Yogesh, Pankaj enter semis of carrom tourney

Yogesh Pardesi of Indian Oil prevailed over Zahir Ahamed of LIC in straight games to enter the semifinals of the men's singles in the All India Public Sector Carrom tournament, organised by Air India and Maharashtra Carrom Association today.
Yogesh won 25-0 25-14.
In other quarterfinal matches, Pankaj Pawar of Air India shocked former national champion M Natraj of Air India 6-25 25-6 25-9, while Mohd Gufran of Air India prevailed over teammate L Rakesh Singh 15-25 25-8 25-23 and R M Shankara snuffed out the challenge of Nishigandh Zimre of Air India 25-0 25-14.
Zimre had ousted national champion K Shrinvas 25-20 6-25 25-3 in the pre-quarters.

In women's singles quarterfinals, Kavita Somachi of Reserve Bank upset former national champion Parimala Devi of Indian Oil 25-18 25-20.
World and national champion Rashmi Kumari of ONGC comfortably defeated Khushbu Kumari of Indian Oil 25-7 25-2.

In other quarterfinals, Kajal Kumari of Indian Oil upset former world champion S Apoorva 25-20 21-25 25-17, while LIC's Deepika Sinha prevailed over Indian Oil's Sneha More 25-20 17-25 25-12.
In the men's team championship, Indian Oil defeated Reserve Bank of India 3-0 to enter the finals and would meet Air India A, who got past their B team 2-1 in the semis, in the summit contest.

In the women's team championship, Indian Oil prevailed over Reserve Bank of India 3-0 and LIC of India trounced BSNL 3-0 to enter the final.