BANGALORE: The Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) Group 6-Indian leg of under-19 Asian Youth Football Championship will kick off at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here from August 17 to 25. Four foreign teams -- Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives and Pakistan, besides India, are in the fray. The matches will be played on a league basis and the top team will qualify for the final round along with top teams from other eight rounds, being played in different countries. The final round, including hosts Thailand, will be played later this year.

Fixtures: August 17: Bhutan vs Kyrgyzstan 4.30 p.m; India vs Maldives 6.30 p.m. August 19: Pakistan vs Maldives 4.30 p.m.; India vs Kyrgyzstan 6.30 p.m. August 21: Bhutan vs Pakistan 4.30 p.m.; Maldives vs Kyrgyzstan 6.30 p.m. August 23: Bhutan vs Maldives 4.30 p.m.; India vs Pakistan 6.30 p.m. August 25: Kyrgyzstan vs Pakistan 4.30 p.m.; India vs Bhutan 6.30 p.m.

Mahesh wins

Hyderabad:Defending champion Ramachandra Mahesh of Naval Sailing Club (NSC, Mumbai) put Tuesday's disqualification behind him and pulled himself back into contention for the Laser Standard Rig title, winning the third race of the BPL International Laser Regatta Championship at Hussain Sagar Lake here today.

In good wind conditions, Mahesh clocked 58.30 seconds, just eight seconds ahead of the hot contender for his seat, Nitin Mongia. Chip of the old block, Arjun Pradeepak of Secunderabad Sailing Club finished third.

Juniors victors

MUMBAI: Indian juniors drubbed Bermuda 3-0 to top the three team Pool G in the 10th World Junior men's team squash championship at Princeton in New York yesterday.

The Indians had beaten debutants Zimbabwe 3-0 in their opening pool tie. The Indians will now play Pool E runners-up in the knockout stage, according to information received here today.

ACUH gesture

HYDERABAD: In a rare gesture of acknowldging their invaluable contribution to the game, the Association ofCricket Umpires of Hyderabad (ACUH) has insured 62 cricket umpires for a sum of Rs 1 lakh.

The Association will bear the premium on the insurance carried out under the Janata Personal Accident Insurance Scheme of the National Insurance Company Limited, for every life member, in appreciation of the work done by them, ACUH president V S Rajan said.

Afro-Asian Games

NEW DELHI: India will host the inaugural Afro-Asian Games in 2001, secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association Randhir Singh said here today.

Singh said that the first Afro-Asian Games, with a duration of not more than 10 days to be held in New Delhi, would be limited to six disciplines including athletics, football and swimming (which are compulsory). Besides these, one discipline each will be recommended by the host continent, the non-host continent and the host organising committee.