SPORTS

Local lad impresses spin legends
Anil Datt

Ludhiana, October 19
Parampreet Singh, a local lad, has brought laurels to the city by being included in the top 11 cricket players of the country selected by the Cricket Council of India (CCI) for a special training-cum-coaching camp for talented and upcoming cricketers. The CCI spots young talented players, hones their skills and prepares them as players of future. Parampreet is currently participating in a camp in Mumbai.

Giving this information, an elated Amrik Singh Nagra, coach of the budding right-arm leg spinner Parampreet, a Class XI student of the local Baba Ishar Singh Senior Secondary School, said the boy was chosen by legendary spinners Bishan Singh Bedi and Erapalli Prasanna during trails in Delhi. He won the best cricketer award in the trial and was acclaimed as a future prospect for the country. The boy is the first in the city to attend the coaching clinic in Mumbai, which is being run by the former President, Board of Control for Cricket in India, Mr Raj Singh Dungarpur.

Parampreet Singh (16) was first spotted by a former Indian captain and ace left-arm spinner Bishan Singh Bedi during a summer cricket coaching clinic organised at the Punjab Agricultural University ground here last year. During the clinic, Parampreet was declared “best camper”. Next year, Parampreet was picked up for the Ludhiana district team (u-16 years) where he proved his mettle in the matches against Jalandhar, Amritsar and Chandigarh.

Parampreet attended a pre-season coaching camp organised by Bishan Singh Bedi in Delhi recently where he remained at the centre stage and impressed legendary off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna, who visited the camp during the course of the clinic. He played two matches and with his accurate and penetrating bowling, scalped seven victims.

On the basis of his performance during the clinic in Delhi, Parampreet Singh was selected for the camp, which is currently under way in Mumbai, where the youngsters are being imparted training by an Australian coach.

Parampreet is a regular trainee of a former MRF Pace Foundation player Amrik Singh Nagra. The coach informed Ludhiana Tribune that Parampreet Singh’s daily schedule included bowling on a single wicket for more than one hour and bowling practice in the nets to enhance stamina.

Amrik Singh Nagra exuded confidence that after attending the clinic in Mumbai, Parampreet Singh would improve further and don the India colour in future.

Namdhari Academy lads win hockey title
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, October 19
Excelling in pace and power, Namdhari Academy, Bhaini Sahib, routed Prithipal Singh Academy, PAU, Ludhiana, 5-1 to annex the title in the G S Auto Gold Cup Hockey Tournament organised by the PAU Hockey Welfare Association at the astro turf ground of Punjab Agricultural University here today.

Contrary to expectations, the final match failed to attain dizzy heights as players of both teams appeared to be to exhausted as they had battled it out in the semi-finals today in the morning.

The title encounter began on a sedate note with both teams starting the proceedings cautiously. After making frantic attempts on to the Prithipal Singh Academy’s territory, the Namdhari lads drew the first blood in the 6th minute through a penalty corner conversion by centre forward Karmjeet Singh. Seven minutes later, left out Gurvinder Singh scored an opportunistic goal to increase the lead (2-0).

Midway through the first half, Prithipal Academy boys managed to pierce through Namdhari Academy’s defence, and centre half Gurmeet Singh of Ludhiana, much to the chagrin of the Namdhari goalkeeper, rolled the ball into the net to reduce the margin 2-1.

Prithipal Acadmey players’ joy was shortlived as the Namdhari lads pumped in another goal in the 20th minute to consolidate the lead 3-1. Four minutes later, Gurvinder Singh again found the target in the 24th minute to further cement the lead 4-1.

Prithipal Singh Academy earned five penalty corners in the first session, but failed to capitalise on these, while Namdhari Academy forced three short corners out of which two went abegging.

After changing ends, Karamjeet Singh of Namdhari Academy struck in the 40th minute to seal his opponents’ fate 5-1. They managed to hang on to this lead till the long hooter wrapped up the issue convincingly 5-1.

Earlier in the day, in the first-semi final, Prithipal Singh Academy blanked PPS School, Samrala, 2-0. Both goals were scored in the second half, (64th minute) by Harpreet Singh and (68th minute) by Sonu. In the second semi-final, Namdhari Academy trounced Dashmesh Academy, Raikot, 9-3.