SPORTS

CHA teams to clash in six-a-side tournament
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, February 4
The Chandigarh Hockey Academy (Red) will take on Chandigarh Hockey Academy (white) in the final of the six-a-side hockey tournament. In the semi-finals played at the Sector 42, Hockey Stadium today, CHA (Red) outplayed St Stephen’s school, Sector 45, team by 12 goals to two. In the very first minute, Ritu Raj of St Stephen’s scored a goal but in the very next minute, Deepak of CHA equalised. After that there was no stopping for the CHA (Red) players and it was Deepak who created havoc for the St Stephen’s team. Deepinder scored his first goal in 11th minute while in 13th minute, Deepak too scored a goal. Then in the 19th minute, Deepinder again scored a goal, thus a 4-1 lead. In 20th minute, Harinder of red team scored fifth goal for his team. Till half time, scores read 5-1.

After the half time, Simrandeep of the Red team scored sixth goal for his team. Now came the flurry of goals by Deepak who scored five goals in the 23rd, 32nd, 35th, 36th and 37th minute. In between, it was Amarveer of St Stephen’s who struck with a goal thus reducing the overall margin.

Last goal of the match was scored by Harinder in the 40th minute and finally CHA (Red) team won 12-2.

In the second semi-final tie played between CHA (White) and CHA (Blue), former won 6-5 in a close finish. Half time score was 5-2.

Dharamveer of White team opened the account by scoring the first goal in the very first minute. Then there were four goals at a stretch with a hat trick by Ranjot of White XI in second, eighth, 13th and 17th minute. Scores now read at 5-0. Jagmeet of Blue team scored a goal in 18th minute. Sukhjeet proved to be star player for Blue team when he fielded three goals in 20th, 26th and 32nd minute. Rupinder again scored goal in the 33nd minute. At this juncture, scores read 5-5. Ranjot of White team scored the all important and decisive goal in 39th minute to help his team emerge winner at 6-5.

The finals and the match for third place will be played on February 6.

Junior tennis meet to test young players’ mettle
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, February 4
City tennis players Kinshuk Sharma, Izreek Randhawa, Navinder Pal Singh and Gursher Singh among boys while Alipt Sandhu, Inayat Khosla and Bahaar Paul among girls will be the city challenge for the forthcoming Grade III ITF Junior Tennis Meet to be held here from February 7 to 13.

The tournament will be a good exposure for the upcoming tennis players of the city who could gain vital points by playing at various levels of the competition. Kinshuk Sharma, who was ranked first as per the AITA ranking list, might surprise in this tournament. He said, “let this tournament begin and I just want to play a better game.” It may be recalled that Kinshuk is considered to be a neat game player and his cool temperament has put his opponents on wrong track.

Navinder Pal Singh, is another budding player with promise who shifted from Patiala only a few months back and is now a CLTA trainee.

Among girls, local girls Alipt Sandhu, Inayat Khosla and Bahaar Paul will be trying their luck from the qualifying rounds. Alipt had last year bagged AITA junior circuit titles while Inayat has only a few days back given splendid performance in the AITA Junior Tennis Meet held at Chennai where she reached the finals.

Though the draw for both boys and girls will be of 32, but apart from the qualifiers, a few might get the wild cards for the main draw.

The second leg of the Grade II ITF Tennis Meet is already in progress at Delhi and in the city the qualifying rounds of the ITF tennis meet would be held on February 7 and 8. On February 9, the main draw matches would begin.

Meanwhile, the new residential hostel meant for accommodating the outstation trainees is ready. The hostel is for the CHART (Chandigarh Academy for Rural Tennis) players. Only recently 10 trainees from the Army have also been selected. Mr Rajan Kashyap, Chairman of the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association, said earlier players coming from different parts of India and abroad were made to stay in various city hotels, but now they had their own hostel.