Udayan takes lead in second round

Pune, October 26, 2011: Bangalore’s Udayan Mane played at Poona Golf Club as he was playing at his home course - Karnataka Golf Association, by hitting an impressive 6-under for the total of 141 (76, 65) to take the lead in second round of Maharashtra Open Amateur Golf Championship. Khalin Joshi, winner of last year’s Maharashtra Open, finished second with level par score for the total of 143 (72, 71) while coming from behind, Jamshedpur’s Karan Taunk also had a level par round to end the day with third place at 144 (73,71).

Another Bangalorian S. Chikkarangappa, who was nowhere in the contention yesterday, shot 2-under for the total of 145 (76, 69) for a tie along with Delhi’s Honey Baisoya who was third in the last round at 145 (71, 74). They both finished fourth and fifth respectively. The leader of day one, K. Raghav Bhandari slipped to 7th spot after shooting 7-over for the total of 146 (68, 78).

43 out of 78 players have made the cut at 14-over.

The 20-year-old Mane has been playing golf for about 7 years and with the hands on experience of this course, he started the day with a birdie on 1st and then he didn’t stop the count as he kept hitting birdies on 7th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 14th and 18th. He also had a lone bogey on 13th which didn’t make any difference to his best score of the day.

Mane who looks like half Marathi and half Kannada actually belongs to Maharashtra but he has lived in Bangalore all through his life. The KGA’s boy said, “I have started taking my game seriously only 6 months ago when I met my coach, Vijay Divecha. Now, I live golf almost in all spheres of my life. I start my day with yoga and then straightaway head to the Touché Golf Academy to exercise and then practice with Anirban lahiri and Abhishek Jha. All these things really helped me to be in a system and I am looking forward to take the title after two days.”

The sensation of Indian Amateur Golf Tour, S. Chikkarangappa came back in his form after hitting two-under for the day. Chikka who seems very clear in his mind all the time, said, “I always like to give myself a trouble in the beginning of any tournament and love to beat the leader by a good margin of strokes. As far as this event is concerned, I realised yesterday that I am not hitting many regulations and that’s what I started today after 4th hole. I just need a good start in the next two days and I am surely going to stick to my game.”

Chikka had a bad start as he hit a bogey on 1st , 3rd and then 17th while he had quite a good shots as he birdied the 5th, 14th while his best was an eagle on 7th.

When asked about the mental pressure, Chikka said, “No matter how mentally strong I am but I just can not write the bad score of my playing partner. For example, I gave Kanishk Madan’s scorecard to my caddy after 15th hole because it was kind of giving me negativity every time I was writing the scores. I like to think positive after each shot I play and that makes me on the top of the leader board almost every time.”

Photo caption: Bangalore’s Udayan Mane in action at Poona Golf Club on October 26, 2011.

Press Release

Ani Raj is Patna TT champion

Patna, October 24, 2011: Ani Raj became the new district table tennis champion by winning the title of men's singles in the Patna District Table Tennis Championship concluded here at the Bihar Young Men's Institute. Ani defeated Amit Kumar in the finals by 11-4, 11-3, 12-10, 8-11 and 11-6.

In the women's singles final Dipali Sarkar defeated Chumki Mandal in staright four games by 12-10, 11-9, 11-5, 11-6.While the younger player Amit Kumar won the double crown title by clinching the sub-junior and junior boys singles.

Former president of the Bihar TT Association Vijay Shankar Mishra, Ex MLC, was the chief guest and distributed the prizes. Earlier, Banarsi Prasad, retired CGM, Coal India, welcomed the guest while Mukesh Roy, secretary Bihar Table Tennis Association proposed a vote of thanks. Prem Kumar Singh, vice president, PDTTA, Sanjay Bhattachary and Tarun Kumar were present on the occasion.

Results: Cadet boys’(under 12) final- Ayush Anand beat Yogesh Mathur by 11-3, 11-6, 11-6.

Sub-junior boys’(under 14) final-Amit Kumar beat Aditya Umang by 11-1,11-6,11-5, Junior boys’ singles (under 17) final-Amit Kumar beat Piyush D Gandhi by 4-11,11-4,10-12,11-6,11-6.

Photo caption: Winners of Patna district table tennis championships display their trophies in Patna on October 24, 2011.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Indo-Pak Express crowned champions of Stockholm Open

Stockholm, October 23, 2011: World No.7 pair of Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi were a class above the towering Marcelo Melo and his partner Bruno Soares, who were beaten comprehensively with a 6-1, 6-3 score-line in the final of € 600,000 If Stockholm Open. After a semi-final finish at the US Open earlier this year, Bopanna and Qureshi have won their second title of the season, the first being at the Halle Open.

Big - serving Bopanna and his volley-friendly partner Qureshi got off the blocks effortlessly and found their rhythm early in the match. They dominated their opponents in the first set, breaking their serve at will, while Melo and Soares failed to convert their break point to surrender the first set 6-1.

The Brazilians tried to offer more resistance to the Indo-Pak Express' onslaught in the second set, but the duo that knocked out the defending champions on route to the finals came up short against the top seeds. The Indo-Pak Express went on to win the first indoor hard court title of their career by pocketing the second set 6 - 3. Crowned the winners of If Stockholm Open, Bopanna and Qureshi have added 250 points to their tally and are very strong contenders to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London, November 2011. Elated with their win, Bopanna said, “It feels great to have won our second title of the year and this is the best way to keep ourselves in contention for a berth in London.”

After tasting success at Stockholm, the IndoPak Express' next stop is the Valencia Open 500 in Austria where they will be looking to continue their winning ways.

Press release from Go Sports

Pune pattern to the fore at Delhi Tennis Nationals

New Delhi, October 15, 2011: Maharashtra players won 4 out the 8 titles in fray at the Fenesta National Tennis Championships which concluded in Delhi today. It can be easily termed as the Pune pattern, where the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association along with a corporate Bharat Forge and a Sports NGO Lakshya came together with an aim of producing a line of international standard tennis players in the country.

The success of 15-year-old Rutuja Bhosale becoming the youngest player to win the senior tennis nationals, 17-year-old Arjun Kadhe lifting a grand double crown winning the boys under 18 championships and the senior national doubles title partnering senior player Nitten Kirrtane, Pratharna Thombare wining the girls’ doubles title along with Namita Bal cannot be termed as a fluke, but a result of a well planned programme going on for the last five years.

The success of the players all members of the MSLTA Vision Programme and the Bharat Forge - Lakshya programme goes to prove that with proper planning, coordination and goal setting players can surely take players to the top .

The Vision programme was devised by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) in 2006 to help players from Maharashtra rise to the international level.

Under the programme the MSLTA would take care of the travel and training. Besides, the body will also use techniques like bio-mechanical analysis, monitoring using videos, etc. thus profiling the players. With an eye on the future, the body also zeroed in on younger players so as to create the next batch of players to be brought under this programme.

The best part of the programme was that the players could play with their own coaches throughout the year but would have to assemble as a group every quarter for periodical on court and off court tests. Currently players train at different centres in Pune. While Rutuja and Sahil train with former Davis Cupper Sandeep Kirtane, Arjun trains with Hemant Bendrey and Prarthana Tombare trains with Davis Cup coach Nandan Bal.

Dr. Vece Paes, father of legendary Leander, was bought in two years ago by MSLTA to play the role of the peak performance trainer, while the association signed up with Sports Mechanics for the bio mechanical video programming.

The entire programme received a boost when Bharat Forge Limited, a global forging conglomerate and Lakshya, a city based sports NGO joined hands to support young talent and upcoming sportspersons.

Lakshya which supports players in chess, boxing, wrestling, table tennis apart from cricket decided to take Bharat Forge help to sponsor five young and country’s top junior tennis players Ankita Raina, Arjun Kadhe, Pratharna Thombare, Rutuja Bhosale and Sahil Deshmukh, says Sunder Iyer, secretary of Lakshya and also the treasurer of MSLTA.

Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Forge Ltd, says “It is sponsorships such as these, I believe which go a long way in contributing to the development of these young sports talent and also encourage them on the demanding path to the top.

Adds Iyer , when we selected players under this programme two year ago the five selected players were top three players in their respective age groups, while 16year old Ankita Raina basically from Ahmedabad having shifted base to Pune won the senior national women’s championships in 2009 , Arjun Kadhe, a Pune boy was No.1 in the Boys under 16 event , while Pratharna Thombare from Barshi in Solapur was Girls under 16 No1 , Rutuja Bhosale was No 3 in the Girls under 14, while Sahil Deshmukh from Pune was ranked No 1 in the Boys under 12 event.

A Press release

Jharkhand handball team announced

Jamshedpur, October 14, 2011: A 16-member Jharkhand team will participate in the 40th Senior Men National Handball Championship to be held in Bhilai (Chattisgarh) from October 16 to 21.

Team: Dildar Singh, Wasiul Hasan, Md Shahid, Rohit Kumar, Sajid Parvez, SN Hasan, Satya Kumar, HP Chintaman, Dayal Singh, R Santa Kumar, Iqbal Singh, Jindal Patel, Vikas, Aniket Bhide, Parvinder Singh, Firoz Khan (coach) and ML Rana (manager).

Kolkata Ballbusters qualify for cavalry round

Kolkata, October 14, 2011: Kolkata Ballbusters Gang stretched the lead on final day of Puravankara Touché Golf League East Zone, infantry round. Ballbusters remained on top with five strokes as they shot 154-over for the two day’s total of 1715 at Par-72 Royal Calcutta Golf Club to qualify for the Cavalry round today. Other three Gangs who qualified were Golf Sarkaars, G-8 and Kolkata Eagles.

It was a neck-to-neck competition for both Ballbusters and Sarkaars as Sarkaars were four strokes ahead today with 150-over but as per their yesterday’s score, they could only close the gap by four shots for the total of 1720 (850, 870) for the second place. The course played little easy for G-8 as they all were more familiar with RCGS than Tollygunge. G-8 was only one shot behind the Ballbusters today with 155-over but their two day’s score of 1745 (870, 875) made them stay on the third place. Kolkata Eagles who played at RCGC yesterday with the course best score of 224-over, jumped into fourth from sixth place with the two days total of 1796 (924,872) at Tollygunge Golf Club.

Rita Punwani, the former chairperson of Indian Golf Union ladies amateur circuit came back with a smile even after shooting a bad round of 25-over for the leading gang. Punwani said, “I will blame the weather but not my game because I play quite often and better rounds at this course. Golf in Kolkata is still way behind for ladies and that’s why I really feel lucky to be associated with golf for number of years. As far as my gang is concerned, I knew that we are going to be number one as we plan things in a different way. Now, we are all set to make new strategies for the cavalry round.”

The most talked about golfer among 22 Gangs Laxman Singh who is also a part of Golf Sarkaars Gang seemed so excited about the whole concept of Touché Golf League. A delighted Singh said, “I have been playing golf for 35 years and after winning the Asian Games gold medal in 1982, I always wanted to play a team championship like this. Though, I won’t be able to participate in the cavalry round for some reason but hoping to go to Srilanka after my gang qualifies for the final round and also very keen to meet the gangs from other zones.”

A Press release

Kolkata Ballbusters Gang steals the show on Day One at PTGL East Zone

Kolkata, October 13, 2011: Kolkata Ballbusters Gang started off impressively on the day one of Puravankara Touché Golf League, East Zone at Tollygunge Golf Club today. Ballbusters Gang hit a superb round of 141-over for the total of 841 at the par-70 course to take the first infantry round lead while Golf Sarkaars Gang, who is also known as the strongest Gang of Kolkata shot 150-over 850 for the second position. G-8 Gang was 29 shots behind the leader to end in third position with the score of 870 and Royal Warriors Gang shot 194-over 894 for the fourth place.

Harmeet Sahney who shot four-over 74 registered best score of the day. He has played at Tollygunge for 10 years in his early days before moving to RCGC. Sahney, who chose his gang’s name after looking at few websites said, “I am quite amazed to see that I shot the lowest score today because the course was extremely tough not just for me but for every single player. If you ask me about the best gang of Kolkata, leaving my score, I think our Gang still didn’t play as per their potential and that’s all I can say after looking at the leader board. We will have a couple of better players tomorrow and I am sure we will continue to hit some good birdies to be on top.”

G. S. Baweja, captain of the runners-up gang looked disappointed while watching a hole-in-one missed by his teammate Jaideep Chitlangia on the 18th green. Baweja said, “I am so proud of my Gang. If somebody talks about golf in Kolkata, he has to talk about our gang because the name of our gang straightaway comes from Aveek Sarkaar who is editor-in-chief of the Telegraph newspaper and he is not just the best editor but also a very good golfer. 10 out of 16 people from our gang is on the committee of Royal Calcutta Golf Club which itself is a great honour. Whether we played the best game today or not but there is no doubt about being the best Gang in terms of making great strategies for upcoming golfers of Kolkata.”

Total 22 Gangs were playing simultaneously at Tollygunge and RCGC today and they all will fight against each other tomorrow at both the courses out of which, four gangs will qualify for the Cavalry round which will be played by the end of this month.

A Press release

Mega Minds win Dony Polo cricket title

Mega Minds won the Dony Polo under-19 cricket championships title beating Ghirni Pokhar Cricket Club (GPCC) Muzaffarpur by 20 runs at the Moinul Haq Stadium in Patna on October 12, 2011. Batting first Mega Minds made 101 runs off 27.1 overs while Muzaffarpur boys could manage to score 81 runs all out off 24.3 overs. BJP MLA Arun Kumar Sinha was the chief guest in the closing function and he gave away the prizes.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Hockey India to host MHL from 2013

New Delhi, October 10, 2011: Hockey India will be conducting the International Men Hockey League (MHL) under the aegis of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) from 2013.

This annual league with various teams owned by franchisees will be played on a home and away basis where the best hockey talent from India and the world's most coveted current stars, not discarded or retired players, will be showcased together in fast and furious prize money combats.

FIH has been requested for a 45 day window in their calendar and also not to conduct any other tournament during this period.

2012 will witness the greatest sporting extravaganza, the Olympic Games at London, where the world's 12 best men and women hockey teams will vie for the top honours. It is every sportsman's ultimate desire to don the national colours at the Olympic Games and stand on the podium with a medal hanging from the neck.

It was at London in 1948 that Independent India won its first Olympic gold medal with the men hockey team proudly seeing the tricolour being hoisted to the strains of the national anthem.

Hockey India Press Release

Come and play scheme launched nationwide

New Delhi, October 9, 2011: Union Minister for Social Justices and Empowerment, Mukul Wasnik today launched the nationwide “Come & Play Scheme”. Aimed at opening the SAI sporting infrastructure for sports loving citizen apart from dedicated sportspersons, the scheme would ensure access to more than 80 SAI facilities, spread across the length and breadth of the country. The function held at MDC National Stadium was presided over by the Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Ajay Maken.

As a part of the legacy utilization plan of the newly created sports infrastructure in the capital, the ‘COME AND PLAY’ Scheme was initiated by Ajay Maken at various Sports Authority of India (SAI) stadium complexes in New Delhi, on April 15, 2011. The scheme envisages opening up of the SAI stadiums in the city for use by school children, students, sports person as also the common people. The response to the scheme has been encouraging and has attracted around 12,000 of sports enthusiasts.

The objective of the scheme is essentially to impart coaching, primarily to beginners, not only to broad base sports but for optimum utilization of the facilities available.

Considering the success of the scheme in Delhi, Maken directed SAI authorities to replicate in all the SAI regional centres / sub-centres / institutions, STCs & SAG centres. It was in this background that the scheme was launched nationwide by Mukul Wasnik, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment and Maken here today. On the occasion, the theme song and a booklet on “Come & Play Scheme” was also released.

Press release

SAI and AIFF sign agreement to develop JLN Stadium as football hub

New Delhi, October 5, 2011: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) and All India Football Federation (AIFF) have signed an agreement to develop the Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium as football hub in the country. The agreement was signed by Gopal Krishna, Secretary, SAI and Kushal Das, General Secretary, AIFF in presence of Ajay Maken, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports and Praful Patel, President of AIFF and Minister for Heavy Industries.

As per agreement, SAI will enable use of the stadium by AIFF including the main pitch for a maximum period of 40 days per year. SAI will also provide AIFF the outside practice ground of the stadium free of cost for 50 days in a year along with other necessary facilities available in the stadium for the smooth conduct of national and international football tournaments.

AIFF on its part of obligation will repair/re-lay the turf on the main pitch at JLN Stadium at its own cost. The agreement also mentions that AIFF will provide events wise calendar to SAI indicating the requirements of other facilities.

AIFF will hold SAFF Football Tournament in December, 2011, Nehru Cup Football Tournament 2012, international matches, domestic tournaments and for the remaining period out of 40 days, it will hold coaching camps and clinics related to football.

The agreement will be valid for one year and can be extended further for 2 years on the basis of review and mutual understanding.

While speaking on the occasion after signing of an agreement, Praful Patel described this event as an important step to improve the standards of football in the country by providing best sporting infrastructure. He said this agreement will go long way to improve the ranking of the game, which slipped considerably in the last few years because of lack of availability of good sporting infrastructure at every level.

He also requested Sports Minister to explore the possibility of providing residential accommodation to AIFF so that it can set up a football academy also.

In his response, Ajay Maken said with the signing of an agreement today, the foundation has been laid for developing Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium into hub of the football. He said that installation of retractable seats can also be explored by SAI to enhance the seating capacity of the stadium. Maken further stated that National Institute of Sports Science, which will be going to set up also in the stadium will take up 2.50 Lakh sq. feet to 4 lakh sq feet of space and it will be the best in the world.

Press release

Patna tennis prodigy Shree Krishna wins a grand double in Ahmedabad

Patna, October 7, 2011: Shree Krishna, Bihar's No.1 player in boys’ U-12, U-14 and U-16 categories defeated Faisal Qamar of Rajasthan in straight sets to win the boy's U-14 singles final in AITA ranking championships in Ahmedabad today.

Shree Krishna displayed some terrific tennis to overcome the Rajasthani player 6-1,7-6 (5).

In earlier matches, he beat Ishan U Shah of Gujarat in the first round, Pujan Desai of Maharashtra in the second round, Vatsin Thaker of Maharashtra in the quarterfinal and Utsav Patel of Guajrat in the semifinal .

Earlier Shree Krishna won the doubles final partnering with Faisal Qamar of Rajasthan 6-3,4-6,10-5 against Utsav Patel of Gujarat and Vatsin Thaker of Maharashtra .

Shree Krishna, 12-year-old Patna lad, is the only player who won a national-level tournament in his age group.

Ajay Bose retires

Sports organisers and staff members of the state sports department bade farewell to Ajay Bose, deputy director (sport) on the last day of his office at the Moinul Haq Stadium in Patna on September 30, 2011. Bose retired after 33 years of distinguished service with the Bihar Government in different capacities.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui