Category Archives: Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Embassy Group and Ashwini Sports Foundation set the stage for ‘Making Sport in India’

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports
( Left to Right ) Mr. Suresh Menon, Sports Writer; Ms. Aparna Popat , Olympian – Badminton; Mr. Sunil Gavaskar, Cricketing legend; Mr. Jitu Virwani, Chairman and Managing Director, Embassy Group; Mr. Kamal Bali, President and Managing Director,
( Left to Right ) Mr. Suresh Menon, Sports Writer; Ms. Aparna Popat , Olympian – Badminton; Mr. Sunil Gavaskar, Cricketing legend; Mr. Jitu Virwani, Chairman and Managing Director, Embassy Group; Mr. Kamal Bali, President and Managing Director,

Bengaluru :

‘Making Sport in India,’ a panel discussion involving cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar, Jitu Virwani – Chairman & Managing Director of Embassy Group and Founder of the Embassy International Riding School (EIRS), Badminton star Aparna Popat, Kamal Bali, President and Managing Director, Volvo Group India and well-known cricket scribe Suresh Menon, discussed the path towards a sports revolution in India.

Moderated by Ashwini Nachappa, India’s ace sprinter and founder of Ashwini’s Sports Foundation (ASF) based in Coorg, the panellists weighed in on topics including the challenges to creating a robust grassroots program for identifying and nurturing talent, and the need to reignite the love for the sport in school.

The forum, a joint initiative of Embassy Group and Ashwini’s Sports Foundation, also focused on the growing trend of the private funding of sport through competitive leagues, investments in state-of-the-art infrastructure and providing world-class training based on best practices arising from a better understanding of the science of performance.

Two such organizations presented their efforts – ASF, which concentrates its efforts on Athletics, Hockey and Shooting, and EIRS, based in Bengaluru, which focuses on equestrian sports. Recently, EIRS had major success when Fouaad Mirza, an equestrian rider and Arjuna Awardee, who trains at the school, won two silver medals at the 2018 Asian Games. He is now working to qualify at the Olympics with an eye on the medal finish.

ASF, founded in 2010, has several athletes in track & field, hockey, and shooting competing at the national level. ASF is a Khelo India Academy for Athletics, which provides training to talent identified under the Khelo India program. Partnering with various corporates, the Foundation boasts state of the art sporting facilities and technology that enhances performance across sporting disciplines.

Ashwini Nachappa, Founder of ASF, said ‘It is wonderful that we got to host a discussion around an area that has so much potential for growth in our developing country. Sport has a great future – it is through the passionate efforts of individuals and private organizations such as ours that we can focus on our efforts to create champions. Sport must begin at a young age in school.

Ashwini’s Sports Foundation currently hosts a school on campus called KALS, where sport and academics go together. Talented children are then identified and nurtured through ASF. I want to thank Jitu Virwani and Embassy for providing us with a terrific platform to tell our story. I hope those keen on supporting sport will come forward to help our program thrive and prosper.”

Jitu Virwani, Chairman & Managing Director of Embassy Group and Founder of EIRS, added, “When we first set up the Equestrian Academy back in 1996, we realized that while there is immense sports talent in India, it is not being brought to the forefront owing to several gaps. This can be bridged with corporates coming forward to help cultivate diverse sports talent in India, through collaborations with the Government and Private Institutions such as Ashwini’s Sports Foundation.

“Our journey and success in the 2018 Asian Games is a template for how other sports in India can reach milestones and shine across International platforms. Channelizing the CSR mandates of corporates towards sports will bring about an advancement in this field for the country. In Equestrian, we are now gearing up for the Olympics 2020 and confident that we will set another landmark in this sport.”

The event was attended by 20 Bangalore corporates who were encouraged to consider funding of sport in their CSR efforts, especially those of non-profit private academies focused on creating excellence in their chosen sport. The event was an initiative of Embassy Office Park’s Corporate Connect Program, which aims to bring together Business Park tenants and other corporates with like-minded Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mandates, and experienced non-profits to address a diverse number of challenges faced in society.

This event was the 6th in a series of round tables and forums called the Embassy Engage Series that provides platforms for corporates to deliberate on a variety of social challenges.

source: http://www.mykhel.com / MyKhel.com / Home> More Sports / by Avinesh Sharma / September 21st, 2019

Sandalwood Actress Harshika Poonacha’s Father Passes Away At 68

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

In what comes as a sad news, Sandalwood actress Harshika Poonacha’s father passed away today (September 16, 2019).

Reportedly, the actress’s father suffered for a brief period with an illness that affected his small intestine. He was recovering from a gastrointestinal surgery that he underwent recently.

The final rites are said to be held tomorrow at Kodagu. His body will be taken to their native village today evening.

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Only a few hours ago today, Harshika shared a family picture on her Instagram handle that was adored by her fans. She wrote, “My little family. Our traditional Kodava attire.” – (sic)

The news regarding her father’s demise came a few hours after the actress shared the above picture. The actress even recently toured Dubai with her parents. She had shared a few pictures from her trip, which showed the whole family sharing a few quality moments. The actress simply captioned the images as “My world” – (sic) followed by a few heart emoticon. These pictures alone speak volumes for the bond she shares with her parents.

Harshika Poonacha was in the news a lot when the infamous #MeToo movement broke out a few months ago.

She took everyone by surprise when she threw light on the reality of the film industry, speaking in detail about the unspoken behaviour of her fellow actresses, which often go unnoticed while blindly treating all men as accused.

source: http://www.filmibeat.com / FilmiBeat / Home> Kannada> News / by Chaitra Krishnamurthy / September 16th, 2019

Prize Winners Of Kodagu Golf Championship

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

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Following are the prize winners of the 18th edition of Kodagu Golf Open Championship-2019 organised by the Association of Kodagu Golfers of JWGC, Mysuru, in memory of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and Gen. K.S. Thimmaiah, recently:

Strokeplay Gross: M.S. Shreyash Chandra (69 Gross) – Winner; Amogh Daijad (71 Gross) – Runner; Stableford Gross: V. Prakash (33 Gross) – Winner; Hussein Vagh (32 Gross) – Runner; Strokeplay Net (H/C 0 to 12): M. Arjun Ranga (68 Net) – Winner; Dhruv Bopanna (68 Net) – Runner (Better Back 9 Over H.S. Arun Kumar).

Strokeplay Net (H/C 13 to 18): V. Prashanth (63 Net) – Winner; Dr. P.A. Kushalappa (68 Net) – Runner; Stableford Net (H/C 0 to 18): T.N. Parthasarathi (39 Points) – Winner; K. Krishne Gowda (39 Points) – Runner.

Stableford Net (H/C 19 to 24): Vasanth Kumar (40 Points) – Winner; Brig. N.N. Madappa (39 Points) – Runner; Stableford Net (H/C 0 to 24) for Seniors 65 Years and Above: B.S. Bahaddur (39 Points) – Winner; Dr. M.S. Ranganath (38 Points) – Runner.

Stableford Net (H/C 0 to 24) For Super Seniors 75 Years & Above: C.D. Nagarajan (38 Points) – Winner.

Best Kodagu Golfer – Stableford Net (H/C 0 to 24): Wg. Cdr. M.D. Aiyanna (36 Points); Best Lady Golfer – Stableford Net (H/C 0 to 24): Disha Kaveri (37 Points); Nearest to Pin (12th Hole): Lt. Col. K.P. Vijay Kumar (2 Feet 2 Inches); Longest Drive (9th Hole): M.S. Shreyash Chandra (330 Yards); Straightest Drive (5th Hole): Gayathri Mohan (On the Line).

A total of 237 golfers took part in the Championship.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / September 15th, 2019

Annual Get-Together Of Jayalakshmi Kodava Association

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports

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Mysuru:

The Fifteenth Annual get-together of Jayalakshmi Kodava Association was held recently at Kodava Samaja premises.

Association President Ballyanda P. Uthappa welcomed and presided. He also remembered the contributions of Immediate Past President late Alamengada Vittal.

Last year the get-together was cancelled due to floods in Kodagu and the Association contributed Rs. 1,53,201 towards the flood relief work through Rotary West.

The General Body formally elected Ballyanda P. Uthappa as President, Pandiyanda Girish as Vice-President, Jammada Ganesh Aiyanna as Secretary, Muckkatira A. Somaiah as Treasurer and the following as Committee members:

Biddanda U. Ganapathy, Pandiyanda Anil Cariappa, Konganda Thimmaiah, Mallangada Jayaprakash, Pattada Jaikumar, Dr. Thelapanda Kalappa, Thathanda Nishi Poonacha, Machanda Reshma Belliappa, Muruvanda Indira Ganapathy, Codanda Chitra Medappa, Kodira Jyothi Poonacha.

Merit scholarship was awarded to the following children of Association members: Machanda Varsha Devaiah (daughter of Machanda Sabeena & Devaiah), for scoring 95% in II PUC; Pandiyanda Neha Dechamma (daughter of Pandiyanda Savitha & Girish) for scoring 8.27 CGPA in BA Psychology Honours; Ichettira Navya Mandanna (daughter of Ichettira Roona Mandanna), for scoring 82% in X CBSE; Shabari Somaiah (daughter of Muckkatira Dimple & Somaiah) for scoring 88% in X CBSE; Sathvik Aiyappa (son of Pattamada Ponnamma & Subaiah) for scoring first class in BBA with 6.52 CGPA.

Manavattira Uttham Ganapathy was honoured for his achievements in Cricket especially for playing for the KPL Team; Moovera Tarun Ponnappa for his achievements at National-level in Martial Arts Jui-Jitsu (Gold Medal 12-14 years).

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 11th, 2019

Obituary – Prof. Biddatanda C. Ponnappa

Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

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Prof. Biddatanda C. Ponnappa (retd.) passed away in Bengaluru yesterday. He was 96.

A towering personality in the field of education, he served in institutions in Madikeri, Tumakuru, Mangaluru and returned to Madikeri as Principal of Field Marshal Cariappa Government College.

Post retirement, he served as Principal, Cauvery Women’s College, Virajpet.

He was very active and rendered yeoman service to several educational institutions in Kodagu.

He was a member of Mysore University Syndicate also.

He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son. His last rites will be held at his native in Napoklu around noon tomorrow (Sept.12).

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Obituary / September 11th, 2019

Ramakrishnanagar ‘I’ Block Kodava Welfare Association Meets

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders

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Mysuru:

Ramakrishnanagar ‘I’ Block Kodava Welfare Association and adjoining residents of Mysuru, held its 19th Annual Meet at Hotel Roost under the chairmanship of Association President Nayakanda Mandanna.

The office bearers for the Ramakrishnanagar ‘I’ Block Kodava Welfare Association, Mysuru, were nominated for the next three years term. Kattera A. Nanaiah – President, Poodrimada Somaiah – Vice-President, Maletira Ganapathy-Secretary, Kodandera Pushpa Machaiah- Joint Secretary and Kenjangada Cariappa – Joint Secretary.

Bachamada Vasanth, Kelapanda Vinod Bopaiah, Mukalamada Shanthi Ramesh, Patrapanda Changappa, Kumbera Ganesh Pemmaiah, Kadyamada Vijay Cariappa, Mallangada Vinodha Madappa and Palekanda Nachappa – Committee Members.

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Past Presidents of the Association Dr. Kodira A. Kushalappa – Chief Advisor and Nayakanda Mandanna – Legal Advisor.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 11th, 2019

Arms Act Exemption To Kodavas: Stakeholders Urged To Present Facts Before Court, Government

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

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Union Home Ministry seeks opinion from Kodagu DC

Madikeri:

The filing of writ petition in Karnataka High Court by Captain (retd.) Yaladalu K. Chethan, who has questioned the exemption to Kodavas and Jamma land holders in Kodagu district from obtaining a licence to possess firearms under Section 3 and 4 of the Indian Arms Act, 1959, has resulted in several Kodava organisations coming together to put up a united front to fight for their rights and resist attempts from vested interests to snatch away that privilege.

Among the organisations that are pressing for Kodava rights is Nelaji Farmers Club who has urged the Kodava community leaders, Kodava Samajas and other stakeholders to provide proper information to the Government and the Courts in this regard. Even Napoklu Kodava Samaja has criticised the filing of the writ petition and has extended its support to Codava National Council that is fighting a relentless battle to safeguard the gun rights.

On its part, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told the High Court recently that the exemption granted since 1963 to certain class of people in Kodagu district from obtaining licence to possess and carry firearms under the provisions of the Arms Act, 1959, is being reviewed along with the review of the entire Arms Act to amend the old enactment.

Assistant Solicitor General of India C. Shashikantha informed the Court that MHA has constituted a Committee to review and suggested amendments to Arms Act, and the process had been initiated to secure the views of stakeholders with regard to exemption granted to a class of people in Kodagu district.

Addressing a press conference in Madikeri on Tuesday, Nelaji Farmers Club President M.K. Nanjappa said that Kodavas have been using the gun as an item of worship and a gun is a symbol of culture, tradition and is a part of a Kodava attire.

“A gun is linked to the life of a Kodava from birth and till death, and its cultural influence is one of the reasons why the British gave the community an exemption to possess firearms. When a child is born in the Kodava community, four gunshots are fired to let residents of the village know of the birth.”

“In villages in Kodagu, houses are spread out far apart and as a community we get together when a baby is born. Hearing the gun shots, residents know that a birth has taken place and they try and help in any way they can,” said Nanjappa.

Similarly, when someone dies, two gunshots are fired so that residents can rush to help the families in distress. “We take pride in our association with guns and they are not misused,” he said and added that the Courts and the Government must be informed about the exclusive rights of Kodavas so that the right stays.

“After the First War of Indian Independence in 1857, the British introduced the Disarming Act, which outlawed the use of weapons in Coorg. But in 1861, an exemption was granted for a class of people in Coorg to possess firearms, for the first time by Mark Cubbon, the then Chief Commissioner of Coorg,” Nanjappa explained.

“In 1878, the British drafted a law, which later came to be known as the Indian Arms Act, in which the exemption granted to the people of Coorg was extended to two groups of people — a person of Coorg (Kodava) race and a Jamma tenure holder. These rights are unique and Kodavas never misused this. The Kodagu District Administration must inform the facts to the Court and see to it that the rights are safeguarded,” Nanjappa demanded.

Club Secretary Sachin Ganapathy, Directors Viju Appaiah and Naveen Nachappa were present in the press conference.

Meanwhile, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy has stated that the District Administration has received a notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking opinion on this issue. “We have sought some time due to the floods and landslides relief work in the district to carry out the consultation,” she said.

Background of the case

Y.K. Chethan, son of Yaladalu D. Keshavananda filed a Writ Petition in the High Court on Jan.8, 2018. In his petition, (WP No. 1386/2018), Chethan, a resident of R.T. Nagar in Bengaluru, claimed that the continuation of the exemption, granted to some class of persons by the British Government in pre-Independent India in furtherance of their divide-and-rule policy, was unconstitutional, as it was based on irrational, fictitious and discriminatory grounds, such as race and ancestral land tenure.

He claimed that the exemption granted to Jamma land holders and for the members of Kodava race under Section 3 and 4 of Indian Arms Act differentiates between communities living in a society and promotes disharmony.

The original petition (a Public Interest Litigation) was filed by Chethan in 2015 and the High Court had disposed it and asked the petitioner to submit a representation on his grievance about exemption to the Union Home Ministry. On its part, the Ministry had told the Court that the exemption provided to Kodavas was as per law. Not stopping at this, Chethan filed another Writ Petition in the High Court in 2018, questioning the arms exemption.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / August 31st, 2019

A.K. Subbaiah As I Knew Him

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All

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My college-mate, a fellow Kodava like me and a politician who spewed fire and brimstone like a dragon on rampage against his political or personal opponents, Ajjikuttira K. Subbaiah is no more.

However, there is no denying the fact that in Karnataka politics he was a role model to all Opposition Leaders. Subbaiah was my college-mate in the only First Grade College in Madikeri, Kodagu, in the late 1950s. When he was doing his B.Sc. first year, I was doing my first year in BA. I remember Subbaiah and M.C. Nanaiah, senior in the college and also a powerful public speaker, showing their eloquence in the college debates.

I was staying in the hostel and the hostellers had issues with regard to quality of food and water supply. Since we didn’t get positive response from the Principal we decided to go on strike. And on the appointed day both the hostellers and the day scholars (who also had issues relating to hygiene and water supply etc.) gathered in front of the college building and took out a procession towards the Police Grounds shouting slogans against the college authorities and the Principal holding the National Flag.

I still remember a student who refused to hold the Flag and march in front, apparently, for fear of the Police who had by then arrived there. Since I was next to that boy I showed my bravado by grabbing at the Flag and marching ahead shouting slogans. Young, hot blood I suppose!

At the Police Grounds, a senior hostel-mate began his harangue only to be pulled aside by a student known as A.K. Subbaiah who delivered his speech in a loud and spirited manner holding everybody’s attention.

The consequence of this protest, the march and the meeting was impacted on a few students soon after. Among them were A.K. Subbaiah and Yours Truly also included. I was lucky that I was rusticated from the hostel whereas Subbaiah and a few others were rusticated from the college itself. That was the last I saw of Subbaiah but was hearing about his political activities through my friends and newspapers when I was in Bangalore and later in Bombay.

Since he had worked for nearly five years after intermediate (present day PUC) he was looking like a senior person. However, the juniors used to admire him for his determination to pursue higher education. He later pursued his Law degree from Sarada Vilas College in Mysore while I went to Bangalore to do my Law. I had heard that he was practicing Law in Virajpet simultaneously flirting with politics by campaigning for a Praja Socialist Party candidate from Virajpet Constituency. Later, I came to know that he changed his political loyalty to the Hindu Rightist Party — Jan Sangh. This turned out to be a spring- board for him to plunge head-on into full-time politics while also practicing a successful legal career. It is, therefore, not surprising he served as MLC for four terms while he could not make it even once as an MLA despite his efforts.

A powerful public speaker, inside the Legislative Council he would take on the ruling dispensation to an experience of thunder and lightning. Just to give an example, when R. Gundu Rao was the Chief Minister, C.M. Ibrahim was a Minister against whom Subbaiah made an allegation which involved National Security. It was popularly known as Rolex Watch Scandal and attracted attention in print and electronic media all over the country. To recall, Subbaiah, an inveterate politician of extraordinary tongue-power, had simply made a mountain out of a molehill.

The allegation was that Ibrahim in one of his public speeches rhetorically said, showing off a Rolex wrist watch to the audience that it was given to him by an Arab Sheikh and that watch was his visa to enter that Arab country. The demagogue of a speaker, Subbaiah, went hammer and tongs accusing Ibrahim of many legal and moral crimes as if Ibrahim’s conduct was a threat to the country itself. The impact was such that Ibrahim found himself, despite his denials, like being caught between a rock and a hard place. He resigned.

Those were Subbaiah’s glorious days as a Member of Jan Sangh, Janata Party and BJP at different times of the changing political developments in the country. Because of his oratorical skills and leadership qualities he was made the first State President of BJP in 1980. In the Assembly elections that followed, Subbaiah was able to get a total of 18 MLAs including the present CM B.S. Yediyurappa and late V.S. Acharya. It was an extraordinary feat for Subbaiah, who was showered with admirations and encomiums by not only the BJP but also other political parties who least expected such a performance. Unfortunately, this victory got into his head that he thought for BJP he was indispensable in Karnataka. Sadly, what happened later was his fall from BJP. And what a fall! Indeed, pride goes before the fall. He was expelled from BJP following his criticism of RSS ideology and its leaders.

We must remember that during the Emergency of 1975-77, he was jailed for 19 months. Interestingly, but for his mishandling of support to the Ramakrishna Hegde Government, Janata Dal(S) would not have been in the State as it is now.

While the BJP High Command under Atal Behari Vajpayee declared unconditional outside support to Ramakrishna Hegde, Subbaiah was nursing ambitions of becoming the Home Minister by joining Hegde’s Government. The rift between him and the BJP at the Centre was obvious leading to Subbaiah’s removal from the Presidentship of the Party. Thereafter, his political decline began never to rise again.

He thought the people of Karnataka would rally around him if he formed his own political party. Indeed, he formed his own party called ‘Kannada Nadu’ which ended in a disaster. After this, he became a habitual party-hopper. He joined Congress, BSP, JD(S) and then again Congress.

Mentioning of Ramakrishna Hegde brings to my mind one of Subbaiah’s wry humour for which he was very famous. He had made an allegation against Ramakrishna Hegde’s son of taking money from a person promising a medical seat. But, he did not get the seat nor the money was returned. The allegation was so severe that the Chief Minister appointed a Commission to get at the truth of the allegation.

As I remember, the well- known Criminal Lawyer and Supreme Court Advocate Ram Jethmalani was hired to represent Hegde’s son before the Commission while Subbaiah appeared for the medical student. In the course of the proceedings, Jethmalani was repeatedly addressing Subbaiah as ‘Sabaiah’ despite Subbaiah telling Jethmalani the correct pronunciation of his name. When Jethmalani continued to address him as Sabaiah, Subbaiah was so annoyed he got up and told Jethmalani, “If you continue to call me Sabaiah I will have to call you as Joothmalani.”

RIP A.K. Subbaiah

e-mail: kbg@starofmysore.com

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Columns / Aabracadabra by K. B. Ganapathy / August 30th, 2019

Robin Uthappa to lead Kerala in shorter formats for upcoming season

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports
BCCI
BCCI

The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) have confirmed that veteran batsman Robin Uthappa will lead Kerala in the shorter formats for the upcoming season.

An official decision is yet to be taken on who will lead the side for the longer formats, but incumbent Sachin Baby remains the favourite.

The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) have put to bed the speculations and growing rumours surrounding a potential leadership role for Robin Uthappa after confirming that the 33-year-old will be leading the state in both the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20. When Uthappa captained a KCA XI side in the Captain K Thimmappiah Memorial Cricket Tournament in Bengaluru last month, it was suspected whether the veteran would do the same in the regular season. But the KCA have now confirmed it, putting an end to all chatter surrounding the matter.

“Uthappa is an India international and we will like to utilise his experience in the best possible way. We have communicated our decision to coach Dav Whatmore and he has expressed no reservation,” KCA secretary Sreejith V Nair was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

“We have faith in Robin’s leadership skills and that’s why we have decided to name him captain for the shorter formats,” he added.

However, Nair confirmed that a decision was yet to be taken on who will lead the side in the longer formats. While incumbent Sachin Baby remains favourite, Nair also kept the possibility of Uthappa potentially leading the side in the Ranji Trophy, stating that a decision will be taken after evaluating the Karnataka man’s performance in the shorter formats.

“We will evaluate Robin’s captaincy once both Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournaments end. Ranji Trophy is beginning only in December. So we still have time to take a decision on Kerala’s Ranji Trophy captain,” Nair said.

After 14 years with Karnataka, Uthappa moved to Saurashtra in the 2016/17, but unfortunately missed the entirety of the previous season due to injury. Last month, it was confirmed that the Kolkata Knight Riders man will represent Kerala in the upcoming domestic season.

source: http://www.sportscafe.in / Sports Cafe / Home> Cricket> National> News / by Sports Cafe Desk / August 28th, 2019

Destination Tokyo: Maneyapanda Muthanna Somaya

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

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Maneyapanda Muthanna Somaya is a former Indian field hockey player from Coorg, Karnataka. He was a member of Indian squad in many international games, including the team that won the Gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympic Games.

Somaya went on to play two more Olympic Games, viz., 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games, and 1988 Seoul Summer Olympic Games. He was the captain of the 1988 Olympics team.

A member of the Indian hockey team that won gold at the 1980 Moscow Games, he is happy to see more and more youngsters coming forward to take up hockey seriously, and India’s young players impressed him with their determination at the Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar.

“These days, the opportunities are more in the country. A structure has been formed in most of the sporting disciplines where young talent is encouraged.

They should grab this with both hands. They should focus on sports,” said Somaya, while talking to The Free Press Journal on the eve of the National Sports Day.

Looking ahead for sports in the country in the coming years

Things are looking very bright indeed. We have established our prominence at the Asian and Commonwealth level. The next step is to make a mark at the Olympics.

There have been many new ideas and suggestions. Do you feel they have been implemented if not why?

I feel that there have been many new ideas that have been implemented successfully. The Khelo India scheme has shown great promise in identifying young talent to prepare a wide base of sportspersons for international competitions.

The central and state governments have announced many incentives for successful and aspiring sportspersons that have been well received. Private companies are setting up academies and offering financial aid for sports stars.

Do you feel there is a lack of sports culture in our country? What is the remedy

A sports culture is gradually being propagated among people. There is an increasing awareness of the contribution of sports to overall fitness of an individual.

Infrastructure is being made easily accessible in cities and smaller centres also. An effort is on to integrate sports as part of the curriculum in schools.

India has reduced sports to merely an extra-curricular activity. Your comments

There is an air of positivity in regard with sports in India today. Sports like badminton, kabaddi, table tennis are jostling for space with cricket, hockey and football for viewership.

With the IPL style format competitions in all sports there are lucrative careers on offer. Incentives by the Government and sponsorship by Private companies have given sport great impetus.

Funds have been the main crunch which has been the complaints of many. Your take.

Funds for sports are more easily available today. At the highest level the TOPS scheme provides elite athletes with substantial financial support.

Private organisations like TATAs, Reliance, Jindal and a host of NGOs like Olympic Gold Quest are ensuring that there is a steady stream of funds for sportspersons at different stages of their career.

Your take on lack of Infrastructure, recognition of sports other than cricket, lack of ambition or national plan? I am sure you have a bag full of remedies. Please share

There is already a lot of improvement in infrastructure for other sports in India. These need to be taken to rural areas soon since a lot of the talent is emerging from smaller centres, 2-3 tier cities and villages.

Public-Private Partnership is critical to ensuring that the Infrastructure in the country reaches people even in the remotest areas.

Your comments on our athletes who would board the flight to Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics, and hockey in special

I’m certain that India will put up a good showing this time at Tokyo 2020. Shooting, Wrestling and Badminton are good medal prospects. In other events too India can push hard for medals.

Our hockey team has done well in the recent Pre- Olympic test event at Tokyo and this augurs well. We have a sound blend of effervescent youngsters and battle hardened players. We have consistently maintained our fifth position in the FIH rankings for the past year.

source: http://www.in.news.yahoo.com / Yahoo News / by Free Press Journal / August 29th, 2019