Najpande wrests back title

Lokmat's Pankaj Najpande stunned second seed Nilesh Doye of Punyanagari to claim the men’s singles title in 7th Carrom Tournament for Media Employees organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) at its Vivekanand Nagar office.
In the final, Najpande outplayed Doye 18-7, 16-4. Earlier in the semis, he avenged last year’s defeat against top seed Rakesh Undirwade of Gaurav Garima by defeating him 10-4, 11-2 in a one-sided affair.
In the second semi-final, Doye downed Lokmat’s Nitin Patariya 12-4, 8-5.
Corporator Parinay Fuke was the chief guest of prize distribution function. Chief referee Siddharth Narnaware and assistant chief referee Mukund Nagpurkar shared the dais.
Veteran player Baburao Durugkar who played an important role in keeping the game alive in the city and young Irshad Ahmad who has been playing consistently well at national-level were feted by SJAN on the occasion.
SJAN president Dr Ram Thakur made introductory remarks. Secretary Kishor Bagde proposed a vote of thanks.
Results: Men’s singles: Quarter-finals: Rakesh Undirwade (Gaurav Garima) bt Dharmendra Kumar (ToI) 25-0, 19-3; Pankaj Najpande (Lokmat) bt Bhimrao Lonare (Lokshahi Varta) 16-0, 22-0; Nitin Patariya (Lokmat) bt Jeevak Gajbhiye (Lokshahi Varta) 9-4, 15-0; Nilesh Doye (Punyanagari) bt Kartik Lokhande (The Hitavada) 5-8, 15-0, 22-0.
Semi-finals: Pankaj Najpande bt Rakesh Undirwade 10-4, 11-2; Nilesh Doye bt Nitin Patariya 12-4, 8-5.
Final: Pankaj Najpande bt Nilesh Doye 18-7, 16-4.