MUMBAI, February 28: Manish Chothrani bagged his third title of the year when he defeated Niraj Shirgaokar, 9-6, 9-5, 9-3, in the men's final of the individual events specially conducted to mark the silver jubilee of the Motilal Sanghi memorial Inter-Club squash championships and carrying a total of Rs 1.25 lakhs in prize-money at the Cricket Club of India glassback court, on Saturday.The winner of the Leela Masters and the Mukesh Babu-Indian Squash Professionals' Satellite earlier, Chothrani gained the day because of his admirable control and ability to play the key points well. Thus the rivals were level at 6-all in the first game, 4-all in the second and three-all in the third and every time Chothrani spurted ahead. Both were members of the Maharashtra team that recently won the Inter-State championships.Chothrani had a trying time in the semi-final yesterday when he was taken to five games by Paul Ferreira. Shirgaokar gained a walk-over from National champion Akhil Behl.Saturday's victory wasworth Rs 15,000 to Chothrani. Shirgaokar received Rs 7,500.Jindals' Rajesh Verma gained his second successive professionals' title. Once again he proved fitter and faster than the seasoned Chandrakant Pawar and was home at 9-1, 9-3, 9-4. Pawar made a late but vain rally from 0-4 to 4-all in the third game.While Otters players added four individual titles to their team championship triumph, representatives of Andheri Recreation Club (Deepali Anvekar, girls under-19), Willingdon Sports Club (Parneeta Chaudhari, women's), Jindals (Rajesh Verma, professionals) and Bombay Gymkhana (V Apte, over-40) won one title each.Jindals' M Verma, who put up a most gallant fight while going down to Junaid Nathani in the boys under-16 final, was adjudged the most promising player of the tournament.Results (all finals): Men's: Manish Chothrani bt Niraj Shirgaokar 9-6, 9-5, 9-3. Professionals: Raj Verma (Jindals) bt Chandrakant Pawar (Otters) 9-1, 9-3, 9-4. Over 40: Vaman Apte bt S Basu 9-0, 9-4, 9-3.CarromtourneyThe Suresh Vyayamshala and Jai Bhavani Krida Mandal, Chinchpokli, are jointly organising the late Dashrath Chavan memorial Veedol Trophy Inter-Club carrom tournament, under the aegis of the Mumbai District Carrom Association (MDCA), at the Jai Bhavani Krida Mandal Hall, Chinchpokli (E), from March 7 to 8.The Veedol Trophy and other prizes worth Rs 10,000 are being sponsored by the Tide Water Oil Company. Those interested can send their entries by March 2 (till 8 p.m.) to Balkrishna Panchal/Mangesh Chindarkar, G/3, Shrikrishna Niwas, V G Pingle Marg, Chinchpokli (E), Mumbai 400 012.
