Inter-press cricket from Jan 8

THE 11th edition of the inter-press invitational cricket tournament for the Orange City Hospital Cup will begin on January 8, 2009 at various city grounds.The tournament has been organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) in association with Orange City Hospital and Research Institute (OCHRI).The Twenty20 tournament will be played on Dr Ambedkar College ground, Deekshabhoomi and Central Railways ground, Ajni with coloured clothing, black sight-screens and white balls.Total eight teams are taking part in this edition including defending champions Lokmat, runners-up The Hitavada, Tarun Bharat, Sakal, Loksatta, Punyanagari, The Times of India and Navbharat.Orange City Hospital and Research Institute are the main sponsors of the event. Amar Sports has sponsored the Wisden balls for the tournament.The winners and runners-up will get attractive cash prizes as well as rolling trophies. Individual winners too will be awarded.

(The Hitavada)

Indian Shuttlers have weak legs: Natekar

NAGPUR, Nov 26, 2008
NOTING that there was no major difference as far as skills and court crafts are concerned, former world top 10 badminton player Nandu Natekar feels that the Indian shuttlers have "weak legs" as compared to other international shuttlers.
Interacting with scribes at ‘Meet the Press’ organised by Sports Journalists Association of Nagpur (SJAN) at Dr Ambedkar College, Natekar shared his thoughts at length.
To a query as to why the Indians were lagging behind at international level and the presence of few known names in badminton, Natekar said, "To be popularly known, a player has to win a major title. I was a national champion six times and won three international events. People remember (Prakash) Padukone and (Pulela) Gopichand because they have won the All England tournaments.
"Indian players are very talented. They are not behind as far as skills and court crafts are concerned, what they lack is stamina. They have weak legs. This is the only grey area as far as Indian shuttlers are concerned. They have beautiful mind and can play skillfully but not for a long duration. However, the new points system has reduced the playing time that will benefit us more than others."
On present Indian players and the future of badminton in the country, Natekar said, "The future is definitely good. There are a couple of players like Chetan Anand and Anup Sridhar. A big title win would do a world of good for them. Saina Nehwal is a very good player and what I like the most about her is her ‘zid’. Winning an Olympic medal is not easy. You have to be consistent throughout the tournament to win a medal. It’s not like a ‘natak’ (play) wherein you can perform well the next time. A bad match here and you are out. But one can say she is a medal prospect at London Olympics."
Natekar further said, "Unlike old times, the scene is fast changing. Good courts are coming up at almost all district places and like Saina, players are emerging from smaller places, so we can say the future of badminton is good."
A born sportsperson that he is, Natekar played cricket, tennis and tried his hands at other sports too with aplomb. When asked whether he repented sticking to badminton while other sport might have given him more fame and financial gains, Natekar said, "No regrets. In fact I am very happy and content with what I have achieved in my life. With so much love and respect I still get at the age of 75, you cannot ask for more"

(The Hitavada)

BVM, Somalwar triumph

Nitin Gadkari, State Unit Chief of Bharatiya Janata Party, along with the award winners. (Pic courtesy The Hitavada)

SJAN-NDBA celebrate National Sports Day

Nagpur Aug 29, 2008
BHAVAN’S Bharatiya Vidya Mandir 'A' and Somalwar High School emerged victorious in the Inter-School Free Throw Basketball (shooting) Competition, organised jointly by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and Nagpur District Basketball Association (NDBA), at the Dharampeth Krida Mandal courts on Friday.The unique event to mark the National Sports Day evoked enormous response with over 200 school students taking part and around 500 spectators applauding city hoopsters’ scintillating display of basket conversion.In the girls’ section, the tiny cagers of Bhavan’s BVM registered a thrilling 4-2 victory over Mount Carmel High School. Shalmalee Gadkari played a crucial role in the title clash converting three out of her five attempts while Karishma Manekar scored once. Mount Carmel cagers Radhika Mohota and Ruchita Shrivastava scored a basket each.The boys title went to Somalwar School who drubbed The Jain International School 7-3. Vivek Pawar (3), Piyush Zanjal (3) and Mayur Ambulkar (1) scored for the winners while Nishkarsh Madavi’s lone effort of three baskets for TJIS went in vain.Chinmay Dondrikar (Hadas High School) and Maithili Joshi (Modern School) captured the best shooter with perfect action award.


Free throw competition in progress.

(pic courtsey The Hitavada)

Prizes were distributed at the hands of Nitin Gadkari, State Unit Chief of Bharatiya Janata Party. On the occasion SJAN felicitated Mobin Ahmed (former hockey player), Arvind Garud, (basketball coach) and Priya Deshpande (badminton coach) for their yeoman’s service towards sports.Mayor Mayatai Iwnate presided over the function and felicitated sportspersons who have achieved meritorious distinction in academics too. The players include Samiksha Ambekar (Basketball), Anuja Bombatkar (Chess) and Neha Bodele (Swimming).Present on the dais were Devendra Fadnavis, MLA and NDBA President, Sandeep Joshi, corporator, Bhau Kane, noted athletics coach, Sumitra Luley vice-president, DKM, Abhay Kaple, NDBA working president, Dr Ram Thakur, SJAN president and Rahul Dixit, SJAN secretary.Kishor Bagde, SJAN joint secretary, conducted the programme while Anupam Soni, treasurer, proposed a vote of thanks.

Results:Boys (final): Somalwar High School, Ramdaspeth 7 (Vivek Pawar 3, Piyush Zanjal 3, Mayur Ambulkar 1) bt The Jain International School 3 (Nishkarsh Madavi 3) Third place: CPS Wardhaman Nagar 2 (Hitesh 1, Kashyap 1) bt Hadas High School 0.Girls (final): Bhavan’s Bharatiya Vidya Mandir ‘A’ 4 (Shalmalee Gadkari 3, Karishma Manekar 1) bt Mount Carmel High School ‘A’ 2 (Radhika Mohta 1, Ruchita Shrivastava 1) Third place: CPS ‘A’ 4 (Riya Chandak 2, Tanya Jain 1, Resham Shrivastava 1) bt Modern School 3 (Vaishnavi Dongre 2, Maithili Joshi 1)

SPORTS DAY PICTURES

(Sjan pics)

Carmel, CPS cagers rule the roost

SJAN-NDBA FREE THROW CONTEST BEGINS

Yashvant Khodke, a Non Resident Indian
inaugurating the free throw basketball competition

NAGPUR, Aug 28

Over 200 hoopsters thronged the Dharampeth Krida Mandal basketball courts, Shankar Nagar, on Thursday afternoon to fight for top honours in the unique Inter-School Free Throw (shooting) Competition organised by the Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and Nagpur District Basketball Association (NDBA). The tournament has been organised to celebrate National Sports Day on August 29. The competition was inaugurated by Yashvant Khodke, a Non Resident Indian in the presence of Sumitra Luley, NDBA Vice-President and office-bearers of SJAN and NDBA.The preliminary rounds were played on Thursday. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will be played on Friday morning The teams that made to the quarter-finals in the boys section include two teams of Centre Point School, Wardhaman Nagar, The Jain International School, Centre Point School, Katol Road, Saraswati Vidyalaya, Dharampeth High School and Hadas High School.In the girls section both teams of Mount Carmel High School and Centre Point School Katol Road and a team each from Bhavan’s Bharatiya Vidya Mandir, Somalwar High School, Ramdaspeth and Modern School Koradi Road entered the last eight.Ruchita Shrivastava of Mount Carmel gave a fine display converting three of her four attempts.Purval Joge of Saraswati Vidyalaya and Harsh Surana of The Jain International School emerged top scorers in the boys section with a fine conversion (3 out of 4).The prize distribution function will be held on Friday at 9 am. Nitin Gadkari, state unit chief of Bharatiya Janata Party, will be the chief guest while Mayatai Iwnate, Mayor, will preside over. Devendra Fadnavis, MLA, is the guest of honour. Sandeep Joshi, corporator and Madhukar Dhobley, Deputy General Manager, Bank of Maharashtra, Nagpur will be the special guests.SJAN and NDBA will felicitate Samiksha Ambekar (Basketball), Anuja Bombatkar (Chess) and Neha Bodele (Swimming) who have achieved meritorious status in academics too. SJAN will also felicitate three personalities who have done a yeoman's service towards sports. They include Mobin Ahmed, former hockey player, Arvind Garud, noted basketball coach and Priya Deshpande, an active badminton coach.
Results:Boys: The Jain International School 'B' 5 (Lav Agrawal 1, Sagar Bodhke 1, Harsh Surana 3) bt Centre Point School Katol Road 'B' 4 (Ankit Jadhwani 2, Abhishek Dharme 1, Kaustubh Gupta 1); Centre Point School Wardhaman Nagar 'A' 1 (Tejas Jain 1) bt Hadas High School 0; Saraswati Vidyalaya 'A' 3 (Purval Joge 3) bt Modern School 'B' 2 (Kartik Kumar 1, Tanmay Dhote 1); Dharampeth High School 1 (Jai Rahate 1) bt Bhavans BVM 0; Hadas High School 2 (Palash Babre 1, Chinmay Dhom 1) bt Saraswati Vidyalaya 'B' 1 (Rajat Pawar 1); The Jain International School 'A' 1 (Chaitanya Jain 1) bt Modern School 0; Centre Point School Wardhaman Nagar 'B' 4 (Hitesh Jain 2, Kashyap Patel 2) bt Bhavans BVM 3 (Ankur Agarwal 1, Vedant Sarkar 2).
Girls: Mount Carmel High School 'A' 5 (Radhika Mohta 1, Shreya Dhole 1, Ruchita Shrivastava 3) bt Hadas High School 'A' 3 (Yogini Oak 2, Arti Khodaskar 1); Mount Carmel High School 'B' 3 (Tejaswini Madne 1, Vedashree Abhyankar 2) bt Saraswati Vidyalaya 2 (Leena Garud 2); Modern School 'A' 1 (Maithili Joshi 1) bt Hadas High School 'B' 0; Somalwar High School 1 (Amruta Tingne 1) bt Modern School 0; Bhavans BVM 'A' 3 (Shivani Dubey 2, Shalmalee Gadkari 1) bt Saraswati Vidyalaya 'B' 1 (Aarohi Hadole 1).

SJAN to fete Ahmed, Garud and Deshpande

Mobin Ahmed

Arvind Garud

Samiksha, Anuja, Neha to be honoured
Nagpur, 6, 2008

Neha Deshpande

Sports Journalists' Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and Nagpur District Basketball Association (NDBA) will honour three meritorious sportspersons and three eminent servants sports on the occasion of National Sports Day on August 29, 2008. The programme will be held at Dharampeth Krida Mandal basketball courts, Shankar Nagar at 9 am.
The sportspersons who have also achieved meritorious status in academics include Samiksha Ambekar (Basketball), Anuja Bombatkar (Chess) and Neha Bodele (Swimming).
SJAN will also felicitate three personalities who have done a yeoman's service towards sports. They include Mobin Ahmed, former hockey player, Arvind Garud, noted basketball coach and Priya Deshpande, an active badminton coach.
All the shining lights will be felicitated at the hands of Nitin Gadkari, State Unit Chief of Bharatiya Janata Party, who is the chief guest of the function.
Mayatai Iwnate, Mayor, will preside over the function while Devendra Fadnavis, MLA will be the guest of honour. Madhukar Dhobley, Deputy General Manager, Bank of Maharashtra, Nagpur region and Sandeep Joshi, coporator will be the special guests.

Indian chess has a bright future: Deshmukh

Denies reports of quitting as India jr coach
NAGPUR, August 18, 2008

IT WAS for the first time in the annals of a world junior chess championship that both the titles at stake in the open as well as in the girls’ championship went to the same country.
And had one of his wards listened to him, International Master Anup Deshmukh would have achieved his personal target of winning four medals on his first assignment as coach of junior India team, in the recently-concluded World Junior Chess Championship at Gaziantep in Turkey.
"Winning three medals out of a possible six is in itself a big achievement but for a silly mistake of Soumya Swaminathan, who needed just a draw against local girl Kubra Ozturk, that robbed team-mate Mary Ann Gomes of a bronze. The loss was more painful because she forgot to press the flag," said Deshmukh upon his arrival to the city on Monday.
Talking in a ‘Meet the Press’ organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) at Tilak Patrakar Bhavan Deshmukh shared his Turkey experience and also denied media reports that he was quitting as India juniors coach.
Excerpts:
On a newspaper report that said ‘frustrated Deshmukh quits coaching’:
My frustration of India missing a medal due to a silly mistake was blown out of proportion. Neither I have quit coaching nor am contemplating to do so. It was just in the heat of the moment that I said ‘If they are not listening to me, there is no point coaching them’. I also found the Indian players more focused on their game than others.
On what he expected from his team:
I knew Abhijeet Gupta was a good player. He had been at my place for quite some time in the past for training. We also had two experienced young girls in Dronavali Harika and Mary Ann Gomes. Last year in the same meet, Harika blew one full point lead to be placed outside the medal bracket, but this time I had faith in her.
On his coaching stint prior to the tour in New Delhi:
Actually I was to coach just the boys but as the coach of girls was indisposed, I guided them too in the camp. All the team members were hard working. But coaching boys is much easier as I think they grasp things quickly.
On their actual performance in the meet:
Till the eighth round we were nowhere near the top. In fact we were out of the top 10. But in this 13-round tournament which was very taxing as the players had to play one match a day, I knew that the other players too very losing focus. I encouraged my members telling them that this was the time to do it. And they responded. I also got the record of the previous Under-19 events and circulated the copies among the players which helped them prepare well against different styles of the Europeans and the Communist Block players.
On India’s future:
The future is bright. If we take a systematic approach, we can go far ahead. Apart from this team, I feel two players—Krishnan Sasikiran and Parimarjan Negi—can take their game to higher level. Sasi is very patriotic and gives his best playing for the nation. Negi, placed in the same bracket as Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore by their sponsors, is a very humble boy. He was a wild card entry in the meet. He used to run with me for 2-2.5 kilometers daily there. Gupta and Harika are also very dedicated players.
On his personal experience:
Being a vegetarian is the biggest disadvantage outside India. To be out of your home for such a long time takes toll on the body. And last but not least, there was no happier moment than hearing the national anthem twice on August 15 in a foreign land!

Georgia-Russia war costs India dear!
With the Georgia-Russia war going on at the time of the competition, the Georgian players had come with tattoos and banners reading ‘Go Russia’, ‘Stop Russia’ etc., that distracted some Indian players who lost their concentration and the match too.
‘BLACK’S WIN OVER ‘WHITE’ ON I-DAY
In his final match on the Independence Day, India’s GM Abhijeet Gupta played against GM David Howell of England and won comprehensively. The success tasted more sweet as it was August 15 and ironically Gupta was playing with black pieces against Howell’s white.

SJAN-NDBA to celebrate National Sports Day on 29th

SJAN-NDBA to host free-throw contest on National Sports Day
NAGPUR, AUGUST 14, 2008

AN INTER-SCHOOL basketball free-throw competition has been jointly organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and Nagpur District Basketball Association (NDBA) to mark the National Sports Day on August 29 at Dharampeth Krida Mandal court, Shankar Nagar. Each school can send two boys and two girls’ teams upto 10th standard comprising three members each. Last date for entry is August 20. It can be confirmed with NDBA Secretary Anup Rajurkar (9890898028). Attractive prizes will be given to first four winners in each category. NDBA and SJAN will also honour meritorious sportspersons who have secured more than 90 per cent marks in SSC and also represented State in national tournaments. Students fulfilling the condition should send photocopies of their SSC marksheet and certificate of participation in nationals to Kishor Bagde (9822576459) at Lokmat and Nilesh Deshpande (9881243198) at Lokmat Times.

SJAN-NMC AWARDS GIVEN AWAY

Aim Higher: Manohar tells city players

Appeals to form independent organisation to help city's sportspersons

SJAN-NMC ANNUAL AWARDS GIVEN AWAY

NAGPUR, July 13, 2008
“NAGPUR was never short of sporting talent. But the level of satisfaction in our sportspersons is very low. This mentality is stopping them from attaining higher levels in sports,” averred Adv Shashank Manohar, President-elect of the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI).Manohar was addressing the packed audience at the Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur and Nagpur Municipal Corporation (SJAN-NMC) Annual Awards function at Tilak Patrakar Bhavan auditorium. Sharing the dais with him were Mayor Maya Iwnate, Municipal Commissioner Aseem Gupta, Deputy Mayor Kishor Kumeria, Standing Committee Chairman Krishna Khopde, Leader of Ruling Party in NMC Anil Sole, Director of Centre Point School Arundev Upadhyaya, SJAN President Dr Ram Thakur and SJAN Secretary Rahul Dixit. Manohar exhorted youngsters to take sports as a profession like engineering or medical. “It has become a profession and one needs to work very hard to be successful in any profession,” he said.

The Vidarbha Cricket Association president said that only infrastructure and facilities cannot make good players. “There should be a desire to excel among the players. There should be a system groom them from the school level,” he said.

Manohar also floated the idea of forming an organisation of sportslovers to help sportspersons of the city. “People who love sports should come together and form a body. Raising money for such noble effort is never difficult. The fund should be utilised to develop sportsperson from all disciplines. And soon we would also have many players of international fame,” Manohar said.

Speaking on the occasion Aseem Gupta expressed happiness to see a sports journalists body and municipal corporation coming together to honour sporting talent of the city. He urged people to give sports due importance in life.Dr Arundev Upadhyaya appealed to the well-to-do schools to come together and provide a helping hand to sportspersons from financially weak schools.

Mayor Maya Iwanate said that the corpration was committed to development of sports in the city. “We have already earmarked a large chunk for sports in our annual budget,” she said.

Krishna Khopde, Kumeria and Sole also spoke on the occasion.

TALENT HONOURED

Later, the guests presented the awards to various winners. The highlight of the ceremony was the powerpoint presentation showing the deeds of all award winners on a large screen. The function was shown live by local channel UCN.Bhavan’s BP Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines was awarded the Centre Point School Trophy and a cash prize of Rs 3000 for the Best School working for promotion of sports. School Principal Beena Gokhale accepted the award.

The SJAN Trophy and cash prize of Rs 3000 for Best College working for promotion of sports went to Hislop College. Principal Deepti Christian and Sports HoD Kalpana Jadhav accepted the award.

Vinod Trivedi was presented the special award for being the best organiser. The award contained SJAN Trophy and Rs 3,000.

Best Junior Sportswoman award went to ace table tennis player Mallika Bhandarkar. Her mother, Anjali, accepted the Baidyanath Trophy and Rs 3000.

Junior India hockey player Ather Mirza got the Best Junior Sportsman award. He was presented WCL Trophy and Rs 3000.Noted swimmer Prajakta Khangan was awarded the Mayor’s Trophy and Rs 5000 for being the Best Senior Sportswoman.

The Mayor’s Trophy and a cash for Rs 5000 for being the Best Senior Sportsman was awarded to Vidarbha Ranji Trophy captain Preetam Gandhe.

The programme began with the lighting of traditional lamp. The guests were welcomed by Dr Ram Thakur, Rahul Dixit, Paritosh Pramanik, Uday Rangnath, Kishor Bagde and Aditi Deodhar.Dixit made the introductory remarks while SJAN Vice-President Naresh Shelke conducted the programme. Treasurer Anupam Soni proposed a vote of thanks.

NMC INSTUTES MAYOR'S 'KRIDA RATNA' AWARD

Fulfilling a long-standing need of the sporting fraternity of the city, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) announced institution of Mayor's 'Krida Ratna' award from the next season. Mayor Maya Iwnate made this announcement during the SJAN-NMC award function. She that the winner would get a Mayor's Trophy, details of which would come out soon

Gandhe, Prajakta, Mirza,Mallika, Trivedi win honours

Gandhe, Prajakta, Mirza, Mallika, Trivedi win honours
Hislop, Bhavan’s to get awards
NAGPUR, July 13, 2008
Vidarbha Ranji captain Preetam Gandhe, noted swimmer Prajakta Khangan, upcoming hockey player Ather Mirza, international table tennis player Mallika Bhandarkar and noted sports organiser Vinod Kumar Trivedi were selected for the annual awards of Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).The awards will be conferred on July 13 at Tilak Patrakar Bhavan auditorium at 10.30 am. Adv Shashank Manohar, President-elect, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will be the chief guest.Addressing mediapersons SJAN secretary Rahul Dixit said that Civil Lines branch of Bhavan’s Bhagwandas Purohit Vidya Mandir has been selected as best school working for promotion of sports while Hislop College has been selected as best college in the same category.The best senior sportsman’s award will be conferred on Preetam Gandhe. Under his leadership Vidarbha reached the semi-finals of the Ranji One-Dayers last season for the first time. For last two years Gandhe has been amongst the top five wicket-takers in Plate group. The veteran off-spinner has so far scalped 330 wickets in 96 first class matches. He will get Mayor’s Trophy and Rs 5,000 cash.Swimmer Prajakta Khangan will be given the best senior sportswoman’s award. Prajakta participated in World University Games held at Bangkok last year. She is only the third player of the Nagpur University who participated in any world meet. She also clinched two gold medals in Inter-University Swimming Championships in 2006-07 which is a first in Nagpur University’s history. She will be honoured with Mayor's Trophy and Rs 5,000 cash.The best junior sportsman’s award will go to upcoming hockey player Ather Mirza. Ather was the member of Indian team that finished runners-up in Four-Nation Junior Hockey Tournament held at Singapore. He also scored a goal in the final against Australia. Ather is the only player from Vidarbha to be selected in the Indian hockey team. He also represented Maratha Warriors in the Premier Hockey League (PHL). He will get WCL Trophy and cash prize of Rs 3,000.International-fame table tennis player Mallika Bhandarkar has been chosen for the best junior sportswoman’s award. Mallika has been selected in Indian team for Asian Children’s Table Tennis Tournament under way in Russia. A student of Modern School, Mallika is displaying very consistent performance at national and international level for last several years. Last year she represented India in four tournaments and also bagged medals. Mallika will be awarded Baidyanath Trophy and cash prize of Rs 3,000.The special award for best organiser will go to noted sports organiser Vinod Kumar Trivedi. The veteran has a lion’s share in development of sports in the city. He is related with various sports organisations including bridge, chess, hockey etc. for last 40 years. He will get SJAN Trophy and Rs 3,000 cash.Bhavan’s Bhagwandas Purohit Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines has been selected as best school promoting sporting activities. The school bagged as many as 13 titles in various tournaments. Four of its players also clinched gold medals in nationals. The school also showed outstanding performance in CBSE sports events. It will get a trophy donated by Centre Point School and cash prize of Rs 3,000.A new award has been instituted from this year for the best college promoting sporting activities. The first recipient of the award will be Hislop College. Hislop has maintained its sporting tradition for several years and bagged as many as 25 titles last year. It is the only college which has a sports council. The management also offers 50 per cent concession in fees to sportspersons participating in the nationals and 25 per cent to those who participate in the state-level tournaments.The annual awards function will be presided over by Maya Iwnate, Mayor. Aseem Gupta, Municipal Commissioner; Kishor Kumeria, Deputy Mayor; Krishna Khopde, NMC Standing Committee Chairman; Arundev Upadhyaya, Director of Centre Point School; Prof. Anil Sole, ruling party leader in NMC; Praful Gudadhe-Patil, leader of the opposition; Suresh Sharma, joint MD of Baidyanath Ayurved Limited; DC Garg, CMD of Western Coalfields Limited and others will also grace the function.

SJAN awards funciton on July 13 at Patrakar Bhawan, Nagpur.