Uttar Pradesh boys and Bihar girls clinch carrom titles

Dehradun, December 29, 2010: Uttar Pradesh and Bihar clinched the boys and girls team championship titles respectively in the 39th Junior National and Inter-State carrom championship at Agarwal Dharmshala here on Wednesday.

Uttar Pradesh blanked Hyderabad 3-0 in the boys’ final. In the first singles Syed Wahib Ali of Uttar Pradesh beat D. Kalyan of Hyderaabd 21-1, 21-5 while in the second singles Mohd. Arif of UP got the better of K Sriniwas of Hyderabad 19-15, 16-15.

Abdul Rahman and Mohd. Kashif of Uttar Pradesh outplayed V Naresh and S Sai of Hyderabad 14-11, 21-13 to win in the doubles final.

In girls’ team championship final, Bihar recaptured the trophy defeating Tamil Nadu 3-0. In the first singles Deepika Sinha of Bihar tamed M. Kanagdhara of Tamil Nadu 21-11, 21-10. In the second singles Kajal Kumari of Bihar struggled to beat P Jayashree of Tamil Nadu 11-3, 7-11, 21-7. In the doubles Suruchi and Bibha of Bihar defeated S. Adhulya and Jyothi Pravalika of Tamil Nadu at 21-9, 19-3.

Earlier, Anoop Gupta of Uttarakhand defeated Jitesh of Haryana in Youth boys singles first round 16-19, 18-11, 16-12.

Hyderabad and UP entered the final of boys’ team championship. In the first semi-final, Hyderabad defeated Tamil Nadu 2-1. In the first singles K Srinivas of Hyderabad even letting down in first game by 9-18 improved a lot in second and third game. He won the second game by 21-5 and the 3rd by 18-16 against K Tamil Selvan.

In the 2nd singles D Kalyan of Hyderabad lost to P Mahendran 11-13, 0-21. In the doubles V. Naresh and S Sai of Hyderabad defeated Tamil Nadu pair of V R Venkateswaran and A Vigneswaran 4-17, 19-05, 20-10.

In the second semifinal, UP defeated Chandigarh 2-1. In the first singles Syed Wahib Ali of UP defeated Hassan of Chandigarh 6-21, 21-3, 21-9. In the second singles Mohd. Arif of UP lost to Talib of Chandigarh at 1-21, 21-17, 7-21. In the doubles, Abdul Rehman and Mohd. Kashif of U.P. defeated Arish and Saqib of Chandigarh 19-0, 21-0.

In the girls singles semifinals, Tamil Nadu and defending champions Bihar registered their victories. In the first semi Final Tamil Nadu defeated Maharashtra by 2-1. In the first singles M Kanagdhara of Tamil Nadu lost to Vrushali Patil of Maharashtra 5-20, 0-21. In the second singles P Jayashree of Tamil Nadu defeated Maitreyee Gogate of Maharashtra 18-0, 21-8. In the doubles S Adulya and Jyuothi Pravalika of Tamil Nadu beat Neha Vemul and Shreya Valanju of Maharashtra 21-1, 21-0.

In the second semifinal Bihar defeated Chandigarh 2-1. In the first singles Kajal Kumari of Bihar defeated Farheen of Chandigarh 20-5, 6-15, 16-15. In the second singles, Deepika Sinha of Bihar lost to Tuba of Chandigarh 0-12, 8-12, 3-18. Suruchi and Bibha defeated Anjali and Priya of Chandigarh 16-17, 21-1, 18-1.

Quarterfinals boys team championships

Hyderabad bt. Andhra by 2-1- D. Kalyan lost to S.K. Ilahi 21-06, 21-14; K. Srinivas bt. B. Dilleshwara Rao 21-0,10-21, 21-6, V. Naresh & S. Sai bt. Janardhan Reddy & Basheer 8-9, 21-0, 21-0.

Tamil Nadu bt. Vidarbha by 3-0- K. Tamil Selvan bt. Avinash Birkar 15-0, 18-0; A. Mahendran bt. Vicky Sakhare 13-9, 21-1, VR Venkateshan & A. Vigneswaran bt. Monish & Aashik 11-4, 10-9, 15-14.

Chandigarh bt. Bihar by 3-0. Talib bt. Wasim 21-0, 21-14; Hassan bt. S. Ezazi 21-0, 21-0; Saqib & Arish bt. Lokesh Bihari & Devesh 21-7, 28-16.

UP bt. Maharashtra by 3-0- Mohd. Arif bt. Akash Goel 14-10, 21-0; Syed Wahid Ali bt Irfan Shaikh 21-3, 21-5, Mohd. Kashif & Abdul Rehman bt. Kiran Makwana & Vishal Parmar 21-0, 18-13.

Girls team championships quarterfinals:

Bihar bt. Jharkhand by 3-0- Kajal bt. Kavyashree 18-16, 21-11; Deepika bt. Smrity Shekhar 21-0, 18-3; Suruchi & Bibha bt. Rajani Soni & Nini Jha 21-16, 21-0.

Chandigarh bt. Hyderabad by 3-0- Farheen bt. D. Nagamani 21-0, 21-0; Tuba bt. G. Moonika 21-5, 21-0; Anjali Taneja & Priya Sharma bt. B. Shruthi & G. Shruthi 19-0, 21-0.

Maharashtra bt. Andhra Pradesh by 2-1- Vrushali Patil bt. MSK Harika 16-12, 5-13, 10-7; Maitreyee Gogate bt. N. Rajyalakshmi 10-3, 11-3; Neha Vemula & Shreya Valanju lost to Ch. Mary Swarna & P. Vineela 14-11, 11-15, 19-8.

Tamil Nadu d bt. UP. by 3-0- P. Jayashree bt. Bhoomi Tripathi 21-0, 21-0; M. Kanagdhara bt. Ekta Tripathi16-14, 0-21, 21-1; S. Adulya & Jyothi Pravalika bt. Aishwarya & Shikha Singh 21-9, 15-12, 18-6.

Source: All India Carrom Federation

6-wicket Soni Kumari scripts Bihar win

Patna, December 5, 2010: Mediumpacer Soni Kumari took six wickets for 13 runs off 6.4 overs as Bihar chalked out an impressive 9-wicket victory over Arunachal Pradesh in their opening round-robin league match of the BCCI Associated Members senior women tournament in Shillong on Sunday.

According to information received here, Bihar bowlers sent Arunachal Pradesh batting line up crashing from the very beginning of the innings. Soni captured four quick wickets in her opening spell as Arunachal were reeling at 20 for 4.

Sima Kumari got two Arunachal Pradesh wickets giving away 3 runs in her spell of three overs. Later, Soni uprooted the tails quickly as Arunachal Pradesh managed to score 30 runs off 12.3 overs.

In reply, Bihar reached the target losing one wicket. Priya Kishori (8 not out) and Anita Kumari (9 not out) scored runs for Bihar.

Bihar women cricket team leaves for Shillong

Patna, December 3, 2010: A 15-member Bihar team led by Purnima Verma of Bhagalpur left for Shillong on Friday to participate in the BCCI Associated members’ senior women’s championship to be held from December 5 to 17.

Team: Purnima Verma (captain), Ishrat Jahan , Tejaswita, Shanashef, Anita, Neelam, Anushka, Shilpi Sen, Sima, Nibha, Arti, Soni, Tanjua Kiran, Priya Kishore, Rohini Raj. Coach: Pramod Kumar. Manager: Ravi P Sinha.

Photo caption: Bihar women cricket team in Patna on December 3, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Bihar humble Nagaland to move into U-22 cricket final

Patna, December 3, 2010: Bihar humbled Nagaland by 212 runs in a group B league match and moved into the final of the BCCI Associated Members U-22 tournament at the Digvijay Singh Stadium at Rajnandgaon on Friday.

According to information reached here Bihar will play Chhattisgarh in the final.

Shashim Rathore scored a blazing century in Bihar’s big win. Batting first Bihar scored a mammoth 352 runs off 50 overs. Shashim made 113 runs off 78 balls with 16 boundaries and two sixes. Mangal Mehroor hit 64 off 74 balls with six fours. Sarfaraz Ashraf scored 74 runs off 77 balls with four boundaries and two sixes.

In reply, Nagaland were all out for 140 runs. Satish Roy captured three wickets while Sarfaraz, Rehan and Saket got two wickets each.

Litera Valley School record easy victory

Patna, December 1, 2010: Litera Valley School thrashed Sun International School by seven wickets in the 26th All India Sukhdeo Narain memorial inter-school cricket tournament at the Moinul Haq Stadium here on Wednesday.

Ranjit Kumar of the Litera Valley School, who took four wickets for 17 runs, was adjudged man of the match.

Vivek Vihar Public School beat Siddhartha Public School by 16 runs in the second match of the day. Vishal Sinha of Vivek Vihar School, who made 30 runs and captured four wickets for 35 runs, was named man of the match.

Brief scores: Sun International School: 111 all out in 19.5 overs (Pushkar-25, Ankit-25, Kunal-10, ranjit-4/17, Pushkar-3/18).

Litera Valley School: 112 for three wickets in 14.3 overs (Ayush-32 not out, Abhinav-19, Saurabh-10 not out, Harsh-2/23).

Vivek Vihar Public School: 153 for six wickets in 25 overs (Kumar Gaurav-38, Vishal Sinha-30, Shivam-14, Sanjeet-12, Om Prakash-3/22, Bihari Singh-3/21).

Siddhartha Public School: 137 all out in 24.2 overs (Pawan Kumar-17, Om Prakash-35, Akash Kumar-15, Vishal Sinha-4/35, Prakash-1/21).

Mehroor hits century in Bihar win

Patna, December 1, 2010: Bihar crushed Sikkim by 138 runs in the opening group ‘B’ league match of the BCCI Associated Members U-22 tournament at Digvijay Singh Stadium in Rajnandgaon, about 70 km from Raipur (Chattishgarh) on Wednesday.

In Bihar’s thumping win, Mangal Mehroor hit a magnificent century (106) and Kumar Aditya made 98.

According to information received here, electing to bat first, Bihar Bihar scored 286 for the loss of five wickets off 50 overs. Mangal Mehroor’s 124-ball knock was studded with 13 boundaries and one six. Kumar Aditya stroked in nine boundaries in his 132-ball knock. Sarfaraj Ashraf slammed a blazing 36 off 17 balls with four boundaries and two sixes.

Sikkim were all out for 148 runs off 37 overs. Saket Kumar ripped apart the Sikkim innings claiming four wickets for 24 runs. Sarfaraj Ashraf took two wickets for 34 runs off 10 overs. Rajesh Singh bagged two wickets for 33 runs off 7 overs.

With this victory, Bihar earned bonus points.

Big win for KPS Residential Public School

Patna, November 30, 2010: KPS Residential Public School chalked out 78-run victory over Dev Public School in the 26th All India Sukhdeo Narain memorial inter-school cricket tournament at the Moinul Haq Stadium here on Tuesday.

With this win KPS Residential Public School moved into the pre-quarter-finals. Roshan Kumar of KPSRP School, who made 30 runs, was declared man of the match.

In the second match, Swami Vivekanand Residential Public School beat SVMRP School by three wickets. Arpan Pratik of Swami Vivekanand RP School, who hit 43 runs, was declared man of the match.

Brief scores: KPSRP School: 152 for eight wickets in 25 overs (Manish Vaibhav-14, Pravi Ranjan-23, Vikas Raj-25, Roshan Kumar-30, Sachin-13, Sajid Haq-10, Sumit-2/27, Amit-2/16).

Dev Public School: 74 for nine wickets in 15.5 overs (Rajiv Kumar-11, Shashi-3/6, Sachin-2/5, Abid-2/5, Pravi-1/15).

SVMRP School: 167 for six wickets in 25 overs (S Khan-39, Siddhartha-30, Ram Hirdya-21, Asfi-32, Ram Prasad-2/23, Kumar Kislay-1/35, Sanjay-1/20).

Swami Vivekanand School: 169 for seven wickets in 23.5 overs (Abhishek Anand-45, Arpan Pratik-43, Gautam-11, Sanjay-11, Siddhartha-2/19, Asfi-2/24, Ram Hirdya-2/24).

Photo caption: KPS Residential Public School boys pose for a group photograph in Patna on November 30, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Bihar kabaddi golden girl Smita returns home to a tumultuous welcome

Patna, November 29, 2010: Four years ago, when Rajiv Kumar Singh, a member of the gold winning Indian kabaddi team in Doha Asian Games, returned home, there were a few people, most of them were the members of the Bihar State Kabaddi Association, at the Patna Junction to accord him welcome. Rajiv’s was the lone gold medalist from Bihar. After four years, Smita Kumari, a member of the gold medal winning Indian women's kabbadi team in the Guangzhou Asian Games in China, reached here to a tumultuous reception. Sports lovers and Bihar Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary received her on arrival from New Delhi at the Jaya Prakash Narayn international airport.

Speaking on the occasion Bihar Minister said that Smita had not only brought pride to India but also for people of Bihar.

He said government would felicitate Smita soon and also offered her a job. Smita is at present working with East Central Railway, Danapur division.

A virtually overwhelmed Smita said she had fulfilled the promise she made before leaving for participating in the Games. “It was great moment for me when we defeated Thailand in the finals and I will always remember the day,” she said.

The women's kabbadi team made history on its debut at the Asian Games.

She thanked her Bihar’s coach Mukesh Kumar and Secretary of the Bihar State Kabbadi Association and manager of the Indian women kbaddi team Kumar Vijay for boosting her morale and offering encouragement that helped her entry into the national team.

Smita, who hails from village Maranchi (Mokama) in Patna district, said she had dedicated the gold medal to the people of Bihar.

Indian women kabaddi team manager Kumar Vijay, who accompanied Smita in the same flight said Indian teams had created history in the both sections. “In the men’s section, the gold medal was sixth time in a row, whereas in the women's section India got the gold in the debut”, he said.

Photos: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

26th Sukhdeo Narain memorial inter-school cricket begins

Patna, November 28, 2010: The 26^th edition of the All-India Sukhdeo Narain memorial inter-school cricket tournament got off to a colourful start at the Moinul Haq Stadium here on Sunday. One exhibition cricket match and an attractive opening ceremony added the charm to the oldest school tournament of Bihar.

In on field action, Greenland International School beat Don Bosco Academy by 17 runs in the opening match. Batting first Greenland boys scored 131 all out off 19.5 overs while Don Bosco Academy boys could muster 114 runs.

Manoj (36), Pulak (26) and Rishab (18) came good with the bat for Greenland. Utshasht captured 3 wickets for 21 runs while Sourabh bagged two wickets.

Saurabh (39) and Anitk (35) did well for Don Bosco Academy but the other batsmen faltered. Rahul Dev took four wickets for 10 runs. Vivek claimed two wickets.

Rahul Dev was declared man of the match.

Earlier, Pratayay Amrit, senior IAS officer, Dr Achal Sinha and Dr Chittaranjan Prasad jointly inaugurated the tournament. Ajay Kumar Sinha, SK Malhotra, Mritunjay Tiwari and Ajay Narayan Sharma were present at the inaugural function. Tournament secretary Bijoy Kumar Narain Chunnu welcomed the guests.

In the exhibition match BP Sinha Foundation prevailed over Punjabi Bradari by 15 runs.

Brief Scores: BP Sinha Foundation 159 for 4 off 20 overs (Pratayay Amrit 11, Nikhilesh Ranjan 51, Prakash 36, Ratan 19 not out, Kanwaljeet Khanna 2 wickets).

Punjabi Bradari 144 for five off 20 overs (Kanwaljeet Khanna 41, Vinay Gambhir 47).

Photo caption: Top: 26th All-India Sukhdeo Narain memorial inter-school cricket tournament is being inaugurated.

Top 2: Players of exhibition match

Top 3: Players of Don Bosco Academy

Bottom: Players of Greenland International School

Photo: Sukhdeo Cricket Tournament Committee

Junaid-ur Rahman, Rinki Ghosh win TT titles

Patna, November 28, 2010: Junaid-ur Rahman won the men singles title of the Professor Brajdev Prasad memorial Bihar state table tennis championships at the Bihar Young Men’s Institute here on Sunday.

Junaid-ur Rahman beat Samir Chakraborty 20-18, 11-9, 11-6 and 16-14 in the final.

Rinki Ghosh became the women champion beating Chandra Rawat 11-4, 11-7, 11-4 in the final.

Naman Kumar of Patna clinched the junior boys’ title defeating Piyush D Gandhi 11-9, 11-8, 11-9. Chandra Rawat of Madhubani won the youth girls’ title beating Payal Kumari (Madhepura) 11-9, 11-9 and 11-9.

Naman Kumar won one more title when he beat Junaid-ur Rahman 11-9,11-8, 11-8 for boys’ title.

In men’s team event final, Patna “B” trounced Madhepura 3-0 for the crown.

Dr Shanti Roy, Dr Himanshu Roy and Dr Sweta Roy jointly gave away the prizes. Bihar Table Tennis Association secretary Mukesh Roy welcomed the guests.

Photo caption: All winners of Bihar state and inter-district table tennis championships pose for a group photograph in Patna on November 28, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui