No differences with Greg: Harbhajan

Dubai, April 30
Indicating that his differences with coach Greg Chappell were a thing of the past, Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh says his equation with the Australian has improved considerably now.

“It took some time for me to get adjusted to a new coach.

Today I enjoy playing under him,” Harbhajan said here.

At the height of the spat between Chappell and former captain Sourav Ganguly, the ‘Turbanator’ had come out openly against the coach, accusing him of instilling “fear and insecurity” among players and adopting double standards.

But the relations seem to have mended since and Harbhajan now readily acknowledges the Australian’s contribution to the team’s rising fortunes in the recent past.

“He has great knowledge about the game and it has been a very successful year for us under him. He has lifted our team to great heights,” the off-spinner was quoted as saying in Gulf News today.

Harbhajan, who has 227 wickets in 55 Tests, said he was trying to improve further by learning from other contemporary spinners.

“I am happy with what I have achieved so far in the last six years and I see another 10 years ahead of me,” the bowler said.

“I have learned the most from Anil Kumble. I have got many wickets because Kumble has bowled very tightly from the other end,” the Punjab bowler said.

However, Harbhajan rated Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan as the greatest off-spinner in the world.

“Muralitharan is the finest off-spinner. He can even turn on ice. He has the revolution in the air which many bowlers do not have and that makes him a special bowler.

“Muralitharan’s wrist is so supple that he can get those revolutions very well. My wrist is not like his and moreover he is a legend,” said the Indian who was here to record a TV cricket show.

Talking about his spin twin in the one-day side, Ramesh Powar, Harbhajan said, “he is a fine bowler and it is great to bowl with him at the other end. He is a good prospect.” Describing the chucking controversy as a “bad dream”, Harbahajan said he was happy that it was now behind him.

“It was the toughest phase of my career. I consider that period as a bad dream. I am happy I have come out of it,” he added. — PTI

Bedi questions logic behind Windies tour

New Delhi, April 30
Questioning the logic behind sending the Indian cricket team to the West Indies for yet another gruelling tour featuring five ODIs and four Tests, former great Bishan Singh Bedi said instead of exhausting themselves, Rahul Dravid’s men should have stayed back to recharge their batteries.

“It is a lopsided decision to send the team there at a time when they should be resting at home. I personally feel it’s the off season and they should have taken a break,” the former captain told UNI.

However, Mr Bedi admitted that the young members of the side might benefit from the tour which would help them acclimatise.

“Now that they are going there, it would help the youngsters get an idea of the conditions there and this will help them in the World Cup,” he added.

The former captain was also of the view that Caribbeans should not have been given the rights to hold the World Cup because the islands are not capable of managing an event of such large magnitude.

“West Indies is not an ideal place to hold the World Cup because they don’t have the required infrastructure. I think there won’t be enough crowds for the matches as the grounds are very small,” he said.

“Travelling, boarding and lodging might also create problems,” he pointed out.

When asked to rate India’s chances at the tournament and whether Rahul Dravid’s men were peaking a bit too early, the spin legend said it was too early to say how the team would perform in the World Cup.

“They are doing well but have not really faced any tough challenge so far. They have only been playing at home and have not been tested properly. So the question of peaking early does not arise,” he said.

Bedi felt Dravid’s team was doing a great job in ODIs but with the World Cup 2007 being the sole focus, India’s Test performance has dipped under coach Greg Chappell.

“Chappell is doing a reasonable job but I think he is solely focused on winning the World Cup. and to some extent, I feel, Test cricket is suffering under him,” he said.

The former captain said since Chappell’s alliance with the Indian team was only up to the World Cup, the Australian was very clear about his priorities and winning the World Cup tops his agenda.

The former skipper also reserved his comment on Rahul Dravid’s captaincy.

“Rahul is picking up well but these are still early days to assess him as captain. Give him time, he is shaping up fine,” he said.

He was also of the view that Sachin Tendulkar’s return to the side will bolster the team but said one should not expect the little master to perform the same way he did in his pomps.

“He will do his job but he won’t be the same master blaster — that would be asking too much of him. But I strongly believe he will carry on,” he said. — UNI

Lara powers Windies to victory

St John's (Antigua), April 30
Brian Lara struck an unbeaten 40 as the West Indies defeated Zimbabwe by five wickets in their first one-day international at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

Lara, who on Wednesday was appointed West Indies captain for a third time, hit three fours and a six, which ended the match as the home team reached a victory target of 154 for five off 38.2 overs yesterday.

The total gave the left-hander — who turns 37 on Tuesday — the fifth most runs in one-day internationals with 9,399, moving him past former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin and current India skipper Rahul Dravid.

Opener Chris Gayle scored 35 and Denesh Ramdin made 37 but the West Indies were unconvincing in their chase.

Off-spinner Prosper Utseya led the Zimbaweans with a career-best haul of three for 35 off 10 overs. He also contributed the direct-hit run out of Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Zimbabwe was earlier limited to 151 for nine off 50 overs.

Justice Chibhabha held together the top order with a maiden half-century. The 19-year-old, in his second match, topscored with 55 which included five fours off 99 deliveries.

Fast bowler Jerome Taylor earned the Man of the Match after taking two for 19 off 10 overs. Dwayne Bravo took two for 23, Dwayne Smith had two for 29 and off-spinner Chris Gayle also had two for 30.

Lara described the performance as a “reasonable result” but admitted the team fell short of expectations.

“We wanted to win it in a much more authoritative fashion, but we didn’t,” Lara said. “Zimbabwe must be commended for the fight they gave.” Zimbabwe lost an early wicket once Lara won the toss and sent it in on a difficult pitch.

Piet Rinke scooped an on-drive to midwicket off Taylor at five for one.

But Chibhabha and captain Terrence Duffin (26) produced stubborn resistance in adding 64 for the second wicket, a record for Zimbabwe against the West Indies.

They took the score to 69 in the 27th over before Duffin edged Smith to Ramdin.

Left-hander Duffin stroked three fours off 89 deliveries.

Brendan Taylor made 25 and helped Chibhabha add a further 36 for the third wicket before the West Indies ran through the middle order.

Chibhabha fell at 105 for three in the 37th over.

Edward Rainsford gave Zimbabwe a flying start as the West Indies lost their first wicket in the first over when Runako Morton edged to second slip.

But the West Indies, without ever dominating, ensured they would take a 1-0 lead in the series of seven one-day internationals.

Gayle hit three fours and a six off 71 balls before falling to Utseya, who also removed Ramdin and former captain Chanderpaul.

Ramdin hit three fours off 59 balls before he was bowled making room to cut.

Lara then produced a short, match-winning cameo to the delight of the crowd which grew to close to 3,000.

Scoreboard

Zimbabwe

Rinke c Smith b Taylor 1

Duffin c Ramdin b Smith 26

Chabhabha c Edwards b Smith 55

Taylor c Bradshaw b Bravo 25

Chigumbura run out 8

Strydom c Bravo b Gayle 8

Dabengwa c Chanderpaul b Bravo 5

Mahwire c Sarwan b Taylor 6

Higgins c Bravo b Gayle 0

Utseya not out 2

Rainsford not out 1

Extras (lb-3, w-10, nb-1) 14

Total (9 wkts, 50 overs) 151

Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-69, 3-105, 4-121, 5-126, 6-135, 7-142, 8-142, 9-150.

Bowling: Edwards 9-2-23-0, Taylor 10-2-19-2, Bravo 8-1-23-2, Bradshaw 8-0-24-0, Smith 8-0-29-2, Gayle 7-0-30-2.

West Indies

Gayle c Chibhabha b Utseya 35

Morton c Higgins b Rainsford 0

Sarwan run out 14

Ramdin b Utseya 37

Chanderpaul c Taylor b Utseya 3

Lara not out 40

Bravo not out 9

Extras (lb-1, w-12, nb-3) 16

Total (5 wkts, 38.2 overs) 154

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-38, 3-71, 4-77, 5-121.

Bowling: Rainsford 6-1-25-1, Mahwire 7-1-14-0, Chibhabha 6-0-30-0, Utseya 10-2-35-3, Higgins 6.2-0-36-0, Dabengwa 3-0-13-0. — AP

Amla steers SA to safety

Cape Town, April 30
Hashim Amla hit his maiden Test century to steer South Africa to safety on the fourth day of the second Test against New Zealand at Newlands today. Amla made 149 as South Africa reached 427 for five at close of play in reply to New Zealand’s first innings total of 593 for eight declared.

South Africa lost only three wickets today to make a draw the only likely result with one day left to play on a pitch which has yielded 1,020 runs for the loss of only 13 wickets in four days.

Scoreboard

NZ (1st innings) 593 for 8

South Africa (1st innings)

Smith c and b Patel 25

Dippenaar b Patel 47

Amla lbw Vettori 149

Kallis c Martin b Oram 71

Prince not out 38

De Villiers c Papps b Patel 13

Boucher not out 26

Extras (b-15, lb-8, nb-3) 26

Total (5 wickets, 151 overs) 427

Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-108, 3-252, 4-344, 5-361.

Bowling: Martin 14-4-47-0, Franklin 23-5-60-0, Vettori 48-5-123-1, Patel 39-7-112-3, Styris 10-2-33-0, Oram 15-9-20-1, Astle 2-0-9-0. — AFP, Reuters

Pacers bowl India A to thumping win

Abu Dhabi, April 30
Pacers Rudra Pratap Singh and Vikram Rajvir Singh produced a sensational new-ball spell to bundle out the United Arab Emirates for a paltry 70 and give India A a 126-run victory in the Eurasia Series cricket tournament here tonight.

After a stuttering batting performance to post a modest 196, the Indians hit back to shut out the hosts in only 15.1 overs in the Group C second league phase clash at the Sheikh Zayed stadium.

RP Singh returned figures of 5-30, while VRV Singh bagged 5-38, with only three UAE batsmen reaching double figures. In fact, 18 extras, including five no-balls and 11 wides, were the highest entry in the UAE batting card.

However, the man of the match for India A was wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Kaarthick whose top score of 75 was crucial to the team reaching a respectable total.

Kaarthick had support, from Rohit Sharma who made a composed 56.

The duo added 123 runs for the fourth wicket to lift the team from a sorry 20 for three.

“Rohit batted really well. He rotated the strike and came up with some boundaries that eased the pressure a bit,” Kaarthick said of his team-mate.

Earlier, India A’s batting came unstuck for once as they were bowled out for 196.

The Indians first struggled to cope with the gentle medium swing of Ali Asad to lose their top order cheaply and then saw the lower order vanish in a twinkle.

Ali Asad did the early damage, picking up three for 30 in an unchanged opening spell.

Zahid Shah was the other useful bowler claiming two for 34, while Khurram Khan picked two lower wickets.

India had a disastrous start, losing Robin Uthappa (2), Shikhar Dhawan (1) and captain Venugopala Rao (7) — all three to Asad — inside the first 10 overs.

Kaarthick and Sharma then batted sensibly to see through the middle overs without any further damage.

But the Indians then slid from a strong 143 for three, losing their remaining seven wickets for 53 runs.

Brief scores: India A: 196 all out in 46.5 overs (Dinesh Kaarthick 75, Rohit Sharma 56; Ali Asad 3-30). UAE: 70 in 15.1 overs (RP Singh 5-30, VRV Singh 5-38). — PTI

Lanka A thrash Netherlands A

Abu Dhabi, April 30
Four wicket hauls by paceman Akalanka Ganegama and experienced leg-spinner Upul Chandana helped Sri Lanka A to a crushing 157-run victory over Netherlands A in the Eurasia Cup cricket tournament here.

Chasing a stiff victory target of 303 in 50 overs, the European minnows were never in contention and were bowled out for just 145 in 48.3 overs.

The fact that they were totally outclassed by the Sri Lankans was evident from the fact that extras were the second highest contributors to their score with 29 behind Maurits van Nierop (32).

Ganegama gave Sri Lankans the initial breakthroughs and returned figures of four for 35 while Chandana ran through the tail claiming four for 28. There was no substantial partnership to speak of for the Dutch team as they lost wickets at regular intervals.

Earlier, half-centuries from Chamara Silva and Gayan Wijekoon propelled Sri Lanka A to a mammoth 302 for eight at the Sheikh Zayed International Stadium yesterday.

After Avishka Gunawardene’s stroke-filled 38 ensured a decent start, the islanders had slid to a bothersome 104 for four in the day-night clash before middle order batsmen Silva and Wijekoon shared a 88-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Right-hander Silva made a near run a ball 56 before being run out while Wijekoon top scored with 68 to lift the team out of trouble.

Left-handed Wijekoon added another 55 for the sixth wicket with all-rounder Upul Chandana who made a quickfire 35 off 18 balls with three fours and as many sixes. — PTI

Anjali qualifies for Olympics

New Delhi, April 30
Top shooter Anjali Bhagwat earned an Olympic quota place in women’s 50 m rifle three position event at the ISSF World Cup at Resende in Brazil.

Bhagwat finished fourth in the event yesterday but was awarded the berth since the three podium finishers had already been granted tickets to Olympics to be held in Beijing, China in 2008.

Gold medal winner Tatiana Goldobina of Russia secured her place at the last year’s World Cup in Fort Benning in the 10m Air Rifle event while Yi Zhang and Bo Liu, both from China, ensured their quota places being from the Olympic host nation.

Liu was also the winner at the World Cup in China.

Bhagwat, who played in the MQS (minimum quota score) category in the 10 m air rifle event here earlier, shot a total of 679 (582+97).

She had a superb beginning with two perfect rounds of 100 in the Prone position. In Standing position, she first fired 96 but faltered in the second attempt scoring only 91 points.

The Mumbai girl shot a near perfect 99 and 96 in the Kneeling position. But a poor 7.8 in her third attempt in the final cost her a podium finish.

Goldobina scored 683.2 for the top finish while Zhang won the silver with 682.7 (584+98.7) and Liu took home the bronze with an effort of (580+100.8).

Melbourne Commonwealth Games gold medalist Anuja Jung finished 27th with a score of 571. She shot a series of — 194 (97,97) in Prone, 195 (95,100) in Standing and 182 (93,89) in Kneeling.

In the men’s event, Gagan Narang, who won the quota place in the previous World Cup at China, finished 29th and Sanjeev Raput finished 33rd.

Narang shot a score of 1150. He fired 396 (99,99,99,99) in Prone, 376 (91,95,95,95) in Standing, and 378 (95,96,93,94) in Kneeling.

Rajput aggregated 1147 with Prone 394 (99,98,99,98), Standing 373 (92,95,92,94) and Kneeling 380 (97,94,93,96).

Farnik Thomas of Austria won the gold medal with a score of 1265.4 (1170+95.4), Vebjoern Berg of Norway claimed the silver 1265.2 (1168+97.2) while Artem Khadjibekov of Russia won the Bronze with a score of 1264.9 (1170+94.9). — PTI

Girdhari bags best rider trophy
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 30
Havildar Girdhari Lal of Sivalik Riding and Polo Club (SRPC), Chandimandir, lifted the best rider trophy at the Chandigarh Horse Show- 2006, which concluded here today.

Sepoy Rohtash from Headquarters, Northern Command, was awarded the Best Young Rider Medal, while Anant Rajpurohit got the Best Junior Rider Medal. Joginder Singh from Motilal Nehru Sports School, Rai, was awarded the Best Child Rider Medal.

The Individual Tent Pegging Trophy went to Maj K. D. S. Hooda from 4 Corps, while the team tent pegging trophy was bagged by the Eastern Command B team. The trophy for the Ladies Hacks was awarded to Meghna Katoch from NCC Group, Ludhiana. Meher Sidhu, from Chandigarh, and Yashodhara from RVC School and Depot, Saharanpur, came second and third , respectively.

The Open Jumping Six Bar Trophy was lifted by Ris J. P. Masiha, with Nb Ris Malchand Bishnoi bagging the second position. Both are from the Remount and Veterinary Corps. Harsimranjit Singh from the President’s Bodyguard came third.

Trick riding, a fancy dress by children, a dog show by Army dogs and a band display by regimental bands as well as an all girls’ bands from Kripal Sagar Academy and Punjab Public School were the other highlights of the concluding ceremony. The Governor of Punjab, Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd), gave away the prizes.

The show had started on April 23 and about 300 horses and 40 teams from across the country participated in the event, which has become an annual feature in Chandigarh. The Asian Show Jumping Challenge and the National Show Jumping Championships also formed part of the show.

Hockey legend Balbir relives the past
Amardeep Bhattal
Tribune News Service

Memories of momentous occasions never fade. They linger on, and for celebrities like hockey star Balbir Singh Senior, a flashback through history carries a tinge of emotion.

Since that fateful day in 1930 when as a six-year-old he picked up a hockey stick at Moga’s Dev Samaj High School under the tutelage of Headmaster Ishwar Singh, and later went on to represent India in the Olympics at London, Helsinki and Melbourne, his arduous journey to stardom remained interspersed with moments of ecstasy and despair.

Till the time Balbir Singh hung up his boots to serve as Punjab’s Director, Sports, in 1961 he not only rewrote record books but also became a role model for countless young men. Today, as he recalls his days on the hockey field, the former Indian captain who was adjudged the best Sikh hockey player of all time in New Delhi last week having led India to the gold medal victory at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, can’t help praise the public sentiment then following India’s unprecedented success in the game.

“The Indian team was pitted against Argentina in the opener at the London Olympics in 1948. It was a crucial test for me since it was my debut after I had gone through the rigours of a tough selection process. I had already proved my ability in Ceylon and at home. Having made my debut in the nationals in 1944 at Bombay, I had been instrumental in Punjab’s title win in the Calcutta nationals in 1946 after 14 years and I was adjudged the best centre-forward. When Punjab again won the nationals in 1947, the IHF picked a team and I was named its centre-forward. I was also the centre-forward of the national team before Partition. The result against Argentina, thus, was on expected lines and congratulatory messages after our victory came as a great morale booster.”

“Pitted against Spain in the next encounter, I was mentally prepared for the challenge. However, a few minutes before the bully-off, a shocking message from skipper Kishan Lal swept me off my feet. I was told that I was not playing for reasons best known to the team management. Nevertheless, the team won and later qualified for the semifinals. I pondered over the likely reasons for my exclusion keeping my fingers crossed. Nevertheless, a pleasant surprise was in store and I was named in the starting line-up for the semifinals. After the Indian team lined up for the crucial encounter, I went for the bully-off as centre-forward. Shortly before the start, our skipper again stepped forward to announce that I was not playing and that Glacken had been included in the team. It was the second big shock in a short span. Though heart-broken, I vowed to let my stick do the talking thereafter.”

“My omission from the team caused an uproar. The late Dr PN Chhuttani and others who had seen my performance against Argentina questioned the motive of the team management in dropping me and demanded my immediate reinstatement. Where is that boy who played as centre-forward in the opener, they asked. Soon I was back in the team for the final and vowed not to let down those who had reposed faith in me. I scored India’s first two goals and helped the team win the gold medal. Thereafter, there was no looking back.”

“Four years later, I was again picked in the Indian team for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. I vowed to give my best and of the 13 goals scored by India, I alone accounted for nine, including all three in the semifinals and five out of six in the final helping India clinch the gold again. This record is still intact. For the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, I was chosen the captain and India again won the gold.”

Besides the Olympics, Balbir Singh Senior led India on the tour to Singapore and Malaysia in 1954 scoring 83 of the total 121 goals in 16 matches. In 1955, he represented India on the tour to New Zealand and Australia, scoring 141 of the total 203 goals in 37 matches. A native of Pawadra village near Phillaur who now shuttles between Vancouver and Chandigarh, Balbir Singh’s accomplishments did not go un-noticed. After being ‘forcibly’ recruited in Punjab Police at the instance of the then IGP, he was hand-picked by the then Chief Minister, Mr Partap Singh Kairon, to head the Sports Directorate from where he retired in 1982.

A recipient of the Padma Shri in 1954, Balbir Singh, who has also been the manager/chief coach of the Indian team during the World Cup at Barcelona and Kuala Lumpur in 1971 and 1975, respectively, as well as the Champions Trophy and Esanda Cup at Amsterdam and Melbourne, respectively, in 1982, is pained at the state of Indian hockey at present. “Why are the coaches being changed so frequently,” he asks. “A national coach should have at least four years at his disposal if we want results,” says the veteran Olympian, who was also the flag bearer of the Indian contingent at the Helsinki and Melbourne Olympics and was chosen to light the flame at the opening ceremony of the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.

While favouring a complete overhaul of the administrative set-up of the Indian Hockey Federation, Balbir Singh supports the idea of a national hockey league. “Our players need the right type of competition. They lack physical fitness and speed, both important ingredients in modern hockey. Its time for serious soul-searching,” says the gentleman of the hockey turf, for whom the game has always been a passion.

India lose in TT

Bremen, (Germany), April 30
India’s hopes of qualifying for the men’s championship division were dashed when England put it across the Commonwealth Games champions 3-2 in the pre-quarterfinals at the world table tennis championship here.

Indian paddlers’ fine form deserted them in the crucial tie as they failed to counter the spirited challenge by the young English players, specially Darius Knight who defied his low ranking to beat the Indian top two — Achanta Sharath Kamal and Soumyadeep Roy.

Roy tamely lost to Knight, ranked 259 spots behind him, 11-6, 7-11, 11-4, 13-11 in the decider yesterday to seal India's fate.

India started on a winning note with Roy thrashing Paul Drinkhall 11-3, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9 in the first match but Knight pulled off a big upset when he tamed Sharath Kamal 11-6, 6-11, 12-10, 12-10 to level the tie.

Andrew Baggely carried on the good work and got the better of national champion Shubhajit Saha 7-11, 11-7, 11-8, 14-12.

Sharath Kamal then rekindled Indian hopes when he came back from the brink to score a 11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 9-11, 4-11 win over Drinkhall to put the onus on Roy in the decider.

But Roy failed to hold his nerve and went down 11-6, 7-11, 11-4, 13-11 to Knight.

The adverse result against England was compounded when the Indians lost 2-3 to Argentina in their play-off match and will now take on Slovenia for the 35th place. — PTI

Salgaocar down East Bengal

Panaji, April 30
East Bengal’s hopes of winning the National Football League title were dashed after they went down to Salgaocar by a solitary goal at the Nehru Stadium here today.

Salgaocar’s persistent efforts bore fruit in the second half as Micky Fernandes fierce shot from an indirect free kick inside the box found the net.

The free kick was awarded by referee N Mohan on East Bengal defender Suresh for a dangerous tackle on Fabio Passo.

East Bengal went all out after the goal were thwarted by the rival defenders. Mike Okoro had the best chance to equalise in the dying minutes but he drove the ball out after he was fed by Bhutia.

Salgaocar, who are in danger of relegation, started in right earnest probing the rival goal with teasing passes in the middle followed by lofted passes from the flank.

They had a good chance in the 13th minute to forge ahead but Samsom Singh failed to beat keeper Nassem Akhtar who blocked his shot.

The win takes Salgaocar to 11 points from 12 matches, while East Bengal remained on second place with 28 points from 15 matches.

Micky Fernandes was declared the man of the match. — PTI

Johl finishes tied third

Seoul, April 30
India’s Amandeep Johl finished with a hat-trick of birdies to take a share of the third place in the $ 600,000 GS Caltex Maekyung Open golf championship at the Lakeside Country club here today.

Johl ended up three short of Korea’s Suk Jong-ryul who emerged as the winner with a final round of five-under par 67.

The Indian, tied eighth overnight, shot a bogey-free six-under 66 that saw him go up the leaderboard and finish at 14-under 274 for the week. He picked up $ 34,375 for his effort.

The 38-year-old Suk, who came through the Qualifying School this year, fired a near flawless final round to pip American Bryan Saltus, who also closed with a 67.

Suk, who amassed a four-day total of 17-under-par 271, took home a cheque of $ 125,000. Jong-ryul (67) birdied the final hole to avoid a play-off and beat Bryan Saltus (67) by one shot.

Gaurav Ghei made a brave recovery after a disastrous 10 on the par-four fourth hole to shoot a 72 that saw him finish tied 25th.

Rahil Gangjee (75) had just one birdie and four bogeys and ended tied 69th at four-over 292.

Jeev slips to tied 10th

Nagoya (Japan): A poor back-nine marred his show as Jeev Milkha Singh slipped to the tied 10th spot after carding a level-par final round at the 12 million yen The Crowns tournament at the Nagoya Golf Club Wago Course here on Sunday.

The Volvo China Open winner signed off with a four-day total of eight-under 272 to finish ahead of other Asian Tour regulars like Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand who was tied 18th.

At the top, overnight leader Shingo Katayama (262) was clearly out of sorts on the final day but an even-par round was enough for him to win the title. — PTI, UNI

Medical examination of hockey players on May 3
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 30
Hockey players, both under-16 and 19, selected during various trials held at Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar, should report for medical examination at NIS, Patiala, on May 3 at 9 am, according to Mr Sukhvir Singh Grewal, Coordinator of Hockey Academy Committee of the Punjab Sports Department.

Mr Grewal said the selected players should come prepared with their playing kit. Based on their medical examination, age verification would be done.

Final trials would follow the medical examination for Surjit Hockey Academy at Jalandhar and senior Model School Hockey Academy at PAU, Ludhiana.

Fresh trials for goalkeepers of various age groups — under-14, 16 and 19 — will also be held at NIS Patiala on May 3 at 9 am, Mr Grewal added.