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.