Haryana pip HP to retain korfball trophy

Chandigarh, June 16 (UNI) Haryana had to use all their weapons to prevail over a never-say-die Himachal Pradesh by 15-14 in the final and retained the trophy in the eighth Under-17 Sub-Junior National Korfball Championship at the Panjab University Campus here today.

Himachal Pradesh proved a stubborn opponents in the final as they matched their opponents in all departments of the game. In a ding-dong battle, the teams were tied at nine-all with only 11 minutes from the close. Defending champions Haryana just managed to pip their rivals by the narrowest of margin.

Dev (4), Anju (4) and Aditya (3) were the main playmakers for Haryana. In a tough match, Monika (2), Anuj (1), Raunaq (1) were the other markmen for the winners. Seema and Sushil displayed their best performance by contributing five and four points respectively to reduce the margin for Himachal Pradesh.

Earlier, Uttanchal defeated hosts Chandigarh by 15-12 in the third and fourth position match. Shailja topscored for Uttranchal with 6 points. Mandeep and Dilbag contributed four and three points, respectivley, for Chandigarh.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda distributed the prizes.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister promised to examine Korfball Fderation of India's request made through its president M C Gupta, to set up an academy in Haryana.

He also announced a grant of Rs two lakh to the Haryana Korfball Association which would be hosting the next edition in Haryana.

Former Haryana Chief Secretary MC Gupta disclosed that Pakistan was interested to introduce this discipline. ''Correspondence with their counterparts in Pakistan are going on. Pakistan is keen to introduce this discipline. It may be introduced this year itself or next year,'' said Mr Gupta.

Results: Final: Haryana (Dev 4, Aditya 3, Anju 4, Monika 2, Anuj 1, Raunaq 1) bt Himachal Pradesh (Seema 5, Sushil 4, Babita 2, Ravi 2, Kavita) by 15-14.

For third and fourth places: Uttranchal (Shailja 6, Manoj 3, Surbhi 2, Rahul 2, Shalini 2) bt Chandigarh (Mandeep 4, Dilbagh 3, Santoshi 2, Pooja 2. Kavita 1) by 15-12.

UNI