Category Archives: Sports

India in maiden quarterfinal of Women’s World Team Squash

Records, All, Sports


New Delhi:
India created history by booking their maiden quarterfinal berth in the WSF Women’s World Team Squash Championship after an upset 2-1 victory over eighth seeds, The Netherlands at Nimes, France on Wednesday.

India, who had upset seventh seeds Ireland in their tournament opener before clinching pole position in Pool G, are taking part in the biennial tournament for the third time only.

They had finished 18th in their debut in 2002 and 11th last year.

Anaka Alankamony, the number three in the squad, gave 10th seeds India the lead with a resounding 3-0 (11-8, 11-6, 11-5) win over Milou van der Heij but it was even-steven with Indian number one Dipika Pallikal losing 8-11, 4-11, 3-11 to Natalie Grinham in the second game of the Round of 16 tie.

World number 13 Pallikal was outplayed by her stronger rival Natalie, who is currently ranked 11 in the world.

It was left to Joshna Chinappa to show that the top-spot finish in the pool was no fluke and she beat Orla Noom in a tense deciding game 5-11, 11-9, 8-1, 11-2, 11-3.

Earlier, India had thrashed Argentina 3-0 to clinch pole position in Pool G.

The event boasts of a record entry of 26 nations and is being staged simultaneously at both the eight-court Club des Costieres and La Parnasse Arena where, for the first time ever, action is taking place on three all-glass show courts.

Result: Round of 16: (10) India bt (8) The Netherlands 2-1 Anaka Alankamony bt Milou van der Heij 11-8, 11-6, 11-5; Natalie Grinham bt Dipika Pallikal 11-8, 11-4, 11-3; Joshna Chinappa bt Orla Noom 5-11, 11-9, 8-1, 11-2, 11-3.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Sports> More Sports / by PTI / November 14th, 2012

Great Ford Endeavour Drive Coorg Edition to help understand SUV capabilities better

Sports


FORD has been synonymous with adventure and excitement. Through its Great Ford Endeavour Drive: Coorg Edition, the company will allow adrenaline fueled enthusiasts to experience ultimate off- roading scenarios when driving a Ford Endeavour. This drive will be coomenced on the 8th of November to 9th, where drivers will embark on a journey from Bangalore to Coorg which is India’s coffee capital.

Throughout the journey participants will be given opportunity to familiarize themselves with capabilities of the SUV. Excitement and exploration are two main features of the Great Ford Endeavour Drive. Earlier editions of the Great Ford Endeavour Drive have been held in Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad.

During the Coorg edition, enthusiasts will be taken on a journey through lush and scenic, Sandalkad Estate which house the Honey Pot Homestays. These surroundings are a perfect place for enthusiasts to experience passion of driving the Endeavour. Sahil Jatana a coffee expert will be travelling with the group and will share insights about roasting and brewing of coffee during this adventure.

source: http://www.RushLane.com / Home> Ford> General> SUV / November 09th, 2012

The chemistry is perfect

Sports

Former India batsman Pravin Amre is here in a specialist capacity. No, he is not the coach of the Karnataka team. That job is being looked after by J. Arun Kumar.

On a unique assignment, Amre has travelled to the city as the ‘personal batting coach’ of Robin Uthappa. Amre was seen exchanging ideas with the dashing batsman during practice ahead of the Ranji Trophy match against Tamil Nadu here on Thursday. The chemistry between the two was just right.

“Yes, he (Amre) is here to help me out. But I do not want to talk much about it at this stage,” said Uthappa to The Hindu. Amre flashed a charming smile but said little.

His six-month contract with Uthappa as professional batting coach which began in July this year would continue well into the current Ranji season. Amre is the assistant coach of IPL franchise Pune Warriors and it is here that he came into close contact with Uthappa.

Yet, a situation where a cricketer’s personal coach is seen giving inputs to a cricketer when the official team coach appointed by the association is in charge, can cause friction within the team. There can be a conflict of interest.

However, Arun was gracious. “He (Amre) is here as Robin’s personal coach. The two have been together for some time. I have been working with Robin too. It has not been interfering with my coaching.”

PERSONAL THING

Former India batsman and coach Aunshuman Gaekwad said, “This is a personal thing between the personal coach and the team coach. The team coach should ensure that the line is not crossed. Any player is free to have his own coach. But, I think the personal coach should not come to the ground during practice. It would then give the impression that the team coach is being undermined.”

The 26-year-old Uthappa has 786 runs from 38 ODIs at 27.10, but his last game for India was in 2008. He has 5384 runs from 82 first class matches at 40.17, but these numbers can be far better. Uthappa’s attacking methods have seen him become a valuable player in the IPL and he did make a comeback into the Indian Twenty20 team. The Karnataka cricketer, though, is keen to excel in the game’s longer format.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Sport> Cricket / by S. Dinakar / Chennai, November 09th, 2012

Bhupathi-Bopanna win Paris Masters

Leaders, Records, All, Sports

Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna clinched the Paris Master, their second title of the year, after scoring a hard-fought win over Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi and Jean-Julien Rojer, here today.

The fifth seed Indian pair, playing their fourth final of the season, struggled past the Pakistan-Dutch combination 7-6 (6) 6-3 in the summit clash, lasting one hour and 24 minutes.

Bhupathi and Bopanna had won the Dubai ATP event and ended runners-up at Cincinnati and Shanghai.

The Indians could not convert a single breakpoint of the six chances in the opening set but held nerves in the tie-breaker to take the lead.

They saved a crucial break chance in the second set and cashed in on both the chances on opponents’ serve to seal the win.

The Indians have already qualified for the season-ending finale, where they will make debut as a pair.

The 38-year-old Bhupathi is a four-time runner-up at the event, losing the final in 2010 with Max Mirnyi and 1997, ’99 and 2000 with Leander Paes.

Bopanna, 32, had made his debut at the year-end championships last year with Qureshi.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Sports / by PTI / Paris, November 03rd, 2012

Joshna Chinappa wins Penang Open squash title

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Penang (Malaysia):

India’s top squash player Joshna Chinappa claimed the IJM Land Penang Open after defeating top seed and local favourite Siti Munirah Jusoh in straight games on Sunday.

(This was Chinappa’s seventh…)
Chinappa defeated her Malaysian opponent 11-9, 11-7, 11-1 in a 34-minute battle between the two top seeds at the Nicol David International Squash Centre. Both had dropped just one game en route to the final.

This was Chinappa’s seventh WSA World Tour title. It was the Indian who kept up her dominant form in the final, winning the first game narrowly.

Jusoh’s resilience waned as the match progressed and the gap in the score was more pronounced in the second game. The Malaysian could not keep pace with the Indian and could claim just one point from the third game.

Chinappa gained a walkover in her first round tie after Pakistani qualifier Zahab Khan withdrew injured.

The Indian later battled from a game down against number six seed Karman Siu to face another Hong Kong player in number three seed Carmen Lee in the semifinals.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Sports> More Sports /by PTI / October 28th, 2012

Rain threat looms over Rally of Coorg

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports

The Indian National Rally Championship returns to Kodagu after a gap of five years for the Rally of Coorg, but with thunderstorms lashing the region, the likelihood of the rally being run on Saturday and Sunday without any glitches appears unlikely.

The signs were ominous as the race stewards, who ran Friday’s reconnaissance under torrential rain, cancelled the 9.5-km long Woshully stage, meaning the two other Special Stages — Polibetta (6 kms) and Yemmegondi (13.40 kms) — will be run four times as opposed to running it three times as was originally planned. The Super Special Stage (Triple S) will be held on a 2.7-km enclosed circuit in Polibetta on Sunday.

However, if the stages take a beating from the rain on Friday night as well, then the stewards, who are expected to check the route at 6.00 am on Saturday, will be forced to cancel the Motorsports Inc-run event as well. “The first stage — after 3.2 kms — was not motorable. It was too rough and tight. Also, in case of emergency, it would be difficult even for an ambulance to reach the spot. Hence, we recommended the cancellation of the stage,” chief steward Zayn Khan said.

The rally will have three classes — Indian Rally Championship for Group A (modified) 4-wheel drive, Indian National Rally Championship for Group N (unmodified) cars (2000cc and 1600cc) and the Junior Indian National Rally Championship for drivers below 23 years of age.

If the rally does get the ‘go’ signal from the stewards, Mysore’s Lohitt Urs (navigator BS Sujith Kumar), who won the first round of the INRC held at the Siddhlaghatta track last month, will have his eyes set on extending his lead in the Group N class.

However, the prime attraction will once again be Zuhin A (navigator Musa Sherif), who is the lone entry in the Indian Rally Championship class driving a Group ‘A’ Subaru Impreza.
Even if the duo did disappoint during the Special Stages in the K-1000, they captivated the crowd with a stunning drive in the Triple S, and can once again be expected to put on a show.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Sports / Polibeta> DHNS / October 19th, 2012

Hockey stars make it a special day for kids

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports, Uncategorized

A Sunday to remember

October 14 will remain a special Sunday for the 100-odd kids of the Jude Felix Hockey Academy.

Unlike the usual Sundays which involves training, a game of hockey and breakfast at their home-cum-school — St Mary’s Orphanage — the kids were in for a treat when a clutch of former State hockey players and some internationals chose to light up a gloomy morning.

Former India captain Arjun Halappa, VS Vinaya and current India forward SV Sunil and a few other former State players were part of the ‘Rest of Karnataka’ squad, challenging the JFHA academy kids in a 20-minute exhibition match.
“I am extremely happy to be associated with this noble cause,” said Halappa as kids scrambled to get his autograph. “It is such a delight to see the enthusiasm in the kids when they play hockey and I hope some of them get to play for the country some time.”

“This is my first time here and I am looking forward to more such events,” said Sunil, who was impressed by the talent of the kids. “What Jude has done with these kids is spectacular.”

Thrilled with the response, especially from Halappa, Sunil and former India goal-keeper Ashish Ballal who made it in short notice, former India captain Felix said the growth of the academy has vindicated his decision to start it. “Over the last four years, we’ve really made strong improvements. In terms of numbers, we’ve got nearly 100 kids now training almost everyday.

“Apart from that, there is talent here too. Joshua Arun Kumar and Arvind were inducted into the Sports Authority of India (SAI) earlier this year and Rajendra made the cut for the Karnataka sub-junior team. The JFHA wards representing Maria Niketan school clinched the U-16 District and Taluk-level tournaments while the U-14 team emerged victorious in the prestigious Allan MacBride inter-school tournament. That shows the kids here are very serious and we are here not just for charity but to take the kids to the next level.”

Meanwhile, the JFHA inter-school tournament will be played at the KSHA stadium from Nov 7-10. For the second year in row, the event will be played under floodlights and eight teams are expected to participate.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Sports / Bangalore, DHNS / October 14th, 2012

Hockey camp inaugurated

Sports

The hockey talent needs continuous training, said Zilla Panchayat President B Shivappa.

Speaking after inaugurating 20-day Dasara hockey training camp in Somwarpet on Wednesday, he said it is a tragedy that hockey, which is the national game of the country, is not getting enough attention.

To support hockey, Minister for Youth Service and Sports Appacchu Ranjan has planned Hockey Academy in Kodagu. Town Panchayat President N S Murthy said turf stadium will be laid in Somwarpet.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / Somwarpet, DHNS / October 10th, 2012

Laxman, Ashwini to save our SOUL!

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Sports

Former test cricketer VVS Laxman and World Badminton women’s doubles bronze medallist, Olympian Ashwini Ponnappa are joining hands with Save Our Urban Lakes (SOUL) to campaign along the Bon Cheruvu, also known as Hasmathpet Lake in Secunderabad.

The initiative aims at calling for follow-up action from the various governement departments on the recommendations made by former Ranga Reddy District Collector Seshadri to save the said lake from pollution, drainage and encroachment.
The effort seeks to draw attention to violation of laws by the many residential constructions that are taking place within the prohibited limits/radius of water bodies.

A message in support of the walk, sent by Dr RK Pachauri, who as Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with former US President Al Gore, will be read out at a media conference post the walk. A message sent by Dr PM Bhargava, Padma Bhushan and one of the most distinguished scientists of the country, will also be read out. He was the former vice chairman of National Knowledge Mission and former and founder Director of CCMB, Hyderabad.

The walk will begin today at 2 pm in front of Nilgiris Super Market, located near Mansarovar Heights Phases I, II and III in Thirmulgherry.

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / Home> Latest News / The New Indian Express, Express News Service / Hyderabad, October 10th, 2012

Ambassador XI clinch Dhyan Chand Cup

Sports, World Opinion


Grand success: Hockey ace S.A.S. Naqvi receiving a memento from Indian Ambassador J.S. Mukul and Adviser at the Ministry of Civil Service Dr Hammad Al Ghafri as veteran star Syed Sultan Ahmed looks on. Below, the victorious Ambassador XI team along with the dignitaries. / Pic: A.R. Rajkumar/ TIMES OF OMAN
Muscat:
Team Coorg and UTSC Kerala joined hands in a unique way to felicitate Oman’s hockey veteran and ace Saiyed Ali Sibtain Naqvi, who was recently awarded the Journalist Association of India Award 2012 in New Delhi.

It was a nice gesture by the hockey lovers of Oman to recognise Naqvi’s contribution to the game of hockey in India and Oman and adding colour to the function was the organisation of the exhibition match between Ambassador’s XI and Naqvi XI for the Dhyan Chand Cup.

The event which was held under the patronage of Indian Ambassador J.S. Mukul turned out to be a grand success at the OFA ground in Qurum.

Naqvi, who was also conferred with the Indo-Oman Friendship Award in 2010 and the Ministry of Sports Affair’s Lifetime Achievement Award 2011, was elated by the felicitation by Team Coorg (Kutappa and his team) and UTSC Kerala.

This is in addition to the documentary film Evergreen Ace made in 2007.

S.A.S. Naqvi, who was close to Dada Dhyan Chand and hockey stalwarts like K.D. Singh Babu and Kishan Lal, thanked the organisers for the felicitation and vowed more contributions for the game.

The evening was graced by the presence of Indian Ambassador J.S. Mukul and Hammad Al Ghafri, adviser at Ministry of Civil Services, head of Chancery at Indian Embassay A. P. S. Chauhan, Dawood Ahmed Al Raisi, OHA chairman, Dr Ram Sethu, the noted orthopaedic surgeon who himself was a great hockey player of national standard and had represented University of Madras, Mohammed Shambeh Al Raisi, former national player and member of development committee FIH/AHF and the present national coach of Oman Sybil Hasan along with some current crop of players.

Chief Guest J. S. Mukul was very impressed to see the huge response for the exhibition hockey match. Joining the dignitaries were Dr K. P. Raman of Al Hayat Clinic, who had arranged a free medical camp at the venue.

The match was equally interesting with both the teams locked 1-1 at full time. In the resultant tie-break, Ambassador XI won 3-1. Former Oman national coach K.K. Poonacha stood out as an outstanding player.

After the match, S. A. S. Naqvi was presented with a memento by the Indian ambassador to mark his felicitation.

Also present was the stalwart of golden era of Indian hockey Syed Sultan Ahmed. The Ambassador XI was presented the winner trophy by Padmani Chengappa former hockey star of Mysore University to Harshit Naniah, captain of Ambassador XI.

Major Carriapa addressed the gathering to express gratitude to the Indian ambassador, Dr Hammad Al Ghafri as well as Dawood Ahmed Al Raisi for their kind presence. He also thanked all the volunteers and well wishers like Shakunthala Boppanna, Soumya Subiah, Prashanti Naniah and Preet Kushallppa.

source: http://www.timesofoman.com / Home> Latest News / Times News Service / October 08th, 2012