Visakhapatnam:

It might not win the race for the capital of Seemandhra following the state’s bifurcation but Vizag is set to emerge as the sports capital of the proposed state (Seemandhra), according to sports experts here in this rather bustling coastal city.

Well, that’s not a mere hunch of the sports enthusiasts. Their opinion has a basis because Vizag is already fast emerging as a sports hub. It won’t take the coastal city much time in transforming into a full-fledged sports capital of Seemandhra once the separate state comes into being, sports experts opined.

That doesn’t seem a misplaced opinion what with coastal city already boasting a series of sporting structure. They are the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA nternational cricket stadium, Swarnabharati Indoor Stadium besides a number of clay and synthetic tennis courts.

And the list doesn’t complete without the city’s crowning glory: The picturesque East Point golf course.

This booming sporting infrastructure is sure to mushroom following the formation of a separate state of Seemandhra. And with that will multiply the opportunities for the city’s budding sports persons, according to the observers of the city’s sporting scene.

Traditionally, the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh had more players from Hyderabad excelling in national and International arenas than Vizag. Following bifurcation, the situation may just alter. The coastal city may attain that prima Donna status, according to sports lovers.

“Vizag stands a very good chance of becoming the sports capital of Seemandhra despite it being located at the corner of the new state”, said Subba Rao, President of Andhra Cricket Association. “The city is equipped to host international events easily as it has international air connectivity besides boasting some international level stadiums and several star hotels”, he added.

Vizag emerging as a sports capital would mean more budding sportspersons from Seemandhra getting a chance to flower and representing their region in national and international events, Rao said.

Sports fraternity of the region feels that Vizag being a coastal town and blessed with good beaches can also host international waters sports evens like surfing, rowing, kayaking and sailing. “We also need some more world class sporting infrastructure so as to be able to host national and international events of football, basketball, archery and athletics”, said President of Andhra Pradesh Volleyball Association S Kodandaramiah.

According to Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh officials, once a separate state of Seemandhra is created, a separate Sports Authority of India and Sate Olympic Association would have to be formed.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / by Nalla Ram, DC / August 11th, 2013

Q. I have a time goal for the Hyderabad Marathon *. Any advice on the best pacing strategy to adopt?

Good question. Unlike shorter races – 10K and even the half marathon  – where you can predict your finish time to within a minute or two, the full marathon has too much uncertainty that makes forecasting difficult. Hence, it is important to approach your race with a pacing strategy but make adjustments depending on the weather, course topography and the tactics of other runners (relevant for those intent on placement).

Set a  goal time based on facts and not picked from thin air, or simply X minutes faster  than your previous race. This only sets you up for disappointment if you don’t achieve your timing whereas the truth may be that you ran very well but had an unrealistic timing goal.

Broadly there are three pacing strategies that an amateur runner could adopt in a race:

(a) Start hard and hold on for your dear life
Usually makes for a painful race experience as lactate quickly accumulates and we are forced to slow down. Also results in fast glycogen burn. Now you understand why so many runners lose their way soon into a race.

(b) Start conservatively and pick up pace later
It takes experience to know when to pick up the pace and often you finish with “gas in your tank” knowing you could have done better. A safe approach but dicey when you have a target goal time.

(c) Maintain an even pacing throughout
Takes focus and confidence to hold back when feeling strong in the early stages but proven to pay off. And, if you have proper running form, trained correctly, come rested into the race and then follow a proven fueling plan  you may even manage a negative split!

I look at my splits for the Boston Marathon 2013 :

If you factor in that the Boston hills come between the 25K to 35K stretch when my pace fell to 4.20/km then the actual picture is very steady. In fact, I usually do faster timings at the 5K, 10K, 20K and 30K mark but feel the pain thereafter whereas this time, at Boston, with a more steady pace I had the strength to finish strong.
Finally, remember that each runner is unique and so hold on to your game plan and not get distracted by other runners.

* Airtel Hyderabad Marathon  will take place on 25th August, 2013.

source: http://www.coolage.in / Cool Age / Home / by Ashok Nath / August 02nd, 2013

Indian Badminton League (IBL) is a franchise-based city teams tournament which is worth $1 million. This is the richest badminton league in the world. Six teams will be seen in action from August 14 to 31, 2013. This year’s is the inaugural edition of IBL. Krrish Delhi Smashers, Lucknow Warriors, Mumbai Masters, Banga Beats, Pune Pistons and Hyderabad Hotshots are the teams.

The six franchises had a purse of $275,000 to buy players in the auction, which was held a few days back in Delhi. Each team comprises of 11 players – four foreign, six Indians and one junior.

Matches will be played on home and away format in four categories – men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s singles and mixed doubles.

The top four will make the semi-finals. The final is scheduled for August 31 in Mumbai.

Hyderabad’s star player and Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal called the launch of  IBL  as a “historic moment.”

“This is a historic moment for Indian badminton. Post-2012 Olympics, the junoon for badminton has reached a peak in India. I’m confident the Indian Badminton League will make the game even more popular amongst the masses and fulfill the high expectations it has raised,” she said.

Saina is the costliest female player in IBL. She was bought by Hyderabad for $120,000.

Here, get to know about Hyderabad franchise – Hyderabad Hotshots.

Team – Hyderabad Hotshots

Owners: PVP Group

List of players purchased in the auction

Saina Nehwal  (India) $120,000

Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk (Thailand) $15,000

Ajay Jayram (India) $25,000

Taufik Hidayat (Indonesia) $15,000

Khim Wah Lim (Malaysia) $10,000

V Shem Goh (Malaysia) $10,000

Tarun Kona (India) $28,000

Pradenya Gadre (India) $46,000

Kanthi Visalakhi (India) $3,000

Shubhankar Dey (India) $3,000

Hyderabad Hotshots schedule

Vs Lucknow Warriors – August 15

Vs Delhi Smashers – August 17

Vs Pune Pistons – August 19

Vs Mumbai Masters – August 22

Vs Banga Beats – August 27

source: http://www.news.oneindia.in / OneIndia News / Oneindia> News> Sports / by Aprameya / Thursday – July 25th, 2013

Hyderabad:

Promising exciting action on sails, the Laser National Sailing Championship 2013 got underway at the picturesque Hussain Sagar lake here today. Andhra Pradesh Tourism and Sports Minister Vatti Vasant Kumar inaugurated the championship which will be held till July 28. About 120 sailors from all over the country are expected to participate in the event, being conducted by the Laser Class Association of India (LCAI).

The competition will be held Laser, 4.7, Standard and Radial categories. Lt General S M Mehta, Commandant, Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME) and Col Commandant Corps of EME Sailing Association said Hussain Sagar lake provided a conducive atmosphere for sailing. He also mentioned that India has the potential to achieve many medals in sailing in prestigious championships like Olympics. Brig. Rajaram, Rear Commodore of EME Sailing Association said that the objective behind organising such an event is to promote the eco-friendly sport, adding that top sailors from all over the country are participating in the event. “Laser class is Olympic class and is gaining popularity amongst sportsmen and spectators,” he said.

According to the organisers of the event, there have been queries from Asia Pacific countries as well for participation in the event. Captain Soli Contractor, the government observer for the event, said that more women are also coming forward to participate. Among the 120 entries, 31 will participate in Standard category, 60 in Radial and 29 in 4.7, the organisers added. The Laser Class Association of India (LCAI) is conducting these championship since 1986 (including hosting Asia Pacific Laser International Championship in May 2001 at Hyderabad), they added.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Sports> Other Sports / PTI / July 24th, 2013

Hyderabad:

The Andhra Pradesh Athletics Association is conducting the State inter-district junior athletics championships at the GMC Balayogi Athletics Stadium, Gachibowli, from July 19 to 21. Around 1,000 athletes from 23 districts, Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh academies, Sports Authority of India hostels and sports schools will be competing at the event.

Top athletes from the tournament will represent AP at the South Zone junior athletics championship to be held in Chennai from August 21 to 23.

The championships will be held in under-14, under16, under-18 and above-20 age categories. The Association will designate around 50 technical officials from various AP districts for the event. Hyderabad are the overall defending champions at the event.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Sports> Other Sports / by DC Correspondent / July 18th, 2013