Jayasuriya, Fernando looking to impress in IPL

MUMBAI, Apr 9: Former Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya, currently out of the Sri Lankan limited overs side, is eager to make a mark for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League starting April 18 and stake a claim for a berth in the national team.

"I am looking forward to playing in the tournament and helping Mumbai Indians win the title. It would be a great thing in my career to open with Sachin (Tendulkar), the best player in the world. I am really happy to open with him," said Jayasuriya over a teleconference from Sri Lanka. (PTI)

Rahul Gandhi, Scindia, Pilot invited in torch relay

NEW DELHI, Apr 9: Rahul Gandhi, along with a few other young parliamentarians, has been invited to run with the Olympic torch when it reaches the capital on April 17.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi, who is in China, told that invitation had been sent to Rahul Gandhi, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jitin Prasada and Sachin Pilot and he himself would personally call them on his return.

"About 50 personalities, including young politicians and film stars, will participate in the torch relay. I have sent letters to Rahul Gandhi, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jitin Prasada and Sachin Pilot," Kalmadi said from Beijing.

"After coming back to the country I will meet them and invite them personally," the IOA chief said.

He said the step to invite political personalities has been taken at the behest of the organisers.

"They want people from all walks of life to take part in the relay. That’s why we have invited the young MPs," he said. (PTI)

Aussies to play four-Test series against India

NEW DELHI, Apr 9: Australia will play a four-Test series against India starting October 9 in Bangalore, the Indian cricket board today announced.

Ricky Ponting and his men will arrive in India on September 29 and will play a four-day practice match from October 2 to 5, the venue for which is yet to be decided. The team will take a three-day break before starting the series in Bangalore from October 9.

The second Test will be played three days later in Mohali before the action comes to the capital. Delhi will play host to the third Test starting October 28.

The Schedule: Four-day practice match: October 2 to 5 First Test (Bangalore): October 9 to 13 Second Test (Mohali): October 17 to 21 Third Test (New Delhi): October 28 to November 1 Fourth Test (Nagpur): November 5 to 9. (PTI)

ICC Anti-Corruption officer questions Shoaib, Younis

KARACHI, Apr 9: An officer of the Anti Corruption and Security Unit of the ICC has interviewed fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and Younis Khan to investigate into Akhtar’s claims that he was offered money in South Africa and India to underperform.

The Pakistan Cricket Board is silent on the presence the ICC officer in the country but sources said Alan Peacock spoke to Akhtar and Khan in a hotel in Lahore. "He is staying in a five star hotel where the board puts up its teams and guests. The hotel management has been told to not reveal his room number," one source said.

"Peacock is conducting his activities very secretively. He met with Shoaib and Younis in the hotel." (PTI)

Inter Zone Sports Meet
Armed Zone makes clean sweep

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 9: Armed Zone proved their supremacy by making clean sweep to clinch Basketball, Handball and Kabaddi titles in the ongoing Inter Zone Sports Meet.

In Basketball, Armed Zone subdued Jammu Zone by 39-27 in a keenly contested encounter while in Handball, INTELSECT lost by 23-18 in another close contest.

The summit showdown in Kabaddi proved to be a lop sided affair as Armed Zone rallied to beat Training Zone by 60-15.

In Gazetted Officers events, DySP Sanjay Sharma edged out DySP Mushtaq Ahmed in Table Tennis.

In other matches, DySP Sameer Kotwal outplayed DySP Abrar Choudhary and SP Zakar Hussain beat DySP D P Singh.

In Lawn Tennis, DySP Ranjit Singh would cross swords against SP Daleep Kumar for the summit clash.

In the semifinals played, DySP Ranjit Singh overwhelmed DySP Sanjay Bhagat while SP Daleep Kumar overcame SP R K Bhat in the second semifinal.

DySP Ajay Sharma beat DySP Inderjeet Kapahi in Badminton. In other matches, SP Rajesh Kumar beat DySP Azeem Qureshi and SP R K Bhat beat DySP D R Bhagat.

Other Results:

Team Events (Football): INTELSECT beat Armed Zone 5-3 and Auxiliary Zone beat Kashmir Zone 2-0.

Volleyball: INTELSECT beat Kashmir Zone 3-0.

Tug-of-War: Armed Zone beat Training Zone 2-0 and Kashmir Zone beat Jammu Zone 2-0.

Hockey: INTELSECT beat Jammu Zone and Armed Zone beat Kashmir Zone.

Individual Events:

Shooting (final):

9mm (Pistal): B K Jamwal (1st) and Zakir Hussain (2nd).

9mm (Pistal): Balwan Singh (1st) and Mohd Sadique (2nd).

9mm (Carbine): Ram Dhan (1st) and Babu Ram (2nd).

Wrestling:

55kg: Karnail Singh (1st) and Sanjeev Sharma (2nd).

60kg: Soom Raj (1st) and Vikram Singh (2nd).

66kg: Mohd Zulf (1st) and Raj Kumar (2nd).

74kg: Ravinder Kumar (1st) and Sat Paul (2nd).

84kg: Anil Kumar (1st) and Mangal Singh (2nd).

96kg: Roshan Sharma (1st) and Rakesh Singh (2nd).

Above 96kg: Romesh Chander (1st) and Mushtaq Ahmed (2nd).

Athletics:

Discus Throw (final): Rajinder Kumar (1st), Mohd Sadique (2nd) and Mandeep Singh (3rd).

High Jump (final): Julfkaar Ahmed (1st), Bambal Singh (2nd) and Pawan Kumar (3rd).

21kg Half Marathon: Reyaz Ahmed (1st), Ram Raj (2nd) and Ram Lal (3rd).

Tripple Jump: Showket Ahmed (1st), Pawan Kumar (2nd) and Jasbir Singh (3rd).

Women (100mts final): Simi Sharma (1st), Razia Yaseen (2nd) and Madhu Rani (3rd).

4x100mts (final): Simi Sharma, Madhu Rani, Madhu, and Kulzam Bi (Armed Zone, 1st).

Rayeesa Rehman, Shabina Bano, Razia Yaseen and Rozy Akhter (Training Zone, 2nd).

Swimming:

100mts (free style final): Rajnish Kumar (1st) and Deepak Kumar (2nd).

50mts back stroke (final): Arshad (1st) and Raj Narinder Paul (2nd).

100mts back stroke (final): Arshad (1st) and Kirpal Singh (2nd).

50mts breast stroke (final): Rajnesh Kumar (1st) and Shamim (2nd).

100mts breast stroke (final): Ragubir Singh (1st) and Shamim (2nd).

50mts free style (final): Shashi Paul (1st) and Ab Rehman (2nd).

4x50mts free style relay (final): Raghubir Singh, Ankush, Pawan and Shabir (Armed Zone, 1st).

Ram Singh, Bikram Singh, Mohd Ayub and Raj Narinder Paul (INTELSECT, 2nd).

4x100mts free style relay (final): Shashi Paul, Ankush, Rajnesh and Shabir (Armed Zone, 1st).

Latif, Goohar Mehraj, Mohd Younis and Mushtaq (Auxiliary Zone, 2nd).

BCC wins a thriller

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 9: Bhawani Cricket Club (BCC) registered a thrilling win over Rajinder Nagar Cricket Club (RNCC) in the ongoing Nishu Memorial Cricket Tournament today.

Batting first, RNCC accumulated 137 runs in 17.3 overs. S M Singh and Vishu top scored with 35 and 34 runs respectively.

For BCC, Vinod was the most successful bowler with three wickets while Naresh chipped in with two.

Chasing 138 to win, BCC also managed 137. Sonu played a gutsy knock of 63 runs.

For RNCC, Diwakar was the wrecker-in-chief with five scalps whereas Monty took two wickets.

The winner was finally decided through ball out system in which BCC emerged winner.

Sonu was declared man of the match.

Physical Education Deptt seals emphatic win

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 9: Physical Education Department trounced Botany Department by 10 wickets in the ongoing Inter Department Cricket tournament being played at Jammu University Grounds today.

Botany Department won the toss and opted to bat first. They accumulated 119/8 in 15 overs with Arvind top scored with 36.

For Physical Education Department, Atul Sharma and Vikram grabbed two wickets each while Shashi, Ashwani and Opinder took one wicket apiece.

Physical Education Department had no difficulty whatsoever as they overhauled the target in just 13 overs keeping all wickets intact.

Openers Atul Sharma and Pawan Sharma remained unbeaten on 41 and 73 runs respectively.

The umpires in the match were Vijay Kumar and Naveen. The scorer was Satpal.

In the second match, History Department scripted a 4 wicket win over Economics Department.

Batting first, Economics Department garnered 139/6 in the allotted 20 overs.

Akhil was the top scorer with 24 runs followed by Mabashar who contributed 25.

For History Department, Zaheer, Sanjeet and Taqdeer snared a wicket each.

In reply, History Department romped home in 18 overs losing six wickets in the process.

Satinder played a fine knock of 30 runs while Vikas (26), Chander (26), Taqdeer (18) and Yawar (14) were the other notable contributors.

For Economics Department, Ajaz Ahmed and Davinder took two wickets whereas Murtaza and Daya chipped in with a wicket each.

The match was officiated by Ashwani and Mukul. The scorer was Sat Paul.

Rohit Memorial Cricket Tournament
SCC, RCC register wins

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 9: Superstar Cricket Club (SCC) and Royal Cricket Club (RCC) registered wins on the second day of the ongoing Rohit Dogra Memorial Cricket Tournament being played at MAM College Grounds.

In the first match, SCC got the better of Jehlum Cricket Club (JCC) by 1 wicket in a pulsating contest.

Jehlum accumulated 91 runs in the allotted 20 overs with Sunil Bhat and Dr Saraf top scored with 22 and 13 runs respectively.

For SCC, Rakesh took three wickets while Monu and Sunil scalped a wicket each.

In reply, SCC made 95 runs in 19.3 overs losing 9 wickets in the process.

Monu and Rickey were the main contributors with 23 and 20 runs respectively.

For JCC, M K scalped three wickets while Ravi and Naresh took two wickets each.

Monu was adjudged man of the match.

The umpires in the match were Rajesh Dhar and Ajay Kumar. The scorer was Gokul Verma.

In the second match, RCC prevailed over Sai Cricket Club (SCC) by 36 runs.

Batting first, RCC posted 97 runs in 20 overs. Amit (21), Veeru (16) and Rajinder (16) were the notable contributors.

For SCC, Surinder grabbed three wickets whereas Sunny, Anil and Vinay fetched two wickets apiece.

Chasing a modest target to win, SCC suffered a dramatic batting collapse to bowled out for paltry 62 runs in 15 overs.

Rahul and Ashwani played fighting knocks of 15 and 12 runs respectively.

For RCC, Harish was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets while Rajinder and Ramesh snared two wickets each.

Harish was declared man of the match. The match was officiated by Rajesh Dhar and Ajay Raina.

The scorer was Gokul Verma.

Karate team selected for nationals

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 9: Sports Karate-Do Association has selected 24 karatekas for the forthcoming International Karate Championship slated to be held at New Delhi from April 11 to 15.

Pooja Malhotra, Chairperson, T S Group of Institutions and Anil Nanda, President of the Association were also present on the occasion and wished good luck to the team.

Master Sunny Nanda (team coach), Asha (girls coach) and Ronika (team captain) are also accompanying the team.

The Team: Payal Singh, Arjun Sharma, Arun Krishna Sharma, Arya Abrol, Manik, Pavitar Mahajan, Danish, Mohit, Ritishbabuta, Arjun Kalia, Pankaj Raj, Anmol, Chakshita, Rhea Tikku, Reema, Mohit Bhasin, Apoorv Lal, Aditya Jain, Bharat, Parth and Amrit.

Heritage School organises Skating competition

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 9: Heritage School today organised an Open Roller Skating competition for U/14 age group in the School premises today.

About 12 schools participated in the sporting event which was inaugurated by the Principal of the School.

JP World, Jodhamal and host Heritage School were fighting neck to neck when last reports came in.

Students awarded Golden Arrow Badge

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 9: Five students of New Era Environmental School (3 cubs and 2 bulbuls) have been awarded Golden Arrow Badge by the president of Bharat Scouts and Guides of India in the Cubs and Bulbuls Utsav held at National Youth Complex.

The recipients of the Golden Arrow Badge awards were Shubam Verma, Vikram Dogra, Chirag Vaid, Palak Sawhney and Tanvi Mehra.

Baldev, Jakker share Moori Kesari title

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 9: Pahalwans Baldev (Sonu) and Jakker shared 53rd Annual Moori Kesari title after the bout remained undecided.

The vishal Dangal was organised by Moori Dangal Committee under the aegis of J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association under the supervision of Shiv Kumar Sharma, President of the Association at Middle School Moori.

In all 46 bouts were played. In other bouts, Benia beat Onkar Singh, Mukha beat Banka, Prahlad Singh beat Yog Raj, Mohd Akram beat Kirpal Singh, Kuldeep Singh beat Chamail Singh, Kulbir Singh beat Tirth Ram and Sunil Singh beat Akram.

The bout played between Akram and Swarn Singh was ended in a draw.

Ashok Sharma, SP Katra was the chief guest on the occasion while Jugal Kishore, DSP Katra and Parshotam Mengi, SHO Katra were the guests of honour.

Shiv Kumar Sharma presided over the function.

The chief guest awared a cash prize of Rs 2500 each to both the pahalwans.