Category Archives: Sports

IOS signs Indian star of doubles badminton: Ashwini Ponnappa

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Leading sports management firm, IOS Sports & Entertainment announced the signing of Arjuna Awardee Ashwini Ponnappa, the sensational doubles and mixed doubles badminton player of India.

Ashwini Ponnappa became a household name for Indians after winning a gold and silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the Women Doubles and Mixed Doubles category respectively and another gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games Gold Coast in the Mixed Team Event. She also played an important role in winning a silver medal for the Mixed team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games Birmingham. Other victories of Ashwini Ponnappa include a bronze medal in women’s doubles at the Badminton World Championship in 2011 and 2018 Commonwealth at Gold Coast and a series of gold and silver medals at the South Asian Games and Asian Championships.

“As a professional badminton player, you always look forward to new and unique opportunities, challenges and goals to achieve and excel as a person and as a player in the process. I am truly honored to be able to represent my country for so many years now and I look forward to winning more medals for India at major events particularly with the Asian Games and qualifications for Paris 2024 Games coming up. That being as said, we all need support to manage our off-the-field opportunities and I am delighted & excited to be welcomed by Team IOS Sports and Entertainment. They have a proven and long-standing history of working with athletes from other major Olympic and Paralympic disciplines along with my fellow shuttlers.” said Ashwini on her signing on with IOS Sports & Entertainment.

Ashwini, who is currently World Rank 23 (in Women Doubles) has been a doubles player ever since her professional journey started. Her first victory at the national level came at the 2004 National Championship in the Sub-Junior Girls Doubles category. A year later, at the 2005 National Championship, she retained her title and in 2006, she got a taste of victory by clinching a Gold at the South Asian Games in the Women Doubles event.

“It’s very exciting to have one of the best doubles badminton players of India onboard with us. Ashiwni’s role in showcasing Indian women’s doubles badminton’s prowess in world badminton cannot be missed and we are looking forward to having Ashwini as a part of IOS and wish her all the luck.” said Neerav Tomar, Managing Director, IOS and Entertainment.

IOS Sports has so far managed and worked with more than 100 Indian sports stars, including the likes of Suresh Raina, MC Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal, Sandeep Singh, Hima Das and now they’re all set to add another name in this list as Ashwini Ponnappa. 

source: http://www.adgully.com / Adgully / Home> Marketing / by Adgully Bureau / November 16th, 2022

Annual ‘Kodava Namme’ At Balugodu From Nov. 18 To 20

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‘Kodava Namme,’ the annual cultural and sports festival organised by the Federation of  Kodava Samajas will be held from Nov. 18 to 20 at Balugodu in Virajpet, Kodagu.

The three-day festival will begin with the inauguration of the hockey tournament tomorrow morning while the cultural programmes will be inaugurated at 10 am on Nov. 20.

The finals of hockey match will be held at 2 pm followed by prize distribution, according to a press release from the Federation President.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Briefs / November 19th, 2022

With 30-feet tall Ronaldo on their side, football enthusiasts in Kodagu demand ground and more

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A 30-feet-tall cutout of footballer Christiano Ronaldo is welcoming visitors to Suntikoppa.

The effigy of footballer Christiano Ronaldo installed at Suntikoppa to express the passion towards football

Madikeri :

The FIFA World Cup fever is spreading fast across Kodagu even as a magnificent cutout of footballer Christiano Ronaldo has popped up at Suntikoppa in the district. Several youngsters from the district have also signed up for voluntary work in Qatar.

However, the sports enthusiasts in the district lamented the lack of facilities and put forth their demand for a well-equipped ground.

The Ronaldo cutout is 30-feet tall and welcomes all visitors to Suntikoppa. The effigy has been raised to express the passion for the sport.

“All football fans in Gaddehalla of Suntikoppa of Christiano Ronaldo contributed for the effigy and we have spent Rs 25,000 on the same,” shared Sahid Abbas, a member of Amity United Football Club of Gaddehalla.

“The district has very good football players who have participated in several state and national championships. Our club also hosts Football Fives floodlight championships annually to promote the game and support the players. However, there is an absolute lack of facility for the sport in the district,” he added.

Ismail Kandakere, a native of the district, is an avid footballer and holds the certificate of a referee from the Karnataka State Football Association. However, he too mentioned the lack of encouragement and support for the sport.

“The district has 22 clubs registered under the Kodagu Football Association, which is under the aegis of the Karnataka Football Association. But ironically, the district does not have a single football ground,” he said.

Kandakere further explained the need for an establishment of a training facility and a football academy in the district. “But the priority requirement is a well-equipped ground,” he added.

He also said that he learnt the game on his own by studying the FIFA rulebook.

“There are many talented players in the district who have the ability to become national players. But not everyone can spend money to train themselves outside. An establishment of ground and a training centre will help support hundreds of football enthusiasts in the district,” he said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport> Football> FIFA World Cup / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / November 10th, 2022

Hoks B Coorg emerge champions

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Muscat: 

Hoks B Coorg from India emerged champions of the UTSC Gulf hockey fiesta-2022 that concluded at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex recently.

The two-day fiesta witnessed close and exciting matches between 12 teams with six outfits coming from the region and India.

Besides the main tournament, the event also hosted an inter-school tournament featuring Indian schools.

There was a women’s tournament too with the national women’s team making their competitive debut. The national women’s team played against the visiting Dubai side.

Hoks B Coorg, comprising few internationals, stayed unbeaten in the tournament to be crowned deserving winners.

The inaugural ceremony had Amit Narang, Indian Ambassador to Oman as the chief guest along with Marwan Juma al Juma, the president of the Oman Hockey Association (OHA). Narang lauded the efforts of the UTSC in promoting the national game of India and also offered India’s full support to the Sultanate of Oman as they prepare to host the inaugural edition of FIH Hockey 5s World Cup in January 2024.

On the sidelines of the fiesta, there was a cooking contest and the event attracted lot of families.

source: http://www.timesofoman.com / Times of Oman / Home> Sports / by Times News Service / November 01st, 2022

Will never forget the reception in India after winning 1975 World Cup, says BP Govinda

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Will never forget the reception in India after winning 1975 World Cup, says BP Govinda - Hockey India

BP Govinda is very impressed by the Indian Men’s Hockey Team’s attacking unit. 

New Delhi :

With less than 100 days to go for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Hockey World Cup Bhubaneswar-Rourkela 2023, the anticipation to witness the world’s best hockey players at one of the world’s most preferred hockey destinations – Odisha, is only increasing by each passing day. While the Indian team carries out their preparations to end the medal drought in the prestigious event, it’s time for the hockey fans to relive the memories from India’s historic World Cup campaigns through Hockey India’s Flashback Series – World Cup Special.  

Through these Series of articles leading up to the marquee event in Odisha, Hockey India will bring you thoughts, anecdotes and trivia from Indian Hockey Legends who ruled the world with their wizardry and panache.  

Winner of the Silver Medal in the 1973 World Cup held in Amsterdam in Netherlands, and the Gold Medal in the 1975 World Cup held at Kuala Lumpur, the legendary BP Govinda recalls his memories from the years gone by.  

One of the most crucial cogs in the system for the Indian Men’s Hockey Team in the 1973 and 1975 World Cups, it was BP Govinda who ensured a berth in the Final at Amsterdam with the winner against Pakistan in the Semi-Final. The former forward terms that semi-final as one the best games in what was a decorated career.  

“The Semi-Final against Pakistan is one of the best matches of my life. We won that game by one goal, and I scored the winner. I reverse flicked the ball and the keeper didn’t know where the ball was going and it went and hit the roof of the net. It was regarded widely as one of the best goals, by my teammates and the media,” he recalled.  

“People used to love watching India and Pakistan in hockey when we were playing, we had full stadiums.”   

Unmissable on the field of play due to his stylish long hair, Govinda said that the Indian Men’s Hockey Team believed that playing as a unit would always yield results. “Our team always had the thought process where we believed, no matter how strong the other team is, if we play as a team, we can achieve anything. Whether it was a practice match or tournament, I always played to win.”  

Speaking about his camaraderie with the Captain of the 1973 team, MP Ganesh, the former forward said, “As a Captain, he was very straightforward and he would ask the players to play according to the plan. He wouldn’t scold any one, but he would tell everyone to go all out for the win, all the games. He used to guide all the players.”  

Turning his attention to the glorious 1975 World Cup campaign in Kuala Lumpur, Govinda, who was considered to be among the fastest players at the time, recalled the love the team received from the fans.  

“We outclassed Pakistan in the Final and the stadium was full with plenty of fans. When we came back to India, people told us that commentators made them feel like they were in the stadium and not listening in another part of the world.”  

“I remember landing in New Delhi, and the fans were there with drums and they carried all of us. I don’t know where we finally went and landed, but it was definitely well outside the airport. It was a reception that I will never forget. I remember coming out of the aircraft and then the fans took over, we hadn’t got a chance to get our baggage either.”  

‘Indian Men’s Hockey Team Will Not be Easy to Beat’ 

A former national selector himself, Govinda is quite impressed with the Indian Men’s Hockey Team and noted that they would not make an easy opposition at the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. India have been drawn in Group D along with Wales, Spain and England.  

“I think the current Indian Men’s Hockey Team is quite fit. And I think our forward line is playing well and I think the strikers have also improved a lot. It was nice to see the team scoring more field goals.”  

“In the upcoming FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, I think the Indian Men’s Hockey Team is not an easy one to beat. They will give a good fight to each and every top team who are taking part in the World Cup,” he signed off. 

Link to video of BP Govinda taking us down memory lane – 

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source: http://www.hockeyindia.org / Hockey India / Home / November 03rd, 2022

Arun Machaiah At Commonwealth Karate Championship

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Mysore/Mysuru: 

C.S. Arun Machaiah, former MLC, Hon. President of Mysore Karate Association, senior Vice-President of Karate India Organisation and President of Akhila Karnataka Sports Karate Association, is representing Team India at the 10th Commonwealth Karate Championship being held at Birmingham in London (UK) from today (Sept. 7).

The 70-member Indian Team of Karatekas, led by Arun Machaiah, left for London last Sunday. A total of 70 countries are expected to take part in the Championship.

Arun Machaiah has represented India in various International Karate Championships across the globe and has brought laurels to the country.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 07th, 2022

Tennis: Rohan Bopanna finishes runner-up in European Open men’s doubles

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The second-seeded men’s doubles pair of Rohan Bopanna and Matwe Middelkoop finished as the runners-up at the European Open.

Rohan Bopanna(right) and Matwe Middelkoop / @Twitter

The second-seeded men’s doubles pair of Rohan Bopanna and Matwe Middelkoop, on Sunday, finished as the runners-up at the ATP 250 European Open. The Indo-Dutch pair went down 6-3, 3-6, 5-10 to the all Dutch pair of Tallon Grieskspoor and Botic van de Zandschulp in the a hard-fought final.

Bopanna and Middelkoop started well as they broke right in the second game of the first set. The Indo-Dutch pair then cruised to win the first set 6-3, but Grieskspoor and Zandschulp were too hot to handle for the remainder of the contests.

During the duration of the match, Bopanna and Middelkoop hit nine aces and converted 3 out of their 4 break points. They had earlier reached the final with a hard fought 7-6 (8-6), 2-6, 10-7 win over Sander Arends and David Pel in the semifinal.

Rohan Bopanna and Matwe Middelkoop had combined to lift the men’s doubles title at Tel Aviv Open earlier this month.

source: http://www.thebridge.in / The Bridge / Home> Tennis / by The Bridge Desk / October 24th, 2022

Wins Gold Medals In Skating

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Rea Achaiah participated in the All India Inter-University Roller Skating Championship 2021-22 held at Visakhapatnam between June 30 and July 3 and has won three Gold Medals.

She has also been awarded the ‘Best Sports Women of the Year 2019-20’ by Vishvesvaraya Technological University for her achievements in Roller Skating at a function held at SJCIT, Chikkaballapur, on June 27.

A student of 6th semester at Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering, Mysuru.

She is the daughter of K.N. Achaiah and Priya Achaiah, residents of Vijayanagar 1st Stage in city.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / June 20th, 2022

Robin Uthappa recalls what happened in the Indian dugout when Yuvraj Singh hit Stuart Broad for six maximums in an over

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With the T20 World Cup less than a week away, waiting to manifest itself in the grandest scheme of things, sweet reminiscences have already started doing the rounds. One of India’s best T20 World Cup memories has to be that of Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes in an over where Stuart Broad was left at the receiving end of some serious heat, after the Indian southpaw picked up an altercation with Flintoff.

To add context to why this innings was special for Yuvraj, he was smacked for five sixes in an over by Dimitri Mascarenhas just ahead of the showpiece event. Former Indian cricketer, Robin Uthappa narrated the entire story around this dynamic display from the former RCB cricketer and what were the minuscule events that pervaded through the dugout.

Talking on a video on Star Sports, Uthappa recalled, “I got out, went to the dressing room, took my pads off and came down. But by the time I reached, the altercation had already happened. But I knew from Yuvi’s body language, that he was pumped up.”

That is when the remainder of the story started with the actual narrative of the over coming forth. Uthappa added, “Pehla chhakka dekhke laga, paaji gusse me hai (When I saw the first six, I thought he is angry). When he hit the second one, we thought he might be onto something here. After the third six, everyone was like, ‘just sit wherever you are’. I think it was DK (Dinesh Karthik) or somebody else, he wanted to go to the loo. We just said, ‘nobody is moving. Just stay put until the over gets over.”

The former RCB batter concluded by saying about the final two deliveries of the over as he said, “I remember all of us were so elated. When he hit the fifth one, we knew the sixth was going to come. We just knew sitting down there. And that’s exactly what happened. We celebrated the six and we sat back down. We were really happy that he had given back to England what he received. It kind of deflated the wind out of England’s sails.”

source: http://www.royalchallengers.com / RoyalChallengers.com / Home> News / by The Editor / October 11th, 2022

Tel Aviv Open: Rohan Bopanna wins men’s doubles title with Matwe Middelkoop, his third of season

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The 42-year-old Indian now breaks back into the top 20 rankings for the first time since August.

Rohan Bopanna and Matwe Middelkoop with thier first title together | Jack Guez / AFP

Rohan Bopanna partnered Matwe Middelkoop to win his third tour title of the year, when the pair beat third seeds Santiago Gonzalez and Andres Molteni 6-2, 6-4, in the ATP 250 Tel Aviv Open on Sunday.

With the doubles crown, the 42-year-old now breaks back into the top 20 rankings for the first time since August, currently placed 19. Earlier this year, he had partnered Ramkumar Ramanathan to win titles in Adelaide and Pune.

But this was the first title he won with his Dutch partner. The duo had reached the final at the Hamburg Open and semifinals at the French Open earlier this year. They also hold a 16-10 record this season.

The top seeds in Israel however, had to work their way back into each of the three matches they played before getting to the final.

They beat Hamad Medjedovic and Yshai Oliel 4-6, 7-6(4), 10-6 in the first round. In the quarterfinal they beat Denys Molchanov and Franko Skugor 4-6, 7-6(5), 10-5 before beating the all-French team of Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul 4-6, 7-6(3), 10-8.

In the final though, they played their best tennis.

“I think those close matches, pulling through those you’re obviously having more court time, you’re trying to come through and fight some close battles,” Bopanna said to the ATP website.

“We were a couple of points or one point away from losing those matches, so sometimes those weeks make a huge difference for your confidence.”

This was Bopanna’s first event since the US Open. He was scheduled to compete for India in the Davis Cup World Group 1 tie against Norway, but pulled out because of a knee injury.

source: http://www.scroll.in / Scroll.in / Home> The Field> Indian Tennis / by Scroll Staff / October 03rd, 2022