Agra to host NZ table tennis

LUCKNOW: Near about 700 paddlers from different states and institutions, including almost all the national champions, would be seen in action in the North Zone National Ranking Table Tennis Championship, beginning November 3 at Agra.

This would be for the first time when Agra would be playing host of the event in the state. State government-run Eklavya stadium would be the venue of the championship. The UP Table Tennis Association has named table tennis coach Vijay Singh as the organizing secretary of the event.

UP’s Aishwarya Pathak had been the only player from the state, who could do well at the last NZ championship at New Delhi last year. She had finished runners-up in the sub-junior girls category after losing to Sagarika Mukerjee of West Bengal 3-4. “Certainly, the championship will inspire our paddlers to do well here as it would be an opportunity for them to showcase their ability before the home crowd,” Vijay Singh told HT on Friday. SHAH HOCKEY Mohd Shahid XI and Surjeet Singh XI stormed into the senior category final of the Kundan Lal Shah Memorial Seven-A-Side hockey tournament, notching up identical wins, at the CB Gupt ground here on Friday. Shahid XI defeated Jaman Lal XI by a solitary goal, whereas Surjeet Singh XI had a similar win against KD Singh Babu XI in the second semi-final.

In the junior category, Dharnaj XI had a resounding 6-1 win against Dilip Tirkey XI. Yaseen and Indrajeet shared four goals between them, whereas Alok and Arjun netted a goal each. SELECTION TRIALS Trials to pick up the state team for the Senior National Powerlifting Championship will be held on July 20 at the Eklavya Stadium in Agra. The national championship is due to be held from September 16 to 21 at Goa. The trials would be conducted in 15 weight categories, including seven for women.