Yadlapalli Pranjala wants to realise her dream by playing in a Grand Slam.–Photo: By arrangement
City girl Yadlapalli Pranjala achieved the best-ever ranking by any girl from India in the contemporary ITF juniors’ circuit when she reached World No. 19, according to the latest rankings.
“It’s a great feeling to be the best in the ITF juniors’ circuit from India. But, I know there is still a long way to go and I am grateful to my coach Ilyas Sir (Ilyas Ghouse at the GVK Tennis Academy, Jubilee Hills) for all the support,” says an excited Pranjala.
Ilyas mentions that Sania Mirza was ranked No. 20, but that she played very briefly in the ITF circuit before stepping in the big league and everyone knows she belongs to a different class altogether. This young talent, who for long has been tipped as the next bet in women’s tennis from the city after Sania Mirza, achieved this ranking by virtue of her consistency in the big league.
The most notable being winning the 2014 Grade IV ITF juniors title here, runner-up in Thailand ITF juniors, winner in the ITF Junior Grade I in Chandigarh, making it to the second round in the Junior Australian Open this January, winning the singles in the ITF Juniors Grade I in Thailand in March this year and a ‘double’ in the Asian Closed junior championship in Delhi.
The 12th standard student of Chinmaya Vidyalaya (Begumpet) says her dream is to “play in a Grand Slam” and is grateful to GVK Group for its support. “It means a lot to me as I chase bigger goals,” says India No. 1 in under-16 & 18 categories.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – June 19th, 2015
Dr. Gorur Harinath, former chairman of Cricket New South Wales, recalls his interactions with Richie Bernaud
Sydney Cricket Ground may not be the same again, especially after the PASSING away of one of its greatest sons, the legendary Richie Benaud. And, this is the feeling not just of the millions of cricket fans but also for someone like Dr. Gorur Harinath, the gentleman who studied in Aliya High School in Hyderabad and completed Medicine in Osmania University before settling ‘Down Under’ in 1977. For, Dr. Harinath also happened to be the chairman of Cricket New South Wales and happens to be the only Indian-origin cricket administrator in Australia who had regular interactions with the great Benaud.
SCG’s 100th TEST match
Dr. Harinath, more popular in Australian cricketing circles as Dr. Harry, had a unique experience when the SCG hosted its 100th test match — interestingly against India in 2012. This match also featured the elegant VVS Laxman, manager N. Shivlal Yadav and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha. “I was always a huge follower of RB (as Richie was affectionately called by his friends) since my childhood days. I met him in the corridors of SCG numerous times in my role as the Chairman of CNSW,” recalls Dr. Harinath. “He (Richie Benaud) was always a pleasant, courteous and wonderful PERSONALITY to talk to. He loved the game so much and that talk rarely veered away from the game,” he explains. “In fact, the memories of RB walking through the corridors into the commentary box will forever be etched in my memory. He would be immaculately dressed in pastel colours suit and matching tie. He was an ornament for the game,” recalls the former NSW boss.
Revealing the other side of Richie Benaud, the Hyderabadi says that the former always wanted Australia to win. “But, above all, he longed to see the game to be a winner. I have never heard him utter even a single foul WORD. He was so respectful and a man of few words once he is out the commentary box,” Dr. Harinath recalls. “No wonder he added so much colour to the ambience right through his career as a player and then as a commentator,” he added.
“His death is one of the saddest days to the entire cricketing FRATERNITY, not just to Australia. I feel sad for his wife Daphne. If Sir Donald Bradman was the God of Cricket, RB was not far behind. A great cricketer, an equally great commentator who never took sides and to cap it all a perfect gentleman. He was a true legend of the game and I shall cherish his memories for ever,” concluded Dr. Harinath.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / April 15th, 2015
Bachinepally Shekhar Babu, a mountaineer from Nalgonda district and a recipient of the Tensing Norgay National Adventure Award, will lead an international team to Mount Everest.
Mr. Babu will leave from here on April 5 along with his team.
Members
Members of his team will include Mala Honnetti, a 62-year-old from Karnataka, Saurabh Aggrawal, 26-year-old from Delhi, Bharath Kumar, a 26-year-old from Andhra Pradesh, Bimla Negi Deoskar, a 48-year-old from Maharashtra, three mountaineers from UK and Denmark, an expedition doctor, Dr. Anup Kulkarni and four Sherpas.
Three expeditions
Mr. Babu, who also coaches Poorna Malavath, the youngest female to climb Mt. Everest, has led three expeditions to the peak previously.
He is expected to return to Hyderabad by June 5, after completing the expedition, a press release said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / Hyderabad – April 03rd, 2015
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
Former India cricketer V.V.S. Laxman with his wife, children and parents.– PHOTO: V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM
V.V.S. Laxman stepped into a different zone which he has been longing for ever since his retirement three years ago. The former India star batsman will now start the much-awaited VVS Sports Academy, initially with emphasis on cricket, and later on other sports, on the sprawling 50-acre campus of the Sreenidhi International School in Aziznagar near here.
“I want to be remembered as someone who has contributed to Indian cricket not only as a player but also an individual who set up a truly world-class Academy to nurture the best of the young talent and transform them into performers at the highest level,” Laxman said on Wednesday.
Laxman said that since he knew chairperson of Sreenidhi Group of Education K.T. Mahi for a long time and with the existing facilities and the group’s ideology matching his expectations, he had decided to start the Academy there with the inaugural summer camp scheduled from April 4.
The Academy has three turf, two astro-turf and two cement wickets to start with and plans include expansion on a big scale. “First thing we are planning is to bring some of the best fast bowlers from England. The other area of focus is to have coaches’ seminars where experts will delve into the critical element of coaching,” he explained.
“Definitely, Gopi (former All England champion Pullela Gopichand) is a trend-setter and I always share my thoughts with him. I am aware that to run a successful Academy you have to be passionate like him and I am confident of living up to the expectations for this is not a business venture but set up with the specific objective of giving back something to the game,” Laxman remarked.
Former Ranji cricketers like Vincent Vinay Kumar (Andhra) and P. Ramesh Kumar (SBH) will be assisting him. Transport has also been arranged for the trainees from three different localities – Banjara Hills (1{+s}{+t}Innings Play School), Madhapur and Mehdipatnam,” he said.
“Since I know many champion sportspersons personally, I will also request them to visit the Academy frequently to provide the right dose of inspiration for youngsters,” Laxman said, after formally lighting the lamp in the company of his parents, wife and kids. “I just can’t think of starting anything without my family but for whom I would not be standing here,” he signed off.
It’s going to be a different ball game for V.V.S. Laxman, whose Sports Academy will focus initially on cricket, and later on other sports
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – March 12th, 2015
HELP AT HAND Dr. Prasanth Panchada (left) treating Pragyan Ojha (centre) during Hyderabad’s recent Ranji Trophy campaign.
Many a Hyderabadi cricketer owes it to Physio Dr. Prasanth Panchada for putting them on track from injuries
“An army marches on its stomach,” Napoleon Bonaparte famously said. Food apart, fitness fuels sports battles and campaigns short on these rarely succeed. Akin to well-oiled machines, agility of athletes enhances performance and achievement. Making them match-ready is a highly specialised task.
“To me, the support staff was a white elephant till I heard of Dr. Prasanth Panchada from no less than VVS Laxman,” said P. Jyothi Prasad, Chairman, Senior Selection Committee, Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).
Says left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha, “Prasanth has been treating me since 2008 and diagnoses problems correctly. When bowling for Hyderabad or India over long periods, my shoulders get stiff. The beauty of his approach lies in driving away niggles, allowing me to play freely.”
A graduate in physiotherapy from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, Dr. Prasanth’s major assignments include the Afro Asian Games, the 2005 World volleyball championships in Visakhapatnam, the 2006 All India Coal Meet and working with the Sports Authority of Karnataka.
“In Hyderabad’s first Ranji match against Andhra, many expected G. Hanuma Vihari’s shoulder injury would rule him out of both match and season. Dr. Prasanth rendered immediate medical attention on the ground and nursed it so well later that Vihari played the entire season without a hitch,” said Prasad, who played alongside M.L. Jaisimha and M.A.K. Pataudi.
So was he effective in healing Ashish Reddy’s hamstring tear after the speedster limped out of the ground against Services. “I advised Mithali Raj to see Dr. Prasanth before she left for England. Now he has treated both the Padma Shri awardees from the twin cities, the other being Laxman,” Prasad, former Hyderabad and South Zone spearhead said.
Prasanth rehabilitated Pankaj Singh, down with decade long tears in both knees to enable his participation in two London triathlons at Dorney Lake, venue of the 2012 Olympics rowing event. “I trusted him fully in a four-wheeler in front, setting the pace for my cycling over a gruelling 40 km stretches on the Outer Ring Road in preparation for the big event,” said Singh, Head of Resource Practice, Global Change Delivery, HSBC.
“I aim not to just treat injuries but prevent them in the first place,” says Dr. Prasanth, also a consultant for Microsoft R & D and Apollo Clinics. His methods include muscular/ skeletal and pre-season screening, pre-game and post-game fluid level checks to formulate different programmes for different roles such as for a wicket-keeper, fast bowler, spinner or batsman.
Pool stretches and ice baths are some of the Level 1 BCCI accredited physio’s recovery techniques. “Eliminate simple errors and champs are produced,” says Prasanth, who dreams of working with the Indian team to the Olympics. His most memorable moments so far are doing the victory lap with the Hyderabad team in South Africa, 2009, finding himself surrounded by stars on the team bus and the pleasant surprise at spotting his portrait at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by A. Joseph Antony / March 11th, 2015
Not all players who have played cricket in the country can claim to have experienced the diverse ethos of two prominent centres of the game in the south -Madras and Hyderabad. V Ramnarayan belongs to this rare breed. Brought up in Madras, Ramnarayan’s professional commitments took him to Hyderabad. He went on to represent Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy.
Hailing from a family with its share of cricketers, it didn’t take long for Ramnarayan to be smitten by the g ame. He grew up admiring of fspinner Jim Laker and R a m n a r ay a n too chose to take up the craft the illus trious Englishman excelled in. “By the time I was 16, I found a liking for it (offspin) and continued to pursue it,” says the 67-year-old.He recalls an incident where Venkatraman, physical director of Vivekananda College, overlooked him for the college team. “Later, when I did well against Vivekananda College while representing Presidency College, Venkatraman apologized for his error. It was a moment I will cherish.”
After honing his skills on the Madras league cricket circuit, Ramnarayan’s professional career took him to Andhra Pradesh where he joined SBI (State Bank of India) as a probationary officer in December 1970. He began playing cricket at the league level in Hyderabad and it didn’t take long for him to make a mark there. The prestigious Ranji Trophy soon beckoned, and Ramnarayan made his debut in 1975 against Kerala at Trivandrum.
“Playing zonal games in Hyderabad and that too alongside the likes of Abbas Ali Baig, Abid Ali, M A K Pataudi and M L Jaisimha prepared me to play at the Ranji level,” says Ramnarayan, whose figures in his debut match were an impressive 6-33.
Among the numer ous incidents of his career, the legendary offie recounts the one featuring Tiger Patau di with rel ish. “A day before Hydera bad’s Ranji game against Ma dras at Chepauk in 1975, one of the fans asked some uncomfortable questions to Tiger at our team hotel (Admiralty Hotel at Mandaveli). Tiger soon told skipper Jaisimha that he would open,” says Ramnarayan, who played 25 first class games for Hyderabad.
“The next morning,” he says, “Jaisimha had to persuade Tiger to bat at No 3.”
What followed was a vintage knock with Tiger notching up his highest Ranji score of 198. That also turned out to be his last innings at the MA Chirambaram stadium in Chepauk, remembers Ramnarayan.
“What was special about Tiger was his ability to take on challenges and come up trumps,” adds Ramnarayan.He may not have gone on to play at the highest level for the country, but Ramnarayan’s skills were considered good enough for him to make it to the list of probables for the national team’s tour of Australia in 1977-78.”I count on my blessings. To have played the game with some of the illustrious names in the Indian cricket is something that will alw ay s s t ay with me,” says the man, whose book Third Man: Recollections from a life in cricket was released recently.
After calling time on his career, Ramnarayan made a smooth transition into a career in writing. He went on to become an author of repute, and now edits Sruti, a well-known monthly magazine on the performing arts.But Ramnarayan has not cut himself from his beloved sport. He continues to be involved in the game by writing on it for various publications.
(A weekly column on famous sportspersons whose first playing field was Chennai and its neighbourhood)
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by Prasad S, TNN / February 14th, 2015
Students showcase the All Terrain Vehicle, made using a 305cc Briggs and Stratton engine, at the Muffakkam Jah College of Engineering and Technology on Monday. Photo: P.V. Sivakumar
The All Terrain Vehicle, engineered by 25 students of Muffakkam Jah College of Engineering and Technology, will now compete on an international platform
In all of three months, 25 students of a city engineering college toiled to come up with a fine product. Their All Terrain Vehicle, named El-Fateh, will now compete on an international platform and vie for top honours.
Crafted by students of mechanical and production engineering students at Muffakkam Jah College of Engineering and Technology (MJCET), the ATV has been selected for Mahindra BAJA SAIENDIA, which will be held in Indore later this month.
Weighing about 270 kg, the ATV can cover 100 feet in 4.03 seconds and has a top speed of 52 km/hr. It uses a 305cc Briggs and Stratton engine, producing a torque of 19.5Nm, which is mated to an Alfa Mahindra transmission. Students involved in the project say the vehicle also has a first-of-its-kind mechanical paddle shifting mechanism, which is aimed at smoother shifts and ease of driving.
“This is a great practical experience for the students and they did a good job. We are confident of doing well in the event,” said Mohd. Viquar Mohiuddin, faculty advisor to the project.
“We spent 14 to 16 hours in the college every day for the last few months. There were times when we even slept in the college premises to complete the deadline of building the vehicle,” said Abdullah Zakria, a final-year mechanical engineering student.
Outlining the vehicle’s strong points, the team’s captain Mohd. Abdul Haq said, “One of the eligibility requirements was that the vehicle has to climb an inclination of 27 degrees but we managed to drive it over step sand boulders with about 40 degrees inclination.”
Cost Rs.4 lakh
The vehicle costs, which amounted to around Rs.4 lakh, and other expenses were borne by the college and private sponsors.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / Hyderabad – February 17th, 2015
Foreign students in a celebratory mood. / Photo: V. V Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
A sports meet was organised for foreign students in Hyderabad
A few days after Makara Sankranthi, a festive mood still lingered at the Nizam College Grounds though for a different reason: it was to host the first-ever sports meet for foreign students studying in and around Hyderabad, organised by the Sports Coaching Foundation (SCB), Masab Tank.
Conceived and conceptualised by K. Sai Baba, general secretary of SCF, the whole idea was to not only let the foreign students showcase their skills,(most of them are regular footballers at the floodlit SCF) but also to gently remind city students of the need to engage in some sport.
Not surprisingly, foreign students latched on to the opportunity and enjoyed the ambience.
With S. Rajesh Kumar of Athletics Association, and V. Satyanarayana, Director of Physical Education, OU, taking care of the technical conduct of the meet, there were little hiccups.
It was an onerous task for the organisers as about 1500 students participated in the three-day sports meet which was marked fby the camaraderie and true sportsman spirit during competitions in cricket, basketball, volleyball, football and some select events in athletics.
Iraq and Afghanistan
Teams from Iraq dominated team events like basketball, football and volleyball while students from the war-hit Afghanistan showed great spirit to clinch key events in athletics.
In individual events, Ruby Babak of Afghanistan cornered glory with a ‘double’ winning the women’s 100 m and the 200 m events in style.
S. Venkata Chalam, vice-chairman of Telangana State Council for Higher Education, gave away the prizes at the valedictory function where well-known broadcaster G. K. Marar, an alumnus of Nizam College which was celebrating 150th year of its inception was also felicitated.
Adventure enthusiasts Krishna Prasad Chigurupati and Uma Chigurupati ran 148 km and spent 59 hours flying 38,000 km for the competition.– Photo: Nagara Gopal
Hyderabadi couple Chigurupati Krishna Prasad and Uma are the world’s first to have successfully completed the World Marathon Challenge 2015
At 60, an average Indian might fancy the idea of running after their grandchildren, not sprinting across Antarctica and Australia in a week! That is just what Hyderabadi Chigurupati Krishna Prasad, a successful entrepreneur, and his wife Uma did.
The couple are the world’s first to have successfully completed the World Marathon Challenge 2015, where participants have to cover seven half-marathons across seven continents in seven days. Uma is also the first female to have achieved the milestone.
The duo ran 148 km and spent 59 hours flying 38,000 km for the competition, which began on January 17 in Antarctica and covered Chile in South America, Miami in North America, Madrid in Europe, Morocco in Africa, Dubai in Asia and finally Sydney on January 24. More commendable is the fact that the average age of the participants in the competition was around 35.
From running faster in the glaciers of Antarctica, where temperatures recorded – 20°C, to escaping frost bites, to braving winds of 55 kmph the very next day in Chile, the couple have adventurous tales aplenty to share. “We had to run through tracks, woods and then a harbour in Australia. I lost my way in the woods and was clueless, but managed to complete the race,” said Uma at a felicitation programme organised for the couple on Saturday.
“It was a physically and mentally exhausting challen-ge, running from airports to run sites and back to airports. In all, we slept only two nigh-ts on proper beds,” she added.
While Uma wants to encourage running, Mr. Prasad’s has another aim. “I had signed up for Richard Branson’s space mission and hope to be on the spacecraft soon.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Rahul Devulapalli / Hyderabad – February 01st, 2015
