Category Archives: Sports

‘Stick Manohar’ teaches 1,500 kids magic tricks in 85 minutes

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

A lathi and a crowd is something that goes hand in hand in a police officer’s life. However, for S Manohar Rao, who goes by the name ‘Stick Manohar’, a crowd of 1,500 schoolchildren and a magic wand in hand was the last step before making it into the Guinness Book of World Records.

The 55-year-old is an Assistant Commisioner of Police (ACP) attached to the Central Crime Station, Detective Department, of Hyderabad Police. Friday was a day where he successfully attempted a “Largest Magic Lesson” when he taught four different magic lessons to a crowd of 1500 schoolchildren in 85 minutes at Majestic Garden Function Hall here to create Guinness world record.

During his performance, Rao efficiently communicated his skills to the children whose eyes were glued to his hand movements. He showed them, first, how to flip a band on their fingers on one hand to make it automatically fall on exactly the same fingers on the other hand. The second trick taught them how to fold a paper with a tricoloured paper hidden inside it quickly and turn it into Indian flag of the exact size of the paper.

Next in the row, was a common trick performed with four ropes of equal size in which, with the skill of the hand, you can make trick the audience into believing that you have been changing the size of the ropes constantly.

The last one was a magic performed balancing playing cards. He performed the feat in front of Squadron leader Jayasimha, BNS Kumar, V Janardhanam, counselling psychologist and others.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / December 17th, 2016

PV Sindhu wins maiden China Open Super Series title

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

PV Sindhu. (Getty Images)
PV Sindhu. (Getty Images)

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HIGHLIGHTS

Sindhu registered a hard-fought 21-11, 17-21, 21-11 victory

This is Sindhu’s first title post Olympics held in August this year

Sindhu reached her maiden Super Series final at the Denmark Open last year

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Fuzhou:

Olympic silver medalist PV Sindhu clinched her maiden Super Series Premier title after edging out Sun Yu of China in the final of the $700,000 China Open badminton tournament on Sunday.

Sindhu, who became the toast of the country after becoming the first Indian women to win a silver at Rio Games, continued her rampaging run as she lifted the prestigious title after beating Sun 21-11, 17-21, 21-11 in the summit clash that lasted an hour and nine minutes.

World No. 11 Sindhu had come into the match with a 2-3 head-to-head record but then statistics counted little when she took the court at the Haixia Olympic Sports Center.

Sindhu dished out a dominating game as she zoomed to a healthy 11-5 lead early on. The Indian looked sharp and athletic as she engaged in a fast-paced game to bamboozle her opponent.

Eventually it was a cross court return which earned Sindhu a massive 12 game points at 20-8. A couple of smashes on Sindhu’s forehand and backhand and a drop going to the net helped Sun save three points. But Sindhu sealed the opening encounter after dominating a parallel game and finishing it with a return that hit Sun’s face.

In the second game, Sindhu had a slender 6-3 lead which she extended to 11-7 and 14-10. But Sun soon broke the rhythm by mixing her strokes and coming up with steep and powerful body smashes to catch up with the Indian at 14-14.

A sharp smash and a superb return on Sindhu’s backhand helped Sun grab a 18-16 lead which became 19-16 after the Indian lost a video referral. At 20-16, Sun hit the nets but she roared back into contest when Sindhu’s stretched low return at the forecourt could not cross the net.

Back to her winning side of the court, Sindhu once again started with new exuberance as the duo locked themselves in a battle of supremacy. As a result service changed hands too quickly as they moved together till 6-6.

But Sindhu moved ahead with a couple of powerpacked returns which Sun failed to negotiate. The Chinese also faltered with a lift and also hit wide as Sindhu reached 10-6. A few errors helped Sun make it 8-10 before Sindhu entered the interval with a 11-8 advantage.

Sindhu continued to extend her lead even as Sun tried to vary the pace of the rallies but her errors continued to pile up as the Indian was soon 19-11 up. Sindhu then grabbed the match point when Sun let go of the shuttle as it kissed the back line and then the Indian pushed the shuttle at the back, leaving the Chinese stranded before letting out a joyous scream.

Saina Nehwal had clinched the China Open in 2014 before finishing runners-up last year.

Sindhu had reached her maiden Super Series final at the Denmark Open last year but the title eluded her then as she lost in straight games to 2012 Olympic champion China’s Li Xuerei.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> Sports> Badminton / PTI / November 20th, 2016

Another feather in the cap of SCF

Records, All, Sports, Uncategorized, World Opinion

It was yet another feather in the cap for city-based Sports Coaching Foundation when Peace and Sports committee of Monaco city named the non-profit organisation, being run in coordination with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, one of the top three sports organisation to be eligible for the 2016 top NGO award.

SCF general secretary and former Ranji trophy cricketer K. Sai Baba, who established the centre 25 years ago, was also the recipient of the prestigious Rashtriya Khel Prothasan award by the President of India last year.

Earlier recognition

This apart, the organisation was named the ‘Best NGO’ by the Rockfeller Foundation and the Jindal Foundation recently.

“It is a huge honour for me and the entire team of SCF, which has been working tirelessly to promote sports, especially among under-privileged children,” Mr. Sai Baba said.

“We are thankful to all the government departments and the entire sports fraternity for helping us in propagating our concept of ‘Build India Through Sports’ aimed at luring more youth into sports.”

The SCF official would be visiting Monte Carlo for the awards function to be held on November 24.

It is a huge honour for me and the entire team of SCF, which has been working tirelessly to promote sports, especially among under-privileged children.

K. Sai Baba,SCF general secretary

SCF named one of top three sports organisation to be eligible for the 2016 top NGO award

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – November 21st, 2016

World Carrom Championship: S Appoorwa wins two gold medals

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

S. Appoorwa and her partner Kajol Kumari earned the first gold medals for India.
S. Appoorwa
S. Appoorwa

Hyderabad:

Hyderabad player S. Appoorwa and her partner Kajol Kumari earned the first gold medals for India in the women’s doubles event of 7th World Carrom Championship being held at Birmingham in England.

The duo defeated their Indian counterparts Parimala Devi and Tuba Shehar in straight games 25-14, 25-16. Later, Appoorwa spearheaded the Indian women’s side to the team championship. The team comprising Appoorwa, Kajol Kumari, Parimala Devi and Tuba Sehar blanked Sri Lanka 3-0 in the final. Appoorwa also secured a notable sixth place, the highest for any women player, in the eight-round Swiss League that is open to all the participants.

However, the men’s team slipped in the final to lose 1-2 to Sri Lanka. India took the top two places in the men’s doubles though. Sandeep and Riyaz beat fellow countrymen Shankara and Prashant More in a closely fought final 13-25, 23-13, 25-12.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Sports> In Other News / Deccan Chronicle / November 11th, 2016

This Hyderabadi boy is turning heads in Indian racing scene

Records, All, Sports

jeettelan02nov2016

Hyderabadi racer Jeet Jhabakh clinched the title of Junior Champion of a prestigious salon car racing championship recently. But what makes it interesting are the odds that were against him.

This 24-year-old only took up professional racing a year ago. Then he went on to shine in the championship against 20 seasoned drivers over a series of 10 races that began in June.

Astounding right? Jeet himself was surprised with what he achieved, “I thought it would be a lot harder for a rookie like me, but as soon as I got on the track I felt at home and the adrenaline kicked in,” says a beaming Jeet.

So how did a young racer take on seniors at a championship held across three tracks in Coimbatore, Chennai and Delhi? Homework, lots of it, says Jeet.

“I went through the technical data of my seniors’ cars which they would send me for analysis and I learnt a lot of the technicalities of braking, cornering and acceleration. Even the minute details make a lot of difference on the track because sometimes we take corners at around 120 kmph and on the straights we hit speeds of 210 kmph. I would also check the footage of the on board camera after my practice sessions,” says Jeet, who worked as a financial advisor before he took up racing. “Racing was always in my blood! My dad and uncle were rally car champions.

So one day my uncle called me and he asked whether I wanted to race, and without hesitation I said yes! I didn’t know if my parents would be okay with it. I really loved the job I had, but racing called out to me more,” he says, adding, “But my mother was so worried about my safety and finally after much deliberation we struck a deal — that I wouldn’t race on any track if she wasn’t around. So now she travels with me for the races and yes, she gives me a lot of strength. After each race she says ‘I’m glad you won, but I’m still scared’.”

Not one to rest on his laurels, Jeet has now set his eyes on what he wants to achieve next. “I have a salon car championship coming up soon and next year I plan to make the jump into Formula 1600 series and then into Formula 2000 series.

Eventually, I dream of racing in Formula 1. I will work hard towards it,” says Jeet, signing off.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City News> Hyderabad / Deepu Joseph / November 01st, 2016

Hockey, the poor man’s game in Telangana

Sports

Seeking support:Former India hockey captain N. Mukesh Kumar greeting a team during Telangana State Junior Inter District Hockey Tournament held in Adilabad recently.-Photo: By Arrangement
Seeking support:Former India hockey captain N. Mukesh Kumar greeting a team during Telangana State Junior Inter District Hockey Tournament held in Adilabad recently.-Photo: By Arrangement

It’s mostly the poor youngsters who take to the sport, says former India hockey captainN. Mukesh Kumar

“In Telangana, it’s mostly the poor youngsters who take to hockey,” revealed former India hockey captain N. Mukesh Kumar. “They definitely need everything in terms of support for maintaining fitness,” he added, in support of his rather disturbing disclosure, as he watched youngsters battling it out in a match as part of the first Telangana State Junior Inter District Hockey Tournament at Adilabad’s Indira Priyadarshini Stadium a few days ago.

The Olympian wants the State government to extend support in the form of astro turf hockey fields and good accommodation for young players during training camps.

“We will look after the food part,” he asserted while referring to the 10-day training camp that is going to be held in Nizamabad for the players who got selected to the State junior hockey team after the tournament in question.

Mukesh Kumar, who is a selector for the State team, foresees great time for Indian hockey following the start of Hockey India League. He said good players can even make Rs. 60 lakh every season playing this league unlike in the past.

“This is a fact that needs to be spread among the youth by coaches so that they are attracted to the game. The youth should also feel proud of playing hockey for their country,” he pointed out.

The former Olympian stressed on the need for discipline among players, especially the younger generation. He said the current nature of play demands professionalism which includes discipline and fitness.

“It is amazing to see these two things among youth taking to hockey in European and other countries,” Mukesh Kumar said. “Their professionalism has the teams across nations playing to a single strategy rather than adopt different ones like we do here in India,” he pointed out.

In a somewhat surprising act, the State hockey selector has his daughter and son take to tennis and shooting respectively. “It was their choice,” he observed.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by S. Harpal Singh / Adilabad – October 15th, 2016

Dancing up to the peak-Vyshnavie Sainath

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Sports, Travel

Vyshnavie Sainath
Vyshnavie Sainath

Her dance background gave her the strength to scale the 20850 ft high Stok-Kangri, says Vaishnavie Sainath

When the 12-hour climb to the peak took 20 hours, Vyshnavie Sainath’s mind and heart had begun to remember the disapproving comments from friends and acquaintances when she had announced her decision to trek to the Himalayas. But she quickly arrested those thoughts and focussed on what she had set out to achieve — reach the peak. When she succeeded, her heart was filled with inexplicable joy at reaching the peak and getting a first hand experience of the sight from the peak. Vyshnavie Sainath, the city-based dancer of Bharathanatyam, Odissi, Simhanandini, Kalari and contemporary forms summited the 20850 ft high Stok-Kangri and she is more than pleased with herself, minus the sunburned nose and cheeks.

“During the day it was quite hot but at night the temperature fell down to minus. The sun and the clear atmosphere left me with a sunburn. This sunburn is special, I have earned it,” she laughs.

The five-day trek began with this dancer and yoga practitioner. along with the team she was climbing with, making two stops at a base camp. “I took an extra day to get acclimatised to the weather, the thin air. To top it, the clear weather forecast suddenly became a snow blizzard and this being my first camp, I decided to stay back for an extra day. I wasn’t challenging anything, nor was my attempt to do the Himalayan Trek an attempt to prove anything to anyone. It was my decision to experience that moment at the trek and if I wanted to return at any point, I could have,” says the youngster.

She was not only excited but was sure of the atmosphere she would be introducing herself.

In the beginning, her body didn’t know what it was getting into. The altitude was high and so was the clean thin air. But something that she has been doing for several years came to her rescue. “Since I have been dancing for years and also practising yoga, my body had been silently accumulating the energy and stamina. Besides my regular dance and yoga sessions, I also designed a session of 2-3 hours to prepare myself, that involved cardio, yoga and other fitness routines. Dance also helped me keep my mind stable and not give in at the weak moments,” she explains.

Vaishnavie says that it’s her self-assessment and her calm mind made it all possible. “But just because I did it, I wouldn’t say it is easy. Self-assessment is a must and one has to prepare thoroughly before taking up such a challenge,” she suggests.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Metroplus / byPrabalika M. Borah / Vyshnavie-Sainath, Stok-Kangri / September 26th, 2016

Andhra ‘ammayi’ or Telangana ‘bidda’? Admirers on both sides stake claims

Sports

People break coconuts in Tirupati on Friday for Sindhu's victory. Photo: K.V. Poornachandra Kumar / The Hindu
People break coconuts in Tirupati on Friday for Sindhu’s victory. Photo: K.V. Poornachandra Kumar / The Hindu

She is an Indian first, says champion shuttler’s mother.

Even before Pusarla Venkata Sindhu pumped up the excitement on Friday, her admirers staked claim to her: both in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The champion shuttler was their ‘ammayi’ (girl in Telugu), both sides said.

Some asserted that she was born and brought up in Hyderabad and was a Telangana ‘bidda.’ The counter was that she belonged to Vijayawada and was therefore an Andhra ‘ammayi’. Many even researched the champion’s caste, as her parents had a love marriage.

A third group played it safe, calling her a Telugu ‘Tejam.’ Chiding all ‘parochial’ factions were the nationalists who said Sindhu was an Indian.

The champion player’s parents, Mr. Ramana and Ms. Vijayalakshmi, meanwhile, made a quick 350-km trip to Eluru from Hyderabad to offer prayers at Ratnalamma temple on Friday.

In Hyderabad, the Gopi Chand Academy was full of fans keen to watch her battle Carolina Marin.

Ms. Vijayalakshmi said her girl is an Indian first. “Let us all enjoy this moment of triumph and look forward to a golden finish and not engage in a debate,” she said, as the family settled down to watch the final on a giant screen, accompanied by guests like Daggubati Purandeshwari and London Olympics bronze medallist Gagan Narang.

Sindhu was born in Secunderabad and lives in Marredpally. Her father is a Sports Officer in South Central Railway.

Images of the player carrying the traditional Bonam at the recent Bonalu festival in Hyderabad strengthened her Telangana supporters’ claims. She should be the State’s brand ambassador, replacing Sania Mirza, some said on social media.

Mr. Ramana was born in Nirmal, Adilabad district in Telangana, and Ms. Vijayalakshmi, a volleyball player like her husband, is the daughter of a Vijayawada businessman.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by V.V. Subrahmanyam & J.R. Sridharan / Hyderabad – Telangana, August 20th, 2016

Who is PV Sindhu — India’s badminton heroine in Rio Olympics 2016

Amazing Feats, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

P.V. Sindhu of India reacts during play against Nozomi Okuhara of Japan.
P.V. Sindhu of India reacts during play against Nozomi Okuhara of Japan.

The Andhra-based protégé of Pullela Gopichand has become the first Indian woman to reach a Badminton final at the Olympics. Here is an overview of her life, career and achievements…

Pusarla Venkata Sindhu on Thursday became the first Indian woman to enter a Olympic Badminton final, after defeating 6th-ranked Nozomi Okuhara 2-0 (21-19, 21-10). Thus, assuring India of another medal.

She has come a long way — from a 16-year-old watching Saina Nehwal win the 2012 London Olympics bronze to being India’s lone badminton medal hope in the 2016 Games.

Prior to the Games, she had said, “The biggest dream I am chasing now is an Olympic medal. I remember watching Saina in London. Then I was ranked World No. 25. I always longed to be there and I am all excited to represent India in Rio.” She broke into the Top 20 in 2012, and is currently ranked no. 10 in the world.

Sindhu scripted a stellar 22-20, 21-19 win against former World No. 1 and London Games silver medallist Wang Yihan to enter the women’s semifinals. Her fierce strokeplay and aggressive cross-court returns have been the highlights of her game so far. She rated her win over the London Olympics silver medallist as one of the best moments of her career.

The Sindhu story

She first made her mark in the badminton circles in 2013. She won her maiden grand prix gold at the Malaysian Open, went on to win the first of her hat-trick of titles at the Macau Open. The bigger reward in the form of Arjuna award was the icing on the cake.

With former volleyball players for parents — her father Ramanna is an Arjuna awardee — it is only natural that sports had always been her calling. But why badminton? Inspired by her iconic mentor, Pullela Gopichand’s exploits on court, she started wielding the racquet at the age of eight. She was awarded the FICCI Breakthrough Sportsperson of the Year in 2014 and NDTV Indian of the Year 2014, the year in which she won her second consecutive medal at the World Championships.

In March 2015, P.V. Sindhu became the youngest recipient of the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian honour.

She is the second-highest-ranked women’s singles player from India after Olympic bronze medalist and No. 2 Saina Nehwal.

With a methodical style of play, considered to be defensive — building up with long rallies to lay seize to a point as and when an opening arises, she has evolved remarkably well to streamline her method towards winning. At the same time, she has recently added a more aggressive facet to her game, being more vociferous and playing attacking shots that put the opponent on the backfoot. More…

Watch Sindhu’s family rejoice her win:

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / Internet Desk / August 18th, 2016

Slum Premier League, a T:20 tournament for slum children

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Sports

Hyderabad :

“Every child has a right to play. When a child comes to me for coaching in cricket I don’t look at his talent. He has every right to play whatever the sport he enjoys, said Daniel Kanaparthi of Daniels Cricket Academy, who conceived the idea of Slum Premier League, a T:20 tournament for slum children. He said so while speaking at the brief inaugural function of the League held today morning at a Daniel’s Ground at Peerzadiguda.

The inaugural match was played between Vidyanager Gold and Charminar Titans.All the teams will be playing three matches each. This League will continue for next five days.

The names of the teams competed include Puranapul Nawabs, Kanchanbagh Warriors, Charminar Titans,Chanchalguda Sultans, Vidyanagar Gold, Uppal Rockets, Kishanbagh Sardars, Gadi Kotta Racers, Banjaragadd Diamonds, Habshiguda Wizards, Boduppal Jaguars, Manikeshwar Nagar Lions, Amberpet Panthers, Nacharam Angels,Maheshwaram Kings and Veerappa Gadd Thunder.

Srinu from Maheshwaram Kings took five wickets against Puranapul Nawabs. All the matches were played in Daniels Academy Grounds.and Sager Grounds in Uppal Peerzadiguda.

Welcoming the gathering at the inauguration, Daniel, the organizer said said when children play, the world wins. “Unfortunately, less previleged children do not have such luxury to play the game. All they can do is what sitting on a wall while others are playing. Every child has right to play, right to rise and shine. Sport is a Friendship. Sport is a Health. Sport is an Education. Sport is a life. Sport brings the world together he said and added that 70 per cent of Indian Cricketers came from an humble background like yours.”

Dhoni was a Ticket Collector, Virender Sehwag used to travel 84kms by bus everyday to practice cricket. Ravindra Jadeja is son of a security guard. He lost his mother at 17 years. Harbhajn Singh thought of moving to the US to drive truck for a living. Umesh Uadav is a son of coal miner. Mohammed Shami is a son of a farmer. Wasim Jaffer is a son of a bus driver. He is the highest run-getter in Ranji Matches till date. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, a son of a sub inspector, struggled to get a proper playing shoes and kit. So you too have future to be a great cricketer once Daniel told them.

“There is a unlimited growth in Aata(sport) and Paata(Song). The strength in Slum Premier League is in its word ‘Slum’. When i took objection to using ‘Slum’ in the name, Daniel, the organizer explained me that it is the strength and identity, i was convinced the importance of the tournament,” said chief guest BJP National General Secretary Muralidhar Rao who inaugurated the game.

The entire auditorium reverberated with motivational messages, songs, quotes on sportsmanship, bravery, championship etc.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express Features / August 10th, 2016