Forum at a colourful function for their outstanding contribution in their respective fields.

While Kapil Dev was honoured for his contribution to cricket and being declared as the ‘Cricketer of the Century’ by Wisden, Mr Pandey was awarded the title of ‘Iron Man; the great son of India’ for his performance in leading the anti-corruption drive of the state government. The function was attended by hundreds of people.

Acknowledging the generous gesture of the people of Ludhiana, Kapil Dev said it gave him immense pleasure for being loved and respected by the people of the city. He said, “While being declared the ‘Cricketer of the Century’ was great feat, the honour by the people was certainly the expression of their heartfelt love.”

Kapil was at his modest best during the felicitation ceremony. He mixed around with everyone and shook hands with and gave autographs to everyone. He had no airs and appeared only to be a down-to-earth person as he is known to be.

Mr Pandey was equally impressive. Although Kapil remained the focus of attention, people also queued up to get autograph from Mr Pandey. Acknowledging the honour and award showered on him by the people of Ludhiana, Mr Pandey observed that he was not doing anything special. “I believe I am performing my normal duty, any police officer in my place should do this”, was his modest observation.

He disagreed with the view that he was at the forefront of the anti-corruption drive launched by the state government. While trying to express his gratitude to the people of Ludhiana. Mr Pandey has served as the Senior Superintendent of Police in Ludhiana in early eighties and had survived several militant attacks.