Category Archives: Sports

Robin Uthappa set to complete 5,000 IPL runs: Key stats

May 4, 2022Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sportsadmin

Uthappa is the fifth-highest run-scorer for India in T20 cricket, after Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Suresh Raina. The former has tallied 7,270 runs from 288 matches at an average of 28.50. The tally includes 42 half-centuries.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Robin Uthappa is set to complete 5,000 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He could reach the landmark in the upcoming game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Uthappa, who is one of the few players to have played 200 IPL games, has represented a number of other franchises in the past.

Here are the key stats.

Uthappa is one of the most experienced batters in the IPL.
He started his journey in the cash-rich league with Mumbai Indians in the inaugural season (2008).
Uthappa later represented Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pune Warriors India, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Rajasthan Royals.
CSK roped in Uthappa ahead of the 2021 season.
He requires 50 runs to touch the 5,000-mark in the tournament.

Career

Eighth-most runs in the IPL

At present, Uthappa is the eighth-highest run-scorer in the IPL. He has racked up 4,950 runs from 201 matches at an average of 27.97. The tally includes 27 half-centuries and the best score of 88. Uthappa will become only the seventh cricketer to register 5,000 IPL runs. He will overtake Universe Boss Chris Gayle, who has the seventh-most runs presently (4,965).

Do you know?

Uthappa claimed the Orange Cap in 2014

Uthappa is one of five Indian players to have bagged the Orange Cap in a season. He finished as the leading run-scorer in KKR’s title-winning campaign in 2014. Uthappa smashed 660 runs from 16 matches at an average of 44.00 in that season.

Feats

Notable feats of Uthappa

In a career spanning over a decade, Uthappa has hammered 481 fours and 182 sixes. He needs 19 more to become only the sixth batter with 500 or more IPL fours. Uthappa could also become the ninth batter with 200 sixes in the tournament. Interestingly, he has aggregated over 400 runs in three seasons (2012, 2013, and 2014).

Information

Fifth-most runs for India in T20 cricket

source: http://www.newsbytes.com / News Bytes / Home> News> Sports News / by Parth Dhali / May 03rd, 2022

MI vs CSK: Robin Uthappa Becomes 7th Cricketer To Play 200 Matches In The IPL

April 25, 2022Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sportsadmin

Robin Uthappa enters an elite list of players to have played 200 matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He achieved the feat when he was named in the playing XI for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for their game against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Thursday.

Uthappa has played for as many as six franchises, viz. Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Pune Warriors, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore. In 200 games, he has scored 4919 runs at an average of 28.10.

CSK captain and Uthappa’s teammate, MS Dhoni, leads the way for the most appearances with 227 matches for CSK and the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS). He is followed by Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik, who are tied in 2nd place with 220 games in the league.

Robin Uthappa enters 200-club

MS Dhoni – 227 matches
Dinesh Karthik – 220 matches
Rohit Sharma – 220 matches
Virat Kohli – 214 matches
Ravindra Jadeja – 207 matches
Suresh Raina – 205 matches
Robin Uthappa – 200 matches

Meanwhile, CSK won the toss and opted to bowl first. Both teams desperately need a win as they are languishing at the bottom of the table. CSK has 1 win in 6 matches while MI hasn’t yet opened its account (6 losses in 6 games).

Shivam Dube, Robin Uthappa (Image: Twitter)

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan(w), Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Kieron Pollard, Daniel Sams, Hrithik Shokeen, Riley Meredith, Jaydev Unadkat, Jasprit Bumrah

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Ruturaj Gaikwad, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja(c), MS Dhoni(w), Dwaine Pretorius, Dwayne Bravo, Mitchell Santner, Maheesh Theekshana, Mukesh Choudhary

source: http://www.cricketaddictor.com / Cricket Addictor / Home> IPL 2022 News & Updates / by Ulhas Kamath / April 21st, 2022

National Skiing athlete from Kodagu looks for sponsors to support her Olympic dream

April 22, 2022Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sportsadmin

Bhavani Thekkada Nanjunda represented Karnataka at the National Cross Country Skiing Competition held at Gulmarg during March this year and won gold and two silver medals.

Madikeri :

A gold medal, five silver medals and a bronze. Athlete Bhavani Thekkada Nanjunda from Kodagu has all these achievements to her name.

A certified skier, she has become the first South Indian to have won medals in the national cross-country competitions. While she has already become the pride of Karnataka, she hopes to become the pride of the nation by taking part in the Winter Olympics.

“I was the first and the only South Indian to represent India in the International FIS Cross Country Skiing races hosted in Iceland in January this year. In March this year, I became the first South Indian to have won medals in the National Cross Country and Winter Biathlon Championships,” Bhavani shared enthusiastically.

She represented Karnataka at the National Cross Country Skiing Competition held at Gulmarg during March this year and won gold and two silver medals in the 1.5 km, 10 km and 5 km race in the championship.

Similarly, she has become the pride of the state after winning two silver medals in 10 km and 5 km race in the National Winter Biathlon Championship, where she shone in shooting and cross-country skiing biathlon sports. She won the silver and a bronze medal in the 1.5 km and 5 km race in the All India Open Ski and Snowboard Championship held recently in Himachal Pradesh.

“Following the participation in the various championships, I am now eligible to represent India in the upcoming Nordic World Ski Championship that will be held at Slovenia. While I dream of representing India in the Winter Olympics of 2026, I have to mandatorily take part in several world championships to collect FIS points,” she explained.

She shared that while her passion for the sport and her dream to represent the nation is high, so is the requirement of funds to fulfil her dream. She earnestly looks forward to some support from sponsors, which will help her acquire skiing equipment and support her training sessions.

“The training will help me catch up with the international skiers and help me represent India in the World Championships, World Cup and finally in the Winter Olympics,” she concluded.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport> Other / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / April 21st, 2022

INTERVIEW| ‘For a sportsman, striking the right balance between mind and body is of utmost priority’

April 14, 2022Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Sports, World Opinionadmin

Joshna Chinappa on what it takes to gear up for the Commonwealth and Asian Games.

Joshna Chinappa (35) might be looking at the most important year of her career. After returning to the top 10 world rankings earlier this year, the squash champion won a gold medal for India with Dipika Pallikal at the World Doubles Championship in Glasgow on Saturday.

Later in the year, she will head to the Commonwealth in Birmingham and the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. We caught up with Chinappa to chat about everything from her intensive training regimen to pre-match rituals. Excerpts…

When someone asked you about competing against 20-year-olds in an interview recently, you said that your best physical years came after you turned 30. Tell us more.
The tour is really strong right now with the girls being really fit and strong physically, so, it’s been important for me to train correctly, and look after my body, especially as I get older. I work with an amazing team in the UK on my strength and conditioning and that has helped me get a lot fitter in recent years.

2022 is a big year for you with the Commonwealth and Asian Games lined up. How do you fight nerves and keep a clear and focused headspace?
I always look forward to playing in the Commonwealth and the Asian Games. It is the biggest platform for any athlete and the goal is always to win accolades for the country. The preparation for these games starts at least a year in advance. Closer to the event, I will take a couple of months off from playing tournaments just to train with my team for the 2022 games. For a sportsman, striking the right balance between mind and body is of utmost priority.

What is your training regimen?
Usually, my mornings begin with a squash game on the court, followed by a fitness/gym session. In total, I dedicate around three to four hours to my training. Sundays are mostly off and spent doing things that I love.

What does your diet look like?
I keep my eating habits simple. When I’m training, my diet consists of more protein, moderate amounts of carbs, fruits, veggies, and plenty of hydration. When I am playing a tournament, it is the same as training, except I eat more carbs. If I occasionally want to indulge in a cheat meal, I do like to treat myself with dark chocolate sometimes.

Is there anything you have had to give up food-wise that’s taken some will power?
The hardest part is giving up junk food! I love eating rice and rasam but owing to my professional goals, I try to avoid consuming them in large quantities.

Quick three

Do you have a ritual at the beginning or end of a match?
At the beginning of the match, I have to hit my first shot on the backhand side!

Best way to keep distractions at bay?
For me, what works at keeping distractions at bay is that I get off social media very often. When I am in the middle of a tournament, only my coach and mom can reach me.

For young athletes with a dream to compete at the Commonwealth Games someday: what would be your best advice?
Be passionate about what you do, work really hard and never give up!

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Delhi / by Express News Service / April 13th, 2022

Former Tamil Nadu and South Zone captain P.K. Belliappa passes away

March 28, 2022Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Sportsadmin

The keeper-batsman skippered South Zone and Tamil Nadu

Former Tamil Nadu and South Zone captain P.K. Belliappa passed away in Bengaluru on Wednesday morning. He was 79 and is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

Belliappa, who made his debut for Tamil Nadu (then Madras) in 1959, played 94 First Class matches till 1974.

An opening batsman and a wicket-keeper, he made 4061 runs at an average of 29.42 with a highest score of 141 and had 93 catches and 46 stumpings to his credit.

Former India leg-spinner V.V. Kumar said “I played with him for close to 20 years and he was a great captain in the 60s. Under him we really did well in various tournaments. He was a gritty opening batsman and very good ’keeper who gave valuable inputs to the bowler as well. He was a self-made cricketer and off-the field, the heart and soul of any party.”

Another contemporary, former TN fast bowler B. Kalayanasundaram, remarked “he was my captain when I made my debut in Ranji Trophy and someone who always encouraged players. Once played me in an inter-district match when I was not well and made me bowl just five overs before allowing me to take rest, so that he could then pick me for the State side.”

“I knew him from my younger days as we were neighbours in Harrington Road and used to play with a golf ball. He was a very pleasant person and incidentally, I made my debut in his last Ranji Trophy match,” said former India wicketkeeper Bharat Reddy.

The TNCA president and members condoled the demise of Belliappa in a statement. His last rites will be held in his native place Coorg.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Cricket / by Staff Reporter / Chennai – February 19th, 2020

12 Girls From Kodagu In State Junior Hockey Team

March 26, 2022Amazing Feats, Records, All, Sportsadmin

To make a mark in 12th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship at Kakinada from today

The Junior Women’s Hockey players from across the nation have a golden opportunity to showcase their skills at the 12th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship, which began today (Mar. 25) at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.

A total of 26 teams will vie for top honours in the competition including the Karnataka team that has 12 players from Kodagu. Kodagu district has contributed many hockey champions to the national and international events including the Olympics.

In the team are: P. Dechamma Ganapathy, B.J. Jeevitha, Seema Anandarao Pawar, B.M. Keerthana, H.S. Jahnavi, Taj Belliappa, S.B. Nisarga, H.B. Siddaganga, H.A. Apsara, K.J. Dilan, T.C. Suchitha and H. Mani. The girls from Kodagu form a formidable force in the 19-member team.

D.N. Tejaswini and C.M. Sahana of Hassan District, Kaveri R. Lenkannavar of Dharwad District, Tamil Nadu-based B. Deepika and Andhra Pradesh-based Vudumula Sowmya who are at present coaching at SAI (Sports Authority of India) Centre Madikeri and Kushee M. Jain from Bengaluru will also represent the Karnataka team.

Participating teams

The participating teams include Hockey Haryana, Goans Hockey and Hockey Madhya Pradesh in Group A, while Pool B features Hockey Jharkhand, Manipur Hockey and Assam Hockey. Pool C includes Hockey Maharashtra, Telangana Hockey and Le Puducherry Hockey, meanwhile, Hockey Chandigarh, Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu and Hockey Uttarakhand have been slotted in Pool D.

Hockey Association of Odisha, Delhi Hockey and Kerala Hockey have been included in Pool E, while Pool F features Punjab, Chhattisgarh Hockey and Hockey Himachal. Pool G features Uttar Pradesh Hockey, Hockey Bihar, Hockey Rajasthan and Hockey Mizoram, while Hockey Andhra Pradesh, Hockey Karnataka, Hockey Bengal and Hockey Gujarat has been included in Pool H.

Matches from Mar.25

The Karnataka girls will play their first match against Gujarat on Mar. 25 and fight with Andhra Pradesh on Mar. 27 and with West Bengal on Mar. 29. The team will enter the quarter-finals if it wins against all three teams.

After six days of pool matches, the quarter-finals will be played on Mar.31, the semi-finals on Apr. 2 whereas the medal matches of the 12th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2022 are scheduled on Apr. 3.

The Karnataka team has brought laurels to the State in thFe matches held in New Delhi,

Assam, Haryana, Jharkhand and Kerala. As of now, there is no player from Kodagu in the Indian National Team either from Kodagu or Karnataka. The participation of 12 players from Kodagu in a single team has raised hopes of at least four or five of them making it to the National team.

Team well-prepared

The team has already been trained well in Bengaluru and the players are confident of making big in the championship. At Kakinada, all the teams have been acclimatising to the ground and weather conditions as the humidity is high. “Our preparations for the tournament are going great and our confidence is high as we are well-trained and we are sure of bringing laurels to Karnataka,” said Dechamma Ganapathy.

In the recently held India Camp in Bengaluru, Dechamma Ganapathy, Tejaswini, Sowmya, Sahana, Kushee, Deepika, Kaveri had participated. While Tejaswini was captain-cum-goal-keeper, Suchitha was the goal-keeper.

B.M. Komala is the team coach and Dharmendra is officiating as Manager.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / March 25th, 2022

Harangi Elephant Camp Takes Shape

March 24, 2022Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sports, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), World Opinionadmin

To be ninth in Karnataka; third in Kodagu

Madikeri:

Works are in full swing to set up the third Elephant Camp in Kodagu at Harangi. The State Government has released Rs. 50 lakh for the project that is expected to ease the burden of the existing elephant camps.

Already, Kodagu has two elephant camps, one at Dubare and another at Mathigodu near Anechowkur Gate that borders Mysuru. There are eight elephant camps in Karnataka including the two in Kodagu and the Harangi Camp will be the ninth in the State.

The eight jumbo camps house more than 100 tamed elephants that are used to rescue wild animals and for logging purposes at Government timber depots. The new elephant camp is expected to reduce the burden on the nearby Dubare Elephant Camp, which currently has over 31 elephants, the highest in the State.

90 percent works complete

Over 90 percent of the works have been completed at the Harangi Elephant Camp and interestingly, the Camp houses a Tree Park, also in the same vicinity. From 2017 till 2021-22 Rs.1.38 crore has been released by the Government and works are on to create the Tree Park.

The Forest Department is establishing the elephant camp in a 40-acre land at Athur Reserve Forest beside Harangi Reservoir in Kushalnagar Taluk. The place, located near the Harangi Dam backwaters, is ideal to set up the elephant camp. The camp per se is eight to 20 acres. The Athur Range Forest extends up to 2,000 acres and it is an ideal elephant habitat with plenty of water and green swathes.

Four houses have been constructed for the mahouts and their families to stay, a vast kitchen has been constructed to prepare food for the elephants and store rooms has also been constructed. Basic facilities including toilets have been constructed for tourists who come there.

Abundant water source

Borewells have been sunk to provide a steady stream of water and as the land comes near the Harangi Dam backwaters, there is no shortage of groundwater. Electricity works are on now at the camp and enough care is being taken to ensure that the forest area is not damaged while erecting the power poles and when the power lines are drawn.

The funds for the camp have been released from Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). Apart from setting up a new elephant camp, there are plans to initiate other related development programmes including developing the camp as a tourist centre and at the same time provide shelter to the elephants.

Other tourism projects

The Government has also plans to closely develop Cauvery Nisargadhama in Kushalnagar and together with the new elephant camp in the region, the initiatives are set to boost eco-tourism activities.

Kushalnagar Range Forest Officer J. Ananya Kumar told Star of Mysore that once the Harangi Elephant Camp works are completed, five elephants will be shifted from Dubare Elephant Camp to immediately ease the burden. Later, 15 more jumbos will be shifted in phases. Appointment of staff and doctors will be decided by the State Government.

Among the State Government plans to improve tourism in Harangi are water sports on behalf of Jungle Lodges and Resorts, Jet Ski and para-sailing. The Kodagu District Administration is weighing various options for tourism promotion once the Harangi Elephant Camp is fully established.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 21st, 2022

Wins Medal In Biathlon

March 23, 2022Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sportsadmin

Bhavani is seen receiving the prize from one of the dignitaries during the presentation ceremony. (Biathlon is a combination of shooting and cross country skiing.)

Bhavani Thekkada Nanjunda from Kodagu district has won two silver medals in 10-km and 5-km race in the National Winter Biathlon Championships-2022 being held at Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir.

For the first time in the history, an athlete from South India has won a national medal in winter biathlon competition.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Gallery> PhotoNews / March 22nd, 2022

V.R. Raghunath From Kodagu In Hockey Selection Committee

March 17, 2022Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sportsadmin

Mysore/Mysuru:

Veteran Indian drag-flicker and former Olympian V.R. Raghunath from Kodagu has been appointed as the Hockey India Selection Committee Member.

Raghunath is one in a long line of illustrious hockey players from Kodagu, one of the nurseries of Indian hockey in the country. He made his first foray into the national side with the 2003 Sub-Junior Asia Cup in Dhaka, which India won.

Raghunath made headlines for the first time when he was drafted into the national side at the 2006 World Cup. Raghunath is a good drag flicker and has scored many beautiful goals for India at the crucial moments.

He played almost all the senior events in 2007 and 2008 and went on to play for a decade more. He got Arjuna in 2016 and retired from international hockey after the Rio Olympics.

Harbinder Singh is the Chairman of the Selection Committee (men) while Syed Ali is the Chairman of the Selection Committee (women). Mohammad Riaz, Dr. Dilip Tirkey, Dr. R.P. Singh, Rajnish Mishra, Sardar Singh, Joydeep Kaur, Asunta Lakra and Surinder Kaur are other members.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 16th, 2022

Bird-watching begins in Madikeri on April 8

March 14, 2022Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Sports, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), World Opinionadmin

After being deferred in January, the eighth edition of the Karnataka Bird Festival will be held in Madikeri from April 8-10, 2022.

Image used for representational purpose only. (Photo | Express)

Bengaluru :

After being deferred in January, the eighth edition of the Karnataka Bird Festival will be held in Madikeri from April 8-10, 2022.

The festival, organised by the Karnataka forest department and Karnataka Eco-Tourism Development Board, aims to draw attention of people to bird watching, spark interest among young wildlife enthusiasts, show people the bio-diversity of forests, and shift their focus from tiger-centric wildlife safari and tourism.

“Every year a different location, region, bio-diversity, and a different bird is focused upon to increase awareness and ensure better conservation measures.

This year, the mascot is Baza bird,” a forest department official said. Baza is a migratory bird from the eastern Himalayas, China and South East Asia. Forest officials of the region have reportedly sighted a couple of the birds now, in the onset of summer.

Kumar Pushkar, additional Principal Conservator of Forests and CEO of the Board told TNIE that the festival was postponed because of spike in Covid-19 cases. “We always wanted to host one is Kodagu because of its bio-diversity and the many species which can be sighted there. Baza was chosen because it is sighted in winters in this region.

There will be around six to seven different trails, which the deputy conservator of forest is finalising. The event will also cover Madikeri city, and will be inaugurated by forests minister Umesh V Katti,” he said. Experts from across the country will be brought to share their experience, knowledge.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Bosky Khanna, Express News Service / March 14th, 2022

Kodagu First

a Celebration. Positive News, Facts & Achievements about Kodagu, Coorgs and the People of Kodagu – here at Home and Overseas