Category Archives: Sports

Glitter … Glamour and Rochelle …

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's, Sports, World Opinion

RochelleRaoCF10sept2014

by S.N. Venkatnag Sobers

Having won a beauty pageant, any girl would want to get into movies and dominate the glamour world. In days when models want to get into movies, Rochelle Rao, who won the Miss India Inter-national 2012, has gained popularity as a presenter and anchor. She was seen as an anchor in season six of Indian Premier League (IPL) hosting Extraa Innings and postmatch analysis. Rochelle has also anchored various events and shows. She was in Mysore to anchor the first leg of Karbonn Smart Karnataka Premier League (KPL) – 2014. Star of Mysore caught up with Rochelle for a brief chat. Excerpts…

Star of Mysore (SOM): Normally, any girl having won Miss India International title would want to get into movies, especially Bollywood. But, you have chosen to be an anchor and a presenter. Why ?

Rochelle: It is that I don’t want to get into movies. But, I like being an anchor and a presenter, which I was involved even before winning the beauty pageant. My whole family loves talking and interacting a lot and moreover my sister Paloma Rao (well-known Video Jockey) has been my mentor and inspiration who helped me to learn about anchoring.

SOM: Do you plan to get into Bollywood in future ?

Rochelle: Yes for sure. But, I would like to launch myself with a Tamil movie, since I am very comfortable with the language with Chennai being my home town. In the meantime if I get an offer from Bollywood, I would definitely take it up. I also need to improve upon my Hindi before taking a project.

SOM: If you get a chance to act in a Tamil movie, whom would like to be your co-star ?

Rochelle: There are a lot of talented actors in the industry. But, among them Vikram has been my favourite actor. I would like to act alongside him.

SOM: Being an anchor for sports show, one needs to get to know with the latest updates and also know about the players. How do you update yourself with cricket ?

Rochelle: Cricket has been my favourite sport which I have been following since I was young. We do a lot of research before coming on air presenting a show. I keep updating myself about cricket happenings not just in India but across the world. Having knowledge about the sport always helps the anchor in presenting the show.

SOM: Who has been your favourite cricketer ?

Rochelle: Undoubtedly Yuvaraj Singh. I think he should have been given a chance to play in England to prepare himself for the World Cup 2015. He played a vital role for India to win the 2011 World Cup. I am sure that he would make a comeback into the team and win us another World Cup.

SOM: You have travelled across the country visiting various cricket grounds. What do you have to say about Gangotri Glades ?

Rochelle: Gangotri Glades is among the best cricket grounds that I have visited across the country. The view is wonderful and I am sure that Gangotri Glades will host IPL and International ODIs in future.

SOM: How has Mysore treated you ?

Rochelle: Mysore has been a wonderful place. My father is a photographer. We have visited Mysore together many times. Ranganathittu, has been one of my favourite places. This apart, I am familiar with the Chamundi Hill, Mysore Palace and Zoo.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles  / September 05th,  2014

Joshna, Dipika honoured

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa being felicitated by MCC President Ajit Kumbhat. Photo : M.Vedhan
Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa being felicitated by MCC President Ajit Kumbhat. Photo : M.Vedhan

Madras Cricket Club (MCC) on Saturday honoured two of its “own children” — Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal — for having won the squash doubles gold at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

MCC president Ajit Kumbhat, hailed Joshna and Dipika as “role models for future generations.”

Tamil Nadu Squash Rackets Association founder member Dr. Ravi Santosham described the duo as “world champions”. Also, Joshna’s comeback from a grave knee surgery a few years ago was the stuff of legends, he said.

Former men’s National squash champion Ali Ispahani urged Joshna and Dipika “to stay out of the country for eight months (in a year)” if they wished to succeed. “If they stay out of India (and practice abroad) they can reach the top 5 (in the world),” he said. The day is not far off when the “girls from our club” will become world champions, he added.

The Hindu Sports Editor Nirmal Shekar said the growth of squash had a lot do with “N. Ramachandran (World Squash Federation president) and clubs like MCC.” He added: “they (Joshna & Dipika) will be right on top (in world rankings) in the next few years.”

Former World women’s champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald, now coach of Dipika, said both the players had “the ability to go higher.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – August 31st, 2014

Racing ahead

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Alisha Abdullah is one of India's very few women bike racers. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Alisha Abdullah is one of India’s very few women bike racers. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Champion racer Alisha Abdullah is in top gear as she dons new roles

“The guys, after every race, used to put me down. I would be one among the last. They would tell me that I am a girl and that I couldn’t do it, say things like girls should get married. I took it up as a challenge. And with every race I worked hard and I improved my position,” says Alisha Abdullah. She went on to prove the ‘guys’ wrong.

One of India’s very few professional women bike racers Alisha inched her way up, competing with men, to be one among the best in the circuit. “Today guys come up to me asking me for tips for the track.” She is also a car racer. She recently won the Toyota Vios Cup, a street car race held in Thailand, where she competed with the best women racers in Asia. “These women are much stronger and tougher racers and I won competing against them.” She says over phone from Chennai where she is based. She said she is scheduled to visit the city for the inauguration of Lap 47, a performance studio for vehicles.

At a time when little girls dreamt of becoming princesses or at least a Miss Universe, Alisha was on the race track wanting to be a biker like her father, R.A. Abdullah, a seven-time national biking champion. Go-karting, bikes and car racing…the petite Alisha has done it all – won prizes and broken records. At 13 she won the national go-karting championship and the best Novice Award in the open class of Formula car racing. She was all of 15 when she got to bike racing.

It is not easy being a professional car or bike racer ‘irrespective of gender’, she says. “As a racer you have to extremely alert. There are many things you need to monitor – check if the RPM is going down or if there is some other suspicious blip and this at speeds exceeding 160 kmph.” A profession which demands physical and mental strength, it keeps her on her toes constantly. She works out intensely, “focussing on strength training than cardio. I never do any cardio. The physical demands of car and bike racing are different. For the former, neck and lower back are the areas of focus. And I train only with men because, I mean no offense, but their workouts are much more intense when compared to how women workout. I can do between 50 to 60 push-ups in a minute.”

With all talk of RPM, bikes, cars and racing tracks one would think this is all the 25 year-old does. She is consumed by it but there is more to her. She is a model and an actor too. She debuted in the recently released Tamil film Irumbu Kuthirai. She plays the villain’s (a biker) girlfriend. “The story was based on bike-racing and, like everything else in my life; I wanted to do a role different from the usual run-of-the-mill characters.” This was a guest role, soon she is to start shooting for a yet-to-be named project she is the lead actor, “I play a psycho.”

Any offers from the Malayalam film industry? “None yet!”

Films and racing, isn’t the plate loaded? “No. My role model is Danica Patrick, she is an actor and a car racer. She is married, has a family and multi-tasks. It’s not that I am doing a 100 things. Just two things and that’s fine.”

She is a car racer, model and actor, too. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
She is a car racer, model and actor, too. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Films and modelling are an aside, her focus is racing. She plans to start an academy for racing for women at Chennai. Her dream is fuelled by a desire to see more women competing in motor sport. “There are so many talented sportswomen, but almost none in motorsport. I want to change that trend. And if a man wants to come he can come wearing a wig!” she signs off.

source:  http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Society / by Shilpa Nair Anand / August 31st, 2014

Vintage showcase on 21 century roads

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Around 130 cars and 40 bikes, dating between 1926 and 1975, participated in the 10th edition of the annual heritage car and bike rally — Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam / The Hindu
Around 130 cars and 40 bikes, dating between 1926 and 1975, participated in the 10th edition of the annual heritage car and bike rally — Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam / The Hindu

At MyTVS Heritage Rally on Sunday, one did not have to imagine what it would have been like back then.

Vintage vehicles, which are the stuff of quaint black-and-white archives, motored down Egmore roads, before arranging themselves on the grounds of Don Bosco School.

The road show of the 10th edition of the annual heritage car and bike rally, organised by Madras Heritage Motoring Club (MHMC), a vintage and classic car and bike club, drew both new entries as well as those participating for years.

V.S. Kylas, founder-secretary of MHMC, said they received the highest number of entries in this year’s edition, with around 127 cars and 40 bikes, dating between 1926 and 1975, participating.

“The response from the public was overwhelming and the footfall was around 20,000,” he said. The new entries included a 1959 Chevrolet Impala, Jaguar Mark II and an Austin London Taxicab, among others.

However, among the sparkling vintage vehicles, the ones that drew some of the largest crowds were those with photographs of the famous personalities who owned them.

Lined up were noted industrialist (late) A. Sivasailam’s 1956 Dodge Kingsway-Delux, A.V. Meiyappan’s 1938 Vauxhall 14, and Gemini Ganesan’s 1952 Ford Prefect Saloon, among others.

The road show was flagged off by Vinod Dasari, managing director, Ashok Leyland. The guest of honour was R. Dinesh, joint managing Director, TVS and Sons. Sudhir Rao, managing director, Skoda India, gave away the prizes in various categories.

S. Srivardhan’s 1938 Mercedes Benz, Naresh Bangara’s 1959 Ambassador, and Arjun Ananth’s 1966 MGB, won in the Concours D’ Elegance upto 1940, 1941-1960, and 1961-1975 categories, respectively.

Sumanth Shaganti’s 1936 Royal Enfield was the winner in the ‘best maintained bike up to 1940’ category; Sumanth’s 1943 James won in the 1941-1960 category; and R. Srinivas’ 1959 Java won in the 1961-75 category. The winners were judged by experts Raja Mookerjee and Partha Banik from Kolkata. MHMC has organised close to 60 events in the past 12 years and has 120 members now, said Mr. Kylas.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai> Events / by Asha Sridhar / Chennai – August 25th, 2014

I have already moved on: Joshna Chinappa

Sports

Chennai :

The gold dust is yet to settle. Fresh from her stellar show at the Commonwealth Games along with partner Dipika Pallikal, 27 year-old Joshna Chinappa is in a happy zone.

With the Asian Games round the corner, she isn’t game for a break yet.

After her return to the city, Joshna took time off on Wednesday for a freewheeling chat with TOI.

With the Asian Games round the corner, Joshna isn't game for a break yet. (TOI Photo)
With the Asian Games round the corner, Joshna isn’t game for a break yet. (TOI Photo)

Excerpts:

How would you sum up your CWG experience and how different is this win from any of your other ones?

I had a great time at Glasgow . The stadium was fantastic, the crowds great and the atmosphere electric. All my wins have been special in some way. But to win gold at the Commonwealth Games for India has been a long-cherished dream. I worked really hard with my trainer Rajamani ahead of the event. That it’s incidentally India’s maiden squash medal at the Games makes it even more special.

After the tri-nation win in Malaysia, were you upbeat of your chances as a pair and what are the adjustments you had to bring about in your game to complement each other better?

Dip and I were confident that as a pair we could win a medal. We took it one game at a time though. I didn’t have to adjust much because we are both strong on our respective sides and we both knew what we had to do on court to win our games.

What are the tournaments you’d be focusing on next?

I have already moved on to my next event and will be getting back to training soon. My next event is the Malaysian Open and Hong Kong Open in two weeks. After which there’s the Asian Games in Incheon.

How would you rate your chances at the Asian Games?

I have a good chance in the individuals. As far as the team event is concerned, we won a bronze in the last edition in Guangzhou so I hope we can go higher than that this time.

In what way are you hoping that this win will help change the way squash is viewed in the country and what are your expectations from the state government to help improve the state of the sport?

We do get a bit of support from the central government. Our chief minister has always been encouraging towards sport and sportspersons and we’ve always been rewarded when we win at big international events. I hope this win will spur more youngsters to take up squash and work hard. We need more squash courts in Chennai and more kids being supported if the sport has to take a leap into the future.

How did you celebrate after the win?

We went for shopping the next day. I prefer spending time on my own when I’m not training or watch a movie or catch up on TV shows (I watch way too many!). Revenge, The Following, Real housewives of Beverly Hills are some of my favourites.

FAST FIVE

Biggest fantasy: To own an island.

Biggest fear: Visiting the dentist.

Worst moment: When I got injured and the doctor in America told me I needed surgery and couldn’t play for a month.

One thing you can’t do without (apart from squash): I can be a bit superstitious… might need to cut down on a few.

One thing you hate about yourself: I don’t hate much about me except that I need to relax a bit more.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> More Sports> Others / by Susan Ninan, TNN / August 07th, 2014

Madurai jogging club releases book during 30th anniversary

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports

Madurai :

The Madurai Jogging Club celebrated its 30th anniversary at its club premises in Madurai Race Course Stadium, on Sunday.

“The club was started with five members by Venkatavaradhan, Narayana Chettiar and S T Nova three decades ago. Over the years, its members’ strength increased gradually. At present it has 750 members,” said joint secretary L Sekar.

Ahead of 30th anniversary, the club conducted various games among themselves. The state’s sports minister S Sundararajan and co-operative minister Sellur K Raju distributed the prizes to the winners during the function. In his speech, the sports minister Sundararajan pointed out various measures that have been taken by the present AIADMK government to develop sports in the state.

“Earlier, only a sum of Rs 30 crore was allotted for the development of sports in Tamil Nadu. But, now it has touched Rs 210 crore,” he said. Besides, steps have been taken to build indoor, outdoor stadiums and hostels in each district. Old stadiums throughout the state would also be renovated at a cost of Rs1 crore, the sports minister said. Meanwhile, the club representatives wanted the sports minister to take steps to make toilet facilities and give concession to members of the jogging club to use the indoor stadium. They told the minister that the sports development authority demanded Rs 500 per month for their entry. However, the members said they played a major role in the construction of indoor stadium and also donated money for the same. And hence, it would be just giving 50 percent concession to the members, they said. State’s sports minister S Sundararajan, co-operative minister Sellur K Raju, Madurai mayor V V Rajan Chellappa and member of parliament R Gopalakrishnan, MLA A K Bose, sports development authority regional senior manager R K Durai Singh, district sports officer S Murugan also participated. Club’s president S Kathiresan welcomed the gathering and K Alagu delivered vote of thanks.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / TNN / July 28th, 2014

Joshna and Dipika: India gets new racquet queens

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
ipika Pallikal (left) and Joshna Chinappa pose with their medals after winning the gold in women's doubles squash event during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. (AFP Photo)
ipika Pallikal (left) and Joshna Chinappa pose with their medals after winning the gold in women’s doubles squash event during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. (AFP Photo)

Glasgow :

Forget the gold. Few gave them a chance to even finish on the podium in the Commonwealth Games, given that teams with pedigree like Australia, England, New Zealand and Malaysia were in the fray.

But two girls from Chennai – Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal – squashed all doubts and did the impossible on Saturday to claim the top prize in women’s squash doubles. This is India’s first ever medal in the sport in the Commonwealth Games.

It took the fifth seeded Indian duo just 28 minutes to tame the top seeds Jenny Duncalf and Laura Massaro of England in straight games: 11-6, 11-8.

The scoreline might suggest that the game was a little one sided but it was not. The British pair, after losing the first game, roared back for a 7-2 lead in the second. The Indians fought back to clinch a famous victory .

“We were down for a while, but we were confident. We were telling ourselves that we could do it. We were not here to settle for the silver. We had the belief and the confidence that we could win the gold medal,” 22-year-old Dipika told TOI.

It was a tough competition for the Indian girls as the field included quite a few former Commonwealth Games medallists. “Doubles was a tough competition. It was important for us to take one match at a time, not thinking about whom we were going to play if we advanced. I guess that paid off as it took away the pressure,” she said.

Dipika admitted that the feeling that she and her 27-year-old partner Joshna were the architects of India’s first medal winners in squash was yet to sink in. “I guess it will take a couple of days to sink in. We are delighted.”

Former national champion Bhuvaneshwari Kumari, here as a coach, said the medal would do a world of good to the game back home. “It will inspire people back home. The government and the federation have been very supportive but I think this gold will help us get more support.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Tournaments> Commonwealth Games 2014 / by Biswajyoti Brahma, TNN / August 03rd, 2014

Pulianthope cheers CWG-returned hero

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Crackers and drumbeats greeted paddler A. Amalraj as he went back home in a chariot. Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam / The Hindu
Crackers and drumbeats greeted paddler A. Amalraj as he went back home in a chariot. Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam / The Hindu

Wide-eyed young table-tennis enthusiasts, learning at the academy run by Amalraj’s family, walked with him

At Pulianthope, on Saturday, the celebration was a flashy affair as people belonging to all communities came together to welcome the hero of their neighbourhood.

The sound of crackers and drumbeats filled the air as Commonwealth Games silver medal-winning paddler A. Amalraj went back home in a chariot.

Despite the fatigue after a long flight, Amalraj didn’t show any hints of discomfort even when his chariot was interrupted every ten metres or so by people, including the elderly, and often stopped to shake hands and receive a shawl or a soft drink.

Speaking to The Hindu, Amalraj said he hoped this success would make the sport popular, particularly in his neighbourhood. “Of course, my next goal is to qualify for the Olympic Games, which I narrowly missed in 2012. Achievements like these have the potential to get many more youngsters interested in the games.”

It was a poignant moment when he garlanded the statue of B.R. Ambedkar, especially after some well-wishers reiterated how Amalraj is an inspiration for the SC/ST community that had been denied opportunities systematically.

Several wide-eyed young table-tennis enthusiasts, learning the ropes at the Amala Annai Table Tennis Academy, which is incidentally run by Amalraj’s family, walked the entire stretch with him.

He arrived at Pulianthope after attending a few felicitation functions, one of which was organised by the Tamil Nadu SC/ST Officers Welfare Association, en route from the airport. A well-wisher, summing up his feelings on Amalraj’s success at the international stage, said, “He is a great inspiration for the entire community. With his success, he has made the entire community proud.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Udhav Naig / Chennai – August 10th, 2014

VIT Honour for Vellore’s ‘golden’ Boy

Education, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Vellore :

VIT University here has decided to honour Sathish Kumar, the Vellore youth who won a gold medal for India in the 77-kg class in weightlifting in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, through a cash award. The university would felicitate him at a function to be held here after his return.

In a release VIT chancellor G Viswanathan said, the university would extend all support, including financial assistance, to Sathish Kumar, whose father N Sivalingam was also a national weightlifter and a security guard in the university.

Expressing happiness at Sathish’s achievements, Viswanathan, the founder president of the North Arcot Weightlifting Association for over 20 years said that he had done not only India and Tamil Nadu proud but also Vellore in a big way.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / July 31st, 2014

Alisha Abdullah talks about her meeting with John Abraham in Hyderabad

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports
Alisha Abdullah with John Abraham
Alisha Abdullah with John Abraham

Hyderabad:

She is spotted with some of the hottest hunks all over the country and biker-actress Alisha Abdullah enhanced that image recently when she and John Abraham bumped into each other in the city.

She even posted a photo online of the two rekindling their friendship, saying it was fantastic to get back in touch with John. “It was a chance meeting. We both ended up being in the same hotel, but a very fortunate coincidence indeed. I know John from nearly five years back when we were both brand ambassadors for a product, and though we have remained friends over time, you know how difficult it is to keep in touch in our industry. However, he was really excited to see me.”

And the bike-crazy duo apparently decided to collaborate on a project. “When he saw me looking fit and glam, John proposed the idea of working together and I was only too happy to agree, I mean, who wouldn’t? John was as warm and friendly as ever. He’s off to Los Angeles now, but we have set up a meeting for the second week of August to get together and brainstorm. The way he has maintained his body over the years is truly awesome, and I was absolutely gushing over him,” Alisha laughs. While shooting for her second movie is about to start, the racer says she’s struggling to balance her film, sport and fashion commitments. “But when the lure of Bollywood comes calling, it’s hard to say no,” she says.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Entertainment> Tollywood / DC / Gautam Sunder / July 28th, 2014