Category Archives: Sports

Making of a pigeon racing champ

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports
FLYING HIGH:S. Mohamed Nijamudeen with his trophies in Ramanathapuram.— Photo: L. BALACHANDAR
FLYING HIGH:S. Mohamed Nijamudeen with his trophies in Ramanathapuram.— Photo: L. BALACHANDAR

A hobbyist becomes a racing enthusiast

When S. Mohamed Nijamudeen (38), a local body representative, received a one-month-old racing bird as a gift from his friend a few years ago, little did he realise that it would win him the championship in pigeon racing.

Mr. Nijamudeen, vice-president of Panaikulam panchayat, with business interests in Dubai, developed an interest in rearing pigeons from a young age but often got disheartened when the birds flew away.

When he was about to give up the hobby, his friend introduced him to Racing Homer, a breed with an astonishing homing instinct, bred solely for pigeon racing sport.“I loved the birds more for their homing instinct and began taking part in racing only in the last five years,” he said. He had 60 birds and reared them by appointing a full-time worker and spent about Rs. 15,000 a month. But he suffered a huge setback when he lost 44 birds in a theft in October last.

Four of them, including the ‘gifted bird,’ returned home a few days later.

He took part in this year’s racing conducted by Ramanathapuram Racing Homer Club (RRHC) and won the championship with 17 points.

In the first leg of racing from Chennai to Ramanathapuram (508 km), he drew nil points but his bird came first in the second leg from Nellore in Andhra Pradesh to Ramanathapuram (670 km), second in the third leg from Sillakalluripet (AP) to Ramanathapuram (870 km) and again first in the final round from Kammam (AP) to Ramanathapuram (1,067 km).

In half the time

In the final round, the organisers gave five days’ time for the birds to return home, but his bird returned home within two and a half days. Now, Mr. Nijamudeen has set his eyes on South Indian racing to be conducted in Chennai next year.

Paranthaman, secretary, Madurai Racing Pigeon Club, and Philip Inbaraj, secretary, Tiruchi Club, presented the trophy to the winner at a function here on Sunday. P. Ravi from a nomadic family, who won the RRHC championship last year, came second with 10 points this year.

The RRHC conducted the racing under the guidance of founders N. Ramesh and Marriappan. Mr. Ramesh said they had been conducting the racing event for the past nine years and spent about Rs. 75,000 for it this year, adopting strict guidelines and regulations of the sport.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Tamil Nadu / by D.J. Walter Scott / Ramanathapuram – April 07th, 2015

Sania Mirza-Martina Hingis win Miami Open, lift their second title together

Sports, World Opinion
In individual doubles rankings, Sania Mirza is now only 145 points away from becoming world number one. (Source: Twitter)
In individual doubles rankings, Sania Mirza is now only 145 points away from becoming world number one. (Source: Twitter)

Sania Mirza achieved yet another career milestone by capturing her 25th WTA doubles title as the Indian ace continued her dream start with Martina Hingis to win the Miami Open trophy on Sunday.

The top seeded Indo-Swiss pair overcame a sluggish start to take the title with a 7-5 6-1 scoreline against second seeded Russian team of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina.

Sania and Hingis were trailing 2-5 in the opening set but regrouped and turned the tables on their fierce opponents by reeling off eight games in a row.

They had the beaten the same Russian team to win the Indian Wells to win their first title together.

It has been an absolute dream start for Sania and Hingis as they are yet to lose a set since they began their partnership.

“We just tried to keep telling each other to enjoy the struggle. Last week everything came very, very easily to us – we didn’t lose more than four games in a set. Over here we were down, and we were panicking. It was like, ‘Oh my God, we’re not playing well.’ We just weren’t used to that,” Sania said after the match.

Hingis credited the win to tips provided by Sania’s farther Imran Mirza during the match.

“Today the coaching really turned it around – your dad came on court,” Hingis said to Sania.

“The most important thing is that we never stopped believing we’re a great team. They played a great set to get us to that position, 5-2 down. Then we just tried to stay in there and get our chances. We just built on every point, which is what we did well last week too,” the Swiss great, who now has 43 doubles title, said.

With this win, Sania and Hingis now will move to number three from nine in the Road To Singapore doubles leaderboard.

In individual doubles rankings, Sania is now only 145 points away from becoming world number one.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Sports> Tennis  / by Press Trust of India / Miami – April 06th, 2015

MDFA ‘B’ Division Super League : Exciting win for Mysuru Muslims FC

Sports

Mysuru :

Mysuru Muslims FC helped by goals from forwards Mudapeer (25th), Muddassir (34th) and Humeer (55th), registered a exciting 3-2 win over Soniya FC in the MDFA ‘B’ Division Super League tie played at the University Grounds yesterday.

Aanid Jain (8th) and Fairoz (15th) reduced the margin for Soniya FC. Rizwan (25th minute) and Zain (38th min) of Mysuru Muslims FC were given yellow cards for dangerous play while Revanth of Soniya FC received a yellow card for a foul in the 54th minute of the game.

Mysuru Muslims have played two games and have won one and lost one, while Soniya FC have played two and have drawn one and lost one game.

Cariappa scores match winner

A match winning goal by right-in Cariappa (10th min) helped Challenge Union FC to register a narrow 1-0 win over Bravers FC in the MDFA ‘B’ Division super-league tie played at the University grounds here on Sunday.

Challenge Union FC secured 3 points from this win. Lallu of Bravers FC received a yellow card in the 15th minute of the game for dangerous play.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports  News / Tuesday, March 31st, 2015

Kayaking team goes on eco-drive in Gulf of Mannar

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Green Products, Sports, Travel & Tourism

Tuticorin :

A five-member team, including a woman, that has been paddling their fibre kayaks for six days on the scenic Gulf of Mannar Sea completed their expedition here on Sunday, doing so with the satisfaction that they have been able to educate at least some coastal communities on the need to keep beaches free of pollution and littering.

Jehan Driver, Arjun Motha, Rizwan Gani, John Suganth and Charmine Pereira from Quest Expeditions and Aqua Outback had set off from Kuntakal near Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram district on Tuesday, flagged off by Ramanathapuram district collector, K Nandakumar. They were received here by Coastal Security Group (Marine Police). The team paddled for 49km a day and camped in some beach at night. “We stopped at coastal villages and talked with local people. We told them how important it was to keep their coastal environment clean and protect their resources for sustained living,” said Rizwan Gani. Jehan Driver, who led the team, explained that the objective of the expedition was to create awareness about the vast natural reserves Tamil Nadu has to offer and the sustainable practices that will keep it pristine. The expedition also aimed to promote Kayaking as a sport and let people know the importance of preserving the natural environment of the marine biosphere to encourage other sportsmen and sportswomen to practice and enjoy their non-motorised sports.

“Gulf of Mannar is a marine eco-system in the country that has remained clean till now and it should be protected. We could share this message among the people we met in the coast during our paddling. We collected more information on the beaches, besides watching pristine islets to check if there are any poaching activities. We could see that marine life is still flourishing in the region and we should protect them together,” Driver said. The team also expressed their concern about untreated sewage mixing in Gulf of Mannar waters. Based on their findings, they will prepare a report which they will submit to concerned government agencies, they said. Government agencies like Indian Coast Guard and Coastal Security Group and additional director general of police, C Sylendra Babu were of great help, they said. Having succeeded in their first venture, they plan to turn this into an annual event to keep the tradition alive.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / TNN / March 30th, 2015

Sania Mirza Reaches Career-Best as World Number Three in Doubles

Sports, World Opinion

Sania Mirza gained two places to jump to career-best rank of three in doubles. Leander Paes slipped four places to 25.

File photo of Sania Mirza.
File photo of Sania Mirza.

 New Delhi: 

Sania Mirza jumped to her career-best rank of three in the doubles, following her stupendous title win at the BNP Paribas Open with Swiss great Martina Hingis. Sania now sits at number three with 6885 points, behind Italians Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani, who share the top spot with 7640 points each.

Courtesy her win at the Indian Wells, Sania earned 1000 points and gained two places on the WTA chart. She had reached the final of the same tournament last year with Cara Black.

“It’s thrilling to achieve my career-best rank. Being the number one is a dream and I hope I can get there some day,” Sania told PTI from the US.

In the WTA singles chart, Ankita Raina continues to be numero uno player at number 253, up by two spots. In the ATP rankings, Somdev Devvarman maintained his 176th rank while Ramkumar Ramanathan was number two after gaining 10 places to be at 247.

Yuki Bhambri was the next best at 257 as he jumped 27 spots.

In the doubles, Leander Paes slid to 25, a loss of four places and just behind him was Rohan Bopanna, who lost one spot on the ladder.

source: http://www.sports.ndtv.com / NDTV Sports / Home> NDTV Sports> News / by Press Trust of India / Monday – March 23rd, 2015

1975 Men’s Hockey World Cup winning team completes 40 years

Sports, World Opinion

MensHockeyKF22mar2015

New Delhi:

40 years back, on 15 March 1975, the Indian men hockey team accomplished a historic feat against Pakistan in the finals of the 1975 Hockey World Cup wherein they beat the opponents 2-1 to earn the title of ‘Champions’. It was a moment of pride that day and it is a moment of pride for every Indian today. Remembering the occasion and the achievement, Hockey India congratulates the team who made this possible.

Led by Captain Ajit Pal Singh, the team left no stone unturned to ensure that they got the Cup home. The team was placed in Group B of the tournament where they played against West Germany, Australia, England, Argentina and Ghana. Winning 3 matches, losing 1 and drawing 1 in the pool phase, India advanced to the semi-finals to play against Malaysia wherein they beat them 3-2. They had a close contest against Pakistan in the finals and it was Ashok Kumar the all important winning goal helping India win the title that year.

Speaking on the proud occasion Dr. Narinder Batra, President, Hockey India said “After 40 years I still feel proud of the moment when we earned the title of Champions. I would like to congratulate each member of the winning squad and would like thank them that they made this day possible for every Indian. It is this feat 40 years back, which gives us the motivation that we can repeat history and win the title again.”

Ajit Pal Singh captained and led the team to victory during the 1975 World Cup. He even has to his credit of representing the prestigious tournament on three occasions where he represented the team for 1971 World Cup, Barcelona wherein the team bagged the Bronze and in 1973 World Cup, Amsterdam where they bought back the Silver. He even was part of two Olympics Games in Mexico 1968 (Bronze) and 1972 (Bronze). He won the Arjuna Award in 1970 and Padamshree in 1992 for his contribution to the sport from the Government of India.

Ashok Kumar, son of legendary Late Major Dhyan Chand is the first of two Indians who represented India for 4 World Cup tournaments which included Barcelona 1971 (Bronze), 1973 Amsterdam (Silver), Kuala Lumpur 1975 (Gold) and Buenos Aires 1978. He was also instrumental in scoring the winning goal for India against Pakistan in the finale of the 1975 World Cup. Mr. Ashok Kumar also participated in the two Olympic Games in Munich 1972 (Bronze) and Montreal 1976.

Mohd. Aslam Sher Khan, defender and his contribution during the 1975 World Cup cannot be forgotten. He even represented India during the Olympic Games in Munich 1972 (Bronze), Brig.

Harcharan Singh VSM also represented India at three World Cups in Barcelona 1971 (Bronze), Amsterdam 1973 (Silver) and Kuala Lumpur 1975 (Gold) alongwith one Olympic bronze medal in Munich 1972.

Leslie Fernandez whose goalkeeping is still talked about after so many years was also part of the World Cup winning squad.

Dhyan Chand Life Time Achievement Awardee Varinder Singh was also part of the Indian Team that won Silver Medal at the World Cup in Amsterdam 1973 and represented India at two Olympic Teams in 1972 (Bronze) and 1976.

Ashok Diwan a Dhyan Chand Life Time Achievement Awardee in 2002.

Michael Kindo who played at the full back position and was honored with the Arjuna Award for his achievements. He represented India at 3 World Cups which also included Barcelona 1971 (Bronze) and Amsterdam 1973 (Silver) alongwith one Olympic Games in Munich 1972 (Bronze).

BP Govinda, current Chairman of the Selection Committee of Hockey India apart from being a part of the winning team in 1975 was also in the team of World Cup in Amsterdam 1973 (Silver) alogwith two Olympic Games in Munich 1972 (Bronze) and Montreal 1976, Brig.

HJS Chimni who played at the centre forward position during the World Cup and whose contribution was vital for the win.

V J Phillips who captained India at the Buenos Aires World Cup in 1978 was crucial member of 1975 World Cup winning team and also represented India at the two Olympic Games in Munich 1972 (Bronze) and Montreal 1978.

Onkar Singh, youngest member of the World Cup 1975 winning team, later participated in the 1981 World Cup held at Mumbai.

Kaliah P.E. the talented inside forward was also a part of the winning squad.

Late Surjit Singh who played three World Cups in Amsterdam 1973 (Silver), Kuala- Lumpur 1975 and Mumbai 1982 finally has to his credit of ensuring that the team won the tournament in 1975. He also played two Olympic Games in Munich 1972 (Bronze) and Montreal 1976, he was one of those players who scored 4 Olympic goals and which a player will be proud of on any given day. He even was part of the 1978 Asian Games and where the team bagged the Silver medal.

Late Shivaji Pawar the great center forward was also instrumental in the win of the 1975 World Cup. Late Mohinder Singh was also one of the key player of the 1975 winning squad.

source: http://www.indiansportsnews.com / Indian Sports News / Home> Hockey / March 15th, 2015

City girl breaks into Indian tennis team

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Sports
idhi Chilumula with two-time Grand Slam winner Sania Mirza. Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam
idhi Chilumula with two-time Grand Slam winner Sania Mirza. Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam

With two silver medals at the recent National Games, Nidhi is delighted at the way her game has shaped up over the past year.

For 20-year-old Nidhi Chilumula, the moment of reckoning has finally arrived. In a team led by her childhood favourite Sania Mirza, she will represent the country in the Fed Cup championship to be held here from April 14.

With two silver medals under her belt at the Kerala National Games held recently, Nidhi is today delighted at the way her game has shaped up after joining the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy (SMTA) in December 2013. “This is a huge honour. More so because I will be playing under someone whom I cheered as a 10-year-old kid from the stands, when Sania won her first WTA singles title in 2005 at LB Stadium,” she remarked.

“Joining the SMTA and training with Sania is a huge learning curve in my career. She has given me so many invaluable tips,” recalls Nidhi.

“I am really grateful to Sania’s parents – Imran and Nasima for their support,” she said. “Interactions with WTA Tour consultant Christian Filhol and also (fitness trainer and former Aussie Olympian) Robert Ballard helped me achieve my highest WTA ranking of 581 in singles and 428 in doubles.”

Right now, this young champion’s plans include playing 24 to 30 ITF tournaments in different countries in the next one year.

“I want to break into the top five in the country and then chase the bigger dream of playing a Grand Slam, which is possible if I could be in the below-200 WTA rankings,” Nidhi explained.

Looking for support

A B.Com graduate from Keshav Memorial College, Nidhi is looking for corporate support. “It will be of great help if someone supports my training programmes,” she said.

A native of Telangana, Nidhi is also looking at support from the State government.

Being part of the Hyderabad Aces team in the inaugural Champions Tennis League along with the likes of Martina Hingis, Mark Philippoussis and Mikhail Youzhny was an unforgettable experience, she says. “I sincerely believe it will help me a long way in the days to come,” she added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – March 17th, 2015

Abhiram bags Pin Strikerz Bowling Championship

Sports

Local resident Mr. Abhiram clinched the singles title in the Pin Strikerz Bowling Championship held here on March 8 and 9. Mr. Vivek from Hyderabad and Mr. Pasha from Vijayawada bagged the second and third places respectively.

In the doubles category, the team of Mr. Abdullah and Mr. Vamsi from Vijayawada won the championship, while another local team of Mr. Pasha and Mr. Dilip Jain from the city bagged the second place.

In all, 32 participants from different parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States participated in the two-day championship.

Andhra Pradesh Ten Pin Bowling Association general secretary Smitha Chowdhary was chief guest for the prize distribution ceremony. P.S. Charan, general manager Planet Fun and Praveen Tungala, president Pin Strikerz Group, distributed the trophies, said a press release.

In the doubles category, the team of Mr. Abdullah and Mr. Vamsi from Vijayawada won the championship

source:http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – March 10th, 2015

Mourners’ merry memories of Meena Shah; Lucknow’s Padma Shri Shuttler Passes Away

Sports

Lucknow :

Her curly hair swayed and sari fluttered in the air as she rode down Hazratganj, on a bright green Vespa scooter, back in the 1960s. This is the picturesque memory of ace badminton player Meena Shah several Lucknowites shared on Tuesday, after she breathed her last, early morning following a cardiac arrest at a city hospital. She had just celebrated her 78th birthday on January 31. At a time women could not move out of the four walls of the house, Meena flicked her wrist effortlessly with a badminton racket in hand. Unmarried, the Muslim woman taught the game to three generations of her friends and their families.

An Arjuna awardee and Padma Shri recipient, Shah ruled the badminton circle for several years. Winner of the singles title in the Senior National Badminton Championships for seven years in a row (1959-1965), Meena was among the first Indian women in sports. She had also won the women’s doubles title thrice and the mixed double’s crown twice. Shah had also been conferred with the prestigious Uttar Pradesh Laxman Award.

“Meena and I have been friends since 1960 and since 1979 and I had been taking care of Baby as I used to call her fondly,” said Mauveen Shaw, who had been her support at their home in Qaiserbagh, recalling how Shah would help any stray animal. “I remember we saw an injured horse lying on the pavement around Parivartan Chowk area. Everyday both of us took grass from La Matiniere Girls College, where I taught and we fed the horse. For the next few days, every time the horse heard the scooter horn, it would neigh in response,” shared Meena’s closest friend. There were times Meena would forget to refuel the scooter and stranded till the next fueling station, they would drag the vehicle to the horse, added Shaw.

“We used to play gulli danda together at the Lalbagh grounds, even before we were coached by T N Seth for badminton around the same time,” said Shah’s childhood friend Ann Marie Kalra, adding, “With one agile movement of her wrist, she would make her opponent run across the entire court, running and gasping for breath, while she stood there smiling triumphantly.” Ann’s daughter Jaya Kalra said, “The scooter was called ‘Chhappan battees’ by everyone in the social circle, and she would always take along more than three people on it at a time. I remember the times when because of her illness in the later years, she would tie the shuttle to a thread on the clothes line and keep hitting at it. She could not walk without support at that time, but her love for the game was phenomenal. She taught everyone and children she loved most.”

Recalling the first time he saw Shah playing at the Asian Badminton Championship held in Lucknow, retired officer K K Bali said, “She was playing there with the likes of Nandu Natekar, Suresh Goel and if I remember correctly, Prakash Padukone. Her heavy frame never came in the way of her game. She had racy movement and fast reflexes.”

Mohammad Haider, head, legal and regulatory affairs in a private telecom major said, “I remember being taught by her in the badminton court outside her house. Her turns and technique were sharp.”

An admirer Rana Safvi recalled, “I had met her in school when I was in class VII. She was an icon, not just for budding badminton players, but for all women of that time.”

‘Loss for entire baddie frat’

President of the Badminton Association of India (BAI) Akhilesh Das Gupta condoled death of Padma Shri Meena Shah on March 10. Gupta said it was a loss not just for Lucknow but for the Indian badminton fraternity. General secretary Vijai Sinha informed that two minutes of silence were observed at BBD Uttar Pradesh Badminton Academy, as a tribute to the seven times senior national badminton champion.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Yusra Husain, TNN / March 11th, 2015

Disciplined Shami is a coach’s delight

Sports

ShamiMPOs10mar2015

Adelaide :

For Mohammad Shami, who destroyed the West Indies top order at the Western Australia Cricket Ground (WACA) on Friday, it was a great moment. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who had played a vital role in his success, was watching him perform from the commentary box.

Shami, whose parents hail from the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, got selected into the Bengal team in 2010 due to Ganguly’s initiative. It was Shami’s dream to be at the nets and bowl to Ganguly and on Friday, he had Ganguly praising the strapping seam bowler for his haul of three for 35. 

Many couldn’t believe that it was an Indian pacer who was making West Indies batsmen struggle when Shami kept beating them repeatedly with tight line and movement. The fact that he was returning from an injury was not at all visible in his bowling. In fact, he recovered in time for the match with an ultrasound-guided injection.

Speaking to BCCI tv, Shami revealed how difficult it was not be carried away by the bounce of the WACA wicket and hit the right spots. “It was really important not to get carried away by the bounce. Since the wicket had so much of bounce on it, the pacers tried to bang a lot of deliveries short and in the bargain couldn’t help but give away wides. In our case, we were getting a lot of wickets by bowling short and we wanted to use the bounce. We would not have wanted to give that many away but we were getting wickets off those bouncers,” he said.

http://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/world-cup/india/disciplined-shami-is-a…

News from e-generator.net

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Sports / Sunday – Monday 08th, 2015