Daily Archives: February 20, 2017

Skaters from Telangana reap medals

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Bright future: Asian Games bronze medallist Anup Kumar Yama with the skaters from Telangana who won six gold, 10 silver, and four bronze medals at the Senior National Roller-Skating Championship in Noida.

They earn eligibility for final screening for world championship to be held in China

Skaters from Telangana have done it again, reaping a rich haul of six gold, 10 silver, and four bronze medals in the just-concluded Senior National Roller-Skating Championship in Noida.

Above all, the gold medallists — Veda Dundigalla, Vaibhav Bhamidipati (gold in pair and solo dance events), Vanshika Konanki, Kanti Sree and Juhith Chalamacharla — have earned the eligibility for final screening scheduled in May for the world championship to be held in China this August. For silver and bronze medallists like Kairavi Falguni Thakkar, Manish Sivakumar, Eluri Krishna Sai Rahul, Nihal Kopparthi, Gokul Sivakumar and others, it’s a sign of better things to come.

With the two-time bronze medallist in 2010 Asian Games and arguably the India’s best skater now, Anup Kumar Yama, donning the coach’s role, the young talent can bank on his experience and gain the desired confidence to dream big.

Rigorous training

Following the Sport Authority of Telangana starting the first, full-length rink at Gymkhana Ground at Secunderabad, Yama had the liberty to train these skaters not just at his own Yama Skating Academy at Marredpally (which is one-third of the stipulated size of the rink) but also at the new venue to ensure that the results are there for all to see.

Yama, the Arjuna awardee, points out that what separates his training methods from the others is that it’s mandatory for parents to accompany their children for daily practice sessions as they are also given a feel of what it means to mould raw talent into champion performers. “Right now, about 100 skaters are being trained by me. And I am glad at the kind of support the SATS is extending and I am sure we will produce world championship medallists soon,” says Yama.

Interestingly, fitness specialist Senthil monitors not just the physical aspects of the skaters but also the diet that they follow to keep them competition-fit at the highest level.

“Yes, it will not be a bad idea if the rink is covered with a roofing so that the facility can be put to optimum use in all seasons,” Yama feels.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu ‘/ Home> News> States> Telangana / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – February 19th, 2017

When helping hands joined together

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features
Against odds: Jamuna (seated) with the winners and runners-up in the AITA Talent Series tournament at ASCI in the city on Sunday. | Photo Credit: VVS

A sporting gesture to the needy! Well, this has been the motto of Sun-Jay Tennis Academy on the ASCI premises, almost every week when Sanjay Kumar organises tournaments at different levels and in different age groups.

And, so when he conducted the AITA Talent Series tournament for under-14 years at Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Sanjay Kumar made it a point to present a purse of about ₹40,000 to a physically challenged woman, Jamuna, whose nervous system crippled a few years ago — rendering her jobless and left to herself.

The money was pooled by the tennis coach, players’ parents and well-wishers and it was a touching gesture which may inspire some of the corporate groups to take up the much-publicised social responsibility in a big way.

“Jamuna, who came to know about our charity work, approached us through another person and when we heard about her plight, we decided to help her. I am really grateful to all those who responded so well to help her,” says Sanjay, one of the most dedicated tennis coaches in the city.

Ms. Jamuna is expected to undergo a major operation for which about ₹ 1 lakh is needed.

“In fact, my Academy players and parents have also been to Mantralayam when it was flood-affected and donated about ₹ 1.5 lakh worth material to the needy people. We always believe charity begins at home and we try our best to contribute in our own way back to the society,” says Sanjay.

ASCI Administrative Officer Mary Elliott, who gave away the prizes, lauded the efforts of Sanjay as a tennis coach but also providing the human touch to his efforts. “We are glad that such noble gestures are taking place on our premises,” she said amid applause from the small but caring gathering.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by V.V.Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – February 19th, 2017