PAUL DECIDES AGAINST ‘B’ SAMPLE, WANTS EARLY HEARING

Top Indian goalkeeper Subrata Paul has decided to skip a confirmatory ‘B’ sample test after he returned positive for a banned substance and instead requested the NADA to arrange for early hearing of his case in view of national team’s matches next month.

Paul’s ‘A’ sample taken out-ofcompetition on March 18 tested positive for banned substance terbutaline. He was informed of it by the National Anti-doping Agency on April 24 and given seven days’ time to make a request for ‘B’ sample test and that deadline ended on Monday.

“Yes, the footballer has not opted for ‘B’ sample analysis,” said NADA director general Navin Agarwal.

According to All India Football Federation sources, instead of going for ‘B’ sample test, Paul has asked for an early hearing before the NADA Anti-disciplinary Panel.

Terbutaline, a specified substance, is a bronchodilator and is taken when people have trouble breathing or for medical condition such as asthma.

Armaan Jindal upset top-seed Ranjit Singh of Delhi 8-11, 11-7, 11-7, 6-11, 11-7 in the boys under-19 quarterfinals of the ISA Junior Squash Open here on Monday.

In the girls under-19 event, Sunayna Kuruvilla had no problems reaching the last-four stage as she thrashed B Niranjana 11-3, 11-1, 11-2.

In the boys’ under-13 event, the Paarth Ambani of Mumbai was beaten by Rohaj Arya Gondi 11-7, 6-11, 8-11, 13-11, 11-3.

PANDURANGAIAH IN QF

Top-seed Panduran gaiah edged out R Girish 4-3 to enter the quarterfinals of the R Murugesh and Chintaman Memorial All-india Snooker tournament. Kamal Chawla made the semis with a 4-1 win over Chennai’s S Shri Krishna.