Sport - Sports : General

Raju quits as Orissa coach

HYDERABAD: Former Test cricketer and national selector, S.L. Venkatapathi Raju, who joined Orissa Ranji Trophy as the chief coach for this season, has decided not to continue with the team after its match against Delhi recently.

Orissa has two more matches to end the season and Raju’s decision means that he will not be available for it for these games.

In an informal chat with the media at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium (Uppal) here on Thursday where he was working with Ranji discard and young left-arm spinner Lalith Mohan, Raju said that he had to leave the assignment due to personal reasons.

It may be recalled that Raju, who was also the chairman of the Hyderabad selection committee, had to quit the job because of the Orissa assignment. Now, he is back in the committee and will in all probability retain his chairmanship.

For the record, Raju is also the vice-president of Hyderabad Cricket Association.

South Central Railway (SCR) recorded a 3-1 win over Bolarum Sporting in the SAAP Budweiser Premier League football championship at the Gymkhana Grounds here on Thursday.

Railwaymen shot into lead in the 22nd minute when striker Azeem found the target after positioning himself well for a neat cross from Mozzam. In the 30th minute, Sporting defender Kiran scored a self-goal.

In the second session, Sporting reduced the margin with Quadri converting a spot kick in the 46th minute. However, Vijay scored the third goal for SCR to clinch the issue.

IBM scored a three-wicket win over State Bank of Hyderabad in the final of the SBH corporate cricket tournament at Vijayanand Gardens here. The winner got Rs 20,000 and the runner-up Rs. 10,000.

The score: HSBC 113 for eight lost to IBM 114 for seven.

Osmania University will organise inter-college championships in weightlifting, powerlifting, softball and cricket from December 15 to 18 at different venues. Contact Dr. Rajesh Kumar, secretary, ICT, OU, on Phone No. 9246529013.

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