India File

Ravi Krishnan, the tournament manager and an official of the tournament promoters International Management Group IMG, said in a statement here that Becker would participate at Chennai despite pulling out of the Lipton Championships at Key Biscayne on Saturday due to ill health.

Becker pulled out of the tourney just one hour before his match against Jonathan Stark. He had also withdrawn from ten other tournaments all over the world in 1997.

Becker is expected to play in the Davis Cup against South Africa in Bermen from April 3 to 5 and the Chennai tourney will start a couple of days later.

Cricket auction

BANGALORE: Sachin Tendulkar8217;s bat which got him tons of runs fetched Rs 50,000 at the auction replay of the cricket memorabila organised by Deccan Herald here. About Rs 2.5 lakh was raised on the occasion andthe money will go to charity institutions like leprosy rehabilitation centres and blind schools.

Saurav Ganguly8217;s bat fetched the second highest of Rs 21,000 while Rahul Dravid8217;s willow went for Rs 12,000.

BSF hold Sporting

BANGALORE: BSF and Mohammedan Sporting squandered opportunites in a rousing 2-2 draw in the second stage of the Second Division National Football League here on Tuesday. There was plenty of action deep into the second half before Gunabir Singh of Mohd Sporting initiated a move from the right flank. Goutam Naha found Sanjay Munjhi who pushed into an empty goal in the 63rd minute. BSF8217;s Harbinder Singh levelled scores in the 82nd minute 8212; his shot getting deflected off the cross-bar into goal. Harbinder struck once again for his team in the 88th minute. However, Cassius Azowino8217;s header in the 89th minute restored parity.