Kicking aroundFinally, after a spate of walkovers and one-sided matches, the Institutional league championship served up some good football in the later stages. But the crucial quarter and semi-final matches were not without their quota of sore thumbs. Like, how the referee forgot to tell the captains of the semi-final clash between Food Corporation of India and ESIC that the match would first go into extra-time and then into the tie-break.An it so happened that the teams were locked goalless at the end of full time and it came as a surprise to ESIC, playing for the first time in the semi-final, that the golden goal rule would apply. Even as the crowd and the ESIC officials shouted their lungs out at the referee, FCI regrouped to pull off a narrow 6-5 win in the penalty shoot-out as the light faded and ESIC made loud noises from the sidelines about appealing for bad light.After office hoursSome more titbits from the Institutional league. Barely two minutes into the semi-final between N.Railway and Central Secretariat and the latter's 'keeper, writhing in pain after a goalline collision with Rly striker Vimal Thapa, had to be carried off the field and straight to hospital with a dislocated right knee. Now, C.Sectt were left without a custodian. But luckily for them, their second goalkeeper, Hussain, who was nowhere in the line-up, had just come from office to watch his team play the the semis. Quickly he changed, got under the bar and did quite a splendid impromptu job for the day. Meanwhile, news is that Anil, whose leg is in plaster, may be out of action at least for six months.Oriya flavourHe came, he played but he was hardly noticed. Sanjay Raul of Orissa, a former India Under-19 captain and a member of the India `A' team that toured Pakistan under Gagan Khoda two months ago, played for the Steel Authority of India in the local Lala Raghubir Singh Memorial Hot Weather tournament at the Modern School grounds. He made 20-odd runs and took a couple of wickets as his team won the match against the ONGC. But, whether he was batting, fielding or resting under the shamiana during the lunch interval, none of the handful of spectators who had turned up recognised him. And the Orissa boy had no clue then that the very next day he would be picked up for the Indian team for the final of the triangular series.But the organisers of the tournament, who were not `aware of his potential' then, are now taking credit for `contributing their share to the Indian team.'For VIPs only The Chhattrasaal Stadium at Model Town is getting a face-lift. The spectators' gallery inside the stadium is being renovated. The old moulded chairs are being replaced by sofas. The reason, according to one of the officials of the stadium, is that the VIPs (including state ministers) who visit the stadium for various functions do not feel ``comfortable in those small-size chairs.'' "It is for their benefit that sofas are being fixed,'' he said.TailpieceIt's time the Delhi Badminton Association perked up and got to work. At the recently concluded Mini State Badminton championships, the organisers were frequently overheard talking about players' rankings, but when asked about the ranking system in Delhi, they admitted that ``we do not have a ranking list.'' Not surprising, considering the measly number of junior tournaments in the state. In any case, Delhi badminton, for now, looks as gloomy as the musty innards of the IG Stadium. Top
