Rashid Khan edges out Angad Cheema in a playoff; climbs to the top of Rolex Rankings

Greater Noida, October 26, 2013: Delhi’s Rashid Khan defeated rookie Angad Cheema of Panchkula in a playoff to win the BILT Open 2013 at the Jaypee Greens Golf Resort in Greater Noida. Rashid and Angad headed for the playoff after ending the regulation 72 holes with identical totals of 16-under-272. Rashid finally prevailed on the second playoff hole.

Rashid Khan (64-68-69-71), the overnight leader by one stroke, had an eventful start to the day as he made birdie-bogey-birdie on the second, third and fourth holes. Rashid’s three-putt on the third was followed by a fabulous up and down from 120 yards on the fourth. Khan, the wire-to-wire leader from round one till the end, sank birdie putts from 10 to 15 feet on the 11th and 13th to maintain a slender one shot lead over nearest competitor SSP Chowrasia.

Rashid hit a rough patch from the 14th to the 16th. A wrong club-selection resulted in a bogey for him on the 14th. He then dropped another stroke after finding the trees on the 16th and ended the day with a one-under-71.

Angad Cheema (69-69-68-66), who ended round three in third place, made seven birdies against a lone bogey in the final round to post a 66 and take the match into a playoff. Cheema, a winner on the Feeder Tour in 2013, rolled in birdie putts from eight to 15 feet on the second, fourth and 10th before dropping his only bogey of the day on the 11th.

The 23-year-old sank a 15-footer on the 13th and chipped-in on the 17th on his way to a four-birdie burst on the last six holes. Angad thus joined Rashid in the playoff even as Chowrasia’s challenge faded away after he posted a 71 on the final day.

Rashid and Angad made pars on the first playoff hole. Rashid then sealed it with another par on the second playoff hole after Angad found the water with his tee shot.

The 22-year-old Rashid thus bagged his fourth professional title and climbed from fifth to first position on the Rolex Rankings. His victory at the BILT Open earned him a handsome cheque worth Rs. 16,16,500 and took his total earnings for the year to Rs. 27,32,209. The Delhi-based professional now enjoys a healthy lead of about 10 lakh over second-placed Mukesh Kumar in the rankings.

Rashid, who was the runner-up at last year’s BILT Open, said, “It’s great to finally win in a playoff. I had lost the last three playoffs I was involved in, including one at last year’s BILT Open. All these losses were quite heart-breaking. I’ve finally broken the jinx. Climbing to the top spot in the Rolex Rankings has really fired me up for the rest of the season.

“Twenty-under was my target as I began the round. I started well with a couple of good up and downs on the second and fourth. I then struggled from the 14th to the 16th before making a good par-save from the bunker on the 17th. I was very focussed during the playoff and struck it well and that helped me cross the line,” added Rashid.

Angad Cheema’s commendable runner-up finish helped him rise from 20th place to fourth position on the Rolex Rankings. Cheema has now also overtaken Chikkarangappa as the leader in the Emerging Player of the Year race.

Cheema said, “I made a lot of crucial birdie and par putts today that kept me going. I was very comfortable playing alongside Rashid in the leader group as both of us played a lot of golf together when we were amateurs. This is an outstanding result for me as it is my best finish as a professional so far. The fact that I performed so well competing against some big names and soaked the pressure, has given me a huge boost.”

Kolkata’s SSP Chowrasia (70-65-67-71), who was overnight second, was in touch with the leader Rashid after his two birdies on the first 10 holes. However, he dropped out of the race after his bogey on the 16th and finally finished one stroke behind Rashid and Angad at 15-under-273 to claim third place.

Chandigarh’s Harendra Gupta (11-under-277) and Rahil Gangjee (10-under-278) of Kolkata finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Jyoti Randhawa finished tied 12th at five-under-283.

Photo caption: Rashid Khan (R) receives the BILT Open 2013 trophy from Mr. Yogesh Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ballarpur International Graphic Paper Holdings BV (L) in Greater Noida on October 26, 2013

Unseeded Mouma to meet Madhurika in final

SILIGURI, October 26, 2013: Some top seeds in the business, including reigning woman national champion K. Shamini, muddied their reputation somewhat and exited from the National Ranking (East Zone) Table Tennis Championships at the quarterfinal stage here today.

While all that happened in the quarterfinals, unseeded Mouma Das showed the tenacity to beat No. 2 Pooja Sahesrabudhe 4-3 in the first semi-final late this evening. She will meet in the final Madhurika Patkar, who beat a defiant Divya Deshpande 4-3 in the other semi-final, tomorrow.

In the men’s singles final tomorrow, it will be current national champion Soumyajit Ghosh versus former champ Anthony Amal Raj. In the semi-finals, Ghosh beat Sanil Shetty 11-4, 11-3, 6-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5 and Amal Raj blanked out Subhajit Saha 11-6, 11-8, 12-10, 11-7.

Pooja, despite trailing 0-3, came back strongly to level 3-3, but in the decider Mouma played a better percentage game to outwit her seeded rival. But Mouma, who had to play the qualifiers, must have nursed a grievance which she perhaps wanted to rectify. And towards that end, she did the spade work in the quarterfinals and stretched it to the semis. Divia, who defied odds, made a fine recovery from 1-3 to restore parity but her fine journey ended when she sent the ball wide on Madhurika’s match-point. 

Earlier, all but one quarterfinal match at the Municipal Stadium went down to the wire with top-seeded K.Shamini losing to unseeded Divya Deshpande 11-5, 11-9, 10-12, 13-11, 5-11, 8-11, 9-11, No. 5 Madhurika Patkar beating No. 4 Poulomi Ghatak 11-7, 11-6, 6-11, 11-3, 12-14, 11-5, and No. 3 Neha Aggarwal of Delhi going down to Mouma Das 14-12, 8-11, 11-6, 7-11, 13-11, 6-11, 9-11. However, No. 2 Pooja Sahesrabudhe survived prevailing over No 7 Ankita Das 9-11, 10-12, 9-11, 11-8, 13-11, 11-8, 13-11.

Shamini had no business to lose the match against Divya who was 2-0 down before pulling up her socks. The Pune girl, playing some astonishing backhand shots, not only surprised the national champion but went beyond expectations. The net result was that Divya, who lost the fourth game 11-13, took complete control at that point to win the last three in style. Rusty Poulomi was struggling to find her normal touch against Madhurika who seized the opportunity well.

On the other hand, Delhi’s Neha Aggarwal was 3-2 ahead but let the 30-year-old Mouma Das off the hook. The experienced Mouma closed in on rather cheekily to spoil Neha’s party. In the decider, Neha was on match point but the latest Arjuna awardee saved that before taking the game to deuce. After that it was Mouma all the way. Pooja’s ball sense and pressure-handling made the difference in her match against Ankita Das, who committed far too many errors at the net.

Unlike the women’s fare, the men’s quarterfinals failed to arouse as much interest as the fancied paddlers accomplished their objectives easily. However, the match between top-seeded Soumyajit Ghosh and left-handed Devesh Karia of Airports Authority of India kept travel-weary national champion in a tight leash. 

Ghosh air-dashed to Kolkata on Thursday night from Gothenburg—he had been competing in the Swedish League—and soon after arriving here yesterday morning had to play three rounds straightaway without any rest. Probably that told upon his game plan against Karia, who took the first game 13-11. But Ghosh regained composure and went 3-1 up before surrendering the next game to Karia, who worked through his powerful forehand shots. However, in the sixth, Ghosh tightened the noose to quickly shut out the Gujarat player.  

In Youth Girls singles, No. 1 Krittwika Sinha Roy, Vedika Garg, Reeth Tennison, Yukti Roshni, Suthirtha Mukherjee, Ayhika Mukherjee, Manika Batra and Amrutha Pushpak entered the quarterfinals. In Youth Boys, Sourav Saha, Sushmit Sriram, Sudhanshu Grover, Birdie Boro, Lalrin Puia, Utkarsh Gupta, Sarthak Gandhi and Abhishek Yadav made it to the last eight stage.

Results:

Men: Semifinals: Soumyajit Ghosh bt Sanil Shetty 4-2 (11-4, 11-3, 6-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5 ), A. Amal Raj bt Subhajit Saha 4-0 (11-6, 11-8, 12-10, 11-7);Quarterfinals: A. Amalraj bt Sourav Saha 4-0 (12-10, 11-8, 11-5, 12-10), Subhajit Saha bt G. Sathiyan 4-1 (11-7, 11-7, 4-11, 11-7, 11-3), Sanil Shetty bt T.Nitin 4-1 (11-6, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-2), Soumyajit Ghosh bt Devesh Karia 4-2 (11-13, 11-8, 11-4, 11-9, 7-11, 11-6).

Women: Semifinals: Mouma Das bt Pooja Sahesrabudhe 4-3 (11-7, 11-7, 11-9, 3-11, 8-11, 0-11, 11-8; Madhurika Patkar bt Divya Deshpande 4-3 (11-7, 11-4, 5-11, 15-13, 5-11, 8-11, 11-9; Quarterfinals: Divya Deshpande bt K. Shamini 4-3 (5-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-13, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9), Madhurika Patkar bt Poulomi Ghatak 4-2 (11-7, 11-6, 6-11, 11-3, 12-14, 11-5), Mouma Das bt Neha Aggarwal 4-3 (12-10, 11-8, 6-11, 11-7, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9), Pooja Sahesrabudhe bt Ankita Das 4-3 (9-11, 10-12, 9-11, 11-8, 13-11, 11-8, 13-11).

A TTFI Press release

Indian women hockey team announced for 3rd Asian Champions Trop

New Delhi, October 25, 2013: Hockey India today announced its senior women team for the 3rd Asian Champions Trophy 2013 to be played in Kakamigahara, Japan from November 2-9.

Hockey India selectors BP Govinda, Savitry Purty and Surinder Kaur, Roelant Oltmans, director high performance, Neil Hawgood, chief coach of the senior women team & scientific advisor Matthew Tredrea along with Government observer Harbinder Singh selected the list of 18 players and 6 standbys during the selection trials conducted at NSNIS Patiala on October 11.

The other participating teams in the tournament are China, Japan and Malaysia. India will open its campaign against China on November 2 followed by matches against Malaysia on November 4 and Japan on November 7.

The 18 member squad will be captained by midfielder Ritu Rani while midfielder Chanchan Devi will be the vice-captain.

Team:

Goalkeepers

1.    Rajni Etimarpu

2.   Savita

Defenders

3.    Deep Grace Ekka

4.   Deepika

5.    Kirandeep Kaur

6.    Sunita Lakra

7.    Sushila Chanu

8.    Monika

9.    Manjeet Kaur

10. Amandeep 

Midfielders

11. Ritu Rani (Captain)

12. Namita Toppo

13. Chanchan Devi (Vice-Captain)

14. Soundarya Yendala

Forwards

15. Vandana Katariya

16.  Rani

17. Poonam Rani

18. Ritusha Arya

Standbys

1. Sanarik Chanu- Goalkeeper

2. Sandeep Kaur- Defender

3. Lily Minz- Midfielder

4. Lily Chanu- Midfielder

5. Anuradha Devi- Forward

6. Anupa Barla- Forward

HI Press release

Ayhika, Nikhat and Madhurika go down fighting

SILIGURI, October 25, 2013: All the top women seeds set the ball in motion by entering the next round at the National Ranking (East Zone) Table Tennis Championships at the Municipal Stadium here today. As expected, the qualifiers had to suffer the brunt of their fancied opponents in the main draw of the women’s singles, falling by the wayside in one-sided first round matches.

On a very pleasant day here, none of the qualifiers had the gumption to put up any noticeable challenge or rising the level of their games. In fact, the Petroleum paddlers yet again proved their superiority, while players representing other institutions really struggled to come anywhere near them. But a few seeded players had to bring out their best to prevail over their rivals.

At least there were a couple of women’s singles matches that kept the audience interested. The one between veteran and sixth seed Anandita Chakraborty and youngster Ayhika Mukerjee went down to the wire with experience overcoming enthusiasm with a 4-3 verdict. But the qualifier, who lost 16-14, 16-18, 11-3, 9-11, 5-11, 11-8, 8-11, had her chance at 8-8 in the decider. But Anandita prevailed taking the necessary three points on the trot to live at least one more round.  Nikhat Banu went down fighting to Tekme Starkar 11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 7-11, 5-11, 11-9, 8-11. Madhurika Patkar also recovered well to beat Prajakta Tipale of LIC 11-5, 6-11, 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-1, 11-4.

In other matches, Krittwika Sinha Roy, representing the Airports Authority of India, had the measure of a fighting Shreya Ghosh from the Railway Sports Promotion Board. Krittwika won the duel 4-2 (11-7, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6). However, it must be said to the credit of the Railways girl, who did not give up even after her AAI rival went 3-1 up, showing her character. The AAI paddler has a tough job in the second round as she will face top-seed and national champion K. Shamini next.

It was curtains for Nikita Ghosh from the host association as Divya Deshpande (PSPB) beat her in straight games of 11-5, 11-6, 11-8, 11-8. However, Sayani Bose, also from North Bengal, went down fighting to Soumi Mondal of PSPB 2-4 (11-8, 5-11, 4-11, 11-7, 8-11, 7-11).  Tanaya Dutta too lost to Mouma Das rather poorly (3-11, 2-11, 6-11, 3-11).

Another PSPB’s Manika Batra dropped two games before sewing it up against Dena Bank’s Frenaz Chipia 4-2. Manika will take on Poulomi Ghatak next in the second round. The former national champion had an easy match against Railways Anushree Hazre. Second-seeded Pooja Sahesrabudhe outwitted old warhorse N. Arul Selvi, a qualifier from Dena Bank.  

The first two rounds in men’s main draw will be held later this evening and they will be followed by women’s singles second round matches. With the finals in the men and women’s singles are slated for tomorrow, quarterfinalists will be spotted after tonight’s matches in both the sections.

The Results:

Women: 1st round: Suthirtha Mukherjee (WB) bt Pallavi Kundu (RSPB) 3-1, Mousumi Paul (PSPB) bt SanyaSehgal (Dli) 4-1, Poulomi Ghatak (PSPB) bt Anushree Hazre (RSPB) 4-0, Divya Deshpande (PSPB) bt Nikita Ghosh (NB) 4-0, K. Shamini (PSPB) bt Jaita Pushilal (CRSCB) 4-0, Manika Batra (PSPB) bt Frenaz Chipia (Dena Bank) 4-2, Pooja Sahesrabudhe (PSPB) bt N. Arun Selvi (Indian Bank)4-0, Krittwika Sinha Roy (AAI) bt Shreya Ghosh (RSPB) 4-2, Neha Aggarwal (Dli) bt Sukanya Bose (RSPB) 4-1, Soumi Mondal (PSPB) bt Sayani Bose (NB) 4-2, Mouma Das (PSPB) bt Tanaya Dutta (NB) 4-0, Ankita Das (PSPB) bt Senhora D’Souza (Mah) 4-1, Tekmi Sarkar (RSPB) bt Nikhat Banu (AAI) 4-3, Reeth Tennison (PSPB) bt Mallika Bhandarkar (AI) 4-1, Anandita Chakraborty (RSPB) bt Ayhika Mukherjee (AAI) 4-3, Madhurika Patkar (PSPB) bt Prajakta Tipale (LIC) 4-3.  

Rashid Khan stays ahead by one

Greater Noida, October 25, 2013: Delhi’s Rashid Khan has a one-stroke advantage going into the final round of the BILT Open 2013 at the Jaypee Greens Golf Resort in Greater Noida. Rashid carded a three-under-69 in round three to take his total score to 15-under-201. Kolkata’s SSP Chowrasia shot the joint best score of the day to be on the leader’s tail at 14-under-202.

Rashid Khan (64-68-69), the overnight leader by three strokes, had a poor start to the day as he bogeyed the first and third holes. He found the trees on the first and missed a two-footer on the third. However, Rashid got back his rhythm with birdies on the fourth and sixth thanks to a couple of excellent approach shots. The 22-year-old then sank three birdie putts from a range of 10 to 15 feet on the 10th, 16th and 17th. Khan missed a four-foot birdie putt on the 18th but still kept his title hopes alive with a 69 that placed him one shot ahead.

Rashid said, “I had a bad start to the day but recovered really well after that. I hit it close on many occasions and my putting on the back-nine was exceptional. My target on the final day will be a total score of 20-under or more. I’ll have to play to my potential as SSP is very experienced and will be a tough competitor on the final day.”

SSP Chowrasia’s (70-65-67) 67 was the joint best score of the day. Chowrasia went bogey-free for the second straight day and continued to be placed second. He picked up a birdie on the first and added another on the fifth where his second shot from 130 yards landed within three feet of the pin. SSP went on to convert two 10-footers for birdies on the sixth and 12th. The 34-year-old grabbed another birdie opportunity on the 10th where his approach shot had stopped five feet from the hole.

Chowrasia said, “I’ve had a solid week so far even though my driving has been off the mark. I’ve pulled my drives to the left on all three days. However, I’ve not given away anything since I’ve only conceded one bogey and one double-bogey in the first three days. I’ll need to drive better in order to stay in contention in the final round.”

Panchkula’s Angad Cheema is placed third at 10-under-206. Cheema’s third round of 68 included an eagle, three birdies and a bogey.

Chandigarh’s Abhijit Singh Chadha and Rahil Gangjee of Kolkata are a further two shots back in joint fourth.

Himmat Singh Rai of the DLF Golf & Country Club also fired a 67 to record the day’s joint best score along with Chowrasia. Himmat is currently in tied sixth at seven-under-209 along with Delhi’s Chiragh Kumar, Harendra Gupta of Chandigarh and Sri Lankan Mithun Perera.

Rolex Rankings leader Mukesh Kumar lies tied 13th at four-under-212.

Jyoti Randhawa and defending champion Shamim Khan are both in tied 18th place at two-under-214.

Press release

Easy for fancied lot but hopefuls struggle

SILIGURI, October 24, 2013: On a hot and humid day, all top players of the country and mostly from the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board had an off day while the qualifiers sweated it out plying at least three rounds each in order to make it to the main draw of the National Ranking (East Zone) Table Tennis Championships here at the Municipal Indoor Stadium today.

At the end of it all, only 22 women players made the grade and they will join the top ten paddlers —K. Shamini, Pooja Sahasrabudhe, Neha Aggarwal, PoulomiGhatak, Madhurika Patkar, Ankita Das,Anandita Chakraborty, Mousumi Paul, Manika Batra and Krittwika Sinha Roy—all of whom have had better rankings to earn the largesse.

But before they get into action tomorrow, when the main draw in the women’s singles begin, today’s qualifiers—all group toppers—from the 22 groups have had their field day as only the tried and tested qualified. In other words, all the hopefuls in spite of making their best of efforts will have to try their luck out in subsequent championships. The experience of having competed among the best should help them in their endeavor.

Tanaya Dutta, Nikita Ghosh and Sayani Bose were the three qualifiers from North Bengal out of seven participants which included Anushka Dutta, Sagarika Mukherjee, Antra Banerjee and Oishwarya Dev. Even West Bengal, which has a strong platform, failed to throw up many on the firmament as only Suthirtha Mukherjee out of half a dozen players representing the state could enter the main draw. However, many West and North Bengal paddlers representing various institutions did get a chance to go through.

As for the men’s fare, a clear picture will emerge only after the qualification matches in 42 groups will get over later tonight. Only one player from each of the 42 groups will make the cut into the main draw. They will join the top 10 players—Anthony Amalraj, Soumyajit Ghosh, T. Nitin Thiruvengadam, G. Sathiyan, Sourav Saha, Sanil Shetty, Soumyadeep Roy, Suibhajit Saha, Aman Balgu and Sourav  Chakraborty, who are sitting pretty, based on rankings, in the main draw.

The qualifiers: Women: Soumi Mondal (PSPB), Divya Deshpande (PSPB), Suthirtha Mukherjee (WB), Reeth Tennison (PSPB), Mallika Bhandarkar (AI), Mouma Das (PSPB), Nikhat Banu (AAI), Sanya Sehgal (Del), Shreya Ghosh (RSPB), Senhora D’Souza (Mah), Ayhika Mukherjee (AAI), Pallavi Kundu (RSPB), Prajakta Tipale (LIC), Jaita Pushilal (CRSC) Tanaya Dutta (NB), Sukanya Bose (RSPB), Anushree Hazre (RSPB), Nikta Ghosh (NB), Sayani Bose (NB), Frenaz Chipia (Deena Bank), Arul Selvi (Indian Bank) and Tekmi Sarkar (RSPB).

A TTFI Press release

Rashid Khan continues to lead at the halfway stage

 Rashid Khan

Greater Noida, October 24, 2013: Rashid Khan of Delhi stretched his lead to three shots after returning a four-under-68 in round two of the BILT Open 2013 being played at the Jaypee Greens Golf Resort in Greater Noida. Rashid’s total score stood at 12-under-132 at the halfway stage. Kolkata’s SSP Chowrasia fired a seven-under-65 in round two to be placed second.

Rashid Khan (64-68), a 10th tee starter on Wednesday, got into his stride early on in the round as he collected birdies on the 11th and 12th to build on his first round lead. Rashid landed his approach shot within a foot of the pin on the 11th and made a good up and down from the bunker on the 12th. The 22-year-old salvaged another birdie from the bunker on the second hole. The bogey on the third was the only blemish on his card. Khan went on to sink birdie putts from 15 feet and 10 feet on the fifth and eighth respectively. 

Rashid said, “I made 15 greens in regulation today as compared to 13 in round one but I didn’t hole as many putts as I had done in round one. The wind was swirling today and that created some confusion. I hit some decent bunker shots. My game is shaping up well and I’ll now look to target a total score of 25-under.”

SSP Chowrasia (70-65) produced a bogey-free 65 to climb from overnight tied 13th to second place at nine-under-135. SSP, playing his first event of the 2013 PGTI season, chipped-in for birdie on the 13th and made birdie putts from 20 feet and 10 feet on the 15th and 17th respectively. He also hit his tee shot close to the flag for a tap-in birdie on the third.

Chowrasia said, “I putted really well. I’m quite pleased with my second round effort as it puts me in a strong position. I’ve had some good match practice in recent weeks and that will help me this week.”

Rahil Gangjee of Kolkata is in joint third along with Sri Lankan Mithun Perera at seven-under-137.

Former BILT Open champion Chiragh Kumar of Delhi shares fifth place with Chandigarh golfer Abhijit Singh Chadha and Panchkula’s Angad Cheema at six-under-138.

Defending champion Shamim Khan of Delhi is in tied ninth place at four-under-140. Abhinav Lohan shot the day’s best score of 64 to join Shamim in tied ninth position.

Two-time BILT Open champion Jyoti Randhawa of the DLF Golf & Country Club lies tied 27th at one-under-143.

The cut came down at one-over-145. Fifty-eight professionals and two amateurs made the cut.

Press release

Hockey India League appoints Bjorn Isberg as Tournament Director for season 2014

NEW DELHI, October 24, 2013: Hero Hockey India League (HHIL) has appointed Bjorn Isberg as Tournament Director for the second season of the six-team franchisee based event to be held from 23 January to 23 February 2014.

Hockey India Secretary General and Hero Hockey India League Chairman Dr. Narinder Batra said the appointment of Mr. Isberg is a key step towards ensuring that the 2014 season of the League is technically well conducted. “Together with Todd Faulds appointment as Director Competitions, highly experienced Bjorn’s coming on board as Tournament Director will make HHIL a great event in 2014,” he said. 

Mr. Bjorn Isberg said “I am honored to be part of the HHIL 2014. The HHIL had a very good start in 2013, and now HHIL will build on that success to be even better in 2014.”

“Our team of technical officials will make sure that the players have the best competition environment possible, so that they can perform at the top level. Personally it will be great to follow Indian Hockey on site. There will be a lot of exciting matches during the HHIL” further added Mr. Isberg.

The 50 year-old Mr. Isberg has conducted many events over recent years in this capacity as Tournament Director including Olympic Games 2012 in London, three FIH Champions Trophy tournaments including Lahore in 2004, Kuala lumpur in 2007 and Auckland in 2011 and FIH Indoor World Cup 2011 in Poland. He has also worked as an Assistant Tournament Director at the Olympic Games 2008 in Beijing and two FIH World Cups including Germany in 2006 and India in 2010.

HI Press release

Rashid Khan off to a flying start with a sizzling 64

Rashid Khan

Greater Noida, October 23, 2013: Rashid Khan of Delhi fired a sizzling eight-under-64 to take the round one lead at the BILT Open 2013 being played at the Jaypee Greens Golf Resort in Greater Noida. Digvijay Singh of the DLF Golf & Country Club posted a seven-under-65 in the opening round to be placed second.

Rashid Khan, the runner-up at last year’s BILT Open, made an ideal start to the tournament with a bogey-free 64. The three-time winner on the PGTI had a quiet front-nine as he picked up just two birdies on the second and eighth. Rashid chipped-in from the edge for birdie on the eighth.

The 22-year-old had a far more profitable back-nine. Khan gained momentum with three straight birdies on the 10th, 11th and 12th. He sank a 20-footer on the 11th and landed his third shot from 150 yards out to within a foot of the flag on the 12th. Rashid’s tee shot on the par-3 14th also stopped within a foot of the pin to give him another birdie. The wiry golfer collected a birdie on the par-5 15th before making his second chip-in of the day for birdie on the 16th.

Rashid, currently placed fifth on the Rolex Rankings, said, “I had a good opening round after a long time. I had two chip-ins today and landed it within a foot on two occasions. I’ve shot some good scores at this course in the past including a 66 earlier this year during the Avantha Masters. I’m therefore confident of performing well this week. It’s now a matter of capitalizing on this fabulous start.”

Digvijay Singh’s round of 65 was punctuated by eight birdies and a bogey. Digvijay, who started from the 10th, converted birdie putts from six to eight feet on the 12th, 13th and 18th. His good putting form continued on his second-nine as he holed birdie putts from a range of 15 to 30 feet on the first, third and fifth.

Digvijay, a winner on the Asian Tour, chipped-in for birdie on the sixth before landing his tee shot within two feet of the hole for birdie on the seventh. His lone bogey of the day came on the 15th.

    

Digvijay said, “I had been using the long putter for a long period of time before switching to the shorter one about five months back. However, I struggled with my putting over the last five months. Therefore, I decided to get back to the long putter this week and that worked for me today.”

Rahil Gangjee of Kolkata lies third at six-under-66. Gangjee’s opening round featured seven birdies and a bogey. Rahil rolled in five birdie putts from a range of 15 to 30 feet and chipped-in for birdie from a distance of 50 yards on the eighth.

The nine golfers in tied fourth position at three-under-69 are Delhi’s Ashok Kumar, Chiragh Kumar, Wasim Khan and Siddharth Semwal, Noida’s Vikrant Chopra, local lad Mandeo Singh Pathania of Jaypee Greens Golf Resort, Greater Noida, Abhijit Singh Chadha of Chandigarh, Panchkula-based Angad Cheema and Pune’s Moinuddin Malak.

Wasim Khan made a hole-in-one on the seventh hole during his round of 69.

Jyoti Randhawa is in tied 21st place with a score of 71 while defending champion Shamim Khan of Delhi lies tied 31st having shot a 72. 

Press release

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and FICCI launch ‘India Sports 2014’ to promote sports amongst youth

NEW DELHI, October 23, 2013: The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) today launched the ‘India Sports 2014’ at the 5th Global Sports Summit, in the presence Dr. G S G Ayyangar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

India Sports 2014 would be organized at the iconic National Stadium and Federation House, FICCI. The event would be an umbrella programme, focusing on all aspects of sports and would bring the entire sports fraternity to one platform.

The first edition would not only serve as a platform for the Indian sports industry to showcase their strength to the Indian and international sports fraternity but would also act as a catalyst in promoting sports amongst the youth.

The event would include India Sports Expo 2014, an international exhibition on sports sector at the national stadium; TURF 2014, an international conference on sports sector; reverse buyer-seller meet by sports goods export promotion council; networking dinner and concurrent sports activities and tournaments.

At the sports summit, Dr. Ayyangar spelt out the details of the ‘Scheme for Identifying and Nurturing Sports Talent in the Country’. Under the scheme, which has been taken up on a pilot basis talents to be scouted and selected from the present Rajeev Gandhi Krida Abhiyan annual competitions; these sportspersons will be called Young Talent (YT) and they will be specially trained by Physical Education Teachers attached to every District Level Sports Center.

A District Sports School (DLSS) will be set up in every District in the Country in the next ten years. These schools will be setup as public private partnership except in remote and disturb areas. In such districts, the existing Navodaya Schools are proposed to be upgraded. Where this in not possible new institutions will be setup. 

He said that the Ministry of Sports will supervise the training in sports and provide the sports scholarships and the recurring expenses. The young talent (YT) will be assigned specific disciplines through a scientific process of determination, through a rigorous training programme and participation YT will be identified for center of excellence and YT who excel will be treated as high performers and given admission to a centre of excellence (COX).

There will be approximately 25 centres for excellence. Twelve existing SAI centres will be upgraded.  Thirteen new centres will be developed and funded by SAI. However land for such centres will be provided by the State Government free of cost.  These centers will be run by SAI.

On the occasion two reports, ‘Best 25 Ideas’ Sports Start up’s Business in India and ‘Vision 2014: Sector Skills Council, Way Forward’ were released.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed and exchanged between FICCI and Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), New Zealand, to launch the Level 3 course in India under the SIT-John Wright Scholarship programme, which is recognized by NZQA to help athletes not only to harness their existing capability but also to provide an opportunity in getting higher qualification courses and good opportunity in New Zealand.

FICCI will help SIT in connecting with premiere institutes as a partner for launching this pilot course. This course will be 100% sponsored by the John Wright - SIT Scholarship programme.  The John Wright - SIT Scholarship programme is founded by John Wright, Former New Zealand Cricketer and India Cricket Team Coach (2000-05).

At the successful completion of this programme, students will have the required competencies to function successfully and effectively at operational levels within the sports training sector. A graduating student could be expected to undertake employment in areas such as coaching/retail sectors, or continue on to further study in Diploma in Sport and Recreation, Diploma in Sport and Exercise (Level 5), Diploma in Sport and Exercise (Level 6) or Bachelor of Sport and Exercise in New Zealand.

Ms. Jan Henderson, High Commissioner, New Zealand High Commission, said that the certificate obtained under the John Wright - SIT Scholarship programme will help students to gain the skills and knowledge for working or further training in the sports training sector. The content gives athletes and coaches the knowledge to allow themselves and others to achieve their potential. The programme has a strong focus on sport psychology, nutrition and exercise prescription and finding out how the body becomes stronger, fitter and faster when stressed by exercise.

New Zealand is passionate about sports and was happy to partner with India in the field of sports. Sports was a key pillar for strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. She added that early next year New Zealand will host the Indian Cricket Team and will co-host the Cricket World Cup in 2015, she said.

According to Ms. Naina Lal Kidwai, President of FICCI, after the chamber represented to the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) on the need to grant industry status to sports, a committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Director General, Sports Authority of India (SAI) for which FICCI prepared a report on ‘Granting infrastructure Status to Sports Sector’. 

She said, “It is a proud moment for FICCI to note that under new Companies Act 2013, sports infrastructure is part of ‘infrastructure facilities’ and ‘infrastructure projects’. Besides, there is a specific mention of sports related businesses to be registered as a type of ‘limited company’. FICCI is also closely coordinating with National Skills Development Corporation for setting up Sector Skills Council in Sports, Physical Education, Fitness and Leisure sector. According to our latest study, this sector will require more than 43 lakhs support personnel in various roles in sports by 2022.” 

Mr. Sanjiv Paul, Chairman, FICCI Sports Committee and Managing Director, Tata Metaliks, stated that the sports sector is marching ahead as one of the fastest growing sector of the economy. The size of the sports industry is increasing, employment avenues are opening and money is coming in from all quarters. The exchange of ideas TURF 2013 should lead to the flourishing of sports business in India.

He said that this year an SME-Academia-Investors Forum in Sports (SAI-FIS) is planned during TURF 2013 a collaborative effort amongst between FICCI, Indian Venture Capitalists Association (IVCA) and All India Council of Physical Education (AICPE). The objective is to stimulate SME-Academia-Investor partnership as it is critical for growth of sports sector in general and the stakeholders in particular.

Mr. Abhijit Sarkar, Co-chairman, FICCI Sports Committee and Head-Corporate Communications, Sahara India Pariwar, said that the start-ups have added significant value in creating a sports culture across the country. They are the next generation of big corporations, who are supporting the growth of the sports industry in their own unique way. They are not only creating a brilliant ecosystem for budding talent to hone their talent and showcase their skills but are also creating employment opportunities for many others who want to develop career in sports.

Dr. Arbind Prasad, Director General, FICCI, said, “FICCI welcomes The Prevention of Sporting Fraud Bill, 2013 to combat frauds in relation to domestic national and international sporting event developed after extensive consultation between Sports and Law Ministry. To aid the Ministry’s efforts in this direction, FICCI had organized a conference on ‘Regulating Sports Betting and Sports Law’. In this conference, experts suggested that the government should set up an Independent Regulatory Commission to study the various aspects of betting in-depth and come out with solutions to eliminate bookies and make sports betting fair.”

Press release

Youth coaching among top 3 business areas for new sport ventures: FICCI-Dextrasport Report

NEW DELHI, October 23, 2013. A FICCI-Dextrasport report on ‘Best 25 Ideas’ - Sports Start-ups Businesses in India, reveals that even though professional sports is something which India is not  known for being good at, youth coaching is among top 3 business areas where  new ventures are working on. A number of ventures focussing on variety of sports have grown rapidly, testifying to the fact that there is high acceptance of professional coaching across a number of sports across the country.   

FICCI reached out to over 600 firms out of which 25 were selected in the report to do a detailed analytical report on the subject.

Another important highlight is the popularity of football as it is the DNA of a  lot of new ventures. It states that entrepreneurs running sports related businesses are highly motivated individuals whose heart and mind lie in sports.

More than 70% of promoters of new start-ups confessed that the main reasons for entering sports business was their "passion for sports”, apart from the existing vacuum, and the opportunity to create an impact. The success stories on start-ups around sports are expected to act as great learning experience and inspire a new generation of sports enthusiasts who will contribute to the growth, development and professionalization of Indian Sports sector.

Press release

Coaches show interest in 2014 Hockey India League

New Delhi, October 23, 2013: Four foreign coaches have shown their interest in the second season of the Hero Hockey India League starting from January 23 next.

Hockey India Secretary General and Hero Hockey India League Chairman Dr. Narinder Batra said “It is good that Hero Hockey India League is able to draw the attention of the best hockey coaches in the world who are willing to be part of this prestigious league. The options of these foreign coaches are open for the franchises who wish to hire them”.

The four foreign coaches including Terence Walsh, Gerhard Rach, Ezequiel Paulon and Jacques Brinkman have expressed their willingness to apply coaching jobs in Hero Hockey India League.

The newly appointed chief coach of the Indian team Terence Walsh has worked as Technical Director with USA field Hockey from 2005-2012, pursued his coaching career in 1990 where he worked as head coach of the Malaysian national Hockey team till 1994. He also worked as head coach of the Australian national team from 1997-2000. In 2004, Terry worked as head coach of the Netherlands hockey team that won silver medal at the Athens Olympic Games in the same year. Terence Walsh is an International Hockey Federation (FIH) Master Coach.

India’s first foreign coach in 2004 Gerhard Rach is another candidate who offered his name for a coaching job in Hero HIL, he has also worked previously with the Egypt national team. In 2009, Gerhard further extended his experience in sub-continent as he worked as Coaching Director in Bangladesh for two years. He has also worked as the High Performance Consultant with a Viennese (Australian) Club for two years.

Former Argentina coach Ezequiel Paulon is also ready for an opportunity to coach in the Hero HIL. He worked as assistant coach with Argentina national team for more than a year. For four years Paulon has worked as Director of Argentina team consultants and was also the coach of LOHC (Holland Hockey Club) for one year. 

Jacques Brinkman who has coached top hockey clubs including Amsterdam Hockey Club (1998), SCHC (2004-2007 & 2010) and Laren (2008-2009) and currently working with Zwolle Hockey Club in The Netherlands since 2010 as talent coach. As a player he played 337 international matches for The Netherlands.  

HI Press release

95 Indian players sign for Mini Players Auction of Hockey India League

New Delhi, October 22, 2013: In the Mini Players Auction or Closed Bid for the Hero Hockey India League which is scheduled to take place here on November 18 will see 95 Indian players up for grabs for the auction for the next two editions of the League.

Hockey India Secretary General and Hero Hockey India League Chairman Dr. Narinder Batra said the quality of competition and success of the inaugural season of the League has created an interest among Indian players who have now signed for the 2013 Mini Auction or Closed Bid of the Hero HIL. We are confident that franchises will complete their teams with the best available Indian talent.

Releasing the list of 95 Indian players who have signed up for the Mini Auction or Closed Bid of the Hero Hockey India League to be held in the capital on 18 November 2013, Dr Batra said the list of players available for the Mini Auction is a combination of young talented and experienced players.

The list of Indians has some young talented players who have recently performed well at various tournaments. Forward Affan Yousuf who was Vice-Captain of the Indian Junior Men’s team that won gold medal in the 3rd Sultan of Johar Cup last month. Forward Ramandeep Singh who scored his maiden goal in his debut match at the 9th Men’s Asia Cup and six goals in the 3rd Sultan of Johar Cup 2013 has also signed for the players’ auction. Goalkeeper Harjot Singh and forward Mohammad Amir Khan are the other young talents who were part of the Junior National Team that won 3rd Sultan of Johar Cup.

Forward Nikkin Thimmaiah who made his debut in the recently concluded 9th Men’s Asia Cup in Malaysia and Defender Gurjinder Singh who scored a goal in his maiden debut during FIH World League Round2 early this year are also among the young stellar attractions from domestic players who have signed in their willingness to be featured in the auction.

A HI Press release

Bhavina wins silver at Beijing

Beijing, October 21, 2013: Bhavina Hashmukhbhai Patel, a surprise finalist, became the first Indian to win a silver medal at the 2013 ITTF PTT Asian Table Tennis regional championships here today. Bhavina lost to top-seed Zhang Miao of China 6-11, 9-11, 2-11 in the final of the Women’s singles Class 4 Second Stage.

Bhavina earlier in the afternoon upset second-seeded Ji Nam Jun from Korea 3-1 (11-6, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9) and Taipei’s Ya Chu Lee 11-2, 11-8, 11-6 in the quarterfinals. 

“I’m happy I could come this far in my maiden appearance. I would have loved to win the gold, but I cannot complain. I lost to the top-seeded and a better player,” said the girl from Gujarat. “It is my first trip to Beijing and am thoroughly enjoying the limelight,” she added.

This was the first that the TTFI was entrusted with the selection and sending of Para-Table Tennis team by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in consultation with the sports ministry. The TTFI conducted the selections trials at Indore last month. 

In Class 5 Women’s singles, again another top see prevailed when China’s Zhang Bian defeated Jordan’s Khetma Abuaward to win the crown 3-1 (11-7, 13-15,11-5, 11-6). Like Bhavina, the Jordanian too was a surprise finalist in Class 5.

A TTFI Press release

59 overseas players sign for Mini Players Auction for Hockey India League

New Delhi, October 21, 2013: The 59 Overseas players including 27 Olympians have signed for the Mini Players Auction or Closed Bid which is scheduled on November 18 here l for the next two editions of the Hero Hockey India League.

Hockey India Secretary General and Hero Hockey India League Chairman Dr. Narinder Batra said “We are happy that players from 12 countries besides Indians have made themselves available for Mini Players Auction/Closed Bid for Hero Hockey India League”. 

“We are also pleased that maximum number of players from World Champion Australia and Argentina will be part of the auction,” Dr Batra said.

Malaysian defender Azlan Misron is the most experienced player with 317 caps in the list of overseas players who had signed for the auction. He participated in the Commonwealth Games 2010 (Bronze), Asian Games 2010 (Silver) and other major events including Asia Cup and Champions Challenge.

Korean Defender Jongho Seo who was member of the national team in four Olympics Games 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, three World Cups 2002, 2006, 2010, seven Champions Trophy 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009 and three Asian Games 2002, 2006, 2010 is also set to join the league. Jongho Seo has a vast experience in the Korean side and represented his country in the 300 international matches. 

New Zealand’s trustworthy midfielder Ryan Archibald has played in 280 internationals including Two Olympics in 2008, 2012, three World Cups 2002, 2006, 2010 and Commonwealth Games 1998, 2002, 2006 and Champions Trophy 2004, 2010, 2011. He was also the part of FIH World All Star Team in 2007.

England’s experienced midfielder/forward Barry Middleton who played 275 internationals has signed for the player’s auction. He has been key member of the England team in three Olympics 2004, 2008 and 2012. Having participated in two World Cups in 2006 and 2010, Barry had also participated in the four Champions Trophy (2007, 2008, 2009 and 2012). He was regular member of the World All Star Team from 2008 to 2010.

Spanish defender Ramon Alegre has also signed for Hero HIL Mini Players Auction/Closed Bid. Having an experience of 237 international caps, Ramon was Vice-Captain of the Spain team that finished sixth at the Olympic Games in London 2012. He represented his national team in Olympic Games 2004, 2008 (Silver Medal), World Cup 2002, 2006 (Bronze Medal), 2010 and also participated in the Champions Trophy from 2004 to 2011. He was selected in the FIH World All Star Team 2011.

German midfielder Oliver Korn, member of the national team that won two consecutive Gold medals at the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012. He also participated in the World Cup 2010 (Silver Medal) and was continuous member of the Champions Trophy team from 2008 to 2010.

The second edition of the world’s most exciting and innovative hockey league will be played from 23 January to 23 February 2014.

The break-up (by nationality): Argentina 12, Australia 10, Canada 2, Czech Republic 1, England 6, Germany 1, Ireland 1, Italy 3, Korea 1, Malaysia 4, New  Zealand 6, South Africa 7 and Spain 5.  

A HI Press release

Sheru Classic health expo from October 26

Pune, October 21, 2013: Fifteen  athletes from across the country will  be seen flexing their muscles while they pose to bag the Indian Classic title during the Sheru Classic health expo, which will be  held at the  Balewadi  Stadium in Pune on October 26 and 27 of October 2013. 

Mr Sheru Aangrish  , director  Sheru Classic Production Pvt. Ltd. (SCP) and  former Mr. India 1997-98 said that the India Classic will serve, as the unique platform for Indian athletes wherein the winner will be awarded an IFBB Pro Card, which normally takes a decade or more to acquire A total prize money of over Rs 7 Lakhs  will be offered at the event .

The Indian Classic which will also be an amateur bodybuilding platform, will be held in association with Indian Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (IBFF). For the record, Sheru Classic Professional Championship is the World’s 3rd Largest Professional Bodybuilding event after Mr Olympia and Arnold Classic. The Sheru Classic has received Tier 2 status for Olympia qualifier points, hence the points earned by the winners of Sheru Classic will help them qualify for the Olympia Championship 2014. 

 The Sheru Classic will also feature some of the World’s Best Professional Bodybuilders and Women’s Bikini Athletes, including the newly crowned Ms. Olympia 2013 Ashley Kaltwasser. These Athletes will compete against each other for cash prizes worth in excess of $100,000.00 U.S. (Approx Rs 65 lakhs).

“Being a professional bodybuilder myself, I know its take many years to achieve a pro-card. A minimum of 7-8 crucial years of an athlete goes in achieving the card. After that, he starts competing at the international level and that takes another few years. In the process, the athlete loses out of his prime years. The Idea behind India Classic category (Amateur Bodybuilding) is to give them a ready platform. This will take the Indian athletes to  World platform without wasting their crucial competition years,” explained Sheru Aangrish, director  Sheru Classic Production Pvt. Ltd. (SCP) and  former Mr. India 1997-98.

The 15 participants  for India Classic 2013  are Amit Chettri (Uttrakhand) ,   Borun Yumnam  CRPF), Senthil Kumaran (Tamil Nadu),  Ashish Shakharkar  (Maharashtra) , Kothanda Raman  (Tamil Nadu),  Durgaprasad Dasri (Maharashtra), Daljeet Singh (Punjab), Mahesh Patil (Maharashtra),  Navtej Singh ( Punjab), Narinder Singh (Punjab), Balmurgan ( Tamil Nadu), Avinash Ingle (Maharashtra), Pralahd   ( Delhi), Jinto PD ( Kerala), Kishor Dange (Maharashtra)

Press release

Grover, Yang win Junior crowns

Mumbai, October 20, 2013:  It was so near and yet so far. Sagarika Mukherjee almost came to breaching the China wall, but finished as the runner-up in the Junior Girls singles at the $8,000 Reliance India Junior and Cadet Open at the NSCI Stadium here today.  

China’s Yanmei Yang, keeping her reputation here intact, beat the Indian 4-3 (11-6, 11-2, 11-4, 14-16, 9-11, 5-11, 12-10) in a thriller that had all the ingredients of a final. Yang received the winner’s purse of $1000, while Sagarika earned $500 for her effort.

In the Junior Boys category, India’s Sudhanshu Grover defeated compatriot Abhishek Yadav 4-1 (11-2, 16-14, 12-10, 4-11, 11-7) to take home $1000. While Grover upped his game, befitting the occasion, southpaw Yadav was not in his elements at all. That reflected in his game and Grover, on the other hand, never missed any opportunity that came his way. Attacking from both flanks, he kept Yadav engaged with short rallies and whenever opportunities presented he went for the kill.

Incidentally, Grover had won back-to-back titles, at the Central and West zone events, before coming to the event. Riding on his form, he has already ensured that he claimed the title here and this should put him in a better frame of mind when he goes to Morocco in December for the World Juniors. Grover is the only male Indian paddler who will represent the country in the singles event there.   

Chinese on back foot

Nobody gave a semblance of chance to Sagarika, particularly after the way she down and out, trailing 0-3 and 2-4 in the fourth game. But a determined Sagarika not only surprised the entire crowd at the stadium but even the Chinese who was forced on her back foot. Even those variations she employed in her serves failed to get her anywhere as Sagarika won the extended game 16-14 after some real fight and a few rallies.

Sagarika’s ploy of block and attack method worked in her favour as the Chinese, frustrated by the Indian’s slow game, made far too many mistakes. Sagarika took the next two games to the roar of the crowd. The Indian was very much in her groove and went 7-4 up in the decider only to allow her rival come back in the match. Another extended game this time saw the Chinese making amends to win the crown.  

Earlier in the semifinals, Sagarika picked herself up well after being down 1-3 to take her Chinese rival Anqi Li the full distance and win the match 11-7, 5-11, 9-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-9 with pin-pointed precision.

Sagarika prevails

Brave-heart Sreeja Akula saved four championships point to level the score and even went 7-4 up in the decider of the Cadet Girls final. However, once Sagarika Mukherjee levelled the score at 7-7 the cool-headed West Begal girl finished off in style to win the title. Nevertheless, credit must go to Sreeja for the way she staged her comeback to give some real scary moments to Sagarika who won 3-2.

The Cadet Boys final failed to match the excitement of Cadet Girls’ final as Birdie Boro, ranked several rungs below at 245, steamrolled Arjun Ghosh (189) in straight sets.

Ghosh, though put up some late resistance in an extended third game, it was too late too little for him. Boro, playing an attacking close-to-the-table game won several winners with his blistering shots. Ghosh, on the other hand, was more subdued and failed to show the kind of enthusiasm he had shown earlier in the semifinals.

Results:

Junior Boys: Singles Final: Sudhanshu Grover bt Abhishek Yadav 4-1 (11-2, 16-14, 12-10, 4-11, 11-7); Semifinals: Abhishek Yadav bt Lalrin Puia 4-0 (11-5, 11-9, 11-5, 11-8), Sudhanshu Grover bt Utkarsh Gupta 4-0 (12-10, 12-10, 11-8, 11-3).

Doubles: Final: Sameera Kumar/Rohit Rajasekhar bt Sudhanshu Grovere/Abhishek Yadav 3-0 (15-13, 11-6, 11-7).

Junior Girls: Singles Final: Yanmei Yang (CHN) bt Sagarika Mukherjee 4-3 (11-6, 11-2, 11-4, 14-16, 9-11, 5-11, 12-10); Semifinals: Sagarika Mukherjee bt Anqi Li (CHN) 4-3 (11-7, 5-11, 9-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-9), Yanmei Yang (CHN) bt Xiaotong Sun (CHN) 4-1 (11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6, 11-5).

Doubles: Final: Ayhika Mukherjee/Suthirtha Mukherjee bt Manika Batra/Reeth Tennison 3-1 (11-5, 10-12, 12-10, 11-3).

Cadet Boys: Singles Final: Birdie Boro bt Arjun Ghosh 3-0 (11-8, 11-6, 16-14; Semifinals: Arjun Ghosh bt Anirban Ghosh 3-1 (11-9, 11-9, 10-12, 11-9), Birdie Boro bt Yuhao Wang (CHN) 3-1 (11-5, 11-13, 11-9, 11-7).

Doubles: Final: Arjun Ghosh/Ayush Tayal bt Birdie Boro/Anirban Ghosh 3-2 (11-8, 4-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9).

Cadet Girls: Singles Final: Sagarika Mukherjee bt Sreeja Akula 3-2 (13-11, 11-13, 11-8, 17-19, 11-9); Semifinals: Sagarika Mukherjee bt Srushti Haleangadi 3-0 (11-5, 11-7, 11-6), Sreeja Akula bt CR Harshavardhini 3-2 (7-11, 5-11, 15-13, 11-6, 11-2).

Doubles: Final: Sreeja Akula/CR Harshavardhini bt Shruti Amrute/Naina 3-0 (12-10, 11-8, 11-4).

A TTFI Press release

Sagarika breaches Chinese bastion

Mumbai, October 20, 2013: In the face of a Chinese invasion Sagarika Mukherjee made India proud when outsmarted Anqi Li to enter the finals of the Junior Girls category at the $8,000 Reliance India Junior and Cadet Open at the NSCI Stadium here today.

The Indian will take on Yanmei Yang in the final to be played later this evening. Yang defeated compatriot Xiaotong Sun 4-1 in the other semifinal.

Ranked 146 in the world, Sagarika was down 1-3 and almost looked out when she upped the ante to take her Chinese rival the full distance and win 11-7, 5-11, 9-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-9 with pin-pointed precision to seal her final spot.

The West Bengal lass despite taking the first game rather easily, failed to counter the pace of Li whose close-to-the-table shots brooked little challenge from Sagarika. In the crucial fifth game, Sagarika forced Li play into her hands by slowing down the pace. Unable to come to terms with Sagarika’s push-and-prod game with sudden forehand winners, Li was rattled enough to lose the extended game.

That was the time when Sagarika raised her game a notch higher and reeling under the pressure Li slowly but surely wilted, and allowed the Indian first level the score at 3-3 before turning on the heat in the decider which Sagarika won with minimum points.

As for the Junior Boys fare, Abhisheh Yadav and Sudhanshu Grover will meet in the final, also to be played this evening. Both Yadav and Grover blanked out their rivals, Lalrin Puia and Utkarsh Gupta, by an identical margin of 4-0.

Sagarika also reached the Cadet Girls final and she will play Akula Sreeja while in the Cadet Boys category, Arjun Ghosh and Birdie Boro will cross swords.  

Results:

Junior Boys: Singles Semifinals: Abhishek Yadav bt Lalrin Puia 4-0 (11-5, 11-9, 11-5, 11-8), Sudhanshu Grover bt Utkarsh Gupta 4-0 (12-10, 12-10, 11-8, 11-3).

Junior Girls: Singles Semifinals: Sagarika Mukherjee bt Anqi Li 4-3 (11-7, 5-11, 9-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-9), Yanmei Yang (CHN) bt Xiaotong Sun (CHN) 4-1 (11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6, 11-5).

Cadet Boys: Singles Semifinals: Arjun Ghosh bt Anirban Ghosh 3-1 (11-9, 11-9, 10-12, 11-9), Birdie Boro bt Yuhao Wang (CHN) 3-1 (11-5, 11-13, 11-9, 11-7).

Cadet Girls: Singles Semifinals: Sagarika Mukherjee bt Srushti Haleangadi 3-0 (11-5, 11-7, 11-6), Akula Sreeja bt CR Harshavardhini 3-2 (7-11, 5-11, 15-13, 11-6, 11-2).

A TTFI Press release

Hero Hockey India League increases salary cap of each franchise by $75,000

NEW DELHI, October 20, 2013: Hockey India League has decided to raise the franchisees’ salary cap for the second season of the Hero HIL, scheduled from January 23 to February 23, 2014, by $75,000 (Rs 46 lakh).

Hockey India secretary general and Hero Hockey India League chairman Dr. Narinder Batra said the Executive Board had decided to the request of the franchisees to raise the salary cap. “After the enormous success of inaugural Hero HIL, our franchise partners requested for an increase in the salary cap in the coming season,” he said.

“Each franchise now has an additional Rs 46 lakh available to buy new players to complete its squad in place of permanent withdrawals for the coming season,” he said. “The Mini Players Auction/Closed Bid is scheduled for November 18, with 154 players signing up for the auction.”

The salary cap for each Franchisee in the inaugural season was $650,000(Rs 3.96 crore) which is now increased to $725,000 (Rs 4.42 crore).

In the inaugural season, 70 top domestic players including the Indian national side as well as 50 international players who are part of the national squads of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Netherlands, Germany, Malaysia, Spain, and Argentina played for the five teams.

Of the 120 players who played in the inaugural Hero Hockey India League, 60 were Olympians. The list includes winners of the prestigious FIH Player of the Year Award including Jamie Dwyer (2004, 2009, 2010, 2011), Teun de Nooijer (2003, 2005, 2006) and Moritz Fuerste (2012). Seven of the top 10 FIH rated players played in the Hero HIL 2013.

A HI Press release

Indian boys and Chinese girls on top

Mumbai, October 19, 2013: It will be an all-India affair in the Junior Boys category while it will be the reverse of sorts in the Junior Girls section with three Chinese making the semifinal grade at the $8,000 Reliance India Junior and Cadet Open at the NSCI Stadium here today.

In a way, the Junior Girls fare was along expected lines with the lone Indian survivor being Sagarika Mukherjee, who was fortunate to run against Indian Narasimha Priya. But the biggest question staring at the Indian is can she survive the Chinese onslaught tomorrow. However, Suthirtha’s brave effort on the day was not enough to stop the Chinese juggernaut.

Nevertheless, the losses suffered by the girls were made up by the domination of hosts' Junior Boys. Utkarsh Gupta had to bring out all his experience to the fore to outwit his higher ranked rival Arjun Ghosh 4-2 in a thrilling quarterfinal duel in the Junior Boys section at the He will take on a rampaging Sudhanshu Grover, who disposed of Birdie Boro in straight games, in the semifinals tomorrow. In the other semifinal, Abhishek Yadav, who outclassed Yuhao Wang (CHN) 4-0 (12-10, 11-4, 11-8, 11-9) will clash with Lalrin Puia.

Except for the Utkarsh-Arjun encounter, the other quarterfinals were more or less one-sided with the fancied players going through without hiccups. Abhishek Yadav didn’t waste any time in rolling over his Chinese rival Yuhao Wang with a 4-0 verdict and Lalrin Puia, with his fine ability to wear out opponents, defeated Nishaad Shah 9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-5, 11-9 in a defensive match that saw long rallies and the never-say-die attitude of the two players. Yet, it was Puia who won the day.

No. 261 ranked Utkarsh, who won 12-10, 8-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-8, began in right earnest to take the extended game only to lose the next two to Arjun, ranked 189 in the world. But the Delhi boy stopped his rival on his track with an excellent attacking game to level the score. The intensity of the fourth game could be gauged as he used the flanks well to rattle Arjun. The cautious and confident Utkarsh went all out, serving and returning well, to take the next two games to book his semifinal berth.

Narasimha Priya could not take advantage of her draw as she bowed out in the quarterfinals of the Junior Girls section, losing to Sagarika Mukherjee, ranked 146 in the world. The West Bengal girl won 4-2 after raising the standard in the fifth and six games. Though Priya took the first game 11-7, she couldn’t come to terms with the pace set by Sagarika who surged to a 2-1 lead. In the fourth, however, Priya put up her best resistance with some excellent winners. And that was all she could do as Sagarika turned on the heat to earn the semifinal spot.

Chinese Anqi Li accounted for Senhora D’Souza 4-1 and will meet Sagarika Mukherjee in the first semifinal while the second semifinal will be between Yanmei Yang and compatriot Xiaotong Sun, who beat Indian Mallika Bhandarkar 4-1.

Results:

Junior Boys: Quarterfinals: Sudhanshu Grover bt Birdie Boro 4-0 (11-5, 11-6, 11-5, 12-10), Utkarsh Gupta bt Arjun Ghosh 4-2 (12-10, 8-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-8), Abhishek Yadav bt Yuhao Wang (CHN) 4-0 (12-10, 11-4, 11-8, 11-9, Lalrin Puia bt Nishaad Shah 4-1 (9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-5, 11-9).

Junior Girls: Quarterfinals: Anqi Li (CHN) bt Senhora D’Souza 4-1 (9-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-7, 11-5), Sagarika Mukherjee bt Narasimha Priya 4-2 (7-11, 11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5), Yanmei Yang (CHN) bt Mallika Bhandarkar 4-2 (11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-2), Xiaotong Sun (CHN) bt Suthirtha Mukherjee 4-2 (10-12, 11-8, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-4).

Cadet Boys: Quarterfinals: Anirban Ghosh bt Ayush Tayal 3-2 (8-11, 11-5, 8-11, 12-10, 11-7), Birdie Boro bt Beizeng Wang (CHN) 3-1 (7-11, 11-8, 17-15, 11-6), Arjun Ghosh bt Huabing He (CHN) 3-1 (11-8, 14-12, 7-11, 11-9), Yuhao Wang (CHN) bt Lalhunhlua 3-0 (11-3, 11-7, 11-4).

Doubles: QF: Lalhunhlua/Lalrin Puia bt Salah Al-Balooshi/Abdulla Albalooshi (UAE) 3-1, Beizeng Wang/Yuhao Wang (CHN) bt Sail Alfalasi (UA)/Shaurya Pednekar 3-0, Arjun Ghosh/Ayush Tayal bt Hammed Osibanjo (NGR)/Siddesh Mukund 3-0.

Cadet Girls: Quarterfinals: Sagarika Mukherjee bt Aishwarya Pathak 3-1 (13-11, 13-11, 6-11, 11-3), Srushti Haleangadi bt Moumita Dutta 3-1 (11-9, 4-11, 11-9, 11-9), CR Harshavardhani bt Ashlesha Trehan 3-1 (11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8), Sreeja Akula bt Shruti Amrute 3-0 (11-4, 11-6, 11-3).

Doubles: QF: Shruti Amrute/Naina bt Srushti Haleangadi/Dyuti Patki 3-2; Desiree Hung (HKG)/Aishwarya Pathak bt Mansi Chhajed/Ashelesha Trehan 3-2.

A TTFI Press release

Noida Club qualifier to kick start Toyota IGU NHS National Club Challenge today

Noida, October 19, 2013: Veteran Gagan Verma and Jasjeet Singh, who finished second in World Inter Team Golf Championship in Malaysia in November 2012, will highlight the first round of club qualifier of North Zone of Toyota IGU NHS National Club Challenge tomorrow at Noida Golf Club, Noida tomorrow. 

Around 120 club members above the age of 18 (Men & Ladies) will play the club qualifier who qualified from the two-days pre-qualifying round happened at the club earlier this week. Members will compete in five handicap categories which are 0-6, 7-10, 11-14, 15-19 and 20-24 and the individual winner in each handicap category will automatically be selected to represent the club team while the 6th team member and captain will be nominated by the club.  

Jasjeet Singh, who plays on the IGU Amateur Golf Circuit, said, “National Club Challenge is a great initiative take by Indian Golf Union and I am sure it will be a big hit.  The wonderful part is that it’s getting all the club members together and we all are excited about playing the first club qualifier of North Zone.”

The teams thus selected go to the 2nd stage, the Zonal Finals which will take place at Noida Golf Club on November 29, 2013.  At the 18 hole Zonal finals, the best five 18 hole total stableford scores of the six players will make the team score and the top two teams from each of four Zonal Finals will qualify for the 3rd stage – the National Finals. 

The Club qualifiers, Zonal Finals and National Finals will be played in individual Stableford off 3/4th handicap allowance.

Rakesh Agnihotri, Captain, Noida Golf Club, said, “It is an excellent game format and it has shown tremendous interest with the club members that we had to organise a pre-qualifying round for selecting 120 golfers. We already have tournaments running between Army, Navy at our club but the corporate involvement is very heartening.”

Press release

Narasimha Priya topples Manika, gets direct QF entry

Mumbai, October 18, 2013: Unseeded Narasimha Priya not only upset Manika Batra, ranked 30 in the world, with a 3-2 (11-9, 1-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7) verdict in a group 1 league match of the Junior Girls section, but also ensured herself a direct entry into the quarterfinals of the $8,000 Reliance India Junior and Cadet Open at the NSCI Stadium here today. 

  

Narasimha Priya, a last-minute replacement for Karnam Spoorthy in the championships, made most of the occasion to overcome the higher ranked Delhi player, who has had a mixed form so far. Manika’s inability to top the group also meant that she will have a faceoff with Chinese Xiaotong Sun first thing tomorrow morning. Priya, on the other hand, will have the advantage of avoiding one of the three Chinese in fray until the semifinals. Though Priya has one Chinese, Anqi Li, in her half she is safe until the last-four stage.

Narasimha Priya, who topped Group 1 started the match in a pulsating manner, winning the first game with minimum points. But the Chennai girl was rather too bad in the next in which she just about managed a solitary point as Manika finished off in double quick time. Priya went 2-1 up soon aftger before Manika took the next to level the score. In the decider, however, it was Priya all the way as too many unforced errors at the net by Manika saw the Chennai girl roll over her opponent.

“I was blocking well and my forehand shots fetched some crucial points for me today,” said Priya about her decider. “I went blank completely. I don’t know what happened,” added Priya about her second game which she lost badly.

With 108 singles matches in all four categories put together scheduled for the day, the paddlers had a bush day. As for the notable players, including the Chinese in the Junior Girls sections, their progress into the next stage was rather easy. Indeed, a few group matches did go the full distance, creating some excitement among the crowd.

Suthirtha Mukherjee, who led her group 2, too received a bye into the quarterfinals along with Senhora D’Souza while Yanmei Yang (China) from group 3 too benefited with a direct quarterfinal entry from the other half.

In Junior Boys section, where a lone Chinese Yuhao Wang made it to the main draw, both Sudhanshu Grover and Abhishek Yadav have been directly placed in the quarterfinals while the rest will the round of 16.

In Cadet Girls, Akul Sreeja, Sagarika Mukherjee, Moumita Dutta, CR Harshavardhini, Srushti Halengadi, Ashlesha Trehan, Shruti Amrute and Aishwaria Pathak have made it to the main draw while in Cadet Boys, Anirban Ghosh, Lalhunhlua, Yuhao Wang, Arjun Ghosh, Huabing He, Birdie Boro, Beizeng and Ayush Tayal all entered the main draw.  

A TTFI Press release

Toyota IGU NHS National Club Challenge to involve 5000 golfers and 25 clubs

New Delhi, October 18: Indian Golf Union announced that the inaugural edition of the Toyota IGU NHS National Club Challenge will involve around 5000 golfers from 25 key clubs across the country.

The tournament which will kick off in October and conclude in April with the National Finals will be conducted in three stages. In Stage one, each of the 25 competing clubs will conduct an 18 hole qualifying tournament with the club members competing in five different handicap categories so that all members of the club get an opportunity to compete for a spot on the club team. 

The five handicap categories are 0-6, 7-10, 11-14, 15-19 and 20-24. The individual winner in each handicap category will automatically be selected to represent the club team while the 6th team member and captain will be nominated by the club.

The teams thus selected go to the 2nd stage which is the Zonal Finals in four zones – North, South, East and West. At the 18 hole Zonal finals, the best five 18 hole total stableford scores of the six players of each club team will make the team score and the top two teams from each of four Zonal Finals will qualify for the 3rd stage – the National Finals. 

The first stage kicks off from October 20 at Noida Golf Club, Noida. This is the first round of the club qualifier event and Noida GC had a pre qualifying round from which 120 club members qualified to compete in the club team selection round.

The Toyota IGU NHS National Club Challenge gives an opportunity to all club members at 25 major golf clubs across the country to represent their clubs as teams at a national level and is considered a great privilege and honour among the amateur club golfers across India. The ultimate prize is to be crowned the IGU National Club Champion of the year!

The Club qualifiers, Zonal Finals and National Finals will be played in individual Stableford off 3/4th handicap allowance.

Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director & COO, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “We have had a long and fruitful association with Indian golf over the past five years. The Toyota IGU NHS National Club Challenge is poised to attract thousands of keen golfers to participate in multiple cities across India and we are happy to sponsor it. This also gives us a good opportunity to target aspiring buyers of Toyota cars.”

Raian Irani, Vice President IGU, said, “It’s my pleasure to announce the inaugural edition of Toyota IGU National Club Challenge. There is nothing as exciting for a club golfer than to win a place on his club team and go on to compete for glory against other club teams at a zonal and a national level. This tournament will incentivise club golfers to play hard and improve their game in order to have a chance to be selected to represent the club the next year. We are grateful for the various clubs for their enthusiastic support and wish we could have accommodated more club teams but given the logistic limitations, we have restricted the first edition to 25 clubs. Even then we understand between the clubs, we expect some 5000 golfers to be competing this year.”

Rishi Narain, CEO & MD, RN Golf Management, who conceived and promote the tournament said, “The Toyota IGU National Club Challenge is a very popular format and we have already received great feedback from club members who want to participate. We thank Toyota for its ongoing association with the sport and delighted to partner with IGU to take this tournament to the next level. This annual tournament will create a healthy club rivalry within towns and across zones and we hope more youngsters and club members will be motivated to improve the quality of their games. We may also discover some future stars in the expert handicap categories and expect some top ranked national players to be turning out for their club teams also.”

Press release

Chinese eat into Indian medal, money shares

Mumbai, October 17, 2013: A minor Chinese incursion was good enough to deprive the hosts a clean sweep of team gold medals at the Reliance India Junior and Cadet Open as the visitors made a short work of India A in the Junior Girls section to take the yellow metal in the $8,000 event at the NSCI Stadium here today.  

The two unranked Chinese Yanmei Yang and Anqi Li surprised India A’s Manika Batra and  Suthirtha Mukherjee, both ranked No. 30 and No. 60 in the world respectively, for the second time in two days to win the final 3-1 and earn $500 for their fine efforts. The other three categories saw the hosts winning the remaining three gold medals and a major share of the prize money.

In fact, all the silver medals went the hosts’ way with a few bronze—losing semifinalists get bronze—too falling into their laps to make larger booty for India.

However, one sad aspect of the team championships will be the loss by India A girls as they failed to pick themselves up in the face of a good, calculated assault by the two Chinese girls. Appearing on the international scene for the first time, both the paddlers showed why they are the world-beaters in this sport.

Manika started on a brave note, attacking from both flanks, to win her first two games against Anqi Li. But the Chinese, surprised by Manka’s attacking game slowed down a bit to upset the Indian’s rhythm. It seemed to have worked well for Li who took the next game, but a cautious Manika put an end to the Chinese design by winning the fourth to take the first rubber 5-11, 5-11, 11-6, 5-11.

But Suthirtha, the weak link in the team, could not measure up to the pace of Yanmei Yang. The latter just mowed her down in straight games after rattling her in the first in less than six minutes at 11-3. However hard Suthirtha tried in the next games, she was not able to counter those scorching forehands from Yang.

With the doubles rubber too in their pocket, it was left to Li to take on Manika in her reverse singles. Manika had the measure of her opponent, leading 2-0 in the fourth rubber. But she lost her way with several unforced errors in the third game which Li took 12-10 to trail 1-2. This was when the Chinese aggression showed its way and Li just allowed three points to her opponent in the game. With the gold just a game away, Li’s pounding with crucial winners brooked little challenge from Manika.

The India A combine of Abhishek Yadav and Sudhanshu Grover defeated Chinmay Vinod and Sanish Ambekar of India E 3-0 without any inhibition in the Junior Boys final. In fact, no one expected the unranked Vinod and Ambekar to roll their opponents over, but in the semifinals they had already spoilt the reputation of Utkarsh Gupta (261) and Sabhya Virmani(380). The two world-ranked Delhi players surrendered meekly to the guiles of Vinod and Sanish.

 Though the Cadet Boys’ and Girls’ gold medals went to India A teams, the Cadet Boys semifinal saw an interesting duel between India C and India B which the former won 3-1. India B’s Ayush Tayal and Arjun Ghosh, who were in great form until them, bowed out in the semifinals when Lalrin Puia and Lalhunhlua, the two boys from Mizoram, playing excellent games to outwit the experienced Tayal and Ghosh. Puia, in particular, proved to be a hard nut to crack as he won both his singles to pave their way into the final.

In the Cadet Girls’, India A’s Calange Ravichandran and Sagarika Mukherjee beat India B’s Moumita Dutta and Sreeja Akula 3-1. The later, giving a good fight, managed to win the doubles.

The Results:

Junior Boys:  Final: India A bt India E 3-0 (Sudhanshu Grover bt Chinmay Vinod 11-9, 11-8, 11-6, Abhishek Yadav bt Sanish Ambekar 11-4, 11-5, 11-7, Grover/Yadav bt Sanish/Vinod 11-5, 12-10, 11-8; Semi-finals: India A bt India C 3-0 (Abhishek Yadav bt Rohit Rajasekhar 6-11, 11-8, 11-2, 11-6, Sudhanshu Grover bt Sameera Kumar 12-10, 11-7, 4-11, 11-6, Yadav/Grover bt Rohit/Sameera 11-2, 11-8, 11-8; India E bt India B 3-1 (Chinmay Vinod bt Sabhya Virmani 11-7, 12-10, 11-9, Sanish Ambekar bt Utkarsh Gupta 9-11, 12-10, 11-9, 14-12, Sanish/Vinod lost to Sabhya/Utkarsh 12-10, 7-11, 9-11, 3-11, Chinmay Vinod bt Utkarsh Gupta 11-7, 11-8, 11-5.

Junior Girls: Final: China bt India A 3-1 (Anqi Li lost to Manika Batra 5-11, 5-11, 11-6, 5-11, Yanmei Yang bt Suthirtha Mukherjee 11-3, 11-8, 11-8, Li/Yang bt Manika/Suthirtha 11-6, 11-4, 11-8, Yanmei Yang bt Manika Batra 8-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-3, 11-5; Semi-finals: China bt China-India 3-0 (Anqi Li bt Senhora D’Souza 14-12, 11-4, 11-8, Yanmei Yang bt Xiaotong Sun 11-7, 11-3, 9011, 11-8, Li/Yang bt D’Souza/Sun 11-4, 11-7, 11-7; India A bt India B 3-0 (Manika Batra bt Ayhika Mukherjee 5-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-6, Suthirtha Mukherjee bt Reeth Tennison 11-6, 7-11, 11-5, 11-9, Manika/Suthirtha bt Ayhika/Reeth 11-9, 13-15, 12-10, 11-9.

Cadet Boys: Final: India A bt India C 3-1 (Birdie Boro lost to Lalhunhlua 4-11, 7-11, 8-11, Anirban Ghosh bt Lalrin Puia 11-9, 11-8, 11-5, Boro/Ghosh bt Lalhunhlua/Puia 11-8, 11-6, 11-6, Anirban Ghosh bt Lalhunhlua 11-5, 11-5, 10-12, 11-8; Semi-finals: India A bt China 3-1 (Birdie Boro bt Yuhao Wang 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 13-11, Anirban Ghosh bt Beizeng Wang 11-9, 12-10, 6-11, 11-13, 11-7, Boro/Ghosh lost to Yuhao/Beizeng 4-11, 6-11, 11-13, Anirban Ghosh bt Yuhao Wang 14-12, 8-11, 11-9, 5-11, 12-10; India C bt India B 3-1 (Lalhunhlua bt Arjun Ghosh 11-9, 11-7, 11-8, Lalrin Puia bt Ayush Tayal 11-6, 11-6, 11-3, Lalhunhlua/Puia lost to Arjun/Ayush 3-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-5, 7-11, Lalrin Puia bt Arjun Ghosh 11-5, 2-11, 11-4, 5-11, 11-7.

 Cadet Girls: Final: India A bt India B 3-1 (Calange Ravichandran bt Sreeja Akula 6-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-8, Sagarika Mukherjee bt Moumita Dutta 11-3, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7, Calange/Sagarika lost to Akula/Dutta 12-10, 11-4, 6-11, 6-11, 7-11, Sagarika Mukherjee bt Sreeja Akula 11-6, 7-11, 11-9, 10-12, 12-10; Semi-finals: India B bt Hong Kong-India Sreeja Akula bt Aishwarya Pathak 11-7, 4-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-5, Moumita Dutta bt Desiree Hung 12-10, 11-9, 11-6, Sreeja/Moumita bt Aishwarya/Hung 11-6, 6-11, 11-4, 17-15; India A bt India C 3-0 (Clange Ravichandran bt A. Naina 12-10, 11-7, 11-9, Sagarika Mukherjee bt Shruti Vijay Amrute 11-9, 5-11, 8-11, 17-15, 11-2, Calange/Sagarika bt Naina/Shruti 12-10, 12-10, 11-9.

A TTFI Press release