Thursday, July 30, 2009

Marykom, Vijender and Sushil will get Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awards

New Delhi, July 29, 2009:
Mangte Chungenijang Marykom (women boxing), Vijender Kumar (boxing) and Sushil Kumar (wrestling) have been nominated for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awards for the year 2009.

According to a press release of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Union Government on Wednesday announced the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awards, Arjuna Awards, Dhyan Chand Awards, Dronacharya Awards and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar for the year 2009.

Normally, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given to only one sportsperson in a year. Arjuna Award is given to not more than 15, Dhyan Chand Award to not more than 3 and Dronacharya Award to not more than 5 persons. However, taking into consideration the spectacular performance of Vijender in Boxing and Sushil Kumar in Wrestling, both bronze medalists in Beijing Olympics, 2008, the Government has accepted the recommendation of the Selection Committee to confer the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award on both of them, as a special case, in addition to M.C. Marykom.

With a view to recognizing the contribution made to sports development by entities other than sportspersons and coaches, Government has instituted this year, a new award entitled Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar, which has four categories, namely, community sports development, promotion of sports academies of excellence, support to elite sportspersons and employment to sportspersons.

National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for spectacular performance in the year under consideration; Arjuna Award is given for consistently outstanding performance for three consecutive years preceding the year of award; Dhyan Chand Award for life time contribution to sports development; and Dronacharya Award for producing medal winners at prestigious international sports events in the past three years.


Apart from a medal and a citation, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardees will receive a cash prize of Rs.7.5 lakh each. Arjuna, Dhyan Chand and Dronacharya Awardees will receive statuettes, citations and cash prize of Rs.5 lakh each. The recipients of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar will receive trophy and citation.

The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on August 29, 2009. From this year, the award shall be known by the year in which it is awarded.

A large number of nominations were received for these awards this year, which were considered by two select panels of eminent sportspersons and sports administrators; one headed by Indu Puri (for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, Dhyan Chand Award and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar) and the other by G.S. Randhawa (for Dronacharya Award)

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award - 2009 :
1. Mangte Chungneijang Marykom, Boxing (Women)
2. Vijender, Boxing
3. Sushil Kumar, Wrestling

Arjuna Awards – 2009:
1. Mangal Singh Champia (Archery)
2. Sinimole Paulose (Athletics)
3. Saina Nehwal (Badminton)
4. Laishram Sarita Devi (Boxing)
5. Tania Sachdev (Chess)
6. Gautam Gambhir (Cricket)
7. Ignace Tirkey (Hockey, Men)
8. Surinder Kaur (Hockey, Women)
9. Pankaj Navanath Shirsat (Kabaddi)
10. Satish Joshi (Rowing)
11. Ronjan Sodhi (Shooting)
12. Poulomi Ghatak ( Table Tennis)
13. Yogeshwar Dutt (Wrestling)
14. Girdhari Lal Yadav ( Yachting)
15. Parul D. Parmar (Badminton, Disabled)

Dhyan Chand Awards – 2009 :
1. Ishar Singh Deol (Athletics)
2. Satbir Singh Dahya (Wrestling)

Dronacharya Awards – 2009 :
1. Pullela Gopichand (Badminton)
2. Shri Jaydev Bisht (Boxing)
3. S. Baldev Singh (Hockey)
4. Satpal ( Wrestling)

Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar, 2009 :
1. Community Sports Identification and Nurturing of Budding Young Talent: TATA Steel Ltd.
2. Financial Support for Sports Excellence: None qualified
3. Establishment and Management of Sports Academies of Excellence: TATA Steel Ltd.
4. Employment of Sportspersons and sports welfare measures: Railways Sports Promotion Board

Source: Press release from Union Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Inter-school soccer: Loyola School and DPS enter semi-finals

Patna, July 28, 2009
Loyola High School and Delhi Public School (DPS) moved into the semi-finals of Inter-school football tournament at St Michael’s School ground here on Tuesday. Loyola School wiped out St Xavier’s School 5-0 while DPS crushed St Michael’s School ‘B’ 3-0 to book berths in semi-finals.

In the semi-finals, St Michael’s School ‘A’ will take on Don Bosco Academy while Loyola School will face DPS for a place in the final.

Zeeshan Hussain opened the account for Loyola in the 7th minutes. Abhijeet increased the margin in the 14th minute. Abhinav made it 3-0 in the 27th minute while Zeeshan took the tally to 4-0 with a 36th minute burst.

At the breather, Loyola boys were leading 4-0. In the second half, Ratnesh hit the target the 49th minute to make it 5-0.

In the second match of the day, Abhijeet Kaushik scored twice (16th and 30th) for DPS in the first half. Anurag finally sealed the fate of St Michael’s School ‘B’ scoring the third and final goal of the match in the 54th minute.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Aparesh Ghosh TT: Samir wins men's singles title

Patna, July 27, 2009:
Samir Chakarvorty claimed the men’s singles title of the Aparesh Ghosh memorial table tennis tournament defeating Rahul Kumar 12-10, 11-8, 11-8, 6-11,11-4 in the final at the Bihar Young Men’s Institute here on Monday.

Rahul dished out very impressive show in the final but experienced Samir knew what to do at crucial juncture better than his opponent.


Gouresh Nishad won the cadet boys’ singles crown beating top seed Tushar Kanti 11-8, 11-9 and 11-5 in the final. Rahul Kumar got the sub-junior boys singles title outplaying Piyush D Gandhi 11-9, 11-4, 6-11 and 12-10 in a keenly contested match.

Chandra Bhushan Singh, managing director, Utsav Gas Service, Patna, who was the chief guest at closing function, gave away the prizes. Bihar Table Tennis Association secretary Mukesh Roy welcomed the guests while chief referee Sanjay Bhattacharya proposed a vote of thanks.
Photo caption: Winners of Aparesh Ghosh memorial table tennis tournament pose for a group photograph with chief guests Chandra Bhushan Singh and Bihar Table Tennis Association secretary, Mukesh Roy in Patna on July 27, 2009.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Patna Super Division soccer league: FCI pip Patna Police; BSEB hold SBI to a 1-1 draw

Patna, July 27, 2009:
Food Corporation of India (FCI) struggled to beat Patna Police 1-0 in the SP Sinha memorial Patna Super Division football league at the Patna High School ground here on Monday. In the second match at Gandhi Maidan, Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) earned a valuable point from State Bank of India (SBI) after playing a 1-1 draw.


In the FCI vs Patna Police match, the first half ended goalless. Balls were mostly confined to the midfield.

Makhan Thapa scored the match winner in the 60th minute. M Liyanbi of FCI was shown yellow card by the referee for rough play.

Bhuvaneshwar of BSEB netted the first goal of the match in the 50th minute. Trailing by a goal, SBI rejuvenated themselves and launched series of forays on rival citadel. SBI got a flag kick three minutes before the final whistle. Sunil Kumar took the flag kick and Manoj Kumar headed it nicely towards rival post. At the crunch moment, BSEB defender Irfan Alam committed a blunder by stopping the ball with his hand. The referee awarded a spotkick to SBI and Ravi Kumar did the rest (1-1). Irfan Alam was shown red card by the referee. Kabir Ali of SBI was also got the punitive yellow card for rough play.

Inter-school football: St Michael's School 'A' bounce back to beat St Xavier's School

Patna, July 27, 2009:
Despite trailing 0-1 in the first half, St Michael’s School ‘A’ dished out 2-1 victory over St Xavier’s High School in the inter-school football tournament at their home ground here on Monday. In the second match of the day, Don Bosco Academy defeated St Michael’s School ‘B’ 2-0.

St Xavier’s lads got into the act in the first half as striker Simon put St Xavier’s into the lead scoring the first goal of the match in the 10th minute (1-0).

After the breather, St Michael’s School ‘A’ boys bounced back and played like a well-knit unit to level the score. Striker Zeeshan Ali found the target in the 50th minute to equalize the score (1-1). Three minutes later, Yuvraj netted in the second goal for St Michael’s ‘A’ team (2-1).

In the second match, Don Bosco Academy were leading 2-0 in the first half. Anshuman scored both the goals in the 7th and 21st minutes respectively.

Aparesh Ghosh TT: Piyush upsets top seed Somnath to reach semis

Patna, July 26, 2009
Semi-finalists were spotted in the men’s singles event of the Aparesh Ghosh memorial table tennis championships at the Bihar Youn Men’s Institute here. Leading the pack of four were Piyush D Gandhi, Rahul Kumar, Samir Chakarvorty and Utsav Rastogi.


Piyush D Gandhi caused a major upset of the tournament defeating top seed Somnath Roy 11-9, 10-12, 11-9, 11-8 and 11-6 in an exciting quarter-final match. Second seed Kishan Raj was also shown the door by Utsav Rastogi who won the match 9-11, 9-11, 1012, 12-10, 11-7, 11-4 and 11-5 in another quarter-final showdown.

Samir Chakarvorty beat Vivek Nishad 11-3, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7 and Rahul Kumar beat Ankit Tarve 11-8, 11-7, 11-6, 12-10 to complete the semi-final line up.

Results:
Cadet boys’ singles (quarter-finals): Tushar Kanti beat Sagar Kumar 11-6, 11-9, 11-7; Ayush Kumar Bhashkar beat Aman Trivedi 11-7, 11-9, 11-9; Gaurav Nishad beat Avinash 11-9, 11-7, 11-8 and Gagan Nir beat Harish Rizavi 11-2, 11-7 and 11-7.
Sub-junior boys’ singles (quarter-finals): Piyush D Gandhi beat Avinash 11-8, 11-8, 11-5; Amit Kumar beat Rishabh 11-6, 11-6, 11-9; Gagan Nir beat Yash Anand 11-3, 4-11, 11-8, 12-10 and Rahul Kumar beat Vivek Nishad 12-10, 11-8 and 12-10.

Patna Super Division football league: Raj Milk annihilate Secretariat Sports Club

Patna, July 26, 2009
Raj Milk Football Club posted a huge 9-goal win over Secretariat Sports Club in the SP Sinha memorial Patna Super Division soccer league at the Patna High School groundhere on Sunday. In an another match at Gandhi Maidan, Civil Audit Recreation Club crushed Food Corporation of India (FCI) 5-0 to earn full points.


Raj Milk took a commanding 6-0 lead at the end of the first half.

Manmohan opened the account in the 14th minute. Sunil Patel increased the tally in the 22nd minute. Syedi made it 3-0 in 24th minute while Sulabh Rana took it to 4-0 in the 31st minute. Rana found the target again in the 34th minute to swell the lead to 5-0. Syedi score one more goal in the 36th minute to take his tally to two goals and his team Raj Milk’s tally to 6-0.

There was no respite for Secretariat team in the second half too as Sulabh Rana scored to more goals to take his individual tally to four (51st and 69th minutes) and Syedi netted the final and last goal of the match in the 67th minute to complete the victory margin 9-0.

In the second match, PS Soren (one), Tinku Lamba (two), Ranjit Kumar (one) and Mukesh Kumar (one) scored the goals for Civil Audit.



Monday, July 27, 2009

Aparesh Ghosh TT: Seeded players in 3rd round

Patna, July 25, 2009:
All seeded players including Danish, Avinash Kumar Bhashkar, Anupam, Aditya Umang, Rishabh, Deepak Kumar and Aman Trivedi stormed into the third round of the cadet boys’ singles in the Aparesh Ghosh memorial table tennis tournament at the Bihar Young Men’s Institute here on Saturday.
Results:
Cadet boys’ singles (second round): Danish beat Abranil Bhattacharya 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 11-13, 11-6; Avinash K Bhashkar beat Abhinav 11-5, 13-11, 11-6; Anupam beat Jayant 11-2, 11-6, 11-4; Aditya Umang beat Kanishk12-14, 11-9, 11-9, 11-3; Rishabh beat Akash Kumar11-3, 11-9, 11-4; Deepak Kumar beat Rohan 11-5, 13-11, 8-11, 11-5 and Aman Trivedi beat Amitabh 11-5, 11-9, 11-5.
Sub-junior boys singles (second round):
Kanishk beat Danish 11-9, 6-11, 13-11, 13-11; Avinash K Bhashkar beat Jayant 11-3, 11-2, 11-7; Abhinav beat Ayush 12-10, 7-11, 11-8, 11-3; Rishabh beat Abranil Bhattacharya11-8, 11-8, 11-9; Sagar Kumar beat Aman Trivedi 11-8, 11-6, 7-11, 11-7; Gouresh Nishad beat Rohan 11-7, 11-7, 12-10 and Rahul Kumar beat Tushar Kanti 11-7, 11-7, 11-6.
Photo caption: Danish and Rishav in action during their singles match of the Aparesh Ghosh table tennis tournament in Patna on July 25, 2009.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Inter-school football: St Michael's School 'A' post lone goal win over Loyola High School

Patna, July 25, 2009
St Michael’s School “A” fought it out a 1-0 win over Loyola High School in the inter-school football tournament at their home ground here on Saturday. In the other match of the day Don Bosco Academy held Delhi Public School (DPS) to a goalless draw.


St Michael’s School “A” striker Shanshu Kumar scored the all important goal of the match in the 30th minute of the firs half.

Earlier, Father Peter Arockiasamy, principal, St Michael’s High School, inaugurated the championship in a colourful function.
Photo caption: Don Bosco Academy and DPS boys fight to control the ball during their inter-school football tournament match at St Michael's School ground on July 25, 2009.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Seeded players move up in Aparesh Ghosh TT

Patna, July 24, 2009:
All the seeded players moved into the second round of boys and girls singles events of the Aparesh Ghosh memorial table tennis tournament at the Bihar Young Men’s Institute hall here.

Gagan Neer, Sagar Kumar, Amit Kumar, Rishitosh Kumar, Krishna Kumar, Anand Kumar, Rohan Kumar, Gauresh Nishad, Tushar Kanti, Aniket, Mayank , Raushan, Rabindra Kumar, Aditya Umang, Shubham, Abraneel Bhattacharya, Amritanshu, Shauranshu, Himanshu, Devanshu, Joseph Fernandes, Upendra Kamal and J Dicosta won their respective matches.

Earlier, Mahadev Prasad Yadav inaugurated the tournament. Sanjay Bhattacharya, TT coach, Delhi Public School welcomed the guests. Sunil Kumar proposed a vote of thanks.


Photo caption: Players are being introduced to Mahadev Prasad Yadav at the opening function of Aparesh Ghosh memorial table tennis championships in Patna on July 24, 2009.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Patna Super Division soccer league: Convincing wins for Civil Audit and Bihar Police

Patna, July 24, 2009:
Civil Audit Recreation Club and Bihar Police won their respective matches in the SP Sinha memorial Patna Super Division football league here. Civil Audit prevailed over Bihar State Electricity Board 3-0 while Bihar Police crushed Secretariat Sports Club 5-0.

At Patna High School ground, Civil Audit dominated the play. Praveen Sanjay Soren opened the account in the 10th minute. Just after five minutes Soren struck another goal to take the lead to 2-0. At the end of the first half’s play, Civil Audit were leading 2-0.


Imtyaz netted the third and the last goal of the match in the 70th minute of the game. Babloo Kumar and Imtyaz (both from Civil Audit) were shown yellow cards for rough play.

At Gandhi Maidan, Secretariat Sports Club deserted the ground after 21 minutes of play due to shortage of players. At that time Bihar Police pumped in five goals on Secretariat. Rahul Shah struck four goals for Bihar Police while Monu Lama scored one.

Patna Super Divsion soccer league: Narrow win for Civil Audit Recreation Club

Patna, July 23, 2009:
Rough play and consequent red and yellow cards were the order of the day in the Civil Audit Recretaion Club and Police Boys’ Club match of the SP Sinha memorial Patna Super Division football league here.

Four players three from winners Civil Audit and one from Police Boys club received cards. Ranjt Kumar Verma of Civil Audit got red card for misbehaving with referee Kailash Prasad. Vijay Kumar and Praveen Kumar (both from Civil Audit) were shown yellow cards. It was second yellow card for Vijay Kumar and he had to sit out in the next match of his team.
Rakesh Kumar of Police boys also got a yellow card.

Civil Audit beat Police Boys 1-0 to collect full points.

Patna Super Division football league: Big win for Bihar State Electricity Board

Patna, July 22, 2009:
The streak of defeat is over for Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB). On Wednesday when Patna witnessed longest total solar eclipse of this century, BSEB got rid of eclipse tag defeating Secretariat Sports Club by whooping margin of 10-0.

Imtyaz scored four goals for the winners. The agile striker struck in the 8th, 35th, 43rd and 88th minutes of the match. Kamal Kishore (5th), Bhuvaneshwar ( 25th, 28th and 81st) and Ramesh Kumar (38th) were the other scorers.

Patna Super Division soccer league: Imran nets a hat-trick in SBI win

Patna, July 21, 2009:
Imran Khan scored a magnificent hat-trick of goals as State Bank of India (SBI) overwhelmed Khazanchi Road Football Club 3-0 in the SP Sinha memorial Patna Super Division football league here.

Imran struck in the 35th, 60th and 70th minutes of the game. SBI were 1-0 up at the end of the first half’s play.

Two players Kausar Khan (SBI) and Arup Kumar (Khazanchi Road) were shown yellow cards for rough play by referee NK Sahani.


Photo caption: SBI and Khazanchi Road players in action during their Patna Super Division football league in Patna on July 21, 2009.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Patna Super Division soccer league: Hard-fought win for Civil Audit Recreation Club

Patna: July 20, 2009:
Civil Audit Recreation Club chalked out a fighting 2-1 win over Rainbow Football Club in the SP Sinha memorial super division soccer league at Gandhi Maidan here on Monday.

Winners were leading 2-0 in the first half.

Civil Audit Club dominated the first half play forcing their opponents on the defence. Civil Audit earned a penalty kick in the 8th minute of the game when their striker Babloo Kumar Sinha was brought down by the Rainbow defenders. Imteyaz Alam took the spot kick and did the rest (1-0).

Civil Audit Club made it 2-0 in the 24th minute when Babloo Kumar Sinha headed home off a TS Soren measured floater.

Rainbow boys bounced back in the second half and reduced the margin through Sunil Kumar (2-1). Sunil Kumar played very well and got cheering support from the crowd. This was the sixth match of Civil Audit Club and they won five and lost one.


In the second match played at the Patna High School ground, Police Boys Club beat Secretariat Sports Club 3-0. Shahbuddin Khan opened the account in the 8th minute (1-0). Vijay Kumar increased the margin in the 13th minute (2-0). Uttam Kumar completed the tally in the 65th minute (3-0).

Rajesh Kumar of Secretariat Sports Club was shown yellow card by referee Kailash Prasad for rough play. Police Boys’ Club have played seven matches and won four and lost three.
Photo Caption: Rainbow and Civil Audit players battle it out to control the ball during their Patna Super Division football league in Patna on July 20, 2009.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Patna Super Division soccer league: FCI beat BSEB

Patna, July 19, 2009
Food Corporation of India (FCI) outclassed Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) 2-0 in the SP Sinha memorial Patna Super Division football league here. It was BSEB’s third successive defeat in the league.

Sunny Kumar put FCI ahead in the 23rd minute through his solo effort. At the end of the first half’s play, FCI were 1-0 up.

In the second half, Dukhi netted the second goal in the 53rd minute for FCI to increase the tally.


Photo caption: BSEB and FCI players fight for the ball in their Patna Super Division soccer league in Patna on July 19, 2009.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Raj Milk thrash BSEB 8-0

Patna, July 18, 2009:
Raj Milk Football Club thrashed Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) 8-0 in the SP Sinha memorial Patna super division soccer league at the Patna High School ground on Saturday.

Raj Mik were leading 3-0 at the end of the first half’s play.

The match was totally a one-sided encounter as Raj Milk boys scored goals on their will. Striker Sulabh Rana (three goals, 5th, 12th and 57th minutes), Saidi (three goals, 48th, 52nd and 63rd minutes) and Indrakant (two goals, 7th and 85th minutes) were the leading scorers for Raj Milk.

In the second match at Gandhi Maidan, Khazanchi Road Football Club shared points with Rainbow Football Club after a goalless draw. SL Soren of Rainbow Club was shown yellow card by referee Harendra Prasad Yadav for rough play.

Photo caption: Raj Milk and Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) players in action during their Patna Super division football league match in Patna on July 18, 2009.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Sri Ganesh High School, Bakhtiarpur to represent Patna in Subrato Cup

Patna, July 19, 2009
Shri Ganesh High School, Bakhtiarpur, beat BN Collegiate High School 3-1 via tie-breaker in the final of the Patna district inter-school football tournament for Subrato Mukherjee Cup at the outer ground of the Moinul Haq Stadium here on Saturday.

Now, Shri Ganesh High School, Bakhtiarpur, will represent Patna in the inter-district football tournament for Subrato Mukherjee Cup.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Bihar Police outplay Police Boys


Patna, July 17, 2009
Bihar Police outplayed Police Boys’ Club 4-0 in the SP Sinha memorialPatna Super Division soccer league at the Gandhi Maidan here on Friday.

The winners were ahead by 1-0 in the first half.
Despite dominating the proceedings in the first half, Bihar Police strikers took 36 minutes to score the first goal. Rahul Shah opened the account in the 36th minute (1-0).

Shah scored one more goal in the second half (53rd minute) to take the lead to 2-0. Biren Gurung netted in the third and fourth goals in the 60th and 75th minutes to make it 4-0.

Bihar Police so far have played five matches, won four and lost one against Bihar Regimental Centre, Danapur.


In the second match at Patna High School ground, Food Corporation of India (FCI) beat State Bank of India (SBI) by a solitary goal. The all important goal came in the 47th minute through striker Sunny Kumar’s boot. Mukesh Kumar and Hansda (both SBI) were shown yellow cards by referee for rough play.

Photo caption: Bihar Police and Police Boys Club (top); FCI and SBI (bottom) players in action during their Patna Super Division soccer league matcshes in Patna on July 17, 2009.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Bihar boy Adamya claims U-14 singles title

Patna, July 17, 2009
Adamya Vikrant of Bihar clinched the boys’ under-14 singles title of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) talent series tournament defeating Ishank Ravi (Bihar) 6-4, 6-2 in the final at the Patliputra Colony courts here on Friday last.

Madhu Jaiswal of Bihar won the girls’ under-12 singles crown beating Aneema John (UP) 6-2, 7-6 (0). Vishu Prasad (Delhi) claimed the boys’ under-12 singles title defeating Shree Krishna of Bihar 6-4, 6-3 in the final.

Dr Akhouri B Prasad, secretary, Bihar Lawn Tennis Association, who was the chief guest at the closing function gave away the prizes.

Photo caption: Winners of AITA talent series tournament display their trophies in Patna on July 17, 2009.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Jharkhand girl Deepika wins gold medal in Youth World Archery


Kolkata, July 20, 2009:

Deepika Kumari of India won the cadet recurve women’s gold medal to emerge as the World champion. Sanjay Boro too won the bronze medal play-off to occupy No. 3 position in the cadet recurve men’s event of the 11th Youth World Archery Championship at Ogden (Utah) in the U.S. on Sunday.

This was the second time that India was winning a World title in archery. Palton Hansda won it for the first time in 2006 at Merida (Mexico) by winning the junior compound individual gold medal in the ninth edition of the world championship.

Dola Banerjee had emerged the champion of the World Cup in 2007 but winning the title at the World Championship was the greatest honour for an archer.
Cadet category is for archers under the age of 16 and junior category is for those under the age of 18.

Deepika, a tribal girl from Jharkhand, and a product of Tata Archery Academy at Jamshedpur, was consistent throughout the championship. The fourth-seeded Indian had scored 115 out of 120 in the quarterfinals, 112 in the semifinals and in the final she shot 115 points to beat her 10th ranked Russian opponent Sayana Tsyrempilova, who managed 109, according to information received here on Monday.

To make the day the most productive for the small Indian contingent at the venue, Sanjay Boro from Assam and seeded seventh too showed enough promise early on to win the bronze medal beating 29th ranked Antonio Hector Smith of Mexico 110-105.

In all, the 29-member Indian contingent won one gold and two bronze medals as against two silver medals in 2008 at Kundu-Antalya (Turkey). The Indian contingent had won one gold and three silver medals, by far the best haul, at Merida (Mexico) in 2006.

Deepika was unstoppable since the moment she shot her first arrow into the nine ring. The first end of thee arrows fetched her 29 points, the second end of three also earned her 29. Only in the third she shot two 9s and a 10 for 28 points but by then she had 6 point lead (86-80) going into the last end of three arrows. A 9, 10, 10 by the Indian ensured the historical finish.

Source: Indian Archery Association press release

Mumbai to host 13th SAARC carrom champioinship from August 7


Patna, July 19, 2009:

The 13th SAARC carrom championship will be held at MIG club, Mumbai from August 7 to 9. The championship is being hosted by Maharashtra Carrom Association under the auspices of All India Carrom Federation.

According to Bharat Bhushan, secretary, Bihar State Carrom Association, out of the 12 SAARC carrom championships held from the year 1997 so far, Maledives organised the event as many as eight times. India hosted the event in 2004 at Delhi and once again at Nagpur in the year 2007. Sri Lanka and Bangaladesh have organised the championship once each, in the year 2003 and 2006.

Monday, July 20, 2009

11th Youth World Archery: Indian women win bronze medal

Kolkata, July 19, 2009
India’s cadet compound women’s team, comprising Prerna Bhagat, Nilam Kumari and Sairkonda Jayalakshmi, won a bronze medal on the penultimate day of the 11th Youth World Archery Championship at Ogden (Utah), in the U.S. on Saturday.

According to information reached here, Indians beat Russian Federation 211 (28) – 211 (26) after the two combatants tied at the end of 24 arrows. In the three-arrow shoot off, India managed 28 points to Russia’s 26.

Two other Indian teams, cadet recurve men and cadet compound men, lost to superior opponents, Italy and the USA, 199-215 and 207-229, respectively.

There was strong wind during the cadet women’s compound bronze medal play-off. The two teams tied after the first three arrows. Then Russia took the lead by eight points after six arrows. India managed to come back at 76-76 after one Russian girl shot only a two in the next end. India took the lead over Russia 105-102, 159-155.

The Russians finished with an impressive 58 in their last end of six arrows. This meant India had to shoot at least a nine to win with their last arrow. With only three seconds remaining for the hooter, the last Indian archer managed only an eight to tie the Russian team at 211-211. In the shoot-off, India proved to be the stronger side and claimed the bronze medal.

The American compound cadet boys started strongly with 10-9-10-8-10-10 for 57 points in the first end. The Indians had a big issue with time management. They did not shoot their last arrow and therefore received a zero. Their intermediate score was only 43.

The Americans did not let up with ends of 58, 57, 57. The Indians did shoot well for the remainder of the match with ends of 56, 58 but they could not come back. The U.S.A. won the bronze medal 229-207.

As the wind calmed a bit down for the latter part of the morning session, the Indian cadet recurve boys had the best start and led 56-53 points. They, however, ran into some problems in the second end with only 45 points. Italy took the opportunity with a good 54 to take the lead 107-101, and later on 158-152. The Italians kept shooting strong in the last end with 10-9-10-9-10-9 to clinch the bronze 215-199.

Source: Indian Archery Association press release


Sunday, July 19, 2009

Archery: Atanu, Seema earn India quota places for 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore


Kolkata, July 18, 2009:
India earned full quota places for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games. India’s Atanu Das and Seema Verma stood second and 13th to grab the 17 places available in each category at Ogden (Utah) in the U.S. on Friday.


The Games’ qualifying tournament offered a maximum of two places, one each in men’s and women’s section, to each country. India fielded all the six junior recurve archers – three in each group – in the qualifier. Recurve bow is the only recognised archery event in Olympics. Quota places are allotted to countries and not to individual archers.


Out of 84 men and 61 women from 42 countries entered the fray, the three Indian men – Atanu Das, Pawan Xalxo and Hemanta Basumatary – did extraordinarily well. Das, who had to bow out in the quarterfinals of the Youth world meet the previous day, provided the silver-lining to India’s Youth Olympic Games’ campaign by moving into the final and ending second best. He lost to Korean Kim Woojin who led 28-24, 57-52, 85-80 and 114-109 to clinch the top place, according to information received here on Saturday.

His compatriots, Xalxo was seventh and Basumatary finished 13th. This meant all the three Indians finished within 17, but as per the rule only one quota place was allotted to India. Seema Verma managed to occupy the 13th place. Her teammates Sumita Kumari (30th) and Balemai Hansda (49th) finished way behind.


Seema eliminated two higher ranked opponents in the first two rounds and moved into top 16 where she lost to end 13th overall. By then she had ensured a berth for India.


Only 10 countries, China, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Chinese Taipei and Ukraine, managed to book full quota places. Seven more countries had one quota either in the men’s or women’s sections respectively.

Source: Indian Archery Association press release

Patna to host Bihar badminton championships from July 26


Patna, July 16, 2009:
Patna will host Bihar state badminton championship from August 26, according to KN Jaiswal, secretary, Bihar Badminton Association.

He said that all affiliated districts and institutions could take part in the championship. The last date for entry is August 12. The championship will be organised by the Patna District Badminton Association.

On the basis of the performance in the championships, Bihar teams for different Nationaltournaments would be selected, he added.

AITA talent series: Adamya, Ishank set up title clash in boys' U-14 singles


Patna, July 16, 2009:
Adamya Vikrant (Bihar) will take on his statemate Ishank Ravi in the boys’ under-14 singles final of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) talent series tournament.

In the semifinals played at the Patliputra Colony courts here onThursday, Adamya beat Vishu Prasad (Delhi) 6-4, 7-5 while Ishank defeated Venkat Siddharth (Bihar) 6-1, 6-0 to set up final showdown.

Results:
Boys’ under-12 singles (semi-finals): Vishu Prasad (Delhi) beat Ritwik Bhriguvanshi (Bihar) 6-0, 6-1; Shree Krishna (Bihar) beat Adarsh Anand (Bihar) 6-1, 6-2.

Boys’ under-14 doubles (semi-finals): Adamya Vikrant (Bihar) and Venkat Siddharth (Bihar) beat Parth Dixit (CG) and Asher John Kandahil (UP) 6-0, 6-2; Vishu Prasad (Delhi) and Shree Krishna (Bihar) beat Yash Raj Sharan (Bihar) and Anshumat Srivastav (Bihar) 6-1, 6-2.

Boys’ under-12 doubles (semi-finals): Vishu Prasad (Delhi) and Shree Krishna (Bihar) beat Nilay Mishra (Bihar) and Ankit Anand (Bihar) 6-1, 6-2; Ritwik Bhriguvanshi (Bihar) and Adarsh Anand (Bihar) beat Parth Dixit (CG) and Asher John Kandahil (UP) 6-0, 6-3.

BRC steamroller Bihar State Electricity Board

Patna. July 15, 2009:
Bihar Regimental Centre (BRC) handed a crushing 6-0 defeat on Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) in the SP Sinha memorial Patna Super Division football league here on Wednesday.

Raju Soi opened the account for BRC in the 13 minute while Arjun Tuddu made it 2-0 in the 20th minute of the game. Arjun Tuddu converted a spot kick into a goal in the 23rd minute.

At the break, BRC were leading 3-0. BRC struck three more goals in the second half to make the winning score 6-0. Pritam Bahadur netted two goals in quick succession (48 and 57th minutes). His second one was the 100th goal of the league this year. Jitan Lohar scored the last goal of the match in the 66th minute of the game to seal comeback chances of BSEB.

Krishna Singh and Mukesh Kumar (both BSEB) were shown yellow cards by the referee for rough play.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

11th Youth World Archery: Indian archers in line for one gold and four bronze medals

Kolkata, July 17, 2009

Senior National champion Deepika Kumari was the lone Indian to figure in the final of the cadet recurve women’s event of the 11th Youth World archery championship at Ogden (Utah, US).

India were also in line for four bronze medals in the individual and team events of cadet recurve men and team events of compound men and women.India drew a blank in the junior individual and team sections, according to information received here on Friday.

Deepika, who made it to the quarterfinals, continued her fine run by taking out fifth seed Miranda Leek of U.S. 115-104 before registering one of the finest victories of her fledgling career. The fourth-seeded Indian put out top seed from Korea Jeon Hun Young, 112-108, for a meeting with 10th seed from Russia Sayana Tsyrempilova in the final.

A world record equaling score was needed to subdue Sanjay Boro in the cadet recurve men’s semifinals. The seventh seeded Indian easily won against 18th ranked Turk Osman Eskici 112-101 in the quarterfinals and faced third seed Min Taehong of Korea in the semifinals.

The Korean came up with 117 that equalled Heorhiy Ivanytsky of Ukraine’s world record score set at Kundu/Antalya in 2008. Boro collapsed to 106 to concede defeat. He will challenge 29th ranked Hector Antonio Smith of Mexico for the bronze medal.

Indian cadet men’s team of Sanjay Boro, Mangal Ho and Parashan Nath, seeded fourth, will play sixth-seed Italy in the bronze medal play-off after it lost to top seed Korea 209-224 in the semifinals.

Earlier, India had beaten 13th ranked Finland 215-208 in the pre-quarterfinals and 12th ranked Mexico 213-202 in the quarterfinals.India also figured in the cadet compound men and women team bronze medal play-off matches. The sixth-seeded cadet men’s team of Sudhakar Kumar Paswan, Ritul Chatterjee and Abhyudaya Srinet will take on the top seed the U.S.A.

Earlier, India had beaten third-ranked Russian Federation 223-221 in the quarterfinals after getting a bye in the pre-quarterfinal round. India, however, lost to seventh-ranked Mexico by one point, 226-227, in the semifinals.

The fourth seeded India cadet compound women’s team consisting of Sarikonda Jayalakshmi, Prerna Bhagat and Nilam Kumari will figure in the bronze medal play-off against third seeded Russian Federation. India defeated Australia in the quarterfinals 217-215 but was buried under the world record score of 230 by top seed U.S. 230. India replied with 219.

Fifth and tenth seeds, Atanu Das and Pawan Xalxo, playing in the junior recurve men’s quarterfinals, were eliminated by 13th seed Xing Yu of China (111-113) and second seed Sung Wook Yeong of Korea (108-114).

India’s team campaign in the junior section was nothing short of a disaster. The second-seeded junior recurve men’s team (Das, Xalxo and Hemanta Basumatary) beat 15th ranked Kazakhstan 213-210 in the pre-quarterfinals but went down to seventh-seeded Great Britain 215-221.

The junior women’s team consisting of Balemai Hansda, Seema Verma and Sumita Kumari, ranked a lowly 14th, was beaten by third-seeded Ukraine 184-211.

Though ranked 10th, the junior compound men’s team of Arjun Rao, Sanjay Swansi and Ksh. Nikon Singh were no match to 10th ranked Belgium 219-224 in the pre-quarterfinals. The fifth ranked women’s team too fell in the first hurdle losing to fourth-seeded Italy 212-217.

The fifth-ranked Indian cadet recurve women’s team, with Deepika Kumari, Padyawati Sardar and V. Sharadha in the side, lost to 12-ranked Poland in the first round at 204-209.

Source: Indian Archery Association press release


AITA talent series: Anshuman, Adarsh in Q-F

Patna, July 14, 2009:
Two Bihar boys Anshuman Srivastav and Adarsh Anand moved into the quarter-finals of the boys’under-12 singles in the All India Tennis Association (AITA) talent series tournament at the Patliputra Colony tennis court here on Tuesday.


Three more Bihar lads Anish Anupam, Ishank Ravi and Shree Krishna stormed into the boys’ under-14 quarter-finals. Vishu Prasad (Delhi) and Rajat Tripathi (MP) also booked their appointed place in the quarter-finals.

Results:
Boys’ under-14 pre-quarter-finals:
Anish Anupam beat Nilay Mishra 6-1, 6-2; Ishank Ravi beat Aditya Vardhan Bhardwaj 6-0, 6-0; Shree Krishna beat Snehil Aryan 6-0, 6-0; Vishu Prasad beat Osho 6-0, 6-0 andRajat Tripathi beat Ritwik Bhriguvanshi 6-1, 6-1.
Boys’ under-12 singles (pre-quarter-finals):
Parth Dixit (Delhi) beat Nilay Mishra (Bihar) 6-0, 6-0; Anshuman Srivastav (Bihar)beat Aditya Vardhan Bhardwaj (Bihar) 6-0, 6-1 and Adarsh Anand (Bihar) beat Raman Ayush (Bihar) 6-0, 6-0.



BRC toy with Police Boys' Club


Patna, July 14, 2009
Bihar Regimental Centre (BRC) proved too strong handing a 4-0 defeat on Police Boys’ Club in the SP Sinha memorial Patna Super Division soccer league at Gandhi Maidan here on Tuesday.
BRC were leading 2-0 in the first half.


BRC got off to flying start with Jitendra Lohar opening the account in the eighth minute (1-0). Raju Soi swelled the lead one minute before the breather (2-0).

BRC played in a clinical fashion in the second half and pumped in two more goals. Neeraj Guria scored the third goal for BRC in the 51st minute (3-0). Arjun Tudducompleted the tally in the 62nd minute (4-0).

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Yonex-Sunrise to sponsor World badminton championships to be held in Hyderabad from August 10

New Delhi, July 15, 2009
World's No.1 Badminton brand Yonex and its international Distributor for South East Asia including India, Sunrise & Co. Pte Ltd have come together to present the first ever BWF World Championship 2009 to be held in Hyderabad from August 10-16.

Organized by the Badminton World Federation and Badminton Association of India in association with YONEX-SUNRISE, this is the first time ever for India to be hosting a World Championship event for an Olympic sport in over 20 years. Amongst the leading international players Taufik Hidayat (Indonesia), Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia), Peter Gade (Denmark), the Indian sensation Saina Nehwal will be participating in the tournament.

It will see approximately 500 participants from 45 countries including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Denmark, Japan, China, Sweden, Vietnam, England, Korea, France, Austria, Belgium and Thailand vying for the top honors.


"It is a privilege for us to be organizing the World Championship and indeed a great landmark event for it to be held in India. Yonex, the World's No.1 badminton brand has a major role in promoting and fostering talent in the sport internationally and it is only with their support and contribution together with the participation of Sunrise Sports that this huge opportunity has been made possible.” said V. K. Verma, president, Badminton Association of India,

He also acknowledges significant support received from the Ministry of Sports, Government of India In promoting this event.

D. K. Seth, MD, Sunrise & Co. (Pte) Ltd, said, “The World Championship is a tournament where the best players of the world get to compete for the ultimate honor and being associated with such an event is a matter of pride for us. We strongly believe in providing the best equipment and support for nurturing young talent in badminton and this year's BWF World Championship 2009 will be a great platform for some of them to showcase their talent in an international arena. Team India will be coached by the veteran badminton player, Pulella Gopichand and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing some super performances.”

The draws for the championship 2009 will be announced on July 21 at Hotel Taj Palace in the presence of Dr.M.S.Gill, Union Sports Minister, Suresh Kalmadi, president, Indian Olympic Association, Mike Fennell, president, Commonwealth Games Federation, Sindhushree Khullar, secretary (Ministry of Sports), Paisan Rangsikitpho, deputy president, Badminton World Federation and D.K.Seth, Managing Director Sunrise & Co, Pte Limited and V.K.Verma, president, Badminton Association of India.

Men and women singles, doubles and mixed doubles events will be organised in the championships.


Source: Business Wire India press realease




Youth World archery: Atanu brings cheers in Indian camp

Ogden, Utah (US), July 14, 2009
Indian men’s junior recurve team brought cheers in the Indian camp in an otherwise mixed day for the 29-member Indian team at the 11th Youth World archery championship here on Monday.


Amid the dominating displays by Korea (recurve) and hosts United States (compound) categories of the junior section , Atanu Das of Bengal, now with Tata Archery Academy, stood fifth overall in the individual qualification with a total of 1294 points after each archer shot 36 arrows each over four distances: 90m, 70, 50 and 50m for a total of 144 arrows.


Pawan Xalxo of Jharkhand was placed overall 10th with 1279 while the third Indian Hemanta Basumatary of Assam was 28th with 1249. The three combined to give India a total of 3822 points that earned India a creditable second place in the team qualification ranking behind Korea (4018). The second ranked India will take on 15th ranked Khazakstan in the first round of team elimination.
Korea swept the top three spots. Ukraine, as a team, took the third place behind India.Indian archers, who are expected to do well in recurve bow section, was in for a shock with the junior women falling flat on the face. The three, Balemai Hansda (1224), Seema Verma (1210) and Sumita Kumari (1187), ended 38th, 44th and 53rd respectively. The team total of 3621 gave India the 14th place in a 16-team field. India’s first round opponent will be third placed Ukraine. Korea (4040), China (3950) and Ukraine (3837) were the top three teams.


Indian junior men compound trio of Arjun Rao (1330, 24th), Ksh. Nikon Singh (1317, 31st) and Sanjay Swansi (1313, 34th) earned India an overall seventh postion with a total of 3960 points. The U.S.A. topped the field with 4072. India will play 10th ranked Belgium in the first round.

The junior women compound team seemed to have fared a little better occupying fifth position. But the fact was there were only five teams and India ended last. Priyanshu Kachhap (1297, 21st), Asrita Kerketta (1292, 22nd) and Kiran Majhi (1254, 24th) gave India a total of 3843 points.

Korea completely dominated the Recurve qualifications, taking the first three spots, both in the men’s and women’s divisions. In the Compound Men and Women’s divisions, the United States earned the top spot as a team and in the individual ranking, with Ben Cleland and Samantha Pruitte finishing first.

Recurve Junior Men:

Korean men swept the first three spots of the qualifications. Jang Chaehwan took the lead with 1344 points, followed by his compatriots Sung Wookyeong and Kim Woojin, who scored 1339 and 1335 points respectively to take 2nd and 3rd places. Defending World Junior Champion Luca Melotto of Italy finished 19th.

In the team competition, Korea was unbeatable, taking first place with 4018 points, more than 200 points ahead of the other nations. India held the 2nd-place and Ukraine took 3rd-place. The Australians, who were 3rd after the morning session, fell to 6th. Disappointing performances came from the USA, 12th, Poland (13th), Germany (18th) and especially Russia, only finishing 24th.

Recurve Junior Women:

Once again it was a clean sweep for Korea. Han Gyeonghee (Korea) was brilliant in both the morning and afternoon sessions. She ranked 1st after the long distances and was able increase her lead to 15 points, finishing the qualifications with 1358. Of the two other archers from Korea, Lee Yujin was 2nd with 1343 points and Yu Jangmi 3rd, scoring 1339. Yuliya Zakharchenko (UKR) finished 4th, followed by two Chinese girls, Zhu Jiani and Lu Siyi. These results confirm the Asian and Eastern European countries domination in the Recurve category.

Korea achieved the highest score of all nations with 4040 points, ahead of China and the Ukraine. A surprising result came from the Netherlands who achieved a great result as a team, placing 5th. Disappointing performances came for Italy (12th) , India (14th), Germany (16th) and the United States (17th).

Compound Junior Men:

In this category Ben Cleland (USA), who already had the best score in the long distances, was first in the short distances as well. Francisco Javier Valverde (Spain) placed 2nd, while Puerto Rico’s Jean Pizarro got the 3rd place. Angel Ramirez and Luis Martin Alfaro from Mexico, respectively 2nd and 3rd after the morning session, finished in 6th and 5th place. Overall it was a great performance for the South American countries, who placed 4 athletes in the first 6 individuals.

Mexico confirmed its progression by taking 2nd place in the team ranking behind the United States (3rd place went to Italy).

Compound Junior Women

Samantha Pruittee (USA) continued her qualifications with an impressive display, shooting a total of 1387 points. Her compatriot Kendal Nicely was steady in 2nd place, scoring 1370. Inge Van Caspel (Ned) gave a great performance to finish 3rd, an exceptional result for the Netherlands. Jorina Coetzee from South Africa, who had been 3rd halfway through qualifications, fell to 6th.

Source: Indian Archery Association press release

Bihar Police struggle to beat Patna Police


Top: Rainbow and State Bank of India (SBI) players fight to control the ball in the Patna Super Division football league on July 13, 2009.
Bottom: Bihar Police and Patna Police players in action during their Super Division league mtach.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Patna, July 13, 2009
Bihar Police earned a lone goal win over Patna Police in the SP Sinha memorial Patna Super Division football league at the Patna High School ground here on Monday.
Striker Somo Lamba struck the winning goal in the 38th minute. Patna Police got an golden opportunity to equalize when they were awarded a penalty kick in the 70th minute. Anmol David missed the target.

Later the clash of two police teams turned volatile as players were indulged more or body play rather than ball. SB Limbu and Dhirendra Gurung both from Bihar Police were shown yellow cards for rough play.

In the second at the Gandhi Maidan, Rainbow Football Club held State Bank of India (SBI) to a 1-1 draw. Sanjit Kumar drew the first blood for SBI in the 9th minute. Sujit Kumar equalised the lead in the 23rd minute (1-1).

AITA talent series: Two Bihar players in U-12 boys' singles quarter-finals


Patna, July 13, 2009
The second edition of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) talent series tournament for U-12 and U-14 boys and girls began at the Patliputra Colony tennis courts here on Monday.

Two Bihar players Ritwaik Bhriguvanshi and Shree Krishna moved into the boys’ under-12 singles quarter-finals winning their respective matches without facing much difficulty.

In the boys’ singles under-14 category Yash Raj Sharan of Bihar entered the quarter-finals defeating Anshumat Srivastav (Bihar).

Results:
Boys’ under-12 (pre-quarter-finals): Vishu Prasad (Delhi) bt Ankit Anand (Bihar) 6-1, 6-1; Asher John Kandahil (UP) bt Ahbar Alam (Bihar) 6-0, 6-1; Ritwik Bhriguvanshi (Bihar) bt Snehil Aryan (Bihar) 6-0, 6-0 and Shree Krishna (Bihar) bt Nihal Singh (Bihar) 6-0, 6-0.

Zaidi nets a hat-tirck in Raj Milk win

Patna, July 12, 2009
Striker Shahid Zaidi is back in form for Raj Milk Football Club. The ace club of the Patna football league had failed to unite as a combined team in their earlier encounters. But the Sunday was different. Shrugging off their earlier mediocre performance, Raj Milk trounced Police Boys’ Club 4-1 to ear full points in the SP Sinha memorial Patna Super Division football league here.

Ace marksman Shahid Zaidi scored a brilliant hat-trick in the emphatic Raj Milk win. Zaidi opened the account in the very 10th miniute of the match and scored two goals in the 16th and 20th minutes to complete his hat-trick. Rajan Kumar reduced the margin in the 44th minute for Police Boys’ Club (3-1). Manmohan Singh increased the tally in the 68th minute (4-1).

In the second match at the Gandhi Maidan, Food Corporation of India (FCI) humiliated Khazanchi Road Football Club 6-0.

Priya helps Bhojpur clinch Savitri Devi Trophy


Patna, July 12, 2009
Priya Kishori made an unbeaten 60 to help Bhojpur win Savitri Devi memorial women cricket tournament title crushing Patna by six wickets in at the PMCH ground here on Sunday.


Batting first Patna scored 99 for six wickets in 20 overs while Bhojpur chased the target losing only four wickets on the way. Priya Kishori of Bhojpur was declared woman of the match.

Brief scores:
Patna: 99 for six wickets in 20 overs(Kumkum 20, Ruby 20, Poonam 18, Anamika 1/7, Tanya 1/16).
Bhojpur: 100 for 4 wickets in 15.3 overs (Tanya 16 not out, Priya 60 not out, Babby 2/26,Anuradha 1/19).

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

7th Inter-Zone National carrom: Rashmi upsets world champion Illavazhaki to win singles title

Patna, July 12, 2009
Rashmi Kumari of BSNL (Patna) won the women’s singles title of the 7th Inter-Zone National carrom championship in Siliguri (West Bengal) on Saturday. Rashmi displayed a splendid performance to outplay the reigning World Champion I.Illavazhaki of South Zone.

According to information reached here, Rashmi didn’t give any chance to her arch-rival Illavazhaki to win the mach in straight two games 15-04, 09-05.

In the men’s single event, lesser-known and unseeded Pankaj Pawar of West Zone defeated current World Champion Yogesh Pardeshi of Institution in straight two games 17-14, 09-06 to win the coveted men’s crown.


Pankaj scored a White Slam in the first game to upset top seed of the tournament Yogesh.
Results:

Men’s team championship: 1st place - Institution; 2nd place – South Zone; 3rd place – North Zone.

Women’s team championship: 1st place – South Zone; 2nd place – North East Zone; 3rd place – North Zone.

Women’s singles: Quarter-finals: I.Illavazhaki (South Zone) beat Fareen (North Zone) by 2-0. G.Revathy (South Zone) beat A.Poonarasi (South Zone) by 2-0.M.Parimala Devi (South Zone) beat O.Memthoi (North East Zone) by 2-0.Rashmi Kumari (Institution) beat Barsha Baruah (North East Zone) 2-1. Semi-finals: I.Illavazhaki (South Zone) beat G.Revathy (South Zone) by 2-0. Rashmi Kumari (Institution) beat M.Parimala Devi (South Zone) 2-0.
Final: Rashmi Kumari (Institution) beat I.Illavazhaki (South Zone) by 2-0.


Women’s singles standings: 1st place: Rashmi Kumari (Institution); 2nd place : I.Illavazhaki (South Zone); 3rd place: M.Parimala Devi (South Zone).


Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals: Yogesh Pardeshi (Institution) beat L.Surya Parakash (South Zone) by 2-0; R.Kubern (South Zone) beat Prakash Gaikwad (Institution) by 2-1; Pankaj Pawar (West Zone) beat Nitin Meshram (West Zone) by 2-0; B.Radhakrishnan (South Zone) beat Sandeep Deorukhkar ( Institution ) 2-0. Semi-finals: Yogesh Pardeshi (Institution) beat R.Kubern (South Zone by 2-0; Pankaj Pawar (West Zone) beat B.Radhakrishnan (South Zone) 2-0.

Final: Pankaj Pawar (West Zone) beat Yogesh pardeshi (Institution) by 2-0.

Men’s singles standing: 1st place: Pankaj Pawar (West Zone); 2nd place: Yogesh pardeshi (Institution); 3rd place: B.Radhakrishnan (South Zone).

File Photo: Rashmi Kumari

Bihar make clean sweep in East Zone carrom championships in Siliguri

Patna, July 12, 2009
Bihar made a clean sweep in 9th East Zone and inter-state carrom championship in Siliguri (West Bengal). Bihar won the men’s team championship, women’s team championship and women singles titles.

According to infromatin reached here, Bihar also won second positions in the boys’ and girls’ singles in junior section.

Results
Men’s team championship: 1st place – Bihar; 2nd place - U.P; 3rd place - Bengal
Round Robin league: Bihar beat Orissa 2-1; Bihar beat Chhattishgarh 2-1; Bihar beat U.P 2-1; Bihar beat Jharkhand 2-1; Bihar lost to Bengal 1-2

Women’s team championship: 1st place – Bihar; 2nd place - U.P ; 3rd place - Bengal
Round Robin league: Bihar beat Orissa 3-0; Bihar beat Chhattishgarh 3-0; Bihar beat U.P 3-0; Bihar beat Bengal 3-0.
Women’s singles:
Quarter-finals: Kajal (Bihar) beat Gujan (U.P) 2-0; Guria Rani Singh (Bihar) beat Khusbu (Jharkhand) 2-0; Dipika (Bihar) beat Suman (U.P) 2-0; Archna (Bihar) beat Khusbu Karn (Bihar) 2-1.

Semi-finals: Kajal (Bihar) beat Archna (Bihar) 2-0; Guria (Bihar) beat Dipika (Bihar) 2-0.
Final: Guria Rani Singh (Bihar) beat Kajal (Bihar) 2-1.

Women’s singles standings:
1st place –Guria Kumari Singh (Bihar); 2nd place – Kajal Kumari (Bihar); 3rd place - Dipika Sinha(Bihar)

Men’s singles results: 1st – Md. Oves (U.P.); 2nd – Md. Farooque (Chhattisgarh)3rd – Jalaj Kr. (Bihar).
Junior boys' final: Umar Tanveer (U.P) beat Pawan (Bihar) 2-0
Results: 1st – Umar Tanveer (U.P.); 2nd – Pawan Kr.(Bihar); 3rd – Chandan Choudhary(Bengal)Junior Girls’ final: Kajal Singh (Bengal ) beat Bibha (Bihar) 2-1
Results: 1st – Kajal Singh (Bengal); 2nd – Biva Kumari (Bihar); 3rd – Neha Kuamri (Bihar)

Monday, July 13, 2009

Lone goal win for Bihar Police

Patna, July 11, 2009
Bihar Police struggled to beat Food Corporation of India (FCI) by a solitary goal in the SP Sinha memorial Patna Super Division soccer league at the Patna High School ground on Saturday.

First half of the play ended in goalless draw. Navin Thapa scored the match winner in the 69th minute of the match.

In the second match at Gandhi Maidan, Rainbow Football Club beat Secretariat Sports Club 1-0. Vikas Kumar shot the match winner home in the 65th minute.
Photo caption: Bihar Police (in blue) and FCI players in action during their Patna Super Division football league match in Patna on July 11, 2009.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Patna to host Bihar U-13 chess

Patna, July 11, 2009
Bihar State under-13 (boys & girls) chess championships will be held here at Youth Hostel hall from August 2, according to Rakesh Ranjan, joint-secretary, All Bihar Chess Association.

The last date for entry is July 27. Interested players may contact Arvind Kumar Sinha, secretary, All Bihar Chess Association for entry and other details.

Dhyanchand throwball from August 26

Patna, July 11, 2009
The 14th Dhyanchand throwball championship will be held here from August 26, according to Niraj Kumar Pappu, secretary, Throwball Association of Bihar.


He said interested teams might contact the office of the Throwball Association of Bihar for entry and other details. The final match of the championship will be played on August 29 on the occasion of “Khel Diwas”, the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyanchand.

AITA talent series: Grand double for Vishu

Patna, July 11, 2009

It was Vishu Prasad’s day at the Patliputra Colony tennis courts here on Saturday. The Delhi lad played brilliantly to win a grand double in the All India Tennis Association (AITA) talent search series tournament. Vishu claimed the under-12 boys’ singles and doubles titles to make it a grand double.

Vishu notched up a facile 6-3, 6-2 victory over Shree Krishna of Bihar to win the boys’ under-12 singles title. Partnering with Shree Krishna, he later claimed the U-12 boys’ doubles title defeating the UP pair of Surya Singh and Praduman Budhiraja in the 6-2, 6-2.


Bihar combination of Adamya Vikrant and Venkat Siddharath clinched the boys’ under-14 doubles title beating Vishu Prasad (Delhi) and Shree Krishna (Bihar) 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 in grueling final. Saarthak Mehta of MP won the boys' U-14 singles crown defeating Adamya Vikrant (Bihar) 6-2, 7-5.


Sunday, July 12, 2009

Civil Audit trounce Raj Milk 3-1

Patna, July 10, 2009
Civil Audit Recreation Club continued to put impressive show in the SP Sinha memorial Patna Super Division football league as in a business-like fashion on Friday they prevailed over Raj Milk Football Club 3-1 at Gandhi Maidan here.


Civil Audit Club strikers shot all the necessary winning goals in the first half and took 3-0 lead.

The first goal of the match for Civil Audit came through a spot kick in the 15th minute of the game. Ranjit Kumar shot home to put his side 1-0 up. Babloo Kumar Sinha scored the second and third goals of the match in the 35th and 38th minutes respectively (3-0).

Raj Milk Football Club fought well in the second half. Raj Milk strikers raided rival territory umpteen times but poor finish came into their way. Raj Milk finally broke the jinx through a penalty kick in the 85th minute of the match. Ola took the spot kick to beat Civil Audit Club custodian (3-1).

The game, however, was marred by some rough tackles from both the sides. Md Afzal and Nadir Parvez of Raj Milk FC and Ranjit and Babloo Kumar Sinha of Civil Audit Club were shown yellow cards by referee.

In the second match, State Bank of India (SBI) held Patna Police to a 1-1 draw at the Patna High School ground. At the end of the first half both the teams failed to break the deadlock.

SBI striker, Navin Tudu found the target in the 53rd minute (1-0) while Chhote Sil equlalised the score in the dying moments of the match (1-1). Rajesh Kumar of Patna Police was shown yellow card by referee for rough play.
Photo caption: Raj Milk striker Ola attempts to head the ball during their Patna Super Division football league match against Civil Audit Recreation Club in Patna on July 10, 2009.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Manish to lead Bihar baseball team

Patna, July 10, 2009
Manish Kumar will lead a 16-member Bihar team in the sixth East Zone baseball championship to be held at Cuttack from July 12, according to Ajay Narayan Sharma, secretary, Baseball Association of Bihar.


Team: Manish Kumar (captain), Ravi Rai (vice-captain), Vijay Kumar, Bipin Kumar, Md Saifullah, Piyush Kumar, Deepak Kumar, Sunny Saurav, Pawan Kumar, Raushan Kumar, Vishnu, Raushan, Chandragupta, Harinath, Rahul and Vivek. Manager: Ajay Dubey. Coach: Rajeev Ranjan.
Photo caption: Members of the Bihar baseball team pose for a group photograph in Patna o July 10, 2009 before leaving for Cuttack to play East Zone championships.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

BRC too strong for Khazanchi Road

Patna, July 9, 2009
Bihar Regimental Centre (BRC), Danapur steamrollered Khazanchi Road Football Club 8-0 in the SP Sinha memorial Patna Super Division soccer league at the Gandhi Maidan here on Thursday.
Armymen took invincible 5-0 lead at the end of first half’s play.

BRC striker, Pritam Bahadur netted in five goals including a brilliant hat-trick. This was the third hat-trick in the league.


Jitan Lohar began the onslaught in the very ninth minute of the game beating the rival goalkeeper through his powerful shot (1-0). Pritam Bahadur increased the lead scoring two goals in quick successions. He struck in the 14th and 18th minutes (3-0).

Birju Tudu shot home fourth goals in the 25th minute (4-0). Pritam Bahadur made it 5-0 in the 35th minute.

After the breather, Pritam Bahadur completed his hat-trick scoring sixth and seventh goals in the 53rd and 62nd minutes of the match. Pradeep made it 8-0 in the 80th minute.

Khazanchi Road boys could not do much save to collect some rich experience against the speed and skill of their fancied rivals.
Photo caption: BRC and Khazanchi Road players pose for a group photograph before the start of their Patna Super Division legaue match in Patna on July 9, 2009.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

AITA talent series: Vishu Prasad, Shree Krshina storm into boys' U-12 singles semi-finals

Patna, July 9, 2009
Playing consistent tennis Vishu Prasad of Delhi and Shree Krishna of Bihar booked their appointed place in the boys’ under-12 singles semi-finals of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) talent series tournament at the Patliputra Colony courts here on Thursday.

Praduman Budhiraja (AP) and Yugal Bansal (Delhi) also made the same grade in this section.

Results:
Boys’ under-12 (quarter-finals):
Shree Krishna beat Zain Zafar (Bihar) 6-1, 6-1; Vishu Prasad beat Akshat Agrawal (WB) 6-2, 6-2; Praduman Budhiraja beat Manak Kashyap (Delhi) 6-4, 6-4 and Yugal Bansalbeat Nilay Mishra (Bihar) 6-3, 6-3.
Boys’ under-14 singles (quarter-finals):
Adamya Vikrant (Bihar) beat Akshat Agarwal (WB) 6-3, 6-3; Vishu Prasad (Delhi) beat Ritwik Bhriguvanshi (Bihar) 6-0, 6-0; Shree Krishna (Bihar) beat Rahul Meena (Rajasthan) 6-3, 6-3 and Saarthak Mehta (MP) beat Venkat Siddharth (Bihar) 6-1, 6-1.
Boys’ U-14 doubles (quarter-finals):
Shree Krishna (Bihar) and Vishu Prasad (Delhi) beat Surya Singh (UP) Pushkarditya Sinha (UP) 6-0, 6-1. Praduman Budhiraja (AP) and Anish Anupam (Bihar) beat Osho (Bihar) and Zain Zafar (Bihar) 6-0, 6-1.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Bihar Police crush Rainbow 8-0

Patna, July 8, 209
Bihar Police hammered Rainbow by eight goals to nil in the SP Sinha memorial Patna Super Division football league here on Wednesday. In the other match of the day, Raj Mlik were held to a 0-0 draw by Patna Police.

At Patna High School ground, Bihar Police took the command of the match very start of the match and got 4-0 lead at the end of the first 45-minute of the play.

In the second half, Bihar Police cornered their rivals and pushed four more goals to take their tally to 8-0. Mohamamd Shahid (3rd), Pankaj Kumar (20th, 54th ), Rahul Shah (56th and 70th), Rajshekhar (33rd), Debabshish Roy (38th) and Naushad Ahmad (79th) scored for Bihar Police.

In the second match, Patna Police and Raj Milk played a lackluster draw.


Photo caption: Patna Police and Raj Milk players battle to control the ball during their Patna Super Division football league match on Wednesday.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

AITA talent series: Adamya, Ritwik enter boys' under-14 singles quarter-finals

Patna, July 8, 2009
Adamya Vikrant and Ritwik Bhriguvansi of Bihar moved into the quarter-finals of the boys’ under-14 singles in the All India Tennis Association (AITA) talent series tournament at the Patliputra Colony courts here on Wednesday.

Adamya Vikrant edged past Pushkaraditya Sinha (UP) 6-3, 6-3 while Ritwik Bhriguvanshi outplayed Gagan Gupta (Rajasthan) 6-1, 6-2 in pre-quarter-final matches.

Results:
Boy’s U-14 pre-quarter final (singles):

Adamya Vikrant (Bih) beat Pushkaraditya Sinha (UP) 6-3, 6-3; Pradumn Budhiraja (UP) beat Yugal Bansal (Dli) 6-1, 6-2; Rahul Meena (Raj) beat Rajat Tripathi (MP) 6-2, 6-3; Vishu Prasad (Dli) beat Surya Singh (UP) 6-0, 6-1; Ritwik Bhriguvanshi (Bih) beat Gagan Gupta (Raj) 6-1, 6-2; Venkat Siddharath (Bih) beat Siddhant Raj (Bih) 6-0, 6-0; Shree Krishna (Bih) beat Zain Zafar (Bih) 6-0, 6-1; Saarthak Mehta (MP) beat AnishAnupam (Bih) 6-0, 6-1.

Boy’s U-12 pre-quarter final (singles):
Shree Krishna (Bih) beat Ankit Anand (Bih) 6-0, 6-1; Vishu Prasad (Dli) beat Surya Singh (UP) 6-0, 6-0; Zain Zafar (Bih) beat Ahbar Alam (Bih) 6-0, 6-0; Manak Kashyap (Dli) beat Raman Ayush (Bih) 6-1, 6-2; Akshat Agrawal (WB) beat Aditya Bhardwaj (Bih) 6-1, 6-1; Nilay Mishra (Bih) beat Naved Ahmed (Bih) 6-3, 6-3; Yugal Bansal (Dli) beat Anurag Prateek (Bih) 6-0, 6-0.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

AITA talent series: Six Bihar players move into second round


Patna, July 7, 2009
After a breather of about 10 days, the clay courts of the Patliputra Colony Tennis Club came alive with the kids striking the ball by their racquets as hard as possible. It was another tournament of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) talent series that began on a sound note. The tournament is being organised by Bihar Lawn Tennis Association.

As the day progressed, the first day of tournament saw Six Bihar players sailed into the second round of the boys’ under-12 and 14 sections. Ahbar Alam of Bihar was the first to enter the second round defeating Nihal Singh (Bihar) 6-2, 1-6, 6-4.


Results:
Boys’ under-12 singles (first round):
Ahbar Alam (Bihar) beat Nihal Singh (Bihar) 6-2, 1-6, 6-4; Raman Ayush (Bihar) beat Arbab Alam (Bihar) 6-3, 6-2 and Naved Ahmed (Bihar) beat Yuvraj Abhishek (Bihar)6-0, 6-1.

Boys’ under-14 singles (first round)
Pushkarditya Sinha (UP) beat Ankit Anand (Bihar) 6-1, 6-2; Pradumn Budhiraja (AP) beat Manak Kashyap (Delhi) 7-5, 3-6, 6-2; Rajat Tripathi (MP) beat Akshat Agrawal(WB) 6-0, 6-3; Surya Singh (UP) beat Naved Ahmed (Bihar) 6-0, 6-0; Sidhant Raj (Bihar) beat Shahbaz Ahmed (Bihar) 6-0, 6-0; Zain Zafar (Bihar) beat Osho (Bihar) 6-1, 6-2 and Anish Anupam (Bihar) beat Aditya Bhardwaj (Bihar) 6-2, 6-2.

Big win for Civil Audit Recreation Club

Patna, July 7, 2009
Civil Audit Recreation Club recorded a big 9-1 win over Khazanchi Road Football Club in the SP Sinha memorial Patna Super Division soccer league at the Patna High School ground here on Tuesday.
Civil Audit took a commanding 4-0 lead at the end of the first half’s play.

All the strikers of the Civil Audit were on goal scoring spree. They did not give much breathing space to Khazanchi Road players, who looked just hapless against their much fancied rivals throughout the match.

Imteyaz (four), Krishna Mohan (two), Rajesh Kashyap (two) and SL Desra (one) were the goal scorers for Civil Audit. Sanjay scored the lone goal for Khazanchi Road.
In another match of the day, State Bank of India (SBI) thrashed Secretariat Sports Club 3-0 at Gandhi Maidan. Sanjeev Kumar, Laxmi Kant Das and Navin Kudu found the target for SBI.

Photo caption: SBI and Secretariat Sports Club players in action during their Patna Super Division football league match in Patna on July 7, 2009.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Dony Polo Public School win Rajiv Gandhi Memorial U-15 cricket trophy

Patna, July 5, 2009
Dony Polo Public School chalked out a comprehensive 90-run win over RCC in the final match of the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial under-15 cricket tournament at the outer ground of the Moinul Haq Stadium here on Sunday.

Batting first Dony Polo School boys amassed 185 runs for the loss of five wickets off 25 overs. Aman Krishna played a diligent knock of 94 runs. Saurav was equally impressive with his 60 runs.

In reply, RCC could manage to score 95 runs off 20 overs. Rishabh made 22 runs. Sanjit and Rahul captured three wickets each.

Aman Krishna of Dony Polo School was declared man of the match and man of the series. Nikhil, Rahul and Anujit Parmar were adjudged best batsman, best bowler and best wicketkeeper respectively.


Dr Jitendra Prasad Singh gave away the prizes. Ajit Mishra, Pradeep Singh Rajivdhari Singh, Pawan Kumar, Runvijay Singh and Manoj Kumar were present at the closing function.

Brief scores:
Dony Polo PS: 185 for five wickets in 25 overs (Aman Krishna-94, Saurav-60, Ankit-2/30, Sumit-2/24).
RCC: 95 all out in 20 overs (Rishabh-22, Suman-12, Tushar-11, Sanjit-3/26, Rahul-3/9) .
Photo caption: Dony Polo Public School boys pose with Rajiv Gandhi U-15 cricket trophy in Patna on July 5, 2009.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

BRC too good for Bihar Police

Patna, July 5, 2009
Bihar Regimental Centre (BRC) opened their Patna Super Division football league campaign in style drubbing Bihar Police 6-1 at Gandhi Maidan here on Sunday.

In a virtual one-sided match, BRC had a commanding 2-0 lead at the end of first half.
Raju Soi opened the account in the 31st minute off a pass from Pradeep Devnath (1-0). He increased the margin just after five minutes off a pass from Jitan Lohar (2-0).

In the 60th minute, Navin Thapa reduced the margin for Bihar Police (2-1). But that was what Bihar Policemen could do in the 90-minute battle. Armymen scored four more goals in the later part of the game to take their final tally to 6-1.
Photo Caption: Bihar Police and BRC players fight to control the ball during their Patna Super Division football league match in Patna on July 5, 2009.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Sindhu Public School clinch Iqbal Singh memorial T20 cricket trophy

Patna, July 4, 2009
Sindhu Public School clinched Ram Iqbal Singh memorial Twenty20 inter-school cricket tournament title posting a hard-fought one run win over Gautam Buddha High School in the final at the Moinul Haq Stadium here on Saturday.

Shasheem Rathore of Sindhu Public School, who scored 39 runs, was declared man of the match as well as man of the series. Siddhant Vijay (Gautam Buddha High School) and Kundan Sharma (Sindhu Public School) were adjudged best batsman and best bowler respectively.


Brief scores:
Sindhu Public School: 115 for nine wickets in 20 overs (Kundan-20, Shasheem Rathore-39, Ashish-17, Siddhant Vijay-3/25, Kislay-2/30, Nikhil-2/18).
Gautam Buddha High School: 114 all out in 19.4 overs. (Siddhan Vijay-13, Vibhakar-39, Bishwajit-3/16, S Haque-3/16)

Lone goal win for Civil Audit

Patna, July 4, 2009
Civil Audit Recreation Club struggled to down State Bank of India (SBI) 1-0 in the SP Sinha memorial Patna Super Division soccer league at the Patna High School ground here on Saturday.

Striker Santosh Kumar scored the lone goal of the match in the 75th minute.

In the second match played at the Gandhi Maidan, Raj Milk Football Club humiliated Khazanchi Road Football Club 10-0 in a one-sided match. Manmohan Singh (four), Sahidi (three), Shahwaz (two) and Afzal (one ) were the goal scorers.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Patna Police edge past Secretariat Sports Club

Patna, July 3, 2009
Patna Police prevailed over Secretariat Sports Club 3-1 in the SP Sinha memorial Patna super division soccer league at the Patna High School ground here on Friday.

The first saw both the teams scoring one goal each.

Panna Lal opened the account for Patna Police in the 23rd minute. Avinash Kumar of Secretariat equalised the score in the 32nd minute (1-1). Jawahar Yadav put Patna Police into the lead in the 47th minute (2-1). Firoz Khan increased the margin in the 50th minute (3-1).

At Gandhi Maidan, Bihar Police got an walk-over against STC.

Earlier, on Thursday Police Boys’ Club chalked out a solitary goal victory over Patna Police. Striker Sonu Kumar scored the match winner in the 30th minute.

Photo caption: Patna Police (white) and Police Boys (red) fight for the pocession of the ball in their Patna Super Division football league match on July 2, 2009.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui