Call for blood donation
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 28
Royal Jaycees and Ek Koshish today gave a call for volutary blood donation at a function organised here. Both are voluntary organisations and have members who are ready to donate blood whenever needed.

The two organisations had organised an antakshari and dance competitions for children at Valmiki Bhavan, Jamalpur.

The new president of Ek Koshish, Mr Parminder Singh Pappu, was sworn in.

Later, the new charter president of the Royal Jaycees, Mr Ajay Neb, and his team were sworn in. 

SPORTS

Khanna school lift soccer title
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, December 28
After surviving some anxious moments, A S Senior Secondary School, Khanna, prevailed over their spirited opponents, Government High School, Chabbewal (Hoshiarpur) 2-1 to annex the title in the first Punjab Schools Football Championship organised by the Sutlej Football Club at the Government Senior Secondary Model School ground, Punjab Agricultural University here today.

The final began on a fast pace with both teams making some good moves but their efforts failed to bear fruit as the defence line successfully thwarted these raids. After the first barren half, A S Senior Secondary School, Khanna, managed to pierce through the Chabbewal lads's citadel. In the 45th minute, Mandeep Singh's blistering shot beat Chabbewal custodian 1-0.

Stung by this reverse, Chabbewal players made repeated attacks on Khanna school's territory. Their pressure tactics paid dividends in the 60th minute when Sandeep Singh found the target to level the score one-all.

After this, both teams played cautiously and gave no chance to their rivals to enter the danger zone. Just three minutes before the long whistle, Kuljinder Singh of Khanna scored a goal to seal the Chabbewal lads' fate 2-1.

Earlier, in the semi finals, Government High School, Chabbewal defeated Government School, PAU 'A' 2-0. Both goals were scored in the second half by Vicky (55th and 60th minute). In the second semi final, A S Senior Secondary School, Khanna, pipped Government School, PAU 'B' 2-1. PAU School went into the lead in the 20th minute through Sarabjeet Singh. PAU lads restored parity in the 55th minute through Kuljinder Singh and they pumped another goal in the 60th minute through Manpreet Singh to settle for the title clash with Chabbewal.

Mr Teja Singh Dhaliwal, honorary general secretary, Punjab Basketball Association gave away the prizes to the winners. The organisers gave a pack of 5 kg desi ghee and pair of shoes to every member of the winning team while the players of the runners-up received a pack of desi ghee. Parminder Singh of PAU School 'A' and Kuljiner Singh of Khanna were named the best goal keeper and the best player of the tournament respectively. Hardeep Pal singh of PAU 'B' was adjudged the best back while Chanpreet Singh of PAU School, 'A' was declared the best forward.

Neeraj wins chess crown
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, December 28
Ninth seed Neeraj Khera, a student from Jalandhar, remained unbeaten in nine rounds to emerge as champion in the Punjab Open Chess Championship that concluded at RS Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, here today.

In the final round today, Neeraj drew with Arvinderpreet Singh from Ludhiana to become the youngest state champion.

In a gruelling battle, which lasted more than three hours, Neeraj opened with queen-pawn and soon attacked his opponent with rook and queen, destroying his castle. Neeraj sacrificed three of his pawns to sustain the attack.

Arvinderpreet Singh defended well and continued to threaten with counter-attacks, which forced the players to settle for a draw.

Moti Ram of the State Bank of Patiala (7.5 points) won the second prize, while third position was bagged by Pardeep Arora of Amritsar who secured 7 points. Sangat Rai of Jalandhar and Arvinderpreet Singh of Ludhiana were place fourth and fifth, respectively.

Mr Anurag Verma, Deputy Commissioner, distributed the prizes.

Final standings: Neeraj Khera of Jalandhar 1, Moti Ram of State Bank of Patiala 2; Pardeep Arora of Amritsar 3; Sangat Rai of Jalandhar 4; Arvinderpreet Singh of Ludhiana 5; Intkhab Alam of Malerkotla 6; Shival Jrethi of Jalandhar 7; Kanwarjeet Singh of Jalandhar 8, Chetan Bansal of Moga 9; R.B. Singh of State Bank of Patiala 10.