CM congratulates Karmakar, Phogat and Gagan

by sportswire4u.blogspot.com (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, AUG 31

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has congratulated Prashant Karmakar and Sanjay Phogat for receiving the prestigious Arjuna Award and  Gagan Narang for receiving the esteemed Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Puruskar. The three talented sportspersons of Haryana were honoured with these Awards by the President yesterday.

         Prashant Karmakar who is working as Sub-Inspector in the Haryana Police and  Sanjay Phogat, working as Manager in HSIIDC had called on the Chief Minister at his residence here today. Earlier, another recipient of Arjuna Award, DSP, Haryana Police, Ravindra Sangwan, who is a well known wrestler, had met the Chief Minister in Delhi.

            Expressing their gratitude towards the incentives being provided by the State Government which enabled the players to achieve such stupendous success, they said that the Sports Policy of Haryana, implemented under the guidance of Hooda, was being appreciated in the entire nation. They said that no other state in the country was offering any kind of incentives to their Arjuna Award winners, whereas, in Haryana such players were given a sum of Rs. 5000 per month as honorarium.

            Applauding the players, Mr. Hooda said that this achievement was only due to their dedication and hard work and added that the State was extremely proud of its players.  

           Speaking on the occasion the Para Olympic swimmer and Arjuna award winner  Prashant Karmakar said that the sports policy of the state had gone a long way in boosting the moral of the players and inspiring them to work hard. Stating that he was probably the first physically challenged player who had been appointed in Police Department on the post of Sub Inspector in the State, he felt that this honour was equivalent to that of winning the Arjuna Award. The fact that Haryana government had made no discrimination in treating para-athletes at par with normal sports persons was a shining example in the entire country, he said.
           Arjuna Award winner and volleyball player Sanjay Phogat highlighted the fact that the Chief Minister was himself a sports person and that was perhaps why he was able to relate to the needs of the sports persons and appreciate their hard work. Receiving the Arjuna Award for him, he said that had been the fulfillment of a dream. He added that earlier vCMolleyball players in the state had been honoured with Arjuna award in the years 1991 and 2001.

        

Sharmila sets new course mark

by sportswire4u.blogspot.com 

BENGALURU, AUG 31 

On a day of low scores, Sharmila Nicollet erased the one-day old course record at the brand new Clover Greens, but she was still three shots off the lead at the end of the second round of the third leg of the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour on Wednesday. Sharmila shot a superb five-under 65, which beat by one shot the record set by overnight leader, Kolkata’s 19-year-old Neha Tripathi, who after her first round lead slipped to fourth as three others took the lead.

Nalini Singh Siwach, amateur Aditi Ashok and seasoned Smriti Mehra share the lead at two-under 138. 

Winner of the Order of Merit last season Sharmila, who is still looking for her first win this season, found the short course to her advantage. “It is a short course so I can drive long and get an edge, but the fairways are narrow and it is windy. Today I hit it well and putted fine but twice I three-putted for bogeys after being six-under after 13 holes,” she added.

On the final day’s plan, she added, “Today I played without pressure and some changes I have made are working. Tomorrow again I will do just that and hopefully I can make up the gap (three shots).”

Smriti Mehra, winner last week, found her touch again with a fine 67, that combined with her first round 71 gave her a share in the three-way lead with Nalini Singh Siwach (70) and amateur Aditi Ashok (69). They are all at 138, while Neha Tripathi is at 139 in fourth place and Sharmila at 141 is fifth.

Rani Sonti (73) and Saaniya Sharma (71) were sixth at 149.Nalini Singh Siwach of Delhi who had one birdie against two bogeys on the front nine closed with an excellent birdie-birdie finish for a 70. Smriti Mehra had four birdies, two of them on par-3s and she had only one bogey for 67. 

The 13-year-old amateur Aditi Ashok continued her great run this season. Aditi, who lost a play-off in first leg, carded a second straight 69 and is the only player with both rounds under par. She was two-over after 10 holes, but she fought back with birdies on 11^th, 12^th and 17^th to come under par and get into a share of the lead. She has been showing great promise and has held her own against the top pros in the country.

Sharmila was in red hot form. She had three birdies on the front nine on second, fifth and seventh. Then she added three more on 10^th, 12^th and 13^th and was six-under through 13 holes. She made her first mistake with a bogey on 14^th following a three-putt but she got back that stroke with her seventh birdie of the day on 17^th. A disappointing three-putt again for a bogey on 18^th saw her finish at 65, but she gave ample warning that she was back on the prowl.
The winners of the first two legs have been Neha Tripathi and Smriti Mehra and this is the final leg of the three-tournament Southern Swing of the Hero-KGA Women’s Pro Tour.Clover Greens, situated in Hosur district of Karnataka, about 30 kms from Bengaluru, is hosting its first-ever professional golf tournament. Set on rolling hillocks, Clover Greens has been designed by Pacific Coast Design under the guidance of Phil Ryan, a well-known course designer.In the final round, Nalini Singh Siwach, Aditi Ashok and Smriti Mehra will play in the lead group.Leading scores (after 36 holes)138: Nalini Singh Siwach (68-70), Aditi Ashok – A (69-69), Smriti Mehra (71-67); 139: Neha Tripathi (66-73); 141: Sharmila Nicolet (76-65); 149: Rani Sonti (76-73), Saaniya Sharma (78-71)

Four share lead in PGTI Feeder Tour

 by sportswire4u.blogspot.com (Balbir)

KARNAL, AUG  31 

Balwinder Singh Mattu of Jalandhar, Dinesh Raghuvanshi of Pune, Chandigarh’s Roop Singh and Lucknow golfer Jumman shared lead after round one of the PGTI Feeder Tour event being played at the Madhuban Meadows Golf Course here today. The four golfers shot identical scores of five under 64 at the par-69 course on Wednesday.

Pappan, Aas Mohammad, Dinesh Kumar and Ramesh Kumar are placed in tied fifth, one stroke behind the joint leaders. 

Balwinder Singh Mattu, who hails from the Punjab Armoured Police Golf Course in Jalandhar, made six birdies against a bogey in his opening round. Mattu was on song from the very outset. He sank a 15 feet putt for birdie on the second and followed that up by landing his shots within three feet for birdies on the fourth and ninth. Balwinder missed a chip-in for eagle by a whisker on the 14^th. His birdie on the par-four 15^th came as a result of his driving the green.

Mattu said, “My hitting was very accurate and I putted well too. This is a great start for me and I have to now focus on keeping the intensity going over the next two days. The only disappointments today were missing out on a five feet eagle putt on the 11^th and the three-putt for bogey on the 13^th.”Among the other joint leaders, Dinesh Raghuvanshi made an eagle, four birdies and a bogey while Jumman had seven birdies and two bogeys. Jumman fired five birdies on the trot from the ninth through the 13^th. Roop Singh, also a co-leader, had six birdies against a lone bogey in his opening round. As this is the seventh and final event of the PGTI Feeder Tour’s 2011 season, the winner of the PGTI Feeder Tour Order of Merit champion for 2011 will be decided at the end of this event. The Order of Merit champion will book a berth for himself on the Aircel PGTI (main tour) for 2012.

Two Pakistan teams for Surjit Hockey

Surjit Hockey Society president Priyank Bharti

by sportswire4u.blogspot.com (Balbir)
JALANDHAR, AUG 31 
 Surjit Hockey Society is now going to organise 28^th Indian Oil Servo Surjit Hockey Tournament from October to 8 to 15 at Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium ( Burlton Park)  in Jalandhar, according to Priyank Bharti Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar cum President Surjit Hockey Society.           
Two Pakistani teams Asif Bajwa Hockey Club Sialkot and Punjab Hockey Association Pakistan will be the attraction of the tournament.
 Holders Indian Oil Mumbai, runners-up Bharat Petroleum Mumbai, EME Jalandhar, Rail Coach Factory Kapurthala, Air India Mumbai, Punjab and Sind Bank Delhi, Punjab Police Jalandhar, Namdhari XI, Punjab National Bank Delhi, BSF Jalandhar, ONGC Dehradun will take part. These teams have been selected by the committee comprising Pargat Singh, L. R Nayyer, Lakhwinder Pal Singh Khaira and  Amrik Singh Powar.
      According to the organizing secretary Iqbal Singh Sandhu, PCS, SDM Jalandhar, the cash award of the winners and runners-up will also be increased. The cash award will be sponsored by Gold Gym.
 For the smooth conduct of the tournament sub committees will be formed in the coming days. Iqbal added, that Society will honour NRI Punjabis, who promoted sports in Punjab alongwith top Punjabi singer with Surjit Award. To select these, a committee has been formed comprising Mrs Sarojni Sharda (PCS) and Gurpreet Singh Khehra (PCS), both Vice Presidents of society.
Marshall art gatka will be the main attraction of the opening ceremony of the tournament. To grace the tournament Punjab’s Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief  Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, Cabinet Minister Tikshan Sud, Bibi Upinder Jit Kaur, Ajit Singh Kohar, Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Sucha Singh Langha, Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Dr. Dajit Singh Cheema, Avinash Chander, Amarjit Singh Shahi, Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Manoranjan Kalia will be present.
 Like Last years, this year also PTC News, PTC Punjabi and PTC Chak de will provide live telecast of semi finals and finals of the tournament. Society has decided that there will be lucky draw scheme for the spectators and media persons also.   

DPS Pinjore basketball trophy

The victorious DPS Pinjore team.

 by sportswire4u.blogspot.com (Balbir)

PINJORE, AUG 31

Delhi Public School of Pinjore claimed the Panchkula District Basketball Championship (Under-17) for the first time after beating Shishu Niketan School, Panchkula by 52-15 the final played here today.

The trio of Yatin Godara (15), Achal Mishra (18) and Deepak Goyal (10) combined well to fashion DPS’ fluent victory.

In the semi final, DPS had defeated Army School by 50-3 in a one-sided match.

Principal Samson Masih congratulated his team for their maiden title.

Dhindsa's appeal to varsities to send gatka teams

by sportswire4u.blogspot.com (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, AUG 30

 Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa MP and Chairman Gatka Federation of India (GFI) today appealed to all universities to participate in the 1^st All India Inter-University Gatka (M&W) prize money tournament being organized by Punjabi University Patiala from September 19 to 21.

In a statement released here today he said that the competition would be held according to the rules by GFI and the winners would be awarded cash prizes from Rs 31,000, Rs 21,000 and 11,000. Appreciating the special efforts made by Mr. Jaspal Singh Vice Chancellor and Mr. Raj Kumar Sharma Director Sports, Punjabi University Patiala, Mr Dhindsa said that both were keen to include the gatka sport into the AIU Inter University Sports Board in the light of its historical legacy.

He further said that the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) has also incorporated gatka as a game in the 56^th National School Games 2011-12 to be held at Anandpur Sahib from November 20 to 26. Besides, 3^rd Punjab State schools gatka tournament would be organized from September  5 to 7 at Rupnagar by the Education Department.  

The Punjab Olympic Association president further informed that gatka being a sport now, every person could participate in the gatka events as the GFI has also adopted the conventional sports uniform as a new dress code in the Rules book to play Gatka game in all competitions to make it a 'Cosmopolitan Sport' which was earlier almost on the verge of extinction.

Mr Dhindsa said that earlier, the gatka was only the domain of males, now even the females have been outperforming the males by displaying their rare acumen in the gatka sport. He categorically said that promotion of Gatka as a sport at national as well as international arena would not only strengthen the bonds of communal harmony and universal brotherhood but also play a significant role in spreading the message of peace and love amongst all comity of nations.

Meanwhile Mr Harcharan Singh Bhullar President Gatka Federation of India said that GFI would facilitate in providing gatka officials like referees, judges, time keepers etc. for successful conduct of this event.

It is mentioned here that it is a style of fighting only with sticks between two gatka players, intended to simulate the sword and focuses on infusing physical, spiritual and mental fitness. No sharp edged weapons are used in the transformed gatka game.

Neha takes two shot lead over Nalini

by sportswire4u.blogspot.com

BENGALURU, AUG 30

 Neha Tripathi, winner of the first leg, zoomed into a two-shot lead as she gave the Clover Greens a great start with a stunning four-under 66 in the first round of the third leg of the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour on Tuesday. She led by two over Nalini Singh Siwach (68) and by three over amateur Aditi Ashok (69). This is the third and final leg of the Southern Swing of the 15-tournament Hero women's Pro Golf Tour.

 The top two favourites for the tournament Smriti Mehra (71) was lying fourth, while Sharmila Nicollet and Rani Sonti were tied fifth with 76 each.

 Neha had five birdies, three on the front nine to turn in 33 and on the back stretch she had two more birdies on 11^th and 17^th and her lone blemish of the day came on the par-4 15^th.

 “Today’s round was something I had planned since yesterday. Right now there are two more rounds to go and I want to focus on that. But yes, this is surely a strong start and I must build on it.”

 Nalini had three birdies and one bogey in her 68 in second position.

 Amateur Aditi Ashok, who lost the first leg of the Tour to Neha in a play-off, also had five birdies, the same as Neha on Tuesday. But the 13-year-old Bengaluru girl also dropped two bogeys and carded 68.

 Smriti Mehra, winner of the second leg with five birdies on last five holes on the final day, had two birdies and three bogeys, while Sharmila also had two birdies, but dropped three bogeys and two doubles in her 76.

 Smriti, Sharmila and Rani Sonti are in the same group, while Neha and Nalini are paired together with Aditi Ashok in the lead group for second round on Wednesday.

 Clover Greens, situated in Hosur district of Karnataka, about 30 kms from Bengaluru, will be playing host to its first-ever professional golf tournament.

 Set on rolling hillocks, Clover Greens has been designed by Pacific Coast Design under the guidance of Phil Ryan, a well-known course designer.

St Xavier’s-44 survive St Kabir-26 onslaught

 by sportswire4u.blogspot.com (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, AUG 30

Hosts St Xavier’s School qualified for the finals in the Under-17 as well as Under-13 in the St Xavier’s Six-A-Side Football Tournament being played at the school premises in Sector 44 here today.

St Xavier’s won their semi-finals in contrasting styles. While the Under-17 team just survived before recording a 3-2 verdict against St Kabir School, Sector 26 while in the Under-13 semi-final, St Xavier’s owed their fluent 5-0 triumph over Shishu Niketan School, Sector 22 to Ashish who pumped in four goals, including a hat-trick.

St Xavier’s School and St Soldier International School, Sector 28 will cross swords for the Under-17 trophy on September 1 after tomorrow’s rest day on account of Eid.

St Soldier proved too good for St Anne’s School, Sector 32 by handing them a 4-0 drubbing in the second semi-final. In a one-sided match St Soldier scored through Parseej (5^th), Vishwajeet (14^th), Abhijeet (19^th) and Sumit (25^th).

The semi-final between St Xavier’s-44 and St Kabir School-26 was a well-contested affair. If St Xavier’s dominated the first half in which they scored three goals Atthaphol (12^th) and Mehtab (18^th and 19^th). Tall Ben William, who uses his both feet with same power and skill, was the main feeder.

However on crossing over St Xavier’s went on defensive and allowed St Kabir to have more possession of the ball. Despite down by three goals, St Kabir looked more energetic and purposeful in their moves. They could have emerged winners had they converted all the chances which they had engineered. One powerful shot by Kabir striker struck the bar.

St Kabir School scored two quick goals through Shivam (27^th) and Yuvraj (32^nd minute). St Kabir kept their opponents on their toes and repeatedly raided St Xavier’s goal. However, luck favoured St Xavier who survived the Kabir onslaught.

St Xavier’s School Under-13 team outplayed Shishu Niketan School-22 by 5-0. The highlight of the semi-final was outstanding performance by Ashish who performed hat-trick by scoring in the 4^th, 9^th, 14^th and 23^rd minute. Vikram contributed one goal in 21^st minute.

 Tough and talented Vikas of Shishu Niketan excelled with his powerful shot, positional play and quick clearance. In the second half, he played as striker but was not getting any required support from his team-mates.

St Xavier’s rivals in the final will be Delhi Public School, Sector 40 who ousted St Xavier’s School of Panchkula by 4-1 in the second semi-final. DPS scored through Gurkaran (2^nd), Abhinav (5^th), Dhruv (10^th) and Mayank (15^th). Rohan (20^th) reduced the margin for St Xavier’s Panchkula.

Other results: Under-17: St Soldier-28 (Anuj 5^th, Vishvajit 12^th, Abhijeet 35^th) bt St John’s-26 (Krishna 5^th) by 3-1; St Anne’s (Edward 10^th, 19^th. In tie breaker Edwin and Yash) bt Satluj School, Panchkula (Mandeep 16^th, Adesh 25^th) 4-2; St Kabir-26 (Sanchit 12^th, 24^th, Shivam 17^th, 22^nd, Gautam 29^th) bt Stepping Stones) by 5-0; St Xavier’s (Gagandeep 5th, 27th , Ben Williams 6^th, 20^th, 24^th) bt Mount Carmel-47 by 5-0.

Under-13: Shishu Niketan-22 (Abhishek 4^th, 7^th) bt St Xavier’s by 2-0; St Xavier’s-44 (Ashish 4^th, 9^th, Vikram 7^th, 10^th, 24^th, Tejveer 12^th) bt Stepping Stone (Aman 2^nd) by 6-1; DPS-40 (Gurkaran 7^th, Dhruv 11^th, Abhinav 26^th) bt St Soldier by 3-0.

Final leg of the PGTI Feeder Tour

 by sportswire4u.blogspot.com (Balbir)
KARNAL, AUG 31

The seventh and final event of the Professional Golf Tour of India’s (PGTI) Feeder Tour for 201 will be held at the Madhuban Meadows Golf Course in Karnal from 31 August - 2 September, 2011. This tournament carries a total prize purse of Rs. 6 lakh.

The tournament has a field of 82 players and will be played over three rounds of 18 holes each with the cut being applied after 36 holes. The PGTI Feeder Tour Order of Merit champion for 2011 will be decided at the end of this event.

 Rajesh Kumar Rawat of Lucknow currently leads the Order of Merit with earnings of Rs. 211,500. Arjun Singh Chaudhri of Noida is placed second with earnings of Rs. 194,050 while Delhi golfer Karan Vasudeva is in third place with earnings of Rs. 184,320.

St Xavier's-44 rout AKSIP School Mohali

 by sportswire4u.blogspot.com

CHANDIGARH, AUG 29

 St. Xavier's School, Sector 44 blanked Ajit Karam Singh International Public School of Mohali by 4-0 in the under-13 match on the opening day of the St Xavier’s Six-A-Side Soccer Tournament at the St Xavier’s School ground here today.

 Anuj of St. Xavier's scored three goals in the 10th, 18th and 19th minutes. Vikram scored one goal in the 13th minute.

In the second match Stepping Stones outoplayed AKSIPS -45, Chandigarh by 5-1. Fateh (7^th),   Armaan (16th ,18th , 20th minutes) and Uday (24^th) scored goals for Stepping Stones School, Chinmay of AKSIPS reduced the margin in the 23rd minute.

            Delhi Public School, Sector 40, Chandigarh prevailed over St. Kabir Public School by 2-1. Dhruv and Gurkarman scored one goal each in the 2nd and 6th minutes for DPS . Dev of St. Kabir netted the reducer in the 9th minute.

  St. Soldier International, Sector 28 beat St. Anne's  by 3-1 in tie-breaker. Lalit , Gaurav and Sunny of St. Soldier's scored. Rashandeep of St. Anne's scored a goal for his team.

Shishu Niketan -22 got walkover from Mount Carmel, Sector 47..

St. John's -26 beat Shishu Niketan -22 by 3-1 on penalties in the first match of under-17 category. Praseez Singh ,Gurteshwar Singh and Barinder Thapa scored goals for St. John's and Sammer scored a goal for Shishu Niketan during the tie break.

 Satluj Public School  of Panchkula beat St. Xavier's of Panchkula by 2-0 . Mandeep and Adish scored goals in 2nd and 18th minutes, respectively for Satluj Public School.

St. Anne's -32 beat DPS -40 by 4-3 in tie-breaker. Mayank and Edwin scored one goal each in the normal time. Harmanvir, Prabhjot scored goals for DPS and Edwin , Pritish and Divyansh of St. Anne's scored goals during the tie breaker.

Stepping stones routed St. Xavier's  of Mohali 6-0. Sanamveer (2) , Sahil Bangar (2), Sahil Mukta (1) ,Shivam (1) were the goal scorers .

St. Kabir beat Chandigarh Baptist School by 3-0.  

        In the last match of the day Mount Carmel -47 beatAKSIPS Mohali by 4-0. Prashant Sharma scored 3 goals in the 5th ,7th and 25th minutes. Jatin scored one goal in the 22nd minute .