Category Archives: Sports

Kids, get ready for a fun-filled week

June 3, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Sportsadmin

Hyderabad :

After a successful season of fun and learning last year, The Times of India is back with its Hyderabad for Kids campaign, this time with a fresh round of activities for thebaccha party.

The one-week long drive is all set to kick off on June 3 with an adventure-packed kayaking session on the Hussainsagar at Tank Bund. Perfect for kids aged between 8 and 15 years, the activity will be conducted by founder president of the Yacht Club of Hyderabad, Suheim Shaikh.

Later in the day, young drama enthusiasts from across the twin cities will be given an opportunity to showcase and hone their on-stage talent in a theatre workshop conducted by famous theatre personality Mohammed Ali Baig (June 3-June 5). Baig will also hold an ad film making workshop on June 7 and 8, exclusively for kids between 10 and 15 years of age.

Those looking to shake a leg while on their summer break also have reasons to cheer. This year’s campaign brings to you a power-packed four-day session with fitness guru Dinaz (June 3-June 6). Apart from twisting and turning to peppy numbers, the workshop will also be peppered with doses of aerobics for the health conscious.

Considering the roaring success of last year’s badminton session with Pullela Gopichand, which not just gave 100 children a chance to be trained by the ace coach but also enroll in his future camps, the campaign has ensured that the ‘game is on’ this year too. The difference is that this year the coach will be joined by his protege P V Sindhu who recently bagged the Grand Prix gold title in Malaysia. The duo will conduct a workshop on June 7 at the Gopichand Academy for talented and aspiring badminton champs.

The campaign also has something for kids who cannot stop talking in class. Allowing them to put their gift of the gab to good use and perhaps become the next big radio jockey, TOI will organize a trip to the Radio Mirchi station on June 4. The ‘outing’ will give kids an opportunity to interact and pick up a few tips from the city’s top radio jockeys (RJ).

Adding a dash of glamour to the campaign will be actor Rana Daggubati who will conduct a three-day acting workshop from June 7 to June 9 for kids aged between 12 and 16 years. Also on the calendar is a ‘magical’ session (well, literally) with Murali Krishna on June 8.

Children who have been in awe of the men in khaki will get a chance to step into the ‘dream’ role for a day as part of the ‘Be a police officer’ event scheduled for June 6 and 7. Hyderabad police commissioner Anurag Sharma and his team will take the kids along with them to show what it really takes to keep the city safe and secure.

Last year’s visit to TOI’s press at Nacharam turned out to be a great experience not only for the 50 excited kids, but also their parents who accompanied them. The press visit makes a comeback this year on June 7 for a fresh batch of children who want to understand what goes on behind the scenes in bringing out a newspaper.

So kids, gear up for an action-packed week of fun, learning and memories to last you a lifetime.

Week of fun and learning

June 3: Kayaking on Hussainsagar

June 3-June 5: Theatre workshop by Mohammed Ali Baig

June 3-June 6: Dance and fitness session with Dinaz

June 4: Trip to Radio Mirchi station

June 6-June 7: ‘Be A Police Officer’ with police commissioner Anurag Sharma and team

June 7: Badminton workshop by Pullela Gopichand and P V Sindhu

June 7: Visit to TOI’s press at Nacharam

June 7-June 9: Acting workshop by Rana Daggubati

June 7-June 8: Ad film making workshop with Mohammed Ali Baig

June 8: Magic session with Murali Krishna

For registration and other details, read The Times of India

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / June 03rd, 2013

Sporting Times: A worthy trip down memory lane

June 2, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Sportsadmin

Willing to read an old print eulogising Dhyan Chand’s exploits during the 1936 Berlin Olympics or gloss over what was written after the Maharaja of Vizianagaram sent back Lala Amarnath from England , then grab a book that chronicles India’s sporting history with interesting fables.

In an attempt to catch country’s sporting history in the past 175 years, the ‘Times of India’ has published a coffee table book ‘Sporting Times’, which captures sports reports that dates back to even 1840.

The reports from the newspapers’ rich archive has been compiled by sports historian Boria Majumdar and the reader will for sure enjoy a “journey” through the good, bad and the ugly of Indian sports.

“Essentially, we didn’t want it to be a book on cricket. There is a lot of cricket but there are reports on India’s Asian Games gold medal in kabaddi , from Wilson Jones to Geet Sethi, C K Nayudu to M S Dhoni, Dhyan Chand, Col Balbir Singh to Ajit Pal Singh, every era has been captured through the pages of the newspaper,” Majumdar said about the book.

For the connoisseurs of cricket, this book certainly is a collector’s item with rare photographs and anecdotes.

The doyen of cricket writing in India through the 60’s and 70’s, K N Prabhu’s match reports on India’s twin series victories in the West Indies and England in 1971, Sunil Gavaskar’s magnificent debut series, a report on young Haryana all-rounder Kapil Dev being selected to represent India, you find it all within one cover.

Then there are reports and rare pictures about crowd violence that marred the India versus West Indies Test at the Eden Gardens on a New Year’s Day in 1967 and the tragic death of six spectators during the 1969 Test match between India and Australia at the same venue.

There are reports about Milkha Singh (1960) and P T Usha (1984) missing out on much-deserved Olympic bronze medals by whisker. The heartbreak that Vijay Amritraj faced after losing to Czech Jan Kodes in the Wimbledon quarterfinal after being two sets up.

The reports of India’s famous twin triumph in cricket in 1983 and 1985, the football team’s exploits in the 1962 Asian Games at Jakarta. A significant number of events reported by the PTI during the phase have also been used.

The book will be launched by Sachin Tendulkar and Abhinav Bindra in Mumbai tomorrow.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / Press Trust of India / New Delhi – May 27th, 2013

This coach volleys for a cause

May 24, 2013Leaders, Sportsadmin

Koteswara Rao showing the basics to youngsters during the volleyball summer coaching camp at IGMC stadium in Vijayawada. / The Hindu

Koteswara Rao is known for his relentless search for champions

Mention volleyball in Vijayawada and many vignettes crisscross the mind, and the most significant is that of former Indian Railways spiker and well-known coach T. Koteswara Rao, who has won the hearts of many with his unswerving commitment to the game.

Affectionately called Koti by his friends, the veteran is known for his relentless search for champions and he uses the annual summer camp as a mission to search and hone their skills for glory.

This pursuit is not something new to him for he made use of several camps earlier by identifying champion spikers like Arjuna awardee P.V. Ramana (father of badminton star P.V. Sindhu), Guthikonda Pradeep and Sk. Naima who went on to play for India from Vijayawada.

“I have around 25 boys and 15 girls coming regularly to learn the basics at the IGMC. If they show the commitment and dedication, I am sure they can make a mark. I am also counselling their parents to let their children continue even after the summer is over. All they need to do is to play for two years and they will see the results for themselves,” he pointed out.

Koteswara Rao is teaching the kids the rudiments such as holding and handling of the ball and later teaching them how to serve from one end to the other. Many kids with their not-so-strong hands failed to clear even their own side of the court but Koti, instead of chiding them encouraged them to apply more power.

Koti said that the players would be taught six basic skills – serve, pass, set, attack, block and dig.

Each of these skills comprises a number of specific techniques that have been introduced over the years and are now considered standard practice in high-level volleyball.

“We need to apply specialisation basing on the physical structure of the player. If the player is blessed with good height he or she can be made a good spiker or a blocker. Short players can be good libero (defence player),” he added.

“It is unfortunate that Koti is not yet conferred with coveted Dronacharya award. After all, he produced so many national and international players ,” said Krishna District Olympic Association secretary K.P. Rao.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities . by J. R. Sridharan / Vijayawada – May 18th, 2013

Motorsports: Bolisetti qualifies 19th

May 16, 2013Sportsadmin

Indian Sailesh Bolisetti, a 24-year-old from Visakhapatnam, qualified in the 19th position here for the second round of the 2013 Euro Racecar season.

Chronic mechanical issues left Bolisetti’s team Scorpus Racing struggling with the Chevrolet Camaro SS during both practice sessions.

Because of this, the Indian driver got his first hard laps of the 3.8-km circuit only in qualifying.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> News-IANS> Sports / IANS , Dijon-Prenois (France) / May 11th, 20123

Nizamabad kho kho players felicitated

May 13, 2013Sportsadmin

Good going: Nizamabad Collector Christina Z. Chongthu and Additional Joint Collector C. Sreeram Reddy with the district Kho Kho team which won the Telangana level sports competitions, in Nizamabad on Wednesday:/- Photo: K.V. Ramana / The Hindu

The Nizamabad girls and boys Kho Kho teams which bagged the first and second prizes in the Telangana level 33rd sports tournament held at Atmakur (M) in Nalgonda district were felicitated by the Collector Ms. Christina Z. Chongthu.

The Collector and the Additional Joint Collector C. Sreeram Reddy on Wednesday, complimented the teams for their efforts.

The officials also congratulated kho kho players M. Sandeep, Ch. Hareesh, A. Vijay, M. Latha, A. Honey, N. Madhuri and M.C. Srinivas who were selected for the 33rd national level tournament to be held in Himachal Pradesh from May 27. Kho Kho Association district president M. Sarala Mahender Reddy and secretary M. Gangadhar were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Nizamabad – May 09th, 2013

‘OMG…! I’ve won!’: P.V. Sindhu

May 6, 2013Records, All, Sportsadmin

What has been promised for so long was finally delivered on Saturday, when fast-rising Hyderabad badminton star P.V. Sindhu clinched the Malaysia Grand Prix, defeating Juan Gu of Singapore 21-17, 17-21, 21-19 in a fiercely fought final.

“It is a very happy moment for all of us. We have been waiting for this day for so long,” said an ecstatic P.V. Ramana, Sindhu’s father, “This being her first senior title makes it a very special day for us.”

While the match was in progress in Kuala Lumpur, her family had to endure some very tense moments. Her father recounts, “She won the first game but her opponent won the second. Sindhu was then trailing 10-15 in the third game, when we lost the internet connection. We didn’t know what to do. We then got the news that she had won and when we spoke to her, all she could say was, ‘I just stood there, blank, not realising I had won.’ We are all on cloud nine!”

Reflected the same sentiment, Sindhu related, “It was a very taxing match. After I won the first game, Juan fought back really well to win the second. But the third game is one that I will remember for a long time. I was trailing 10-15, and for a moment, I was worried.”

Sindhu then fought back and made it 14-15. She then took the lead, and with Juan snapping at her heels, wrapped up the set 21-19 to win the title.

“I just froze on the court for a couple of minutes. I couldn’t believe I had won. Then it hit me and my first reaction was, ‘Oh my God! I’ve actually won!’”

Sindhu thanked her coach Edwin Iriawan, who had accompanied her to Malaysia, and the support staff for their encouragement. “It has been a great three weeks for me. I played the quarterfinals at Chinese Taipei (Badminton Asia Championships) and the semifinals in New Delhi (India Open Superseries) and now, I have won my first title.”

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Lifestyle> Offbeat / by Vijay Anand – DC / May 06th, 2013

Abedin, at 12, shoots to fame

May 5, 2013Sportsadmin

Young shooter Zain-ul-Abedin who was the cynosure of all eyes in the G. V. Mavlankar shooting championship at Yapral on Friday in Hyderabad. / The Hindu

M.A. Zain-ul-Abedin challenged seasoned campaigners at the All India G.V. Mavlankar Shooting Championship in Yapral and finished third in the qualifying rounds.

At age 12, most kids do not even prefer to be in the vicinity of any shooting range, leave alone compete. But the Class VI student from Nasr School (Gachibowli), M.A. Zain-ul-Abedin, not only challenged seasoned campaigners at the All India G.V. Mavlankar Shooting Championship in Yapral but even finished a remarkable third in the qualifying rounds.

In a way, this shooting prodigy has been into the sport since age 5 as his sisters – Nargis Fatima and Saba Fatima – are also national shooters in air pistol (10 m and 25 m).

Defying all odds as the big bore event is a totally different proposition given the heavy recoil and distance, Abedin threw enough hints of his immense talent in the 300-m big bore competition with a terrific score of 547\600; an effort which will see him compete for the medal on Saturday. This sub-junior national champion in the air pistol category was clearly the cynosure of all eyes at the Lake Line Ranges in Yapral on Friday.

It is an event where even seniors struggle to sustain their concentration as the competition is not only demanding but also implies handling the heavy recoil and distance, apart from firing 60 shots, says Viqar Ahmed Shafeeq, joint secretary, Rifle Association of Andhra Pradesh.

With his sisters and father, A.M. Hussain, constantly guiding him, Abedin is clearly looking for bigger things.

“I am pleased with my performance today. It was certainly not expected, but I was confident of putting up a good show,” said the shy shooter on Friday.

Thanks to the shooting ranges at home, Abedin has the liberty to just go out and keep improving his shooting prowess, taking time off from academics.

“The best part is that he is good in both academics and sport,” says a proud Hussain.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / April 13th, 2013

Sania Mirza, Malaika Arora, Jacqueline Fernandez at the Women’s Prerna Awards 2013 in Mumbai

April 29, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Sportsadmin

Sania Mirza also made an appearance at the award ceremony. / Yogen Shah — Sania Mirza also made an appearance at the award ceremony. /
Yogen Shah

Sania Mirza, Malaika Arora, Jacqueline Fernandez, Payal Rohatgi, Saroj Khan, Kapil Sharma, Hrishita Bhatt and Divya Dutta were spotted at the Women’s Prerna Awards 2013 in Mumbai.

The Prerna Awards 2013 honoured women who have battled odds to achieve success in their lives.
Yogen Shah

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / IBN / Home> Movies> Photos / Yogen Shah / April 10th, 2013

Get out, get healthy

April 21, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sportsadmin

World Health Day will see Hyderabadis sweating it out doing surya namaskars, cycling away to picturesque locales in the city and going off on adventurous treks.

This World Health Day, which falls on Sunday, many biryani-loving Hyderabadis have good reason to cheer. ‘Cos Sundays in our city are no longer about sleeping in late, waking up for a sluggish brunch, and lounging around all day. If the growing number of fitness-related events and outdoor activities in the city are anything to go by, it seems like Hyderabadis have shrugged off their lazy ol’ habits and bucked up to get healthy.

In fact, this Sunday will see at least hundred-odd fitness enthusiasts gather at a resort in Shamirpet for a ‘mass surya namaskar drive’. The idea is to promote the health benefits of surya namaskar and one of the most effective series of asanas in yoga, which gives you a full body workout, says Pratibha Aggarwal, a yoga expert who is the brain behind this effort. “We wanted people to know more about the health benefits of yoga, which heals both mind and body. The participants at the ‘108 surya namaskar’ will be encouraged to push themselves as much as they can.” Talking about the popularity of yoga these days, Aggarwal says, “While earlier it was only the middle-aged group that tried out yoga, these days several youngsters are drawn to it. It is a good outlet for stress and to connect with their inner self.” While there was a similar event held in October, Aggarwal says that the number of participants has doubled this time around. Priti Sen, a freelance travel writer who is an enthusiastic yoga practioner says she learnt yoga, ironically, during her stay in Singapore. “Yoga is addictive. It is more refreshing when compared to working out at the gym, as gymming gets mundane with the same routines,” explains Sen,who plans to attend the surya namaskar session with her husband.

Meanwhile, some Hyderabadis like to rough it out in the outdoors. Several adventure and outdoor sports clubs have been actively conducting outdoor events for its participants. The Hyderabad Bicycling Club which has recently launched ‘picturesque rides’ says cyclists queue up at day break on weekends to cycle together to places outside the city limits and the recent one being Ananthagiri Hills. Arvind Chenji, one of the active members of the club says, “It was a huge group of almost 50 people and it was a lot of fun. On each of our trips, we find more number of people coming forward to participate. I find that the previous generation missed out on outdoor activities, but thankfully, people now are finally getting back to it.”

Diyanat Ali, founder of GHAC too feels that people are now enjoying their connection with nature more than ever. “When you go out on a trek or participate in some adventure sport, there is a change in environment and you connect with nature.” Interestingly, he adds that there are almost 20 people who make calls to join GHAC everyday!

Suresh Kochattil, another member of GHAC adds that the lure of simply picking up a pair of shoes and going off on for a trek is what attracts many youngsters. “It’s quite hassle-free. All you need is a good pair of shoes and you’re set to trek amidst nature and get fit at the same time,” says Suresh.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Life & Style> Health & Fitness / by Afrin Humayon / TNN / April 06th, 2013

Flying start for another city girl

April 18, 2013Sportsadmin

Ranked at 610th position, Nidhi Chilumala is the highest ranked WTA singles player from the State

It may sound strange, but for Nidhi Chilumala it is an achievement in itself when she became the highest ranked WTA singles player from Andhra Pradesh – to be precise ranked No. 610 with the best ever women tennis player from India Sania Mirza ranked at No. 702.

In a way, this could well suggest the other side of Indian women’s tennis – the huge gap between a champion like Sania and the others who dream to emulate her feats. And moreover the champion player’s ranking dropped as she stopped playing singles because of a series of injuries.

Nidhi, who showed her talent by reaching the quarter-final and the semi-final of the ITF tennis tournaments in the city recently, is widely believed to be one of the best talent to emerge in the circuit.

The 18-year-old Nidhi still proudly recalls the days when she used to cheer up shouting ‘Sania, Sania’ from the stands in the 2005 Hyderabad WTA event.

Clearly inspired by Sania’s achievements, which include two Grand Slam titles, which continue to be a distant dream for many gifted players from India now, Nidhi took to sport at the age of eight and is a huge fan of Justin Henin of Belgium and Victoria Azeranka of Belarus.

One of the most unnoticed achievements by this talented youngster was when Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy presented a cash incentive of Rs.1.5 lakh for silver medal in the Ranchi National Games.

“Yes, it would be great if we continue to host many more ITF titles and it would be even more remarkable if Hyderabad were to host WTA events,” says a smiling Nidhi.

Her coach Neelakanteshwar Rao, who trains her at IRISET and Jubilee Hills Public School, is confident of his trainee going to places.

“She has the talent, grit, determination and the willingness to put in that extra effort in training sessions,” he reminds.

Nidhi is not so naïve to relax on her latest feat for she is in the mood to keep improving.

EYES GRAND SLAM

“The road ahead is always going to be highly demanding and very competitive. There are no shortcuts for success. I will not be found wanting in my commitment and hard work to realise my dream of playing in a Grand Slam one day and then aim much bigger,” she says with all seriousness.

Right now, Nidhi is focussed to play as many as ITF events as possible to improve her rankings so that she crosses the magical top 100 mark to be eligible to compete in the WTA events.

“That is the first target and then I will think of other things,” she says.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / April 04th, 2013

Andhra Pradesh First

a Celebration. Positive News, Facts & Achievements about Seemandhra, Coastal Andhra, Telugu People and all the People of Andhra Pradesh – here at Home and Overseas