Category Archives: Sports

Meiraba and Samiya — the next big thing

Sports, World Opinion, , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Future bright: Their innate talent and recent run of results hark well for Maisnam Meiraba and Samiya Farooqui.
Future bright: Their innate talent and recent run of results hark well for Maisnam Meiraba and Samiya Farooqui.

Duo says the tag motivates and spurs them on

For the 16-year-old shuttler Maisnam Meiraba (singles player), this year has been phenomenal in terms of overall performance.

Following the recent bronze medal in the Bulgarian junior International, he’s now in Panchkula playing a junior ranking tournament which is also a selection tournament for the upcoming World juniors. There will be another in Bengaluru that he will play as well.

“We have a lot of shuttlers now. The popularity of and interest for the sport has been on the rise,” he says over phone, referring to his home State Manipur that people mostly associate with football.

Boxer Mary Kom and Weightlifter Mirabhai Chanu are a couple of other sportspersons who’ve made their name from the region.

Now Meiraba, though it’s too early, is observed by experts as a potential star player for the future.

Four-in-a-row

Since January, he notably has won four consecutive junior (u-19) ranking tournaments in Bengaluru, Vijayawada, Chennai and Trivandrum, reached the quarterfinals in the German junior International, won bronze in the Yonex-Roza Bty junior International in Thailand, won gold in the White Nights junior International in Russia.

While Meiraba shuttles between Imphal and Bengaluru where he’s been training at the Prakash Padukone Badmintorn  Academy, Samiya Farooqui (16), who won the girls’ singles gold in Bulgaria and is considered as another potential star in the making, hails from and trains in Hyderabad.

She won her maiden junior (u-19) ranking tournament in Chennai early this year. “I would say Meiraba’s is power game, while Samiya’s is an all-round game,” says the junior National coach Sanjay Mishra.

“Meiraba’s strengths are his speed, power, and accuracy. He has to work on fitness; improve his stamina. For instance, to reach the final of, say, a five-day tournament, you need to win four or five matches in a tight schedule.

“Samiya, I think, has to work on power. She’s very good with half smashes; deception, in general. Also, she’s a fighter; doesn’t give up easily, ” he adds.

Meiraba responds saying he’s always been working on his fitness and agrees that he might be found lacking when compared to the other Asian players, especially from China and Indonesia. “They are physically dominating,” he says.

He says he’s particularly been working on his smash and forecourt play for now.

Reducing errors

Samiya, on the other hand, believes she has to work on reducing committing unforced errors.

Samiya, who has been juggling a lot between the junior and senior circuits, will not be available for the World juniors, for she will be focussing on the upcoming senior tournaments in Myanmar and Nepal.

Asked if it’s extra pressure to live up to the big expectation — being considered as potential future stars — both of them say it motivates them and makes them want to maximise their potential. Samiya is even being touted the next Saina Nehwal!

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sports> Other Sports / by S. Prasanna Venkatesan / Chennai – August 15th, 2019

Shahbaz Nadeem takes another five-for in drawn game, India A win series 2-0 vs West Indies

Sports, World Opinion, , , ,

Muzaffarpur, BIHAR / JHARKHAND :

Shahbaz Nadeem played two of the three games and had three ‘five-for’ in four innings, finishing with 15 wickets in the series.

Shahbaz Nadeem 5-for went in vain as the third unofficial Test between India A and West Indies was drawn.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • India A won the unofficial 3-match Test series 2-0 after a drawn last Test
  • Shahbaz Nadeem took his third five-for in four innings
  • Earlier, Shubman Gill hit a double hundred as India posted 365

West Indies A top-order put up a gutsy show to force a draw despite another five-wicket haul by left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem as India A won the unofficial three-‘Test’ series 2-0.

Chasing a stiff target of 373, West Indies A started the day at 37 for no loss needing another 336 runs on the fourth day but only reached as far as 314 for 6 in the end.

Opener Jeremy Solozano’s dogged 92 off 252 balls along with No 3 Brandon King’s attacking 77 off 84 balls and senior international Sunil Ambris’ 69 off 142 helped the home team earn a draw after losing the first two ‘Tests’.

For India, Nadeem turned out to be the best bowler once again with figures of 5 for 103 in 41 overs.

The Jharkhand orthodox left-arm, one of the most consistent bowlers in the Indian domestic circuit, played two of the three games and had three ‘five-for’ in four innings, finishing with 15 wickets in the series.

The series was a good one for the Paras Mhambrey coached A side which was dominant for the better part.

Test specialists like skipper Hanuma Vihari (224 runs, 1 ton, 1 fifty), Wriddhiman Saha (137 runs, 2 fifties) and Mayank Agarwal (123 runs, 1 fifty) got quality game time before the Test series starting at the end of this month.

Umesh Yadav also got overs under his belt — 30 of them including both innings with a couple of wickets.

The biggest gain has to be Shubman Gill’s double hundred under pressure, which is an indication enough that the Punjab lad is ready for the next level.

Mumbai’s Shivam Dube (180 runs and 5 wickets) looked like a better prospect as a seam bowling all-rounder than Tamil Nadu’s Vijay Shankar.

On the final day, the West Indies opening pair Montcin Hodge (25 off 82 balls) and Solozano batted the opening hour before Nadeem drew first blood with 68 on the board.

However, King, who came in at one down was in a mood to smash it all around hitting 10 fours and three sixes during the 99-run stand in only 17.5 overs with Solozano before rival skipper Hanuma Vihari dismissed him caught by Mayank Agarwal.

The match as a contest was effectively over when Ambris and Solozano added another 60 runs for the third wicket in 21.1 overs.

This was the partnership that went a long way in dashing India A’s hopes of a clean sweep.

Ambris, who recently played in the ICC World Cup, then had a couple of small but significant partnerships with Jermaine Blackwood and Jahmar Hamilton which ate up crucial overs.

By the time Nadeem bowled to Ambris to get his fifth scalp, the players were waiting for the mandatory overs to finish.

Brief Scores: India A 201 and 365/4.

West Indies A 194 and 314/6 (Jeremy Solozano 92, Brandon King 77, Sunil Ambris 69, Shahbaz Nadeem 5/103). Match Drawn.

source: http://www.indiatoday.in / India Today / Home> News> Sports> Cricket / by Press Trust of India – Tarouba / August 10th, 2019

Boxers Nikhat Zareen And Mohammed Hussamuddin Win Silver Medal At Thailand Open

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Sports, World Opinion, , , , , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

NikhatHussamuddinMPOs29jul2019

Former world junior champion Nikhat Zareen, and GeeBee Boxing silver-medallist Mohammed Hussamuddin, once again made the country proud by winning the silver medal in the 51 kg category and 56 kg category respectively at the summit clash of the Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament on Saturday.

Nikhat, the Strandja Cup gold medallist and also the Asian Championships bronze-medallist, had to settle for silver as she lost to China’s Chang Yuan in the final.

The Chinese proved too tough for 23-year-old Nikhat and was handed a 5-0 blow. Although disappointed, the Hyderabad girl said she has learned many things which will be helpful in the world championship contest.

Nikhat took to Twitter to celebrate her commendable performance and said that she is only getting better. “Will come back fighting even stronger in the upcoming competitions. Thank you all for your continuous support! (sic),” she tweeted. Nikhat Zareen will compete with six-time world champion Mary Kom at the World Championships trials next week.

In 56kg, reigning India Open champion Chatchai Decha Butdee of Thailand continued his fine form to inflict a 5-0 defeat on Hussamuddin.

Overall, Indian boxers finished their campaign with a rich haul of eight medals at the championship.

source:  http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> News / by Shaik Zakeer Hussain / July 29th, 2019

Kerala’s ‘Little Messi’! 12-year-old wins Insta stardom with dribbling skills

Amazing Feats, Sports, World Opinion, , , , , ,

Parappa Village (Delampady Gram Panchayat) , KERALA :

Maharoof comes from a remote village called Parappa in Delampady grama panchayat on the Karnataka border. His father D P Mohammed works as a waiter at a hotel in Kozhikode.

Maharoof Mohammed
Maharoof Mohammed

Kasargod :

Maharoof Mohammed, a 12-year-old boy from Kasaragod, is the toast of the footballing world. Last day, when schools were shut because of heavy rain, Mahroof and his friends hit the dirt to play football.

In a short video shot by his friends, Maharoof can be seen dribbling past five big boys and sending a prefect cross to his friend waiting at the goal mouth to find the back of the net. The friend takes off his T-shirt and Maharoof runs to hug him.

The 20-second video went viral on WhatsApp and one of his friends posted it on Instagram with the caption “Little Messi”.

On Instagram, Maharoof’s dribbling skills got the attention of footballers and fans. Kerala Blasters’ biggest fan club KBFC Manjappada shared it and footballers started taking notice. Iain Hume, the former ace player of Kerala Blasters, showered praise. He tagged the club’s manager Thomas Antony and wrote: “@thomantony Get this kid signed up NOW!!! #TheFuture”.The video posted by KBFC Manjappada touched 60k.

Hansito Jorge Mulder, who played for Delhi Dynamos and Chennaiyin, sought to know if the boy has an Instagram account.

Mulder, who now plays for Dutch club RKC Waalwijk, shared the video on his timeline saying: “Support my friend @mahruf_parappa. Showing some great footwork aka India Messi”.

Maharoof’s friends immediately started Instagram accounts for him. At the last count, the boy has eight Instagram accounts, including a fan page.

Maharoof comes from a remote village called Parappa in Delampady grama panchayat on the Karnataka border. His father D P Mohammed works as a waiter at a hotel in Kozhikode.

“He plays for local club Parappa Classic,” said Mohammed, who is happy about the attention his son is getting. His mother Misriya is a homemaker.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Express News Service / July 25th, 2019

Nikhat Zareen Dedicates Thailand Open Semi-final Win to Kargil War Martyrs

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Sports, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Nikhat Zareen, a former junior world champion, was the only woman boxer to reach the final of Thailand Open.

Nikhat Zareen Thailand's Jutamas Jitpong in the semi-final. (Photo Credit: @BFI_Official)
Nikhat Zareen Thailand’s Jutamas Jitpong in the semi-final. (Photo Credit: @BFI_Official)

Former junior world champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg) reached the final of International Tournament in Bangkok on Friday and was lone Indian woman to do so while Asian silver-medallist Deepak Singh (49kg) led four men into the summit clashes of the tournament.

Ashish Kumar (75kg), Commonwealth Games bronze-medallist Mohammed Husammuddin (56kg) and Brijesh Yadav (81kg) were the other three men to make the gold medal bouts.

Zareen was up against Thailand’s Jutamas Jitpong. The Hyderabadi impressed with the ferocity of her punches as she edged past the local favourite 4-1 and let out a scream to express her elation when her hand was raised by the referee.

Zareen later took to Twitter to dedicate her win to the Kargil War martyrs. 20 years ago, India decisively won the Kargil war and regained the territories that were briefly captured by Pakistan. The nation is celebrating the Army’s victory in the historic war.

__________________________________________

Nikhat Zareen
✔@nikhat_zareen

I dedicate my today’s Semi-Final victory at the Thailand Open to our brave soldiers of Kargil war who sacrificed their lives for our country🇮🇳

Nikhat Zareen Thailand's Jutamas Jitpong in the semi-final. (Photo Credit: @BFI_Official)
1,654

_________________________________________

Meanwhile, former Asian youth silver-medallist Ashish (69kg) lost his semi-final bout to sign off with a bronze medal. Ashish lost to Thailand’s Wuttichai Masuk in a split decision after an exhausting clash.

Among the women, Manju Rani (48kg) and Bhagyabati Kachari (81kg) ended with third-place finishes. Manju went down to Chuthamat Raksat of Thailand, while Bhagyabati lost to China’s Li Qian.

Earlier, Deepak hardly broke a sweat against Bhutan’s Tashi Wangdi. The Indian’s dominance was such that Wangdi faced two standing eight counts and was left with a gash above his right eye. The judges eventually ruled unanimously in the Indian’s favour.

Also advancing was Husammuddin (56kg). In a messy slugfest with Thailand’s Ammarit Yaodam, the Indian came out as the more aggressive and clean puncher to emerge triumphant in a 3-2 decision.

In the 75kg category, Ashish defeated Uzbekistan’s Fanat Kakhramnov to make the final.

Brijesh was up against local favourite in Saranon Klompian in the last bout of the day and produced a ferocious performance. A left hook just a minute into the second round sent his opponent crashing and the Thai could not regain his composure after that. Klompian faced three eight counts before the referee stopped the bout in Brijesh’s favour.

(With PTI inputs)

source: http://www.news18.com / News18.com / Home> News> Sports / July 26th, 2019

Football for women’s empowerment: how Tanaz Mohammed is changing the game for hundreds of young girls

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Sports, , , , , ,

Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA :

As coach educator, Mumbai-based Tanaz Mohammed is helping hundreds of young girls stay empowered through football.

Perceived as weak and not made for ‘rough sports,’ girls and women are often frowned upon for wanting to get on the playing field. As a child, Tanaz Mohammed’s love for football and wanting to take up the game was met with hesitation. Today, the 26-year-old from Mumbai, is helping other young girls embrace football on the road to empowerment.

Tanaz Mohammed
Tanaz Mohammed

Tanaz, who has been pursuing football for the past three years, serves as the Grassroots Development Officer for the Mumbai City Football Club, and is a level one Coach Educator atPremier Skills, an initiative by British Council that encourages community coaching across the globe. She is also a Development Coach for Reliance Young Champs.

Along with football, Tanaz is also a national-level hockey player.

The game changer

Through Premier Skills, Tanaz has coached hundreds of girls and helped their families understand why football is not just meant for boys. Her biggest project so far has been a 10-day coaching camp in Madanpura, Mumbai, a largely Muslim-dominated community, where girls didn’t have much exposure to sports.

Recalling the experience, Tanaz says,

“In Madanpura, boys’ football is given more importance, and the girls aren’t really out in big numbers. But when I went there, the parents realised that their girls would be safe, training with a female coach, and over 400 girls showed up. By the end of the camp, I was coaching the women who accompanied them as well!”

Tanaz Mohammed's biggest project so far has been a 10-day coaching camp in Madanpura, Mumbai, a largely Muslim-dominated community, where girls didn’t have much exposure to sports.
Tanaz Mohammed’s biggest project so far has been a 10-day coaching camp in Madanpura, Mumbai, a largely Muslim-dominated community, where girls didn’t have much exposure to sports.

Even though the coaching camp lasted for just 10 days, the girls were determined to keep playing the sport, and formed their own football teams at school. Tanaz says that they have been consistently competing in local tournaments. Also, the girls have overcome their initial barriers about clothing, and continue playing with their hijabs and salwars.

Recounting an eye-opening memory from the coaching camp, Tanaz says,

“To begin with, it was only the mothers who accompanied their daughters to the coaching grounds. But on the last day, the father of one of the girls was there. Both the parents told me that they never knew that female football coaches existed, and because of the coaching camp, their daughter has been able to play the sport.”

Tanaz coaching mothers in Madanpura
Tanaz coaching mothers in Madanpura

Getting the ball rolling

Ever since she was a little girl, Tanaz has made her love for sports loud and clear. Although she is a professional footballer today, she first pursued hockey through the girls’ team at school, and quickly made her way to the national level.

However, after she graduated from college with a degree in Sports Management Studies, she was offered an internship at Mumbai City Football Club, through which her interest in football began flourishing. She then took up a basic course in football, and enrolled with Premier Skills to become a qualified coach educator.

“There was some initial hesitation from my parents, but they have been my biggest support system. There are a few people who have passed unpleasant comments, but I chose to ignore them,” says Tanaz.

In 2018, Tanaz was the manager of the Mumbai District Football Team that won the State Level Sub-Junior Girls Football Championship held in Jalgaon. She has also been a hockey team coach to the girls’ team at MMK College Mumbai, who won the Mumbai University Inter-Collegiate Hockey Tournament in 2017.

Tanaz says that three girls from the Sub Junior Football Team went on to play for the Under 15 Indian Team. When it comes to hockey, eight of the players represented Mumbai University in the All India Inter-University Tournament. They also represented Mumbai in the Junior and Senior National tournaments.

Tanaz during a coaching session
Tanaz during a coaching session

All in the game

Now as a coach educator, Tanaz’s mission is to create a lasting impact on girls and society across the country. She says she wants to present young girls everywhere with opportunities that can help expand their horizons and stay empowered.

“I plan to extend my reach across India and help girls realise that there are plenty of sporting opportunities out there that they just need to grab. It is a slow process, but I will continue doing my work,” Tanaz says.

On the support girls and women need from the government and sports associations, Tanaz says that there need to be more grassroots activities, coaching camps, and leagues that can help girls get on the field from a young age.

To all the young girls aspiring to pursue a career in sports, Tanaz says: “Believe the voice in your head telling you to just do it, even if everyone else discourages you. Focus on your own journey, and don’t compare your progress to someone else’s. Get rid of the barriers you make for yourself, and tell yourself you can do whatever you set your mind to.”

(Edited by Rekha Balakrishnan)

source: http://www.yourstory.com / Your Story / Home> Her Story> Women’s Empowerment / by Sasha R / edited by Rekha Balakrishnan / July 03rd, 2019

Hyderabad cricketer, Chicago pitch!

NRI's / PIO's, Sports, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA  / Chicago, U.S.A :

A couple of days back, the ICC Americas has named an 18-member squad for the ICC World Cricket League Division Three, and, quite surprisingly, the list features the wicketkeeper-batsman from Hyderabad — Ibrahim Khaleel !

“It is just the first step. I am not absolutely sure whether I will make it to the final 14. It would be cleared once the ICC Americas approves my citizenship process,” says Ibrahim Khaleel. - SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
“It is just the first step. I am not absolutely sure whether I will make it to the final 14. It would be cleared once the ICC Americas approves my citizenship process,” says Ibrahim Khaleel. – SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

For the last four years, neither his friends in Hyderabad nor his team-mates, who played with him in the Ranji Trophy, knew anything about Ibrahim Khaleel’s whereabouts. All they knew was, he had shifted base to the U.S., to try something new.

But now, his friends and colleagues would be in for a surprise.

A couple of days back, the ICC Americas has named an 18-member squad for the ICC World Cricket League Division Three, and, quite surprisingly, the list features the wicketkeeper-batsman from Hyderabad — Ibrahim Khaleel!

On Monday evening as Khaleel spoke to Sportstar from Chicago, he sounded emotional. “It is just the first step. I am not absolutely sure whether I will make it to the final 14. It would be cleared once the ICC approves my citizenship process,” he said.

Khaleel sounded happy to be back in the groove. A couple of weeks ago, he was called for a trial in Houston. The selectors and the team’s chief coach Pubudu Dassanayake, took trials of all the players and shortlisted 18. “It was a rigorous training programme. It went on well, and I was quite confident of making the cut,” he said.

But then, Khaleel, who has played 57 first-class matches for Hyderabad, was a bit cautious. And that’s because of his citizenship.

Even though he shifted base to Chicago four years ago, he is yet to acquire a full-term U.S. citizenship. “My papers have been processed, and I am waiting for a final clearance. It should not be a problem, but then…” the 34-year-old paused.

It was only last month that the U.S. President, Donald Trump, had revised the policies, blocking immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries. But that isn’t bothering Khaleel, who moved to Chicago to be with his wife — a doctor by profession and a U.S. citizen. “I don’t have much idea about the recent immigration order. I had applied a long time back. Hopefully, things will go my way,” he said.

After moving to the U.S., Khaleel initially played for a local club in Chicago. “There was a friend from Hyderabad, who would play for the club. He only asked me to play there.”

That’s how, Khaleel started making his mark in the U.S. Last year, there was a Regional combined camp organised by the ICC Americas, where eight overseas players were asked to be present. And, from the group, Khaleel was chosen for the final trials. “When they called me, I was not too sure about the prospect. But I just wanted to be associated with cricket,” he said.

____________________________

‘I can only keep my fingers crossed. My cricketing days in India have taught me not to 

expect too much’

_____________________________

Coming from a family of cricketers (his father, M. A. Khaleel, played for Railways in the Ranji Trophy in the early 1980s), Khaleel started his career under the watchful eyes of Arshad Ayub. “It all started in Hyderabad. Slowly, I made it to the State team and left my mark in the domestic tournaments. But then, I had to take the tough call of leaving the country. The scopes were less there,” a rather dejected Khaleel said.

Even after moving to the U.S. in 2013, Khaleel continued playing for Hyderabad in the 2014-15 season. “But after that, it was not possible to hop between India and the U.S… I had to set my priorities right,” he said.

Was it just the priorities that made him move to the U.S., or was it something else?

Khaleel smiled and politely answered: “I have no regrets. I have thoroughly enjoyed my game.”

Not the best of choices

While Khaleel said he had no regrets in life, some of his former team-mates in Hyderabad indicated that the stumper had taken a couple of wrong decisions, which affected his career. In 2007, he left the Hyderabad Ranji Trophy side and joined the Hyderabad Heroes side in the Indian Cricket League (ICL). That affected his career.

Later, when the BCCI brought back the ICL players in the mainstream, Khaleel was bought by the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, he had to warm the benches. “I was looking for an opportunity, but that never came my way,” he said.

In 2011, Khaleel created a world record in wicket-keeping for any first-class game with a tally of 14 victims in a Ranji Trophy Plate Group B match against Assam.

But even after that his career never really took off, and that prompted him to move overseas. “I was not too happy with a few things in Hyderabad cricket. And then I decided to move out,” he said, adding: “I have lost touch with most of my team-mates.”

Reserved person

Ever since leaving Hyderabad, Khaleel seems to have gone incommunicado. While he doesn’t have a social media account, the cricketer did not even use WhatsApp till a year ago. “I am a reserved person, and don’t enjoy talking to too many people. I had to install WhatsApp only after my parents and my sister persuaded,” he said with a smile.

Perhaps, that’s why most of his old friends and team-mates can’t even reach him despite repeated attempts. “That’s how I am,” he laughed.

With the USA side set to begin its campaign at the World Cricket League on May 23, Khaleel hopes to be in the final team. “I can only keep my fingers crossed. My cricketing days in India have taught me not to expect too much,” a rather cautious Khaleel said.

After all, there is many a slip, between the cup and the lip!

source: http://www.sportstar.thehindu.com / Sportstar / Home> International / by Sharan Acharya / March 27th, 2017

Fazi and Friends: Muslim Woman biker from Kerala lives her Raid dream with help from pals

Sports, , , , ,

KERALA :

Fazeela Uppilathodi from Kerala is accompanied by Jose Sebastian and Vishnu in realizing her racing dream to take part in the Raid de Himalaya.

Fazeela (centre) had to sell her Tempo Traveller in order to arrange flight tickets for the Raid de Himalaya. - SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Fazeela (centre) had to sell her Tempo Traveller in order to arrange flight tickets for the Raid de Himalaya. – SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A Muslim woman biker from Kerala, Fazeela Uppilathodi ,  passionate about competing at the Raid de Himalaya  – the highest motorsport event in the world. A Christian workshop owner at Cochin, Jose Sebastian. His Hindu mechanic-cum-partner, Vishnu V Vinyan. And a Tempo Traveller used extensively in the devastating Kerala flood in August for rescue, transportation and food distribution.

These four came together to make possible Fazeela’s Raid adventure this year. The Tempo Traveller was purchased by Fazeela, Jose and Vishnu in May 2018. The transport vehicle is part of the story because in a distress sale in September end, Fazeela and her pals sold it. They needed the money to finance her flight tickets, entry fee and other expenses at the Raid de Himalaya.

Raid de Himalaya will be organized from October 8 to October 14. It will begin from Leh. Fazeela, called Fazi by friends, is currently in Leh. The 28-year-old is training for competing at the Raid by riding long distance in high altitudes.

Fazeela has been in competitive motorsport racing for close to two years now. In this short period, she was second among women bikers at the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC), 2017.

This year, Fazeela has participated in five rounds of INRC. She is eagerly waiting for the last round of the championship, to be held in October end.

Fazeela’s Raid dream has been made possible by her friends Jose Sebastian and Vishnu. Sebastian is owner of Cog Racing, a workshop in Cochin. He recalls that in November 2016, Fazeela came to his workshop to get some work done on her motorbike.

“She was practicing stunts on her bike. She asked us how she could do good stunts. I told her I didn’t know stunts, but could train her for racing,” says Sebastian. His workshop prepares bikes for motorsport racing events.

With just four days of practice, Fazeela stood first in women’s category at a bike race held in Cochin in November 2016. Jose says Fazeela is not a biker with loads of practice in how to ride. “She has natural talent. She can focus completely on the track, and knows how to take risks. When she is at a race, she gives it her best,” says Jose.

Fazeela, Jose and Vishnu managed to go for all INRC rounds last year in trains and buses. This year, the trio purchased the Tempo Traveller so that going for motorsport races would be convenient.

During an INRC round last year, Fazeela had met Sarah Kashyap, the biker from Chandigarh. Kashyap has carved a niche for herself in the largely exclusive male world of competitive motorsport racing on bikes.

“Sarah urged me to come for Raid de Himalaya, and consistently gave me courage. But arranging money to come for the Raid was a huge problem,” she says.

In a stroke of good luck, TVS Racing offered Fazeela the use of their bike, TVS Apache RTR 200 for competing at Raid de Himalaya. For her travel and other expenses, Fazeela and her friends sold the Tempo Traveller.

The videos of the flood rescue work, taken by Jose’s friends in August, show the group going around in about two feet of water in a shiny white Tempo Traveller, with posters on its windows. ‘Kerala Flood Rescue Mission’.

Fazeela has been competing in the INRC rounds in a Hero Impulse given to her by Vishnu. “If TVS Racing had not offered Fazi the bike, we would have arranged a racing bike for her somehow,” says Jose.

Fazeela works as a fitness trainer, and is also skilled in yoga and meditation techniques. She has a five-year-old daughter, Isha Finha, who has staying with Fazeela’s foster parents at Calicut while Fazeela is at the Raid.

Raid de Himalaya is the flagship rally of the country’s premier motorsport club, Shimla-based Himalayan Motorsport. The Raid began in 1999, and will witness its 20th edition this year.

President Himalayan Motorsport Vijay Parmar said that over the last two decades, he has witnessed how competing at the Raid is a dream for motorsport enthusiasts.

“It torments their sleep for six months of the year. They go the last mile to try and put everything together. Some of these competitors have been out on the first day. It is amazing to see that whoever fails at the Raid is among the first batch of competitors to mark their entry the next year,” said Parmar.

The Raid will run from October 8 to October 14, on some of the highest roads of Ladakh, Kargil and Zanskar sectors.

source: http://www.sportstar.thehindu.com / Sportstar / Home> Motorsport / by Vijay Lokpally / Shimla – October 05th, 2018

Tenpin Bowling: Akaash and Sabeena crowned national champions in Bengaluru

Sports, , ,

TAMIL NADU :

SabeenaMPOs30jun2019

HIGHLIGHTS

Akaash Ashok Kumar finished at the top position after 32 games, followed by Dhruv Sarda, Prathyek Satya and Kishan in second, third and fourth positions respectively and qualified for the stepladder round at the National Tenpin Bowling Championships in Bengaluru..

Bengaluru:

Akaash Ashok Kumar of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu’s Sabeena Athica won the titles at the Uniply 29th National Tenpin Bowling Championships, which concluded at Amoeba, Church Street, in Bengaluru on Saturday evening (February 9).

In the men’s category, Akaash won his maiden national title defeating the second seed Dhruv Sarda of Delhi (413 – 372) by 41 pins. In the women’s section, the top seed Sabeena won her 10th national title defeating Sumathi Nallabantu of Telangana (378 –266) by 112 pins.

Earlier in the day, in the stepladder round, played based on cumulative pinfall of two games, in Match 1 of the men’s category, third placed Prathyek Satya (Karnataka) lost to the fourth placed Kishan R (Karnataka) (426 – 377) by 49 pins.

In Match 2, Dhurv Sarda (Delhi) beat Kishan (438 – 406) by 32 pins. Dhruv was leading by a narrow margin of six pins (210 – 204) at the end of Game 1 and he scored to 228 in game 2 as against 202 of Kishan to gain a lead of 36 pins and moved into the final.

In Match 1 of the stepladder round of the women’s category, the second placed Sumathi comfortably beat defending champion Anukriti Bishnoi of Haryana (355 – 317) by 38 pins to enter the title round against Sabeena.

Akaash (6608 pinfall and 206.50 average) finished at the top position after 32 games, followed by Dhruv (6554 pinfall and 204.81 average), Prathyek Satya of Karnataka (6547 pinfall and 204.59 average) and Kishan (6479 pinfall and 202.47 average) in second, third and fourth positions respectively and qualified for the stepladder round.

Defending champion Shabbir Dhankot (Tamil Nadu) missed the cut by four pins and finished in fifth position.

Sabeena finished at the top spot (3842 pins at 192.10 average) after 20 games after Round 2, followed by Sumathi (3503 pinfall and 175.15 average) and Anukriti (3442 pinfall and 172.10 average) at second and third spots respectively.

The highlight of the day was two perfect games (300) on the same day by Kishan and Dhruv. Kishan is the first bowler to score perfect game in the history of this Championships and he was then followed by Dhruv.

source: http://www.newsable.asianet.com / AsiaNet Newsable / Home> English News> Sports / by Team Newsable / February 10th, 2019

Stimac names six newcomers in squad

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Igor Stimac. File
Igor Stimac. File

Indian football head coach Igor Stimac on Sunday named six newcomers in the final list of 23 players for the King’s Cup, to be held in Buriram, Thailand from June 5.

The six are Rahul Bheke, Brandon Fernandes, Raynier Fernandes, Michael Soosairaj, Abdul Sahal and India U-17 World Cup team captain Amarjit Singh.

The final list: Goalkeeper: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Kamaljit Singh.

Defenders: Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Adil Khan, Subhasish Bose.

Midfielders: Udanta Singh, Jackichand Singh, Brandon Fernandes, Anirudh Thapa, Raynier Fernandes, Pronay Halder, Vinit Rai, Sahal Abdul, Amarjit Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Michael Soosairaj.

Forwards: Balwant Singh, Sunil Chhetri, Farukh Choudhary, Manvir Singh.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Football / by PTI / New Delhi – June 02nd, 2019