CHANDIGARH, JUNE 30:With rain playing spoil sports and preventing finals to be played, the organisers had no option but to declared joint winners, both in the men’s as well as women’s sections in the 30th Senior National Hosts Chandigarh and Andhra Pradesh shared the men’s trophy. Madhya Pradesh and Kerala men were announced joint runners-up.
Similarly , defending champions Punjab and Kerala women jointly got the custody of the winners’ trophy time had to had to remain satisfied with joint winners position as they share the men’s trophy with Kerala. Madhya Pradesh and Chandigarh were declared joint runners-up.
Kerala women had yesterday qualified for final as they defeated Madhya Pradesh by 3-1. This morning in the second semi-final, Punjab, who were leading 3-0 after Chandigarh had finished their third innings before rain stopped the play on Sunday, completed the formalities as they emerged 3-1 winners for a final spot. Chandigarh’s lone home run was scored by Gurpreet Kaur. Veerapal Kaur, Reena and Arshi completed one home run each for Punjab.
In men’s semi-finals, Andhra Pradesh snatched 1-0 win over Madhya Pradesh with Karunakaran scoring the lone home run for them and Chandigarh elbowed out Kerala by a solitary home run scored by Sunder in the first innings. The second and third innings produced no results. As rain prevented further play, AP and Chandigarh were declared joint winners. Madhya Pradesh and Kerala were joint runners-up.
Union Minister of State Pawan Kumar Bansal was the chief guest. The prize distribution ceremony was shifted to the PU Gymnasium. Chandigarh Softball Association president SS Dhillon, IAS, was also present on the occasion.