Schedule for the Orange City Hospital Cup 13th Inter-Press Invitational Twenty20 Cricket Tournament has been drawn by the organisers, Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN). Defending champions The Hitavada will take on Indian Express (IE)-Loksatta in the inaugural fixture on January 4, 2011 at Dr Ambedkar College ground, Deekshabhoomi.
Matches will also be held at Dhanwate National College (DNC) ground, Vasant Nagar.
The eight participating teams have been divided into two groups. Group ‘A’ comprises The Hitavada, Loksatta, Tarun Bharat, Punyanagari while Group ‘B’ has Lokmat, Sakal, Dainik Bhaskar and new entrant Lokshahi Varta.
The league games will be played from January 4 to January 9 at both grounds.
The Super Six ties will be played from January 10 to 15. Both the semi-finals are scheduled on January 17 while the final will be held at Dr Ambedkar College ground on January 19.
Orange City Hospital and Research Centre are the main sponsors of the tournament. This year, Satvik Financial Services Private Limited has joined hands with SJAN by becoming the co-sponsors, informed SJAN secretary Rahul Dixit.
The winner will be richer by a cash prize of Rs 15,000 while the runners-up will get a cash prize of Rs 10,000.
Both the teams would also be awarded glittering rolling trophies. Individual prizes like Man of the Series, Man of the Match, Best Batsman, Best Bowler, Best Fielder and Best Wicket-keeper, will also be on offer.
All matches would be played in coloured clothing with white balls. SJAN would provide match balls, T-shirts, trousers and lunch boxes to all the participating teams.
Detailed schedule of the meet is available with sports desks of all participating newspapers.

Schedule for the Orange City Hospital Cup 13th Inter-Press Invitational Twenty20 Cricket Tournament has been drawn by the organisers, Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN). Defending champions The Hitavada will take on Loksatta in the inaugural fixture on January 4, 2011 at Dr Ambedkar College ground, Deekshabhoomi.
Matches will also be held at Dhanwate National College (DNC) ground, Vasant Nagar.
The eight participating teams have been divided into two groups. Group ‘A’ comprises The Hitavada, Loksatta, Tarun Bharat, Punyanagari while Group ‘B’ has Lokmat, Sakal, Dainik Bhaskar and new entrant Lokshahi Varta.
The league games will be played from January 4 to January 9 at both grounds.
The Super Six ties will be played from January 10 to 15. Both the semi-finals are scheduled on January 17 while the final will be held at Dr Ambedkar College ground on January 19.
Orange City Hospital and Research Centre are the main sponsors of the tournament. This year, Satvik Financial Services Private Limited has joined hands with SJAN by becoming the co-sponsors, informed SJAN secretary Rahul Dixit.
The winner will be richer by a cash prize of Rs 15,000 while the runners-up will get a cash prize of Rs 10,000.
Both the teams would also be awarded glittering rolling trophies. Individual prizes like Man of the Series, Man of the Match, Best Batsman, Best Bowler, Best Fielder and Best Wicket-keeper, will also be on offer.
All matches would be played in coloured clothing with white balls. SJAN would provide match balls, T-shirts, trousers and lunch boxes to all the participating teams.
Detailed schedule of the meet is available with sports desks of all participating newspapers.

Meet the teams of the 13th Inter-press tournament

Sports Ministry would figure amongst top five ministries: Valvi

Maharashtra Sports and Youth Welfare minister Advocate Padmakar Valvi assured that during his tenure the sports ministry which was earlier neglected would figure amongst top five ministries.
He was speaking during the Meet the Press programme organised by Sports Journalists’ Associaiton of Nagpur at its office located at Vivekanand Nagar on Thursday.
Speaking further Advocate Valvi who is the first minister of sports and youth welfare of cabinet rank said " I am happy with this ministry. I also agree that earlier it was neglected. The ministers were generally reluctant for this portfolio but during my tenure I would change the perception. I assure you that if I complete the tenure as a sports minister, it will find the place amongst top five ministries in the State".
Advocate Valvi also warned those officials who harass the sportspersons. " I will not hesitate to take action against such officials".
About Divisional Sports Complex he said, " I know it will be very difficult to maintain such huge sports complex. Its maintenance is basic issue and for that some amount from the government funds will be kept in fixed deposit for its maintenance. In this regard I will talk to concerned officials".
He further lamented that State sports development fund has been totally neglected. At present there are only Rs 6 crore in the fund. " I will ensure that the this fund should be utilised properly and efforts will be made to raise more fund".
Advocate Valvi also assured to increase the funds for taluka as well as district-level sports meets. To bring the smoothness in the functioning of DSOs and directors, a vehicle will be provided to them, said the minister.
He said he will ask for the proposal for the decentralisation of sports department. More powers will be given to deputy director of sports for the smooth functioning of the department.
About Raut sisters who are yet deprived of flats announced by the then chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh from government quote, the minister said, " Actually it is in the jurisdiction of chief minister to allot the flat. But I assure you that sports department will pursue the matter".
Deputy director of sports Dr Jaiprakash Duble, president of Radhikatai Pandav Charitable Trust Girish Pandav, joint director of sports Patil and others were also present on the occasion.
Earlier SJAN president Dr Ram Thakur welcomed the guests. Vice-president Naresh Shelke conducted the proceedings.

16-12-2010

Report Courtesy Lokmat Times

OCHRI inter-press T20 cricket from Jan

The Orange City Hospital Cup 13th inter-press invitational Twenty20 cricket tournament organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) kicks-off on January 4, 2011. The opening ceremony would be held at Dr Ambedkar College ground, Deekshabhoomi. Matches would also be held at Dhanwate National College (DNC) ground, Vasant Nagar.
The 13th edition of this T20 tournament will see eight teams fighting for top honours.Orange City Hospital and Research Institute, the main sponsor of the meet, has once again come forward to make this prestegious tournament a grand success. This year, Satvik Financial Services Private Limited too has joined hands with SJAN by becoming the co-sponsors of the tournament, informed SJAN secretary Rahul Dixit.
The winner will be richer by a cash prize of Rs 15,000 while the runners-up will get a cash prize of Rs 10,000. Both the teams would also be awarded with glittering rolling trophies. Apart from the above mentioned prizes, individual prizes like Man of the Series, Man of the Match, Best Batsman, Best Bowler, Best Fielder and Best Wicket-keeper, will also be awarded with exciting prizes.
Nine-time champions The Hitavada, former champions Lokmat, Loksatta, Tarun Bharat, apart from Sakal, Punyanagari, Dainik Bhaskar and Lokshahi Varta have been invited to take part in the tournament.All the matches would be played in coloured clothing with white balls.
As always, SJAN would be providing match balls, T-shirts and trousers and lunch boxes to all the participating teams.All the matches would be of 20 overs per side. Teams would be divided into two groups. Top three teams would qualify for Super Six League from which four teams would qualify for the semi-finals. The final would be played at Dr Ambedkar College ground, Deekshabhoomi on January 19, 2011.

Every series is like a World Cup for us: Srikkanth

HE WAS always known for his out of the box kind of batting. And years later, his words are nothing but the replica of his style of play. He was candid as always and rarely used any decorated ideas. Though he ‘hooked’ some trifling questions put forth by young and eager reporters, he left everyone spellbound when he had finished.
The Chairman of selectors, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and former Indian captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth was pretty much in his own elements replying to questions at the annual awards function jointly hosted by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Sunday.
After India’s tri-series loss to Sri Lanka in the final on Saturday, the youngsters in the Indian team faced ire of the media and fans for their dismal performance. The chief of the selection committee was readily accepted the fact.
"They (youngsters) lacked confidence which cost us. Also, we lost wickets at crucial stages. But hopefully the players will learn from this and do well in the future. Winning and losing are part of a game and we must accept defeat gracefully," Srikkanth said.
Though Indian team’s performance has come under the scanner in recent times, Srikkanth maintained that Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men have been doing quite well. "Even when you look at the ICC rankings, we climbed from No. 3 to No. 1 in Tests whereas in ODI’s we are the second best side. That shows that we are not that bad a side," reminded Srikkanth.
Talking about injuries that have hit the Indian team, Srikkanth said injuries are part and parcel of the game and sometimes it is difficult to have right replacement at the eleventh hour.
The 2011 World Cup and the hype related to it has started making waves amongst the media and people. But the former explosive right-hander felt that the need was to concentrate more on present. "We have our sights on the World Cup but we should not plan too ahead. People always talk about the future and forget the present. Every small series is like a World Cup for us."
Srikkanth supported his statement by giving the example of India’s 1983 World Cup win. "There was hardly any hulla bulla about it prior to the tournament that time. And yet we ended up winning it. Same was case at the 1985 mini World Cup in Australia or the 2003 World Cup where we did quite well," he added.
"We need the players to relax a bit and let the selectors do their job. That way I’m sure we will do well in the World Cup. Agreed?" he asked the mediamen as he signed off with a wide smile.

SJAN-NMC annual awards conferred

Media plays a key role in development of sports: Srikkanth



Winners of SJAN-NMC awards pose for a group snap with guests


Arundhati Pantawane's sister Abhilasha receives the award.


Umesh Yadav receives the award from guests.



Ms Malti Reddy, Principal, Br Ambedkar College, Deekshabhoomi takes the award for best college in promoting sports.


Staff members of Bhonsala Military School
receives the best school award.


Cricketer Shailesh Bhondekar receives
best junior sportspersons award



Ganesh Purohit receives SJAN trophy
for contribution in sports at the hands of guests.




Vaishnavi Gole receives her sister Shweta's award
at the hands of K Srikkanth.


CHAIRMAN of selectors, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Krishnamachari Srikkanth said that media plays a key role in the development of sports in a country.“Media has been crucial in popularising cricket. Media is supposed to be a watchdog and it plays a key role in development of sports. But unfortunately sometimes, the mediamen cross their limit and get very personal which should be avoided,” said Srikkanth.Srikkanth was speaking during the annual awards function of Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) at VITS Hotel on Sunday.Srikkanth praised the co-hosts of the function for giving importance to other sports also. “These awards will inspire the sportsman to become a champion. It is upto the youngsters to take up the opportunity and bring glory for the country,” he said.Archana Dehankar, Mayor, presided over the function. Sandeep Joshi, Chairman, Standing Committee, Nagpur Municipal Corporation and Pravin Datke, Leader, Ruling Party, shared the dais with the cricketing legend.Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Archana Dehankar said, “The municipal corporation is committed for the development of sports.” Joshi too echoed the same views and added that for the first time NMC has made a provision of a whopping Rs 22 crore in the budget. Datke praised the efforts of SJAN for organising the annual event.Mayor’s Trophy for the best senior sportsman’s award was conferred on cricketer Umesh Yadav who represented India in recent tri-series in Zimbabwe. Shuttler Arundhati bagged the Mayor’s Trophy for best senior sportswoman. The current India No. 5 player was not present in person to receive the award. Her sister Abhilasha accepted the award. This year, Arundhati won the All India title at Barielly and was runners-up at Bangalore nationals. She also represented India at Vietnam, Thailand, Poland and Switzerland.The best junior sportsman’s award went to upcoming medium-pacer Shailesh Bhondekar. He has been selected in the India Under-19 team this year. Bhondekar was the pick of Vidarbha bowlers in the Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy where he took 18 wickets in 4 matches at an impressive average of 20.18 with the best of 5-85. The right-hander also played some useful knocks down the order. He received the WCL Trophy.Chess player Shweta Gole was chosen for best junior sportswoman’s award. On behalf of Shweta, who is currently at Guwahati playing the National ‘B’ Chess Championship, her sister Vaishnavi accepted award. Shweta became champion in 37th Maharashtra State Women’s Chess Championship. She has been qualified for National ‘A’ Chess Championship. She was awarded Baidyanath Trophy.The special award for contribution in the field of sports was given to noted boxing coach Ganesh Purohit. The first NIS boxing coach in Maharashtra, Purohit, has been coaching since last two decades. Several of his disciples went on to represent the state. Three of them emerged as national champions. He received SJAN Trophy.The award for Best School working for promotion of sports was given to Bhonsala Military School while Dr Ambedkar College was given Best College award. All the awards carried a cash purse too.Dr Ram Thakur, President, SJAN, made introductory remarks. Naresh Shelke, Vice-President, conducted the proceedings while Anupam Soni, Treasurer, proposed a vote of thanks.Baidyanath Ayurved Limited, Bank of Maharashtra, Western Coalfields Limited, Centre Point School, Manganese Ore India Limited, and Sindhu Education Society extended financial support to organise the awards function.

(Pix and report: The Hitavada)

SJAN-NMC awards to be conferred on Sunday

Srikkanth arrives in the city for the function


The annual awards function of Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) will be held on Sunday, National Sports Day, at VITS Hotel (old Sunny International), opposite Big Bazar, Dhantoli at 10.00 am.
Chairman of selectors, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and former Indian captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth, arrived for the function on Saturday evening for the function.
Ram Thakur, President, SJAN and Rahul Dixit, Secretary received Srikkanth at the airport.
The awardees include India pacer Umesh Yadav, ace shuttler Arundhati Pantawane, upcoming cricketer Shailesh Bhondekar, chess player Shweta Gole, and noted boxing coach Ganesh Purohit.
The award for Best School working for promotion of sports will be given to Bhonsala Military School while Dr Ambedkar College, Deekshabhoomi, has been selected for the Best College award.
Baidyanath Ayurved Limited, Bank of Maharashtra, Western Coalfields Limited, Centre Point School, Manganese Ore India Limited, and Sindhu Education Society have extended their helping hand to organise the function.
Archana Dehankar, Mayor, will preside over the function. Sanjiv Jaiswal, Municipal Commissioner, Nagpur, Shekhar Sawarbhadhe, Deputy Mayor, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), Sandeep Joshi, Chairman, Standing Committee, Pravin Datke, Leader, Ruling Party and Vikas Tharke, Leader of Opposition, will also grace the function.

Srikkanth arriving on Saturday for SJAN-NMC awards

K Srikkanth, Chairman of selectors, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and former Indian captain, will arrive in Nagpur on Saturday evening. He will be the chief guest at the annual awards function of Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to be held on Sunday.
The awards will be conferred on August 29, National Sports Day, at VITS Hotel (old Sunny International), opposite Big Bazar, Dhantoli at 10.30 am.
The awardees include Umesh Yadav, Arundhati Pantawane, Shailesh Bhondekar, Shweta Gole, Ganesh Purohit, Bhonsala Military School and Dr Ambedkar College, Deekshabhoomi.

SJAN annual awardees announced

From top left : Umesh Yadav, Arundhati Pantawane, Shailesh Bhondekar, Shweta Gole and Ganesh Purohit.

India pacer Umesh Yadav, ace shuttler Arundhati Pantawane, upcoming cricketer Shailesh Bhondekar, chess player Shweta Gole, and noted boxing coach Ganesh Purohit have been selected for the annual awards of Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) 2009-10.
The awardees were announced in a press release issued by Rahul Dixit, Secretary, SJAN, on Tuesday.
The awards will be conferred on August 29, National Sports Day, at VITS Hotel (old Sunny International), opposite Big Bazar, Dhantoli at 10.30 am. Chairman of Selectors, BCCI, and former Indian captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth will be the chief guest.
The award for Best School working for promotion of sports has gone to Bhonsala Military School while Dr Ambedkar College, Deekshabhoomi, has been selected for the Best College award.
The best senior sportsman’s award will be conferred on crickter Umesh Yadav. He represented India in recent tri-series in Zimbabwe. The Vidarbha speedster has also played for Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He will get Mayor’s Trophy and Rs 5,000 cash.
Badminton player Arundhati Pantawane will get the best senior sportswoman’s award. She is currenty India No. 5 and this year she won the All India title at Barielly and was runners-up at Bangalore. She also represented India at Vietnam, Thailand, Poland and Switzerland. She will be honoured with Mayor’s Trophy and Rs 5,000 cash.
The best junior sportsman’s award will go to upcoming medium-pacer Shailesh Bhondekar. He has been selected in the India Under-19 team this year. Bhondekar was the pick of Vidarbha bowlers in the Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy where he took 18 wickets in 4 matches at an impressive average of 20.18 with the best of 5-85. The right-hander also played some useful knocks down the order. He will get WCL Trophy and cash prize of Rs 3,000.
Chess player Shweta Gole has been chosen for the best junior sportswoman’s award. She became champion in 37th Maharashtra State Women’s Chess Championship at Bhandara this year. She finished third in Maharashtra Under-15 Chess Championship at Pune and was a member of Maharashtra team that bagged silver medal in 55th National School Games at Sindhudurg. She will be awarded Baidyanath Trophy and cash prize of Rs 3,000.
The special award for contribution to sports will go to noted boxing coach Ganesh Purohit. The first NIS boxing coach in Maharashtra, Purohit, has been coaching since last two decades. Several of his disciples went on to represent the state. Three of them emerged as national champions. He will get SJAN Trophy and Rs 3,000 cash.
Bhonsala Military School, Nagpur, has been selected as best school promoting sporting activities. The school has provided good infrastructure for sports and encourages its players to go for glory. Two of their fencers represented India in intertnational events. Most of their teams have been doing really well in all sports. They will get Centre Point School Trophy and cash prize of Rs 3,000.
The award for the best college promoting sporting activities will go to Dr Ambedkar College, Deekshabhoomi. The college has maintained its sporting tradition for several years and has its own sports academies too. They also boast of various titles and excellent infrastructure for sports. They will get K C Bajaj Trophy and cash prize of Rs 3000.
Baidyanath Ayurved Limited, Western Coalfields Limited, Centre Point School, Manganese Ore India Limited, and Sindhu Education Society have extended their helping hand to organise the annual awards function.

Bhonsala Military School

SJAN-NMC annual awards on Aug 29

BCCI chief selector K Srikkanth to be chief guest


CONTINUING its tradition of felicitating outstanding sportspersons of the city, Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) in association with Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) will hold its annual awards function on August 29, birthday of hockey legend Major Dhyanchand, at VITS (Sunny International) Hotel, Dhantoli, at 10.30 am.
Krisnhamachari Srikkanth, Chairman of Selectors, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and former Indian opener, will be the chief guest of the function, informs a press release issued by Rahul Dixit, Secretary, SJAN.
Baidyanath Ayurved, Western Coalfields Limited, and Manganese Ore India Limited are the co-sponsors of the event.
Total seven awards including senior and junior sportspersons in men’s and women’s categories, sports organiser, best school and college will be presented on the occasion.
Names of the awardees will be announced soon.
In the past SJAN’s annual awards functions have been graced as chief guest by eminent people including ex-Test stars Dilip Vengsarkar, Sanjay Manjrekar, shooter Anjali Bhagwat, Olympian Mukesh Kumar, former India stumper Kiran More, Indian Cricket Board chief Adv Shashank Manohar, world’s most-capped hockey star Dilip Tirkey and other sports personalities.

Lokmat are carrom champions

After badminton, Lokmat added another feather to its cap sweeping men's singles and team championship in the 3rd Carrom Tournament for Media Employees at Hotel Chidambara, here on Friday.
The three-day tournament was organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur and sponsored by Tirupati Urban Co-operative Bank.
It was a combination of veteran Subhash Sharma and young Pankaj Najpande which worked for Lokmat. Najpande clinched the singles title defeating his senior colleague Subhash Sharma. Then in team championship, Subuash Sharma, Najpande got the better of The Hitavada ‘A’.
In the singles, Najpande lost first set 3-16. However then he concentrated hard and restored parity winning the second set 14-2. In the decider, Najpande gave no opportunity to Sharma and won it 12-0.
Earlier in the semis, Najpande easily eliminated former champion The Hitavada’s Paritosh Pramanik 8-1, 23-0 while Subhash Sharma quelled the challenge of Tarun Bharat’s Umesh Mahadeokar 5-4, 13-1, 12-9.
In the team championship final, Najpande downed Pramanik 4-9, 9-4, 12-2. In the doubles, Najpande pairing with Sharma thrashed Pramanik-Futane duo 14-1, 23-0. Earlier in the semis, Lokmat defeated Tarun Bharat 2-0.
Chairman of Tirupati Urban Cooperative Bank Samir Meghe was the chief guest of prize distribution function. Corporator Girish Vyas, Vidarbha Carrom Association secretary Prabhjyotsingh Bachher and president of Radhikatai Pandav Charitable Trust Girish Pandav also graced the function. Siddharth Narnaware was the chief referee and he was assisted by CP Karkar.
SJAN president Dr Ram Thakur made introductory remarks. Vice-president Naresh Shelke conducted the proceedings. Joint secretary Kishor Bagde proposed a vote of thanks.
Results
Men’s singles (SF): Pankaj Najpande (Lokmat ) bt Paritosh Pramanik (The Hitavada) 8-1, 23-0, Subhash Sharma (Lokmat) bt Umesh Mahadeokar (Tarun Bharat) 5-4, 13-1, 12-9.
Final: Pankaj Najpande bt Subhash Sharma 3-16, 14-2, 12-0.
Team championship (SF): Lokmat ‘A’ bt Tarun Bharat 2-0 (Pankaj Najpande bt Sandip Gadge 1-5, 2-7, 23-0, Najpande-Subhash Sharma bt Umesh Mahadeokar-Gadge 6-4, 8-10, 10-3.
Final: Lokmat ‘A’ bt The Hitavada ‘A’ 2-0 (Najpande-bt Pramanik 4-9, 9-4, 12-2, Najpande-Sharma bt Pramanik-Anil Futane 14-1, 23-0).

Report: Lokmat Times

Hitavada’s Pramanik eyes twin titles

THE Hitavada ‘A’ team comprising Paritosh Pramanik, Anil Futane and Rahul Dixit stormed into the team championship final while Pramanik also made it to the singles semi-semifinal of the 3rd Carrom Tournament for Media Employees in progress at Hotel Chidambara International, Ramdaspeth on Thursday.
In the team championship semi-final, The Hitavada ‘A’ blanked Sakal 2-0. Pramanik defeated Anand Deshpande 12-4, 15-6 in straight games and later partnering Anil Futane had the better of Deshpande-Rajesh Vyavhare duo 8-4, 11-3.
Pramanik booked singles semis spot with a fighting win over colleague and fourth seed Amol Deokar 7-1, 11-7.
It was a bad day for the seeded players. Last year’s winner and top seed Gendlal Vaidya of Dainik Bhaskar was outsmarted by Lokmat’s veteran player Subhash Sharma 23-0, 10-0 while the second seed, Lokshahi Vaarta’s Jivak Gajbhiye, was stunned by Lokmat’s Pankaj Najpande 8-5, 23-0.
In the most intriguing tie of the day The Hitavada Ramesh Marulkar gifted his young opponent Sandip Gadge (Tarun Bharat) the match. Gadge won the first game 7-6 via tiebreak, Marulkar fought back to pocket the second game 12-7. It was 5 points all when the final board of the third and final game started. In the end, Marulkar had two coins on the board while Gadge had one. Gadge pocketed the coin and a dejected Marulkar disturbed his coins without bothering to look at the striker which went into another pocket. It was a double due but as Marulkar had committed foul, the referee ruled that Marulkar had conceded the match.
The meet, sponsored by Tirupati Urban Co-operative Bank Limited, is being organised by Sports Journalists Association of Nagpur.
The prize distribution function will be followed by the finals at 12.30 p.m. Sameer Meghe, Chairman, Tirupati Urban Co-operative Bank Limited, will be the chief guest on the occasion. Corporator Girish Vyas and Prabhjyot Singh Bachher, Secretary, Vidarbha Carrom Association, will also grace the function.
Results: Men’s singles (pre-quarters): Pankaj Najpande (Lokmat) bt Anand Deshpande (Sakal) 23-0, 23-0, Paritosh Pramanik (The Hitavada) bt Atul Kodmalwar (Sakal) 19-0, 23-0, Jivak Gajbhiye (Lokshahi Vaarta) bt Vilas Tijare (Lokmat) 14-5, 9-3, Subhash Sharma (Lokmat) bt (S-1) Gendlal Vaidya (Dainik Bhaskar) 23-0, 10-0, Ravikant Sane (Loksatta) bt Rajesh Vyavhare (Sakal) 8-3, 9-8 (tie-breaker), Umesh Mahadeokar (Tarun Bharat) bt Manoj Joshi (Loksatta) 23-0, 23-0, Amol Deokar (The Hitavada) bt Chandu Dasarwar (Lokmat) 15-7, 12-3, Sandip Gadge (Tarun Bharat) bt Ramesh Marulkar (The Hitavada) 7-6 (tie-breaker) 7-12, 9-5.
Men’s singles (quarter-finals): Pankaj Najpande bt Jivak Gajbhiye (S-2) 8-5, 23-0, Subhash Sharma bt Ravikant Sane 19-1, 22-0, Paritosh Pramanik bt (S-4) Amol Deokar 7-1, 11-7, Umesh Mahadeokar defeated Sandip Gadge
12-0, 8-3.
Report: The Hitavada

Carrom meet for mediapersons begins

Umesh Mahadeokar of Tarun Bharat sprung up the biggest surprise on the opening day of the third edition of Carrom Tournament for Media Employees which got under way on Thursday accounting for Lokmat’s third seed Chittaranjan Nagdevte. The three-day meet is being organised by the Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) at Hotel Chidambara . Mahadeokar won 9-6, 23-0. It was as close as it could get in the first game with both the players scoring six points from the four boards. Mahadeokar scored off all the three chances in the ensuing tiebreak while Nagdevte could pocket none to lose the first game. A visibly dejected Nagdevte gave up the fight in the next game.Mahadeokar displayed his skills once again in the team championship when he won the second tiebreak of the day. This time he defeated Ashish Joshi 20-1, 8-5 (tiebreak) to give Tarun Bharat ‘A’ 2-1 win over Lokshahi Vaarta.

The Hitavada’s former singles champion Paritosh Pramanik, Anil Futane and Amol Deokar made it to the pre-quarterfinals of the singles event while Rahul Dixit and Anupam Soni lost their opening bouts.
Pramanik blanked Milind Patankar of Dainik Bhaskar 23-0, 15-0 to move up. Soni lost 19-0, 19-4 to Lokshahi Vaarta’s Ashish Joshi while Dainik Bhaskar’s Kaushik Bhattacharya beat Dixit 23-0, 21-5.
Action resumes on day two of the meet at 8.30 am.
At the outset, the meet was inaugurated by Pramod Darne Vice-Chairman, Tirupati Urban Co-operative Bank Limited. Anil Ahirkar of Anilkumar Tea Company and ML Pande, CEO, Urban Co-operative Bank Limited were the guests of honour.
Dr Ram Thakur, President, SJAN made introductory remarks. Treasurer Anupam Soni conducted the proceedings while Vice-President Naresh Shelke proposed a vote of thanks.
Results:
Men’s Singles (Round 1): Rajesh Vyavhare (Sakal) bt Sujan Masid (Dainik Bhaskar) 6-0, 9-0, Kaushik Bhattacharya (Dainik Bhaskar) bt Rahul Dixit (The Hitavada) 23-0 21-5, Atul Kodmalwar (Sakal) bt Dilip Tikhile (Lokmat) 8-5, 12-3, Rajesh Prykar (Lokshahi Vaarta) bt Deepak Labde (Lokmat) 7-8, 18-0, 15-0, Ashish Joshi (Lokshahi Vaarta) bt Anupam Soni (The Hitavada) 19-0, 19-4. Round 2: Anand Deshpande (Sakal) bt Datta Wazalwar (Tarun Bharat) 13-4, 23-0, Jeevak Gajbhiye (Lokshahi Vaarta) bt Sanjay Lokhande (Tarun Bharat) 23-0, 23-0, Paritosh Pramanik (The Hitavada) bt Milind Patankar (Dainik Bhaskar) 23-0, 15-0, Pankaj Najpande (Lokmat) bt Girish Thakre (UCN) 18-0, 5-3, Chandu Dasarwar (Lokmat ) bt Kaushik Bhattacharya (Dainik Bhaskar) 9-7, 14-8, Gendlal Vaidya (Dainik Bhaskar) bt Rajesh Prykar 0-14, 9-6, 10-4, Umesh Mahadeokar (Tarun Bharat) bt Chittaranjan Nagdevte (Lokmat) 9-6 (tie breaker) 23-0.
TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (QF): Lokmat ‘A’ bt Dainik Bhaskar 2-0 (Subhash Sharma bt Milind Patankar 23-0, 23-5, Subhash Sharma-Pankaj Najpande bt Kaushik Bhattacharya-S Gendlal Vaidya 23-0, 23-0).
Tarun Bharat ‘A’ bt Lokshahi Vaarta 2-1 (Sandeep Gadge lost to Jeevak Gajbhiye 23-0, 5-8, 3-8, Umesh Mahadeokar-Gadge bt Sudhir Raut-Ashish Joshi 23-0, 23-0, Mahadeokar bt Ashish Joshi 20-1, 8-5 (tie breaker).
Sakal bt Lokmat ‘B’ 2-1 (Anand Deshpande bt Chandu Dasarwar 23-0, 5-4, Anand Deshpande Rajesh Vyavhare gave walk over to Deepak Labde-Vilas Tijare, Atul Kodmalwar bt Deepak Labde 8-6, 12-1).

Media employees’ carrom meet begins today

The 3rd Carrom Tournament for Media Employees will begin on Thursday, April 21 at 8.30 am. The three-day meet is being held in the air-conditioned hall of Hotel Chidambara, Central Bazar Road, Ramdaspeth.
The tournament has been sponsored by Tirupati Urban Co-operative Bank. Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) has organised the event.
The meet will be inaugurated at the hands of Pramod Darne, Vice-Chairman, Tirupati Urban Co-operative Bank Limited in the presence of Navneet Singh Tuli of Gurunanak Education Society, Anil Ahirkar of Anilkumar Tea Company and Pradip Maitra, President, Tilak Patrakar Bhavan Trust.
The tournament will be held in two categories, men’s singles and Team Championship. One team will consist of three players, informs a press release issued by Rahul Dixit, Secretary, SJAN.
Attractive cash prizes and trophies will be given to the winners, runners-up and semi-finalists.
Dainik Bhaskar’s Gendlal Vaidya won the singles title last year while The Hitavada’s Ramesh Marulkar and Kartik Lokhande reigned in the doubles.
More details can be had from Tournament Convenor Nilesh Deshpande (9881243198).
THE DRAW

Report: The Hitavada

Mediamen’s carrom meet in April last week

Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) will be organising Carrom Tournament For Media Employees in the last week of April. The tournament has been sponsored by Tirupati Urban Co-operative Bank.The tournament will be held in two categories i.e. men’s singles and doubles. Entry fee for men’s singles will be Rs 30 and Rs 50 for doubles. Exact dates and venue will be informed soon, says a press release issued by Rahul Dixit, Secretary, SJAN.Entries can be confirmed with the sports desks of respective newspapers.Cash prizes will be given to the winner, runners-up and semi-finalists in each categories.Dainik Bhaskar’s Gendlal Vaidya won the singles title last year while The Hitavada’s Ramesh Marulkar and Kartik Lokhande reigned in the doubles.For more details interested persons can contact Tournament Convenor Nilesh Deshpande (9881243198).

‘Women’s cricket still getting step-motherly treatment’

While the cricket administrators and media have played a big role in popularising men’s cricket by providing them a huge support at the same time it has also meted “step-motherly” treatment to other sports, including women’s cricket, felt Shantha Rangaswamy, India’s first woman cricket captain.“Men’s cricket is given too much publicity. A big good innings by a batsman even in gully cricket gets highlighted while it is not the same for achievers in other sports. We got fairly good coverage in our times in newspapers but with electronic media coming up, I would say it is 99.5 per cent men’s cricket and 0.5 per cent for rest of the sports, including women’s cricket. This is step-motherly treatment towards all sports and I request you to kindly ensure more coverage to other sports,” urged Rangaswamy.Rangaswamy, who has been transferred as Divisional General Manager, Canara Bank, Nagpur recently, was interacting with the scribes in ‘Meet the Press’ organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) at its office in Vivekanand Nagar. The event was co-ordinated by Dilip Bhagde, Director, Lata Mangeshkar Hospital.Appreciating the merger of women’s cricket with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Rangaswamy also minced no words in highlighting the shortcomings. “It’s good for the girls. They are getting paid better now. In my career spanning more than twenty years, I earned nothing from the sport except name. Now, the standard of game has also improved with better facilities. But BCCI has failed on a couple of fronts.“They have stopped the Under-16 tournaments for girls. Cricketing life of a woman is very short and scrapping of U-16 cricket is a big mistake. “In fact, BCCI, the richest sports body in the world, should adopt about 5000 schools all over India to broaden the base for the bigger tournaments.”Women’s cricket is often termed boring and the first woman cricketer to get Arjuna Award came up with a few suggestions to make it more attractive. “May be we can shorten the boundary. We can even increase the number of powerplays which will bring field restrictions into play. Women’s tournaments should be promoted at smaller centres.”Rangaswamy said she would definitely take up her suggestions with the BCCI chief, Shashank Manohar, if she gets to meet him here. “The BCCI bosses are too busy with their work. But I am sure that others including Diana Eduljee and Shubhangi Kulkarni, who are in the board, have been presenting their views on development of women’s cricket. I would also take up the cause if I happen to meet the BCCI officials.”Rangaswamy termed the Indian Premier League “master stroke” as far as business and entertainment was concerned but lamented that it would shorten the career of players. “It is a master stroke as far as business strategy is concerned. They have added entertainment value and brought cricket in India at par with the English Premier League soccer in England and NBA Basketball League in the US. Even it has diverted the attention of die-hard family soap viewers.“But the slam bang nature of the sport is very dangerous for the next generation. It will make no harm to a Sachin (Tendulkar), Rahul (Dravid) or Jacques (Kallis), who can play any form of cricket but the young generation who are watching these cross-batted unorthodox shots will never learn the correct techniques and will fail in the longer formats or quit the game soon.”On the chances of Indian women’s team winning the Twenty20 World Cup next month Rangaswamy sounded positive. “In the last edition in 2005 we defeated Australia twice, in the league and then in the third place play-off. They are a much improved unit now and stand a very good chance of winning the title.”

Women have contributed a lot to men’s cricket

WOMEN have contributed a lot in the development of cricket, informed Rangaswamy. In a candid talk with mediapersons, the former India all-rounder said, “Cricket in its infancy was played with men and women together. They used to bowl under arm then. With the long skirts proving a hindrance for women while bowling, they tried to bowl over arm. Over arm bowling thus came into existence,” said Rangaswamy.“All know about Sachin (Tendulkar) becoming the first batsman to score a double hundred in a One-Day game. But very few are aware of the fact that it was a woman, Australia’s captain Belinda Clark, who achieved the feat years ago that too at Mumbai in a World Cup game against Denmark in 1997. “The men’s Prudential World Cup was staged in 1975 in England but the women’s World Cup was hosted a couple of years (1973) earlier in the same country,” Rangaswamy enlightened the gathering.

(Report and pic: The Hitavada)

Jain emerges champ

Winners of all categories pose for a group snap with the guests. (Pic The Hitavada)


Helps Lokmat ‘A’ win team championship


LOKMAT’S Ashish Jain had the better of his injured opponent Vilas Tijare, also of Lokmat, in the final of the 6th badminton tournament for mediapersons to win the men’s singles title.
The three-day meet was organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) in co-operation with the PGTD of Physical Education, RTM Nagpur University.
Jain, who picked up his second SJAN singles title, also helped his team secure the team championship. He won his singles and then with partner Amit Sampat defeated the Sakal’s combine of Naresh Shelke-Rajesh Vyawahare for the team championship victory.
In the men’s singles final, Jain defeated colleague Tijare 21-8,
21-2. Tijare had an elbow injury which got aggravated in an earlier game when he executed some smashes. In the team championship final, surprise finalist Sakal put up a good fight against Lokmat A.
Jain trounced Rajesh Vyawahare 21-6, 21-5 but Manoj Muley made it 1-1 when he beat Pawan Dhande 21-12, 22-20. Pawan tried his best in a tight second game but Muley kept his cool and with his deft placings prevailed. The combination of Jain and Sampat restored the lead with 21-19, 21-5 win over Naresh Shelke-Vyawahare. With better reach, Sakal’s combination put up a good fight in the first game of the doubles but they ran out of steam in the second to lose tamely.
In the first reverse singles Tijare, who had earlier beaten Shelke in the men’s singles, again won 21-11,
21-4 to finish it off for Lokmat A.
Earlier, in the team championship semi-finals, The Hitavada A lost to eventual champions Lokmat A 3-1.
Dhande defeated an error-prone Anupam Soni 30-24 in the first singles for a 1-0 lead. Jain gave no chance whatsoever to a fighting Hitesh Limbachia in his clinical
30-8 win. 2-0. The Hitavada’s Soni, partnering Nikhil Dixit, however kept the tie alive by winning the doubles 30-23. The loss prompted Jain to play the first reverse singles in which he outsmarted Dixit 30-11.
The Hitavada’s women players won all the cash and trophies on offer. Tanveer Shaikh won the title beating Farina Salim in the final while Anushree Rotkar and Yemon Ganguly were the losing
semi-finalist.
Girish Pandav, President, Radhikatai Pandav Charitable Trust was the chief guest of the prize distribution function. Rakesh Kochhar, Director, Gurunanak College of Engineering, Dr Yeshwant Patil, Co-ordinator, Post Graduate Teaching Department of Physical Education, RTM Nagpur University and SSK Naidu, SAI coach shared the dais. Dr Ram Thakur, President, SJAN, made introductory remarks. Naresh Shelke Vice-President conducted the proceedings while Kishor Bagde, Joint-Secretary proposed a vote of thanks. (Report: The Hitavada)

Tanveer clinches women's title

The Hitavada's Tanveer Shaikh.



The Hitavada's Hitesh Limbachia.


The Hitavada's Anupam Soni.


The Hitavada’s Tanveer Shaikh outplayed her colleague Farina Salim in the final of the sixth edition of badminton tournament for media employees to emerge women’s champion.
Hitesh Limbachia and Anupam Soni, both of The Hitavada, lost in the semi-finals to their opponents from Lokmat. While Limbachia stretched Vilas Tijare to the limit in the first two games to go down fighting 21-16, 20-22, 21-10, former champion Ashish Jain showed no mercy against Soni to record a facile 21-6, 21-1 win to book a place in the final yet again.
Tanveer had the better of two of her colleagues enroute to the title. In the semi-final, Tanveer defeated Anushree Rotkar 30-6 and a couple of hours later she drubbed Farina 30-5.
Earlier, in the quarter-finals, Soni defeated Abhishek Kulkarni 21-18, 21-9 while Limbachia scored a hard-fought 18-21, 21-16, 21-18 win over Sakal’s Rajesh Vyawahare. Jain outwitted Sakal’s Manoj Muley 21-7, 21-6 while Tijare had to sweat it out to carve a 21-18, 21-16 win over Sakal’s Naresh Shelke.
Men’s singles final and team championship semis and final will be played on Sunday which will be followed by prize distribution function. Krishnarao Pandav, President, Sanmarg Shikshan Sanstha will be the chief guest of the function to be presided over by Dr Gauri Shankar Parasher, Pro-VC, Rashtra Sant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University. Navneet Singh Tuli of Gurunanak College of Engineering, Dr Yeshwant Patil, Co-ordinator, Post Graduate Teaching Department of Physical Education, RTM Nagpur University will be the guests of honour.
The meet is being organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) in co-operation with the Post Graduate Teaching Department of Physical Education, RTM Nagpur University.
Results: Women’s singles (final): Tanveer Shaikh (The Hitavada) bt Farina Salim (The Hitavada) 30-5.
Men’s singles (QF): Anupam Soni (The Hitavada) bt Abhishek Kulkarni (Tarun Bharat) 21-18, 21-9, Ashish Jain (Lokmat) bt Manoj Mule (Sakal) 21-7, 21-6, Hitesh Limbachia (The Hitavada) bt Rajesh Vyawahare (Sakal) 18-21, 21-1, 21-18, Vilas Tijare (Lokmat) bt Naresh Shelke (Sakal) 21-18, 21-16.
Men’ singles (semis): Ashish Jain bt Anupam Soni 21-6, 21-1 Vilas Tijare bt Hitesh Limbachia 21-16, 20-22, 21-10.
Team championship (QF): Sakal bt Tarun Bharat ‘A’ 3-0 (Naresh Shelke bt Abhishek Kulkarni 30-19, Rajesh Vyawahare bt Vikas Barokar 30-22, Naresh Shelke-Manoj Mule bt Vikas Barokar-Abhishek Kulkarni 30-28).
The Hitavada ‘A’ bt Tarun Bharat ‘B’ 3-0 (Nikhil Dixit bt Roshan Tamboli 30-7, Anupam Soni bt Raj Sharma 30-10, Hitesh Limbachia-Nikhil Dixit bt Roshan Tamboli-Raj Sharma 30-15).
Loksatta bt The Hitavada ‘B’ 3-1 (Uday Dindorkar bt Ankeet Ghutke 30-14, Piyush Patil bt Amol Deokar 30-14, Vikram Harkare- Manoj Joshi lost to Amol Deokar-Ankeet Ghutke 16-30, Uday Dindorkar bt Amol Deokar 30-16).

(Report: The Hitavada)

PICS BY ANIRUDDHASINGH DINORE

All pics Aniruddhasingh Dinore