Gold for cyclists, India win in hockey

Dhaka, Jan. 30: Aiming for a rich medal haul, India opened their account on the second day of the 11th South Asian Games when the women’s cycling team earned a gold, while the men’s hockey team spanked an inexperienced Nepal 21-0, here on Saturday.

The Indian squash duo of Sandip Jangra and Gaurav Nandrajog also assured the country at least one medal by advancing to the semifinals.

The women’s cycling quartet of Rameshwari Devi, Suchitra Devi, Mahidha Mohan and Rejani V reigned supreme in the 30-km road team trial at the Bangladesh Krida Shiksha Pratisthan (BKSP) in Khulna to earn India’s first medal.

Pakistan had to settle for silver, while Sri Lanka earned the bronze medal.

The women’s team dominated the race from the beginning as they clocked 44 minutes 22.15 seconds, while Pakistan’s Ayesha Amin, Misbah Mushta Ali, Rahila Banu and Sidra Sadaf timed 47:04.06s.

Sri Lanka’s Lasanthi Krishna, Nilaka Shyamal, Nirushani Perera and Pushpo Rani finished third in 47:07.08s.

Meanwhile, it was complete domination by India at the Moulana Bhashani Stadium, where Ajitesh Roy led from the front banging five goals (15th, 58th, 59th, 66th and 68th minutes).

Indian forwards Yuvraj Walmiki and Mohammed Amir Khan sounded the boards thrice each after India drew first blood in the 40th second through Walmiki who went on to score two more in the ninth and 64th minutes.

Mohammed Aamir banged in three goals in the seventh, 20th and 57th minutes. Pramod Kumar, V. Raghunath and Hamza Mujtaba also chipped in with good performances.

In another round robin match, hosts Bangladesh began on a winning note beating Sri Lanka 3-1 in a tight contest. — PTI