This was announced by Minister of State for Sports Ram Saroop Rama while inaugurating the 23rd Rural Sports meet group-II at Sir Chhottu Ram Stadium here today. The sports meet has been organised by the State Sports Department with the assistance of Sports Authority of India.

About 1200 players from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnatka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Orissa, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura are participating in the meet.

Rama also announced a grant-in-aid of Rs 25 lakhs for completion of Sir Chhotu Ram Stadium.

Ludhiana chess
Ludhiana: The Ludhiana District Chess Championship will be held on January 2 and 3, next year at S.D.P College for Women here. Competitions will be held in three age groups -- under-12, under-19 and seniors.

According to LDCA general secretary R. Chawla, a selection list for participation in Punjab Junior Championship would be finalised during the district meet. Entries close at 10 a.m. on January 2 on the spot.

Varsities soccer
Amritsar: THE All-India Inter-Varsity women's football championship will commence tomorrow at the Guru Nanak Dev University Sports Complex. Inder Pal Singh, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the university, will inaugurate this championship. The final will be held on January 6. Teams from 26 universities are taking part in the meet.

Invitational hockey
Pathankot: The Pathankot Sports Club is organising IX State Invitational hockey tournament at Military ground here from January 5 to 10 next year. According to organising secretary Baldev Singh Yadhurvanshi, prominent teams which taking part include Punjab Armed Police, Punjab and Sind Bank, Border Security Force, EME, Signals, Ropar Hawks, Dogra and Sikh Regiment and Phagwara Academy.

IABF plea
Shimla: The Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) has expressed its deep gratitude to the Cuban boxing coach B.I. Fernandes and attributed the success of the boxing squad at the recently concluded Asian Games to the tireless efforts made by him to train our boys for the competitive game.Rajesh Bhandari, secretary of the federation urged the Union Government to retain the Cuban coach, whose one year contract was coming to an end, till the next Olympic Games.

Title for National Club
Chandigarh: National Club won the Master Charandeep Singh Memorial shooting ball tournament beating Saini Club 15-13, 14-16, 15-19 in the final here yesterday.

Earlier, National Club had defeated Pinjore Club 15-11, 12-15, 15-12 while Saini Club had beaten Adrass Club 15-13, 11-15 in the semifinal encounters.