MP Hockey Academy’s selection trials to be conducted in Nagpur

By Paritosh Pramanik

WITH those entrusted to develop and promote hockey in Nagpur hardly doing anything, the selection trials for the Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy (men) to be held in the city in May has come as a fresh lease of life for the players.

Hockey has been dead in Nagpur and the concerned authorities are hardly taking any steps in conducting any tournaments since the past couple of years.

According to a notification from the Sports and Youth Affairs Department, TT Nagar Stadium, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy will be conducting selection trials in Nagpur to pick players for its residential academy.

The trials will be held from April 29 to May 29 at different districts of Madhya Pradesh and Nagpur.

In Nagpur, the trials will be held at Vidarbha Hockey Association ground, Amravati Road on May 8.

According to the notification, a copy of which is with ‘The Hitavada’, MP Hockey Academy coach Olympian Sameer Dad will be coming to Nagpur on May 8 to select the men players.

“We will be picking players in the age group of 14 and 18 years. Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy has to select 80 per cent players from Madhya Pradesh and 20 per cent from other parts of the country,” informed Olympian Dad while talking to ‘The Hitavada’ on Monday evening.

“The selection trials will be held in four phases with the first phase starting on April 29 from Guna in Madhya Pradesh. The second phase will begin from May 6, third from May 20 and the last phase on May 27-29 at major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium in Bhopal,” elaborated Dad, who played for India in 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Along with Olympian Dad who is the chief selector of MP Hockey Academy, two others — Lokendra Sharma, Higher Technical coach cum advisor and Dr Habib Hasan district Hockey coach — will be travelling to Nagpur for the one-day selection trials.

The other selection panel includes Dr Shipra Shrivastava and Amit Rathore.

“I have been informed about the rich talent of hockey in Nagpur and Amravati by Irshad Mirza. Hence, we decided to pick the best of the players,” said Dad.

“Players not only from Nagpur but also from Amravati and other districts will be able to take part in the selection trials,” stated Olympian Dad.

Those interested in appearing for the trials will have to carry Aadhaar Card, birth certificate, residence proof and photographs.

Bidari approves plans for various sports facilities at Div Sports Complex

Sports Reporter

NAGPUR, March 5

GIVING a major push to the infrastructure development and expansion of Divisional Sports Complex, Divisional Commissioner and Vice-Chairman of Divisional Sports Complex Executive Committee Vijayalakshmi Bidari on Tuesday approved the plan of various sports and commercial facilities of international standards to be set up at the sports complex situated at Mankapur. 

During a meeting, Bidari instructed the concerned officials to implement the tender process as soon as the plan gets administrative approval from the High Authority Committee.

During the meeting, Collector Dr Vipin Itankar; Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Saumya Sharma; Public Works Department Superintending Engineer JH Bhanuse; Member Secretary and Deputy Director of Sports and Youth Services Shekhar Patil; Education Officer (Secondary) JA Wakodkar; District Sports Officer Pallavi Dhatrak; Project management consultant and business consultant were present.

In a major financial boost to sports infrastructure development in the city, Maharashtra Government had approved a whopping Rs 746.99 crore for the renovation and expansion of the complex.

With the instructions and guidance of Deputy Chief Minister and Chairman of the Divisional Sports Complex Executive Committee, Devendra Fadnavis, a plan has been prepared regarding various sports and commercial facilities at the complex. 

According to a release, about 20 to 25 sports facilities including renovation of existing facilities, sports club, accommodation for athletes, sports science centre, sports convention centre, courses affiliated with national and international universities has been proposed.

State Govt approves Rs 746.99 cr for Divisional Sports Complex

Sports Reporter

IN A major financial boost to sports infrastructure development in the city, Maharashtra Government has approved a whopping Rs 746.99 crore for the renovation and expansion of Divisional Sports Complex situated in Mankapur, Koradi Road.

According to a release from the State Government, the Divisional Sports Complex will get the status of State-Level Sports Complex just like Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex at Balewadi in Pune.

This will pave the way to improve the sports facilities upto international standard at the complex.

Maharashtra Sports Minister Sanjay Bansode informed that the State cabinet has approved Rs 746.99 crore for the renovation and construction of international sports facilities at Divisional Sports Complex.

“Divisional Sports Complex at Nagpur has been given the status of a State-level sports complex so that sports facilities of national and international standards can be made available to players and coaches, as well as for hosting national and international level sports competitions in Nagpur. The cabinet has approved the revised budget of 746.99 crores for the upgradation and renovation of the complex,” Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Bansode informed.

During a meeting, it was proposed to upgrade and renovate the Divisional Sports Complex on the lines of Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune.

Accordingly, a swimming pool, squash court, tennis court, basketball court, archery range, hockey, football pavillion and other facilities will be constructed at the 61 acres of land of Divisional Sports Complex.

This will be beneficial for the players and coaches of not only Nagpur but entire Vidarbha.

According to a media release, the State Government had earlier disbursed Rs 51.20 crore for Divisional Sports Complex, Nagpur. Similarly, Rs 63.20 crores has also been disbursed from the District Planning Committee from the Playground Development Scheme. 

“Recently, a proposal of Rs 683.79 crore was put up for the upgradation and renovation of the complex. Accordingly, the Government approved Rs 746.99 crore through which the latest sports infrastructure will be developed,” Bansode said.

In March 2023, the State Government had allocated Rs 100 crores for the Divisional Sports Complex.

In January, 2020, the then State Government had proposed an ambitious Divisional Sports Complex expansion plan worth Rs 123 crore. The plan included construction of an international standard swimming pool, shooting range, hockey astro turf, a multipurpose sports indoor hall, an athletics track for practice apart from renovation of the present indoor hall. The hockey astro turf and shooting range were proposed at the far corner of the premises, behind the athletics synthetic track gallery.

RTMNU spending around Rs 3 cr on sports infra renovation

RTMNU spending around Rs 3 cr on sports infra renovation

Two new hova courts being relaid for Ashwamedh

Renovation work in full swing at Sports Complex in Ravi Nagar for State Inter-University meet

By Paritosh Pramanik

THE sound of cutting metal bars and tiles was piercing the ears, making it almost difficult to talk. Two men were ‘dangerously’ sitting on the iron angles constructed around 40 feet above the ground level, adjusting the new LED light panels. Rubble was all over and workers were busy cleaning each and every corner.

This is not any construction site but Subhedar Hall of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University at Ravi Nagar where the renovation work is in full swing for the Ashwamedh Sports Festival starting January 12.

RTMNU is burning midnight oil to be ready for the State level Inter-University competition. The university will be hosting Ashwamedh Sports event at its Sports Complex where Badminton, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball and Athletics events will be held.

RTMNU has undertaken the renovation work which will cost around Rs 3 crore. The Subhedar Hall, where badminton events will be conducted is undergoing major upgradation. New LED lights are being put up for better and bright visibility. Two new hova courts will be relaid in a couple of days after the work of replacing wooden borders with tiles is completed.

The washrooms are also being refurbished with workers making it sure that they make it ready before the deadline.

Similar construction and repair works are being done at the table tennis hall, beside Subhedar hall.

To make it attractive and welcome 1600 sportspersons and officials from 23 universities of the State, huge iron gates are also being erected at the entrance of the newly laid synthetic track as well as Subhedar hall.

Shamiyanas for athletics officials are giving the venue a royal look.

“Teams will start coming from January 11 and the events will start the next day. All the five events will be held at the same venue (sports complex),” Dr Sharad Surywanshi, Director, Department of Physical Education and Sports, RTMNU, told ‘The Hitavada’

“Around Rs 3 crore is being spent on renovation and repair works. This State level event will help us in upgrading our facilities which will be of immense help for the sportspersons,” stated Dr Suryawanshi.

“Volleyball matches will be played on six courts while badminton ties will be held on four courts. Similarly, the basketball matches will be played on two courts and table tennis on six tables,” informed Suryawanshi even as the fixtures were being prepared in his office.

“MLA Hostel, 160 tenements, Raj Nagar quarters will be accommodating all the players, officials and coaches, numbering around 2600,” Dr Suryawanshi said.

City’s Himanshi in Junior India probables list

By Paritosh Pramanik

HER dream is coming true! City’s outstanding hockey player Himanshi Sharad Gawande is just one step away from donning India colours.

The talented forward has been named as one of the 41 probables for the junior women’s national coaching camp that begins on Monday at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre, Bengaluru.

Hockey India (HI) announced the 41-core probables based on their performances in the domestic championships held in 2023.

The players will report to coach Tushar Khandker for a month-long camp that will conclude on February 6. 

Himanshi, a former student of Ira International School and who has played for Vidarbha as well as Hockey Maharashtra in various junior nationals, has been consistently performing well since several years. She had made it a habit of winning best player of the tournament on many occasions. At present she was playing for SAI Mumbai and has been ‘upgraded’ to SAI Bengaluru where she will try to impress the Junior India selectors.

“Sir, I am not stopping here. I want to play for India. I have a few more years in the junior section and I want to play Junior India,” Himanshi had told this scribe a few months back after winning the national title.

Himanshi made a switch from Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) to Hockey Maharashtra for better prospects. Also, with infighting in VHA, the game of hockey was deteriorating in Nagpur.

Her decision to play for Hockey Maharashtra bore fruits as she became a regular member of the State team. She was then picked by SAI Mumbai.

“I am happy with my selection in core probables. I will continue to work hard as things will only get tougher from here on. I want to take Nagpur’s and Maharashtra’s name at India level,” Himanshi told ‘The Hitavada on Sunday from Bengaluru.’

Himanshi will be the second player from Nagpur to be included in Hockey India’s core probables list. 

A few years back, Indian Railways’ midfielder and Nagpur’s Niyaz Rahim was part of the Senior men’s probables.

Junior women’s coach and former India player Tushar Khandker said India has a dearth of talent and these probables will be monitored closely.

“This core group has been picked based on the players’ performances for their respective state teams in Hockey India Junior Women’s National Championship, Zonal Championships as well as Junior Women Academy National Championships and Zonal Championships,” Khandker said.

“I have always believed that there is no dearth of talent in India. I look forward to working with this new group as these players will be closely watched and developed with focus on the next FIH Junior World Cup,” he said. 

List of players in the 41-member core probable group:

Goalkeepers: Vidyashree V, Aditi Maheshwari, Nidhi, Engil Harsharani Minz.

Defenders: Lalthantluangi, Niru Kullu, Mamita Oram, Thounjaojam Nirupama Devi, Jyoti Singh, Anjali Barwa, Pawanpreet Kaur, Puja Sahoo.

Midfielders: Priyanka Dogra, Rajni Karketta, F Lalbi Aksiami, Manisha, Nirali Kujur, Hina Bano, Ksetrimayum Sonia Devi, Anisha Sahoo, Priyanka Yadav, Khaidem Shileima, Supriya Kujur, Jaisikdeep Kaur, Binima Dhan, Huda Khan, Sakshi Rana.

Forwards: Sonam, Sanjana Horo, Dechamma PG, Ishika, Himanshi Sharad Gawande, Kanika Siwach, Nisha Minj, Yamunna, Geeta Yadav, Gurmail Kaur, Lalrinpuii, Munmuni Das, Ashwini Punjab Kolekar, Sunelita Toppo.