Ghosh moves into second round in TT event of London Olympics

London, July 28, 2012: Soumyajit Ghosh kept India’s table tennis challenge alive as he moved into the second round of the main draw when he beat Gustavo Tsuboi of Brazil 4-2 (11-9, 14-12, 7-11, 12-10, 5-11, 12-10) in a keen contest that lasted nearly 90 minutes on table two at the ExCel centre here tonight.

Earlier, Ankita Das made a mess of her match against Spain’s Sara Ramirez to exit in the first round. The Indian teenager made far too many mistakes against the Spaniard and yet managed to win a game off her in a match that lasted 30 minutes in the round of 128. The Siliguri girl lost 9-11 8-11 7-11 11-8, 2-11. Ankita had earlier received a bye in the preliminary round.

As for Ghosh, he showed his attacking prowess and began in style by winning the first two games. But Gustavo came back strongly to take the third game at 11-7 when Ghosh gave away some easy points. The Indian, however, managed to win the fourth extended game at 12-10 only to lose the fifth game as the Brazilian ran up a 4-0 lead.

From there the game was going one way as Ghosh was struggling to put the ball back across and this helped only his opponent’s cause as Ghosh was at least two points behind the Brazilian all the time until the latter went from strength to strength from there to shunt Ghosh out.

Ghosh, unwilling to give in, put his best foot forward in the sixth game and led narrowly at 6-4 after the Brazilian had levelled at 3-3. The lead kept changing hands with both the paddlers attacking with beautiful returns and good topspin smashes.

They were level at 7-7 and for the first time Gustavo went up at 8-7 before Ghosh restoring parity at 9-all. Though the Brazilian went 10-9 up, Ghosh made it 10-all and then clinically finished him with two straight points to seal the match.

Ghosh was happy about his second round entry but said that he shouldn’t have allowed his opponent any room in the third game which allowed him a semblance of comeback. “I should have pushed him hard, but he was good. My shots and serves worked well today. I am happy I have progressed well,” said Ghosh who will take on Matiss Burgis of Lativia in round two.

A TTFI Press release

Error-prone Ankita bows out of London Games

London, July 28, 2012: Ankita Das made a mess of what could have been a memorable moment for her at the Olympics here today as she exited in the first round losing 1-4 to Sara Ramirez of Spain at ExCel centre.

The Indian teenager made far too many mistakes against the Spaniard and yet managed to win a game off her in a match that lasted 30 minutes in the round of 128. The Siliguri girl lost 9-11 8-11 7-11 11-8, 2-11. Ankita had earlier received a bye in the preliminary round.

Though Ramirez started off well, Ankita was up to her opponent showing some patches of brilliance. She, however, made several unforced errors at the net as well as in her serves that put paid to her ambitions.  

Paying her first ever Games match, she failed to control her nerves against the higher ranked Sara (83) giving away so many easy points. The 19-year-old Indian did admit after the match that she was a bit nervous. “I made too many silly mistakes that cost me the match,” said the Indian.

The Indian came into grove in the fourth game when she managed to win 11-8 but Ramirez was too good on the day to give her opponent any allowance in the next as she shut out the Indian challenged quickly to win 11-2.

“I should have won the first game where I had a good chance at 9-10 when I missed my serve. In the third I was leading by a couple of points when I thought I had the game in my grips. But I played very badly, my backhand shots were awful today” said Ankita.  

Whenever Ankita went into offensive the Spaniard tried to slow down Ankita’s game without allowing the Indian any chance of a strong comeback.

A TTFI Press release

Deepika shines in London

London, July 27, 2012:  Deepika Kumari finished eighth overall with 662 points and helped the women’s team finish ninth (1938 points) in the team ranking in the afternoon session of the archery competition of the 30th Olympics.

The women’s recurve event, like the men’s section, was dominated by Korea as Bo Bae Ki and Sung Jin Lee totalled 671 respectively. Chinese Taipei’s Ya-Ting Tan also logged with 671.

Deepika recovered from an ordinary round with first 36 arrows to score 327 that gave her 18th position overall. But the 18-year-old was in her true self scoring 335 in the second 36 arrows. This score was the second best for the round.

Laishram Bombayla Devi finished 22nd overall with 650 and Chekrovolu Swuro was 50th with 625. In the team event, Korea was on top with 1993 points followed by the US and Chinese Taipei at 1979 and 1976. India’s first round opponent Denmark finished eighth with 1946.

No. 2 in the world, India will clash with Korea in the quarterfinals if it got the better of Denmark. World No. 1 Italy ended 10th, one slot behind India with 1937.

Individually, Deepika’s first round opponent is likely to be Amy Oliver of Great Britain and Bombayla may face Evangelia Psarra of Greece. Chekrovolu Swuro is likely to draw Jennifer Nichols of the US.


Indian Archery Association Press release

India in tough group with Korea, US

London, July 27, 2012: The Indian men team’s fate in the Olympic archery event is almost sealed as it is clubbed in the top half along with defending Olympic champion Korea and World No. 1 team, the US in the team elimination round that will get underway at Lord’s on Saturday.

India’s first match will be against Asian rival Japan and the winner will come up against the US in the quarterfinals. Ukraine and Great Britain will clash in a pre-quarterfinal match and the winner will have the envious task of meeting Korea in the quarterfinals.

If form plays true, Korea and the US will clash in the semifinals.
The competition in the bottom half looks pretty open with third ranked China and second ranked France getting bye into the quarterfinals. The winner of the match between Chinese Taipei and Italy will take on China in the quarterfinals as Mexico-Malaysia winner will play France for a place in the semifinals.

The second semifinal is likely to pit favourites China and France.

Indian Archery Association Press release

Indian men archers disappoint on the opening day

London, July 27, 2012: Indian archery hit a new low on the opening day of the 30th Olympic Games archery competition at Lord’s when the men’s team of Rahul Banerjee, Tarundeep Rai and Jayanta Talukdar, finished a shocking 12 out of 12 teams in the ranking round held in the morning.

On a day when the defending champion Korea stamped its class by establishing two world records and Olympic records for the team and individual totals, the three Indians bite the dust with a shocking display to plunge India’s campaign into disarray.

India, ranked third in world, totalled a pathetic 1969 points that gave it only the last spot. The top four finishers, Korea, France, China and the US, will all get a bye into the quarterfinals. India will be pitted against fifth-ranked Japan in the pre-quarterfinals which will be a repeat of the Ogden Olympic qualifying final match where India lost to Japan.

Individually, Rai was the best placed Indian at 31st spot with a total of 664. Banerjee was 46th with 655 and Talukdar was 53rd with 650. In the elimination round, Rai will play 34th ranked Juan Carlos Stevens of Cuba in the first round while Banerjee will take on 19th ranked Jantsan Gantugs of Mongolia. Talukdar has the toughest draw meeting 12th ranked Jacob Wukie of the US.

The Korean trio of Im Dong Hyun, Kim Bubmin and Oh Jin Hyek totalled 2087 points to established a new world record and Olympic record. The previous world record was 2069 by Korea at Antalya World Cup earlier this year and the Olympic record stood at 2031 by Korea set at Atlanta in 1996.

Im Dong Hyun’s individual score of 699 bettered his own world record of 696 set at Antalya earlier this year and the Olympic record stood at 684 points set by Michele Frangilli of Italy in 1996.

World No. 1 archer American Brady Ellison of the US finished 10th with a score of 676.

The men’s team elimination and the final will be gone through on Saturday with the first medal being awarded in this discipline.

Indian Archery Association Press release

India lose to Great Britain in Tri-Nation hockey tournament

SANTANDER (Spain), July 15, 2012:  India lost 1-3 to Great Britain in the inaugural match of the Tri-Nation invitational tournament, the team’s final warm-up event ahead of the Olympic Games, here late on Saturday evening.

Rain made the going soggy and helped the teams prepare for the conditions that are said to be prevailing in London.

India started well and was sharp in its attack. It took the lead in the third minute through Shivendra Singh’s deflection off a Tushar Khandker’s cross on counter attack. Within two minutes, Indian goalkeeper and captain Bharat Chetri pulled off a two-stage save, sweeping the  ball off the goal-line after having initially parried Rob Moore’s reverse hit.

James Tindall scored the equaliser through a 17th minute penalty corner and the teams were locked 1-1 at the half-time.

In the opening minutes of the second half, Great Britain’s goalkeeper James Fair brought off a smart save on the near post off a Tushar Khandker attempt to score. Ashley Jackson put his team ahead in the 45th minute off a penalty stroke. Harry Martin made it 3-1 with a 62nd minute goal off a deflection by Chetri when Jackson scooped the ball.

Hockey India Press release

Indian boys and girls enter quarterfinals of Asian Jr TT

New Delhi, July 14, 2012: The teams of Indian boys and girls entered the quarterfinals of the 18th Asian Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Championships at Jiangyin, according to reports reaching here today.

The Cadet boys squad, comprising Sudhanshu Grover, Abhishek and Vivek Bhargav, blanked out Thailand 3-0, to make it to the next stage. Grover defeated T Padasak in straight sets and Yadav put India in the driver's seat by winning his match against Poungsri Max 3-0 and later Bhargav defeated J Sataporn 3-1 to book their quarterfinal place.

Similarly, the junior girls team consisting of Manika Batra, Mallika Bhandarkar and Reeth Rishya defeated Kazakhstan 3-0, while the Cadet girls team, comprising Karnam Spoorthy, Suthirtha Mukherjee and Sumanna Saha, followed suit winning by the same margin against the Kazakh girls.

Meanwhile, the junior boys team of Utkarsh Gupta, Berdi Boro and Lalren Puia too moved into the next stage, according to the reports.

A TTFI Press release

32 junior hockey players to get Rs 10,000 monthly stipend

New Delhi, July 13, 2012: Hockey India named 32 junior men players to be given a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000 each. This will come as a big support for the talented players to purchase their equipment and help reduce the financial burden on their families.

Hockey India will make quarterly payments from the quarter of July-September 2012. Besides, best quality goalkeeping kits to the three goalkeepers short listed.

Out of 32 junior men players selected for monthly stipend by Hockey India 13 were members of the Indian team that won bronze medal in the 7th Junior Men’s Asia Cup recently concluded at Malacca, Malaysia from 3-13 May 2012.

Hockey India had already announced the list of 32 Junior Women players who will also get this monthly stipend.

The list of players is as under:

GOALKEEPERS

1.     Keshav Dutt (Haryana)

2.     Sushant Tirkey (Odisha)

3.     Naveen Kumar (Tamil Nadu)

DEFENDERS

4.     Chandan Singh (Uttar Pradesh)

5.     Gaganpreet Singh (Punjab)

6.     Sukhmanjit Singh (Punjab)

7.     Hans Raj (Haryana)

8.     Gagandeep Singh (Punjab)

9.     Amit Rohidas (Odisha)

10.  Sampath Kumar Maylaram (Andhra Pradesh)

MIDFIELDERS

11.  Jatinder Singh (Punjab)

12.  Manish Bishnoi (Haryana)

13.  Jarmanpreet Singh (Punjab)

14.  Baljit Singh (Punjab)

15.  Surender Kumar (Haryana)

16.  Harjit Singh (Punjab)

17.  Rockey Lohchab (Delhi)

18.  Suresh Toppo (Odisha)

FORWARDS

19.  Naveen Antil (Haryana)

20.  Talwinder Singh (Punjab)

21.  Tarandeep Singh (Punjab)

22.  Amon Mirash Tirkey (Odisha)

23.  Parvinder Singh (Punjab)

24.  Vinit Kamble (Maharashtra)

25.  Vikas Choudhary (Madhya Pradesh)

26.  Stanli Minz (Odisha)

27.  Anup Valmiki (Maharashtra)

28.  PL Thimmanna (Bangalore)

29.  Sukhdev Singh (Punjab)

30.  Mandeep Singh (Punjab)

31.  Malak Singh (Haryana)

32.  Satbir Singh (Punjab)

A Hockey India Press release

India go down fighting to South Africa in hockey

New Delhi, July 11, 2012: India went down fighting 3-4 to South Africa in their last friendly in the run-up to the Tri-Nation at La Albericia, the capital city of Cantabria, today.

The goal scorers for India were Danish Mujtaba, Sandeep Singh and SK Uthappa while Clinton Panther, Thoton McDade, Llyod Norris-Jones and Justin Reid Ross were on target for South Africa.

Clinton Panther put South Africa ahead in the 9th minute, scoring a field goal. Thoton McDade scored another goal for his team in the 17^th minute. India reduced the margin four minutes later with the field goal scored by forward Danish Mujtaba.

Going into the second half India created good moves penetrating in the circle and leveled 2-2 in the 47th minute through a penalty corner converted by Sandeep Singh. However, three minutes later Llyod Norris- Jones put South Africa ahead. India fought back strongly and equalized seven minutes later through a field goal by SK Uthappa.

South Africa scored the winning goal in the 61st minute through a penalty corner by Justin Reid.

In the run-up to the Tri-Nation India drew Spain 3-3 before losing the second Test 1-2 and beat South Africa 6-5 in the first friendly. The four matches helped the Indian players adjust to the blue turf. 

A Hockey India Press release

India lose 1-2 to Spain in second hockey Test

New Delhi, July 8, 2012: India went down fighting 1-2 to host Spain in the second Test played at La Albericia in the capital city of the Cantabria late on Saturday.

Sandeep Singh (penalty corner-28th minute) scored the solitary goal for India, while Spain registered goals through Pau Quemada (34th minute) and Santi Freixa (penalty corner-69th minute).

India began well and took lead in the 28th minute with the penalty corner successfully converted by drag flicker Sandeep Singh. Spain equalised in the 34th minute through a field goal scored by Pau Quemada. Skipper Santi Freixa consolidated Spain’s position scoring a field goal in 69th minute.

This game also marked 250 international caps for senior player of the team, Ignace Tirkey.

A Hockey India Press release

Indian even win silver in Junior Asia Cup hockey

Bangkok, July 7, 2012: India finished the 6th Junior Women’s Asia Cup hockey championship with the silver medal – its best showing after four bronze medals – as they lost 2-5 to China in the final here today.

Taking the pitch with confidence against a team that had beaten it 2-5 in the Group A league, India played superbly to lead the Chinese 2-0 after 25 minutes when a 10-minute interruption because of rain hampered its rhythm.

Deep Grace Ekka scored off a seventh minute penalty stroke while skipper and midfielder Ritu Rani scored a field goal four minutes later. India had the better of the exchanges for another quarter-hour before a spell of rain forced play to be suspended.

Five minutes after play resumed Na Wang scored a field goal to reduce the margin and turn the tide. She scored off a penalty corner two minutes into the second half to restore parity. Weija Hao struck two goals in three minutes from the 43rd minute to give China a 4-2 lead.

Jiaqi Li completed the tally in the 48th minute. Though India had done well to beat Japan 2-1 in the semifinal, it could be said that India played its best hockey in the tournament in the first 25 minutes of the final.

The Indian team has qualified for the Junior Women’s World Cup to be held next year. 

 A Hockey India Press release

India, Spain play 3-3 draw in vibrant first Test

SANTANTDER (Spain), July 6, 2012: India and host Spain played out a vibrant 3-3 draw in the first Test at the new facility at La Albericia in the capital city of the Cantabria province late on Thursday. 

Ranked 10th in the world, India trailed twice but bounced back well in a match that, with a bit more luck and pluck, it could have won against the team that is ranked fifth.

The vastly experienced Spanish goalkeeper Francisco Cortes made at least five brilliant saves in the final 10 minutes when India’s improved fitness came into play as the visiting side laid siege on the rival circle. Cortes also saved penalty corner drag-flicks by VR Raghunath and Sandeep Singh to ensure that that his team shared honours with India.

Quickly adapting to a blue turf that had perfect bounce, forward Tushar Khandker put India in the lead in the 11th minute by deflecting a cross from SV Sunil. But centre-forward Eduardo Tubau restored parity by capitalising on a pass from midfielder David Alegre in the 24th minute.

Spain took the lead seven minutes later when Sergi Enrique beat India skipper and goalkeeper Bharat Chetri with a penalty stroke that was awarded because the ball had struck SK Uthappa’s foot during a penalty corner exercise. India was in the arrears for just two minutes as Gurwinder Singh Chandi’s reverse flick off a rebound from Cortes’ pads found the mark.

Even though India made a number of circle penetrations, it was Spain that took the lead again in the 59th minute through a field goal by Tubau that capped some good work by Santi Frexia on a counter-attack. Three minutes later, Uthappa scored a field goal to help India draw abreast of the home team that enjoyed the support of a goodly crowd.

A Hockey India Press release

Hockey India mourns Abdul Hamid's death

New Delhi, July 6, 2012: Hockey India condoled the death of former India outside-left Abdul Hamid, who died in his home-town Jhansi. Hamid (66) was a member of the Indian team that won the silver medal in the Jakarta Asian Games in 1962.

Hamid played much of his hockey in Calcutta (as Kolkata was then known) for Mohammedan Sporting, Mohun Bagan and Bengal Nagpur Railway (which is now South Eastern Railway). In the National Championship, he played for Railways, forging a formidable combination with the likes of Balbir Singh, Gurbux Singh, Harbinder Singh  

Hockey India prays for strength for Hamid's family which lives in Monibala outside Sainyar Gate in Jhansi.

A Hockey India Press release

Indian women face China in Junior Asia Cup hockey final

Bangkok, July 5, 2012: India will take on China in the final of the 6th Junior Women Asia Cup Championship, beating Japan 2-1 via a golden goal by vice-captain Poonam Rani in the semifinal here today.

It will be the first time that the Indian Junior Women will be playing the final of the Asia Cup after four bronze medal performances so far in the tournament that is held every four years. The win also guaranteed India an entry in the FIH Junior Women’s World Cup to be held next year.

Nine minutes into extra time, forward and vice-captain Poonam Rani scored a brilliant field goal to helped India enter the title round. Earlier, India rallied from 0-1 down to hold Japan 1-1 at the end of regulation time. Japan had topped Group B league while India had finished second in Group A.

Five minutes before the break, Japan took lead through a field goal by Yuri Nagai. In the second half, India pressed hard and made some good penetrations in the circle. In the 49th minute, India found the equaliser through a penalty corner conversion by Vandana Katariya.

India continued to play attacking hockey in extra time and Poonam Rani’s field goal ensured India entry in the final against China on July 7. India won the bronze medal in the fifth Junior Women’s Asia Cup in Seremban, Malaysia. 

In the first semifinal match China beat Korea 3-2. 

A Hockey India Press release

India enter semifinal of Junior Women’s Asia Cup hockey

New Delhi, July 3, 2012: India rallied from a goal deficit to beat Malaysia 2-1 in its final league match of the 6th Junior Women’s Asia Cup Hockey Championship at Bangkok today to guarantee itself a semifinal berth by finishing second in group A behind China.

In a must-win match for India, the teams played out a goal-less first half. Norazlin Sumantri scored for Malaysia within a minute of resumption but Anupa Barla (52nd minute) and skipper Ritu Rani (penalty corner 65th minute) ensured that India would make it to the last four stage.

Ten minutes after Malaysia took the lead, India started to dominate the proceedings and held sway in the last 25 minutes. Anupa Barla’s strike capped a good pass by vice-captain and fellow forward Poonam Rani. Skipper Ritu Rani led India to victory when she converted a penalty corner.

The Indian team’s defenders toiled hard to keep Malaysia at bay as the side scored its third win in four matches – it had beaten Sri Lanka and Singapore in earlier games before losing to China. India will face the winner of Group B – either Korea or Japan – in the semifinal to be played on July 5.

A Hockey India Press release

Indian women lose to China in Junior Asia Cup hockey

New Delhi, July 2, 2012: India went down fighting 2-5 to China in their Group A league match of 6th Junior Women’s Asia Cup Hockey Championship at Bangkok, Thailand on Monday.

The goal scorers for India were Vandana Katariya (33rd minute) and Anupa Barla (57th minute) while Weijia Hao (11th and 24thminute), Na Wang (18th minute), Xiayun Xi (Penalty Corner 62ndminute) and Ailin Jiang (64th minute) scored for China.

China took lead in the 11th minute with the field goal scored by Weija Hao, followed by second goal scored by Na Wang in the 18th minute. Weija Hao scored another goal for China in the 24thminute.

However, India showed great commitment and reduced the margin in the 33rd minute when Vandana Katariya scored a brilliant goal from the top of the circle.

India again tried to reduce the margin in the 57th minute with the field goal scored by forward Anupa Barla.

China who led 3-1 at the half time scored twice in the second half with fourth goal by Xiayun Xi in the 62nd minute through penalty corner and fifth goal by Ailin Jiang in the 64th minute.

India will have to win their last league match against Malaysia on Tuesday to play in the semifinal stage.

A Hockey India Press release

Ritu Rani scores hat-trick as Indian eves post big win

Bangkok, June 29, 2012: India secured its second successive victory in the sixth Women’s Junior Asia Cup Hockey Championship with a thumping 9-0 verdict over Singapore in a Group A league match here on Thursday. Skipper Ritu Rani scored a hat-trick while vice-captain Poonam Rani also scored three goals as the team followed up its 15-0 win against Sri Lanka.

Vandana Katariya scored off a sixth minute penalty corner to open the scoring. Seven minutes later, fellow forward Anupa Barla increased the lead with a field goal. Poonam Rani scored off a penalty corner in the 22nd minute while Lily Chanu Mayengam added a field goal just before the break to ensure that India held a 4-0 lead.

Poonam Rani pumped in two field goals within 10 minutes of resumption while captain Ritu Rani scored a hat-trick off penalty corners in a 11-minute span from the 57th minute in a match in which India held ball possession for close to 95 per cent of the time. Though Singapore packed its defence, India scored frequently, converting six of the 15 penalty corners it forced.

In another Group A match, China beat Sri Lanka 21-0 while Korea defeated Pakistan 19-0 in a Group B game.

A Hockey India Press release