Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami delivers a ball the three-day tour match between India and WICB President’s XI squad at the Warner Park stadium in Basseterre, Saint Kitts, on July 14, 2016. / AFP / Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
Injuries and bad luck is something which had not let MD Shami enjoy the game for quite some time but finally, it looks like that his time has come. After being available for the Delhi Daredevils throughout the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016 , Mohammad is a part of the Indian Team in the ongoing Test series against the West Indies and is firing with his ball.
Shami literally rattled the Windies top order in the 1st innings of the first Test, which is being played in Antigua. His 50th Test victim was the experienced Marlon Samuels and he achieved this feat in merely 13 games, which makes him the joint fastest Indian pacer alongside Venkatesh Prasad to 50 Test match wickets.
India cricketer Mohammed Shami (C) is congratulated by teammates during day two of the cricket test match between West Indies and India July 22, 2016 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in St John’s, Antigua. The decision was made that Brathwaite was not out. / AFP / DON EMMERT (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)
The right arm fast bowler was phenomenal in the first two sessions on Day 3 and his opening wicket was batsman Rajendra Chandrika. Shami kept attacking by bowling a tight off-stump line with the support of an attacking inner ring field set-up. It was obvious this strategy would reap rewards as he got one to move away from Darren Bravo and Bravo had no clue.
He bowled a magical over, where he took 2 wickets, that of Samuels and Blackwood and didn’t give away a single run. His other partners were hardly posing any trouble but Shami played it smart by making the batsman play almost every delivery of his.
We all know that Shami is immensely backed by both Test and ODI captains and the selectors as well but had a real tough time after he injured his knee during the marque 2015 World Cup in Australia. The doctors had said that it might be a career-threatening one but the 26-year-old did not give up and tried coming back in the Australia tour earlier this year but was again haunted by the knee injury. He finally came back in the IPL and now is in full flow against the West Indies as we see our beloved fast bowler in the Indian jersey.
We hope that he stays fit, in the long run, as Team India have a hectic Test season coming up as the team is scheduled to play 16 more Test matches, after this one.
source: http://www.circleofcricket.co / Circle of Cricket / Home> Latest News / by baggabhrigu / July 24th, 2016
Armaan Ebrahim was off a fine start and went into the lead exiting Turn-1 and maintained the one-second advantage till he pitted for Dilantha to take over. (Source: IndiainF1)
Thailand :
In the double header, Armaan Ebrahim and Dilantha Malagamuwa, driving team Dilantha Racing, finished third in the first race on Saturday.
Indian racer Armaan Ebrahim, along with Sri Lankan Dilantha Malagamuwa, notched a fine double in the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia series here this weekend.
In the double header, Armaan and Malagamuwa, driving team Dilantha Racing, finished third in the first race on Saturday and went one better today with a second place finish.
Armaan had qualified second for the first race, just a 10th off the pole position while Dilantha, suffering from an indisposition, was placed sixth for the second outing.
Armaan was off a fine start and went into the lead exiting Turn-1 and maintained the one-second advantage till he pitted for Dilantha to take over.
Dilantha, however, lost one spot and eventually finished third which was creditable considering that the Sri Lankan was on drips going into the weekend due to food poisoning.
In the second race, Dilantha, feeling much better, jumped two spots to move into fourth and gained another place when the car in front ran wide. After the mandatory pit-stop, Armaan took over and put in some blistering laps to move into second spot, but could not make any progress as he had too much a gap to make up.
Reflecting on his weekend, Armaan said: “We were a bit unfortunate in the first race after I came in when in the lead as Dilantha had not fully recovered from food poisoning that had him on the drips. Considering this, we were happy to finish second.
“In race two, Dilantha had to start since he qualified and luckily was feeling better. He got a good start and moved into fourth and after a couple of laps of applying pressure. The car in front of him ran wide allowing him to get through.
“Dilantha held third for the rest of his stint, but the gap to the leaders was considerably huge. Once I got in, I had to drive like a quali and managed to catch the car in P2 and pass him. I started making time on the leader, but the gap was too big and we ran out of time which meant we finished a strong second.”
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / Indian Express / Home> Express Sports> Sports> Motor Sports / by PTI , Buriram / July 24th, 2016
A rider at the rally negotiates the tricky and slushy course. Photo: Vijay Bate.
Mumbai:
Team TVS Racing’s Syed Asif Ali won the 27th Sportscraft Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally here on Sunday. Ali thus prevented Shamim Khan from winning the competition for the fifth time.
The Bengaluru-based Ali, astride a TVS Wego, won the Gulf Oil Lubricants India Limited-sponsored event with a penalty of 32.43 seconds. The second place went to TeamMahindra’s Shamim astride a Mahindra Gusto while Navi Mumbai’s Erimal Shekharan, riding a Yamaha Alpha, took third place.
The competition — Sportscraft’s 351st — turned out to be very tough and the likes of former champions Rustom Patel, Manjeet Singh Bassan and Avtar Singh did not finish among the top five. In all, 53 riders entered the event.
“This time the course was really tough. In addition to the slushy areas we had a couple of trucks coming in our way and forcing us to slow down. It was challenging,’’ said Ali.
Team CEAT’s Nidhi Shukla riding a Honda Activa turned out to be the best woman rider; she completed the race with a penalty of 45.20 seconds.
SMOOTH SAILING: It was all smiles for teenager Vishnu Saravanan who showcased his talent enroute to claiming the honours in Laser Radial class. / Photo: G. Ramakrishna
Not yet 19, Vishnu Saravanan was outstanding in the Laser Radial section of the Hyderabad Sailing Week.
The tall yachtsman, representing Trishna Sailing Club (TSC), Bengaluru, claimed half of the dozen-race series to clinch the crown in a 58-member fleet, by far the largest in the annual championship, at the Hussain Sagar on Friday.
Behind him in the overall standings was Sharif Khan of the Army Yachting Node (AYN), who got the gun no less than four times.
The sun returned to duty, albeit briefly, when the penultimate race commenced but did the vanishing trick well before it was completed. Completing the three inner loops served as a survival test for the fittest, the three runs providing brief respite from as many upwind legs.
If this was not gruelling enough, the competitors needed to get around two gybe marks, the vicinity of which is often the graveyard of capsized craft, the manoeuvre involved is definitely not for the poorly-trained.
The skill to skid ahead of the opposition was seen in seasoned hand Sharif Khan.
Not in the top five at the first windward mark, he was fourth when the orange inflatable was circled for the second time. By the last loop, he had cruised to the fore. When the top five set out on the reach, the seventh leg of the trapezoid track, Sharif was in complete command.
There was no trace of the back and knee problems he was battling as his stern skimmed the slimy lake’s surface. After all, this reservoir was the nursery where he’d learned the ropes. By the time he’d reached the second mark, he’d separated himself from the rest of the pack, A. Srinu, placed second then, a good 20 boat lengths behind.
Series winner Saravanan advanced by the third mark but was still about 10 boat lengths behind when Sharif heard the welcoming toot of the hooter. The AYN sailor was equally authoritative in the earlier race, where he brooked no competition either.
A stinging comment by former India captain Dhanraj Pillay and a sustained effort by friends in the hockey fraternity as well as the media has raised a ray of hope for the ailing Mohammad Shahid.
The hockey legend is battling liver and kidney-related issues at a private hospital in Gurgaon, with no assistance coming from any quarter until the Union Sports Ministry stepped in on Friday.
According to Sports Ministry sources, Shahid will be provided the best medical help. “The quantum of the financial assistance will depend on the report provided by the hospital,” said the source.
Railways to fund expenses
The Indian Railways, for whom Shahid played in National competitions, said it would take care of his medical expenses. “The formalities and paperwork are complete. Shahid’s full treatment will be taken care of by the Indian Railways,” said a senior source in the RSPB.
Earlier, Dhanraj had pleaded with the Prime Minister to intervene. “I appeal to our honourable Prime Minister, Sports Minister, all sports associations and everyone else to please take note of Shahid bhai’scondition and provide all help possible. We are also trying to mobilise all support from our end,” he said.
“He is a legend, an icon, and someone who made India proud internationally. Indian hockey was known all over the world because of players like him,” said Dhanraj.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Hockey / by Vijay Lokpally / New Delhi – July 02nd, 2016
Two swimming coaches – Pradeep Kumar and Nihar Ahmed – on what keeps the states swimmers going
Bengaluru , KARNATAKA :
Karnataka’s swimmers’ success in the recently held Sub-Junior National Aquatic Championship at Bengaluru shouldn’t come as a surprise. Karnataka swimmers have been dominating the National events decade after decade now. Prior to the 2016 sub-junior and junior National meets in Bengaluru, Karnataka won the National Championship in the junior section for a record 24 years and it’s senior team has been a champion for 23 years! In 2015, Karnataka created the historic hat-trick by making a clean sweep of National titles in Sub-Junior, Junior and Senior ranks. The state has produced several Olympian swimmers such as, Nisha Millet, Shikha Tandon, H.S. Hakimuddin and Rehan Poncha . In terms of infrastructure, Karnataka ranks high on the National list and its no surprise that swimmers from other states make a bee-line here for for training.
What makes Karnataka a powerhouse in swimming? The credit goes to two award-winning coaches — S. Pradeep Kumar and Nihar Ameen. Between the two, they have trained hundreds of National and international swimmers who won laurels to the State and the country. The two veteran coaches speak to MetroPlus on the rise of Karnataka in aquatics and what made their swimmers tick.
Pradeep Kumar
Pradeep Kumar, who has been a National coach, says, “I will put that down to our club system. We have several swimming clubs, which have dedicated coaches and good training system in place.” “We also have 1,000 registered competitive swimmers and that’s where the talent keeps coming from. We also have a State Association (KSA) which is committed to support young talent’’ adds Pradeep.
But Pradeep feels that other states, especially Maharashtra, is catching up and there is a dip in the standard of Karnataka swimmers. “Of late, other state swimmers come and train here. This is a disadvantage for us. At my club, Basavangudi Aquatic Centre (BAC), I stopped taking outside swimmers five years ago,” opines the coach.
Pradeep also points out that the short span of swimmers’ career also is a setback. “Most junior swimmers get into professional courses after high school on sports quota. Once they do that, they stop competing and it affects our prospects. Instead of sports quota, it would be better if the State Government directs the Education Department to give grace marks for excellence in swimming,” he observes. Another challenge for the State swimmers is to find jobs. “There is a lack of career opportunity in the State for the swimmers and they often are lured away by other States and public sector units like railways,” says Pradeep.
Pradeep has a healthy rivalry with Nihar Ameen at State meets where their teams clash for the overall title. Nihar, who is the first swimming coach in the country to be honoured with the Dronacharya Award for excellence in coaching in 2015, holds strong views on the state of sport.
Nihar Ameen
Nihar cites three major reasons for Karnataka’s dominance in swimming – “First, we have the best State swimming association in the country and under the president, Neelkant Rao Jagdale, KSA has grown from strength to strength putting in place a well-developed system to promote the sport. Secondly, thanks to conducive system, we have several clubs in this Bengaluru, Mysore and Mangalore, which have good training programmes. Thirdly, we have the best infrastructure and of late many pools have been privatised and are professionally managed now.” He also adds, “The sport is picking up in Dakshin Kannada, especially in Puttur.”
Nihar, however, admits that despite its supremacy, there has been a marked decline in the quality of performances. “There are fewer National records and the attrition rate among swimmers is on the rise. The scene was not the same 20 years ago. The present generation has other options and distractions and I don’t find the same level of commitment that we had in the past.”
Nihar disagrees with the view that training of swimmers from other states in Karnataka poses a challenge for the local talent. He, in fact, trains the Olympians, Virdhwal Khade of Maharashtra and Sandeep Sejwal of Delhi at his pool in Dolphin Swim Centre in Mathikere and adds, “I would say training with outside talent helps local swimmers to raise their standards.”
For Pradeep and Nihar, who have presided Karnataka’s rule in the pool for the past two decades, the lack of a strong second line of coaches is worrisome. But, there are signs that a new crop of top coaches will soon emerge. Former National champion Nisha Millet is on the job, by turning to be a full time coach. But, Karnataka needs more to keep the State flag flying in the pool!
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Metroplus / by Kalyan Ashok / Bengaluru – July 02nd, 2016
He had been ailing for some time and was taken to a local hospital where his condition did not show any signs of improvement.
Mohammad Shahid, hockey star of yesteryear, was admitted to a private hospital in Gurgaon on Wednesday for liver treatment which was not available in Varanasi, his home town.
Shahid had been ailing for some time and was taken to a local hospital where his condition did not show any signs of improvement.
According to sources close to the hockey player, he was treated for dengue and jaundice but Shahid complained of restlessness and was promptly advised dedicated treatment of a higher quality in Delhi and was flown in on Wednesday.
With swelling in his legs and acute stomach pain, Shahid, who would once leave opposition defenders chasing his shadow, was not even able to walk on his own. He reportedly presented a pitiable sight and his physical state left many of his admirers in tears.
Known for his exceptional dribbling skills, Shahid had been hurt by the hockey world shutting him out from all schemes. He was hardly involved by his employer — Railways — for any coaching assignment related with the game and that had left the hockey great disillusioned.
True to his nature, Shahid refrained from blaming anyone for his condition and preferred spending his life in solitude. Hockey, needless to say, stayed close to his heart always.
Shahid’s former teammate Zafar Iqbal promised all help. “I am saddened to know about his condition. I will visit him (on Thursday) and offer all possible support from the hockey fraternity,” said Zafar.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Hockey / Vijay Lokapally / New Delhi – June 30th, 2016
Former Indian tennis player Mustafa Ghouse talks about how private leagues are benefitting our sports
Mustafa Ghouse was born into a family of tennis player and took to the sport as a child. He participated in the ATP Tours and picked up a clutch of medals, including a bronze at the Asian games in Doha in 2006. Post retirement in 2008, he is currently the CEO of JSW Sport, and the chief operating officer of Bengaluru FC, two time winners of the I-League. He also manages the Sports Excellence programme that mentors 40 athletes across Olympic sporting events.
In the city for the recently concluded TedX Bangalore event, Mustafa says, “My background in sports helps me manage the team better. I am happy to have been part of a team that was built from scratch and has gone on to win two titles in three years. We want to keep up our performance. The one factor, that has helped this team, has been the passion for the sport and winning that our players have. Every player is very hardworking and willing to go the extra mile to achieve more success.”
Mustafa feels that the mushrooming of private leagues in sports such as kabaddi, tennis, badminton and football has the potential to become a game changer for Indian sport. “These leagues ensure that players become very popular, get sponsors and are able to compete at higher levels. Audiences are flocking to see sports other than cricket and it is very heart-warming. The BCCI must be given credit for showing us the way ahead.”
Is tennis still his favourite sport? “Yes, I have played all sports, from football to cricket, badminton, tennis and squash. I have enjoyed playing all sports, though tennis holds a special place in my heart.” He is circumspect about India churning out an individual grand slam winner soon. “It will require a lot of systemic changes and will require a lot more effort and support. We do have talented youngsters, but it is important to get a working system in place for achieving success in the long term.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindi / Home> Features> Metroplus / Nikhil Varma / Bengaluru – June 06th, 2016
Indian quartermiler Mohammad Anas qualified for the Rio Olympics by shattering the men’s 400m national record on the second day of Polish Athletics Championship at Bydgoszcz.
21-year-old Anas clocked 45.40secs, the exact Rio qualification timing, to book the Olympics ticket last night and become the 21st Indian track and field athlete to qualify for the upcoming Games.
The Kerala athlete shattered his own national record of 45.44secs which he set on Friday on the first day of the same competition at this Polish city.
Rajiv Arokia, whose national record of 45.47secs Anas broke on Friday, finished second with a timing of 45.60secs.
Anas had won a silver in the Federation Cup of National Athletics Championships in April with a timing of 45.74secs.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> Sports> More Sports / PTI / June 26th, 2016
Here is an inspirational story that needs to be told and a young woman whose path breaking effort needs to be applauded.
Nadiya Nighat
On a late peak summer afternoon in 2007, Nadiya Nighat walked into the sprawling lawns of Srinagar’s Amar Singh College along with half a dozen boys from Ram Bagh, the locality within a stone’s throw, where they all lived. The boys were carrying a football with them and soon Muhammad Abdullah Dar, a local coach, began to teach them, and about 40 others — all boys — learnt how to roll and tackle the ball on the ground.
“I just kept watching their pursuit for a while and then requested the coach if even I could join them. He agreed and in about half an hour, I came to know what the game is all about,” Nadiya recalls. “Until then I knew football only as another ball game. Later, I learnt you can work wonders with it. I found it to be a very interesting game and have not moved away from it since then,” Nadiya says who has since, stepped into Dar’s shoes and is incidentally Kashmir Valley’s first female football coach and referee now.
Also, she is the youngest among all the game coaches of the Valley, who just at the age of 19, is training about 30 under-19 players of her own club and a team at the government-run Women’s College at Srinagar’s Maulana Azad Road. She also engages 29 young boys and girls in the 6-12 age group in soccer coaching drills and games at the ‘Grassroots Centre,’ which is being run by Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) in the Himalayan state’s summer capital.
“In fact, I teach them and at the same time, I learn as well. It has been a wonderful experience,” she adds.
(above) Nadiya Nighat training under-19 players at the government-run Women’s College at Srinagar’s Maulana Azad Road
She passed her 12th Class examination as a regular student of a J&K government-run school (Channapora) a couple of months ago and is now trying to get admission in a physical training institution outside Jammu and Kashmir to pursue a career in sports, with football being “her life”.
“I would like to go outside J&K. A few have suggested Punjab. But then I learnt that Haryana has better options to offer when it comes to football,” says the girl from a middle class background. If she gets enough girls to join her in the Valley, then she might dedicate her time and skills to build a powerful home- team instead. Unfolding her future plans, she reveals, “If that happens, I might seek admission in the Women’s College here and while pursuing my studies, I will train and form our own girls’ football team.”
So far, she has been able to find 18 girls, most of them are of her age and are willing to join her team. But, in most cases, it is their personal longing for the game, which is not backed by their families. “Unfortunately, only a few are being supported by their families. The rest are willing to play but their parents are discouraging them,” she laments.
Nadiya herself had to face resentment from her mother as it was considered a taboo for women to get into a professional employment, leave alone sports. “My mom cautioned me that people will start spreading unpleasant rumours about me joining (a sport), which may ruin my life. But, my papa put his foot down and said that, “If she is interested in making a career in football, nothing should stop her.”
Luckily, I now find a hardened supporter in my mom as well and I do hear encouraging words from neighbours, relatives and friends, who would earlier raise their eyebrows,” Nadiya spoke to the correspondent after holding a tough 60-minute-long soccer training session with half-a-dozen boys at Srinagar’s Polo Grounds sports facility run by the JKFA.
Sameer Gulzar, a trainee, says, he is being trained by Nadiya from the past five months. “I, like the others, have learnt a lot about the game. She is a good coach who trains us with utmost care and tenderness. She never loses her temper. If one of us makes a mistake, she graciously tells him where he went wrong and how he can rectify it,” said the 17-year-old aspirant.
Like Sameer, others in the group were astonished when they first came across a female coach and when they were told that she would be training them. “Now, it is normal. We come here, do our drills and return home happy, with a resolve to return here for the next session. She is really good and there is no problem in communicating with her,” he adds.
Not only in football, but across almost all sports in Jammu and Kashmir and the entire country, the dearth of women coaches is felt by all aspiring sports women. “This is one of the main reasons why women are not coming forward to play and make a career in football and other games in Kashmir. The JKFA has been very helpful to me. It has given me access to use its facilities, including grounds and tools to train both males and females, but the girls are reluctant as they don’t find these secure enough. For instance – Bakshi Stadium, it is a sheltered place but the round-the-clock presence of security forces within the premises dissuades girls from relocating there to train or play the game,” she said.
As far as polo grounds is concerned, parents are not ready to allow their children to play while being watched by men, “If the government comes forward, releases funds and provides the required facilities, including secure locations for girls to play, we would soon be able to put forth a women’s football team of international standards,” Nadiya says, hoping that, “What is important is changing a person’s thinking about women pursuing a career in sports. Culture badalna chahiyen.
There are many there (who like me) who are inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Andrés ‘Leo’ Messi or want to follow the footsteps of Lotta Schelin and Kim Little. But, before they actually give it a try, the Kashmiri society has to change and it must welcome women who are interested in male-dominated career options,” she concludes.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Sunday Chronicle, Headliners / by Yusuf Jameel / June 26th, 2016
