Deepthi, Sourabh emerge winners

TOP seeds Deepthi Ramesh and Sourabh Kerhalkar justified their top billings as they clinched the Under-15 girls and boys’ titles respectively in the Tulsiramji Gaikwad Patil memorial district ranking badminton tournament which concluded at Subhedar Hall on Thursday.
While Deepthi had to sweat it out hard to beat Malvika Bansod 21-11, 16-21, 21-16 to clinch the title, Sourabh Kerhalkar made it look each in defeating Ameya Baheti 21-16, 21-8 for the crown.
In the Under-13 age category, Rohan Gurbani edged out Sudhanshu Bhure 21-18, 19-21, 21-10 to claim the title. Top seed in Under-13 girls category Malvika Bansod quelled the challenge from second seed Gargi Joshi as she ousted her 21-16, 21-11 in the final.
Chairman of Gaikwad-Patil Group Mohan Gaikwad was the chief guest of prize distribution function. NDBA president Kundatai Vijaykar presided over. Principal Anjali Gaikwad, HR head of SNDL Sanjeev Bariyal, NDBA secretary Mangesh Kashikar  also graced the occasion.
Veteran badminton player Dwij Mukherjee was felicitated at the hands of guests on the occasion.
Cash prizes, trophies and certificates were given to winners, runners-up and semi-finalists. SJAN secretary Kishor Bagde and president Dr Ram Thakur conducted the proceedings.

Sourabh, Gargi
declared best
Sourabh Kerhalkar and  Gargi Joshi were selected as the best players of the meet and were awarded special trophies besides Rs 2000 cash prize each.
Results
(All finals)
U-13 girls singles: Malvika Bansod (S-1) bt Gargi Joshi (S-2) 21-16, 21-11. U-10 boys singles: Siddhant Bawankar (S-2) bt Yugandhar Deo (S-1) 21-14, 16-21, 21-12. U-10 girls singles: Nikita Joseph (S-1) bt Aditi Sadhankar (S-2) 21-14, 21-10. U-13 girls doubles: Arya Anchalwar-Gargi Joshi bt Livia Fernandez-Pavitra Somani 21-14, 21-13. U-13 boys doubles: Jaskaran Suri-Sriniwas Saoji bt Om Ghode- Parth Thakkar 21-12, 21-11. U-13 boys singles: Rohan Gurbani bt Sudhanshu Bhure 21-18, 19-21, 21-10. U-15 girls singles: Deepthi Ramesh bt Malvika Bansod 21-11, 16-21, 21-16. U-15 boys singles: Sourabh Kerhalkar bt Ameya Baheti 21-16, 21-8 U-15 girls doubles: Mugdha Agray-Pallavi Pitale bt Gargi Joshi-Arya Anchalwar 21-9, 21-10. U-15 boys doubles: Sourabh Kerhalkar- Sarvesh Kukde bt Ameya Baheti- Samarjeet Pande 21-16, 24-22.

Joseph, Deo, Bhure, Bansod enter semis

NIKITA Joseph, Yugandhar Deo, Sudhanshu Bhure and Malvika Bansod stormed into the semi-finals in their respective age categories in the ongoing Tulsiramji Gaikwad memorial district ranking badminton tournament at Subhedar Hall.
The tournament is jointly organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur and Nagpur District Badminton Association.
In the Under-10 girls singles, top seed Nikita Joseph defeated Kripi Sanjwani 15-4, 15-5 to make it to last four.
In the boys section of the same age category, top seeded Yugandhar Deo got the better of Ritwik Bhaskar 15-9, 15-8 to make it to the semis.
Top seed Sudhanshu Bhure kept his reputation intact defeating Sifat Arora 15-10, 15-3 while second seed Rohan thrashed Kedar Dabke 15-5, 15-10.
Similarly, in Under-13 girls singles, Malvika Bansod, seeded top drubbed Palak Thakkar 15-6, 15-3 and Arya Anchalwar beat Liviya Fernandez 15-13, 15-3 to enter semis.
In the U-15 girls doubles, pair of
Chaitali Nayse and Palak Thakkar edged out Shikha Mundada-G Shivanshi 15-12, 15-9 to enter semis.
The semi-finals will be played on Thursday from 8 am onwards followed by finals at 3 pm.
Prize distribution function will be held at 6 pm. Chairman of Gaikwad-Patil Group Mohan Gaikwad will be the chief guest. NDBA president Kundatai Vijaykar will preside over. Director of Gaikwad Patil Group Col Rahul Sharma, business head of SNDL Sonal Khurana will also grace the occasion.
Results: All quarters:
U-10 girls singles : Nikita Joseph (S-1) bt Kripi Sanjwani 15-4, 15-5; Aditi Sadhankar (S-2) bt Vaidehi Ghoke 15-4, 15-7; Amulya Lanjewar bt Aditi Tadas 15-3, 15-3; Sophia Simon bt Anushka Tripathi 15-2, 15-7.
U-10 boys singles: Yugandhar Deo (S-1) bt Ritwik Bhaskar 15-9, 15-8; Siddhant Bawankar bt Harsh Gajbhiye 15-4, 15-5; Ankush Singh bt Anshul Patne 15-13, 15-8; Arav Fernandez bt Siddh Kedia 7-15, 15-9, 15-7.
U-13 boys singles: Rohan Gurbani (S-2) bt Kedar Dabke 15-5, 15-10; Sudhanshu Bhure (S-1) bt Sifat Arora 15-10, 15-3 ; Gandhar Nawale bt Jaskaransingh Suri 15-6, 15-4; Shrniwas Saoji bt Vaibhav Mithe 15-7, 15-9.
U-13 girls singles: Malvika Bansod (S-1)  bt Palak Thakkar 15-6, 15-3; Arya Anchalwar bt Liviya Fernandez 15-13, 15-3; Gargi Joshi (S-2) bt Ashani Joshi 15-5, 15-5; Pavitra Somani bt Radha Bapat 15-8, 15-11.
U-15 girls doubles (QF):  Chaitali Nayse- Palak Thakkar bt Shikha Mundada-G Shivanshi 15-12, 15-9; Ashani Joshi- Sara Pande bt Bhakti Pimplapure-L Janhavi 15-7, 15-4; Mugdha Agrey- Pallavi Pitale (S-2) bt Anika Jaisinghani- Sanjana Sapra 15-7, 15-0; Arya Anchalwar-Gargi Joshi  (S-1) bt P Niyati-D Sakshi 15-6, 15-7.

SJAN- Gaikwad Patil badminton tourney begins

Seeded payers had a smooth sailing  on the first day of SJAN-Tulsiramji Gaikwad-Patil Memorial  Sub-junior District Badminton Tournament at Subhedar Hall on Tuesday.

Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN)  in association with Nagpur District Badminton Association (NDBA)  has organized the three-day tournament.

Earlier, chairman of Gaikwad-Patil group Mohan Gaikwad inaugurated the tournament. Business head of SNDL Sonal Khurana, NDBA secretary Mangesh Kashikar, principal of Tulsiramji Gaikwad Patil Engineering College Sulabha Patil, PRO of SNDL Yogita Kasture and others were also present on the occasion.

SJAN president Dr Ram Thakur made introductory remarks while convener of the tournament Suhas Nayse proposed a vote of thanks.

Results

U-10 girls singles (round 2): Khushi Khandelwal bt Abhinya JP 30-9; Vaidehi Gokhe bt Pinak Rokde 30-11; Noopur Gajbhiye bt Krishna Soni30-23; Arisha Khan bt Anisha Jaiswal 30-18; Debshika Singh bt Manvi Funde 30-22; Akshaya JP bt Arshiya Jain 30-24; Aditi Tadas bt  Ishanka Mali 30-28; Sampada Raut bt Niyati Dipani 30-16; Naisha Vazirani bt Gargi Ankur Joshi 30-9.

U-13 boys singles: Rohan Gurbani bt Vrishank 30-6; Om Ghode bt Kaiz Dhamani 30-21; Lokesh Gajwani bt Nilay Deshpande 30-16; Parth Kundale bt Yash Velankar 30-15; Tanuj Rathi bt Kanad Yerpude 30-22; Raghav Chandak bt Vivek Rathi 30-29; Naimish Kasat bt Sumesh Ramteke 30-6; Vaibhav Mithe bt Utkarsh Kumar 30-2; Siddhant Bawankar bt Karan Adwani 30-23; Parth Thakkar bt Anay Paraskar 30-5; Ayush Jadhav bt Shrijit Demapure 30-20; Kaustubh Niraj bt Shreyas Kumar 30-8; Shashank Gupta bt Ansh Agrawal 30-1; Sarang Chimote bt Mahansha Dhole 30-18; Madhur Gattani bt Sandeep Motwani 30-4; Rohit Sangole bt Sanskar Khemani 30-16; Aditya Shiralkar bt Dev Rajesh 30-21; Gandhar Newale bt Prathmesh Darda 30-8; Bhupesh Jasnani  Kunal Deo 30-14; Sahil Bhusari bt Paresh Pande 30-20; Aryan Bose bt 30-15; Shriniwas Saoji bt Harsh Gajbhiye 30-10; Aditya Shipalkar bt Pranay Mohgaonkar 30-29; Abhishek Bansod bt Bhavesh Mohod 30-23; Piyush Nikhare bt Arjun Jichkar 30-21; Sumit Gidwani bt Tarun Bhojwani 30-17; Kedar Dabke bt Kartik Dhawad 30-4; Yugandhar Deo bt Raghav Fadanvis 30-7.

U-15 girls singles (1^st round): Chaitali Nayse bt Anika Jaisinghani 30-19;  Tanika Dave bt Niyati Paul 30-15; S Shivanshi bt Isha Kudale 30-17; Anjali Kshirsagar bt Alvina Hussain 30-7; Sanskruti Borikar bt Shalomi Johnson 30-17; Shriya Arora bt Vaishnavi Apte 30-27; Astha Haware bt Agni Bhole 30-17; Divya Ramteke bt Sakshi Damke 30-17.

Sub-junior badminton tourney from Tuesday

The stage is set for the SJAN-Tulsiramji Gaikwad-Patil Memorial District Open Sub-Junior Badminton Tournament beginning at  Nagpur University’s Subhedar Hall on Tuesday. 

The tournament will start at 9 a.m. with under-13 boys singles first round followed by formal inauguration at 11 a.m. Chairman of Gaikwad Patil Group Mohan Gaikwad will inaugurate the tournament at 11 a.m. in the presence of Anjali Gaikwad, SNDL marketing head Sonal Khurana and the secretary of Nagpur District Badminton Association (NDBA) Mangesh Kashikar. The tournament has evoked  evoked tremendous response as record 465 entries have been received.  Boys and girls will vie for top honours in ten events in three age categories – Under-10, Under-13 and Under-15. The total prize money of the tournament is Rs 34,000.

The NDBA will provide the technical support to the tournament. Yonex will provide the shuttles, while prizes will be sponsored by SNDL Nagpur.

Record 465 entries for district badminton meet

SJAN-Tulsiramji Gaikwad-Patil Memorial District Open Sub-Junior Badminton Tournament has evoked a record 465 entries.
The three-day tournament, to be held under the auspices of Nagpur District Badminton Association (NDBA), will be played at Nagpur University’s Subhedar Hall from November 5 to 7.
Boys and girls will vie for top honours in ten events in three age categories – Under-10, Under-13 and Under-15. The total prize money of the tournament is Rs 34,000.
NDBA will provide the technical support to the tournament.
Yonex will provide shuttles, while prizes will be sponsored by SNDL Nagpur. More details can be had from tournament convenor Suhas Nayse (9890011197) and co-convenor Nilesh Deshpande (9881243198).
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Seedings
U-10 girls singles: 1) Nikita Joseph 2) Aditi Sadhankar.
U-10 boys singles: 1) Yugandhar Deo 2) Siddhant Bawankar.
U-13 boys singles: 1) Sudhanshu Bhure 2) Rohan Gurbani.
U-13 boys doubles: 1) Rohan Gurbani-Sudhanshu Bhure 2) Parth Thakkar-Shriniwas Saoji.
U-13 girls singles: 1) Malvika Bansod 2) Gargi Joshi.
U-13 girls doubles: 1) Gargi Joshi-Arya Anchalwar 2) Chaitali Nayse-Palak Thakkar.
U-15 boys singles: 1) Ameya Baheti 2) Angad Matharu.
U-15 boys doubles: 1) Sudhanshu Bhure-Rohan Gurbani 2) Atharva Mengal-Param Mudholkar.
U-15 girls singles: 1) Deepthi Ramesh 2) Malvika Bansod.
U-15 girls doubles: Gargi Joshi-Arya Anchalwar.

Dist sub-jr badminton tourney from Nov. 5

SJAN-Gaikwad Patil Group joint venture 

The Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) in association with Nagpur District Badminton Association (NDBA) is organising Tulsiramji Gaikwad-Patil Memorial District Open Sub-Junior Badminton tournament from November 5 to 7.
The three-day tourney will be held here at the Nagpur University’s Subhedar Hall, Ravi Nagar. Boys and girls will vie for top honours in ten events in three age categories – Under-10, Under-13 and Under-15. In the U-13 and U-15 section, doubles events will also be held.
While addressing media persons on Wednesday, chairman of Gaikwad Patil Group Mohan Gaikwad said they are always ready to help sports.I love sports and want to do lot of things for the development of sports". He also announced that this tournament will be an annual future with SJAN.
Director of Gaikwad Patil Group Colonel Rahul Sharma said " Our Group has been sponsoring badminton and chess tournaments regularly in the region. We also have a team in the Maharashtra Chess League (MCL). I am happy that we and SJAN have joined hands for this venture,”.
The NDBA will provide the technical support to the tournament.President of Nagpur District Badminton Association Kundatai Vijaykar said, " We are happy that SJAN has taken initiative to conduct one district open tournament. It will provide a platform to the budding players to show their talent".
SNDL has sponsored the prizes in the tournament. Its senior manager (PR and Branding) Yogita Kasture expressed happiness oer joining the hands with SJAN.
Leading badminton equipment company Yonex will provide the shuttles. Entry forms will be distributed shortly to coaches and players. NDBA joint secretary Naresh Chafelkar was also present on the occasion. SJAN president Dr Ram Thakur made introductory remarks.Secretary Kishor Bagde proposed a voteof thanks.

DNC wins debate competition on IPL

Host Dhanwate National College (DNC) emerged winner in the Inter-College Debate Competition  organised by Sports Journalists' Association of Nagpur (SJAN) in association with Department of Sports, Dhanwate National College on Friday.
The topic of the competition was 'Stop this IPL' and the participants express mixed views. DNC College team comprising Ravindra Gunde and Badal Shrirame secured highest 250 points to win the title. Dr Ambedkar Law College, Deekshabhoomi consisting Rahul Bajaj and Shweta Palsodkar finished runners-up with 246 points while LAD College team comprising Swaima Ahmed and Astha Mane secured third place with 242 points.
Earlier principal of DNC Dr Babanrao Taywade inaugurated the competition. Judges including former Vidarbha Ranji player Sharad Thakre, noted debator and lecturer of GS College Bacchu Pande and head of the Department of Mass Communication of DNC Baban Nakhle also shared the dais.  Later the judges distributed the prizes. The winners walked away with Rs 3,000 and trophy while the runners-up got Rs 2,200. The second runners-up were awarded a cash prize of Rs 1000. Individual prizes were given to Rahul Bajaj and Ravindra Gunde. Each participant was given certificate of participation.
SJAN president Dr Ram Thakur made introductory remarks. Secretary Kishor Bagde conducted the proceedings.
Head of the Department of Sports of DNC Prof Devendra Wankhede, Jayant Jichkar, Prof. Subhash Dadhe, Prashant Narad, Amol Rajput, Abhilash Sharma and SJAN members worked hard for the success of the event.

Ishant should take over the mantle of bowling spearhead

Former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad has marked Ishant Sharma to take over the mantle of India’s bowling spearhead in the coming time. The Delhi bowler is experienced enough to fit into this role on a tough tour of South Africa later this year, he said.
With Zaheer Khan finding difficult to make a comeback Ishant Sharma is the senior-most bowler in the company of an exciting crop of pacers. Prasad acknowledged the fact saying that a wonder future lies ahead for the likes of Umesh Yadav and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar.
“Ishant, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav are bowling in groups. They have a wonderful future ahead. It is important for them to learn the tricks of the trade and start delivering. People here do not have much patience,” Prasad exclaimed.
Exhorting Ishant to take over the role of senior bowler, Prasad said, “Ishant has been in the squad for some time. He should take the responsibility of a senior bowler. He needs to be the strike bowler in the coming season.”
Prasad was talking to the media in a Meet the Press organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur.
The Karnataka bowler praised Umesh Yadav for his exploits but advised him to sort out fitness issues.
“In South Africa the wickets are conducive to fast bowlers. But the conditions are demanding and different. Lot of discipline is needed for any bowler to succeed on those wickets,” he said.
Prasad also applauded the BCCI for putting up a fine domestic structure which is producing a good bench strength.
“These are definitely the best times for Indian cricket. A lot of good talent is emerging at every level. It will create a healthy competition for a spot in the national team. The BCCI must be complimented for a fine domestic structure” he said.
Asked about youngsters coming up with great feats and records, Prasad said it was a good sign and showed the hunger for success in young players.
“May be some day someone breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s record! But frankly I don’t know how many can do what Sachin has done. Playing for over two decades needs amazing quality. It’s next to impossible now. He is a living legend,” Prasad was effusive in hailing the Master Blaster.
The 45-year-old, who played 33 Tests and 161 ODIs, stressed on giving importance to Test cricket. He also advised to do away with One-Dayers and stick to only two formats (Tests and T20s).
“Test cricket is the real cricket. It tests the skills, mental strength and fitness of a player. It has to be given paramount importance. The best way to increase Tests is do away with One-Dayers,” he asserted.
Prasad also called for more countries playing T20 to make cricket a global sport.
“Unfortunately, the rules in cricket are very complicated. It should be kept as simple as possible to attract more teams,” he added.
Parrying away a query on England team’s celebrations at The Oval after Ashes triumph, Prasad said one needs to draw a line when it comes to celebrations.

Give equal importance to education: Prasad

Ex-cricketer gives away SJAN-Raisoni Achievers sports awards

"Never let your education suffer. Education helps in shaping the career of a sportsperson. Give your best on the playfield but at the same time give equal importance to education,” was the advise by former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad to budding sportspersons of the city, who were honoured with SJAN-Raisoni Achievers Sports Awards, on Thursday.
Speaking as the chief guest during the awards function organised by Sports Journalists' Association of Nagpur in association with Raisoni Group at Sai Sabhagruh, Prasad asked the sportspersons to be responsible and humble.
Raisoni Group chairman Sunil Raisoni presided over the function while Commissioner of Police KK Pathak was the guest of honour. Former Mayor Atal Bahadur Singh and educationist Dinanath Dasture also shared the dais.
Citing the examples of his India team-mates Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman, Javagal Srinath and Rahul Dravid, the Karnataka pacer said all of these great cricketers were highly qualified in academics too.
“Anil and Srinath are engineers, Rahul is an MBA, Laxman is also holds a high degree. It shows how education plays an important role in a sportsperson’s life.
“Unfortunately, we still cannot take sports as a profession in our country,” he added.
Prasad advised the youths to give importance to discipline and responsibility in the life. “Great cricketers like Sachin, Kumble and Dravid are very humble and that is the secret of their success.
“With success comes power and with power comes responsibility. It is very important to have the right attitude on and off the field. Be humble, respect the elders and enjoy what you are doing, success will automatically follow,” Prasad said.
Prasad also hailed the journalists for standing by him when he was removed as India’s bowling coach without any reason.
“Whatever I am is because of you scribes. They stood by me during my period of crisis, when the BCCI removed me as India’s bowling coach despite doing well,” he said.
In his presidential address, Sunil Raisoni said the Raisoni Group had always encouraged budding and needy sportspersons of the city.
Commissioner of Police Pathak also appealed to the corporates to come forward and encourage the abundant talent in this region.
Footballer Alwyn George, kho-kho player Deepali Sabane, cricketer Siddhesh Neral and chess wonder-kid Divya Deshmukh were honoured on the occasion. Prof. Sharad Suryavanshi was felicitated for his contribution in development of athletics in the region. Khaparkheda’s Maharashtra Vidyalaya and PWS College were also honoured for sports promotion.

Atal feted with lifetime
achievement award

Former mayor and current president of Nagpur District Football Association Atal Bahadur Singh was honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award on the occasion.
In a highly emotional display of love towards the ‘Santa Claus’ of city’s sports, people gave a standing ovation to the veteran sports organiser when he was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award amid thunderous claps.
SJAN secretary Kishor Bagde made the introductory remarks. Prof Prakash Kolte and SJAN president Dr Ram Thakur conducted the proceedings. Treasurer Suhas Nayse proposed a vote of thanks.


Well...Sachin is a genius!

VENKATESH Prasad was a master of the slower ball in his playing days. He had to use this knack yet again during his speech when he was stressing on the importance of education in sports.
Prasad was giving examples of Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid, all of whom have excellent educational qualifications. However, when he also mentioned Sachin Tendulkar in the list of greats Prasad had to quickly resort to his ‘slower one’ as the Master Blaster has no great academic record to boast of.
“Well.... Sachin is a genius! There are some people who are always an exception. They are very few and that is why they are called genius,” Prasad said with a chuckle, evoking big laugh from the audience.

SJAN-Raisoni awards in pictures

(All pics : SJAN)