The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

SPORTS

Northern India Motor Sport launched
G S. Paul
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 26
Even as the Narain Karthikeyan effect has shaken India, Chandigarh has surprisingly seen little growth in terms of participation and events of motorsports. Yet rallyists from the region have performed creditably on the national circuit.

With a view to promoting local talent, the Northern India Motor Sport (NIMS) has been floated by city’s leading rally driver Sunny Sidhu.

The club has prominent rallyists from all over the region as its members. Sanjay Sikand from Delhi and Suresh Rana from Manali , two of the more accomplished drivers, are among them.

To start with, the new club intends to hold clinics to allow enthusiasts to be moulded into participants. With its vast pool of in-house veterans, the club will ensure a one-stop reference point for all beginners. It will also be able to guide its members to possible sponsorship deals.

“The major problem for budding rallyists is lack of funds. We can guide them how to go about the whole deal,” says club President and five-time SJOBA rally winner Sunny Sidhu.

A training camp for bikers under Revat Dhillon or Nipender Jassi — former national motocross champions — will be conducted in the coming months.

As for conduct of events, the NIMS will consider taking up that responsibility next year.

The club made it clear that it should not be viewed as a counter to the Chandigarh Motor Sports Association. “In fact, we look to be just a channel that allows for more people to take part in CMSA events. There are no political overtones to this body. We will seek affiliation from both the national bodies — the MAI and FMSCI,” said Sunny.

Gagandeep thrashes Deepak in CLTA tournament
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 26
Gagandeep Singh Gill thrashed Deepak Garg in a one-sided affair tie (6-0) in the CLTA Hot Weather Tennis Tournament in the second round of under 12 Boys’ category, held at the CLTA grounds, Sector 10, here, today.

It was a close contested tie between Pranav Suri and Mayank. The latter could not resist the challenge put forth by Pranav and lost the tie at (5-6). Anmol Singh was shown the door at ease by Uday Mann (2-6) and similar defeat was faced by Dharmender Singh through Gaurav Madan.

Today’s results:

Boys Under U-12 (second round)

Pragun Vinayak b Ajay Singh Thakur 6-4; Abhay Raj Puniha b Uday Rana 6-1; Nikhil Bansal b Bhavtaran Preet Singh 6-1; Uday Mann b Amol Singh 6-2; Gaurav Madan b Dharminder Singh 6-2; Gagandeep Singh Gill b Deepak Garg 6-0; Samin Bhargava b Srijan Uppal 6-1; Ravisher Singh b Sampuran Singh 6-3; Karan Kapoor b Digvijay Naruka 6-3; Nischay Rawal b Abhay Nanda 6-0; Shailendra Rathor b Harpreet 6-4; Shubham Vig b Anhad Miglani 6-3; Pranav Suri b Mayank Prakash 6-5; Rajinder Grewal b Gaurav Singla 6-3; Navpreet W/o Subham Garg.

Solkar’s death condoled
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 26
The death of India’s finest close-in fielder, Eknath Solkar in Mumbai sent a wave of grief among cricket lovers in the city. Solkar, who had come from very humble background, took some of the most scintillating catches at silly point or short leg. India’s famous spin quartet, Bishen Bedi, Erapalli Parsanna, S Venkatraghavan and Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, relied heavily on Solkar’s fielding to exert pressure on the batsmen.

Expressing shock over the death of Solkar, Mr M.P. Pandove, Honorary Secretary, Punjab Cricket Association, praised his contributions as a coach to Mumbai’s junior team after his retirement.

Mr Surinder Singh Baijee, secretary, Chandigarh Cricket Association, described him as one of the great cricketers who represented the country with a great distinction.

Mr Harish Sharma, coach, Cricket Stadium, Sector 16, termed Solkar all-time great all-rounder. “He would be remembered for his extra-ordinary close-in fielding. He was responsible for India’s victory against England in 1971 and 1972 series by taking fine catches”, he said.

Mr Mohinder Singh, secretary, CCA (affiliated to PCA), said: “We mourn the death of Solkar, one of the finest all-rounders, the country has produced”.

Appeal to okay schools TT meet
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 26
A few parents of the table tennis probables who are attending a national schools TT camp at Chandigarh in preparation for the 3rd Asian School TT Championships at Malaysia have appealed to the Union Government to clear the schools team tour. The parents who had come here for the selection trials last week stayed back due to uncertainty regarding team’s clearance for the foreign tour. They criticised the role played by certain persons who formed a parallel unit of the SGFI.

One of the parent said the invitation to send the Indian schools team for the Asian school TT meet was sent to the SGFI by the host department in Malaysia.

Mr PS Chhabra, secretary-general of the SGFI, said the government of India was prepared to accord permission to the Indian schools TT team at no cost. But the final decision will be taken early next week.

Chinese envoy visits Golf Club
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 26
Mr Sun Yuxi , Ambassador of People’s Republic of China to India, visited the Chandigarh Golf Club today. Ms Sun Dong, CAO and Mr Du Shuai, accompanied him to the club.

The Vice-President of the club and other executive committee members of the club were present on the occasion and welcomed Mr Yuxi. He visited the health club and was impressed with the practice range of the club.

Mementoes were also presented to the dignitaries who also signed the visitors’ book of the club.