Powerlifting champion Sk. Sadia Almas presenting a bouquet to Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy at Tadepalli on Tuesday.
Proposal for setting up a powerlifting academy at Mangalagiri approved
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced a final assistance of ₹5 lakh on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh government for international powerlifting champion Shaik Sadia Almas.
Ms. Sadia, along with her father Samdhani, met Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy at his chamber in the Assembly . She won three gold medals and a bronze medal at the Asian Powerlifting Championships held at Istanbul in Turkey in December 2021.
Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy appreciated Ms. Sadia and approved the proposal of establishing a powerlifting academy in her hometown of Mangalagiri. He said that the government would make all efforts to encourage athletes in the State.
Sports Minister M. Srinivasa Rao, Mangalagiri MLA Alla Ramakrishna Reddy, Special Chief Secretary Rajat Bhargava and others were present on the occasion.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Tharun Boda / Vijayawada – March 22nd, 2022
Shows his mettle: Rasheed was one of India’s star batters in the Under-19 World Cup with a 94 in the semifinals and a 50 in the final.
India U-19 vice-captain says ‘we were fortunate to have people like Kanitkar and Bahutule’
“Hold a cricket bat, close your eyes, keep visualising the bowlers whom you are likely to face on the cricket field and do shadow practise.”
Vice-captain of victorious Indian under-19 team in the recent World Cup in West Indies, Shaik Rasheed, said this advice from the cricketing great and now NCA Director V.V.S. Laxman made a huge difference to his batting in the semifinals and the final.
Difficult times
“After the first league match, I tested positive. There were too many negative thoughts. Was finding it difficult to handle the situation.
But, Laxman sir (who was with the Indian team during the World Cup) kept talking to all of us (whoever tested positive) during quarantine daily and kept encouraging,” Rasheed recalled in an exclusive chat with The Hindu.
“I should say we were fortunate to have such wonderful support staff which includes head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar and bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule. I remember even Kanitkar sir telling me ‘We don’t look to you to score runs. We would love to see you stay at the wicket as long as possible’,” 18-year-old Rasheed said.
“I owe everything to my father. He never ever made me feel uncomfortable. Whatever I asked, he always provided despite the financial problems,” Rasheed said.
“No. There was never ever a thought of quitting cricket because of the poor financial background of my family. Me and my father always felt cricket is the way out for us,” he said.
“I am always grateful to ACA, J. Krishna Rao sir (Mangalagiri ACA Residential Academy), MSK sir and Bharat anna (wicketkeeper-batter K. Srikar Bharat). They all ensured that I didn’t miss anything in continuing my passion in my early days,” the young cricketer said.
First priority
On his own batting, Rasheed said his first priority was to stay as long as possible and not think too much about individual goals. “For me, team’s win is always important,” he said.
What next? “Hoping to be in the Ranji Trophy squad as I have been called to join the State team’s preparations in Vizianagaram ACA Sports Complex. Looking forward to doing well and keep scoring and then, of course, play for India seniors one day,” he said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Cricket / by V V Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – February 10th, 2022
