Category Archives: Sports

Angling festival to celebrate native fish species

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature, Sports

Madurai :

To sensitise people about the importance of preserving local fish species, nature enthusiasts have decided to organise an angling festival in a water body at the outskirts of the city on Sunday. Kayal – a centre for traditional inland fishermen and fish species – and the Madurai Nature Forum are organizing the event, inviting eager people to spend some time in angling at the Nesaneri tank near Thirumangalam.

 

Explaining the objective of such novel initiative, M Tamildasan said childhood memories were always filled with catching fish, climbing trees and using catapults to target birds. “With many species of birds disappearing at an alarming rate, we can’t justify using the catapult. At the same time we just cannot forget the games that helped us connect with nature. Hunting for food cannot be deemed a reason for several species vanishing; the actual reasons are the destruction of natural habitat of birds and fishes for human use and the mindless exploitation of natural resources,” he said. The new generation has lost touch with nature. This angling festival is just to recreate that childhood sport and reconnect with nature, he said.

 
A Ravichandran of Kayal said it would be also an occasion to document indigenous fish species in water bodies. A fortnight ago, the centre organized a river walk with volunteers to sensitize them on native fish species and their decline due to commercial aqua culture.

 
“Angling was one of the ancient practices of catching fish. There are different methods of angling to catch different species of fishes. We will be demonstrating to volunteers these methods as well as traditional fishing practices,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Madurai / TNN / January 01st, 2015

Ashwin is ICC’s No. 1 Test bowler, first Indian since Bedi’s feat in 1973

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
R. Ashwin. Photo: K. Murali Kumar / The Hindu
R. Ashwin. Photo: K. Murali Kumar / The Hindu

In a double whammy, the Tamil Nadu captain also ended 2015 as top-ranked Test all-rounder.

Star India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has ended 2015 as the No. 1 Test bowler in the ICC rankings issued on Thursday on the back of his strong showing against South Africa in the recent home series.

Ashwin, who took 62 wickets in nine Tests this year including 31 scalps in the four matches against South Africa, became the first India bowler since Bishen Bedi in 1973 to achieve the milestone of finishing the year on top.

In fact, Bedi, an ICC Hall of Famer, is the only India bowler to ever top the Test bowling table, while Bhagwath Chandrasekhar, Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble peaked at number-two during their careers.

Ashwin achieved the number-one spot for first time in his career after injury prevented South African Dale Steyn from bowling more than 3.5 overs in England’s second innings in the Durban Test.

Steyn had started the Durban Test leading Ashwin by four points and now trails the India off-spinner by the same margin. Even though the fast bowler bagged four wickets in the first innings, these were not enough for him to end the year as the number-one ranked bowler for the sixth time since 2009.

Ashwin’s successful season was reflected in his ranking after he started the year in 15th position and slowly but surely moved to the top of the chart.

In a double whammy, the 29-year-old also ended the year as top-ranked Test all-rounder.

“Finishing the year as the number-one ranked Test bowler is like an icing on the cake that I have managed to build over the past last 12 months. I always wanted to get there one day. There can’t be a better way to finish the 2015,” Ashwin said, reacting to the news.

“Replicating what Mr. Bedi did is something I am very proud of. The former India captain was a master at his craft and I am very humbled to follow in his footsteps.

“I would like to thank my Test captain Virat Kohli, who has been a big influence, and, of course, the team management, my team-mates and the BCCI for their continued support,” said Ashwin.

Another Indian, Ravindra Jadeja, who also had an impressive outing against the South Africans, ended the year at sixth. Ashwin and Jadeja are the only two Indians in the top 10 rankings of the Test bowlers.

Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane ended at 11th among Test batsmen and he is the only Indian in the top 20.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Cricket / PTI / Dubai – December 31st, 2015

Vellore School Student Continues Gold Medal-winning Spree

Education, Records, All, Sports
N Hemamalini, with her father Neelakandan, who is a farmer in Odugathur, talking to District Sports Officer Nagaraj on Monday | S Dinesh | EPS
N Hemamalini, with her father Neelakandan, who is a farmer in Odugathur, talking to District Sports Officer Nagaraj on Monday | S Dinesh | EPS

Vellore :

The not-yet-16-year-old N Hemamalini of Odugathur Government Girls Higher Secondary School, the daughter of a farmer from Madiyapattu village in Vellore district in the recently concluded 31st national level junior athletic meet held in Ranchi in Jharkhand, threw the javelin for a distance of 39.69 metres in the under-16-year category. It bettered the previous national level record by 0.60 metres.

She also won gold medals and achieved the distinction of being the record holder in the Junior State (Open) held in Kumbakonam in July 2015 when she threw the javelin to a record distance of 40.98 meter. Earlier, she set the record in the 26th South India Athletic Championship by throwing the javelin for a distance of 38.05 metres. She has won gold medals in state level school meets, state level junior open meets and the regional level CM Trophy.

“I have been practicing hard for two to three hours a day for the last three years. Even during school holidays, I use to train,” said Hemamalini, who is studying in class XI.

Hemamalini has been improving her ability to better her performance in every meet and she even outdid seniors in the recently held CM Trophy, in which she won silver medal and a cash prize of `75,000.

Since January 2014, she won eight gold medals and three silver medals, said her school Physical Education Teacher and mentor V Krishnamoorthy.

“She has the potential to win medals for the country at the international level athletic meets,” said the teacher, who has been training her for the last three years.

The teacher, in fact, arranged an air ticket for the young athlete from Bangalore to Ranchi to attend the national level meet during the third week of November in Ranchi after the trains were cancelled due to rain.

She is the pride for her father Neelakandan.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by J. Shanmuga Sundaram / ENS / December 01st, 2015

City gears up for its first Duathlon

Records, All, Sports

Winter is just around the corner and what better way to kick-start the season with some run-bike-run combination. Yes, Coimbatore is all set to host the city’s first duathlon- an event that consists of a running leg, followed by a cycling leg and culminating with a running leg. Coimbatore Duathlon will be a combination of a 5 km run, 40 km ride and 5 km run. The event is organized by the Coimbatore Cycling and Coimbatore Runners and will be held on November 29. The event will kick-start at 6 am on Avinashi Road near Codissia with a five-km run around the locality, followed by a 40-km cycle ride till Kaniyur & back and ending with a five-km run around Codissia.

Chakravarthy Birur, one of the organisers of the event, tells CT, “The Coimbatore Cycling and Coimbatore Runners have always wanted to get together and do an activity. Some of our members have represented duathlons and triathlons at international level and some have been preparing for the same. In fact, we wanted to kick off with a triathlon, but since some of our members are not great swimmers, we decided to go with duathlon. This is just a start and we are planning to make it an annual event in the city. We are also mulling over conducting a triathlon sometime in March next year. (Triathlon is a multi-stage competition that involves the participants to complete three activities- running, cycling and swimming -in quick succession) We are exploring different water bodies in the city for the swimming session.”

Birur adds, “Coimbatore duathlon will begin at 5.45 am on November 29 and is expected to conclude around 10 am. The event is open to all above 16 years of age since endurance activities are not recommended for those below 16. The average age group competing in the event falls under the age bracket 35- 38. The registrations are fast filling up and we have 5 women competing at the event as well. Some of the registrations are from people who have been running and cycling regularly.” The duathlon is a non-competitive event and around 50 participants are expected to take part in the first edition.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Coimbatore / by P. Sangeetha, TNN / November 26th, 2015

CRICKET – ‘He was a versatile cricketer’

Sports
J.C. Patel. Photo: The Hindu Archives
J.C. Patel. Photo: The Hindu Archives

His cricket was driven by passion. The lanky all-rounder was past 60 years of age when he turned out for the Madras Cricket Club in the TNCA league. Those who watched him remember his zest for the game.

Jayanthibai C. Patel, who passed away here recently aged 85, epitomised the spirit of the game in his era. He sought fulfilment on the field without seeking financial rewards. The purity in his cricket typified the amateur era where the game was bigger than individuals.

Remembering Patel, a left-handed top-order batsman and a left-arm spinner, champion leg-spinner V.V. Kumar said to The Hindu, “JC was a gritty batsman who grafted for his runs. He had a good straight drive. And he was a steady bowler with an effective arm ball.”

Kumar, Patel’s team-mate in the Madras Ranji side, said: “He (Patel) was a lively person. And he had so much enthusiasm for the game.”

“MCC had a good attack when M. Balakrishnan bowled his outswingers from one end and Patel sent down his left-arm spin,” said Kumar.

Turning out for two States in the Ranji Trophy in the 50s and 60s, Surat-born Patel represented Baroda before settling down in Madras. In all, he made 1,248 runs in 41 first-class matches at 21.15. Patel also claimed 54 wickets at 22.57.

Recalling an anecdote, Kumar said: “Chandu Borde told me this story. Patel, then playing for Baroda, got the vital wicket of Bombay’s Madhav Apte with an arm ball. When Baroda captain Vijay Hazare walked up to the bowler and told him it was a good arm-ball, he replied, ‘No captain, it was an ‘army ball’.’ He further explained that the ball could get an army out! Patel had his own way of communicating.”

Former India stumper Bharat Reddy said: “Before you settled in your stance and looked up, he (Patel) would be ready to release the ball. There were times when the batsmen moved away. It was one of his tactics to unsettle them. He went through his deliveries and overs quickly.”

Reddy added: “He was a versatile cricketer. He could bowl slow medium pace with the new ball and brought the delivery in. He was also a fun-loving personality. In all, his contribution to MCC was immense.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sports> Cricket / S. Dinakar / Chennai – November 26th, 2015

Chennai girl wows nation, wins ‘Thai boxing’ championship

Records, All, Sports

Chennai :

Seven years ago, B K Amala was walking with her grandmother when she noticed a poster for taekwondo training. Sensing the eight-year-old’s desire to learn martial arts, the older woman took the initiative. Amala is now the national champion in Thai boxing (in her age category) after having mastered taekwondo and conventional boxing.

The 15-year-old, who has won state-level taekwondo and boxing championships as well, credits her grandmother for her success. “She is a great source of inspiration.”

Hailing from a lower middle class family – her father is a clerk at a private hospital – Amala says she couldn’t have made it but for the sacrifices made by her family. “My parents never complained and made sure I got the best possible training. My uncle accompanies me to all tournaments,” she says.

Managing the training expenses of both his children (Amala’s brother is following in her footsteps) is quite a struggle for their father B K Kannan. “We always wanted the best for our children. To pay for Amala’s coaching, we stopped going to movies and eating out. I borrowed money to make sure she got good training. We could not afford the healthy food that her coach advised but my daughter was satisfied with whatever we gave and worked hard,” he says.

The corporation school student has also excelled in academics. “She is hard working. Though she trains hard for boxing she never lets it impact on her academics. She always passed her exams with distinction,” says her headmistress, Selvakumari.

The corporation, realizing her potential, sponsored her participation in the national level championship. Amala now wants to represent her country in Olympics ands her coach Karan is sure she will make India proud one day. “She is a very disciplined and focused student.”

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

Chennai fencing professional gets Rs 3 lakh aid

Sports

Chennai :

Chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday announced 3 lakh financial aid to a fencing professional to help her participate in competitions scheduled in Venezuela and France this month.

“I have directed for 3 lakh to be provided to C A Bhavani Devi through the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu,” she said in a statement. Devi, who won a silver medal in last year’s Asian Fencing Championship besides winning many other laurels, had appealed to her for financial assistance to participate in these tournaments, Jayalalithaa said.

Devi, a resident of Old Washermenpet in Chennai, won a bronze medal in a fencing competition in Mongolia. The chief minister recalled that Devi won number of medals in various contests and that she was presently training in the US to make it to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Jayalalithaa extended her best wishes to Devi, wishing her success at Venezuela and France

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Chennai / TNN / October 09th, 2015

Armymen show exceptional skills at Ooty climbing championship

Sports

Udhagamandalam  :

A three-day event, Inter Command Sport Climbing Championship, concluded at Thangaraj Stadium in the Madras Regimental Centre (MRC) in Wellington near Coonoor, on Sunday. The event, in which six teams from various commands of the Indian Army participated, was held under the aegis of Army Adventure Wing, Delhi.

It began on September 25, with six climbers participating in speed climbing, lead climbing and bouldering events respectively, at the Army Adventure Nodal Centre in Wellington, demonstrating exceptional spirit of sportsmanship and courage.

Southern Command bagged the trophy with 90 points. NK Jaskaran Singh of Southern Command clocked the best timing in speed climbing while LNK Palanisamy of Southern Command topped lead climbing and HAV Somnath Sindhe of Southern Command was the winner in the bouldering event.

Colonel SS Sahi, Director, Army Adventure Wing, Delhi, inaugurated the event. On Sunday, Brigadier SK Sangwan, VSM, Commandant, MRC gave away the championship trophy and prizes to the winners and runners up.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Coimbatore / TNN / September 28th, 2015

National Radio Controlled Car Racing: All 30 participants qualify for main events

Sports

Coimbatore :

All 30 participants who enrolled for the National Radio Controlled Car Racing championship were qualified on Friday for the main events to be held on Saturday and Sunday.

All 30 of them maneuvered their cars through the laps within the minimum time during the qualifying rounds held on day one of the championship.

The championship, being held at GEEDEE driving institute in Eachanari, will see engineering students actually build or buy a car which can be radio controlled and guiding it through the many laps. The driving institute has a special track where you can take a radio controlled car and race them.

The cars are usually an eighth of the size of a normal car, and except a gearbox, will contain all the features of a real car. The cars, which run on methanol, can touch a speed of up to 120 kmph and can rise from 0 to 100 kmph in just three seconds.

The competition was created by the Coimbatore Radio Control Racers Association along with the Kovai Modelers Club to get more youngsters interested in automobile engineering, car building and also have a lot of fun. It will also expose mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering students to the fundamentals of automobile engineering.

The actual races will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Coimbatore / by Pratiksha Ramkumar, TNN / August 14th, 2015

Documentary gives insight on blind chess players of India

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Sports, Uncategorized

Chennai :

Sixty-four squares. That’s all it takes to create a level playing field between the blind and the sighted, said Charudatta Jadhav, founder of the All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB), on Saturday, at the premiere of the film, Algorithm, at PVR Skywalk in Chennai.

The film, directed by Ian Mcdonald, is a 100-minute black and white documentary that follows the lives of three young chess players between 2009 and 2011.

The film attempts to show that for the game of chess, you don’t need sight, just foresight; you don’t need eyes as long as you have vision. This was also underlined through a blind blitz game between five-time world champion and grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand and Jadhav. Anand and Jadhav tussled in a 10-minute game (of course Anand won), with the world champ facing away from the board and visualizing his moves. “For a moment there, I thought I had forgotten one of my moves, but luckily I hadn’t,” said Anand.

Krishna, who is featured in the film, took to chess at age nine because he wanted to play a game he could excel at. “I couldn’t and didn’t want to play outside with my friends because I couldn’t see the balls or bats they played with properly,” said Krishna, now a student at Loyola College. “Then my mother taught me to play chess and when I realized I could compete with people who could see, I decided to work hard to excel at it,” said Krishna, who has beaten many sighted champs over the years.

“Chess is about calculating and predicting moves,” said Jadhav, ” it is immaterial if you can see.” Unlike Krishna, who has been visually impaired since birth, Jadhav, now 47, went blind at 13. “It happened in a matter of days. I was a topper, sitting in school one day, when I began to see grey dots everywhere. My vision got fuzzy, and before I knew it I had lost my eyesight because of a retinal detachment,” he said.

“It was a depressing five years between 1980 and 1985, but chess changed my life… chess showed me that even the blind can be as independent as the sighted,” said Jadhav, who pursued software engineering because vision did not really matter in that field. Jadhav, now, head, innovation strategy, at TCS in Mumbai, decided to start the AICFB in 1998. “The blind do not want sympathy or pity. We want to be treated as equals,” said Jadhav,.

And that’s what McDonald has done in the way he portrays the champs – cheeky Darpan Inani from Baroda, the highest ranked totally blind player in India; gentle and eccentric Anant Kumar Nayak from Bhubaneswar; and the determined Krishna, who is fighting to conquer championships as well as his impairment. The documentary, though made in 2012, will release in theatres on August 21.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by Kamini Mathai, TNN / August 10th, 2015