Chennai:
Joshna Chinappa clinches Chennai Open

Joshna Chinappa claimed her maiden WISPA title at home, and sixth overall, as she rallied to beat third seed Sarah Jane Perry 3-1 in the final of the Chennai Open International Squash championship on Saturday.

The Indian, ranked 71 in the world, recorded a 9-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10 win in the summit clash against British rival.

Joshna started off in a sluggish manner and lost the close opening game, in which score were 8-8 at one stage.

However, in the second game, Joshna build up a 6-3 advantage and was swift in her moves, covering the court well.

The Indian took five of the six points to draw the parity, pocketing the second game in just 10 minutes.

The third and the fourth games were closes affairs as Joshna trailed initially in both but showed tremendous fighting ability to comeback and win.
(Agencies)

source: http://www.post.jagran.com / Jagran Post / Home> Sports News / May 26th, 2012

“IPL is a real test of skill for all players and good performances will definitely be rewarded.”

By K.M. Chengappa

Mysore, May 14
Though due recognition came a bit late for rising talent K.P. Appanna (Ajay), the left arm spinner who created sensation in the on-going Indian Premier League (IPL) series, he is oozing with confidence of getting to play international matches soon, both the T20 format and the One-Day and Test matches.

Appanna of Royal Challengers Bangalore, who got widely appreciated for his four-wicket haul against Rajasthan Royals in the IPL match played on Apr. 24, was given credence for his performance by team-mate AB de Villiers, who in a moving gesture, gifted his Man of the Match award to Appanna [See pic.].

Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, Appanna said that his selection to the Indian squad depended on his performance both in the IPL and the Ranji, as the selectors closely watched both these formats. “Many world-class batsmen play in the IPL and there is a lot of pressure on the players — not only the international players are under pressure with great expectations from them but the youngsters too have to live up to the standards in the shortest format of the game — which means the IPL is a real test of skill for all and good performances will definitely be rewarded,” opines Appanna.

Bogged down by a knee injury for the past year, Appanna is now fully fit and rearing to go, as he has been proving in the IPL through his spinning prowess, which the India team desperately needs now.

Appanna told SOM that he would like to continue with the RCB in the coming tournaments too and added that he had gre-atly benefited from the bowling tips from former international pla-yers Anil Kumble, Muttiah Murali-tharan and Venkatesh Prasad.

“Yes, I have improved myself a lot. I missed the entire last season due to the knee injury. Though it was very depressing, I had resolved to make myself fit and bounce back to action,” he said.

Appanna, as a specialist slow left arm leg-spinner and a right handed batsman, represented Karnataka at Under-14 level, later playing at Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 level. Appanna made his first-class debut for Karnataka as a 17-year-old in 2006. In 2007, he played for India Under-19. He has also represented South Zone. He was selected in the squad for RCB (2009 IPL). He played again for RCB in the 2010 tournament. However, he was not contracted for 2011. In January 2012, he sig-ned for the 2012 tournament after a strong season for Karnataka.

Appanna, aged 23, is the son of Kotramada Prabhu and Rani, residents of Srimangala village in Kodagu. App-anna has an elder brother, Abhishek. Appanna, who began his primary education at a school in Kutta village, Kodagu, continued studies in Bangalore from 5th standard. “Though I love to play hockey, I got more into cricket and was given a lot of encouragement by my parents, physical education teachers and friends,” recalls Appanna who looked forward to the match against Mumbai Indians this evening.

Former Ranji player for Karnataka, S. Vijayaprakash, who also is the Convenor of Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Mysore, was all praises for Appanna. “He is a very good bowler and his recent performance will gain credence, considering that he was not in the Ranji squad for the last two seasons owing to injury,” said Vijayaprakash, adding, “Though T20 format has ruined the original game of cricket, the short version helps the players improve in their skills because of the pressure and the chances of getting injured too is higher.”

Vijayaprakash, who said that since Appanna has come back with flying colours in the IPL, his Ranji performance too will be judged, and wished him all the best for his likelihood of being a part of Team India.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / by K.M. Chengappa / Monday, May 14th, 2012

Chief Minister felicitates players, coaches

The blue coloured hockey turf for the London Olympics might have received flak from players and coaches but India’s goalkeeper-captain Bharat Chetri said though the turf was slippery the yellow balls improved visibility for the goalkeepers.

“Not much of a difference. But, the pitch is a little fast and we just have to get used to it. The turf was slippery and needs time to settle down. The blue colour of the turf and yellow balls helped me to pick the ball easily. We are going to play more matches on the blue pitch before the Olympics which will help us to get used to the conditions,” Chetri said at a function on Monday, organised by the State government to honour the Karnataka hockey players in the Indian team for their outstanding performances in the Asian Champions Trophy and Olympic Qualifiers.

Chetri, who left for Pune in the evening to join the preparatory camp for the London Olympics under coach Michael Nobbs, said the Olympic test event has helped the team to identify the grey areas needed for improvement before the July 27-August 12 mega event. “The team’s fitness wasn’t a problem but we have to work on our defence and finishing. Despite the losses, overall it was a good experience. We now know where we lack when it comes against big teams. There are some technical issues that we need to work on,” pointed out Chetri, who was hit by viral fever during the London test event and missed most of the action.

“Ignace (Tirkey) will be rested for the Azlan Shah Cup and the team will more or less be the same as the one that went to London,” he added.

India won the Asian Champions Trophy in Ordos (China) last September by beating arch-rivals Pakistan 4-2 in the tie-breaker while the hosts trounced France 8-1 in New Delhi in February to seal their place in the London Games.

Six hockey players and three coaching staff from Karnataka were given away cheques to the tune of Rs 49 lakh by Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda. “They have all made the state and the country proud and happy. We hope that the Indian team will get the gold medal at the London Oly-mpics,” said Gowda.

Apart from Chetri, Ignace Tirkey, SV Sunil and drag-flicker VR Raghunath, the foursome who played in both the tournaments were richer by Rs 10 lakh each. Promising youngster SK Uthappa, who donned India colours in the Olympic Qualifiers, received Rs five lakh while VS Vinay, who was the standby in the same meet, got Rs one lakh.

Three members of the coaching staff, goalkeeping coach AB Subbaiah, and assistant coaches BJ Cariappa and Gangadhartapa Shetty took home Rs one lakh each.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to honour 112 national level and international sportspersons for their good performances in the year 2009-10. The amount to be presented will be Rs 1.3 crore.

The Department of Youth Service and Sports will organise an event to honour the sportspersons soon, said a release.

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

New Delhi, May 3
For the first time in Olympics, Indian badminton will see a record participation from five players in four different categories.

According to the new world rankings released Thursday, Saina Nehwal, Parupalli Kashyap, Jwala Gutta, Ashwini Ponnappa and V. Diju made the cut.

While Saina qualified on the basis of her superior ranking of World No.5, Kashyap qualified after he qualified for the semi-final of the India Open Super Series here last week, which was the last event in the qualification period.

Kashyap’s semifinal appearance propelled him by six spots to No. 24, which made him the highest ranked Indian ahead of Jayaram.

For the first time since the introduction of the sport in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Indians also qualified in mixed and women’s doubles.

Jwala and Ashwini, who won the Commonwealth Games women’s doubles title in 2010, jumped four spots over the last week to reach World No. 16 and it was enough for them to book their London berth.

Jwala and Diju, the country’s top mixed doubles pair, also booked their ticket to London as they are ranked No. 15.

In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Vimal Kumar and Dipankar Bhattacharjee got an entry in men’s doubles category since they bagged entry in the singles event as well.

IANS

source: http://www.india.nydailynews.com / Home> News> Desi News / Thursday, May 03rd, 2012

Dhruv Mullick’s only agenda is to bet on sporting talent that is off the beaten track. Inspired by the celluloid story Jerry Maguire, city-based Dhruv has set his sights on the Indian hockey team. A sports entrepreneur, Dhruv is building the brands of two promising hockey players — Raghunath and SK Uthappa just before the Olympics season heats up.

“My idea is to get hockey to a platform where these fantastic players are identified by even school kids. To build brands which can compete with leading cricketers’ brands. But this is just the beginning and we are taking baby steps,” says the entrepreneur. With the London Olympics fast approaching, Dhruv thought this was the right time to build a glamorous image of a much neglected sport. “Raghunath is a typical Kodava lad. His brutal strength as a drag-flicker and commitment to the sport makes him the perfect poster boy of the team. While Uthappa’s talent and the coach’s (Michael Nobb) high ranking, makes him a bankable player. These traits make them brands in themselves,” says Dhruv.

But the going hasn’t been easy. “It is extremely difficult in a cricket-crazy nation to sell non-cricket sports. But the tougher the challenge, the better it gets. The only focus now is to get them as much exposure as possible before the Olympics,” says the shrewd marketing professional. Dhruv who has a BA honours in international business and economics, has trained as a sports brand manager under big names of the Indian sports arena. But his most memorable experience was with cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar. “The opportunity to work for him and interact with him, is something that I cherish even to this day,” says Dhruv.

Though hockey is his favourite sport, he cannot hide his love for cricket. Not just for school teams, he also managed to play the first cricket season at the university in London. “I played for Regents College during 2004 just for the first season,” he reminisces, adding, “I have a Sunday cricket club with friends. I also play a bit of hockey. But my skills lie off the field,” says Dhruv.

His plan ahead is to ensure that both Raghunath and Uthappa’s brands take off in a big way. The smart entrepreneur concludes by remembering his favourite line from Jerry Maguire, “Show me the money.” And we do hope that hockey as a sport can do that.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Tabloid> Bengaluru / by Ayesha Tabassum, DC / April 26th, 2012

Indian hockey coach Michael Nobbs said the Indian team will emerge stronger by 2016.

Speaking to press persons after inaugurating Kodava Hockey Utsav, he said: “Indian team is getting ready for the Olympics in London.

We will enter the best six teams category. The team will work hard to get a gold medal. We will not change our playing style. However, we will increase our speed through few techniques.”

The six players who played for Coorg Eleven against Indian Hockey team have all qualities to qualify for the Indian team, he said.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / DHNS, Madikeri, April 22nd, 2012

Kunhumohammed wins men’s 400M, Jithin tops in high jump

MR Poovamma came up with her personal best performance to win the women’s 400 metres on the second day of the 16th Federation Cup athletics championships here on Sunday.

Having won both the Indian Grand Prix meets earlier this month, Poovamma was the favourite for the event and she obliged in fine fashion.

The 21-year-old from Karnataka, who is representing ONGC, timed 53.70 seconds, bettering her previous best of 53.87 set at the Kolkata Nationals last year, to finish ahead of Debashree Majumdar of Bengal who clocked 55.45.

P Kunhumohammed, representing Chattisgarh, emerged champion in the corresponding men’s race, timing 46.67 seconds. Kunhumohammed had clocked his personal best of 46.58 in the second Indian Grand Prix at the same venue a few days back but he couldn’t replicate that form on this day.

In the absence of Mayookha Johny, the women’s long jump turned out to be a damp squib. Expectedly, MA Prajusha won the gold but fouls marred her performance on the day and she could produce only a 6.13M effort for the top spot.

Jithin C Thomas of Kerala had a career-best effort in high jump, winning the gold with a clearance of 2.20 metres.

Results: Men: 400M: P Kunhumohammed (Chattisgarh) 46.67 seconds, 1; S K Mortaza (Bengal) 47.77, 2; Bibin Mathew (Jharkhand) 47.87, 3.

1500M: Sandeep (Haryana) 3:46.71, 1; Ravinder S Rautela (Uttarakhand) 3:47.17, 2; Hamza C (Kerala) 3:47.25, 3.

High jump: Jithin C Thomas (Kerala) 2.20 metres, 1; Hari Sankar Roy (Jharkhand) 2.05, 2; Chethan B (Karnataka) 2.05, 2; Jagdeep Singh (ONGC) 2.05, 2.

Decathlon: Vijay Kumar (Haryana) 7152 points, 1; Vinod PJ (Kerala) 6488, 2; Chandrahas Kushwaha (Uttar Pradesh) 6420, 3.

Women: 400M: MR Poovamma (ONGC) 53.70 seconds, 1; Debashree Majumdar (Bengal) 55.45, 2; Rattandeep Kaur (Punjab) 56.01, 3.

Shot put: Patwant Kaur (Punjab) 13.67 metres, 1; Smritikana Manna (Bengal) 13.41, 2; Manjit Kaur (Punjab) 13.09, 3. Long jump: Prajusha M A (Kerala) 6.13 metres, 1; Shraddha Ghule (Maharashtra) 5.94, 2; Neena V (Kerala) 5.91, 3.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Sports / Patiala, DHNS, April 22nd, 2012