CHA honours Rajpal, Baljit, Jaswinder

Chandigarh, Sep 11 (UNI) The Chandigarh Hockey Association president Chander Sekhar today announced a cash award of Rs one lakh to the Indian team if it wins the Olympic Qualifying Hockey Tournament in Auckland, New Zealand.

Speaking at a function organised by the CHA to honour Rajpal Singh, Jaswinder Singh and Baljit Singh -- who were members of the victorious Indian team at the recent Asia Cup in Chennai -- Chander Sekhar, who is also Punjab Additional Director General of Police, said he was confident that India would win the Olympic qualifier in Auckland to book a place for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

India are clubbed with New Zealand, Bangladesh, Egypt and Ireland in the Auckland Olympic Qualifier.

Chander Sekhar also presented a cash award of Rs 10,000 each to Rajpal Singh, Baljit Singh and Jaswinder Singh.

India forward Rajpal Singh said, ''We used to hold discussions with our coach Narinder Singh Sodhi after every match.

Sodhi's tips were very useful to us. Indian coach Joaquim Carvalho is very friendly with every player and motivated us a lot.'' Goalkeeper Baljit Singh and Jaswinder Singh thanked the Chandigarh Hockey officials for providing them full support. ''We are here because of the CHA,'' they said.

Earlier, the ''Chandigarh trio'' were given a warm welcome on their arrival in the city by fans and sportspersons.

Among those present on the occasion were Olympian Harmik Singh, CHA secretary YP Vohra, CHA chairman IS Sandhu and Anil Vohra.

UNI