Indian news round-up

Tendulkar signs autographs ©AFP

Former Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar inaugurated a vocational training centre for the physically handicapped in New Delhi on Friday. The training centre has been set up by Akshay Pratishthan, a voluntary trust for physically disabled and would help the the underprivileged to equip themselves with the skills to help them earn a living and pursue a decent life.

Tendulkar then took part in a social service project started by the Rotary club of Delhi Southend. He distributed sewing machines, educational kits and sports equipment to the needy. Speaking on the occasion, Tendulkar said ``As a sportsman I feel privileged to have been given so much adulation by all. Today this small association with the Rotary Organisation has given me a lot of satisfaction and happiness.''

Venkatesh Prasad, who is to lead the Karnataka side on a tour of Kenya, said that the forthcoming tour would be crucial in many respects. He said ``The entire team is looking forward to the tour. We are happy it's coming when there's hardly any cricket being played in the domestic circuit. We can make good use of this period.''

Speaking to an Indian newspaper in bangalore, Prasad said ``for many of the youngsters in the Karnataka side, it's going to be crucial to try and do their best. Our side has a good number of young talent like Mansur Ali Khan and Dodda Ganesh and experienced campaigners like Srinath, Sunil Joshi and myself. So it has the right balance.''

On the significance of the tour for himself, Prasad said ``For me, any match is important, be it Ranji Trophy, Test or One-Day International. The Kenya tour is not important to me just because I missed India's last foreign engagement.''

Members of the victorious Indian Under-15 team which won the ACC tournament in Malaysia recently, Mrigen Talukdar and his Assam team mate Palash Jyoti Das were given a warm felicitation by the Directorate of Sports in Guwahati on Friday.

Apart from the Directorate of Sports, other organisations like the Guwahati Cricket Coaching Centre, Dhubri District Sports Association and the Sports Authority of India, also honoured the players on the occasion. Apart from the numerous gifts and presentations for both the players, the director of SAI, Guwahati, Robin Bordoloi, handed over a scholarship cheque of Rs 5,400 to Palash.

Sports Minister Moidul Islam Bora, sports secretary Mrinal Kumar Baruah and former Ranji player Khirod Baishya praised the players on the occasion while sports director Nitya Nanda Borkakoty proposed a vote of thanks.

Indian legspinner Anil Kumble (4 for 23) in the company of Ormond (5 for 34) ran through the Durham line up for the second time in the match to guide Leicestershire to a massive 217 run victory over Durham in the PPP Healthcare County Championship Division One at Leicester on Friday.

Set to score 310 for a win, Durham were never in the chase as James Ormond, continuing his good form, struck at once. Then Kumble joined in the act and they ran through Durham for the second time in two days. Kumble finished with match figures of 8 for 55.