India show character in the Dress Rehearsal

by sportswire4u.blogspot.com

NEW DELHI, AUG 31

  It was the Dress Rehearsal – the Dress Rehearsal for Sunday’s final. As any Coach would want to do in such a situation, Wim Koevermans turned to his bench. It was the best time in the Tournament to rest some of the regulars. Hence, on Friday (August 31) against Cameroon as India took the field, mainstays, Captain Sunil Chhetri, Subrata Pal, Lenny Rodrigues took the dugout; and along with the trio, Raju Gaikwad and Anthony Pereira too.

The ‘bench’ didn’t let one down. Even as Cameroon took the lead through Bite Samuel in the 2^nd minute, the midfield had enough character in their repertoire. At times, it was difficult to trace Syed Rahim Nabi, who overlapped to add to the strength in the midfield and Mehtab Hossain played the perfect foil.

India stuck to a plan. There were a string of passes stitched; the ball shuffled from one flank to the other, the pace slowed down, and on two occasions, a Denzel Franco cross had Manandeep and then Jewel Raja in the clear. India should have scored from both.

Goalkeeper Karanjit Singh, who couldn’t have been blamed for the first goal, however, made amends saving a Ebanga Bertin penalty in the 40^th minute. The penalty was awarded when Nabi had tripped Eloundou Charles inside the box. But as Ebanga tried to do a ‘Andrea Pirlo,’ Karanjit was quick enough to recover and gather the ball; the loudest cheers being reserved for Chhetri and Pal from the bench. One needs to credit Kranajit for his reflexes.

The defensive organization also needs to be credited. Against a team which has stayed deadly from the set-pieces, especially form the corner-kicks, the defence led by Captain Gouramangi Singh kept everything at bay. The presence of taller Cameroon rivals didn’t bother them.

Changing over, India pressed hard. In the 51^st minute, a Nabi header off a Mehtab Hossain corner sailed inches over. It was till then, the easiest chance of the match. Minutes later, Jewel snaked in between the two stoppers but Robert Ntolla recovered in the nick of time to deny him.

India’s last chance came in the 83trd minute. Sanju Pradhan broke down the right and essayed perfectly for Denzel Franco but his header went straight to rival goalkeeper Nkessi Hosea.

The final, as Wim Koevermans, maintained the other day, will be an “interesting one” for sure.

September 2: India vs Cameroon (FINAL – 7pm).

INDIA: Karanjit Singh; Denzil Franco, Gurwinder Singh (Raju Gaikwad – 80^th), Gourmangi Singh, Syed Rahim Nabi; Clifford Miranda, Mehtab Hossain, Jewel Raja, Sanju Pradhan; Francis Fernandes (Alwyn George – 83^rd); Manandeep Singh (Robin Singh – 67^th).

NCC Sailing Expedition flagged off for Gobind Sagar from Chandigarh.

by sportswire4u.blogspot.com

CHANDIGARH, AUG 31

           In order to inculcate team spirit and generate interest in the water borne sports and adventure activities, No 1 Chandigarh Naval Unit NCC started its 12 day long Sailing Expedition of this year.  A total of about 80 personnel comprising of 40 Senior Division Boys, 20 Senior Wing Girl Cadets and 20 staff members are participating in the Expedition which was flagged off for Gobind Sagar from Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh by Brigadier Satish Kumar, the Group Commander of Chandigarh NCC Group.  Wishing the success for expedition, Brigadier Kumar interacted with the team members and advised them to remain safe whilst operating in deep waters of Gobind Sagar.  He said that such expeditions are essential to become a bold and strong personality for the cadets.   

           During the Expedition the base camp will be establish under the command of Captain (Indian Navy) GM Singh, the Camp Commandant at Lathiani in District UNA (HP) from where the cadets would sail for the expedition using three Whaler Boats and two Cadet Class Naval Sailing Boats.  The team would cover over 435 kms and visit places like Bangana, Marhau, Kohdra, Porohian, Bhakhra, Galu, Kosharian, Kanphara, Nakrana, Raipur and back to Lathiani.

            Capt Singh informed that during this expedition the Cadets will be trained with the aim to develop a strong and honest character, make them a disciplined citizen, develop leadership qualities and a secular outlook besides generating a spirit of adventurism and selfless service to the country.  They will be trained to represent the UT of Chandigarh during Inter Group competitions scheduled to be held in end September and then represent the NCC Directorate of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh & Chandigarh thereby representing all the three states and UT at Visakhapatnam in October and November this year at National level. 

 The cadets will be exposed to various kinds of Naval training that include Sailing, Boat Pulling, Ship Modelling, Shooting, Parade Training, Communication, Kayaking, Windsurfing and Seamanship evolutions etc.  Keeping in view the importance of community development and to create awareness amongst the general public on various important issues related to our society and environment the team will also organize social service activities and rallies daily in and around Lathiani in remote areas of District Una.  The expedition is expected to return to Chandigarh on 11 September 2012.

Sanjay Kumar prevails with a strong 66 on the final day

by sportswire4u.logspot.com

LUCKNOW, AUG 31 

Sanjay Kumar of Lucknow achieved a creditable come-from-behind victory at the PGTI Feeder Tour event at his home course, the Lucknow Golf Club, on Friday after he shot the tournament’s best score of four-under-66 in the third and final round. Sanjay ended the tournament with a total score of four-under-206. Lucknow’s Vijay Kumar and Ramesh Kumar of Faridabad were the joint runners-up with identical totals of one-under-209.

 Sanjay Kumar (69-71-66), who was placed third after round two, fired seven birdies against three bogeys in his final round to take the top honours. Sanjay, a winner on the PGTI in 2011, was on song from the very start as he birdied the first two holes after hitting his approach shots within five feet of the pin on both occasions. The 41-year-old snatched the lead with birdies on the fifth and sixth.

 Sanjay then dropped a couple of strokes on the eighth and 10^th but came roaring back by picking up birdies on the14th, 16^th and 17^th. The local favourite chipped-in on the 14^th, landed it within a couple of inches on the 16^th and sank a 20-footer on the 17^th. His bogey on the 18^th did not matter much as he sealed the title by three strokes.

 Sanjay said, “I hit it very close through the day. My confidence soared after I birdied the first two holes. There was no looking back from there on. I thought I had sealed it when I made a terrific par save on the 15^th where I had a tough lie in the bunker. It gives me great satisfaction to win after coming from behind on the last day. The course conditions were also tough as it was playing longer than usual due to the overnight rain. I did well to shoot a four-under in such conditions.”

 Vijay Kumar (69-69-71) returned a 71 in the third round that featured three birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey.

 Ramesh Kumar (69-72-68) joined Vijay in joint second place at one-under-209. Ramesh’s final round included four birdies and two bogeys.

 Md Islam (73-71-67) of Patna finished fourth with a total of one-over-211.

Aditya Raj Kumar Chauhan of Delhi continues to lead the 2012 PGTI Feeder Tour Order of Merit with earnings of Rs. 1,08,490 for the year so far.

City of Reno proclaims a day after Rajan Zed led interfaith-forum

 by sportswire4u.blogspot.com

EVADA (USA), AUG 30

City of Reno (Nevada, USA) has proclaimed August 29, 2012 as “Faith Forum Day” after acclaimed religious statesman Rajan Zed coordinated “Faith Forum”, a highly popular one-of-a-kind weekly dialogue on religion at a Gannett publication which has completed 83 weeks without any gap.

Zed, who has been bestowed with “World Interfaith Leader Award”, led a panel of distinguished leaders of various religions and denominations to produce this weekly discussion Forum in Pulitzer Prize winner Reno Gazette-Journal (RGJ), involving important religious issues affecting the area-country-world.

Reno Vice Mayor David Aiazzi read and presented the Mayor Robert A. Cashell signed proclamation carrying City Seal to Rajan Zed and other Faith Forum panelists in the Reno City Council meeting on August 29, congratulating panelists and RGJ Publisher John Maher and Executive Editor Beryl Love. Maher also received the proclamation and spoke on the occasion.

Panelists currently include: Brother Matthew Cunningham, Chancellor of Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno (RCDR); Dr. Stephen Bond, Senior Pastor of Summit Christian Church in Sparks; Nicholas F. Frey, Area Public Affairs Director of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS); Dr. Sherif A. Elfass, President of Northern Nevada Muslim Community; Reverend Jikai’ Phil Bryan, Priest & Meditation Guide of Reno Buddhist Center; ElizaBeth W. Beyer, Rabbi of Temple Beth Or in Reno; Dr. Bradley S. Corbin, Baha’i Teacher; Father Stephen Karcher, Priest of St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Reno. Dr. William Tell Gifford, Religion Professor of Truckee Meadows Community College; Dr. Thomas Butler, Pastor of Sparks United Methodist Church; R. Bruce Brinkerhoff  of LDS; Sharla S. Hales, Assistant Area Public Affairs Director of LDS; and Monique Jacobs, Director of Faith Formation of RCDR; have also participated in it.

 City of Sparks (Nevada, USA), lead by Mayor Geno R. Martini, also issued a Commendation certificate in March last to Faith Forum “for creating this constructive dialog which has helped to foster mutual understanding, trust, and loyalty in the community”.

 Beryl Love says that this Forum is a model on how to engage the community on a subject matter that touches their daily lives and hearts. It will continue, he adds.

 Rajan Zed points out: Religion is complex. Religion is powerful. Religion is much more than our own particular tradition. There are interconnections and interdependencies between religions and there are differences. If we dig deeper, we shall find that we have more in common than in conflict. Faith Forum attempts to create harmony in the community.

 RGJ, whose traces go back to 1870 and which has been recognized for its journalistic excellence, is one of the leading newspapers of Nevada and produces various other print and online publications also. McLean (Virginia, USA) headquartered Gannett is an international media and marketing solutions company headed by Gracia C. Martore.

 Rajan Zed is a religious statesman who has taken up interfaith, religion, environment, Roma (Gypsies) and other causes all over the world. Read opening prayers in US Senate, various state senates and houses of representatives, counties and city councils all over the country. Invited by President of European Parliament in Brussels for a meeting to promote interfaith dialogue. Has been panelist for “On Faith”, a prestigious interactive conversation on religion produced by The Washington Post. President of Universal Society of Hinduism, Senior Fellow and Religious Advisor to New York headquartered Foundation for Religious Diplomacy, Director of Interfaith Relations of Nevada Clergy Association, Spiritual Advisor to National Association of Interchurch & Interfaith Families, etc.

Syria two good for Nepal

 by sportswire4u.blogspot.com

NEW DELHI, AUG 30

  Nepal’s poor run in the Nehru Cup continued as they lost to a much superior Syria 2-0 at the Jawaharlal Stadium on Thursday (August 30). Both the outfits finished their engagements in the tournament with Syria finishing on 4 points from that many matches and Nepal staying rock bottom with only one in their bag.  

 Goals from Hani Altayar and Ali Ghlioum sealed the issue for Syria who were never troubled by an insipid Nepal. For the record, Syria had four players suspended prior to the kick-off while Nepal had one.

 It was en to end stuff in the opening exchanges though. The opening goal scored by Syria in the 9^th minute of the match is a testimony to that. In the 8^th minute, Biraj Maharjan of Nepal played an excellent long ball towards Bharat Khawas who rounded off the goalkeeper only to miss a sitter. At the opposite end though, Hani Altayar did not disappoint. Latching on to a brilliant ball from his defenders, Altayar curled the ball into the net.

 Tempers flared in the 20^th minute as Nepal’s Rohit Chand and Syria’s Alaa Al Shbli got involved in a melee near the touchline. Thanks to the referee’s timely intervention, the fracas was doused soon.

 Change of ends did not change Nepal’s misadventures in not only the game but the tournament as well as Syria scored their second goal in the 49^th minute. Mardik Mardkian’s defense splitting pass was calmly finished by Ali Ghlioum with the goalkeeper at his mercy.

 India play Cameroon on Friday (August 31).

 August 31: India V Cameroon

Sudhir Sharma holds on to the lead in round two

by sportswire4u.blogspot.com

LUCKNOW, AUG 30

 Sudhir Sharma of Meerut shot an even-par-70 to hold on to a one-stroke lead in round two of the PGTI Feeder Tour event being played at the Lucknow Golf Club. Sharma now has an overall score of three-under-137 and is one stroke ahead of Lucknow’s ace golfer Vijay Kumar.

 The cut was declared at 12-over-152 on a day that witnessed rain and windy conditions. Thirty-six professionals made the cut.

 Sudhir Sharma (67-70), the overnight leader, made two birdies and two bogeys in his second round. Sudhir sank a five feet putt for birdie on the fourth and converted an eight-footer for birdie on the fifth. He missed a couple of chip-putts for bogeys on the second and 11^th. A score of 70 was good enough for him to maintain his lead.

 “My hitting was totally off the mark today and that’s the reason I couldn’t make enough birdies. My putting kept my hopes alive as I made some good par saves from five to six feet on the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th holes. If I have to stay ahead of the experienced Vijay Kumar in the final round then I will have to improve on my hitting,” said Sharma.

 Veteran and defending champion Vijay Kumar (69-69) shot the day’s best score of one-under-69 to take his total to two-under-138. Vijay made three birdies against two bogeys on his home course on Thursday.

 Vijay said, “The conditions were tough due to the rain and wind and therefore I’m quite happy with my effort of one-under-69. I made a 20-footer to birdie the 16^th and hit it very close for birdies on the 10^th and 15^th. The local knowledge will definitely help me in the final round.”

 Sanjay Kumar (69-71) of Lucknow is placed third at even-par-140.

Achievement of physical fitness to be made academically rewarding: Maken

by sportswire4u.blogspot.com (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, AUG 31 

 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Youth Affairs & Sports Ajay Maken today unveiled the Exposure Draft on National Physical Fitness Programme (NPFP), for school children. Recognizing Physical Fitness as the underlying paradigm core for social as well as the economic well being of the nation, the programme aims at ensuring physical fitness amongst all school children by putting into place a system that would assess and ascertain a child’s physical fitness from class V onwards. 

It would entail the formulation of a scientific programme and criteria to first motivate and encourage school going children of both sexes to be physically fit and concurrently evaluate their fitness. It has to be realized that the scheme needs to be motivational rather than coercive and to obtain this, the achievement of fitness by a child as to be rewarded in a manner similar to reward for academic achievement, Shri Maken elaborated.

             After a comprehensive exercise that involved development of universally applicable standards by studying, juxtaposing and extra collating various existing models like that of Sports Authority of India, Army and Paramilitary Organisations as also concurrently running methods of the State Governments of Haryana and Kerala.  Six basic components of physical fitness have been evolved; they are:

(i)                 Cardio respiratory endurance,

(ii)               Muscular strength,

(iii)             Muscular endurance,

(iv)             Flexibility,

(v)               Explosive Strength, and

(vi)             Body composition (percentage of body fat). 

 The fitness tests need to be executed at least two times in a year i.e., in the month of June and January of academic session, which will provide an idea regarding present status as well as improvement of physical fitness during academic session of the student.

The National Physical Fitness Programme envisages that every school going child studying in class V and above, should be evaluated on the above mentioned six components of physical fitness by being made to participate and compete in the enumerated eight measurable fitness tests.  The student’s performance is accordingly graded and fed into the child’s ‘Assessment Card’ and the school’s ‘Fitness Assessment Forms’ as designed by the Lakshmibai National University for Physical Education (LNUPE), Gwalior.  Subsequent collection & collation from across the schools shall be done at the level of the District and grades allotted to every child on the basis of percentile system for marking & grading. 

  The students shall undergo these eight tests on two pre-determined dates in the months of January and June every year.  While the conduct of these tests and their evaluation could be done by suitably trained internal personnel/staff during the child’s non Board years, the same shall be entrusted to external observers/examiners in the years in which the child is taking his class X/XII Board exams. 

 The enabling administrative provisions as also implementing manpower shall be provided by the concerned State Governments as enumerated.  The scores/grades achieved by every child shall be enumerated in print on standardised ‘Assessment Cards and Fitness Assessment Forms’ prepared by LNUPE, Gwalior.

 After collection and collation of data at the district level, the same shall be linked to the Central Server administered by the LNUPE through the Core Application Software (CAS) supplemented by System Integrators.

Setting up of a Knowledge Resource Centre is of paramount importance, as its role will be very critical in working out and developing age specific, gender specific and region specific physical fitness parameters, collection and analysis of data with regard to physical fitness standards and re-working of the physical fitness norms, if necessary on the basis of data collated during implementation and the initial few years.

 The Knowledge Centre will be set up at Gwalior within the premises of the LNUPE, so that it can have close linkages with the University, which has already done a lot of work in this field.  Apart from being the data base, the Knowledge Centre will be a research and development unit for working out physical fitness norms, suggesting fitness modules, giving its suggestions for implementing agencies for effective implementation of the programme.

The top 10 percentage of gender wise performers in each district in the battery of tests indicated above shall be given an additional 3% to the percentage obtained by him/her in academic disciplines.  Subsequently, performers between top 10 to 20 percentage will get additional 2.5 %, performers between 20 to 30 percentage will get 2%, between 30 to 40 percentage will get 1.5% and between 40 to 50 percentage will get additional 1% weightage in their marking which may be converted into grades as per prevalent norms. 

 In India the concept of nation-wide implementation of Physical Fitness programme was initiated during 1959 and the then Ministry of Education and Social Welfare, Govt. of India had developed a test battery “National Physical Efficiency Drive” (NPED) for inculcating awareness of Physical fitness among the people.  The level of physical efficiency was then assessed and graded by awarding “Star system” (i.e. 3 stars, 2 stars etc.) However, the programme was discontinued as it was based on inappropriate and inaccurate assessment of physical fitness norms.  This scheme of grading should be revived by providing for giving 5 STARS to the children amongst the top 10 percent, 4 STARS to the next 10 percent and so on in a descending order.

 In the present proposal marks and grades are linked to the academic performance and fruits thereof.  It is felt that if fitness level is linked to academic excellence; it will motivate the students and the parents alike, to strive for it.  Care has also been taken to ensure that an over-riding pan Indian or even state-wide standard is not adopted in working out the grading system.  By adopting a district specific percentile system, it is ensured that unfair advantage is not given to any region or district in the country.   

 It is proposed that six National Physical Fitness Awards may be constituted and awarded by the President of India at the Annual National Sports Day function.  The awards may be in the category of Best Performing State, District and School as also for the State, District and School that has improved the most during the last one year. 

The  draft exposure will be available in public domain for comments and suggestions from general public as well as stake holders for the next 30 days.  Consultations with the State Governments, Ministry of Human Resource Development and other stake holders will be undertaken, thereafter a committee of experts comprising representatives from the field of education, health and sports will be constituted to look into the suggestions and points that emerge out of discussion with stakeholders before finalizing the National Physical Fitness Programme for the School Children.

Ind. OFBCI announces AmeriCorps grants to nonprofits

by sportswire4u.blogspot.com (Balbir)
INDIANAPOLIS, AUG 31 
 The Indiana Commission on Community Service and Volunteerism (ICCSV), through the Indiana Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) announced today that 18 organizations in Indiana will receive a total of $3.8 million in AmeriCorps grants from the Corporation for National and Community Service. AmeriCorps programs in Indiana are administered on behalf of the ICCSV by the OFBCI.
The grants will support a total of 635 full and part-time AmeriCorps members, including a 40 percent increase in full-time members when compared to the previous year. Members will meet such needs as providing housing support, homework help, youth health programming, financial literacy training, disaster response assistance, and aid to military families.
“In tough economic times it is more important than ever for our faith-based communities and nonprofits to step up to help meet human needs challenges,” OFBCI Executive Director, Jim Huston said. “AmeriCorps has partnered with nonprofits and faith organizations all over Indiana to help meet needs and we are very pleased with the announcement of 2012-2013 grant funding.”
On a national level, AmeriCorps engages 80,000 Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to meet critical needs of a diverse assortment of communities. Members serve through more than 14,000 organizations in rural and urban communities throughout the nation.  Among other accomplishments, AmeriCorps members last year mobilized 3.4 million community volunteers, and educated, mentored or served more than 3.5 million disadvantaged youth.
Since 1994, more than 775,000 Americans have provided more than 1 billion hours of service to their communities and country through AmeriCorps. During just the past year in Indiana, federal funds were awarded to community and faith-based orgs where 705 AmeriCorps*State members were hosted by 300 nonprofits around the state. Those same members have accounted for 303,955 hours spent serving Indiana communities where they have done amazing things like recruiting, placing, and supporting more than 8,411 volunteers and serving over 33,649 disadvantaged youth.

Harsimran rules the Panjab University swimming pool

by sportswire4u.blogspot.com (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, AUG 28 

The local DAV College quartet of Karan Brar, Sumit Dalal, Vinay, Ravi created a new meet record by clocking 9:10.92 in the men’s 4x200 metres freestyle relay in the Panjab University Inter-College Swimming Championship at the PU Campus pool here today.

Mealwhile Harsimran Kaur of MCM DAV for Women, Sector 36 continued to rule the pool by winning our more gold medals, bringing her individual tally to eight at the end of second day’s schedule.

Results: Men:  50 m breaststroke:   1 Jashandeep Singh  (P.U. Campus, Chandigarh) 30.62, 2 Ravi (   D.A.V. College, Chandigarh) 34.62, 3 Vinay Saharan (D.A.V. College, Chandigarh)  34.64.

50 m freestyle: 1  Karan Brar (D.A.V. College, Chandigarh) 25.33, 2   Jashandeep Singh ( P.U. Campus, Chandigarh) 25.35, 3 Sumit Dalal  (D.A.V. College, Chandigarh) 25.84.

 200 m butterfly: 1 Karan Brar  ( D.A.V. College, Chandigarh)  2:36.21, 2 Pankil (P.U. Campus, Chandigarh)  2:50.81, 3 Sumit Dalal  (D.A.V. College, Chandigarh) 2:58.64..

 200 m breaststroke: 1  Jashandeep Singh (P.U. Campus, Chandigarh) 2:34.05, 2   Ravi  (D.A.V. College, Chandigarh) 2:54.29, 3  Vinay Saharan (D.A.V. College, Chandigarh)  2:54.85.

 1500 m freestyle:1 Rohit (D.A.V. College, Chandigarh) 21:51.86, 2 Ravi  (DAV College, Chandigarh) 22:55.55,  3  Abhimanyu Dalal (P.U. Campus, Chandigarh) 25:58.85.

 4X100 m Medlay Relay:  DAV College, Chandigarh (Karan Brar, Sumit Dalal, Rohit, Ravi) 4:34.45, 2 PU Campus  (Jashandeep, Pankil, Abhimanyu, Angad Singh) 5:03.86, 3  SGGS College Chandigarh (Gaganpreet, Swaroop, Navdeep, Jaswinder) 6:04.28.

4X200 m Freestyle Relay: 1 D.A.V. College, Chandigarh (Karan Brar, Sumit Dalal, Vinay, Ravi)  9:10.92 (NMR), 2 PU Campus (Jashandeep, Pankil, Harinderjit, Vivek Yadav 11:30.02, 3     SGGS College, Chandigarh (Gaganpreet, Swaroop, Navdeep, Jaswinder)  12:29.24.

Women:   50 m breaststroke: 1 Harsimran Kaur ( MCM D.A.V. College, Chandigarh) 42.19, 2  

Naveen Kumari (P.G. G.C.G. Sec. 42, Chandigarh) 43.58, 3  Pooja  (P.G. G.C.G. Sec. 11, Chandigarh) 45.00. 

50 m freestyle: 1  Harsimran Kaur (MCM D.A.V. College, Chandigarh) 30.95, 2 Arshpreet K. Grewal (K.L. S.D. College, Ludhiana) 34.50, 3 Pooja (P.G. G.C.G. Sec. 11, Chandigarh) 35.06.

200 m butterfly: 1 Harsimran Kaur (MCM D.A.V. College, Chandigarh) 3:14.37, 2  Arshpreet K. Grewal (K.L. S.D. College, Ludhiana) 3:52.51, 3  Yashvi  (P.U. Campus, Chandigarh  4:43.82.

200 m breaststroke: 1  Harsimran Kaur  (MCM D.A.V. College, Chandigarh) 3:22.70, 2 Naveen Kumari ( P.G. G.C.G. Sec. 42, Chandigarh) 3:43.16, 3 Shruti (P.U. Campus, Chandigarh)      3:50.47.

 800 m freestyle: 1 Harsimran Kaur  (MCM D.A.V. College, Chandigarh) 11:41.32, 2

Arshpreet K. Grewal  (K.L. S.D. College, Ludhiana)  13:07.25, 3 Pooja  (P.G. G.C.G. Sec. 11, Chandigarh)  15:17.85 .

Indian squad for London Paralympic Games

by sportswire4u.blogspot.com (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, AUG 28 

A 10-member Indian will participate in the  Paralympic Games -2012 be held at London (U.K.) from August 29 to September 9. The selection was  based on the quota places allocated to India by the International Paralympics Committee.  The team comprises five athletes, three powerlifters, one swimmer and one shooter.

The team:   H.N. Girisha (high jump), Jagseer Singh (long jump),  Jaideep (discus),  Narender  (javelin),  Amit Kumar (athletics), Farman Basha (powerlifting), Rajinder Singh Rahelu (powerlifting),  Sachin Chaudhary (powerlifting), Sharath M. Gayakwad (swimming) and Naresh Kumar (shooting).

The Indian players underwent training in India and special acclimatization coaching camp was conducted at Balisdan Sports Village, London, U.K.  One athlete underwent special training in Germany. All the athletes have reported at the Games Village, London.  The Indian contingent consists of 10 athletes, 10 other coaches and escorts and three officials, including chef-de-mission.  The Government of India is fully funding the cost of participation of the players, coaches, escorts and officials.

Maldives scrape past Syria in Nehru Cup

by sportswire4u.blogspot.com

NEW DELHI, AUG 27

 A goal deep into second half stoppage time by Ahmed Rasheed saw Maldives edge past Syria 2-1 and stay in the hunt for a place in the final of the Nehru Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Monday (August 27). The loss rang exit bells for Syria. While Maldives have 6 points from three matches, Syria could muster only 1 from that many outings.

Rasheed scored in the dying minutes of the match latching on to a cross from his captain Ali Asfaq. Ali had found the back of the net earlier in the 59^th minute when he headed home from close range from a Umair Mohammed floater. But his goal was cancelled out by an acrobatic bicycle kick from Syrian striker Alaa Al Shbli in the 81^st minute.

Maldives’ celebrations were cut short when their coach Istvan Urbanyi was shown the red card for not being able to control his emotions and kicking a water bottle.

Earlier, torrential downpour forced the match to start 75 minutes late. The islanders came close to scoring in the 3^nd minute but captain Ali’s left footer flew over the bar from inside the box. Then in the 19^th minute, Syria’s Yasir Shushara broke away from his markers to head a Mohammed Zahir Almedani corner. A goal line clearance by Maldives’ Abdulla Asadhulla came to the rescue.

Abdulla came close to scoring in the 39^th minute but veteran goalkeeper Mosab Balhos charged forward to collect the ball from a one on one situation.

 August 28: India vs Nepal (7pm).

Ishita Dhir best all-around gymnast

by sportswire4u.blogspot.com (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, AUG 27

Ishita Dhir of DAV Public School,  Sector 8 was adjudged the best all-around gymnast in the under-14 category with 31 points in the Chandigarh Inter School Rhythmic Gymnastic Championship here today.

Shreeya Sharma  (Shishu Niketan-43)  and Eknoor   (St. Stephen’s -45)  secured silver and bronze medals with 30.80 and 30.40 points, respectively.

DAV Public School, Sector 8 lifted the team championship with 60.80 points. Sacret Heart School -26  (59.30 pts) and G.M.S.S.School -19   (58.90 pts) finished second and third, respectively..

Results: Ball: 1 Shreeya Sharma  (Shishu Niketan-43)  11.50 points, 2 2 Eknoor   (St. Stephen’s -45)  10.20, 3  Kopal Sharma  (Manav Mangal -21)  9.60, 4 Sakshi Rana  (G.M.S.S.School -19  9.00. 

Hoop: 1 Ishita Dhir ( D.A.V.Public School -8) 9.80, 2 Eknoor  (St. Stephen’s -45)  9.50, 3 Sakshi Rana  (G.M.S.S.School -19)  8.90,  4 Neha Rana ( G.M.S.S.School -19)  10.30. 

Club: 1 Ishita Dhir  (D.A.V.Public School -8) 11.00, 2 Naha Rana  (G.M.S.S.School -19)  10.80, 3 Eknoor   St. Stephen -45  10.70, 4 Neha Rana  (G.M.S.S.School -19)  10.30.

Ribbon: 1 Shreeya Sharma (Shishu Niketan-43)  10.50, 2 Ishita Dhir  (D.A.V.Public School -8) 10.20, 3 Saksham  (Sacret Heart School -26) 6.80.

All-around best gymnasts: 1 Ishita Dhir ( D.A.V.Public School -8) 31.00, 2 Shreeya Sharma  (Shishu Niketan-43)  30.80, 3 Eknoor   (St. Stephen’s -45)  30.40.

 Team Championship: 1 D.A.V.Public School -8  60.80, 2 Sacret Heart School -26  59.30, 3 G.M.S.S.School -19   58.90.