SPORTS

PNB to form senior hockey team
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, June 10
The Punjab National Bank (PNB) is likely to form a senior hockey team to enable more players to gain international status. This was stated in New Delhi on Tuesday by Punjab National Bank Chairman and Managing director S. S. Kohli while honouring hockey international Pramod Kumar.

Mr Kohli said the players to be recruited for the hockey team would be given employment in the bank. He said the PNB had already received over 7000 applications from probable candidates, and the short-listing and final selection of the players would be held in the last week of July.

Mr Kohli said the aim of the bank was to provide an opportunity to the selected players to practise and develop their skills on international quality turf. He said the bank would provide the best of facilities, including scientific support, competition exposure and a new synthetic turf.

The PNB had established a hockey academy in September, 2002 to which 24 players, in the 14 to 17 years age group, were selected. The academy will now run as a joint venture with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and the SAI has signed a memorandum of understanding in this connection with the PNB.

One of the boys from the academy, Pramod Kumar, represented the country in the Asia Cup Junior Hockey Tournament held at Dhaka, in which India emerged the title winners. Mr Kohli said the PNB was also planning to share its sports related expertise with other banks in its endeavour to further improve the level of sports in the country.

Cambridge Foundation win

New Delhi, June 10
Cambridge Foundation defeated Maharaja Ranjit Singh Academy by seven wickets in the Summer League Cricket Tournament at the Rajouri Garden ground. Maharaja Ranjit Singh Academy: 168 all out in 30 overs. Cambridge Foundation School: 169 for 3 in 22.2 overs

Hemant shines

A fine all-round display by Hemant Singh (3 for 23 and 50 n o) and deadly bowling by Vipul Gupta (3 for 22) helped Pahari Dhiraj Club beat Gyan Vidya School by nine wickets in the DDCA Under-15 Cricket Tournament at the Bharat Nagar ground.

Scores: Gyan Vidya School: 112 all out in 27.1 overs (Manu Baniwal 26, Sunny Singh 26, Vipul Gupta 3 for 22, Hemant Singh 3 for 23). Pahari Dhiraj Club: 115 for 1 in 15.2 overs (Hemant Singh 50 n o, S. Dhanuriya 36, Ashish Yadav 22).

U-19 Cricket Tourney

The fifth BDM Moonways Under-19 Cricket Tournament will be held from June 15 at different grounds in the Capital. Top teams like BDM XI, Sonnet Club, R R Gymkhana, Sumit Dogra Academy, R P Academy, K N Colts, Gyan Bharati Academy and National Stadium will participate in it. Phones 9810583063 or 9868129300.

Vidur hits ton for Gyan Bharati

New Delhi, June 10
Vidur Sethi slammed a remarkable century (166, 28x4, 161b) to star in Gyan Bharati South Delhi Cricket Academy’s first innings knock of 312 for 5 declared against Madan Lal Cricket Academy in the second Gyan Bharati Under-13 Two-Day Limited-Over Cricket Tournament at the Gyan Bharati School ground at Saket. The match ended in a draw, but Gyan Bharati Academy earned 11 points while Madan Lal Academy secured 9 points.

Shastri Club advance

New Delhi, June 10
Lal Bahadur Shastri Club beat K N Colts by six wickets in a league match of the first Turf Youth Cup Under-15 Cricket Tournament at the Modern School ground.