NEW DELHI, May 7
India thrashed China 2-1 in their last pool match to enter the semi-finals of the seventh junior men’s Asia Cup hockey tournament, in Malacca, today.
Naveen Antil (19th minute) and Amit Rohidas (57th) scored for India, while China’s lone reply came through winger Yu Xin in the 45th minute.
Having registered two wins and a draw, India collected seven points and moved into the last four stage.
India, needing to beat China to top the pool, found the going tough as the Chinese packed their defence.
India took a long time to settle down. Winger Antil tapped the ball home following a melee to give India the lead in the 19th minute.
There were many chances to increase the lead but forwards Malak Singh, Akashdeep Singh and Satbir Singh were wayward inside the circle.
After the teams changed sides with the scorecard reading 1-0 in India’s favour, China leveled the score 15 minutes into the second half when Yu Xin connected a Zhang Zhixuan’s hit in from the top of D much against the run of play.
The Indians attacked relentlessly, opening the wings and tightening the midfield, but chances were wasted due to poor finish inside the circle.
India’s penalty-corner battery too was unimpressive. However, vice-captain Rohidas sent in a grounder off the fifth chance they got, much to the relief of their camp. (UNI)

Kolkata, May 7 :
Local lad Sourav Kothari shocked reigning Asian champion Aditya Mehta to grab the top slot in group A of the Kolkata
Open National Invitation Snooker Championship at the Hindusthan Club here today.
Kamal Chawla and local challenger Brijesh Damani also stormed into the quarter finals, while nine-time world champion Geet Sethi’s poor run continued.
In two hours best of five frames match, Kothari made his intentions clear winning the first frame by 48 points against Mehta, who came here winning the Asian championship in Doha less than 10 days ago.
However, Mehta shot back in the next two frames with a comfortable margin. But Sourav applied brakes on Mehta’s progress winning the fourth frame 73-34 to take the match into the decider.
The local lad showed amazing maturity as he potted with perfection to clinch the frame 65-19 with a stunning 3-2 win.
Chawla from Group C remained the first one to enter into quarter finals with an all-win record. (PTI)

4th Ashok Sodhi Memorial T20 Tournament

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 7: Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP) XI outplayed low profile yet formidable side of Sree Cricket Club by three wickets and made it to the semifinals of the ongoing 4th Ashok Sodhi Memorial T20 Tournament, being organized by Print and Electronic Cameramen Association Jammu at Parade ground, here.
With JKAP’s entry into the last four stage, the semifinals position has been cleared as Kashmir Cricket Club, Cantt Cricket Club and Singh Cricket Club, Akhnoor have already qualified for the semifinals. Now, JKAP XI will face Cantt Club, while Kashmir Club will lock horns with Singh Cricket Club in the semifinals at the same venue, tomorrow.
Earlier, electing to bat first after winning the toss, Sree Club scored 105 runs in the stipulated 20 overs, losing 9 wickets in the process. Sanju top scored with 21 runs, while Rinku and Sahil Sharma contributed 16 and 14 runs to the total respectively. JKAP XI bowlers backed by good fielding, restricted the opposition to a modest total by bowling a disciplined line and length. Especially, RK Bhat was outstanding in the field as he ran one batsman out and took two superb catches. Sanjeet and Ashwani took 2 wickets each for JKAP XI, while Irfan, Rohit and Yasir claimed one wicket each.
In reply, JKAP XI lost wickets at regular intervals, however, lower middle-order batsmen including Ashwani, Masroor and Rohit held their nerves in crunch situation and helped their team’s cause by scripting a narrow win by 3 wickets in the last over of the match. Ashwani top scored with 23 runs, while Masroor and Rohit remained unbeaten on 14 and 12 runs respectively. Yasir and RK Bhat also contributed 13 runs each to the total. For Sree Club, Kadir, Sahil and Ashok scalped 2 wickets each, while Deepak Dogra claimed one. Ashwani of JKAP XI was adjudged as man of the match for his all-round performance.
The match was officiated by Saleem-ur-Rehman and Sadiq Hussain Malik as umpires, while Sanjay Pardhan and Ajay Sharma maintained the scorebook.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, May 7 : The 15th District Level Open Chess Championship and Open Dance Competition-2012, being organized by J&K Rural Development Society (JKRDS) in collaboration with District Chess Association and Mind ‘n’ Rhythm, an institute of creative arts, Udhampur got underway here today.
The events are being organised in the memory of Sher-e-Kashmir late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah at Udhampur.
As many as 255 chess players of the district and 20 dance groups would participate in the competitions under different categories.
Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, P. K. Pole who was the chief guest on the occasion declared the competitions open.
Complimenting the organisers, Pole said that sports events play a vital role in channelizing youth energies in a right direction. He exhorted upon the participating chess players to take keen interest in sports activities for their physical and mental development. He also stressed upon the youth to achieve excellence in different sports.
He asked the students to take part in co-curricular activities in addition to their academic education for the overall personality development . He added that sports sprit makes a man more humane and disciplined which enhance one’s capability to live and let live.
Office Secretary JKRDS, Surinder Sharma presented vote of thanks.
On the occasion a cultural programme was also organized which was appreciated by the audience.
Among others, Joint Director Planning, Rakesh Jamwal, Principal Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports, Col. Virinder Singh , Chairman JKRDS, Sat Paul Sharma, General Secretary, Advocate G.R. Khajuria, Director, Mind ‘n’ Rhythm, Anil Sharma, PRO of the Society, Surjeet Singh, Social Worker, Vikram Singh Slathia, prominent persons and sports lover were present on the occasion.

Zonal Level Inter-School Tournaments
Excelsiors Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 7: Government Higher Secondary School Nowabad, St Peter High School BC Road and SOS Gole Gujral scripted wins over their rivals in the disciplines of kabaddi under-17 years, kho-kho under-17 and kho-kho under-14 years girls respectively in the Zonal Level Inter-School Tournaments of Jammu Zone in girls section which got underway at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Bakshi Nagar, here today.
The tournament is being conducted by Ram Kumar Sharma, ZPEO, Jammu under the overall supervision of Tirth Ram, District Youth Services and Sports Officer Jammu.
Earlier, in kabaddi under-17 years, HSS Nowabad thrashed HS City Chowk by 23 points, while HS Gole Panjpeer trounced HSS Bazar Qasaban by 11 points. HSS Nowabad also defeated HSS Mubarak Mandi by 19 points to advance in the tournament.
In kho-kho under-17 girls, St Peter drubbed HSS Rehari, HSS Bazar Qasaban outplayed HSS Canal Road, HSS Mubarak Mandi toppled Activity Public School, Janipur, SOS beat HS Dogra Hall, HSS Muthi prevailed over HS Bhagwati Nagar and HS Janipur toppled HSS Paloura.
In kho-kho under-14 years girls, SOS outclassed Delhi Public School by one turn and 4 points, MS RN Pura trounced MS Gujjar Nagar, HS Kachi Chawni defeated Activity Public School, MS Sarwal prevailed over HSS Bakshi Nagar, HS Rajpura downed HS Resham Garh and DBN Public School scripted narrow win over MS Muthi by 2 points.
Meanwhile, in Gandhi Nagar zone, HSS Shastri Nagar defeated SD Tarapuri HSS by 9 points, while HSS Khanna Chhargal beat Dogra HSS, HS Gandhi Nagar pipped HSS Shastri Nagar and HS Gandhi Nagar scripted a narrow win over HS Khanna Chhargal.
In kho-kho under-14 years girls, HS Gandhi Nagar beat HS Bathindi, MS Digyana prevailed over MS Gorkha Nagar, Dogra HSS lost to HS Gandhi Nagar and MS Digyana prevailed over HS Gandhi Nagar.
At Marh zone about 150 girls participated in the tournament, which is being held under the supervision of ZPEO Mulkh Raj Sharma.
MS Galwadey Chak beat MRLD Burj in kho-kho under-14, while in kho-kho under-17 years, HS Marh Bagh beat HS Shama Chak, HS Ghou Manasan trounced HS Gole Gujral and HS Marh Bagh got better of HS Sangrampur.
In kabaddi under-14 years, MS Akalpur toppled MRLD Burj, while in under-17 years kabaddi HS Ghou Manasan registered a narrow win over MRLD Burj and HS Gole Gujral got better of HS Sangrampur to move into next round.
At Chowki Chora zone, the tournament in the disciplines of kabaddi under-14 and under-17 years, was held under the overall supervision of ZPEO Akhnoor, Sher Singh.
Meanwhile, apart from the various zones of district Jammu, tournaments are being conducted in different zones of the districts of Rajouri, Samba and Udhampur.
At zone Jib, the matches were held at Sports Stadium, Udhampur under the supervision of ZPEO Jib, wherein HS Kawa won under-14 and under-17 years girls kabaddi titles, while HS Jaganoo and HS Sattani clinched under-14 and under-17 years girls kabaddi titles.
The Zonal Level Inter-School tournament in which about 350 players participated was held in Rajouri zone under the supervision of Naresh Kumar, Zonal Education Officer Rajouri. In the matches held today, MS Fatehpur and MS Rajouri emerged winners in volleyball and kho-kho respectively.
Meanwhile, the first phase of inter-school tournament was organized by District Youth Services and Sports Officer Samba in the disciplines of kabaddi and kho-kho under-14 and under-17 years boys and girls in Samba and Ghagwal zone.
The Samba zone events were held at Higher Secondary School Kehli Mandi, while the Ghagwal zone competitions were held at Higher Secondary School Ghagwal ground.
NV Dhalote and MIE Sumb emerged winners in kho-kho and kabaddi under-14 years respectively.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
Srinagar, May 7: The Junior National Tong-IL-Moo-Do (Korean Martial Art) is being held from May 18 to May 21 at Indoor Stadium Srinagar.
As per the programme full dress rehearsal will be held on May 17, 2012 at Indoor Stadium Srinagar at 11:30 am where inter-state conference on May 18 at 7 pm, Torch light ceremony by chief guest of Torch Care at Golf Club Srinagar on May 19 at 6:30 pm and the chief guest will receive the guard of honour from three special battalions at 7 pm in Indoor Stadium Srinagar on May 19. Similarly, opening ceremony of the games, delivering of speech and checking the Demo will take place simultaneously.
According to the programme, the inauguration of the Championship will take place at 7:30 pm on May 19, 2012 at Indoor stadium Srinagar while the matches will be played on May 20 throughout the day and the closing ceremony will take place on May 21, 2012 at 3:30 pm at the same venue.

Vishwa Bharti College holds symposium
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 7: Vishwa Bharti College of Education held a symposium on the topic ‘Universalization of Elementary Education in India-A Target Unachieved’ in its school premises, here today.
Garima Bhandari of GM College of Education bagged first place, while the second and third place went to Sania Gupta of NSM College of Education and Tania Jamwal of Sai Shyam College of Education respectively. Prof Sanjay Tickoo, Principal Hill College of Education and Prof PK Dhar, Principal RM College of Education were the judges on the occasion.
The programme began with the lighting of lamp by the chief guest JL Koul followed by the deliberation of participants from different colleges.
Prof Seema Mahajan spelt out the objectives of the symposium, while Prof Nirmal Razdan delivered the summative speech.
Earlier, Prof Aneeta Koul, the College Principal presented welcome address, while Prof AN Sadhu presented presidential address. Dr SK Koul gave his observations about the programme and congratulated the academic and cultural committees of the college.
Cultural items presented by the students enthralled the audience on the occasion.
The proceedings of the programme were conducted by Prof Bharti Bhat.

Christ School celebrates Annual Day
Excelsior Correspondent
NOWSHERA, May 7: Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary and spokesperson Ravinder Sharma (MLC) has impressed upon the educational institutions to impart quality and value based education to the children.
Addressing a gathering of students, parents and staff of Christ School Lamberi in Nowshera at the annual day function today, Mr Sharma said that childhood is the best time to shape the emotions and feelings of the students and they should be taught about their rights and duties towards the nation. The social evils of corruption, dowry and female foeticide should be removed from the society as these are curse for the present day in the country which is becoming a great economic power in the world.
The Congress leader said that corruption is growing challenge before the nation and we have to win this battle also otherwise there would be great threat to our existence. He also appreciated the performance of the school in the area.
SDM Nowshera, Rajinder Khajuria, ASP Nowshera P L Sharma and SDPO Nowshera , Pardeep Singh were the guests of honour. Principal of the institution also addressed the gathering. Children of the school presented a cultural programme. Later, prizes were distributed among the best performers.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 7: A 20 member team would represent Jammu and Kashmir in the 66th Santosh Trophy Football Tournament scheduled to be held at Cuttack-Odisha.
The players were selected after training and coaching camps organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association. Mansoor Yousuf would lead the team during the championship while as Asif Majeed would be the vice-captain of the team.
The Team: Mansoor Yousuf, Asif Majeed, Riyaz Ahmad, Wasim Feroz, Arshid Ahmad, Aman Thapa, Khalid Umer, Rohit Kumar, Khalid Qayoom, Yaseen Rashid, Ashiq Hussain, Vinay Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, Aiman Rashid, Azhar Ali, Mansoor Ahmad, Rizwan Shafi, Asif Quadir, Irfan Ahmad and Umer Jan.
Ranjeet Singh would accompany the team as coach while as Zahoor Ahmad Khan would be team manager.
Jammu and Kashmir would play its first match on May 13 against Arunachal Pradesh while as the second match would be played against Maharashtra on May 15.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
Jammu, May 7: Ranjeet Kalra, member BCCI and vice president State Wushu Association has urged the J&K State Sports Council to notify the list of all the sports associations recognised under its banner.
Kalra in a letter to the Sports minister and vice president of the Sports Council Er. R S Chib with a copy to its Secretary Kiran Wattal, has requested that a list of all the recognised sports associations be made public and published in all leading dalies of the State. ” It has been observed that many non recognised sports bodies are conducting selection trials and sending teams for the National Tournaments without proper mandate. Such associations not only mis lead the players and their parents but also bring a bad name to the State. No doubt we should encourage new games and make an attempt to popularise them but their legal status vis-a -vis the sports council and the government as to whether they are recognised or not should be made known to public at large,” Kalra said in a statement issued here today.
“As the certificates,medals and positions achieved in these games later become a case of disputed eligibilty the players feel cheated and demoralised. It would be both in the interest of the players and the game that the Sports council periodically notifies the list of recognised associations with a copy to all educational institutions, so that the future of the players is secure and their talent is appreciated at the credible platfoms, Kalra added.