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.