Justice Shivakirti Singh elected Patna Golf Club president

Patna, September 27, 2010: Justice Shivakirti Singh has been elected president of the Patna Golf Club for the year 2010-11 in its annual general meeting here on Sunday.

Mohit Ahluwalia has been re-elected as secretary while Tapan Ghosh as club captain. Rajendra Singh has been elected as vice-president and Ravindra Singh as treasurer.

Acharya Sudarshan inter-school chess tournament from October 26

Patna, September 27, 2010: Acharya Sudarshan Sports and Cultural Foundation (ASSCF) will organise an inter-school chess championship at the Moinul Haq Stadium badminton hall here from October 26, according to Niraj Kumar Pappu, general secretary of the foundation.

He said Rakesh Ranjan and Ajay Verma would be the director and convenor of the tournament respectively. The tournament would be organised for boys and girls U/10, U/12, U/14 and U/16 age groups.

Junior National hockey begins today

Pune, September 24, 2010: The future of Indian hockey will be seen in action when the 35th edition of the Junior National hockey championship for boys and girls commences at the Dhyan Chand polygrass ground at the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal stadium, Nehrunagar, from Saturday.

On the opening day, Manipur take on Kerala in a boys’ match at 8 am. The formal inauguration of the 12-day tournament will be done by chief guest Vilas Lande (MLA), laxman Jagtap (MLA) and Anna Basonde (MLA).

Hosts Pune District Hockey Association will meet Goa in another boys’ match after the inauguration ceremony.

A total of 40 boys and girls teams will participate for top the honours in this competition.

The finals are slated for October 6.

Saturday’s schedule:

8.00 am: Manipur vs Kerala.

9.30 am: Madhya Pradesh State Hockey Academy vs Hyderabad.

2.30 pm: SAIL vs Rajasthan.

4.30 pm: Pune District Hockey Association vs Goa.

Source: IHF press release

Vesnina to take on Kudryavtseva in Tashkent Open final

By Sunder Iyer

Tashkent, September 24, 2010: Fourth seed and 72nd ranked Elena Vesnina will take on 7th seeded and world ranked 103rd player Alla Kudryavtseva in a all Russian final at the Tashkent Open, a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour event being played at the Olympic Tennis Centre at Tashkent.

Vesnina overcame a 4-1 deficit in the third set to end the challenge of fifth seeded and 81st ranked Romanian Monica Niculescu 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in a 2 hour 9 minute tussle, while Kudryavtseva the runner-up at Gunagzhou , made it to the second consecutive final in as many weeks stopping the winning run of unseeded 109th ranked country mate Evgeniya Rodina 6-1,3-6,6-3 in 1 hour and 52 minutes.

Both the Russians will be aiming to lift their first ever career titles on the WTA Tour.

" I'm thrilled and feeling like playing with home support, the continuous cheering from the crowds, make me fight back from 3-0 in the final set and make a comeback and take the match" Vesnina said after her match.

“It is very difficult to play against a player like Monica, and I'm glad that I could play well and make it to the finals," she added. Vesnina was also all praise for Monica and said, it is unbelievable how Monica played this week with all those blisters on her leg and hands.

Making her second final after Istanbul this year, Vesnina said she expected a close final with two Russians taking on each other. In the first set Vesnina broke Niculescu in the 7th and 9th games to win the first set. In the second set Niculescu gave everything she had to break Vesnina in the 1st, 7th and the ninth games, Vesnina helped Niculescu serving 4 double faults in the second set to let the wily Romanian back into the match.

Niculescu continued splendidly racing to 4-1 lead in the third set and looked like wrapping up the match, but Vesnina boosted by crowd support came back to break Niculescu in the 7th and 9th games and wrap the match and enter the finals.

In the second match Alla Kudryavtseva started off in style dropping just 15 points and breaking Evgeniya Rodina in the 2nd and 6th games to wrap the set 6-1. But Rodina, who played consistently through out the week had different plans and played some unbelievable shots to break the Alla Kudryavtseva in the 8th game after both players traded breaks in the 5th and 6th games to win the set 6-3 and force the decider.

In the final set the match went with serves till 3-3, the Russian Fed cup player Kudryavtseva secured the decisive break in the 8th game and then held on the 9th game after 3 deuces and enter her second consecutive final in two weeks.

“It was a good tiring win, I did not except this at all reaching two finals in two weeks” said an elated Kudryavsteva after the match.

“I was more nervous at this semifinal than in China last week”, she added. About the final ahead she said Vesnina has played solid tennis until the finals and she needed to be more aggressive in the finals

Results singles semifinals:
4- Elena Vesnina (Rus) bt 5-Monica Niculescu (Rou) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
7- Alla Kudryatseva (Rus) bt Evgeniya Rodina (Rus) 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

Sania,Camerin pair crashes out of Tashkent Open

By Sunder Iyer

Tashkent, September 23, 2010: Sania Mirza's excellent run in the doubles came to an abrupt halt, as she partnering Maria Elena Camerin went down to Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania and Magdalena Rybrikova of Slovakia in the quarterfinals of the Tashkent Open at the Olympic Tennis Centre here on Thursday.

In the quarterfinals the pair of Dulgheru – Rybrikova, who had upset third seeded pair of Akgul manmuradova and Darya Kustova in the earlier round, put out the Mirza- Camerin pair 7-5, 6-1 in 1 hour and 3 minutes. Sania and Camerin made $1650 in prize-money and 70 points.

Results: Singles quarterfinals: 5-Monica Niculescu (Rou) bt 1-Alexandra Dulgheru (Rou) 7-5 (5), 2-6, 6-3; 4-Elena Vesnina (Rus) bt Darya Kustova (Blr) 6-0, 6-1; Evgeniya Rodina (Rus) bt Stefanie Voegele (Sui) 6-4, 4-6, 6-0; Alla Kudryatseva (Rus) bt Akgul Amanmuradova (Uzb) 7-6(5),6-3

Doubles quarterfinals: 4-Maria Kondratieva (Rus)/ Sophie Lefevre (Fra) bt Elena Bovina (Rus)/ Girini Georgatou (Gre) 4-6, 6-2, 11-9; Alexandra Panova (Rus)/ Tatiana Poutchek (Blr) bt 2 Olga Savchuk (Ukr)/ Arina Rodionova (Rus) 7-6 (2), 6-4; Alexandra Dulgheru (Rou)/ Magdalena Rybarikova (Svk) bt Maria Elena Camerin (Itl)/ Sania Mirza (Ind) 7/5 6/1 Jill Craybus (USA)/ Monica Niculescu (Rou) Bt Evgeniya Rodina (Rus)/Stefanie Voegle (Sui) 6/3,6/4.

Source: Sania's Media Team

Bihar sub-junior basketball teams announced

Patna, September 23, 2010: Basketball Association of Bihar announced state teams for the 37th National sub-junior championships to be held in Kangra (Himachal Pradesh) from September 24 to 30.

The team had left for Kangra on Tuesday.

Boys: Kumar Shashank (captain), Abhishek, Swetang, Abhinav, Vikas, Nitesh, Govind, Sonu, Shashank, Gulshan, Jitendra, Vikas II and Shudhansu. Chief Coach Deepak Kumar and Triloki Pathak (coach).

Girls: Diksha (captain), Tanya, Prachi, Kritika, Rashmi, Pratima, Chandni, Anuska, Jagriti, Nisha Bharati, Yoshita and Umara. Devashish Bannerjee (chief coach) and Nilu Kumari (manager).

Sania-Camerin pair moves into Tashkent Open quarterfinals

By Sunder Iyer

Tashkent, September 22, 2010: Putting her singles loss behind India's Sania Mirza partnering her new partner Maria Elena Camerin of Italy entered the quarterfinals of the doubles at the Tashkent Open WTA Tour event in Tashkent here today.

Playing in front Indian Embassy personnel at the Olympic Tennis Centre, Sania partnering Elina put out the Ukrainian sisters Lyudmyla and Nadiya Kichenok 6-2, 6-3 in one hour. Sania and her Italian partner will take on Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania and Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia, who upset third seeds local star Akgul Amanmuradova and Belarusian Darya Kustova 7-5,7-6(13) for a place in the last eight.

Camerin, who was seeded eighth in the singles, was upset by unseeded Swiss Stefanie Voegle 3-6, 1-6. Speaking at a post match conference Camerin former top 35 ranked doubles player said she looked forward to a long relationship with Sania as they were friends off court too. Camerin said she was sure that she and Sania would do well here as both could concentrate on the doubles as they had lost in the singles.

Results singles, Rd-2:

5-Monica Niculescu (Rom) bt Ekaterina Ivanova (Rus) 0-6, 6-0, 6-1; Darya Kustova (Blr) bt 6-Magdalena Rybarikova (Svk) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3; Stefanie Voegele (Sui) bt 8-Maria Elena Camerine (Ita) 6-4, 6-1; Evgeniya Rodina (Rus) bt 3-Anna Chakvetadze (Rus) 7-6, (4), 3-2 Ret'd; 7-Alla Kudryavtseva (Rus) bt Alexandra Panova (Rus) 6-4, 6-2; 2-Akgul Amanmuradova (Uzb) b Jill Craybas (USA) 7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-2; 4-Elena Vesnina (Rus) bt Olga Savchuk (Ukr) 6-2, 6-2

Doubles, Rd 1:

Elena Bovina/ Eirini Georgatou (Gre) bt Yuliana Fedak (Ukr)/ Anastasiya Vasylyeva (Ukr) 6-1, 5-7, 10-6; Alexandra Panova (Rus)/ Tatiana Poutchek (Blr) bt Albina Khabibulina (Uzb)/ Ksenia Palkina (Kgz) 6-1, 6-1; Maria Elena Camerin (Itl)/ Sania Mirza bt Lyudmyla Kichenok (Ukr)/ Madiya Kichenok (Ukr) 6-2, 6-3;Evgeniya Rodina(Rus)/Stefanie Voegle (Sui) bt Nina Bratchikova/Ekaterina Ivanova(Rus)5-7,6-4,10-7 Alexandra Dulgheru (Rou)/Magdalena Rybarikova(Svk) 7-5,7- (13), MariaKondratieva(Rus)/ Sophie Lefevre (Fra) bt Ekaterina Dzehalevich (Blr)/ LesyaTsurenko(fra) 6-3, 7-5, Olga Savchuk(ukr) / Arina Rodionova(Rus) bt Lola Azimova/Alina Abdurakhimova (Uzb) 6-0, 6-0.

Source: Sania Mirza's Media Team

Sania goes down fighting to Bychkova at Tashkent Open

By Sunder Iyer

Tashkent, September 21: Indian tennis star Sania Mirza fresh from her doubles win at Guangzhou went down fighting to Russian Ekaterina Bychkova in the first round at the Tashkent Open, a Sony Ericsson Tour event being played at the Olympic Tennis Centre in Tashkent, Uzbekistan here on Tuesday.

Bychkova ranked 175 in the world scarped past 125 ranked Sania 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 in a 2 hours 7 minutes battle to make it to the second round where she will take on the top seed Alexandra Dulgheru.

Watched by her husband Shoib Malik, Sania came through a long flight late night yesterday looked rusty in the first set going down tamely 6-1 in less than 30 minutes. Sania lost her serves in the 3rd, 5th and 7th games.

In the second set Sania seemed to have found her rhythm to take the set after being down 2-4 and securing breaks in the 7th and 9th games. Bychkova served poorly serving 5 double faults.

The Indian star looked like closing the match racing off to a 5-2 lead in the decider. Bychkova, who had earlier defeated Sania at Bali in 2005, however, clawed back breaking her in the 8th, 10th and the 12th games. Mirza had two match points in the 11th game, but Bychkova hit an ace and winner to get back into the match and hold on. In the 12th game Sania had an opportunity to level scores 6-6 and force a tiebreak. However, she served two double faults which sealed her fate.

Photo caption: Sania Mirza getting tips from her coach (top) while Sania in action during her first round match at Tashkent Open on September 21, 2010.

Source: Sania's Media Team

Former ABCA secretary AR Khan passes away

Patna, September 16, 2010: Former secretary of All Bihar Chess Association (ABCA), AR Khan died here this evening after a long illness. He was 72 and was suffering from prostate cancer.

Khan ruled the Bihar chess for more than 10 years as a secretary and during his tenure Bihar teams never missed any tournament organized by All India Chess Federation (AICF). He climbed to joint secretary of AICF during the secretaryship of PT Umer Koya.

Khan was also the founder of Bihar State Kabaddi Association. He also held the role of chief arbiter and kabaddi referee in several national tournaments.

Bihar sports fraternity mourned the demise of Khan saying the void created will never be fulfilled.

Rashmi, Bhushan to represent India in 3rd World carrom championships

Patna, September 16, 2010: Twice World champion Rashmi Kumari of BSNL Bihar will represent India in the 3rd World Cup carrom championships to be held in Richmond, Virginia (USA) from September 27 to October 1.

Giving this information Bihar State Carrom Association (BSCA) executive president Ravi P Sinha said BSCA secretary Bharat Bhushan would be the coach of the team.

He said All India Carrom Federation (AICF) would organise a preparatory camp under the supervision of Bharat Bhushan in Faridabad from September 20 to 23.

Rashmi Kumari had brought many laurels to India. She won the World Cup title in 2001 (New Delhi) and was placed 3rd in 2008 (France). Rashmi Kumari also won SAARC and Asian Cup in 2009.

Bhushan, who is working in the office Principal Accountant General (Audit), Bihar, has been again nominated by AICF as coach of the Indian Team. Bhushan had a good record in international outings. Indian team had won all the medals at France World Carrom Championship held in 2008 under his supervision.

Meanwhile, Bihar State Carrom Association congratulated Rashimi and Bhushan for their feat. BSCA president Shyam Nandan Sharma said that both the participants were experienced and had participated in many international tournaments earlier.

Bhushan was the manager of Indian team, which won World Carrom Championship at Sri Lanka in 1995 and 2004. Bhushan had also participated at UK and Malaysian Open tournaments, he added.

Team: B Radha Krishnan (Tamil Nadu), Yogesh Pardeshi (Petroleum Sports Control Board), Prakash Gaekwad (LIC of India), Zaheer Pasha (Karnataka), Rashmi Kumari (BSNL, Patna), Kavita Somanchi (RBI), G Revathi (BSB), S Illavazhagi (Tamil Nadu), Ratan Singh (manager) and Bharat Bhushan (coach).

40 probables selected for Bihar U-19 women cricket team

Patna, September 5, 2010: 40 probables have been selected by the Bihar Cricket Association for the state women under-19 team at the end of two-day selection trials at the outer ground of the Moinul Haq Stadium here.

BCA ad-hoc committee member and convenor of the trials Amikar Dayal said selected girls would join a 10-day camp to be held in the last week of September.

On the basis of the performance, 15 players would be selected to represent Bihar in the BCCI tournament, he added.

He said 81 girls from different districts had participated in the trials.

Probables: Rohani Raj, Niva Kumari, Tejashwi, Sima Kumar-1, Tanuja Sharma, Sima Kumari-2, Rina Kumari, Beauty Kumari, Rajani Kumari, Kajal, Anshu, Apurva, Shrishti Yadav, Silpi Sen, Anshu, Priya Kishore, Shivangi, Sujata Kumari, Manisha Kumari, Aarti Kumari, Bhagyashree, Sabita Kumari, Sonali Suman, Amrita Kumari, Nutan Pandey, Ishrat Jahan, Rajni Singh, Puja Kumari, Pushpa Kumari, Saiphali Mishra, Guria Kumari, Kashturba Kumari, Sabita Kumari-II, Namrata, Neha Kumari-1, Rinki Kumari, Sarita Kumari, Shubhashini, Neha Kumari-2 and Sandhya Kumari.

Photo: Selection trials for Bihar U-19 women cricket team is in progress at the Cricket Academy of Bihar (CAB) ground in Patna on September 5, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Bihar Police shock Raj Milk

Patna, September 3, 2010: Bihar Police shocked defending champions Raj Milk Football Club 1-0 in the first semi-final of the Patna Football Association super division league at the New Police Lines ground here.

Both the teams failed to break the deadlock in the first half.

Bihar Police striker Martin Lepcha scored the match winner in the 77th minute off a pass from KC Suraj. Bihar Police missed an opportunity in the 80th minute, when Martin Lepcha powerful shot hit the bar.

Monu Lamba (Bihar Police), Saroj Kumar and Zaiddi (both Raj Milk FC) were shown yellow cards by referee Satendra Kumar for rough play.

Photo caption: Bihar Police and Raj Milk players in action during their Patna super division football league match in Patna on September 3, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Bihar state best physique competition on September 26 in Patna

Patna, September 2, 2010: Bihar state best physique competition for Muscleman of Bihar title will be held at the Moinul Haq Stadium here on September 26, according to a press release of Bihar State Body Builder’s Association.

About 100 bodybuilders will take part in the championships. Top three finishers will get cash prizes and certificates. Neeraj Kumar, MLC, will inaugurate the tournament.

Rajkumar is Bihar senior chess champion

Patna, September 2, 1010: A stiff competition was witnessed in the final round of the 42nd Bihar state senior chess championships at the Moinul Haq Stadium here.

A six-way tie for the for the top spot was the outcome at the end of the day as six players Rajkumar, Vijay Kumar, Devbrat Singh, Saurabh Roop, Rakesh Ranjan and Minhazul finished their final engagements with 7 points each.

Progressive points were taken into account to decide the top four positions and the tickets to represent Bihar in the National “B” chess championships. Rajkumar Chauhan of BSNL won the title despite losing his last round match against Minhazul Hoda . Rajkumar ended with 7 points and progressive 39.5 to emerge the champion.

Vijay Kumar got the second spot while Devbrat Singh bagged the third positions. Promising Saurabh Roop earned the fourth spot. Minhazul, however, finished sixth with 7 points and progressive score 33.

In the boys’ under-7 category, Janamejay was declared champion while Piyush got the title in the U-8 section. Garima Gaurav won the title in the girls’ under-7 category while Manya Diptam claimed the crown in the U-9 section.

All Bihar Chess Association president and principal secretary, department of planning (Government of Bihar), Vijay Prakash gave away the prizes.

Final standing: 1. Rajkumar Chauhan (7, 39.5); 2. Vijay Kumar (7, 39.5); 3. Devbrat Singh (7, 36.5); 4. Saurabh Roop (7, 35); 5. Rakesh Ranjan (7, 33); 6. Minhazul Hoda (7, 33); 7. Suman Kumar Singh (6.5, 33); 8. Abhay Kumar Sinha (6.5, 31.5); 9. Shubhan Kumar (6.5. 30.5); 10. Kumar Gaurav (6, 35.5).

U-7 boys: 1. Jananejay, 2. Tushar Sinha.

U-9 boys: 1. Piyush Pravin, 2. Saurabh Anand

U-7 girls: 1. Garima Gaurav, 2. Kumari Sakshi

U-9 girls: Manya Diptam, 2. Garima Gaurav

Rajkumar maintains lead in State chess

Patna, September 1, 2010: Rajkumar Chauhan of BSNL kept his lead intact with seven points at the end of the penultimate round of 42th Bihar State chess championships at the Moinul Haq Stadium here on Wednesday.

Playing black Chauhan opted ‘King’s Indian defence’ against Devbrat Singh of Munger. After exchange of heavy pieces, both agreed to split the points. Vijay Kumar of Bhojpur opened the game with d-4 against Rakesh Ranjan, who preferred to adopt ‘London System’. Rakesh could not find a suitable line of action to convert his slight advantage into a win and agreed to former’s draw offer. Vijay with six points joined Devbrat on the second spot.

Kumar Gaurav of Purnia emerged as the youngest contender fighting to take a seat among the four qualifiers. He drew his game against Rupesh Ranjan of Patna in a well-fought game and would play the last round on the third spot with six points enjoining three seniors Saurav Roop, Ashutosh Kumar and Menhajul Hoda, who scored full points against their opponents Sanjiv Kumar of RBI, Vinay Kumar of Muzaffarpur and Saumitra Verma of Patna respectively.

Important results after completion of the 8th round:

Devbrat Singh (6.5) drew with R.K Chouhan (7); Vijay Kumar (6.5) drew with rakesh Ranjan (6); Gaurav (6) drew with Rupesh Ranjan (5.5); Abhay Kumar Sinha (5.5) drew with Suman Kumar Singh (5.5); Saurav Roop (6) bt. Sanjiv Kumari (5); Ashutosh Kumar (6) bt. Vinay Kumar (5); Menhajul Hoda (6) bt Saumitra Verma (4.5); Mritunjay Kumar Dubey (5.5) bt Vikash Kumar Dwevedi (4.5); Shubham Kumar (5.5) bt Chitesh Chandan (4.5); Amrendra Kumar (5.5) bt Kunal (4); Vikesh Nandan Kumar (5) bt Samir Kumar (4); Rishi Shankar (5) bt Ram Charan (4); Dilip Kumar Sinha (5) bt Vivek Rohan Sharma (4); Kamal Karmaker (4.5) drew with Pravin Kumar Soni (4.5); Amresh Kumar (5) bt Abhishek Soni (4); Sudhanshu Sarkar (5) bt Anand Kumar (4); Narayan Saha (4.5) bt Amaranjay Kumar. Dubey (3.5); Jitendra Kumar (4) drew with Kamal Lochan Sahu (4); Ajay Kumar Singh (4.5) bt Rupesh Kumar (3.5); Manish Kumar (4.5) bt B.K Singh (3.5); Piyush Raj (4.5) bt Veer Vikram (3.5).

Vijay, Kunal share lead in Bihar state chess

Patna, August 31, 2010: Vijay Kumar of Bhojpur and Kunal of Postal shred joint lead at the end of the 4th round of the 42nd Bihar state chess championship at the Moinul Haq Stadium here.

Sanjiv Kumar of RBI, R K Chauhan of BSNL, Ashutosh Kumar of Patna and chess prodigy Gaurav Kumar of Purnea, were in joint second spot with 3.5 points each.

Rishi Shankar could not handle ‘Catalan opening’ properly and granted a slight plus to his vastly experienced opponent Kunal, who converted this advantage into a win in the end game.

Rising star from Bhojpur Vijay Kumar did not allow Rupesh Ranjan’s Knight to capture the vital ‘d-5’ square in a well-fought game of ‘Sicilian Pelikan’ and slowly penetrated opponent’s Kingside to score a full point.

Raj Kumar Chauhan demonstrated his skills of handling double-edged middle game position which arose out of ‘Queen’s Gambit’ and forced Vinay Kumar of Muzaffarpur to resign.

Ashutosh Kumar won in a tactical middle game against Abhay Kumar Sinha of Begusarai Chess Academy, who fell into a trap of ‘Ruy Lopez’. Gaurav Kumar sacrificed a knight to expose his opponent’s king in Sicilian defence’ and delivered a chess mate.

Stalwarts like Samir Kumar of Jehanabad, Suman Kumar Singh, Saurav Roop both from Patna, were sharing the third spot jointly with Mrityunjay Kumar Dubey of Rohtas, D V Singh of Munger, Sudhanshu Sarkar of Kishanganj, Vivek Rohan Sharma of Munger and Ajay Kumar Singh of West Champaran with 3 points each.

Rakesh Ranjan, Ramcharan, Menhajul Hoda (all Patna), Narayan Saha of Kishanganj, Rahul Kumar of Chapra, Veer Vikram of Munger, Saumitra Verma, Jitendra Kumar, Kamal Lochan Sahu (all Patna) and Abhishek Soni of Muzaffarpur were on the fourth spot with 2.5 points each.

Dwarika School clinch ball badminton title

Patna, August 30, 2010: Dwarika School, Mandiri, won the fourth Major Dhyanchand memorial ball badminton title beating BMP-5 School Camp Jail, 29-19 and 29-27 in the final at the New Police Lines ground here on Monday.

BMP-5 School, Camp Jail beat Dayanand Girls High School 29-27 and 29-20 to win the girls title.

Sonu and Sweety (both from BMP-5 School, Camp Jail) were adjudged best players in boys and girls’ sections respectively.

Prof Nawal KishoreYadav, MLC and president, Bihar State Ball Badminton Association (BSBBA) distributed the prizes.

Rakhi, Dheeraj win Bihar boxing gold medals

Patna, September 1, 2010: Rakhi Kumari of Patna won gold medal in the 51 kg fight beating Surbhi of Begusarai in the senior women section final of the Bihar state boxing championship at the Physical Training College hall here on Wednesday.

Sunil Chhaila Bihari, a Bhojpuri film artist and Ashwani Kumar Singh jointly distributed the prizes. Rajeev Kuma Singh, secretary, Boxing Association of Bihar (BAB) welcomed the guests. Kumar Vijay, chairman, BAB, presided over the function.

Results: Men senior group 49 kg: Dheeraj Kumar Mishra bt Kashi Mukhiya. 52 kg: Rakesh Kumar Singh bt Ram Naresh. 56 kg Ranjit Kumar bt Vivek Kumar. 60 kg: Anil Kumar bt Kundan Gupta.

Women 51 kg: Rakhi Kumari bt Surbhi. 57 kg: Sharin Banu bt Pooja. 60 kg: Pushpa Kumari bt Manisha. 64 kg: Shobha bt Priti.

Junior (boys): 49 kg: Arvind Kumar bt Shyam Kumar Sahu. 52 kg: Rakesh Kumar bt Abhishek Kumar. 60 kg: Prashant Kumar bt Ranjesh Kumar. 64 kg: Sharwan Rai bt Ranjan Kumar.

Girls: 40 kg: Noori Perween bt Heena Kumari. 46 kg: Anamika bt Anshu. 48 kg: Reena bt Ayushi Priti. 50 kg: Pushpa Tuddu bt Archana. 52 kg: Priyanka bt Priti. 63 kg: Siwani Bharti bt Minu. 70 kg: Varsha Rani bt Renu Kumari.

Indian men’s recurve team wins gold, Deepika settles for a silver medal

Patna, September 4, 2010: India picked up one gold, one silver and a bronze from the World Cup archery Stage IV meet at Shanghai on Saturday. The Indian men's recurve team, consisting of Jayanta Talukdar, Tarundeep Rai and Rahul Banerjee, annexed the gold medal defeating Japan by 224 points to 220.

According to information reached here, teenager Deepika Kumari, however, failed to make history succumbing to the intense pressure of playing her maiden senior final and lost to Korea's Bo Bae Ki to settle for silver. In the best of five sets final, Deepika went out of the contest after losing the first two sets. Though she tied the third one for a point, the Korean came up with three perfect 10s to seal the victory. The set scores in favour of the Korean were 29-27, 29-27, 28-28, 30-27. Two points are awarded for winning a set and one point for a tie.

Jayanta Talukdar gave India the men's individual recurve bronze medal. With a two wins and a loss against Athens Olympic champion Marco Galiazzo of Italy Talukdar won the fourth meeting between the two with a measure of comfort. The Indian ended with seven points as against the Italian's three. The set score in favour of Talukdar were 28-29, 30-26, 28-28, 29-27, 28-27.

Deepika Kumari and Talukdar also ensured that they qualify for the Edinburgh World Cup finals on September 18 and 19. Talukdar will be joined by Brady Ellison (U.S.A.), Galiazzo, Im Dong-Hyun, Kim Woojin (both Korea), Michele Frangilli (Italy) and Simon Terry (Great Britain).

Deepika will be with Bo Bae Kim, Yun-Ok-Hee (both Korea), Guo Faping (China), Victoriya Koval (Ukraine), Elena Kuznetsova (Belarus) and Justyna Mospinek (Poland). Seven men and as many women have also been selected in the compound bow section.

The host will field one wild card entry in each of the four events.

Talukdar has twice entered the final in 2006 and 2009 but failed to win the top place. This is his third entry. Dola Banerjee qualified for the final at Dubai in 2007 and won it. Deepkia is the second Indian woman to make it to the final.

Source: Indian Archery Association press release

Indian men's recurve team in title round

Patna, September 3, 2010: After a gap of one tournament, the Indian men’s recurve team is back into medal contention. The team, comprising Jayanta Talukdar, Tarundeep Rai and Rahul Banerjee, ensured a final berth in the World Cup archery Stage IV at Shanghai on Friday and will take on Japan in the title round.

According to information reached here, India avenged the quarterfinal loss to the US at Ogden by thumping them by 225-208 in the quarterfinals. India’s first round victim was Great Britain, one of the strong contenders at the Commonwealth Games, at 218-215. Hosts China were no match in the semifinals as India coasted to 222-214 triumph. Japan made its final entry by shocking world champions Korea 224-216.

The Indian women’s recurve side, consisting of Deepika Kumari, Laishram Bombayla Devi and Dola Banerjee, silver medalists at the last meet at Ogden, was surprised by Japan at 212-213 in the initial round.

India’s tale of woe in the compound section continued unabated with the men’s team, C. Srither, Ch. Jagnas and Ritul Chatterjee, one of the weakest selected in recent years, was ousted by Malaysia at 218-224. The women’s outfit with Jhano Hansdah, Bheigyabati Chanu and Gagandeep Kaur, did one better by going out in the quarterfinals. Having beaten New Zealand in Round No. 1 at 216-200, the team came a cropper against the US at 218-226.

The mixed team concept is yet to catch on in India with the result the Indians were never a team to reckon with. The recurve team of Talukdar and Deepika, seeded third went down to 14th seeded Mexico at 142-145 and the compound duo of Kh. Ratan Singh and Jhano Hansdah, ranked 10th ousted Italy 153-151 but lost to the US in the quarterfinals at 150-154.

Source: Indian Archery Association release

Deepika Kumari moves closer to gold medal

Patna, September 2, 2010: Teenage sensation Deepika Kumari waltzed into the final of a senior international archery tournament at the World Cup Stage IV meet at Shanghai on Thursday. National champion Deepika, who is also the reigning cadet world champion, will play Ki Bo Bae of Korea for the gold medal.

According to information reached here, this is Deepika’s maiden final and second by an Indian women. Only Dola Banerjee has done it before winning the Dover World Cup in 2007.

Deepika, seeded 13th, defeated Wu Hui Ju of Chinese Taipei 6-0 in the semifinals and downed fifth seed Lorig Khatuna of the U.S in a close quarterfinal battle at 6-5.

Jayanta Talukdar too was in the threshold of making it to the final of the men’s individual recurve but failed to overcome Lee Chang-Hwan of Korea 2-6 in the semifinals. The Guwahati-born Tata Steel employee overcame Beijing Olympic Games gold medalist Viktor Ruban of Ukraine 6-4 in the quarterfinals. Talukdar is in fray for the bronze medal provided he quells the challenge of Athens Olympic Champion Marco Galiazzo of Italy.

Only three recurve archers, Tarundeep Rai, Rahul Banerjee and Dola Banerjee moved up to pre-quarterfinals before bowing out. Rai lost to Kim Woojin of Korea 2-4; Rahul Banerjee fell to Galiazzo 0-4 and Dola lost to Aida Roman of Mexico 3-4.

Mangal Singh Champia lost to Matthew Gary of Australia in the first round 4-2; L. Bombayla Devi and Rimil Buruily both fell in the first round.

In the compound division, National champion C. Srither and Chittibomma Jignas both went out in the first round while Ritul Chatterjee and Khuraijam Ratan Singh fell in the second round. The four women archers in this category were eliminated in the second round.

Source: Indian Archery Association release

Deepika Kumari moves closer to gold medal

Patna, September 2, 2010: Teenage sensation Deepika Kumari waltzed into the final of a senior international archery tournament at the World Cup Stage IV meet at Shanghai on Thursday. National champion Deepika, who is also the reigning cadet world champion, will play Ki Bo Bae of Korea for the gold medal.

According to information reached here, this is Deepika’s maiden final and second by an Indian women. Only Dola Banerjee has done it before winning the Dover World Cup in 2007.

Deepika, seeded 13th, defeated Wu Hui Ju of Chinese Taipei 6-0 in the semifinals and downed fifth seed Lorig Khatuna of the U.S in a close quarterfinal battle at 6-5.

Jayanta Talukdar too was in the threshold of making it to the final of the men’s individual recurve but failed to overcome Lee Chang-Hwan of Korea 2-6 in the semifinals. The Guwahati-born Tata Steel employee overcame Beijing Olympic Games gold medalist Viktor Ruban of Ukraine 6-4 in the quarterfinals. Talukdar is in fray for the bronze medal provided he quells the challenge of Athens Olympic Champion Marco Galiazzo of Italy.

Only three recurve archers, Tarundeep Rai, Rahul Banerjee and Dola Banerjee moved up to pre-quarterfinals before bowing out. Rai lost to Kim Woojin of Korea 2-4; Rahul Banerjee fell to Galiazzo 0-4 and Dola lost to Aida Roman of Mexico 3-4.

Mangal Singh Champia lost to Matthew Gary of Australia in the first round 4-2; L. Bombayla Devi and Rimil Buruily both fell in the first round.

In the compound division, National champion C. Srither and Chittibomma Jignas both went out in the first round while Ritul Chatterjee and Khuraijam Ratan Singh fell in the second round. The four women archers in this category were eliminated in the second round.

Indian recurve men’s team ends second

Patna, September 1, 2010: Buoyed by Jayanta Talukdar’s 684 points, the Indian recurve men’s team ended the qualification round of the World Cup Stage IV archery meet second behind world leaders Korea with a total of 2030 points on the opening day at Shanghai on Wednesday.

According to information reached here, Talukdar himself finished second in the individual ranking behind Im Dong-Hyun whose 691 broke the existing world record of 687 that he established at the Athens Olympics in 2004. Korea also bettered the team’s world record of 2039 established at Antalya in 2008 with 2043.

The women’s performance was rather disappointing. The senior most members, Dola Banerjee and Laishram Bombayla Devi, found the form dipping and had the mortification of finishing 39th and 33rd respectively. Dola’s 626 was the worst score among the four Indians which earned her the 39th ranking place. Bombayla did a little better with a score of 629 which gave her the 33rd spot. Cadet world champion Deepika Kumari was the best with 645 points that got her the 13th ranking place. The fourth member Rimil Buruily was 19th with 641.

National champion Tarundeep Rai was the next best placed Indian after Talukdar. His 674 points gave him the eighth rank. Rahul Banerjee was 12th with 672 and Mangal Singh Champia, who will only be playing in individual event, was 38th with 656.

India’s first round opponent in the men’s team championship will be Great Britain, ranked 15th.

The Indian women’s team will clash with ninth ranked Japan in the first round.

In the mixed team event, Deepika Kumari and Jayanta Talukdar, were ranked third with 1329 and will face the Mexican duo in the first elimination round.

Source: Indian Archery Association release

Sudha gets Bihar Best Sports Award

Patna, August 29, 2010: The Art, Culture & Youth Affairs Department, Bihar felicitated 243 sportspersons in the Khel Samman Samaroh, organized to celebrate National Sports Day and the birth anniversary of hockey wizard Major Dhyanchand at SK Memorial Hall here on Sunday.

Art, Culture & Youth Affairs Minister Renu Devi inaugurated the function. She also paid tributes to Major Dhyanchand by garlanding his photograph.

Later, the minister honoured Sudha Kumari with Bihar Best Sports Award and a cash prize of Rs 51,000. Sudha claimed a bronze medal in the Asian Cup powerlifting championship at Udaipur last year. She also won a gold medal in the Commonwealth powerlifting championship at Pune in December last.

Rashmi Kumari, who represented Indian team in SAF carrom tournament and won gold medal in singles and doubles events was awarded international category award and a cash prize of Rs 31,000.

Harendra Kumar Singh, the national hockey coach received the best coach’s award.

Vivek Kumar Singh, principal secretary, Art, Culture & Youth Affairs Department welcomed the guests. AK Seth, director general, Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA), Hem Chandra Prasad, director and Ajay Kumar Singh, secretary-cum-director, BSSA were present at the function.

Photo caption: from top: Cultural programmes being present on the occasion of Kehl Samman Samroh in Patna on August 29, 2010.

Sports Minister inaugurating the function.

Athlete Archana Bara receiving her award.

Sports Medicine expert Dr Farasat Hussain receiving the award (bottom).

Photos: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Don Bosco Academy girls claim throwball title

Patna, August 29, 2010: Don Bosco Academy girls won the 15th Major Dhyanchand memorial throwball championships for Sudarshan Cup at the Bankipore Girls High School ground here on Sunday.

In the final, Don Bosco Academy beat Patna Central School 15-7, 11-15 and 15-12 to clinch the title.

In boys’ final, Leeds Asian School beat Kendriya Vidyalaya, Bailey Road 15-12, 11-15 and 15-12 to assert their supremacy.

Patna Women’s College got the women’s crown defeating Kendriya Vidyalaya, PRS, 15-13, 15-17 and 15-4 in the final.

Sumedha, Rani Priya, Anumesha Prakash and Setu Shekhar (all Patna Women’s College and Neha Singh and Soni Verma of Kendriya Vidyalaya played well.

Acharya Sudarshan Ji Maharaj gave away the prizes in a colourful function. Niraj Kumar Pappu, secretary, Acharya Sudarshan Sports and Cultural Foundation welcomed the guests. SP Singh, president of the foundation proposed a vote of thanks.

Soni Kumari of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ruchi Kumari of Patna Central School and Rohit Kumar of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kankarbagh were declared best players in women, girls and boys’ sections respectively.

Miller High School clinch hockey title

Patna, August 29, 2010: Hockey Bihar organised a one-day tournament for boys and girls at the BMP-5 hockey ground to celebrate National Sports Day, the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyanchand.

In the boys’ final, Miller High School defeated BMP Boys 2-1while Shastrinagar Government Girls’ High School beat Patna XI by a solitary goal in the girls final.

Anil Tirkey, sports in-charge, BMP-5 distributed the prizes.

Don Bosco Academy begin title hunt in style

Patna, August 27, 2010: Don Bosco Academy, Kandriya Vidyalaya (Kankarbagh), Krishna Niketan and Leeds Asian Schools won their respective first round matches in style in the 15th Dhyanchand throwball championships for Sudarshan Cup at Bankipore Girls School ground here of Friday.

Earlier, Acharya Sudarshan Sports and Cultural Foundation chairman BK Sudarshan inaugurated the three-day meet. Throwball Association of Bihar secretary Neeraj Kumar Pappu welcomed the guest while foundation president SP Singh presided over the function.

Results: Girls group: (Pool-‘A’)- Don Bosco Academy bt Khagaria Throw ball Association 15-0, 15-2. Kendriya Vidyalaya Kankarbagh bt Krishna Niketan 15-9, 15-8. Krishna Niketan bt Khagaria Public School 15-12, 15-12. Don Bosco Academy bt Kendriya Vidalaya Kankarbagh 16-14, 12-15, 15-8.
Pool ‘B’: Patna Central School bt Don Bosco ‘Junior’ 15-10, 15-13, Kendriya Vidalaya Bailey Road bt Dayanand Kenya Vidalaya 12-15, 15-6, 15-6. Patna Central School bt Dayanand Kenya Vidalaya 15-9, 17-15.

Boys Group: Pool ‘A’- Patna Central School bt ShastriNagar Boys High School 15-4, 15-0. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kankarbagh bt Khagaria Throwball Association 15-6, 15-9. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kankarbagh bt LBS Boys High School 15-5, 6-15, 15-9.
Pool ‘B’- Leads Asian High School bt Central School Bailey Road 15-1, 13-15, 15-1. Central School Bailey Road bt Patna Central School ‘Junior’ 15-6, 7-15, 15-13. Leads Asian High School bt Patna Central School ‘Junior’ 15-4, 15-6.

Women: KVPRS bt Patna Women’s College 15-8, 9-15, 15-1. RBS bt Pink Club 15-7, 15-5.

Photo caption: Two school teams in action during Dhyanchand throwball championships in Patna on August 27, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Patna Central School win ND Grover basketball trophy

Patna, August 27, 2010: Patna Central School (PCS) won ND Grover memorial inter-school basketball title defeating Delhi Public School (DPS) 26-11 in the final at the DAV Public School (BSEB Colony) courts here on Friday.

In girls’ section, Delhi Public School drubbed DAV School (BSEB Colony) 9-4 to clinch the trophy.

In boys’ semifinals, PCS beat BD Public School while DPS outplayed DAV School, Khagaul. In girls’ group, DAV School, BSEB Colony beat BD Public School and DPS beat Notre Dame Academy.

Yogesh Kumar of PCS and Sameera Raza of DPS were adjudged best players of the tournament in the boys and girls’ sections respectively.

Dr RP Singh Rahi, former principal, Patna College, gave away the prizes.

Multi-gym inaugurated at Moinul Haq Stadium

Patna, August 23, 2010: Bihar Government's Art, Culture and Youth Affairs Department secretary Vivek Kumar Singh on Monday inaugurated a multi-gymnasium at the Swarna Jayanti Pavillion of the Moinul Haq Stadium.

The Art, Culture and Youth Affairs Department will run the gymnasium in association with Bihar State Powerlifting Association. Only registered members will be allowed to practice in the gym that will have special training facility for women and children.

Hemchandra Parsad, director, Students and Youth Welfare, presided over the function while Ajay Kumar Singh, director-cum-secretary, Bihar State Sports Authority proposed a vote of thanks.

Photo caption: Bihar Government's Art, Culture and Youth Affairs Department secretary Vivek Kumar Singh inaugurating a multi-gym at the Moinul Haq Stadium in Patna on August 23, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Ankit wins sub-junior boys' TT title

Patna, August 23, 2010: Ankit Kumar won the junior boys’ singles title of the Apresh Ghosh memorial table tennis tournament beating Piyush D Gandhi 11-5, 11-7, 6-11, 9-11, 11-8 in the final at the Bihar Young Men’s Institute here on Monday.

Amit Kumar claimed the sub-junior boys’ singles title defeating Saurav Kumar 11-6, 8-11, 11-9, 9-11, and 11-8 in the final.

Mahadeo Prasad Yadav, vice-president, Bihar Table Tennis Association (BTTA) gave away the prizes. Mukesh Roy, secretary, BTTA, welcomed the guests.

Photo Caption: Winners of Apresh Ghosh TT championships display their trophies in Patna on August 23, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Shubham Kumar of Bhagalpur is Bihar sub-junior chess champion

Patna, August 23, 2010: Shubham Kumar of Bhagalpur clinched the Bihar state sub-junior boys’ chess championships title with 6.5 points at the end of the seventh and final round at the Moinul Haq Stadium here on Monday.

In the final round Shubham beat Gaurav Kumar of Muzaffarpur. Rajya Sabha member and RJD national general secretary Ram Kripal Yadav gave away the prizes.

Final standing: 1.Subham Kumar (6.5); 2. Rishi Shankar (6); 3. Kumar Gaurav (6); 4.Manish Kumar (5.5), 5. Gaurav Kumar (5); 6. Rahul Raj (5); 7. Sameer Sengar (5); 8. Ayush Anand (5).

Photo caption: Winners of Bihar state sub-junior chess championships pose for photograph with Rajya Sabha MP Ram Kripal Yadav (sitting centre) in Patna on August 23, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui