SJAN-NDBA CELEBRATE NATIONAL SPORTS DAY
Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and Nagpur District Basketball Association (NDBA) jointly celebrated National Sports Day, the birth anniversary of hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand, at Dharampeth Krida Mandal (DKM) court in Shankar Nagar on Monday.
A basketball free throw competition was organised on the occasion in which SJAN members participated enthusiastically. Amit Sampat of Times of India emerged winner defeating Paritosh Pramanik of The Hitavada in the final which went into the tie-breaker. In the tie-breaker, Sampat netted four baskets out of five while Pramanik could manage to score just one. Rahul Dixit (The Hitavada) and Rajesh Rampurkar (Sakal) made it to the semis.
Earlier, Nitin Patwardhan, Treasurer, NDBA and Ravi Kulkarni, Secretary, DKM inaugurated the programme by garlanding a portrait of Major Dhyan Chand. Naresh Shelke, President, SJAN conducted the proceedings and also proposed a vote of thanks.
Jwala fetes city sportspersons
GOLD medal winning shuttler in Commonwealth Games 2010, Jwala Gutta has said that sports culture is the need of the hour in the country to produce more champions.
Jwala was speaking during annual awards function organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) in association with Nagpur Municipal Corporation at Tilak Patrakar Bhavan, on Saturday.
Mayor Archana Dehankar presided over the function. Deputy Mayor Shekhar Sawarbandhe, NMC Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Joshi, noted social worker Dinanath Dasture and SJAN President Naresh Shelke shared the dais.
Jwala, who was born in Wardha, recalled her special connection with the city saying that Nagpur has a special place in her life. She also appreciated SJAN for motivating sportspersons.
On the occasion, Jwala was felicitated with shawl and a memento at the hands of the Mayor.
Speaking on the occasion Dehankar said that NMC is committed for development of sports in the city. “SJAN has always come forward to encourage sportspersons,” she said adding that parents should encourage their wards to make a career in sports.
Joshi, Sawarbandhe and Dasture also spoke on the occasion.
During the function Vidarbha Ranji player Shrikant Wagh, handball player Radhika Raut (both Mayor’s Trophy), athlete Nagraj Khursane (WCL Trophy) and upcoming badminton player Rasika Raje (Baidyanath Trophy) were honoured along with noted football coach and referee Stanley Gregory (Meeradevi Dasture Memorial Trophy).
Apart from this Hindu Mulinchi Shala (Centre Point School Trophy) and Annasaheb Gundewar College (KC Bajaj Memorial Trophy) were also honoured at the hands of Jwala.
Earlier SJAN Vice-President Rahul Dixit introduced the guests while Secretary Kishor Bagde made introductory remarks. Dr Ram Thakur conducted the proceedings while Shelke proposed a vote of thanks.
(Report : The Hitavada)
(All pics The Hitavada)
COMMONWEALTH Games gold winning pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa is ranked among the hardest hitters on badminton courts. Off the court too, the ace shuttler showed the glimpse of her smashes when she advised sports associations to stop involving players in their petty politics.
“Instead of involving players in silly politics, sports associations should work for their welfare so that they would bring more laurels to the country,” Jwala said during the Meet the Press organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) on Saturday.
The Wardha born left-handed shuttler was in the city to attend the annual awards ceremony organised by SJAN in association with Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).
Jwala, who is to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award on August 29, said, “I have suffered a lot due to the politics in association. Therefore I request the associations not to involve the players in politics. Associations are for the welfare of sportspersons and not the other way round.”
Jwala and Ashwini created history a few days ago by winning bronze medal in the World Championships in London. They became the first Indian women’s pair to clinch a medal at the Worlds. But she lamented that lack of credit and recognition after the huge feat.
“Unfortunately we did not get the recognition that we deserved. This would also have a negative effect on the youngsters who want to take up this sport as a profession,” Jwala said.
Speaking about the future, Jwala said there was no dearth of talent in India but to produce more Sainas and Jwalas, the system needed drastic changes.
Despite being under the huge shadow of cricket in India Jwala praised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their efforts in taking the game to this level.
“We can’t deny the fact that cricket is a religion in India. And it is popular only because of the efforts taken by BCCI. I think other sporting association should learn something from BCCI,” she stated.
Talking about her dream of playing in the London Olympics 2012 Jwala said Olympics was her ultimate aim but at present she was concentrating on China and Japan Super Series.
“The World Championship is a preparation for the Olympics. Before the Olympics we are going to play all the major tournaments. I am concentrating on the Super Series lined up next month”.
Praising her doubles partner Ashwini Ponappa, Jwala said, “Ashwini and I are good friends. It is necessary to have a partner who is a good friend even off the court. Ashwini and me spend lot of time together and have similar liking and have a special bond between us”.
Jwala felt that the recent success she achieved in doubles event has changed people’s approach towards doubles event.
“The recent success has created lot of interest amongst people towards doubles event. In fact, public want to see doubles matches more as it has lot of thrills and excitement. I would advise upcoming players to take the doubles event seriously since it is tough as compared to the singles event,” the 13-time national champion said.
(Report Courtesy The Hitavada)
Wagh, Khursane, Gregory, Radhika, Rasika to be honoured
VIDARBHA Ranji cricketer Shrikant Wagh, handball player Radhika Raut, athlete Nagraj Khursane, upcoming badminton player Rasika Raje and football national referee Stanley Gregory have been selected for the annual sports awards instituted by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).
SJAN secretary Kishor Bagde announced the names of the award winners in press conference on Friday.
Besides individual sportspersons, Dadibai Deshmukh Hindu Mulinchi Shala and Annasaheb Gundewar College will be awarded for their contributions to the field of sports.
The awards ceremony will be held on August 27 at Tilak Patrakar Bhavan at 10.00 am. Arjuna awardee and Commonwealth Games gold medallist shuttler Jwala Gutta will be the chief guest of the function.
Left-arm pacer Wagh, who has been a consistent performer in Ranji Trophy, Deodhar Trophy and Indian Premier League in 2010-2011 will get Mayor’s Trophy for the best senior sportsman while Raut who helped RTM Nagpur University to win the handball title after 23 years in inter-university championship has been selected as best senior female player. She also helped Maharashtra win silver medal in National Games.
Krida Prabodhini athlete Khursane has been selected for WCL Trophy for the best junior player and Raje will be honoured with Baidyanath Trophy for her achievements in badminton at junior lever.
Gregory, a sports teacher at St. Michael’s High School is a well known personality in football and has been successfully playing the roles of a coach, referee and a sports organiser. He will be honoured with Meeradevi Dasture Trophy.
Dadibai Deshmukh Hindu Mulinchi Shala is a big name when it comes to promoting Indian games. The school will receive Centre Point School trophy. Similarly, Annasaheb Gundewar College will get KC Bajaj Memorial Trophy for their services to women’s hockey and infrastructure development.
SJAN president Naresh Shelke, vice-president Rahul Dixit, joint-secretary Paritosh Pramanik and others were also present on the occasion.
Awards to be given away on Aug 27
Continuing its tradition of felicitating outstanding sportspersons of the city, Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) in tandem with Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) will hold its annual awards function on August 27 at Tilak Patrakar Bhavan, Panchasheel Square at 10.30 am.
Commonwealth Games 2010 gold medal winning shuttler Jwala Gutta will be the chief guest of the function, informs a press release issued by SJAN secretary Kishor Bagde.
Baidyanath Ayurved Limited, 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 awardees will be announced soon. This year, the sports organiser will be honoured with Meeradevi Dasture Memorial Trophy. In the past SJAN’s annual awards functions have been graced by eminent sports personalities including ex-Test stars Dilip Vengsarkar, Sanjay Manjrekar, shooter Anjali Bhagwat, Olympian Mukesh Kumar, former India stumper Kiran More, BCCI president Adv Shashank Manohar, world’s most-capped hockey star Dilip Tirkey, BCCI chief selector and former Indian cricket captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth to name a few.
Wardha-born Jwala Gutta has won the national badminton championships thirteen times until 2010.
Jwala is one of the best women’s doubles players Indian badminton has ever produced in recent times, partnering with Shruti Kurien and later Ashwini Ponnappa.
