Sriperambuduru Jaahnavi of Srikakulam district will set her foot on Stok Kangri, located at a height of 20,080 ft (6,125 m), in her first practice climbing on August 2

She had her first brush with adventure at the age of 10 months! You read it right. She was only a toddler when she accompanied her parents on her first trek to Ananthagiri forest in 2002.

By the time she turned 10, she completed two high-altitude treks, five national treks, and 25 local treks.

She has now set her sight on scaling all the major summits in the world. She is preparing for her High Altitude Expeditions in Leh, Ladakh, for advanced training in mountaineering skills. She will go to Stok Kangri, located at a height of 20,080 ft (6,125 m), in her first practice climbing on August 2 this year.

Meet Sriperambuduru Jaahnavi of Srikakulam district, who is an inspiration for young girl mountain-climbers in the State. Her father Krishna Rao is also her coach from her childhood in mountaineering and martial arts.

Dr. Krishna Rao, a qualified mountaineer, a high-altitude rescuer, and wilderness first responder trainer, has charted her career from childhood.

Jaahnavi, now 12 years and 8 months old, is studying in Class IX at St. Michael’s in Hyderabad.

At the age of 9 in 2010, she successfully completed the Roop Kund trek (16,000 ft). In the following year, she participated in the National Himalayan Trek, organised by the Youth Hostels’ Association of India, with special permission, and successfully completed the first batch of the trek scaling 10,000 ft. She was the youngest girl to climb the Venkatagiri Durgam, considered to be the highest in Andhra Pradesh, in 2013.

“I plan to scale all the seven highest summits in the world sometime next year,” says Jaahnavi, who draws inspiration from Bachendri Pal and Malli Mastan Babu (of Nellore). Her ultimate aim is to scale the Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world.

“The trekking at Roop Kund was challenging. It was a test of my endurance, energy levels, and decision-making power,” she said while recalling the expedition.

“There is always an element of risk in adventure. But, the thrill and winning over nature gives immense satisfaction,” said Dr. Krishna Rao, who had trained many in adventure sports and martial arts in Toronto, Canada.

Visakhapatnam Sports Journalists’ Association secretary N. Nageswara Rao and Adventure Cultural and Tourism of India Director T. Chandrasekhar are coordinating the training of the girl in the coastal areas.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by B. Madhu Gopal / Visakhapatnam – July 15th, 2014

Vijayawada :

Andhra Pradesh Athletic Association (APAA) felicitated runner M Manikandaraj, who has been selected for 20th Commonwealth Games to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 3, at Indira Gandhi Municipal stadium Wednesday.

CBR sports academy chairman CBR Prasad presented `1 lakh to Manikandaraj and hoped for his success in the competition.

Prasad urged children to take Manikandaraj as inspiration and excel in sports. He urged parents not to restrict children to studies but also encourage them in sports. Manikandaraj is working as TTE in South Central Railway, Vijayawada. He got many medals in national and international competitions. In the Commonwealth Games ‘14, he will represent India in 4×100 metres relay and 100 metres individuals.

Vijayawada Central MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, ANU physical education director Y Kishore, Krishna District Sports Development officer P Rama Krishna, C Channel MD and APAA vice-president TV Ramesh and APAA general secretary A Raghavendra were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / July 10th, 2014

It’s crunch time for two city archers — Vennam Jyothi Surekha and Purvasha Sudhir Shinde — as they are among the top eight archers of the country’s compound segment and they will be part of the selection trials on from which four will be shortlisted for the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

The Archery Association of India (AAI) has staged four National Ranking Archery Tournaments (NRATs) and picked the top eight arches in both compound and recurve segments. “Four archers will be picked for the Asian Games after two back to back trials in July,” said AP Archery Association administrator Ch. Satyanarayana.

Much to the delight of the local archery administrators, the 15-year-old Purvasha, a trainee from Volga Archery Academy, catapulted herself to the top league by garnering encouraging points to emerge among the top eight. She won the sub-junior and junior titles and later dominated the women segment by winning the third NRAT at Hyderabad.

“Now we have two champion archers from Vijayawada in Jyothi Surekha and Purvasha and both will be vying for berths for Korea,” said Krishna District Sports Development Officer P. Ramakrishna.

Purvasha in her maiden international event at Columbia (World Cup Stage 2) reached the last 16 in women’s draw beating Colombian Superstar Sara Lopez 146-144. However, she could not replicate her form in the pre-quarters going down to eventual finalist Toja Cerne of Slovenia. India’s former No. 1 archer Jyothi Surekha, who has been performing consistently, is finding the going tough as she is left with no coach after her fallout with Volga Archery Academy. Surekha is now taking tips from International Isaiah R. Sanam from Hyderabad.

Jyothi Surekha, a find of late Indian coach Ch. Lenin, made her mark in the Indian archery as a precocious talent by winning bagful medals to the country.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / J. R. Sridharan / Vijayawada – July 01st, 2014

The Army Boys Company, AOC Centre at Secunderabad, is conducting a pre-induction rally (trials) at the Port Stadium’s outdoor basketball courts here from July 3 to 5 for boys of Andhra Pradesh.

The final selection would be conducted later at Secunderabad during which the boys would be picked up for an intensive training by Army and SAI coaches. Food and accommodation would be provided for the boys during the training programme and they could also opt for a job in the Army at the end of training, president of the District Basketball Association T.S.R. Prasad told reporters here on Friday. The AOC took the help of DBA for organising the pre-induction rally (preliminary trials) for boys in the 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Boys in the 11-14 years age group as on August 5, 2014 can appear for the preliminary trials here. Boys who have played for a State in the Zonal or National championships or raw but talented players can attend. They have to bear their own expenses during the trials.

Other details can be had by contacting Boys Sports Academy, AOC Centre, Secunderabad, PIN 900 453, C/O 56 APO. Senior JCO, Sports Coy 09392417194 or basketball coach 93940 09631.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – June 27th, 2014

Sites have been allotted for taking up development of playgrounds in the Assembly constituencies that fall in GVMC limits.

The grounds will be developed by the Sports Department with the State Government funds and the District Sports Development Officer will oversee the works.

There was a demand in the general body meetings of the GVMC to develop a sports ground in each of the six zones. However, this has been changed to Assembly constituencies.

No site was available to develop the grounds in Visakhapatnam East, South and North constituencies that are located in the heart of the city. However, various stadiums are located in these constituencies.

For Bheemunipatnam, the ground will come up on a 2.5-acre site at Madhurawada and work has already begun, according to Municipal Commissioner M.V. Satyanarayana.

For Visakhapatnam West, 70 cents of land was identified near Coromandel Gate and tenders called.

For Pendurti, six acres of land near Parawada police station and for Gajuwaka, five acres opposite Duvvada railway station have been identified.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – June 11th, 2014