Category Archives: Sports

Colwyn Bay cricket club choose overseas player

Nri's / Pio's, Sports, World Opinion

INDIAN allrounder Khatib Syed Shahabuddin will be Colwyn Bay Cricket Club’s overseas player for the new Liverpool Competition season.

Bay, who were relegated from the Premier Division at the end of a disappointing 2012 season, will be hoping the seasoned professional, who has 76 first class matches under his belt, will help them bounce back at the first attempt

The 33-year-old Shahabuddin – known as Shobby – who plays his first class cricket for Andhra Pradesh, has a couple of first class tons to his name while scoring more than 2,500 runs at an average just under 25.

The right-arm fast medium opening bowler also has almost 250 first class wickets at an average of 26.7 while his one-day stats include 60 matches with almost 1,000 runs and 73 wickets at a healthy economy rate.

Shahabuddin, who has also played for Hyderabad Heroes and Mumbai Indians, is due to arrive in the Bay during early May and, as he has a Level 2 coaching certificate, he will be expected to help out with coaching at all levels of the club.

Bay start nets at Rydal School on Friday evening and skipper Paul Jenkins is expecting to have many of last year’s squad available for what is bound to be a crucial year for the club.

Jenkins said: “We have lost one or two players but I am confident that we will have a good squad to pick from when the season starts.”

Two players who won’t be in the Bay first eleven this year are promising young batsman Jordan Evans who will be staying in the Premier Division by joining Firwood Bootle after scoring almost 600 league runs for the Bay last season.

Wicketkeeper and former skipper Graeme Jones will also be playing for Bootle next season, six years after leaving that club to join the Bay.

Bay start their 2013 campaign away at Birkenhead Park on Saturday, April 13, in the Bridging Finance Trophy Group 2 and have their first home game the following weekend against Wavertree.

The club’s first Division One fixture is away at Orrell Red Triangle on Saturday, May 4.

source: http://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk / Home> Sports> Cricket / by Andrew Martin / February 20th, 2013

Honours for Hyderabad, heartbreak for NFC

Sports

Nagpur :

When  Hyderabad Globe Football Club  did the three cheers to celebrate, acknowledge and appreciate the presence of a huge turnout at the Military Ground in Kamptee on Friday, they were joined by a couple of hundred of their supporters. It was such a day, when the semi professional outfit from Andhra Pradesh, established in 1962, dominated the proceedings to capture their 9th All-India crown on the trot.

In a high quality final, full of thrill and drama, Hyderabad took Nagpur FC in their strides to snatch a thrilling 1-0 triumph to lift the Haji Majeed Ahmed Majju Seth All-India Gold Cup Football Trophy.

The presence of almost 7,000-strong crowd may have set the competitive juices flowing in both camps as the summit clash between two of the professional outfits witnessed a fast paced and attacking football.

With four Nigerain players in their roster, the Hyderabad FC, appearing in red and black outfit, clearly had the upper hand against NFC men donning orange and whites. However, a rock-solid defense by the rivals and some of their own misfortune kept them away from scoring. They depended far too much on their two Nigerian strikers in  Mohammad Yousuf  and John Tebo as Hyderabad missed almost seven goal scoring opportunities which kept the first half goalless.

Replacing their fourth Nigerian, Mike, with Mohammad Mustafa in the 58th minute, however, did the trick for Wahab Ansari’s boys. No sooner than the 24-year-old Mustafa entered the field, he seized Hyderabad’s first big opportunity. Displaying his athletic skills, Mustafa dribbled the ball past a couple of NFC defenders to feed a lovely through pass to Sayed Nasar. The timing of the pass was so perfect that Nasar was required to just tap the ball past the NFC custodian which he did without fuss. Nasar placed the ball to the right corner of the net from the centre. The match winning goal came in the 63rd minute.

Hyderabad received prize money of Rs 51,000 lakhs along with a trophy from the chief guest Chandrashekhar Bawankule, MLA, while the runners-up, NFC, picked up Rs 31,000 cash and a trophy. Former minister Anees Ahmed presided over the concluding function.

Delighted with the triumph, Hyderabad skipper Alamdar Raza in a chat with TOI said, “Total team effort helped us win our 9th All-India crown in succession. Expectations were high for so naturally we were under pressure. But the way all our players held their positions enabled us to lift the cup. I would also like to appreciate the huge turnout in Kamptee. Having played many championships, this is for the first time in my life that I have seen such a disciplined public.”

Individual prizes

Player of the tournament: B Shashank (Hyderabad)
Player of the final: Sayed Nasar (Hyderabad)
Best goalkeeper: Mohammad Asif (Hyderabad)
Best midfielder: Tabrez Junaidi (NFC)
Best defender: Ibrahim Khan (NFC)
Best Forward: Aafaque Amir (Range Police)

Upcoming players in the tournament: Arbaz Raza (Eleven Star); Sharique Nadeem, Saquib Anwar (both Young Iqbal); Asheer Akthar (Rabbani Club)

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Sports> Football /by Amit Sampat, TNN / February 16th, 2013

Tennis stars jubilant over their new-set goal

Business & Economy, Sports

Tennis star Sania Mirza seen with Stephenie Mattek-Sands at the former’s Academy that is coming up in Hyderabad. / Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

The two Grand Slam winners will be back where they simply love to be – on the tennis court. For India’s Sania Mirza and Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) will join hands after a brief respite from the hectic schedule to achieve their new-set goal – to be the World No.1 women’s doubles pair. And, if the mood and the bonhomie between the two is any indication during their visit to Sania Mirza Tennis Academy that is fast nearing completion in Murtuzaguda in Hyderabad, then they clearly mean business.

“I enjoy playing with her. Honestly, the chemistry is excellent for we not just partners on the court but even off it maintain a great relationship,” insists the 26-year-old Sania, the only Indian woman player to win two Grand Slam titles, in a chat at the Academy.

Clearly floored by the magnificent Academy that is coming up, with nine synthetic courts to start with and three more clay courts in the future plans, Bethanie, the 2012 Australian Open mixed doubles title-winner, reciprocates to the feelings of her partner.

“Somehow, I am at home playing with her. Mind you, she is a terrific fighter, never gives up easily. This is the beauty of her game,” points out the 27-year-old American.

Well, that the two enjoyed a special bonding was clearly evident when Bethanie and her husband Justin Sands stayed at Sania’s place, went around the city and even had a glance of the famous Hyderabadi’s Ristretto that is coming up in the posh locality of Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad.

“I would love to see you stay here for a longer duration,” was the gentle request of Sania to her partner which had the latter acknowledge it with all warmth.

“Sure. I love this Academy. A perfect setting for any tennis player and surely would like to spend more time on the court very soon,” Bethanie said even while being inquisitive about the future plans of Sania on the Academy which also include floodlighting in the next phase.

Coming back to the more serious business of WTA Tour, Bethanie believes that Sania has lot more tennis left in doubles right now.

“Our dream is to win a Grand Slam title. Once we do that, we will set new goals to chase,” says the smiling American.

“We know it is a very highly competitive and demanding circuit. But we are preparing with all seriousness to make a huge impact on the tennis world,” says the champion duo.

For his part, Imran Mirza, father of Sania Mirza, says that the Academy will be functional in an informal manner when he is planning to have kids to train on these new courts next month itself to give them a feel of what it is all about. “In all probability, the Academy will be operational in all aspects by April this year,” he says.

By all means, it is obvious that the Mirzas are keen to see that Sania Mirza Tennis Academy will be the final destination of training for the young talent. “The whole idea is to give back something to the sport which made me what I am. And being familiar with the travails in moulding raw talent, we are keen to see that the youngsters don’t suffer for want of that,” says Sania.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / February 14th, 2013

On a different court: Saina Nehwal joins AP govt’s ‘save power campaign’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Sports

Badminton superstar Saina Nehwal  might have done quite a few endorsements for commercial products; but for the first time, she is going to be a brand ambassador for the Andhra Pradesh government for a public cause.

The  ace shuttler  is going to campaign extensively for State Energy Conservation Mission (SECM), asking the people of all sections to take up energy saving measures so as to minimize power consumption in the wake of severe power crisis staring the state.

“We had a meeting Saina and her coach Pullela Gopichand, the erstwhile badminton star, a couple of days ago and explained the objectives our energy conservation mission. We gave a power point presentation on how the state has been facing an unprecedented power crisis. We explained them how the scarcity of the natural resources like coal, gas and water have led to the present situation of acute power shortage in the state and impact of energy conservation activities,” SECM chief executive officer A Chandrasekhara Reddy told Mail Today on Sunday.

Reddy said for the last few years, there has been indiscriminate use of power by the people, causing tremendous burden on the power utilities. As a result, there has been a huge gap between the demand and supply, as high as 71 million units per day, forcing the power utilities to go in for massive power cuts.

“Though AP’s installed capacity has also reached 16,500 MW, the utilities are not able to utilise even 10,000 MW of capacity due to severe scarcity of fuel, which ultimately warrants the state to go in for energy conservation and energy efficiency measures in a big way,” he said.

The SECM officials told Saina that if everyone in the state was actively involved in this energy conservation mission, the state is estimated to save about 15,000 MU of energy, worth of Rs.7,500 crore every year.

“They were very much impressed with our mission so much that they readily agreed to be part of the programme. And Saina came forward to be a brand ambassador for the government for this mission without charging a rupee, as it is a public cause,” the officials said.

“We will utilise the services of Saina in our promotional activities through short films and other publicity programmes. She agreed to give us time for our programmes whenever she finds time,” Reddy said.

source: http://www.indiatoday.intoday.in / Home> India Today> Sports> Others Sports> Story / by A. Srinivasa Rao / Hyderabad, February 10th, 2013

70-yr-old sets yoga record

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Sports

Hyderabad:

Age is no barrier to realise your dreams. This was proved  by 70-year-old Y. Narasimha Murthy, who  entered the World Telugu Book of Records by performing ‘Jala Yoga’ (underwater yoga).

Murthy, a resident of Dilshuknagar,  is a retired State Bank of Hyderabad manager. He performed 38 yoga postures under water in 30 minutes at the Saroornagar stadium swimming pool.

“I have been practicing the postures since the last 10 years. I dedicate the record to my family and friends,” Murthy said.

According to officials of  World Telugu Book of records, “He was supposed to perform 30 postures, but he performed 38 of them in 30 minutes and created the record.”

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> News> Current Affairs / by Coreena Suares, DC / February 10th, 2013

Jwala Gutta to dance in a Tollywood movie

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports

For all those who have been wondering why Jwala Gutta  has been MIA, here’s news! The glamourous shuttler is all set to play on a different field now. And no prizes for guessing that it is Tollywood! After much speculation about a possible filmi career, Jwala will be finally making her Tollywood debut, but not as a leading lady. The glam girl of  badminton  is all set to scorch screen in a special song for the upcoming Nithiin-starrer Gunde Jari Gallanthayinde.

Nikhitha Reddy, Nithiin’s sister and the producer of the film, says, “Jwala and Nithiin are great friends and he asked her to dance with him in a special song. She even underwent training for a whole week because she wanted to understand the lyrics of the song before she started shooting. Initially, Jwala was nervous in front of the camera, but she lost her inhibitions once shooting started. She is a quick learner and is very active on the sets. The chemistry between the two is cute. And she dances very well too.” Anup Rubens has composed the tunes of the peppy number in Gunde Jari Gallanthayinde, which marks the directorial debut of K Vijay Kumar. Excerpts from a chat with Jwala…

I thought Nithiin was joking
I am not new to Tollywood offers. I have been approached by many filmmakers in the past, but I have always maintained that I will take up a film only if I like it. This song came to me as a surprise. Nithiin is a very dear friend and we end up meeting every week. During one such meeting, Nithiin asked me to do a song with him. I really thought he was joking, but soon, he brought it up again. I was reluctant initially because this isn’t my field, but Nithiin convinced me to do it.

I’m playing myself
I am wearing a royal blue blingy outfit in this peppy number that has been shot inside a club. In fact, I play myself in the song. The lyrics has me talking about my game (badminton). It is being shot at a nightclub and I am sure the audiences will love it.

I’m not averse to the term ‘item’
I don’t really know how to define an item number, neither am I averse to it. But I guess the son that I am doing is not an item number. It’s more of a club track, they are calling it a special song.

I do know to dance
I can move and shake. I am not too bad at it, but yes, for this song, I had to rehearse for a week. Master Shekhar has choreographed this song.

Debuting with a song
I don’t know whether this can be called my debut. I did it because Nithiin harassed me a lot about it! (laughs). I took it up for the fun of it. We are still shooting for the song. After seeing me on screen, if filmmakers approach me with more songs, or item numbers as they call it, I am cool with it. If I like the offer, I’m game. There’s nothing wrong with item numbers.

Acting is a tough job!
Now that I have done this song, I know how hard people work on the sets. I would say playing badminton is a lot more easier for me than films! My first day on the sets was a 12-hours job! Acting is definitely not easy.

Staying low-key post Olympics
Well, I am going to be back on the field soon. I will be playing tournaments from February end onwards.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Sports> Off the field / by Suresh Kavirayani & Rupam Jain, TNN / January 30th, 2013

Cycle for a good cause

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports

A republic day cycle ride will be held at Gachibowli stadium to raise funds for the education of poor children.

The Atlanta Foundation, along with industry forums NASSCOM, ITsAP, TiE, FICCI and SAAP, are set to conduct the biggest corporate cycling event of the country on January 26, on the occasion of Republic Day. It is being conducted in association with the District Cycling Association of Hyderabad.The event will be held at the Gachibowli Stadium from 6.30am.

The ride, which is in its fourth year, comprises of different distances – 100kms, 75kms, 50kms and 25kms – from which the participants can choose what they like. While the above mentioned distance would see the ride begin at the stadium and also conclude at the same place, the shorter distances of 2kms, 5kms and 10kms will be held within the stadium premises. The route map for this event is available on www.atlantafoundation.org/cycling/eventdetails.php.

Participants taking part in the cycling event will have to pay an entry fee of `1,250, while those who will be competing in the criterium event will have to pay `500. Those who intend to participate in the latter event will have to bring their own cycles and the distance to cover would be 24kms (2kms x 12 laps).

The ride, which is being conducted to raise funds to support the education of underprivileged students, has participants including people from ADP, GE, Deloitte, Broadridge, Invesco, DuPont, CA, Infosys, TCS, Wells Fargo, Franklin Templeton and many other well known organisations.

The event also includes the screening of an award winning short film, ‘Jana Gana Mana’ followed by a program in which a cycling team, comprising 100-women, will take part to spread the message of ‘Strong Woman, Strong Nation’.

This will be followed by the Aero Skippers, which has four-time national award winning young children from Bhimavaram, performing energetic rope skipping acts.

For more details one can visit atlantafoundation.org.

source: http://www.postnoon.com / Home> City / January 24th, 2013

Meet Nikhat Zareen, an uncelebrated world champion from India

Sports

Sania Mirza, and Saina Nehwal have competition. Andhra Pradesh has got a new world champion. Nikhat Zareen, a 15-year-old girl from the small town of Nizamabad has bagged the gold medal in the World junior boxing championships held recently in Antalya (Turkey).

Nikhat, who says her dream is to win a gold medal in the 2016 Olympics, took to the sport just two years ago. She developed an interest in boxing watching her uncle, a boxing coach, training his sons in the sport. Seeing her interest, her uncle, Shamshamuddin, started training her as well.

Gritty champ: Nikhat says she is determined to win a gold medal in the 2016 Olympics

Soon, she participated in junior and state level competitions. In the 2010 Junior Nationals held in Chennai, she not only won the gold medal but also got the coveted ‘Best Boxer’ award. Her consistent performances in the domestic circuit got her a ticket to the junior world championship in Turkey, where she took the gold.

Nikhat is the third among four daughters born to Jameel Ahmed and Parveen Sultana. She hails from an ordinary family. Her father works as a salesperson in the Gulf.

The world champ attributes her success to sheer hard work and the hours of practice she had put in for the last two years. “I needed to put in a lot of extra effort in order to focus on studies and boxing simultaneously,” says Nikhat, whose idols are boxing legend Mohammed Ali and his daughter Laila Ali.

Everyday this teen wonder gets up very early in the morning and reports to the training by 6 a.m. After about an hour and a half of intense boxing session, she gets back home to leave for school. She sweats out in the ring for another hour and a half in the evening after she returns from school. After dinner, she completes her homework and goes to sleep.

She realizes that things are going to get tougher from the next academic year onwards, when she will be in tenth standard. “I am confident of clearing board exams without disturbing my daily practice routine. Boxing and studies are both important to me. I carry my textbooks to coaching camps and tourneys and go through them whenever I find the time.”

Nikhat is glad that her hard work has borne fruit. “Seeing my struggle for the past two years, friends, classmates and even relatives used to wonder why I was ‘wasting’ my time and energy. Many had doubts whether this girl from small town will ever make it big. But that did not deter me a wee bit because I believed in my abilities. And once I started tasting success, the perception of all those around me changed. Now that I got a world champ tag, everybody is over the moon,” she says excitedly.

“We are not looking for any awards or rewards; Zareen’s sole aim is to bring more laurels for the country,” her uncle and coach Shamshamuddin said. However, some companies are already showing interest in sponsoring her training costs. Sources revealed that the State government, Sports Authority of A.P and State boxing federation are likely to bestow cash prizes on the new champion.

source: http://www.TheWeekender.com / Home> Success> Unsung Heroes / by Mahesh Avadhutha, Hyderabad / posted May 25th, 2011 , Vol 2, Issue. 20 /

Anantapur lifts trophy

Sports

Host Anantapur emerged the winner of the quadrangular cricket tournament that concluded here on Saturday. RDT Academy and CVR Academy, Hyderabad took the second and third positions respectively. In the final match, CVR Academy defeated Bangalore’s Jain International Residential School by 101 runs.

The scores: CVR Academy (Hyderabad) 248 for three in 30 overs (Akshith 104 n.o, Christy Victor 93) bt Jain IRS (Bangalore) 147 for eight in 30 overs (Tanmay 34).

NTRUHS teams

The following players will represent Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences in men’s tennis in the South Zone inter-University championship to be conducted by Krishna University at the Andhra Loyola College tennis complex from Jan. 17 to 21.

The athletics squad to take apart in the South Zone inter-University meet at Kalyani University from Jan. 22 to 26 was also named.

The teams: Athletics: Men: P. Srinivasa Rao, P. Mahesh. V. Ashok Reddy, D. Ganga Pratap, K. Siva Ram Prasad, K. Mallikharjuna Naik, G. Dharanidhur. Women: K. Laxmi Vijetha, P. Sandhya, T. Hima Sowjanya.

Tennis: Men: Sai Teja, S. Thamman, B. Dhiran Showri, K. Daniel Ritish Paul, S. Vikas.

Chess tournament

A non-medallist district open chess tournament for school children will be held at the Chennupati Ramakotaiah indoor stadium on January 16. Rated players and medallist are not eligible. Special prizes will be awarded for age group segment (u-7, 9, 11, 13 and 15). For details call T. Naresh, mob: 9493501506.

Matches drawn

At Anantapur, the match between Anantapur and Guntakal and RDT and Gandlapenta ended in a draw in the Ananta Premier League tournament on Saturday.

The scores: Anantapur 134 (Raghavendra 35, Imran four for 23, Suryanarayana three for 21) and 89 for five (Munaf 53, Imran three for 42) drew with Guntakal 177 (Imran 40, Mohan 32, Dadakhalandar five for 42); RDT CA 297 (Bhaskar 90, Ibrahim 58, Mahaboob Peera 33, Mubarak three for 67) drew with Gandlapenta 261 for nine (D. Ashok Reddy 56 n.o., Shakeer 33, Jaheed 31, Adi Narayana 30, Bhaskar four for 64).

Hockey tournament

At Nellore, the Andhra Pradesh junior men’s (under-18) hockey tournament will be held at the A.C. Subba Reddy Stadium from Jan. 17 to 20, Hockey Andhra Pradesh secretary M. Niranjan Reddy said on Saturday.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Sports / Vijayawada, January 13th, 2013

Secunderabad Club AP Open Squash Championship 2013 from 8 to 11 January, 2013

Sports

Secunderabad January 07/2013 :

The 2nd AP Open Squash Championship 2013 (National level Championship) will be the first event in the SRFI 2013 calendar. Top Indian Junior and Senior Players have entered this event that is part of the SRFI circuit. The tournament will be played at the Secunderabad Club Squash Courts.

There will be a total of 9 events comprising Boys/Girls, Men and Veterans categories. The Championship will be held at Secunderabad Club from 8-11 January 2013.

A total of 140 players from all  overIndia participating in this Championship.

The total prize money for the event is Rs.1 lakh.

The Championship is hosted by the Squash Rackets Association of Hyderabad with association of the Squash Rackets Federation of India and Secunderabad Club. The AP Open will be conducting second time in AP. This is the 2 Star event, first time we are conducting the star event in Andhra Pradesh.

The Opening ceremony of the Championship to be held at Secunderabad Club Squash Courts on Tuesday, the 8th January 2013 at13.00 hrs. Mr. Raghuram Reddy, President of the Secunderabad Club will be Chief Guest and inaugurate the Championship. Mr. V. Srisailam, President, Squash Rackets Association of Hyderabad will preside the function.

Given below the schedule of matches:

08.01.2013 First Round
09.01.2013 Second round and Quarter Finals
10.01.2013 Semi Finals
11.01.2013 Finals

source: http://www.newswala.com / Home / Secunderabad, January 07th, 2013