Category Archives: Sports

PV Sindhu ready to rock 2016 Rio Games

Sports

Faridabad:

While India ace shuttler Saina Nehwal is on course to realise her London dreams, 17-year-old P V Sindhu, who recently won the Asia Youth U-19 championship, has already set her eyes at 2016 Rio Olympics.

The only Indian to win the prestigious title at Korea earlier this month, Sindhu said she is ready to take on the big guns of badminton and share the workload with Saina in the women’s singles.

“I am ranked 26th now and I want to break into top-10 by this year end. I have been working hard and improving and think I am ready to share the workload with Saina. I see myself playing the next Olympics,” said Sindhu on the sidelines of a Manav Rachna Sports Academy program here.

“I wish all the best to the Indian team for the Olympics. I am sure Saina will get a medal. P Kashyap, Jwala (Gutta), Ashwini (Ponappa) and V Diju — all of them practice so hard and my best wishes are with them.

“This time I missed out but next time definitely I would like to be there in Olympics. I know Olympics is big and I am working hard to do well,” said Sindhu, who managed to jump from 80 to top-30 in the last six months but eventually ran out of time to qualify for the upcoming London Games.

The only women’s singles player to hold the junior and senior national titles at the same time, Sindhu played one Grand Prix Gold (Thailand) and two Super Series (Indonesia, Singapore) events before the U-19 Asian championship on the trot.

“Compared to last year, I have improved my game a lot. My attack and defence, rally and strokes and endurance levels have improved. In senior circuit, matches goes on for an hour and it needs endurance,” she said.

Asked about that one thing she would want to learn from Saina, Sindhu said she would have to work hard on her strokes, especially the flick, which is Saina’s biggest strength.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Sports> More Sports> Badminton / PTI / July 20th, 2012

I want to be World No.1 shuttler, says Hyderabadi Sindhu

Records, All, Sports

Hyderabad, After Saina Nehwal, another Indian girl is creating ripples in the badminton circuit.

Pusarla Venkata Sindhu created history by becoming the first Indian to win the girls’ singles title in the Asian Youth Under-19 Championships.

The 17-year-old Hyderabadi has already set her eyes on the world number one position. “I want to become world number one,” Sindhu told IANS on her return from Gimcheon, South Korea.

The daughter of former volleyball players, who took to badminton at the age of eight-and-half years, has fast climbed the ladder of success thanks to her sterling performances, mostly at the senior level. She currently ranks world number 25, a huge jump from 151 a few months ago.

The World No.2 in the junior ranking defeated Okuhara Nozomi of Japan 18-21, 21-17, 22-20 in the final of the Asian Youth Under-19 Championship.

“I defeated Sun Yu of China in quarter-final. Last year, I had lost to the same girl in the semi-final,” said Sindhu, who turned 17 July 5. Sindhu, who recently completed her Class 12, is the only player since the legendary Prakash Padukone to hold both junior and senior national titles.

Last month, she lost the pre-quarter-finals in Thailand as also in the Indonesian open which Saina Nehwal went on to win.

In 2011, she won three international challenge events in the Maldives, Indonesia and India, and claimed Swiss International title. She was the runner-up in the Dutch open.

For Sindhu, this success has come after a hard work of just over eight years and the sacrifices made by her parents and the help and encouragement of her coaches.

“I was only eight-and-half years when I started playing badminton near my house in Secunderabad. Mohammed Ali was my first coach,” recalled Sindhu.

She then started training at the Lal Bahadur Stadium and later moved to the Pullela Gopichand Academy, where she now practices with the likes of Saina, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa.

Her father P.V.Ramna was a volleyball player. The Arjuna Award winner is now sports officer in the railways. Her mother also played volleyball.

“Playing badminton was my own interest. My dad didn’t force me to play volleyball or any other game. They left the choice to me and encouraged me a lot,” said Sindhu, who is supported by Olympic Gold Quest, a not-for-profit foundation that identifies and supports Indian athletes.

“Gopichand Academy is located 27 km away from my house but my father was always there to drop me and to take me back home after the training,” pointed out Sindhu, whose family has now shifted to a house near the academy in Gacchibowli area.

For Sindhu, her coach and former All England champion Pullela Gopichand is her ideal.

“It is a fantastic victory. Being the first Indian to win this and also the fact that she is very young, she is a very good prospect for future. I hope this performance will give her more confidence and we will have even more better results in future,” said Gopichand.

“She will be part of the team which plays in Super Series. She is a great potential and not far away from senior titles and big titles. We expect that she will be in top 10 in the coming year,” the Indian coach told IANS.

“Saina is doing wonders at the highest level and someone like Sindhu doing well is very encouraging. It is not very often that we get a chance to get player after player. We have been consistent. It is good that Saina is 22, Sindhu is 17 and both these players have done very well.”

The Gopichand Academy is working on few more players. “We have couple of other young players who are in the pipeline. Hopefully, we will be able to continuously produce those level of players,” he added. (IANS)

source: http://www.nvonews.com / Northern Voices Online / Sports / by Mohammed Shafeeq / July 19th, 2012

SANIA MIRZA: The Youth Icon

Amazing Feats, Leaders, Records, All, Sports

Sania Mirza is one of the famous sports personalities. People always want to know more and more about their famous sports personality. She is also an idol for many. If you too are looking information on her and want to know more about her, you are at right place.

Sania Mirza came on earth on 15th November 1986. She is a tennis player and was born in Mumbai, Bombay at that time. She is famous for her impactful ground strokes which she hits hard. Most of the Sania Mirza photos are also depicting the same. Most of her photos are in powerful ground strokes which made her so forceful. A list was issued by ‘Times of India’ which contained 33 top women of India which made India proud. Sania Mirza was also included in it.

Various Sania Mirza biographies are also written till now on Indian tennis player. She is the one who provided top rankings to India on various opens. It was due to her efforts that India entered into singles top 30 WTA rankings. Not only this, she also maintained a highest rank in doubles. Former world’s number 1 player Dinara Safina and Martina Hingis were defeated by Mirza. Not only this, various top players like Marion Bartoli, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Vera Zvonareva are also defected by her. Once she had also won single WTA title. She won the title in 2006 in Hyderabad. Australian open 20009 and mixed double events are also won by her. Due to her wide achievement list, she also made to the Asia’s top fifty heroes by time in 2005 with Sania Mirza photo.

Sania Mirza was gifted to Nasima and Imran Mirza in Mumbai, India. The name of her younger sister is Anam and they both were grown up at Hyderabad.  Sania was interested in tennis right from a very tender age. She was then trained professionally at NASR School and turned fully professional in 2003. She did her graduation from St. Mary College at Hyderabad as given in Sania Mirza Biography. Sania is the first tennis player from India who has got such a high ranking in India. In 2008, the tennis player broke the hearts of many and got engaged with her childhood friend Sohrab Mirza. However, it didn’t last much time. She then started seeing famous sport personality Sohaib Malik and is a Dubai based Pakistani cricketer. Grand wedding was held in Hyderabad at India and Sonia Mirza photos were issued. However, some customs and other functions were held in Pakistan too. Couple is now living happily in Dubai.

Various controversies are side by side following Sania. Once there was a big controversy related to the cloths that she had to wear at grounds. There was a protest form Muslim community that the dress tennis players wear at court is objectionable. Many more also keep coming. Mirza had never looked back and has also achieved various awards as is written in Sania Mirza Biography. She was awarded with Arjuna award by Indian government in 2004. Later in 2006 she was awarded with Padma Shri for her achievements.

source: http://www.WychWoodBarns.com / Categorized in Food / July 16th, 2012

Indo Nissin Foods felicitates Saina Nehwal

Records, All, Sports

Indo Nissin Foods Ltd (INFL), the makers of Top Ramen noodles, today felicitated badminton ace Saina Nehwal and wished her luck for the upcoming Olympic games in London.

Nehwal, who is also the brand ambassador of Top Ramen, was presented with a souvenir by INFL Managing Director Yuji Tabeta. NFL is also an Official Co-sponsor of the Indian Olympic contingent this year.

“We are privileged to be associated with the IOA, and in turn support the entire Indian contingent that is leaving to London for the Olympics,” he said.

Saina has been associated with Top Ramen since January, 2011 and Nissin is very proud of her success on the badminton court internationally, he added.

“On behalf of the entire Indo Nissin family, all our associates and customers, I take this opportunity to wish her the very best, and encourage her to ‘Be the Champion’ at the world’s foremost athletic meet,” Tabeta said.

Japan-based Nissin Food Holdings established their operations in India more than 20 years back as Indo Nissin Foods Limited. The company has a flagship brand, Top Ramen and other brands such as Cup Noodles and Mug Noodles.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Home> General News / by Press Trust of India / New Delhi, July 15th, 2012

Can’t promise medal, but will give our best shot: Sania Mirza

Sports

Indian tennis star Sania Mirza today refused to make predictions on how many medals country’s tennis players will win at the upcoming London Olympic Games but promised that they will give their best shot.

“I think it’s unfair to put a number (on medals). As it is, all of us are under pressure going to the London Olympics.

We can’t promise a medal but will give our hundred per cent,” said Sania, who would be taking part in the women’s doubles with Rushmi Chakravarti and mixed doubles with Leander Paes in the Games, commencing July 27.

Sania was one of the panel speakers at a channel’s “Marks for Sports” campaign along with fellow tennis stalwart Mahesh Bhupathi, Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken, former national football skipper Bhaichung Bhutia and cricket star Virender Sehwag.

Asked about India’s chances in the Games, Maken said it is not appropriate for him to predict the country’s medal haul in the quadrennial sports spectacle.

“I would not like to say anything on this because it would be unfair as already we have qualified in large numbers.

Last time around 50 people had qualified (for Beijing in 2008), and this time 81 have qualified,” he observed.

Asked to comment about the cutting down on the number of non-sports persons as part of the Indian contingent, Maken hoped that by the time the next Games come around even the Sports Minister would be a former sports person.

“I wish at next Olympics the Sports Minister is also a sports person. In the group of ten people I am travelling with (to London), only I am not a sports person,” he remarked.

About the national game of hockey, Maken said the sport is on the rise after a steep dip four years ago when India failed to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in eight decades.

“This time we have qualified (in hockey). Last time we failed to qualify. Our team is on the rise and things are improving for hockey.”

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / Home> IE> Story / Agencies: Mumbai / Friday, July 13th, 2012

Sindhu wins Asia Youth Under-19 Championship

Records, All, Sports

 

Rising India shuttler P V Sindhu clinched the Asia Youth Under-19 Championship title with a thrilling three-game victory over Japan’s Okuhara Nozomi at Gimcheon, Korea.

The top seeded Indian, who turned 17 last Thursday, bounced back from a game down to see off the second seeded Japanese 18-21 21-17 22-20 in almost an hour in the women’s singles final at the Gimcheon Indoor Stadium.

The world number 25 Sindhu had defeated third seed Thai Ongbamrungphan Busanan and sixth seed Sun Yu of China in the semifinals and quarterfinals respectively.

In the summit clash, Sindhu narrowly lost in the opening game but the gutsy Indian came back strongly in the second.

In the decider, she was leading 19-16 but the Japanese girl reeled off three points to claw back before Sindhu sealed it. PTI

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> In School / by PTI / New Delhi,  July 09th, 2012

V V S Laxman @ Paradise Biryani Pointe, New Jersey

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

Paradise Biryani Pointe organized and celebrated Meet and Greet with Cricket great Mr. V V S Laxman.

Very  Very  Special  Laxman is  one of the “Big Four” prolific run scorers in Indian cricket. Steve Waugh once said if you get Dravid out its great, if you get Sachin it’s brilliant, If you get Laxman then it’s a miracle.

It was a pleasant and exciting Tuesday evening for cricketing Fans at Paradise Biryani Pointe, East Windsor location to Meet and Greet Mr. Laxman the real match winner for India on many occasions. Can anyone forget his knock of 281 at Kolkata Eden Gardens to win the test followed by series win.

Excited Fans, Kids and young cricketers got a chance to interact with their favorite cricketer from Hyderabad so close. They got an opportunity to ask questions and tips from Mr.Laxman.

Mr. Laxman signed autographs and encouraged young children to dream big and achieve it by passion, dedication and practice.

Mr. Laxman was impressed with the growth of cricketing trend in USA among youth.

Mr. Laxman Congratulated Paradise Biryani Pointe for their growth and bringing in the Traditional Hyderabadi  Biryani to USA, which is now open in 20 locations and is planning to open another 15 locations to make it to total of 35 locations all over USA by end of this year.

On this special occasion Paradise Biryani Pointe and Fans congratulated Mr.VVS Laxman and  wished Good Luck in future endeavors.

source: http://www.greatandhra.com / Home> Articles> Special Articles / July 04th, 2012

Saina booked

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports

Journalist T.S. Sudhir turns author with the first ever book written on Saina Nehwal

At the age of 12 Saina Nehwal travelled to Guntur alone where she was made to feel special. Tales about Saina’s prowess had reached far and wide so when she reached the tournament venue, she found a banner which read: ‘Go for Gold 2012 Olympics’. It has been ten years since then and that banner which welcomed her seemed to have had its effect. Looking back it seems that she fulfilled the promise she showed then.

Such and many more interesting aspects of Saina Nehwal— like her ‘no questions asked obedience’ makes debut author T.S. Sudhir’s first ever book on Saina Nehwal a different read than any book on sportspersons. The book titledAn Inspirational Biography-Saina Nehwal is set to be released on July 9.

Sample this: It’s Chinese New Year’s Day in 2005. It is a date Saina won’t forget. She went from being a vegetarian to being a non-vegetarian in the course of a meal in China only because Gopichand told her to. “We were in Hangzhou and it was the Chinese New Year’s Day and no vegetarian fare was available. I took her to a restaurant and told her to eat fish and crab. Till then she had been a vegetarian all her life. I said she had to eat it. And to my surprise, she ate. No questions asked. She couldn’t even open her mouth, but she ate,” reads an anecdote from Gopichand in the book. Later she was to confess she ate only because her guru told her to.

T.S. Sudhir feels with the kind of love and determination Saina has for the sport she is a deserving person and is an ideal inspirational story for youngsters these days. Saina, according to Sudhir is a work in progress. “Saina’s hunger to win is her strength and that makes her very much alike her coach Gopichand.”

Sudhir says he has been working on the book for long and the substance that went into writing the book is something which he collected over his journalistic career. “I have been following her game since 2005 and most of what has been written are from my notes which I had from my interaction with her and the most recent ones are from conversations with her parents, coach, and friends and by spending a lot of time listening to what people talk about Saina,” says Sudhir.

To make the book an easy read Sudhir says he has made use of a lot of anecdotes about her and that’s because the author says “I want it to be an easy read for the young readers. The book also voices the thoughts that go into making a champion. Little do people know that Saina’s parents were also badminton players and that she carried a maar doonga attitude each time she played. Her idea of revenge on losing was to win against the same person she would have lost earlier to. But she has now come a long way. Spending more time at the badminton academy I realised the different world in which these players live altogether.”

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Prabalika M. Borah / July 03rd, 2012

Remember me, Deepika?

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports

After winning back-to-back tournaments, badminton star Saina Nehwal talks about Padukone, Aamir Khan, marriage, Olympics and comparisons with Sania Mirza

She may not be a stunner but she surely knows how to stun her opponents with her court play. Saina Nehwal is our edgy beauty.

Congratulations on winning the Thailand Open and Indonesian Open. How does it feel?
It feels wonderful. And I hope it promotes badminton as a sport in India. It’s all because of the skills of Gopichandji (former Indian player and her coach, Pullela Gopichand) who helped me train and achieve success.

Do these wins boost your confidence before the Olympics?
I’m elated; and the next target — an Olympics medal — now seems achievable.

How are the preparations going?
Our four-week-long training did wonders for me. But I still have to put in some five more weeks.

Is there any pressure given that people have their hopes pinned on you to bring home an Olympic medal?
Not really. In fact, I’m happy to be in the medal hunt for my country.

Chinese players will be a big challenge for you…
Yes, the training that’s being given (to me) is to counter-attack the best performers in the world (the Chinese).

Have you set a deadline for yourself to reach the World No 1 ranking?
No, but I’m trying hard to win as many tournaments as possible. I don’t really think about rankings and ratings.

Apparently, Aamir Khan keeps a tab on your tournaments and usually offers words of encouragement. Is he still doing that with the Olympics coming up?
Yes, Aamir constantly sends congratulatory messages and encouraging words.

Any special message from him (Aamir) for the Olympics?
Yes, a few days ago, he sent a message across, “Congratulations and keep it up!” Actor Bikram Saluja also wished me after my recent wins.

You know Deepika Padukone through her father, Prakash. Are you also in touch with her, given that she too has played badminton at state level?
Deepika is now a famous film actor. So, she is busy and may not find time for such things (keeping tab on badminton tournaments). She may not even remember me.

Does it bother you that Sania Mirza garners more attention than you, though you’ve been more successful in your sport?
Not at all. She is a famous tennis player. And I am proud of her achievements in the sport.

On a lighter note, of late, people have apparently been asking you about your marriage plans. Anything on the cards?
I do not know what will happen if I say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ (laughs). As for marriage, I have no idea and also nobody in sight. So let me concentrate on my beloved game for some more years. It’s still too early to tie the knot.

Acting offers have come your way. Any plans to give it a shot in the future?
No such plans. Right now, I’m only concerned about my game and nothing else matters

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Home> Entertainment> Tabloid / by Prashant Singh, Hindustan Times / Mumbai, June 30th, 2012

Hyderabad: Rs 25-lakh Bonanza from Andhra Govt for ’Golden Girl’ Mamata Poojary

Records, All, Sports

Hyderabad, 24 Jun 2012:

In the middle of complaints that only cricket hogs all the limelight and only cricketers get large gifts as incentives, here is some soothing news.

Captain of the first women’s World Cup-winning India Kabaddi team Mamata Poojary and another member of the team Nagalakshmi have won prizes of Rs 25 lakh each from the Andhra Pradesh government.

The announcement was made by chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy on Saturday, June 23.

Mamata hails from Hermunde in Karkala taluk of Udupi district and if anyone wonders what made the AP government choose her, she happens to be an employee of Railways, based in Secunderabad. Nagalakshmi hails from AP.

Recently, the AP government had announced a prize of Rs 50 lakh in appreciation of badminton star Saina Nehwal from the state. There was discontent that the government had neglected the Kabaddi achievers.

source: http://www.bellevision.com / by PTI / Hyderabad, June 24th, 2012