India file 8212; Pargat sets his goals

JALANDHAR: National hockey coach-designate Pargat Singh today said building confidence and the strength of the senior team would be on the ...

JALANDHAR: National hockey coach-designate Pargat Singh today said building confidence and the strength of the senior team would be on the top of the agenda when he takes up his coaching assignment with the 30 probables selected by the Indian Hockey Federation IHF. The former captain and four-time Olympic fullback said he would concentrate on improving the hitting and receiving skills of the team members.

Other areas Pargat would like to work on are improving finishing in the circle and conversion of penalty corners, which have been the Indian team8217;s achilles heel since the retirement of Rajinder Singh in early eighties, he said. Though Pargat declined to comment on the sacking of Dhanraj Pillay, Mukesh Kumar and Ashish Ballal, he seemed visibly upset over their axing.

Governor8217;s Cup

GANGTOK: Soccer giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, last year8217;s winner Air-India and Cochi FC were among the 16 teams to take part in the 19th All-India Governor8217;s Gold Cup football tournament which would commence here from October 12.

The number of participating teams had been reduced from 18 last year. While teams from Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan were expected to take part in the tournament, the organisers were also negotiating with a South Korean team, President of the Sikkim Football Association SFA, PT Gyamso said.

Award for Bhupathi

NEW DELHI: The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports announced a cash award of Rs two lakh to tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi for winning the French Open mixed doubles title.

The award will be given to Bhupathi at a special function to be organised for distribution of awards and honouring eminent sportspersons sometime towards the end of the year, an official release said.

Delhi to host

CHANDIGARH: The second Asian School Basketball Championship for boys will be held in New Delhi from November five to 12, according to School Games Federation of India Secretary General BD Gandhi.

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The selection trials to pick up probables for the national school basketball team will be conducted on August 30 and 31 at Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports, Patiala. He said the players who participated in the Faridkot and Delhi National School Games have been advised to report for trials.

Swimmer awarded

CALCUTTA: Asia8217;s first orthopaedically handicapped swimmer to cross the English Channel last month, Mohammad Masudur Rahaman Baidya, will receive a cash award of Rs one lakh from the West Bengal State Handicapped Association for achieving the 8220;rarest of the rare feet8221;.