Category Archives: Sports

Change attitude towards nature: athlete

International athlete Teetamada Arjun Devaiah released a book, 'Prakuti Munida Hadiyalli', in Madikeri on Tuesday. Author Kishore Rai Kattelekadu and Superintendent of Police Dr Suman D Pennekar look on among others.
International athlete Teetamada Arjun Devaiah released a book, ‘Prakuti Munida Hadiyalli’, in Madikeri on Tuesday. Author Kishore Rai Kattelekadu and Superintendent of Police Dr Suman D Pennekar look on among others.

There will be serious consequences if we do not change our attitude towards nature, said international athlete Teetamada Arjun Devaiah.

He was speaking after releasing the book, ‘Prakruti Munida Hadiyalli’, authored by Kishore Rai, during a programme held at Field Marshal K M Cariappa College in Madikeri on Tuesday.

Arjun Devaiah said that human beings should stop being selfish.

“We must protect nature for our own well being. The plundering of natural resources will pave the way for the destruction of the human race,” he added.

Superintendent of Police Dr Suman D Pennekar said that during natural calamities people should act sensibly and try to help others as well.

FMKMC College principal Prof T D Thimmaiah said that sustainable development is the need of the hour.

Author of the book, Kishor Rai Kattalekadu said that the book contains narration of real incidents.

Kodagu flash flood survivors Chandugopal and Honnamma inaugurated the programme. Kodagu Press Club president Ajjamada Ramesh Kuttappa and FMKMC College lecturer Dr Nayana Kashyap were present.

Fire and emergency services personnel Chethan and Lakshmi Kumar who risked their lives to rescue people in Hemmettala and Hattihole during the flash floods and landslides were felicitated on the occasion.

Prizes were distributed to the winners of elocution competition. Arjun Devaiah conducted a workshop for students on personality development.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A / DH News Service / Madikeri – March 26th, 2019

Full Freedom To Kodava Families To Take Part In Hockey Tournaments

KodavaHockeyKF26mar2019

Coorg Hockey Championship & Champions League Trophy

General Body Meeting of Kodava Hockey Academy held

Gonikoppal:

The Kodava Hockey Academy has decided to give full freedom to all Kodava families without imposing any restrictions upon them to take part in the Coorg Hockey Championship and Champions League Trophy tournaments organised by Hockey Coorg.

A decision to this effect was taken at the General Body Meeting of the Academy, chaired by Working President Kalengada Ramesh Cariappa, held here on Saturday.

Earlier, members of the Academy vociferously appealed the meeting to give carte blanche to all Kodava Hockey players and Kodava families to participate in this sports event without imposing any restrictions upon them. Later, the meeting unanimously decided to allow all families to participate.

Addressing the meeting, Kalengada Ramesh Cariappa said that the Academy has reserved its rights on conducting Kodava Hockey Namme. However, the Academy is not opposing any hockey tournament and a decision was taken after holding a meeting with the Hockey Coorg office-bearers recently, he added.

All Kodava families can participate in the Championship Trophy tournament without any confusion, he reiterated.

The Academy decided to cancel the Hockey Namme this year as many Kodava families were affected due to the disaster caused by rains, landslides and incessant flooding, after holding a meeting with the host, Harihara Mukkatira family members. Hockey lovers Kallichanda Gowtham and Sannuvanda Lokesh had objected to the decision.

Stating that hockey teams are now in confusion whether to participate or not in other hockey tournaments, Hockey Commentator Maletira Srinivas urged the Academy not to oppose participation of the teams in the tournaments organised by Hockey Coorg.

Cheppudira Cariappa suggested the Academy to conduct training at hobli-level to promote the sport and encourage budding talents.

Hockey fan Appachettolanda Manu Muthappa insisted the Academy to inform the Kodava Hockey host families five years prior to the Tournament so that it helps them make all arrangements in advance like developing playgrounds and ensuring basic facilities.

Academy Secretary Ravi Uthappa informed the meeting that Harihara Mukkatira family will host Hockey Namme in 2020 and in the following year, Adengada family will be the host.

The meeting also decided to cut down all unnecessary expenditures of the Academy.

The meeting, which condoled the death of Academy Members, also approved last year’s general body meeting report and accounts.

Academy Vice-Presidents Mukkatira Katy Uthappa, Kaliyanda Nanaiah, Mandepanda Kuttanna, Secretary Marchanda Ganesh, Directors Mekerira Ravi Pemmaiah and Kulletira Chippi Cariappa and Advisor Madanda Poovaiah were present during the meeting.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 26th, 2019

Kodava Samaja Sports Club Greets Traffic ACP

Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club, Vijayanagar, recently greeted the city’s new ACP (Traffic) G.N. Mohan with a bouquet at his office in Shivarampet.

KodavaSportsKF23mar2019

He is seen with (from left) Prof. Kambeyanda C. Belliappa, Vice-President of Kodava Samaja, Mysuru; Muckatira Jeevan, Treasurer, Kodava Samaja; Machimada Nanaiah, President, Sports Club; Mechanda M. Karumbaiah, former President, Kodava Samaja and Sports Club; Kuttimada D. Muthappa, Vice-President, Sports Club; Malchira M. Ponnappa, Hon. Secretary, Kodava Samaja; Meederira Prakash, Joint Secretary, Sports Club and Nayakanda Thimmaiah, Advisor to the Club.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / March 23rd, 2019

Bopanna’s Master Blend: Tennis & Coffee

 © Rohan Bopanna Rohan Bopanna has his own blend of The Flying Squirrel Coffee called 'Rohan Bopanna's Master Blend

© Rohan Bopanna
Rohan Bopanna has his own blend of The Flying Squirrel Coffee called ‘Rohan Bopanna’s Master Blend

Learn about Bopanna’s off-court success

Rohan Bopanna has served plenty of aces in his career. But the Indian doubles star also serves something else on the ATP Tour: coffee expertise.

“When I go to the tournaments, everybody comes to me and says, “Rohan, this is bad coffee!’ Bopanna said, cracking a laugh. “I say, ‘I’m sorry but I can’t do anything with it’!”

Bopanna is more than just a coffee connoisseur. The 39-year-old, currently No. 36 in the ATP Doubles Rankings, has his own line of The Flying Squirrel coffee: Rohan Bopanna’s Master Blend.

“To be honest, the coffee came first, before my tennis. That’s something which has been part of the family. We grow coffee, hence the coffee love came,” Bopanna said. “I’ve been through the whole process of how it works, how the plants grow. Now I’m learning so much more about getting the right blend, roasting the coffee and everything from the past three years. But the growing part I’ve always known how to grow the coffee and all of that goes back to my childhood.”

Bopanna’s family estate, home of their coffee plantation, is in Coorg, a district in the state of Karnataka, in southwest India. When the former No. 3 doubles player in the world was growing up, his father had not started a coffee company — they simply sold beans to those who were interested in buying. But nevertheless, it’s been a part of his life as long as he can remember.

“Me being the only son, I feel there is an opportunity for me to go back whenever I’m done [with tennis] to take care of that plantation,” Bopanna said. “This [venture] was something added on, something different and yes, of course, I would love to still be very much part of it. One of the reasons I started now is that with tennis, obviously [my life] as a player is going to end one day. There’s something more to look for and coffee’s been a pure love from the beginning, so why not continue with it?”

Not only does Bopanna get to share his work with other players on the ATP Tour, but by travelling the world, he gets to try different blends every week. The 18-time tour-level titlist does bring his own beans and filter on the road with him, though.

“Tennis takes us to some beautiful cities, where automatically I get to taste all the greatest coffees,” Bopanna said. “Australia has some great coffee places. Even last week I was in Phoenix, Arizona. I was in the old town of Scottsdale and that had exceptional coffee places at the different cafes.

“Tennis has given me an opportunity to taste different coffees and hopefully take that experience to improve Indian coffee more.”

BopannaCoffee02KF22mar2019

While it is as catchy as hot shots you see on the court, one may wonder where the name of the company — ‘The Flying Squirrel’ — came from.

“The family friend who I tied up with, at the estate, we have flying squirrels there,” Bopanna said. “When I started my blend, I thought the best way was to tie [my line] up with his [brand] since they already have the roasters and everything… to start everything from scratch would have been tough, hence the name ‘The Flying Squirrel’.”

While Bopanna takes his coffee seriously, he’s certainly not done on the court yet. At this week’s Miami Open presented by Itau, Bopanna is competing alongside #NextGenATP Canadian Denis Shapovalov. The Indian also played with Shapovalov at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

“The idea is to obviously try and do well in these big tournaments, big Masters series events. That’s the key,” Bopanna said. “I’m at a stage that when I play these tournaments, I’m looking to obviously do well and try to win the tournament. You’ve been on the [ATP] Tour for such a long time. You know every player out there, you know what to expect and you’re going there to try to win the tournament.”

As Bopanna continues to try to make his mark on the court, he’s trying to win over his colleagues’ taste buds, too.

“Indian coffee I feel has really grown in a big way in India and I feel we can really bring it out to the world to try to experience it. I feel the best way for me is to try to use my tennis platform to give a lot of my homegrown coffee to all the tennis players who love coffee,” Bopanna said. “I’ve gotten great feedback from all these players who have tried it and enjoyed it so far. It’s something very, very different, and I enjoy doing it.”

source: http://www.atptour,com / ATP Tour / Home> News / by Andrew Eichenholz / March 22nd, 2019

I am in a good place right now, says Robin Uthappa after returning from injury

Uthappa also thanked Nayar for helping him during the injury period.

Robin Uthappa. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Robin Uthappa. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Kolkata Knight Riders fans would have heaved a sigh of relief after seeing their star man Robin Uthappa return to action after a long injury lay off. Uthappa had not played competitive cricket since October last year as he was sidelined with an ankle injury. Consequently, he missed Saurashtra’s stunning march to the final of the Ranji Trophy where their batting let them down. He later underwent surgery in England and was advised rest for two weeks.

He made his much-awaited return to action on Thursday (February 21) and hit the ground running straight away. The two-time IPL-winning star played a crucial knock of 46 to help Saurashtra pile up 188 for 3 in their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy-opener against Railways. But unfortunately, it was a comeback to forget for Uthappa as Railway won the game by five wickets. But while the result did not go in his team’s favour, Uthappa is in a good place as far as his fitness is concerned.

In order to recover fully from the injury, Robin Uthappa had travelled to Mumbai to train at the KKR Academy. He was very well assisted by former Mumbai stalwart Abhishek Nayar, the head coach and mentor of the Academy. “I am in a good place right now. Well honestly, it has been a learning curve for me – going through the injury, and then, the surgery,” Uthappa was quoted as saying by the KKR website.

The right-handed batsman went on to open up about his problematic ankle, saying, “It was impeding the flexibility and movement around my ankle, and I have had it for the last three or four years. Immediately after the surgery, the range of movements around my ankle was almost twice as much as (it was) before the surgery even happened. So I am really happy to get it out of the way. I am happy to be back to playing cricket.”

Praise for Nayar:
Robin Uthappa had a word of praise for Nayar, saying that the latter’s approach has worked well for him. “As I have batted more balls, and spent more time here in the middle, I’ve actually felt I have gotten better and better and better,” he said.

“Every day that I have spent at the KKR academy camp – I’ve enjoyed every bit of it. (Nayar’s approach) is definitely out of the box, and something that seems to be working for me very well,” added Uthappa whose last international appearance came during India’s tour of Zimbabwe in 2015.

Knight Riders, meanwhile, will be hoping that their vice-captain hits the top gear ahead of the season as they eye their third IPL title. The two-time champions will open their IPL 2019 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad at home on March 24.

source: http://www.crictracker.com / CricTracker / Home> Cricket News / February 23rd, 2019

Rifle Shooting Range Inaugurated At Coorg Public School

RifleAcademyKF24feb2019

M.M. Thimmaiah, President of Kodagu Academy for Education and Culture (KAEC), inaugurated the Rifle Shooting Range at Coorg Public School (COPS) in Gonikoppal by cutting the ribbon.

School Trust Vice-President M.N. Belliappa, Secretary K.A. Poonacha and Treasurer K.A. Subbaiah were also present along with coach Dhirender Singh and COPS Principal Benny Kuriakose.

School Head Boy ChehulChinnappa welcomed the gathering. School Head Girl D.R. Gowri proposed a vote of thanks.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / February 24th, 2019

Kodava Samaja Sports Club Greets City Top Cop

KodavaSportsKF22feb2019

The office-bearers of Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club, Mysuru, greeting the new City Police Commissioner K.T. Balakrishna at his office recently.

Seen are (from left) Nayakanda Thimmaiah – Advisor to the Club, Kuttimada Muthappa – Vice-President, Meederira Prakash – Joint Secretary, Mechanda M. Karumbaiah former President of Kodava Samaja and Club, Machimada P. Nanaiah – President of the Club, Muckatira Jeevan – Treasurer of Kodava Samaja, Prof. Kambayanda C. Belliappa – Vice President of Kodava Samaja and Malchira Ponnappa – Hon. Secretary of Kodava Samaja, Mysuru.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 17th, 2019

Kodagu to see quiet hockey tournament

The event, which has even entered the Limca Book of Records, is being organised by Kodavas for 22 years.

Madikeri :

The highly anticipated annual Kodava Hockey Tournament, which was to be cancelled this year following the suffering caused to people due to the floods in Kodagu, will be held as usual, albeit in a modest manner.

The event, which has even entered the Limca Book of Records, is being organised by Kodavas for 22 years. It started with a handful of families, and attracted fame and popularity with a record-breaking participation of 334 families in last year’s Kulletira Hockey Cup.

Though the tournament was proposed to be cancelled, the tradition was sought to be kept alive. So, Kodava families approached the Coorg Hockey Association to continue the legacy though not in its usual glory.

“The cost of the tournament will be under `20 lakh,” said association secretary B Chengappa, ex-international player.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / February 19th, 2019

India lack system to generate quality tennis players: Bopanna ( Interview)

Melbourne :

Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna has blamed the system for not producing quality players and demanded more tournaments in the country itself.

Bopanna, who had bad outings in the both the categories (men’s and mixed doubles) in the ongoing Australia Open here, also said the country needs to have more academies and strong grassroots programmes to produce more tennis players.

“We dont have system in place to generate that many of players. And not only the system but we need to have tournaments in India. We have only one ATP tournament and two challengers in India which is not enough. If you look at Europe or USA, they have 25 to 30 weeks of just tournaments alone which makes a difference,” Bopanna told IANS.

“Tennis is an expensive sport so to travel constantly week and week out is tough. If each state in India has a one challenger tournament then you can travel only in india and make international points and that way we build constantly nUmber of athletes travelling and getting the sport and rankings high,” he added.

“First we have to start with the system then with tournaments then obviously to have good academies in place. So that entire system once that comes into play we will have more player coming out of it.”

Bopanna, who had paired up with Zhaoxuan Yang, went down 6-3, 3-6, 6-10 to Robert Farah and Anna-Lena Groenefeld in the opening match of the mixed doubles category at the Australian Open recently.

In the men’s doubles category, Bopanna has paired up with fellow Indian Divij Sharan and lost his opening round match to the Spanish pair of Pablo Carreño Busta and Guillermo Garcoa-Lupez.

Divij is a left handed player and Bopanna has paired up with him for he first time. The had won the Maharashtra Open but could not continue the momentum in the first Grand Slam of the year.

“Nothing went wrong in this tournament. I have to give credit to the opponents who is playing in this circuit for such a long time so they are more experienced than us,” Bopanna said.

“Yes we were seeded higher but if you look at the experience in the grand Slams our opponents were more experienced than us.

For me playing with the left-hander is something new this time and it takes time to build a partnership and that what we are working on as a team,” he added.

India will host Italy on grass court in the qualifiers for the Davis Cup in Kolkata next month. Taking bout the tie, Bopanna said the tie against Italy will be tough but the new format might help India.

According to the new rules, the tie have been cut from three days to two and each rubber will be decided over three sets, down from the earlier five.

“The Davis cup tie is very very tough tie because the Italians have four or five players in the top 100 which makes a big difference which we don’t have anyone currently. Yes after this week Prajnesh(Gunneswaran) might come into the top 100 but apart from this they still have a lot more top players,” he said.

“So we will surely going to have a tough tie against them but having new format of best of three sets I think we do have a chance.”

(Gaurav Sharma can be contacted at gaurav.sharma@ians.in)

source: http://www.newkerala.com / NewKerala.com / Home> News> World Sports News / IANS / January 22nd, 2019

Hockey match organised to mark 70th Republic Day of India

Indian Ambassador Munu Mahawar presented a number of awards, including a special hockey stick to Naqvi for his contributions to promoting hockey in the Sultanate.
Indian Ambassador Munu Mahawar presented a number of awards, including a special hockey stick to Naqvi for his contributions to promoting hockey in the Sultanate.

Muscat:

India’s 70th Republic celebrations kicked off in Muscat with a hockey festival held at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher.

S.A.S Naqvi, former technical adviser of the Oman Olympic Committee and organiser of the event, said, “As it will be the 70th Republic Day of India, to commemorate this national event, we held two hockey cups: the Ambassador Cup, in which school teams competed, and the Republic Day of India Cup, where the Oman Veterans Team and expat Team Coorg competed.”

The Chief Guest of the tournament was Indian Ambassador Munu Mahawar, who was joined by Guests of Honour Kiran Asher, Group Managing Director of Al Ansari Group, and Captain Talib Al Wahaibi, Chairman of the Oman Hockey Association.

Team Coorg Muscat claimed victory in the Republic Day Cup, beating the Oman Veterans in a hotly contested match.

Naqvi said, “Team Coorg Muscat won the Republic Day Cup by edging out the Oman Veterans 3-1.” The Ambassador Cup was played in two categories: one for the boys’ teams and one for the girls. The winners of the cup this year were Indian School Al Seeb and Indian School Maabela, who both won their final matches on penalties.

Al Wahaibi said, “It was great and entertaining hockey and I am very grateful to Team Coorg and to the embassy for hosting these events for the youngsters every year. It was great and I really enjoyed it.” According to Naqvi, “The school teams of Al Seeb and Maabela won the Ambassador Cup. Another highlight was the Indian School Wadi Kabir Musical Band, which included 100 boys and girls.”

After the tournament, Mahawar presented a number of awards, including a special hockey stick to Naqvi for his contributions in promoting the game of hockey.

A number of events are being held across Oman in the run-up to Republic Day, culminating in a flag-hoisting event at the Indian Embassy in Muscat.

In an announcement published on Twitter, the embassy said, “Members of the Indian community in Oman are invited to join a flag hoisting ceremony at the embassy premises in celebration of the 70th Republic Day of India. Date & time: 26 January 2019 at 08.30 hrs. Please arrive by 08.15 hrs.”

“Please carry [a] resident card and a copy of the uploaded invitation,” the statement added.

source: http://www.timesofoman.com / Times of Oman / Home / by Times News Service / January 20th, 2019