For putting India on the squash map and winning multiple tournaments to secure the world number 10 rank in 2016.

At eight, when most girls are busy playing hopscotch on school playgrounds, Joshna Chinappa was busy making frequent trips to the Madras Cricket Club and debating which sport — badminton or tennis — she would like to pursue professionally. While good at both, her family background (her father Anjan Chinappa and great-granduncle Field Marshall KM Cariappa were both squash players) saw her gravitate towards the lesser-known sport of squash. Her standout moment came in the 2014 Commonwealth Games doubles event, when she along with partner Dipika Pallikal Karthik became the first Indian players to win a gold medal; and her stellar performances saw her seize her career-highest World No. 10 rank in 2016.

The initial challenges
Squash wasn’t well known when I started playing, and getting financial assistance and sponsorships were tough. My parents could only afford to send me for a couple of tournaments a year and I had no choice but to travel alone from the age of 10, as it was expensive to have someone accompany me on each trip.

Training routine
I play about 15 tournaments a year. I love training, so preparing for an event really charges me up. Training each day lasts for about five hours. I work with my fitness trainer on my strength and conditioning and with my squash coach on court. I also do a lot of weight training, and agility and sprint sessions.

On injuries
They are always hard for athletes to deal with because sport is our livelihood and passion and to not be able to do something you love is heart-breaking. On the bright side, an injury can help put things into perspective…it can make you much stronger, both mentally and physically.

On women in sports
I feel it’s the women today who are really putting sports on the radar. We have so many achievers — strong, powerful women who have come from such diverse fields and backgrounds showing us how, with a little support, wonders can be achieved. It’s so great to see them work hard and win despite the tough circumstances they face. I’m sure that if they receive the support they truly deserve, the sky is the limit!

source: http://www.vervemagazine.in / Verve / Home> Verve People / Text by Tina Dastur , Photography by Prateek Patel / June 08th, 2017

Sunil lined up against Pakistan despite being informed of the loss of a family member minutes before the encounter.

What’s the story?

India created history by recording their biggest-ever win against Pakistan (7-1) at the ongoing Hockey World League semifinals. However, just hours before the match, SV Sunil, the star forward who was named the Asian Hockey Player of the Year earlier in 2017, was told that his brother-in-law Ganesh Acharya had passed away.

This was the second time Sunil was given such news. In April, during the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, his father had passed away and the 28-year-old had to battle his emotions to represent his country.

Speaking after the win over Pakistan on Sunday to Times of India, Sunil said, “God is testing me many ways. Last time my father, this time my brother-in-law. I don’t know what to say. After the tournament, I will be back to my hometown.”

In case you didn’t know…

India’s biggest margin of victory against Pakistan had earlier been 7-4 – a scoreline they managed in the 2003 Champions Trophy as well as the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Since 2010, India have won 13 out of 28 encounters against their bitter rivals on the hockey field, with seven matches ending in draws.

The heart of the matter

The man from Kodagu was born in a poor family and lost his mother at the age of four. As a kid, he used to play hockey with the help of bamboo sticks. Sunil made his debut for India in 2007 during their successful run at the Asia Cup in Chennai and was a key member of the Indian team that won silver at the 2016 FIH Champions Trophy in London. He was also a part of the Indian team that won the gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games and bronze at the 2015 World League Final.

After his father passed away, he went on to play for India in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and helped the team finish 3rd in the tournament.

In the 7-1 win over Pakistan, Sunil had a great outing, facilitating the attack to set up Talwinder Singh’s goal in the first quarter. His solid performance came after heartbreaking news of his brother’s death following a long battle with illness

He previously had scored the opening goal and had delivered another amazing performance in India’s 3-0 win over Canada on Saturday.

What’s next?

Sunil who recently won his 200th international cap will be one of the favourites to be named in the Indian side that will take part in the Hockey World League Final in Bhubhaneshwar, scheduled to begin in December. He has faced adversity throughout his life and will hope to continue delivering fine performances for the country and make his family proud.

Authors take

Playing through such adversity shows the character and the heart of an individual and SV Sunil proved that by delivering an outstanding performance against arch-rivals Pakistan in an important match. On a day that saw the ICC Champions Trophy Final overshadow the hockey match, Sunil and the India Men’s Hockey team provided Indians with an achievement to be proud of.

source: http://www.sportskeeda.com / SportsKeeda.com / Home> News> Hockey / by Tushar Varma / June 20th, 2017

Current head Parameshwara not to contest

Former India international Ashwini Nachappa will contest for the post of president and secretary of the Karnataka Athletics Association (KAA) in the elections to be held here on July 1.

Dr G Parameshwara, the current president, who had put his name for the top post again, withdrew on Thursday, the last day to file the nominations. Parameshwara, president of KAA since 2004, was not eligible to contest as he had already completed 12 years in the post.

The KAA in 2015 had amended its constitution, in line with the Sports Code, and according to the changed rule, a president could hold office for a maximum period of 12 years with or without a break.

Also contesting for the president’s post against Ashwini, who currently heads the Bangalore Urban District Athletics Association (BUDAA), will be HT Mahadev, secretary, Hassan District Athletics Association.

For the secretary’s post, Rajavelu, from the Shimoga District Athletics Association, will be Ashwini’s opponent. Sources said that the incumbent KAA secretary, Chandrashekar Rai, eligible for another term, had not filed his nomination for the post.

The KAA used to have a three-year term for its office-bearers but as per the amended constitution of the body, they will have a four-year term from now on.

The secretary and treasurer may serve a maximum of two successive terms of four years each. After which, they need to serve a cooling off period of four years before they can seek fresh election to either post.

As per the Sports Code, the office-bearers will cease to hold the post on attaining 70 years of age.

The elections will be at the Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) on July 1.
The KAA had come under fire from the district units for not holding the AGM and elections on time last month. After the notification for election was issued on June 8, the list of eligible candidates was published on June 19. The scrutiny of the candidates will be done on Saturday and the last date for withdrawal of names is next Monday.

Unhappy members

It was learnt that some of the members who had thrown in their names for the elections were not happy with some of the contestents.

As per the tradition, the clubs across the states will not be allowed to vote and only the 28 district associations will participate in the elections. Udupi, due to the in-fighting in its faction, has been disqualified from voting.

Apart from president and secretary, the elections will be held for the posts of senior vice-president, four vice-presidents, senior joint secretary, joint secretary (3 posts) and treasurer.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports / DH News Service / Bengaluru – June 23rd, 2017

New Delhi :

Robin Uthappa has ended his 15-year association with Karnataka cricket after the state body KSCA granted him a NOC to play elsewhere.

KSCA secretary Sudhakar Rao said the two parties could not reach an agreement and therefore there was no option but to let him go.

“It is sad but we wish him all the best. He played for Karnataka from U-14 to the highest level. He served the state in the best possible way. He wanted to go and we couldn’t say no to him,” Rao told PTI.
Rao informed that NOC was given to Uthappa last week.

The 31-year-old veteran of 130 First Class games could not be reached as he is currently in the United States. Uthappa has also played 46 ODIs for India besides 13 T20 Internationals.

When asked whether efforts were made to make Uthappa stay, Rao said: “We know we are losing out an experienced guy. We had two-three meetings with Robin and I was a part of them. He was pretty keen to leave so we sent him the NOC last week. He said that he has offers from more than two state teams.”

Which team he would play for is still not confirmed but it has been widely reported that he is set to play for Kerala.

Uthappa was dropped from Karnataka squad for the latest Ranji Trophy season after being ignored for a league game against Maharashtra in Mohali.

He did not have a great season by his standards, scoring 328 runs in seven games. The previous two seasons were prolific for the aggressive batsman who amassed 759 runs and 912 runs.

He had made his first-class debut back in 2002-03.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> Sports / PTI / June 20th, 2017