Chandigarh, December 27
Patients coming from far-flung areas to the PGI are facing hardship following shortage of staff at the enquiry counter of the emergency.

Sources at the hospital disclosed that of the total strength one person had been attached with the public relation department of the hospital while one has been obliging his bosses by helping their guests in getting preferential treatment for the past couple of days. Moreover, many have gone on leave. — TNS

Chandigarh, December 27
“It’s a great opportunity to get a wider spectrum and a larger number of players than the usual that we watch in the domestic tournaments,” expressed Jugraj Singh, who has joined the league after recovering from the injury and representing Chandigarh Dynamos for the upcoming third edition of the Premier Hockey League (PHL) scheduled to start from January 5.

Known as penalty corner specialist, Jugraj has been looked upon as a replacement of the drag flicker Sandeep Singh. Sandeep, at present, is recovering from the injury he sustained due to an accidental fire of bullet from the Railway Police cop’s gun a few months ago.

Many speculations were in the air about Jugraj’s physical fitness despite his good performance in recently held domestic tournaments.

About three years back, Jugraj met with a car accident near Jalandhar in which he broke thigh and elbow bones, just before the Afro-Asian Games held at Hyderabad.

He was also replaced with Dinesh Nayak in the Asia Cup Hockey Tournament 2003 held at Kuala Lumpur, where India beat Pakistan in the finals.

“I do agree that physical fitness plays a vital role, but I argue that I must be given ample chance to prove my prowess. I don’t expect that I should directly be included in the Indian squad for major tournaments, but my recent performance in the past should induce the federation to have a serious thought about me,” expressed Jugraj.

On being asked, Jugraj accepted that he was depressed a lot for not being given a chance to represent the country in coveted tournaments. “Disappointment is there. I feel like being left out. I am 23-years old and have the capacity to play hockey for another 10 years. I have been working hard for the past three years after recovering from my injury.”

Telling about his recent achievements in domestic tournaments, he said, “In the Nehru Cup held at New Delhi recently, I was the top scorer with 13 goals. Just two days back, in the Ninth Ramesh Chander Memorial Hockey Tournament held at Jalandhar, I was declared the best player of the tournament.”

Jugraj got many honours in his past professional career. During the Champions Trophy, he emerged one of the best drag-flickers in the world. He scored two brilliant goals against Pakistan in the league.

He is among the rarest of players, always ready to take the ball on his body to stop it from going into the goal.

There is no doubt that he is match fit, but to know whether he can come good in an international match, we must give him one match to play at the highest level here.

About the Premier Hockey League, he said, “I do believe it’s a blessing to the Indian hockey. Today’s sport requires a lot of media coverage, both electronic and print, and television makes it more glamorous attracting the youth. This is the only way you can sell it. With the PHL matches being telecast live by the ESPN, the youth would regain interest in hockey. It will definitely boost the morale of the players for other major tourneys to be held in the years to come.”

Chandigarh, December 27
The Tribune team of Akash Ghai and Aditi Tandon beat Kunal and Sangeeta of the Hindustan Times (HT), 15-6, 15-5, in the mixed doubles category on the inaugural day of the Airtel-Chandigarh Press Club Inter-Media Badminton Tournament at the Sector 42 sports complex badminton hall here today.

In the women’s doubles, the Tribune pair of Ruchika Khanna and Aditi Tandon lost to Sangeeta Johal and Monica Chauhan of the Hindustan Times (HT), 11-15, 9-15, in a semifinal match.

The tournament, being sponsored by Airtel, has attracted participation by over 40 players. The Chandigarh Press Club is organising the meet.

Other results: mixed doubles: Saurabh/Monica (HT) b Gautam Dheer/Jyotsana (Indian Express), 15-2, 15-11; Rakesh Patial/Neelam Sharma (Indian Express) b G.S. Paul/Smriti Sharma (Tribune); Umesh Sharma/Shalini b Manmant/Chitleen (Tribune), 15-9, 15-3.

Men’s singles: Charanjit Ahuja (Financial Express) b Preet Kamal (Spokesman), 15-7, 15-10; Praveen Antel (Amar Ujala) b Rakesh Patial (Indian Express), 15-3, 15-10; Surinder Negi (Financial World) b Tejinder Sehgal (Spokesman), 15-2, 15-6; Kuldeep Singh (Sky Hawk Times) b Umesh Sharma (Dainik Bhaskar), 15-0, 15-2; Sanjay Mehta (HT) b Prem Nanda (HT), 15-8, 10-15, 15-13.

Men’s doubles: Charanjit Ahuja/Rakesh Patial (Indian Express) b Vikram Pathania/Viju Pilla (Amar Ujala), 15-0, 15-4; Saurabh Duggal/Kunal (HT) b Prem Nanda/Dr I.J.S. Bhatia, 15-6, 15-7; K.B. Ahuja/Vijender Dhawan (Punjab Kesri) b Maneesh Chhibber/Laxman, 15-5, 15-1.

Women’s singles: Veena Ahuja (Indian Express) b Jaswinder (Dainik Bhaskar), 15-3, 15-2; Monica (HT) beat Chitleen (Tribune), 15-9, 15-2; Sangeeta Johal (HT) b Ruchika Khanna (Tribune), 15-6, 15-4.

Mohali, December 27
The UP squad is leading with 278.10 points in the individual all-round final (compulsory exercise) in the boys’ category on the opening day of the 20th Sub-Junior National Gymnastic Championships for boys and girls. The championship is being conducted by the Punjab Gymnastic Association at the Shivalik Public School Multipurpose Indoor Stadium here.

Propped by Nitin Mishra, UP took a considerable lead. Performing well, Nitin was leading in the individual competition with 56.00 points. He was awarded 9.50 on floor, 9.50 on pummelled horse, 8.85 on Roman rings, 9.05 on vaulting table, 9.35 on parallel bars and 9.75 on horizontal bar. Where as Chander Pathak secured 55.50 points. He obtained 9.20 on vaulting horse, 9.50 on floor, 9.40 on pommelled horse, 8.70 on Roman rings, 8.60 on horizontal bar and 9.10 on parallel bar.

The West Bengal squad comprising Anirban Ghose secured 53.30, Surajit Mullick 51.25, Anil Mullick 54.70, Subhankar Dey 51.00, Karam Chand 50,00 and Pratik Das 51.60 was occupying the second spot with 266.65 points.

Andhra Pradesh garnered 263.95 points, Maharashtra 250.60, Haryana 240.95 and Orissa 230.00 points. 

Chandigarh, December 27
Chandigarh’s pugilist Bhawan Singh moved to the next round thrashing Sashi Parkash of Rajasthan 9-3 in light-weight category on the second day of the 14th All-India Invitation A.K. Mishra Memorial Boxing Championship at the Sector 10 skating rink, here today.

Chandigarh, December 27
Manipur retained the boys’ and girls’ team titles in the 10th edition of the Junior National Sepak Takraw Championship at the St Joseph’s School in Sector 44 here today.

Manipur boys defeated Andhra Pradesh (21-18, 21-13, 21-11, 21-23, 15-7) in the team championship final.

Manipur girls outplayed Orissa in the final (21-14, 21-9, 21-11, 21-12).

Tamil Nadu boys and girls will take home the bronze medals. While Tamil Nadu girls prevailed over Andhra Pradesh (12-21, 18-21, 21-14, 19-21, 15-2, 21-17, 21-14), Tamil Nadu boys defeated Delhi (21-18, 21-17, 15-21, 20-21, 21-16, 24-25, 15-12).

Hosts Chandigarh put up a tough resistance before going down fighting to Uttar Pradesh (Sports Authority of India Centre boys), 18-21, 15-21, in a quarterfinal 
fixture.

In boys’ reghu semifinals, Manipur defeated Uttar Pradesh (21-15, 21-10) and Andhra Pradesh defeated Tamil Nadu (21-16, 21-11).

Manipur and Orissa will fight it out for the girls’ reghu title. In the semifinals, Manipur beat Tamil Nadu, 21-11, 21-12, and Orissa beat AP, 25-23, 21-15.