The Tiruvallur District unit of SDAT has proposed to conduct promotion of sports and games for under-16 school children (boys and girls) in athletics (September 9 at SRF MHSS, Manali at 7 a.m.), basketball (September 7 at Infant Jesus MHSS, Manali at 7 a.m.), football (September 5 at Nazreth College at 8 a.m.), hockey (September 5 at Nazreth College at 8 a.m.), volleyball (September 5 at Nazreth College at 8 a.m.), badminton (September 6 at Velammal International School, Panchetti at 8 a.m.), table tennis (September 6 at Velammal International School at 8 a.m.), weightlifting (September 4 at Nehru Stadium at 8 a.m.), swimming (September 6 at Velammal International School at 8 a.m.).

Those interested should report to the respective venues at 7 a.m. with authorisation from the Head Master along with their proof of age.

All TNCA league matches scheduled to be played on Sunday stand postponed due to inclement weather and poor condition of the grounds.

Ian Stacker, former Australian junior coach and a representative of the Australian Basketball Resources will conduct a 21-day clinic for the senior State team for the National basketball championship. A.N. Dyaneswaran, Chairman and Chief Patron, Tamil Nadu Basketball Association, made this announcement at a press conference here on Saturday.

Stacker has many achievements; notable among them was when he guided the Australian National young men’s team to a title-win in the World championship in 1997 and again in 2001. Stacker is known for scouting talent.

“This is my first visit to India. I will be identifying the State team (from the 20 probables) for the National championship. I’ll be instrumental in laying the foundation. But first I’ll have to get a feel of the players,” said Stacker.

Dyaneswaran said TNBA is happy that Australian Basketball Resources has nominated Stacker for the clinic to our request. He further said this is the first phase of the five-year program to re-establish TN’s domination in basketball. “This is a prelude to the professional league”, Dyaneswaran added.

“With Stackers guidance, it’ll be child’s play for Tamil Nadu to win the Nationals” and he termed Stacker as a messiah.

The clinic, which was inaugurated on Saturday, will begin on Sunday.

MEG (Bangalore) emerged winner in the Babu Shankar memorial and Abhinav Trust basketball tournament for the Vinayaka Mission Trophy, which ended in Salem on Friday. Indian Navy (Pune) finished runner-up. Western Railway (Mumbai) and Vijaya Bank (Bangalore) were placed in that order at the end of the final round-robin league phase.

The results (round-robin league): MEG (Bangalore) 67 (Tinu Joseph 21, Peter John 14, Subbaiah 10) bt Vijaya Bank 54 (Roshan 14, Srinivasa Gowda 13, Srinivasa Naik 13); Indian Navy 59 (Ashish Mashi 11, Settu 18) bt Western Railway 55 (R ahul Tyagi 11, Rajendra Singh 16).