1,600 students examined at medical camp
Our Correspondent

Mandi Gobindgarh, November 22
A seven-day medical camp organised by the Shubh Karman Seva Society (regd) at Government Girls Secondary School concluded here yesterday. Dr Veena Kaushal, Mr Rohit Sood examined 1,600 students and provided medicines free of cost. The camp was inaugurated by Dr Manmohan Kaushal.

Speaking at the concluding function, Mr Amritpal Singh, chairman, and Mr H.S. Sethi, joint secretary of the society, said the society had organised 100 medical camps in various schools and villages so far.

They pointed out that there were many misconceptions among people regarding eye donations. The society had adopted many physically challenged and orphan students.

Mr Amritpal Singh, chairman of the society, thanked the staff and doctors’ team for their cooperation. The society had been organising all programmes of social welfare without getting any aid or grant from government agencies.

SPORTS

450 to take part in cycling championship
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 22
With the arrival of almost all teams today (West Bengal contingent reaching tomorrow morning), all is set for the 57th Senior, 34th Junior and 20th Sub-Junior Hero Challenge National Track Cycling Championship slated to be held at the velodrome of the Punjab Agricultural University here from November 23 to 28.

Mr J. S. Grewal, Secretary-General, Cycling Federation of India, at a press conference said today that more than 450 riders, including around 80 women, along with over 70 officials drawn from all over the country would be taking part in this six-day tournament. Teams of Manipur and Assam were not participating as players were held up due to disturbed conditions there. However, a lone contender from the Manipur team and his coach reached here today, so the state would not go unrepresented, Mr Grewal said.

The organisers had decided to introduce competition for boys and girls (u-12) here where the participants would be allowed to take part on any country made cycles. Eightyeight gold medals and as many silver and bronze medals would be at stake. Andhra Pradesh, with 42-member team, was the largest contingent.

The competition will start at 8 am with 1500m time trial event for boys (u-18) and the formal inauguration of the meet is slated for 3.30 pm. Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers and President, Cycling Federation of India and Punjab Olympic Association, will declare the championship open. Other events for the opening day include 1500m team time trial (girls u-18), 1500 m team time trial for men and women and devil take the hind most event.

Mr Vijay Munjal, Managing Director, International Marketing, Hero Cycles, Mr Apinder Singh Grewal and Mr Balwinder Singh, president and general secretary, respectively, of the Ludhiana District Cycling Association also addressed the conference.

Preparations on for football league
Anil Datt

Ludhiana, November 22
The preparations are going on here for the eighth edition of the National Football League, which is slated to kick off at Kolkata on November 28. The local Guru Nanak Stadium, where Punjab’s premier team — JCT Mills of Phagwara — will play 11 matches, is being prepared for the event. The Punjab Football Association (PFA) will host these matches under floodlights.

Mr Shivtar Singh Bajwa, president, District Football Association, and vice-president, PFA, said accepting the request of Mr Sameer Thapar, president of the state association, The Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amrinder Singh, had directed the local Municipal Corporation to arrange generator sets in order to provide uninterrupted power supply during the league.

Mr Bajwa said the PFA had decided to impose gate fees for the spectators and had written to the Finance Commissioner, Punjab, to exempt the association from tax. He said the final decision regarding the fee would be taken on Saturday after the return of the PFA secretary, Mr Inder Singh, from Kolkata.

Mr Bajwa said the schedule of first 11 rounds of the league involving the JCT team is as under:

On December 1, JCT will take on Indian Bank at Nehru Stadium, Chennai; on December 5, they take on Hayward Sporting Club at Goa; on December 9, the Punjab outfit will clash with East Bengal in Ludhiana; on December 14, JCT play against Salagoacar Club in Ludhiana on December 20, JCT play against Dempo Club in Ludhiana; on December 23, JCT lock horns with Vasco of Goa in Ludhiana; on January 3, 2004, JCT take on Churchill Bros of Goa in Goa on January 7, JCT will play against Mahindra United in Mumbai; on January 11, JCT take on Mohun Bagan in Kolkata; on January 15, JCT take on T Agragami and on January 19, JCT will take on Mohd Sporting in Kolkata.

NRIs to organise kabaddi meets
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, November 22
In the coming days, a number of kabaddi tournaments will be held in different parts of the state. The decision in this regard was taken during a meeting of Punjabis settled abroad held at Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

Kabaddi would be the main attraction during the Samrala Sports Festival to be held from December 19 to 21 apart from Canada Cup slated to be held here at the Guru Nanak Stadium on January 3 and 4; Sikh Heritage Cup on January 11 at Jalandhar; Toronto Cup on January 27 at Jalandhar, Internationl Lodhi Cup on January 30 at Ludhiana, Kamalpur Cup on January 31st, Harjit Bajkhana Cup on January 3; International Cup at Phillaur Mandi on January 12 and 13, World Cup Kabaddi Meet at Khanna on January 14 and Alnkar Tony Cup at Kube villagre on February 19 and 20.

Prominent players and organisers who attended the meeting include Surjan Singh Chatha, Pahalwal Gurmail Singh, Karnail Singh Khaira, Devi Dyal, Pinder Hissowal, Sukhwinder Singh Brar, Surinder Pal Singh Kalakh Tony, Lally Adicha, Gurmail Singh Barnala, Jasvinder singh Ladhhar and Rajinder Singh Hissowal.