Prithipal Academy, Nankana school win
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, January 10
Nankana Sahib Public School of Kila Raipur and Prithipal Academy, Ludhiana, registered easy victories in their inaugural matches in the first district-level under-14 hockey tournament being organised by the Youngsters Hockey Revival Club at the Prithipal astroturf ground of Punjab Agricultural University here today.

In the inaugural match, Nankana Sahib Public School, Kila Raipur, trounced DAV Public Senior Secondary School, Bhai Randir Singh Nagar, Ludhiana, 5-0 after leading 3-0 at half-time. The winners drew first blood in the fifth minute through Sandeep Singh. Midway through the first half, they increased the lead when Amarjit Singh found the target. A few seconds before the lemon break, Amarjit again struck to cement the lead 3-0.

After changing ends, Sandeep pumped in one more goal in the 37th minute (4-0) and in the 45th minute, Amarjit Singh scored a fine field goal to complete the rout 5-0.

In the second match, Prithipal Academy thrashed Sacred Heart Convent School, BRS Nagar, 6-2 to advance into the next round. Taranpreet Singh was the main architect of the academy’s comfortable win. He scored four goals while Sukhbir Singh and Gurdip Singh chipped in with one goal each. Harsimran Singh and Damandeep Singh scored one apiece each for the losers.

Charanpreet Singh of Nankana Sahib Public School, Kila Raipur, and Damandeep Singh of Sacred Heart Convent School were adjudged best players of the opening day matches.

Earlier, Mr Sohan Lal Lotey, District Sports Officer, inaugurated the tournament. Six teams are taking part. Before the formal inauguration by the chief guest, Mr Shivtar Singh Bajwa, president of the Youngsters Hockey Revival Club, welcomed Mr Lotey. Mr H.S. Bhullar, Deputy Director, Sports, PAU, presided over the opening ceremony.

Ludhiana to clash with Patiala for title
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, January 10
Ludhiana quelled the strong challenge of Sangrur to win 7-5 while Patiala overwhelmed Amritsar 14-1 to set up the title clash in the seniors’ section on the second day of the 15th Punjab State Skating Championship at Leisure Valley Rink, Sarabha Nagar, here today.

In the first semifinal, Ludhiana warded off a stiff challenge from Sangrur. For the winners, Harkirat Bhatia scored five goals while Manish scored a brace. Ramesh Kumar and Navdeep contributed three and two goals, respectively, for the visitors.

The second semifinal between Patiala and Amritsar was a mismatch as the former came out triumphant without facing much resistance. The scorers for Patiala were Mandeep Singh (4), Sarabjeet Singh (5), Gautam Kumar (3), Tejpal Singh (1) and Ankit (1).

In the junior boys’ section, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Sangrur and Patiala stormed into the last four. In the quarterfinals, Jalandhar defeated Ludhiana 5-1, Amritsar trounced Fatehgarh Sahib 12-0, Sangrur blanked Ferozepore 9-0 while Patiala got a bye. Patiala beat Jalandhar 8-0 and Sangrur pipped Amritsar 2-0 to make it to the final. In the sub-junior boys’ category, Sangrur outwitted Jalandhar 7-0 to enter the final.

Line skating results: 500m (boys 8-10 years): Darvesh Singh of Amritsar 1, Simarpreet Singh of Amritsar 2, Jaspreet Singh of Jalandhar 3; (10-12 years): Vrind Markan of Amritsar 1, Navjodh Singh of Jalandhar 2, Pawandeep Singh of Jalandhar 3; (12-14 years): Gulsher Singh of Ludhiana 1, Nirbhai Singh Gill of Ludhiana 2, Jaskaran Singh Taneja of Amritsar 3; (above 14 years): Harkiran Singh of Ludhiana 1, Chakshu Jain of Amritsar 2 and Jodh Singh of Ludhiana 3.

Malwa panel for promotion of sports
Our Correspondent

Samrala, January 10
A meeting of the executive of the Malwa Sports Association, Samrala, was organised under the presidentship of Mr Malkeet Singh Dhillon. The meeting discussed different aspects of the sports festival which was organised recently and was of the view that it was a grand success.

Mr Rachhpal Singh Kang, treasurer of the association, and Mr Jagjiwan Khernian , assistant treasurer of the association, presented the income and expenditure statement of the sport festival which ran to the tune of Rs 6.5 lakh. Mr Jagjit Singh Kang, chairman of the association, thanked all members for working hard for the success of meet. Mr Malkeet Singh Dhillon, president of the association , assured all moral and monetary support for the promotion of sports . Mr Behari Lal Saddi, chief adviser -cum-press secretary, said the training camps should be organised for the budding sports person. 

Mayor promises better amenities
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 10
Mayor Nahar Singh Gill has assured the residents of Dugri Urban Estate (Phase I) for improvement of infrastructural facilities and providing better amenities in a timebound framework.

Interacting with area residents and functionaries of the Urban Estate Welfare Association at the Shri Durga Mata Mandir yesterday, he said that tenders for repair and resurfacing of roads at a cost of Rs 1 crore had been approved. The work on the four-laning of the main road from Preet Palace to Dugri would soon be taken in hand.

Referring to the demand for improvement of parks, he said the work had been assigned to private contractors and all the parks would be properly maintained. He said that the matter would be taken up with the Irrigation Department for the construction of a new bridge on the Sidhwan Canal at Dugri for better movement of traffic. The Mayor sought the cooperation of the residents in carrying out the ongoing anti-encroachment drive launched on the direction of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Earlier, the general secretary of the association, Mr Shiv Kumar Gupta, submitted a memorandum on behalf of the area residents demanding among, other things, metalling of all roads and streets, shifting of the cremation ground from Phase I to Phase II of the colony.