Pune `A’ lift inter-district trophy

With the game being confined between the two 25-yard zones Pune `A’ doubled their advantage a minute before the hooter. The move was a combined move involving Shyam Sharma who scooped well for right-out Sachin Sawant who was positioned on the edge of the circle on the right. The cross which followed saw Sagar Thakur’s deflection sound the boards.

In the 44th minute of play, Vinod Kore, who came in for Mark Anthony, combined well with right-half Shyam Sharma managed to cut past substitute keeper Wahid Pathan, who replaced Shaktivellu, and score into an open goal.

The final nail was driven by Lucas Lakra in the 56th minute, again a combined effort. A first-time passing sequence by Dutta Shinde and Sagar Thakur, saw the latter put Lucas in the clear. A body dodge thereafter was enough to fix the keeper resulting in the final goal of the match.

Later, the prizes were given away by Bharat N Pandya, managing director New Ball Bearing Company the host’s of the meet.

Probables Short-listed: The Maharashra Hockey Association has short-listed 26 probables to represent the state at the 59th Senior Nationals at Hyderabad.

The selection committee was headed by the chairman Brig Adi Irani in the presence of Kumar Agalgaokar (Kolhapur), V Ellis, Benny Boodle, Harry Anthony and MA Razzak. Those selected have been asked contact Stanley D’Souza, on Tuesday at the Poligras Stadium for a three-day conditioning-cum-pruning camp, following which the team would be announced.

The Probables: (G/K) Raja Shaktivellu, Wahid Pathan (Pune), Sagar Jadhav (Kolhapur); (Full-Backs): Anil Phasge; Ganesh Mutthaiya; Silas Gaware (all Pune), Suhas Patil (Kolhapur); (Half-Backs): Ajit Lakra, Deepak Diwar, Shyam Sharma, Ravi Thyagrajan, Umesh Pulgam (all Pune), Avadoot Chougule (Kolhapur); (Forwards): Santosh Musale, Dattatarye Shinde, Sanjay Pollaya, Lucas Lakra, Vinod Kore, Kamlakar Gaikwad, Sachin Godse, Sachin Sawant, Kamlesh Oswal, Mark Anthony, Shakti Thakur (all Pune), Dhiraj Patil and Prakash Paithankar (Kolhapur).

FCI hockey from today
Holders North Zone begin their campaign in the XXVIII all-India Food Corporation of India (FCI) Inter-Zonal meet, against East Zone at the PCMC Poligras Stadium, Nehrunagar (Pimpri), on Monday.

The meet, which is a departmental tournament, will be played on a round-robin basis and will witness competition among six teams with team accumulating maximum points would be declared winner.

The teams in fray include the North-Eastern Front, North, South, East and West Zone’s apart from a team from the Headquarters (HQ). FCI Zonal Sports Promotion Committee chairman GD Sharma told reporters today, the meet assumes importance as it would be the base for selection of the all-India FCI team to participate in the ensuing senior National hockey championships to be held at Hyderabad from March 7.

Another interesting aspect highlighted was the involvement of players in the age group of 18-21 years, who are studying, picked by the FCI under its scholarship schemes who adhere to a strict selection criteria which is `to spot and groom talent, which in turn would help the country in future.’ Meanwhile, apart from cash incentives (Rs 1000 for each member of the winning team and Rs 500 for every member of the runners-up side), a special award for the `Best Player of the Tournament’ has also been kept aside. The six-day tournament will have three matches daily, beginning at 12.00 noon. Opening ceremony will be at 11.00 a.m.

Victor To lead: Victor Anthony of Pune will lead the Food Corporation of India West Zone Hockey team at the all-India Zonals.

THE TEAM: Victor Anthony (Capt), Shailendra Singh, Jasbir Singh, Rahul Bhatkar, Mohammed Rizwan, Hamidullah Khan, Syed Irshad Ali, Khalid Gayyasuddin, Farzan Ur Rehman, Mohmamed Mujahid, Mohammed Yaqub Ansari, Sudhir Kumar Prasad, Gurmeet Singh, Shawar Khan, Ahsanullah Khan. (Coach): Suhail Iqbal, (Manager): Salim Ahmed. Today’s Fixtures: West Zone v South Zone — 12.00 noon; East Zone v North Zone 1.45 p.m; Headquarters (HQ) v.