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)

SJAN-Raisoni sports award function today

FORMER Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad is arriving in the city on Thursday to grace the SJAN-Raisoni Achievers Sports awards Function to be held at Sai Sabhagruh, Shankar Nagar at 10.30 am.
Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) has organised the programme in association with Raisoni Group.
Chairman of Raisoni Group Sunil Raisoni will preside over the function. Commissioner of Police KK Pathak will be the guest of honour.
Footballer Alwyn George, kho-kho player Deepali Sabane, cricketer Siddhesh Neral and chess wonder-kid Divya Deshmukh have been selected for SJAN-Raisoni Achievers Awards.
Prof. Sharad Suryavanshi will also be honoured for his contribution in development of athletics in the region. Apart from it, Khaparkheda’s Maharashtra Vidyalaya and PWS College will be honoured for sports promotion.
Former mayor and current president of Nagpur District Football Association Atal Bahadur Singh will be conferred with Lifetime Achievement Award.

SJAN-Raisoni Achievers sports awards declared

               

                                    ALWYN GEORGE

                                      DEEPALI SABANE

                                  DIVYA DESHMUKH

                               SHARAD SURYAVANSHI

George, Deepali, Siddhesh, Divya, Suryavanshi to be honoured

The Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and GH Raisoni Group will honour footballer Alwyn George, kho-kho player Deepali Sabane, cricketer Siddhesh Neral and chess wonderkid Divya Deshmukh with SJAN-Raisoni Achievers Awards.
Prof Sharad Suryavanshi will be honoured for his contribution in development of athletics in the region.
Khaparkheda’s Maharashtra Vidyalaya and PWS College will also be honoured for their work in sports promotion.
The annual awards function will be held on National Sports Day, August 29, at Sai Sabhagruha, Shankar Nagar at 10 am. Former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad will be chief guest of the function.
The awardees and their achievements:
ALWYN GEORGE (Best Senior Sportsman): Pundits of the game have hailed Alwyn George as the brightest young talent of Indian football. The 21-year-old plays as forward for Pailan Arrows in the I-League. He was a member of the Indian team for AFC U-22 Asian Cup qualifiers last year. Alwyn was adjudged the ‘Best Youngest Football Player of the Country’ by Players Football Association of India (PFAI). He will receive GH Raisoni Trophy for Best Senior Sportsman.
DEEPALI SABANE (Best Senior Sportswoman): Talented Kho-Kho player Deepali Sabane was instrumental in Nagpur University winning gold in Maharashtra State Inter-University Krida Mahotsava. She had represented Nagpur University in All India and West Zone Inter-University Kho-Kho tournaments. She will receive GH Raisoni Trophy for Best Senior Sportswoman.
SIDDHESH NERAL (Best Junior Sportsman): If Vidarbha qualified for Elite Group of Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy after four years it was mainly because of the exploits of Siddhesh Neral. This 19-year-old right-arm seamer emerged the joint highest wicket-taker in the tournament. Neral took 36 wickets at an impressive average of 16.30. He will be honoured with GH Raisoni Trophy for Best Junior Sportsman.
DIVYA DESHMUKH (Best Junior Sportswoman): The wonder-kid of chess has left all in awe with her exploits on the 64 squares. At just seven Divya hit a purple patch and made the city proud by becoming the youngest Woman Fide Master last month by claiming the Asian Youth U-8 crown in Iran. She will receive Baidyanath Trophy for Best Junior Sportswoman.
SHARAD SURYAVANSHI (Best Sports Organiser): Prof. Sharad Suryavanshi, in his capacity of Secretary of Nagpur District Athletic Association, has played a key role in development of the sport in the region. An athlete of repute during his playing days, Suryavanshi has been successfully playing the role of sports organiser. He will be honoured with Meeradevi Dasture Trophy.
Khaparkheda’s MAHARASHTRA VIDYALAYA will receive Centre Point School Trophy for doing exceptional work for promotion of sports.
Similarly, PWS COLLEGE will get KC Bajaj Memorial Trophy for their services to football and other games.
ATAL BAHADUR SINGH: The former mayor and current president of Nagpur District Football Association will be conferred with Lifetime Achievement Award.

Venkatesh Prasad to grace SJAN-Raisoni award function

Carrying forward its tradition of felicitating outstanding sportspersons of the city, Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) in association with Raisoni Group will hold its annual awards function on August 29, birthday of hockey legend Major Dhyanchand. Former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad will be the chief guest of the function.
Baidyanath Ayurved, Mahatma Gandhi High School, Centre Point School, Bank of Maharashtra and Deaven Dasture family 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 as well as the venue of the function 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  Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sanjay Manjrekar, badminton star Jwala Gutta, 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.
Prasad has represented India in 33 Tests and 161 One-dayers. He has to his credit 96 Tests wickets while he has taken 196 wickets in One-day Internationals.
The 45-year-old has donned the role of Team India's bowling coach. Presently he is the chief coach of Uttar Pradesh Ranji team and also the bowling coach of IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore.