Funds raised for leprosy patients
Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 12
The National Theatre Arts Society (NTAS), Patiala, presented a New Year gift of Rs 12,311 to the residents of Padamshri Dr Khushdeva Singh leprosy patients’ colony, Taffazalpura, Patiala.

The NTASIANS organised a fund raising cultural programme on their 45th annual national integration programme 2008. The money raised through the event would go towards meeting needs of leprosy patients of the colony. AS many as 20 artists enthralled the colony residents with their programme. The chief guest, Narjinder Singh Sekhon SP (HQ) Patiala, lauded efforts of NTAS. Noted Gandhian idealist Ved Parkash Gupta, president Punjab writers and cultural forum and former chairman PRTC presided over the function.

SPORTS

ITF: Sood brothers annex title
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 12
Chandigarh player Vijayant Malik disappointed the local supporters as he lost the top honours to ninth seed Lewis Barnes of Britain 6(5)-7, 4-6 in the boys’ singles final of the Chandigarh ITF Junior (Grade 3) Tennis Tournament at the CLTA Tennis courts, here today.

But in doubles final, Indian brother duo Lakshit Sood and Chandril Sool outclassed the duo Jochim Sternbach of France and Ivan Kobzar from Belarus in straight sets 6-3, 7-5, to clinch the title.

While in girls’ singles category, top seed Nicha Lertpiraksinc of Thailand maintained here dominance by beating second seed Anna Rapopart of Russia in straight sets 6-2, 6-3, in the final.

The girls’ doubles title went to Margarita Lazareva and Anna Rapoport (Russia) who defeated Ganna Piven (Ukr) and Meliuk Maria (Blr) 4-6, 7-5, 12-10.

Earlier, Lewis Barnes, who displayed better skills as well as control, shattered the hopes of fourth seed Vijayant Malik, a trainee of the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association Rural Scheme.

Vijayant broke Barnes in the first game but Barnes showed better reach and game to break Vijayant in the next game. Breaking each other serves, both the players were at tied at six-all before the Briton won the set 7-6 through tie breaker.

In the second set, both were tied at four-all, when Barnes clinched ninth and 10th games (6-4) to clinch the trophy.

CLTA director (coaching) Gary O'Brien and CLTA coordinator Captain Sushil Kapoor jointly distributed the prizes.

Results (all finals): Boys singles: Lewis Barnes (GBR) b Vijayant Malik (India) 7-6 (5) 6-4.

Girls singles: Nicha Lertpiraksinc (Thailand) b Anna Rapoport (Russia) 6-2, 6-3. Boys doubles: Lakshit Sood and Chandril Sool (Ind) b Jochim Sternbach (France) and Ivan Kobzar (Belr) 6-3, 7-5.

Girls doubles: Margarita Lazareva and Anna Rapoport (Russia) b Ganna Piven (Ukr) and Meliuk Maria (Blr) 4-6, 7-5, 12-10.