In Brief

Nationals minus draw

ROOPNAGAR: ANURADHA stole the show on the opening day of the Senior National women handball championship at the Nehru Stadium here this evening. The Uttar Pradesh captain scored five goals, including a hat-trick, in the first six minutes, as her team overcame a never-say-die Karnataka. The winners led 7-5 at halftime in their group C8217; league fixture. Bhanumati of Karnataka topscored for her team with goals in the 10th, 15th, 22nd and 24th minutes. As the Nationals are being played under new format, the team officials were groping in the dark about the grouping. Till this evening, only ten teams have reported while Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh teams will arrive tomorrow. Twenty state teams have confirmed their participation. The final draw could not be prepared as the technical member, appointed by the Handball Federation of India, is yet to arrive!