Awards function and news

 

One must never give up in sports: Negi

 SJAN-Raisoni Achievers’ Awards function held

HE WAS condemned and ridiculed for years for his one bad game. Destiny took away his son at a young age but a fighter to the core, former India hockey goalkeeper, ex-men and women teams’ coach and ‘Chak de India’ fame Mir Ranjan Negi, feels that one must never give up in sports and life and try to be always happy.

Negi was speaking at SJAN-Raisoni Achievers’ Awards function wherein Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and Raisoni Group of Institutions jointly felicitated meritorious sportspersons of the city at Hotel Centre Point on Sunday.

“I was India’s number one goalkeeper for four years from 1978 to 1982 and I single-handedly won many games for India. But that one bad game against Pakistan in Asiad ’82 final where we lost 1-7, changed my life for years. 

“People said I took one lakh for each goal as bribe for selling my country. I could not sleep properly for years. The pain I endured was much, much more than was shown in the movie. I also lost my teenager son due to an accident. 

“But slowly, I realised that if we feel and remain sad, we spread sadness and make the atmosphere gloomy. Likewise, we make the environment happy, when we are happy. One must learn to face challenges and failures in sports and life. And sports teaches us never to give up,” said Negi narrating his life’s story.

Negi’s comments were punctuated by couplets from famous poets including former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Praising sports journalists’ role in success of players, Negi said, “Recognising talent and appreciating it with rewards encourages sportspersons to do better and better. Sports journalists play an important role in the success of any player.”

At the outset, the guests including Pranav Sharma, Senior President, Baidyanath Ayurved Limited; Mrunal Naik, Project Head, Raisoni Group of Institutions’ Sports and Cultural Foundation, SJAN President Dr Ram Thakur and Secretary Paritosh Pramanik started the proceedings by lighting the traditional lamp. 

Dr Thakur made introductory remarks and SJAN team honoured the guests including Deaven Dasture. Sharma and Naik also addressed the gathering urging students to play sports.

Yoga player Vaibhav Shrirame, women cricket captain of Vidarbha Disha Kasat, upcoming badminton player Aditya were awarded the GH Raisoni Trophies while international table tennis player Jennifer Varghese was presented the Baidyanath Trophy. 

Though, Disha and Jennifer could not attend the ceremony as they were busy with their matches out of city, their video messages were played for the audience.

Nagpur District Football Association President Haresh Vora was honoured with Meeradevi Dasture Trophy in sports organiser’s category. 

The Blind Relief Association Nagpur’s Mundle English Medium School and Taywade College, Koradi were felicitated for their contribution in the field of sports with Centre Point School and KC Bajaj Trophies respectively.

Kishor Bagde conducted the proceedings while Anupam Soni proposed a vote of thanks.

Many prominent sports personalities including officials of various sports organisations, sportspersons along with SJAN members were present.

SJAN-Raisoni Achievers Awards on November 27

Yoga player Vaibhav Shrirame, Vidarbha's captain cricketer Disha Kasat, upcoming badminton player Aditya Yaul and table tennis player Jennifer Varghese to be feted 

Sports Journalists' Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and GH Raisoni Group of Institutions will be honouring sportspersons of the city during its annual SJAN-Raisoni Annual Achievers Awards function. The SJAN-Raisoni Annual Achievers Awards function will be held on November 27 (Sunday) at 10.30 am at Grand Millennium Hall of Hotel Centre Point, Ramdaspeth.

The award function will be graced by former India goalkeeper and coach Mir Ranjan Negi.

On the occasion Mr Sunil Raisoni, Chairman Raisoni Group of Institution, will also remain present. This year, yoga player Vaibhav Shrirame, Vidarbha's captain cricketer Disha Kasat, upcoming badminton player Aditya Yaul and table tennis player Jennifer Varghese will be rewarded with SJAN-Raisoni Achievers Awards for their achievements in the past few months.. Similarly, Nagpur District Football Association President Haresh Vora will be honoured for his contribution in development of football in the region. TBRAN'S Mundle English Medium School and Taywade College, Koradi will be honoured for their work in sports promotion.

Awardees and their achievements:

Vaibhav Shrirame (Best Senior Sportsman): Shrirame has been per- forming well in yoga for the past several years. At the recently held National Games at Gujarat, he has won Traditional Yogasana (Gold), Artistic single (Gold) Artistic pair (Bronze), Rhythmic pair (Bronze) and Artistic Group (Gold). He also won a gold medal at the recently held Khelo India University Games in Bengaluru. He will receive GH Raisoni Trophy for Best Senior Sportsman.

Disha Kasat: (Best Senior Sportswoman): The Vidarbha Cricket Association's women team captain Disha has been performing exception- ally well. The Vidarbha women team captain single-handedly took Vidarbha to semi-final in Senior Women T20 Trophy. By scoring 300 runs in eight matches, Disha emerged highest run scorer in the said tourna- ment. Her excellent performance fetched her a place in the India A team in the Challengers Trophy. She will receive GH Raisoni Trophy for Best Senior Sportswoman.

Aditya Yaul (Best Junior Sportsman): Ten-year-old Aditya is a student of Bhavan's Koradi Road Branch and has been winning medals at State meets regularly. His medal winning achieve ments include: U-13 gold in Khasdar Krida Mahotsav 2022; Gold in U-11 Maharashtra State Selection Tournament 2022 at Sangli and Silver in U-13 category at same tournament, Gold in U 11 Maharashtra State Selection Tournament at Palghar; Gold in U-11 PNB Metlife Junior Badminton Championship at Mumbai; Gold in U-12 in GH Raisoni Inter-School Badminton Tournament; Gold in U-11 Maharashtra State Badminton Championship at Ratnagiri 2022. He will be honoured with GH Raisoni Trophy.

Jennifer Varghese (Best Junior Sportswoman): The teenage paddler from city is on a gold hunt. In October 2021, then only 13, she won her maiden Under-15 gold in the national ranking table tennis tournament held at Mohali. She also won a bronze medal in the Under-17 age category In March 2022, she won U-15 WTT Youth Contender in Tunisia and silver in U-17 age category. In May 2022, Jennifer claimed the Under-15 singles, doubles and team championship at the South Asia Cadet and Jr TT Championships in Maldives In June she won the U-15 WTT Youth Contender title at Havirov in Czech Republic. In August, 2022, 14-year-old Jennifer won the Under-17 WTT Youth Contender title at Agadir (Morocco) and finished second best in U-15 age group. In August she was ranked World Number 6 in U-15 age category. At present she is World No 11 in her category. She has been selected for World Youth Championship which is going to be held in Tunisia from December 4.

She will receive Baidyanath Trophy for Best Junior Sportswoman.

Mr Haresh Vora (Best Sports Organiser): Haresh Vora is President of Nagpur District Football Association and Vice President of Western India Football Association. A hard taskmaster, Vora is promoting football for many decades in Nagpur District. His ability to organise tournaments in a fair manner is acknowledged by all. Vora is providing selfless service to the game since last five decades. It is because of his approach and relations, that NDFA man- aged to get its own football ground in North Nagpur after several decades: Under Vora's leadership Nagpur has produced many Santosh Trophy players. He will be honoured with Meeradevi Dasture Trophy.

TBRAN's Mundle English Medium School: The school is performing consistently in the field of sports and are winners of several inter-school and district level titles in basketball and volleyball. Students of the school are being selected in the Maharashtra teams for various nationals. The school is continuously developing sports infrastructure in its premises which include volley- ball ground, basketball court, long jump, high jump pits. The school will get Centre Point School Trophy.

Taywade College, Koradi: The college is promoting sports in the outskirts of Nagpur. The college is regularly producing national level handball players and has a vast lush green playfield of its own. It also has a badminton hall where scores of budding players practice regularly. The college will get KC Bajaj Trophy For Service Towards Sports.

The press conference was addressed by Dr Ram Thakur, President, SJAN. 

Paritosh Pramanik, Secretary, SJAN, Amit Gandhare, PRO, Raisoni Group, Inderjeet Singh Randhawa, Sports Officer, Raisoni Group were also present during the presser. 

National Sports Day

 

national sports day

 

Thakur wins penalty shoot out contest

Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) celebrated National Sports Day on the occasion of birth anniversary of hockey wizard Major Dhyanchand at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University ground on Monday.

A penalty shoot-out competition was organised on the occasion in which Rahul Thakur of ‘Dainik Bhaskar’ emerged winner while Ninad Bhonde of ‘Lokmat’ finished runners up. Paritosh Pramanik and Anupam Soni of ‘The Hitavada’ were the semi-finalists. 

Prof Atmaram Pande of Big Ben Football Club and senior journalist and SJAN founder member Dharmendra Jore distributed the prizes. 

SJAN president Dr Ram Thakur and Secretary Paritosh Pramanik welcomed the guests. Naresh Shelke conducted the programme and also proposed a vote of thanks.

‘Great experience. India should hold more international events’

NAGPUR, Aug 13, 2022

Terming representing the country in India’s maiden Chess Olympiad that concluded in Chennai recently as a “Great experience”, the city duo of Grandmaster Raunak Sadhwani and Woman Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh craved for more such events to be staged by the nation.

Raunak and Divya, who were part of the Indian chess teams that participated in the 44th edition of Chess Olympiad, opened up during a Meet The Press function organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur in their office on Saturday.

“It was a great atmosphere there and I am glad that I was part of it. Though this was not for the first time that I played for India, it was still a great experience. There was a bit of extra pressure to perform initially but as the event progressed, we all felt comfortable,” said Divya, who won the best fifth board award in the tournament, in her opening remark.

Raunak, who was part of the India B team that clinched a historic bronze medal in the competition, said, “It was great tournament and I am happy that I could deliver. I would love to see India hosting more such events in future. Public’s response to the event was huge and I hope that it does not die off.”

One thing that came out in the open was the mental toughness of the players at such a young age. Both the players were free and frank while making their opinions. The youngsters claimed that they don’t do anything special like yoga or meditation for mental toughness.

“I have never utilised the services of any mental trainer. I keep focus on playing more and more chess. Yes, for physical fitness, I hit gym or play cricket (bowl four overs),” said Raunak. 

“Mental toughness is one thing you learn in due course. It comes naturally after you play continuously at a higher level. I find no need of any mental fitness trainer,” added a confident Divya. 

Both praised the role of Indian team mentor and multiple time world champion Viswanathan Anand.

“Vishy Sir is very supportive. He is always positive and stands with firmly you even if you lose. His classes also helped during the tourney. Before the event, he was explaining to us few games that he could not finish off with a win. I found myself in the same situation in one of my games and recollected from his talk and won that match,” recalled Raunak with a smile on his face.

At the outset, SJAN President Dr Ram Thakur and Secretary Paritosh Pramanik welcomed Divya and Raunak. 

Divya’s grandmother and parents Dr Jitendra and Dr Namrata and parents of Raunak — Bharat and Heena were also present on the occasion.

Naresh Shelke conducted the proceedings and proposed a vote of thanks.

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भारतात आणखी आंतरराष्ट्रीय बुद्धिबळ स्पर्धा व्हाव्यात
रौनक साधवानी आणि दिव्या देशमुख यांनी ‘शेअर' केले चेस ऑलिंपियाडमधील अनुभव

नागपूर, ता. १३ ः चेन्नई येथे नुकत्याच झालेल्या चेस ऑलिंपियाडमध्ये भारतीय संघाचे प्रतिनिधित्व करताना नागपूरच्या ग्रँडमास्टर रौनक साधवानी आणि महिला ग्रँडमास्टर दिव्या देशमुख यांनी जबरदस्त कामगिरी करताना ब्राँझपदकाची कमाई केली. नागपुरात परत आल्यावर स्पोर्ट्स जर्नालिस्ट असोसिएशन ऑफ नागपूरतर्फे आयोजित ‘मीट दी प्रेस' कार्यक्रमात त्यांनी आपले अनुभव शेअर केले. अशा उच्च दर्जाच्या किंवा ऑलिंपियाडचे भारतात नियमितपणे आयोजन व्हावे, अशा भावना त्यांनी व्यक्त केल्या.
राष्ट्रीय विजेती असलेली दिव्या म्हणाली, स्पर्धा अतिशय उत्तमरीत्या आयोजित करण्यात आली होती. भारतीय संघाकडून खेळण्याची ही माझी पहिली वेळ नसली तरी स्पर्धा भारतात असल्याने वेगळाच अनुभव होता. त्यात पाचव्या बोर्डवर वैयक्तिक ब्राँझपदक जिंकल्याचा आनंद वेगळा आहे. भारतात
आंतरराष्ट्रीय स्पर्धा होतात, पण नियमितपणे ऑलिंपियाड किंवा अशा उच्च दर्जाच्या स्पर्धा आयोजित केल्यास त्याचा फायदा खेळाडूंना होऊ शकेल. दिव्याने स्पर्धेत नऊ पैकी सात गुण प्राप्त केले. तिच्या संघाला एकूण आठवे स्थान मिळाले. विश्वनाथन आनंद यांचा सहवास किंवा त्यांचा अनुभव हा नेहमीच प्रेरणादायी असतो, असेही दिव्या म्हणाली. स्पर्धेतील शेवटची एकूणच विचारत करता थोडी तणावपूर्ण होती. कारण लढत सकाळी होती आणि वैयक्तिक कामगिरीसोबत संघासाठी जिंकायचेही होते. त्यामुळे ती लढत थोडी अवघड गेल्याचे तिने सांगितले.

पदक जिंकल्याचा आनंद - रौनक
रौनक साधवानीचा खुल्या गटातील इंडिया-२ संघात समावेश होता. या संघाने ब्राँझपदक जिंकले. त्यात रौनकने ८ पैकी साडे पाच गुणांचे योगदान दिले. तो म्हणाला, पदक जिंकल्याचा निश्चितच आनंद आहे. स्पर्धा भारतात होत असल्याने एक वेगळा अनुभव होता. यानिमित्ताने क्रीडा ज्योतही काढण्यात आली. त्यात क्रीडा प्रेमींचा उत्साह पाहण्यासारखा होता. मात्र, याचा माझ्या खेळावर काहीही परिणाम झाला नाही. मी माझा नैसर्गिक खेळ केला. भारतात पुरस्कर्ते पुढे आल्यास अशा प्रकारच्या जागतिक पातळीवरील स्पर्धा आयोजित करण्यास अडचण येणार नाही, असे मत रौनकने व्यक्त केले. विश्वनाथन आनंद यांच्या मागदर्शनाचा मला एका लढती दरम्यान फायदा झाल्याचे त्याने आवर्जून सांगितले. अझरबैझानविरुद्धच्या खेळाडूविरुद्धची लढत सर्वात कठीण होती, असे सांगून तो म्हणाला, त्यात माझी बाजू वरचढ होती. तरीही मी जिंकू शकलो नाही. त्यामुळे काहीसा तणावाखाली होतो. त्यापूर्वी एसजेएएनचे अध्यक्ष राम ठाकूर आणि सचिव पारितोष प्रामाणिक यांनी अनुक्रमे दिव्या व रौनकचे स्वागत केले. यावेळी दिव्या व रौनकचे आई-वडील उपस्थित होते.

अनुभवातूनच मानसिक कणखरता वाढते
बुद्धिबळ या खेळात प्रचंड मानसिक कणखरता लागते, ती कशी वाढविता किंवा त्यासाठी काय करता असे विचारल्यावर रौनक म्हणाला, मी माझ्या ‘चेस' वर जास्त लक्ष केंद्रित करतो. याशिवाय शारीरिक तंदुरुस्तीवर विशेष लक्ष देतो. मानसिक कणखरता ही अनुभवाने, परिपक्वतेनुसार किंवा काळानुसार येत असते असे माझे मत आहे. यास दिव्यानेही दुजोरा दिला.

Walkathon through lens