Demand to establish Indian medical services
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 8
Stressing the need to re-establish the Indian medical services on the lines of the Indian Administrative Services, the National Medico Organisation (NMO) today urged the government to take necessary steps and also demanded a budget increase for the health sector to improve services in the country.

Former Delhi Health Minister and office-bearer of the NMO Harsh Vardhan said that in pre-Independence days, there was the ‘Medical Service’ to man the health care services. But after Independence, the practice was discontinued due to which now IAS officers, who had no technical knowledge, were involved in policymaking.

‘’If we want to achieve the goal of health for all, we will have to involve professionals by establishing a separate service for medical professionals and also increase the budget of the health sector to 10 per cent of the GDP. Moreover, a holistic approach will be required to meet this goal and other emergency situations.”

To emphasise this, the NMO is organising a Health Assembly on November 10 in which over 2,000 medical professionals from all over the country would discuss crucial issues like medical ethics, reforms in medical education, providing health services to villages and underprivileged in the society. 

SPORTS

City take on Shahdara in soccer final
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, November 8
City Club will take on Shahdara in the final of the first Lt-Governor’s Cup Prize Money Football Tournament to be held on Sunday at the Ambedkar Stadium. The kick-off is at 2 p m.

In the semi-final matches on Friday, City Club, former DSA League champions, outclassed defending League champions Hindustan Club 3-0 while Shahdara edged past Indian Air Force (Palam) 1-0.

City Club, dominating play from the start with a fast-paced game, opened their account in the fifth minute when inside-right Kabul Tyagi, who represented Delhi in the Santosh Trophy at Manipur, found the mark. The surprise goal stirred Hindustan into action, but they failed to seize their chances.

To rub salt into Hindustan’s wounds, City struck twice more on resumption through inside-left G Ninja Kabui in the 55th and 67th minutes, to cruise to a facile victory.

Shahdara and Air Force fought it out without conceding any ground, but both the teams muffed their chances till Bhupinder Thakur struck the match-winner for Shahdara in the 71st minute.

Chandiwala-SAI boxing at IG Stadium
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, November 8
The first All-India Banarsidas Chandiwala-Sports Authority of India Men’s Boxing Championship will be held at the Indira Gandhi indoor stadium from November 12 to 16.

Sports Authority of India secretary K Narsimha said the gold medal winners will be given a cash award of Rs 5,000 each while the silver and bronze medallists will receive cash prizes of Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively. The bronze medal will be awarded to two pugilists. Over 200 boxers from all over the country are expected to take part in the championship.

IMA storm into polo semis

Indian Military Academy (IMA) beat Army Supply Core by eight goals to five and a half to storm into the semi-final of the Maharaja Prithi Singh Cup (six-goal) Polo Championship at the Army Equestrian Centre Polo ground. The scorers for IMA were Maj. Manoj Dewan and Maj. A S Randhawa (three goals each), and Maj. Ajay Ahlawat (two goals).

For ASC, Capt. G S Pandher and Capt. Nevneet Singh scored two goals each while Maj Tarsem Singh slammed home one goal.

Saturday’s fixtures: Maharaja Prithi Cup: 61 Cavalry A vs Kinarps (quarter-final, 2.30 p m); IMA vs 61 Cavalry B (semi-final; 3.30 p m)—Army Equestrian ground..

Rajiv Gandhi Cricket

Malviya Club will take on Montfort School in the opening match of the Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Tournament, being organised by the North Delhi Cricketers’ Association, at the Mont Fort School ground at Ashok Vihar. Montfort School principal Bro. Joy Joseph will inaugurate the tournament.

Salwan Marathon

The Salwan Marathon Run for boys and girls will be held on Sunday (November 10) at 9 a m at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Salwan Marathon, recognised by the Amateur Athletic Federation of India, and conducted by the Delhi State Amateur Athletic Association and the Air Force Sports Control Board, has attracted a large number of entries.

Former Union Minister and president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association Arun Jaitley will be the chief guest. Former hockey Olympian and executive director (team’s wing) of the Sports Authority of India M P Ganesh will be the guest of honour.

ESPN School Quiz

Over 100 schools from in and around Delhi will participate in the regional round of the ESPN School Quiz 2003, to be held at the Siri Fort Auditorium on November 12 at 10 am.

Yuvraj on Harsha Online

Dashing cricketer Yuvraj Singh will be the guest on Harsha Online, the interactive one-hour programme pioneered by ESPN Star Sports, on November 11 (Monday) at 10.30 p m. Though Yuvraj Singh has played only 45 one-day international matches and scored 983 runs at an average of 30.71 with seven half centuries to his credit, he has made a big impression in the cricket world. The 21-year-old all-rounder is best remembered for his rapid-fire knock, in the company of Mohammad Kaif, in India’s famous victory in the NatWest series at Lord’s when

India chased an impossible looking target of 326 runs, to record a dream victory.