Carrom tourney for media employees from April 26

Sports Journalists' Association of Nagpur (SJAN) will be organising its fifth edition of carrom tournament for media employees from April 26 to April 28 at Hotel Chidambara, Ramdaspeth.
The tournament will be sponsored by Tirupati Urban Co-operative Bank Limited.
The tournament will be held in two categories i.e. men’s singles and men’s doubles event. Entry fee for men’s singles will be Rs 20 and Rs 40 for t doubles, says a press release issued by Kishor Bagde, Secretary, SJAN.
The last date of entry is April 20. Entries can be confirmed with the sports desks of respective newspapers. Cash prizes and trophies would be given to the winner, runners-up and semi-finalists in each categories.
More details can be obtained from convenor Kishor Bagde on 9822576459 and co-convenor Nilesh Deshpande (9881243198).

Double crowns for Sant

DEFENDING champion Vijay Sant of Loksatta-Indian Express left no stone unturned in this year’s meet too as he pocketed men’s singles and doubles titles of eighth edition of SJAN-Gracelands Badminton Tournament for Media Employees at Subhedar Hall on Sunday.

In an exciting men’s doubles final, Vijay Sant-Vivek Puradbhat beat Madhav Soman-Suhas Nayse of Times of India (TOI) 19-21, 22-20, 21-9. Both the pairs displayed excellent skills in the entire match.

Soman-Nayse played smartly and pocketed the tightly-finished first game.

The second game turned out to be dramatic one, having being down by a game, Sant and Puradbhat were matching standards with Nayse-Soman. At 20-19, Nayse-Soman were on match point. But they faltered. Sant-Puradbhat crawled and levelled the score. With some brilliant show they won the second game to take the match to the third game.

The decider happened to be a walk in the park for Sant-Puradbhat. They comfortably knocked Nayse-Soman out to win doubles title.

Earlier in the singles final, Sant recorded comfortable win over Ashish Jain of Lokmat 21-13, 21-6.

Jain was no match to Sant from the word go. Sant showcased some attacking smashes to take the first game.

In the second game, Jain looked under pressure. Sant took the

advantage of the situation and thrashed him to emerge victorious in singles category for second straight year.

The women’s single final was fought between Steffi Joseph and Shrishti Gupta both from TOI, where former won 30-12.

Earlier in semi-finals of men’s singles, Sant beat Suhas Nayse 21-13, 21-9.

In other semis, Jain beat TOI’s Harshad Pandharipande 21-4, 21-8 to make it to the final.

In men’s doubles, Nayse- Soman beat Sunil Warrier-Manish Sakharwade (TOI) 21-14, 21-12.

In second semis, Sant-Puradbhat beat Jain-Vilas Tijare 21-13, 21-13 to surge into the final.

In women’s singles Steffi beat Meenakshi Menon of Lokmat 30-15 and in the other semis Shrishti Gupta beat Aparna Nair 30-5.

Rakesh Kochhar, Director, Guru Nanak Institute of Engineering and Technology, and Dr Yashwant Patil, Co-ordinator, Post Graduate Teaching Department of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, distributed the prizes.

SJAN president Naresh Shelke conducted the proceedings.

Dr Ram Thakur made introductory remarks while secretary Kishor Bagde proposed a vote of thanks.

Badminton- Day II in pictures

Anupam Soni of The Hitavada

Vijay Sant of IE-Loksatta

Harshad Pandhripande of Times of India

Ashish Jain of Lokmat

Ashish Jain of Lokmat

Ashish Jain and Vilas Tijare of Lokmat

Steffi Joseph of Times of India

Naresh Shelke of Sakal

Vilas Tijare of Lokmat

Mannu Bawa of Tarun Bharat

Piyush Patil of The Hitavada

Nikhil Dixit of The Hitavada

(All pics S Sudarshan)

Jain in men's singles, doubles SF

Lokmat's Ashish Jain entered the semi-finals in the men's singles and doubles event in Gracelands sponsored 8th Badminton Tournament for Media Employees at Subhedar Hall, here on Saturday.

The tournament is being organised by Sports Journalists' Associaiton of Nagpur in associaiton with Post Graduate Teaching Department of Physical Education.

In the quarters, last year's runners-up Ashish Jain thrashed Sakal's RajeshVyavhare 21-6, 21-9.

Defending champion Vijay Sant of Indian Express- Loksatta entered the semi-final defeating Naresh Shelke 21-5, 2104 effortlessly. Times of India's Suhas Nayse and HArshad Pandharipande also made it to the semis.

In the doubles, Jain-Vilas Tijare duo overcame Naresh Shelke-Rajesh Vyavhare 21-13, 21-18 to enter the semis.

On Sunday the prize distribution function will be held at 11.30 a.m. Secretary of Guru Nanak Education Society

Navneet Singh Tuli will be the chief guest on the occasion. Director of Gracelands Rajesh Gaikwad and co-ordinator, Post Graduate Teaching Department, RTMNU Dr Yashwant Patil will be the guests of honour.

Results: Men's singles (QF): Suhas Nayse (TOI) bt Nikhil Dixit (The Hitavada) 21-7, 21-5; Harshad Pandharipande (TOI) bt Anupam Soni (The Hitavada) 21-13, 21-16; Ashish Jain (Lokmat) bt Rajesh Vyavhare (Sakal) 21-6, 21-9; Vijay Sant (Indian Express- Loksatta) bt Naresh Shelke (Sakal) 21-5, 21-4.

Men's singles (PQF): Vijay Sant bt Piyush Patil 30-7; Naresh Shelke bt Fakruddin 30-20; Nikhil Dixit bt Sunil Warrier 30-24; Suhas Nayse bt Vilas Tijare 30-7; Harshad Pandharipande bt Vivek Puradbhat 30-27; Anupam Soni bt Uday Dindolkar 30-13; Rajesh Vyavhare bt Devendra Sadavarti 30-21; Ashish Jain bt Madhav Soman 30-11.

Men's doubles (QF): Vijay Sant-Vivek Puradbhat bt Anjaya Anaparthi-Vaibhav Ganjapure 21-11, 21-10; Ashish Jain-Vilas Tijare bt Naresh Shelke-Rajesh Vyavhare 21-13, 21-18; Sunil Warrier -Manish Sakharwade bt Anupal Soni-Nikhil Dixit 22-20, 22-20, Suhas Nayse-Madhav Soman got walkover against Rupesh Bhaik-Fakruddin

Women's singles: Steffi Joseph bt Meenakshi Menon 30-6; Steffi Joseph bt Srishti 30-12; Shrishti bt Meenakshi Menon 30-15.

Badminton meet gets under way

The Hitavada’s seeded players Anupam Soni and Nikhil Dixit and Piyush Patil made winning starts to make it to third round of the men’s singles in the eighth edition of SJAN-Gracelands Badminton Tournament for Media Employees that got under way at Subhedar Hall on Friday.

Soni defeated Rupesh Bhaik

30-9, Dixit humbled Dharmendra Kumar 30-3 while Piyush Patil too had little difficulty ousting Shashikant Rahate 30-8.

Top seed Vijay Sant toyed with Vivek Bithale to win 30-7 and later partnering Vivek Puradbhat beat the combination of Uday Dindolkar-Mannu Bawa 30-8.

From quarter-final onwards, it will be best of three games of 21 points each. Matches continue on the second day starting at 8.30 am. Semi-finals and finals of all the categories would be held on Sunday.

At the outset, Dr Vilas Sapkal, Vice-Chancellor, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, inaugurated the tournament in presence of chief guest of opening ceremony Shekhar Jadhao, Chairman, Gracelands; Dr Dhananjay Welukar, Director, Department of Sports and Physical Education, RTMNU and Dr Yashwant Patil, Co-ordinator, Post Graduate Teaching Department, RTMNU.

SJAN member Dr Ram Thakur conducted the proceedings. Naresh Shelke, President, SJAN, made an introductory remark while Anupam Soni, convenor of the meet, proposed a vote of thanks.

Results

Men’s singles (second round): Vijay Sant bt Vivek Bithale 30-7; Piyush Patil bt Shashikant Rahate 30-8; Naresh Shelke bt Sandip Wardhane 30-13; Nikhil Dixit bt Dharmendra Kumar 30-3; Vivek Puradbhat bt Yogesh Banait 30-21; Harshad Pandharipande bt Vaibhav Ganjapure 30-10; Uday Dindolkar bt Abhishek Iyengar 30-7; Anupam Soni bt Rupesh Bhaik 30-9; Devendra Sadavarti bt Balmukund Kadwe 30-22; Madhav Soman bt BK Khwaja 30-19.

Men’s doubles (second round): Vijay Sant-Vivek Puradbhat bt Uday Dindolkar-Mannu Bawa 30-8; Naresh Shelke-Rajesh Vyavhare bt Bithale-Shivhare 30-13; Ashish Jain-Vilas Tijare bt Iyengar-Wardhane 30-6; Suhas Nayse-Madhav Soman bt Khwaja-Kadwe 30-6.

Women’s singles: Shrishti Gupta bt Payal Gwalani 30-0; Chaitali Deshmukh bt Vani Banthia 30-23.

Badminton meet for media employees begins today

The eighth edition of SJAN-Gracelands Badminton Tournament for Media Employees will get under way at Subhedar Hall on Friday morning.
The three-day tournament is a joint venture of Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and Post Graduate Teaching Department (PGTD) for Physical Education, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU).
Shekhar Jadhao, Chairman, Gracelands, will be the chief guest of the inauguration function that commences at 8.15 am. Dr Vilas Sapkal, Vice-Chancellor, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, will inaugurate the event. Dr Dhananjay Welukar, Director, Physical Education Department, RTMNU and Dr Yashwant Patil, Co-ordinator, Post Graduate Teaching Department, RTMNU will be the guests of honour.
First round matches for all categories—men’s singles, women’s singles and men’s doubles would follow immediately after the opening function.
Navneet Singh Tuli, Secretary, Guru Nanak Education Society that runs Guru Nanak Institute of Engineering and Technology, who has been associated with SJAN since long, will be co-sponsoring the event.
Defending champion Vijay Sant of Indian Express-Loksatta and last edition’s runner-up Lokmat’s Ashish Jain are the first and second seeded players respectively in the men’s singles.
Chief Referee Adv Vishal Naik will lead a team of well-qualified referees.

Badminton Draw for 2012 event

BADMINTON TOURNAMENT

SPORTS Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and Post Graduate Teaching Department for Physical Education, Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University will be jointly organising the annual badminton tournament for media employees of the city from March 16, states a press release issued by Kishor Bagde, Secretary, SJAN.
The three-day event will be sponsored for second year in running by Gracelands and will be held at varsity’s Subhedar Hall, off Amravati road.
The categories include men’s singles, men’s doubles and women’s singles. Winners, runners-up and semi-finalists in all categories will be awarded cash prizes and trophies.
Entry fee is Rs 20 for singles and Rs 30 for doubles.
Last date for confirming entries is March 5, 2012. Entries should be confirmed with sports desks of respective newspapers or Anupam Soni, Convenor (9822714965).

Hitavada regain SJAN-OCHRI Cup

The Hitavada drubbed Punyanagari by seven wickets to win SJAN-OCHRI Cup Inter-Press Invitational Cricket Tournament organized by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur at Ambedkar College ground here on Tuesday.

The tournament was sponsored by Orange City Hospital and Research Institute (OCHRI). Satvik and Purti Group were the co-sponsor of the tournament.

Punyanagari won the toss and elected to bat first. Their decision backfired as they were bowled out for a poor total of 81 in 15.5 overs. Only Pankaj Pande (14), Vaibhav Sonawane (13), Sunil Thawkar and Yudhishthir Raich (11 each) managed to cross the double figures.

For The Hitavada, Ramamurty Nerley (3 for 14) was the main wicket taker. Pravin Lokhande ( 2 for 10) , Piyush Patil (2 for 14) and Susheem Kolay (2 for 13) also bowled well.

In reply, The Hitavada achieved the target in 14.5 overs losing just three wickets. Pratik Sontakke (26, 29b, 4x4), Pawan Sawade (21*, 15b, 2x4, 1x6) and Nikhil Dixit (15*, 12b, 2x4) ensured the title victory.

Director of OCHRI Dr Anup Marar, CEO of Satvik Group Amol Dhake, Deepak Lalwani of Deepak Agency, NUWJ president Shirish Borkar and secretary Bramha Shankar Tripathi distributed the prizes.The winners walked away with Rs 18,000 and trophy while the runners-up got Rs 15,000 and trophy.

SJAN president Naresh Shelke and past president Dr Ram Thakur conducted the proceedings. Secretary Kishor Bagde made introductory remarks while treasurer Anupam Soni proposed a vote of thanks.

Brief score

Punyanagari: 81 all out in 15.5 overs. Pankaj Pande (14, 18b, 2x4), Vaibhav Sonwane (13), Sunil Thawkar (11), Yudhishthir Raich (11*), Ramamurty Nerley 3 for 14, Pravin Lokhande 2 for 10, Piyush Patil, 2 for 14, Susheem Kolay 2 for 13.

The Hitavada: 82 for 3 in 14.5 overs. Pratik Sontakke (26, 29b, 4x4), Pawan Sawade (21*, 125b, 2x4, 1x6), Nikhil Dixit (15*, 12b, 2x4). Pankaj Pande 2 for 17.

Result: The Hitavada won by seven wickets.

Individual prizes

Man-of-the-series: Praveen Lokhande (The Hitavada), best batsman: Ravi Daf (Punyanagari), best bowler: Piyush Patil (The Hitavada), best wicket-keeper: Pratik Sontakke (The Hitavada), best fielder: Nitin Shriwas (Lokmat), best catch: Gurudas Raut (Sakal), man-of-the-final: Pratik Sontakke (The Hitavada).

Punyanagari thrash Lokmat, to meet Hitavada in final

Last year's runners-up Punyanagari stunned defending champion Lokmat by 73 runs to enter the final in SJAN-OCHRI Cup Inter-Press T20 Cricket Tournament organised by Sports Journalists' Association of Nagpur at Ambedkar College ground, here on Monday.
The tournament is being sponsored by Orange City Hospital and Research Institute (OCHRI). Satvik and Purti Group are the co-sponsors of the tournament.
Punyanagari will meet nine-time champions The Hitavada in the final to be played on Tuesday morning at the same venue.
Batting first, Punyanagari piled up a huge total of 199 losing just three wickets in 20 overs.
Thanks to opening batsman Ravi Daf who played a brilliant knock of 92 runs in just 57 deliveries. His match winning knock was studded with five sixes and eight boundaries. Daf and Vaibhav Sonwane (41, 29b, 4x4) made 92 run partnership for the first wicket which set the tone of the match. Sunil Thawkar remained unbeaten on 25.
In reply, Lokmat lost their wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 126 in 17.3 overs. Only Amit Khodke (53, 57b, 6x4) showed some resistance. Sharad Mishra (19) and Nitin Patariya (17) got the start but failed to convert them into big knock.
For Punyanagari Pankaj Pande (2 for 29), Manoj Jhariya (2 for 27) and Vaibhav Sonawane (2 for 17) were the main wicket takers.
The final would be followed by prize distribution function. Director of Ravi Nair Hospitals Private Limited Usha Nair will be the chief guest on the occasion. CEO of Satvik Group Amol Dhake, director of OCHRI Dr Anup Marar, MD of Purti Group Sudhir Diwe, NUWJ president Shirish Borkar, secretary Bramha Shankar Tripathi and director of Deepak Agency Deepak Lalwani will also grace the occasion.
Brief scores: Punyanagari: 199 for 3 in 20 overs. Ravi Daf (92, 57b, 5x6, 8x4), Vaibhav Sonawane (41, 29b, 4x4), Sunil Thawkar (25*, 24b, 3x4), Pankaj Pande (13, 2x4) Vivek Vyavhare 2 for 26. Lokmat: 126 all out in 17.3 overs. Amit Khodke (53, 57b, 6x4), Sharad Mishra (19, 10b, 4x4), Nitin Patariya (17, 7b, 2x4, 1x6), Pankaj Pande (2 for 29), Manoj Jhariya (2 for 27), Vaibhav Sonawane (2 for 17). Result: Punyanagari won by 73 runs. MoM: Ravi Daf

The Hitavada drub ToI to enter final

Pawan Sawade's all-round performance (Three wickets and 44 no) enabled The Hitavada to drub The Times of India by six wickets to enter the final in SJAN-OCHRI Cup 14th Inter-Press T20 Invitational Cricket Tournament at Dr Ambedkar College ground, here on Sunday.
The Times of India won the toss and elected to bat first. They scored 136 losing seven wickets in 20 overs. Tushar Shukla played a half century knock 52 (33b, 10x4). Bhaik also batted well and knocked off 44 with the help of one six and one four.
For The Hitavada, Pawan Sawade (3 for 9) was the most successful bowler. Susheem Kolay and Piyush Patil got one wicket each.
In reply, The Hitavada achieved the target in just 15.3 overs sparing six wickets. Dropping dangerous and in-form Pravin Lokhande at early stage proved costly to ToI as he smashed 62 in 43 balls including 11 boundaries. Sawade, playing sensibly, remained unbeaten on 44. His knock was studded with eight boundaries. Rahul Dixit remained not out on 16. For ToI, Suraj Nair, Sandeep Dabhekar and Faizul Qamer claimed one wicket each. Sawade was declared man-of-the-match.
Earlier, the players were introduced to former Vidarbha Hockey Association president Radheshyam Sarda and chairman of Graceland Realties Shekhar Jadhao.
On Monday, defending champion Lokmat will take on last year's runners-up Punyanagari in the second semi-final at 9 am at the same venue.

Brief score

The Times of India: 136 for 7 in 20 overs. Tushar Shukla (52, 33b, 10x4), Rupesh Bhaik (44, 45b, 1x6, 1x4), Pawan Sawade 3 for 9, Susheem Kolay and Piyush Patil one wicket each.
The Hitavada: 138 for 4 in 15.3 overs. Pravin Lokhande (62, 43b, 11x4), Pawan Sawade ( 44 *, 24b, 8x4), Rahul Dixit 16* (1x6), Suraj Nair, Sandeep Dabhekar and Faizal Qumar one wicket each.
Result: The Hitavada won by six wickets.
MoM: Pawan Sawade

Hitavada take on ToI in semis today

NINE-TIME champions The Hitavada will meet The Times of India in the first semi-final of the 14th SJAN-Orange City Hospital Cup Inter-Press T20 Cricket Tournament on Sunday afternoon. The match will begin at 1 pm at Ambedkar College ground, Deekshabhoomi.
The tournament is organised by Sports Journalists Association of Nagpur.
After the league stage The Hitavada had emerged topper of Group ‘A’ followed by Lokmat. In Group ‘B’ Punyanagari took the top spot on better quotient than Times of India.
The semi-final promises to be a cracker of a contest as both teams boast of some utility players. Pravin Lokhande has remained the mainstay of The Hitavada with his all-round skills while Tushar Shukla has carried ToI with the same zeal.
The second semi-final will be played on Monday, January 23 from 9 am between Punyanagari and Lokmat at the same venue.
Final is slated on January 24 at Ambedkar College ground.

Stats and points table after league round

It's The Hitavada vs ToI; Lokmat vs Punyanagari in SF

After the league stage, the semi-finalists have been identified in SJAN-OCHRI Cup Inter-Press Invitational Cricket Tournament being organised by Sports Journalists' Association of Nagpur (SJAN).
From group 'A', nine-time champion The Hitavada and defending champion Lokmat have already qualified for the semis. The Hitavada emerged pool topper by winning all their four league matches. Lokmat followed them with three victories. Punyanagari topped the group 'B' on the basis of batting quotient (37.78), The Times of India followed them with (36. 23).
In the first semi-final to be played on January 22, The Hitavada will take on The Times of India at Ambedkar College at 1 p.m.
On January 23, Lokmat will clash with Punyanagari at 9 a.m. at the same venue. The final will be played at Ambedkar College ground on January 24 at 9 a.m.
On Thursday, Punyanagari drubbed Sakal by nine wickets while Dainik Bhaskar ended their campaign by recording six-wicket victory over Tarun Bharat in their last league match.

Brief scores: At Ambedkar College ground Sakal: 137 for two in 20 overs. Pankaj Borkar (71*, 65b, 9x4), Rajesh Vyavhare (44*, 31b, 4x4, 1x6), Manoj Jhariya 1 for 10.
Punyanagari: 138 for 1 in 14.3 overs. Ravi Daf (77*, 48b, 13x4, 1x6), Pankaj Pandey (48*, 39b 5x4).
Punyanagari won by nine wickets. MoM: Ravi Daf
At Vasant Nagar ground
Tarun Bharat: 94 all out in 15.5 overs. Vikas Barokar (17, 13b, 3x4), Mannu Bawas (12, 13b, 2x4), Roshan Tamboli, Lakhan Jaiswal and Omkar Kawle 11 runs each. Pratik Sharma 3 for 20, Bandu Dhore 3 for 12.
Dainik Bhaskar: 95 for 4 in 13.1 overs. Pratik Sharma (41*, 45b, 5x4, 1x6), Rahul Thakur (14, 3x4), Manish Mishra 12. Vikas Barokar, Nitin Baitule and Ankush Hiwrale one wicket each.
Result: Dainik Bhaskar won by six wickets MoM: Pratik Sharma.

The Hitavada finish with all win record, ToI thrash IE-Loksatta

Times of India thrashed Indian Express-Loksatta by 10 wickets in thier last Group B match of the 14th SJAN-Orange City Hospital Cup Inter-Press Invitational Twenty20 Cricket Tournament played at Vasant Nagar ground.
After bundling out IE-Loksatta for a paltry 61, Times of India rode on a 12-ball unbeaten 55 from Tushar Shukla to finish the match in record 2.3 overs.
At Dr Ambekar College ground The Hitavada defeated Deshonnati by 75 runs to finish their league round with an all-win record.
Brief Scores:
At Vasant Nagar ground
Indian Express-Loksatta: 61 all out in 19.5 overs. Swapnil Nagpure 10, Tushar Shulkla 5 for 9, SurajNair 2 for 8.
The Times of India: 66 for no loss in 2.3 overs. Tushar Shukla (55*,12b, 6x4, 5x6), Subodh Ratnaparkhi 7*.
Result: The Times of India won by ten wickets
MoM: Tushar Shukla
-----
At Ambedkar College
The Hitavada: 175 for 6 in 20 overs. Atul Jaigude (37, 32b, 4x4), Rahul Dixit (37, 23b, 4x4,1x6), Pravin Lokhande (36, 22b, 4x4, 1x6), Pawan Sawade (32, 17b, 3x4, 1x6), Sandeep Dhamde 3 for 29, Chetan Kamanwar 2 for 36.
Deshonnati: 100 for 9 in 20 overs. Rajesh Mishra (16, 2x4), Moreshwar Manapure (14, 2x4), Sudhir Delikar 4 for 18, Pawan Sawade 2 for 18.
Result: The Hitavada won by 75 runs
MoM: Sudhir Delikar
Thursday’s fixtures: Tarun Bharat vs Dainik Bhaskar at Vasant Nagar ground.Sakal vs Punyanagari at Ambedkar College ground. Both matches will start at 9 a.m.