HIL: City's Aakib picked by Hyderabad Toofans

By Paritosh Pramanik

City’s talented hockey midfielder Syed Aakib Rahim has been picked by Hyderabad Toofaans  during the two-day auctions of Hockey India League held in New Delhi.

Aakib, who plays for India Navy in the domestic hockey circuit, was picked at the base price of Rs 2 lakh by the 

franchise.

Apart from Aakib, other Nagpur players including Wasim Khan (Eastern Railways), Irshad Mirza (CR) and Niyaz Rahim (Indian Railways) went unsold during the auction.

Soorma Hockey Club, Team Gonasika, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Tamil Nadu Dragons

Hyderabad Toofans, UP Rudras, Delhi SG Pipers, Kalinga Lancers

The league will be held in December. 

Aakib, a former St John’s High School and Sindhu Mahavidyalaya student, has also won titles for Indian Navy. He has also clinched gold medal for Services team at Jhansi Nationals. 

Aakib had in the past also helped the Navy team win title at Senior Nehru Hockey Tournament in 2022.

Aakib also represented Mohun Bagan that won the Kolkata Premier League last year.

Ranji Trophy: Vidarbha’s Opening salvo

By Paritosh Pramanik

AT LUNCH, with Andhra cruising at 163-1, Vidarbha’s hope of a win was slowly evaporating. But the 11 men in the middle were confident and had belief in each other. 

The lunch break helped Vidarbha regroup and the two-time Ranji champions showed tremendous courage to take nine wickets in the second session to snatch a 74 runs outright victory against Andhra at VCA Civil Lines ground, on Monday.

The second new ball did the trick as pacer Aditya Thakare (4-74) snared three wickets in one over to floor Andhra and help Vidarbha collect six points from their opening encounter.

Thakare broke the backbone of Andhra first by sending captain Ricky Bhui (26) back on the second ball of his over with Wadkar grabbing the catch. The next delivery nipped in and rattled new man T Vijay’s furniture. Two deliveries later, Lalith Mohan (0) poked his bat to a widish delivery to give Thakare his third wicket. 

Captain Akshay Wadkar was acrobatic in taking the catch of Mohan diving to his right. An over later, Thakare completed the formalities taking the wicket of Andhra’s last man KV Sasikanth. This stunning win will boost Vidarbha’s confidence tremendously given that they were one bowler short from Day One with premier pacer Umesh Yadav getting injured bowling only 6.5 overs.

Vidarbha were unable to find success in the morning session with overnight batters Abhishek Reddy (78) and Shaikh Rasheed (74) going strong. 

Spinners Akshay Wakhare (2-71) and Harsh Dubey (4-69) tried all tricks but somehow were unable to break the partnership.

There were edges that flew from the bats which at time beat wicketkeeper captain Akshay Wadkar as well as short-leg fielder Danish Malewar. 

Finally, the moment for Vidarbha to cheer came in the seventh over after lunch break when Abhishek was trapped in front off Wakhare. The dent was made in Andhra batting and Vidarbha bowlers pounced on the opportunity. Next to go was Rasheed with Dubey finding his pads in front of the wicket. 

From 163-1, Andhra were reduced to 189-3. India stumper KS Bharat tried to release the pressure but was caught at point region by Aman Mokhade off Dubey and then Ashwin Hebbar was caught by Malewar at short leg off Wakhare. The writing was on the wall for Andhra and Vidarbha took the new ball and Thakare made full use of it, completing the formalities wiping out the remaining wickets in no time.

Vidarbha will now travel to Pondicherry on Tuesday for their second match of Group B starting October 18.

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Umesh Yadav out for four weeks; Shorey, Rekhade added to squad

Vidarbha were dealt with a severe blow when India pacer Umesh was ruled out for at least four weeks due to tendinitis injury. The fast bowler suffered the injury during Vidarbha’s bowling on the first day of their Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha at VCA Civil Lines ground. 

Yadav limped back to the pavilion midway and was unable to bowl in the match. He did come to bat and scored three boundaries but was unable to bowl in Vidarbha’s second innings. “His injury is not good. The tendinitis got injured while he was bowling on the opening day of the match. 

“It will take at least four week to heal and he would be unable to take part in the next three matches of Vidarbha,” said Vidarbha team physio Nitin Khurana, after the match. 

Meanwhile, Dhruv Shorey was declared fit for the second match and was included in the team along with Parth Rekhade.

Rekhade will replace Mandar Mahale in the squad.

THE SQUAD: Akshay Wadkar (C & WK), Atharva Taide (VC), Aman Mokhade, Yash Rathod, Harsh Dubey, Akshay Karnewar, Yash Kadam, Akshay Wakhare, Aditya Thakare, Shubham Kapse, Nachiket Bhute, Siddhesh Wath (WK), Praful Hinge, Danish Malewar, Parth Rekhade, Karun Nair, Dhruv Shorey.

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‘Dubey was informed of bowling long spell’

n By Paritosh Pramanik

Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar knows the VCA pitch as the back of his hand.

He was aware that the pitch will assist spinners in the fourth innings and once pacer Umesh Yadav was ruled out to bowl in the match, he huddled in with his two spinners —Akshay Wakhare and Harsh Dubey— to re-plan the plot.

Expectedly, left-armer spinner Dubey was forced to bowl for extended spell.

And Dubey, who has just nine First Class Games under his belt, did not disappoint his captain.

The spinner took a match-haul of eight wickets to help Vidarbha thrash Andhra in their opening match.

Wadkar said that he (Dubey) was informed well in advance about bowling for an extended session. “After Umesh got injured the pressure was on the four bowlers—two seamers and two spinners. With Andhra having most right handers, Dubey was the only man to do the job for us,” said Wadkar after the match.

“We had informed him that he will have to bowl an extended spell and he was eager to bowl long. He was getting turn and bounce also, and we are happy that he did the job for us,” said Wadkar.

In the second innings, Dubey bowled 15 overs continuously  while Wakhare bowled 14 at a stretch.

Wadkar was happy with the start and said the win would help in the future matches.

“It is a good start and will help us in the coming matches. We were down in the first innings but came back strongly. The bowlers as well as the batters, specially Atharva Taide, batted well in the second innings to post a challenging target.” said the Vidarbha skipper.

Exciting finish on cards

By Paritosh Pramanik

VIDARBHA finally played like two-time Ranji champions!

Led by opener Atharva Taide, who cracked his fourth Ranji century on the second day, Vidarbha batters showed how to bat on the home turf, as they amassed 336 in their second innings against Andhra in the Ranji Trophy match at VCA Civil Lines ground on Sunday.

Chasing 318, Andhra were 79 for one when the play was called off due to bad light for the second time in three days making the final day an exciting one.

Spinner Harsh Dubey, who took four wickets in the first innings, managed to get rid of Hanuma Vihari (22), trapping him in front. Abhishek Reddy (38) and Shaikh Rasheed (18) were at the crease with Andhra still needing 239 and Vidarbha nine wickets for an outright victory.

After a dismal batting in the first innings, Vidarbha bowlers, led by premier spinner Akshay Wakhare (4-10) and Dubey (4-52) bundled out the visitors for 167, conceding a first innings lead of a meagre 49 runs.

In the second essay, Taide, resuming at 115, could add only three runs to his overnight score before his stumps were castled by PVSN Raju in the second over of the day.

But other batters, including Aman Mokhade (53), debutant Danish Malewar (63), professional Karun Nair (43) and captain Akshay Wadkar (40) built on the strong foundation put up by the opening pair of Taide and Mokhade who had added 137 runs.

After Mokhade’s departure, Malewar joined left-handed Taide in the middle to post 67 for the second wicket. Debutant Malewar grew in confidence and hit six beautiful boundaries in his 167-ball stay in the middle. Malewar was strong on his feet as he slammed an appreciation seeking backfoot boundary towards midwicket fence off spinner Lalth Mohan. Then, a couple of overs later, there was a late cut boundary towards third man off PVSN Raju. 

After Taide’s dismissal in the morning, Malewar, who celebrated his 21st birthday, on October 8, did not hesitate in playing reverse sweep as well. He and Nair batted well and the duo scored 78 for the third wicket as Vidarbha took control of the day. With Malewar scoring freely, Nair took chances and once stepped out to hit Lalith Mohan for a long off boundary. When the bowler pulled the ball back, Nair gently cut the ball towards the third man breaching the slip cordon. But Nair’s departure put brakes on the run flow and it was once again left to captain Wadkar to take the innings forward with the help of tail.

Wadkar once again played sheet-anchor’s role for his 40 runs and added valuable 40 runs with Wakhare. Umesh Yadav, despite being unable to walk, entertained the sparse crowd hitting three boundaries before getting out in the 103rd over.

Andhra overworked spinners with Lalith Mohan who bowled 17 overs on the trot and took three wickets while Tripurna Vijay bowled straight 15 overs for his four wickets.

In chase, Andhra started aggressively and scored 52 runs for the opening wicket. The fall of Vihari brought Shaikh Rasheed in the middle and he and Abhishek Reddy added 27 runs for the second wicket.

With the pitch assisting spinners and Wakhare and Dubey already sharing eight wickets in the first innings, Vidarbha will walk out in the middle on the final morning full of confidence to pocket an outright victory.

Vidarbha woes: Batters fail; Umesh injured

By Paritosh Pramanik

VIDARBHA captain Akshay Wadkar sat squatted at the non-striker’s end with his hands on his helmet, looking at his partner Danish Malewar in disbelief. Debutant Malewar was the last recognised batter and was looking good with his two boundaries. But his wicket in the 15th over of the day exposed Vidarbha’s tail. From 47-5, the hosts’ innings folded at 118 in 38.5 overs against Andhra on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy match at VCA Civil Lines ground on Friday 

morning.

Wadkar was the lone survivor for Vidarbha with a gritty unbeaten 46.

In reply, Andhra were 114-1, trailing by just four runs when the day was called off due to bad light.

Opener Abhishek Reddy (62) and SK Rasheed (49) had added unbeaten 113 runs for the second wicket. Both batted with utmost ease and picked runs in boundaries without any trouble, finding gaps in the field.

Vidarbha had a forgettable day. If the batters failed in unison, their premier bowler Umesh Yadav hobbled out of the field due to an injury to his heel after bowling just 6.5 overs.

In the morning, Vidarbha won the important toss but their decision to bat first backfired as the batters failed to apply themselves against Andhra’s three-pronged pace attack.

None of the Vidarbha batters, barring skipper Wadkar, showed intent to stay in the middle.

Only four of Vidarbha batters managed double digits while three failed to open their account. Wadkar’s 46 and 20 from pacer Umesh Yadav helped Vidarbha cross the 100-run mark.

“We wanted to post 300 plus runs on this pitch. We all know that it would be difficult to bat in the fourth innings hence we decided to bat first. On any ground, the first hour of play happens to be crucial but our batter could not see off those 60 minutes in the morning,” explained a dejected looking Vidarbha captain Wadkar after the day’s play.

Vidarbha got off to a disastrous start as opener Aman Mokhade got run out on the third ball of the innings. Atharva Taide and Mokhade went for a non-existent run and Tripurna Vijay’s direct hit from gully opened the floodgates for Andhra.

Yash Rathod (0) was brilliantly caught at slips by Hanuma Vihari off CH Stephen in the third over and Taide (17) ballooned a simple catch to captain Ricky Bhui at short mid-off.

Hopes rested on professional Karun Nair (12) and he carved out two beautiful boundaries, one through covers and the other through third man region. However, Andhra pacer KV Sasikanth brought the next delivery in to trap the batter in front of the wicket.

Malewar showed grit and faced Andhra pacers confidently. He left the away going deliveries and looked unfazed. But he tried to hit PVSN Raju walking down the track and edged the ball to SK Rasheed who grabbed a brilliant low catch.

“Malewar was batting well. We were talking in the middle and he was confident. He had scored two beautiful boundaries and I asked him to stay put. But he went for that shot and our partnership got broken,” Wadkar reasoned for his reaction after his partner’s wicket.

Wadkar and Yadav added 32 runs for the eighth wicket which helped Vidarbha cross the 100 runs mark. But Umesh’s decision to throw his bat four deliveries before lunch saw his and team’s downfall as Vidarbha’s innings folded 44 minutes after lunch.

Andhra batters started their chase aggressively and scored 100 runs from 25 overs.

They easily negotiated Vidarbha pacers -- Yadav, Aditya Thakare and Nachiket Bhute.

“Umesh has an injury in his heel and he can’t run. He will not be able to bowl tomorrow. We will try to take wickets early tomorrow morning and if we fail to do so, we will go with a defensive approach,” Wadkar hinted.

Ranji Trophy: Vid start afresh, aim to go one step further

By Paritosh Pramanik

“THE Ranji Trophy runners-up tag is now a thing of the past. This is a new season and we have to start afresh,” was the to-the-point reply from Vidarbha coach Usman Ghani on the eve of home team’s opener against Andhra at Vidarbha Cricket Association’s Civil Lines ground.

Despite Ghani’s remarks, the defeat to Mumbai in the final last season will definitely stay in some corner of Vidarbha’s mind when they take the field on Friday and aim to go one step further than the 2023-24 season. 

And the team is confident of once again dominating the scene with their all-round efforts.

Thursday morning witnessed Akshay Wadkar-led side sweating out hard for one last time before they take the field against last year’s quarter-finalists Andhra, which is led by previous season’s run-machine Ricky Bhui (902).

Vidarbha will look to starting their season on a positive note against Andhra against whom they have a better head to head record.

The teams have met thrice and Vidarbha have come out ‘winners’ on all two occasions, taking first innings lead.

The batting line-up looks strong with vice-captain Athrava Taide, Aman Mokhade, captain Wadkar, Akshay Karnewar, to name a few, having the ability to score big runs.

Vidarbha will be once again banking on professional Karun Nair who was instrumental in taking the team to the final last season with 690 runs under his belt. The only worry for Vidarbha in the opening game is the unavailability of indisposed Dhruv Shorey.

“Yes, we will miss him as he is not well. But we have other batters who can do the job,” Ghani said confidently.

The bowling department will be led by India pacer Umesh Yadav along with Aditya Thakre, Shubham Kapse, Nachiket Bhute. 

Senior player Akshay Wakhare will take the care of spin department and it would be interesting to see how left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey performs after his stellar show against Mumbai in last year’s final where he captured the wickets of Ajinkya Rahane, Prithvi Shaw, and Musheer Khan at Wankhede Stadium.

As for Andhra, they too are confident of a favourable start with skipper Bhui leading from the front. Bhui has scored a couple of centuries in the Duleep Trophy a couple of weeks back and has expressed his desire to carry that form. Their batting line-up is bolstered with the inclusion of KS Bharat and former captain Hanuma Vihari. Seamer K V Sasikanth and left-arm medium pacer Ch Setphen will be eager to strike early on a deck which may assits fast bowlers early in the match.

“The pitch looks good, hard. It would be interesting to see how the seamers take advantage of the overcast conditions. The first hour would be crucial,” Vidarbha coach Ghani stated.

With rains on the eve of the match, there is a slight possibility of a delayed start to the match on Friday. Though the centre pitch was well under cover, the concern would be the outfield which may force the umpires to start the game a few hours late.

Teams: Vidarbha: Akshay Wadkar (Captain & WK), Atharva Taide (Vice-Captain), Aman Mokhade, Yash Rathod, Harsh Dubey, Akshay Karnewar, Yash Kadam, Akshay Wakhare, Aditya Thakare, Shubham Kapse, Nachiket Bhute, Siddhesh Wath (WK), Praful Hinge, Danish Malewar, Umesh Yadav, Mandar Mahale, Karun Nair.

Andhra: Ricky Bhui (C), Shaikh Rasheed (vc), KS Bharat (wk), Hanuma Vihari, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Maheep Kumar, Vamsi Krishna (wk), Abishek Reddy, KV Sasikanth, Ashwin Hebbar, CH Stephen, Satyanarayana Raju, A Lalith Mohan, G Manish, T Vijay, M Hemanth Reddy.

Rahim brothers expecting Hockey India League glory

By Paritosh Pramanik

Oct 10, 2024

CITY’S hockey players, Aakib Rahim and Syed Niyaz Rahim, cousin brothers, who are dazzling all over the country with their skillful game, have been picked in the draft for the relaunched Hockey India’s Hockey India League (HIL) which will be back after a break of seven years.

Midfielder Aakib is playing for Indian Navy while Niyaz, also a midfielder, is captain of Indian Railways and has led the team to title victories on many occasions.

Niyaz was also in India’s 33-member core probables list for the Tokyo Olympics.

Both the players are expecting to be picked by one of the eight franchises during the mega auction to be held on Sunday and Monday. The base prices are set at Rs 2 lakh, Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh.

According to sources, several franchises are collecting information about both players and have shown interest in them.

The eight men’s team are named as Delhi SG Pipers,  Hyderabad Toofans, Kalinga Lancers, Bengal Tigers, Team Chennai, Team Lucknow, Team Punjab and Team Ranchi. The league will be held in December.

“We have been included in the draft and are hoping to be picked by one of the teams,” Niyaz said about the auction.

Niyaz is leading the Indian Railways team since 2019 and under his leadership the team has won five gold medals in Hockey India’s national championship. 

Similarly, Aakib, a former St John’s High School and Sindhu Mahavidyalaya student, has also won titles for Indian Navy. He has also won the gold medal for the Services team at Jhansi Nationals. Aakib also helped the Navy team win title at Senior Nehru Hockey Tournament in 2022.

Aakib also represented Mohun Bagan that won the Kolkata Premier League last year.

Skipper Bhui eager to carrying on Duleep form

Andhra hit nets at VCA Civil Lines for gruelling Ranji season ahead

By Paritosh Pramanik

Oct 10, 2024

WITH two Duleep Trophy centuries under his belt, Andhra captain Ricky Bhui is aiming to carry on his form this Ranji season with their opening game against Vidarbha at Vidarbha Cricket Association’s Civil Lines ground.

The opening four-day match begins from Friday and Andhra team wasted no time in fine-tuning their skills as they stepped out on the lush green VCA Civil Lines ground on a cloudy Wednesday afternoon. 

Bhui was the top scorer in last Ranji Trophy season with 902 runs for Andhra Pradesh with four centuries and three half-centuries to his name. He continued his commanding form in Duleep Trophy last month with two centuries for India D (119 * against India B and 113 against India A). 

The captain said he will love to carry on in the same vein.

“We have prepared well for this season like we do every time. We, as a team, believe in process and will stick to our plan this season as well. Yes, I would love to carry on with my form and am confident after my knocks in Duleep Trophy,” Bhui told ‘The Hitavada’ after the nets session on Wednesday afternoon.

On the opening match against former two-time champions and last season’s runners-up Vidarbha, Bhui said that they are prepared to take the home side. “No doubt, Vidarbha is a quality side but we too had made it to the quarters last season. So it will be a good contest between bat and ball,” said the Andhra captain.

Bhui said they did not change much from the last season and said it all depends how mentally tough you are to the given situation.

“Skill wise we are at par with the best teams. We are working on the mental aspect. If we play with confidence I am sure we too can go the distance,” he confidently said.

The Andhra team got a boost with top batters like Hanuma Vihari and Srikar Bharat in the squad. “We have a strong side with Vihari and Bharat in the squad which makes our batting line-up tough, so it would be a good contest.” Bhui explained.

Bhui said that the pitch looks good but it still has some grass and would be in better position to comment on the eve of the match.

“Its a good pitch. Even though it is under cover. There is some grass which would be shaved off tomorrow. We will get a better idea of the strip tomorrow only. But going by previous matches at this ground, it seems that it is a true wicket with something for bowlers as well as for batters,” the captain signed off.

Chess Olympiad champions are curated in Nagpur

 IM Anup Deshmukh recalls early days of Vidit and Divya while coaching them in city

By Paritosh Pramanik

THE careers of two members of the Indian chess contingent, that won the historic men and women Chess Olympiad gold medals at Budapest on Sunday, were curated in Nagpur.

One is directly related to Nagpur while the other has strengthened his base in the Orange City under the ‘benevolent’ International Master Anup Deshmukh.

IM Deshmukh has shaped many chess careers and Grand Master Vidit Gujrathi and city’s Divya Deshmukh are the ‘two gems of his factory’.

Local lass Divya and Nashik-born Vidit both have learnt the tricks of trade from IM Deshmukh at his home more than a decade back.

Vidit has spent several days in Anup Deshmukh’s house when he was young and was aiming to achieve big in the field of chess. It was a time when only multiple-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand was carrying Indian flag around the world.

Nagpur’s IM Anup Deshmukh decided to produce many more players like Vishy Anand and took VRS from his LIC job to train budding chess players. Today, his efforts are bearing fruits.

Vidit Gujrathi once had thanked Deshmukh for shaping his career.

“Anup sir has played a big role in my life. I remember when I was 10 years old, I had gone to Nagpur and trained with him. Those were some extremely valuable chess lessons. His passion for the game was immense. He would (be) completely immersed in the game while teaching me. This naturally made a big impact on me as a chess player. He helped me win the Under-11 national title. I remember that it was not just me, but also many players from my generation who benefited from his training and went on to become strong players -- GM Abhijit Gupta and GM Swapnil Dhopade to name a couple of them. 

“Anup sir would not charge fees and also take care of the expenses of the students who would come to his place. He is such a benevolent man. No words can do justice to what he has contributed towards the chess fraternity. I am immensely grateful,” Vidit had once wrote on social media.

The same words of gratitude were spoken by Divya. “IM Anup Deshmukh sir helped me to give a good foundation and overall understanding of chess in my early chess career. He guided me in the year 2012 along with Rahul Joshi sir. He used to motivate me a lot and would always tell me to aim higher. I am really indebted and grateful to him for his and Deshmukh Madam’s support and encouragement,” Divya had penned the special praise a few years back.

The joy was palpable when ‘The Hitavada’ contacted IM Deshmukh for his views on two of his products winning maiden gold medals at Chess Olympiad.

“It’s a big achievement, I am really proud of both of them. They deserved it. They can achieve much more,” said IM Deshmukh from Ahmedabad where he is appointed as the head coach by Gujarat Government on a one-year contract.

A down-to-earth coach Deshmukh was reluctant to take any credit of both the players winning the medal and said, “They were with me very briefly and I am sure they have learnt a lot from many other coaches.

“I did nothing. It’s their hard work. There are many coaches who have coached them,” replied Deshmukh.

“It was way back in 2004 when I persuaded Vidit to play one more round and then quit in a national tournament. I still remember when Vidit was in Nagpur for the Under-11 nationals and had lost a couple of rounds and wanted to quit.

“His mother asked me to encourage him. I told him, ‘look Vidit there are no tickets for Nashik so play one round and till then we can arrange the tickets.’ He won the next match and then, again I requested him to play another round that now he had won one match. He continued his winning streak and I kept on encouraging him to play another round. As luck would have it, Vidit claimed the U-11 national chess title,” recalled Deshmukh about his ward who hated to lose.

“Vidit never wanted to lose. He used to get very upset after defeat. I used to try to calm his mind and make him understand that sports is about winning and losing. Slowly he started accepting the defeats but was determined not to commit the same mistakes,” IM Deshmukh narrated.

Vidit’s stay at IM Deshmukh’s home was not very long. “He used to come at my place for a week or so and then return back. Then after a few months he used to come again with his mother. It was a stop-start-stop training. But we used to stay connected over the phone. He was really a hard worker and never used short-cut, same was with Divya,” said Deshmukh as the talk moved towards Nagpur’s only Woman Grandmaster and International Master.

“Divya has been very talented since she was 4-5 years old. I still remember she used to train for 4-5 hours daily. She was very stubborn and never wanted to lose. The best part of Divya was that she had a great grasping power. She was a very fast learner (and still is). Any new move taught, she used to remember it immediately. She is a talented player and will win many more accolades in coming years,” wished Deshmukh.

After Durand Cup glory, Kamptee’s Asheer Akhtar eyes Indian Super League

By Paritosh Pramanik

Sept 14, 2024

“Durand Cup title win is in the past now. I am concentrating on the Indian Super League (ISL),” said Asheer Akhtar, the star defender of North East United that won the oldest football tournament of Asia a fortnight ago.
Asheer, the talismanic footballer from Kamptee, has put the glory days to bed and is now determined to take his side to much greater heights in Indian football.
NorthEast United stunned all by clinching their maiden Durand Cup title defeating football giants Mohun Bagan in their own den in Kolkata late last month.
Asheer was part of that history making NE United team which came from a two -goal deficit to score two in three minutes of the second half and take the match into shoot-out where they emerged winners with a 3-2 verdict. “It was a dream match. We came back strongly. We played as a unit and supported each other till the final whistle,” recalled Asheer while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ on Friday.
“But that’s past now. We celebrated the win and enjoyed it a lot. Now, the expectations are high. We have moved forward and are looking for a much better show in the Indian Super League,” Asheer said.
“Now we have a much bigger responsibility. Earlier, with no title in our bag we were not taken seriously by other teams. But now, all the teams are wary of our potential. They are aware of what we have done and what we can do,” added the robust North East United defender.
When taken back to that memorable final and post match celebrations, Asheer said, “that moment will remain etched in my memories forever. My parents, my wife, my son, and other family members were there in the Stadium watching the final. That was a once in a lifetime moment,” recalled Asheer, who grew up in the bylanes of Kamptee, the nursery of football in Nagpur.
The icing on the cake was celebrating with team owner and Bollywood star John Abraham.
“It was unbelievable. He (John Abraham) is the sole owner of our team and takes all decisions. But at the same time he is a very down to earth person despite being such a big celebrity. He treated us like a family and always backed us. After the final, he was elated and celebrated with the whole team. It was a huge moment for him as well because after 10 years his team has won a trophy,” added Asheer, son of Mehfooz Akhtar, a former Police goalkeeper.
Asheer is aware of the increased expectations from fans and supporters and said that the team will work hard.
“We now have a new season in front of us. The expectations are high and the fans want us to keep going in the same vein. Our responsibilities have increased and we will have to double our efforts. We will be playing our first match of ISL against Mohammedan Sporting on coming Monday in Kolkata. Last year we missed the play-offs by a point. We want to start well and will take one game at a time. Definitely, our target will be the play-off berth first,” Asheer signed off.

Sarde clinches maiden silver in Junior SAAF Athletics C’Ship

 

By Paritosh Pramanik
SEPT 13, 2024

A FALSE start by compatriot Hariharan in the final did disturb Nayan Sarde a bit but the lanky Nagpur athlete put that distraction behind as he went on to clinch his maiden silver medal in just his second international event.
Nayan, son of Jalna Police Head Constable Pradip Sarde, did the city and Maharashtra proud after he won a silver medal in 110 metres hurdles in the South Asian Junior Athletics Championship at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on Thursday evening.
Sarde, representing India, claimed the silver medal with a timing of 14.14 seconds.
It was a close battle where the Krida Prabodhini Nagpur lad missed the yellow metal by a whisker.
WP Sandun Koshala of Sri Lanka claimed the gold medal in 14.06 secs.
Another Sri Lankan E Vishwa Tharuka took the bronze crossing the finish line in 14.27s.
“My team-mate Hariharan was disqualified after a false start. That distracted me and I could not start as I wanted, when the final re-started. But I am happy to win silver in my second international event,” a satisfied Sarde shared his views with ‘The Hitavada’ after his medal winning performance, from Chennai.
“It was really humid which hampered my performance. But I am glad that I managed to finish on the podium. This medal is a confidence booster,” added Sarde son of Sangita a housemaker, who hails from Buldhana district of Vidarbha.
Nayan thus became the first athlete from Nagpur to clinch a medal at the South Asian Junior Athletics Championship.
Nayan said after this medal he now aims to qualify for World University Games.
“Now I will start preparing for the prestigious World University Games which will be held next year,” added Sarde who trains under Samsher Khan at Krida Prabodhini.
The sprinter said that he now wants to improve his performance technically.
“My physical training is up to the mark. But now I want to better myself technically. I will sit with my coach and will try to improve myself technically,” stated Sarde.
“My first international event at Lima in Peru was really helpful. At this SAAF meet, I was determined not to commit same mistakes which I did at Peru,” said Sarde.
The Indian contingent is represented by 55 athletes including 27 girls.
Athletes from Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Pakistan are participating in the SAAF competition.
Nayan recently represented India in the 110m hurdles at the World Junior Championships held in Lima, Peru. Despite a fast start in Lima, he was unable to clear the first round hurdle. But at Chennai, Nayan was determined to finish at the podium and gave a tough competition to his closest Sri Lankan rivals.
He gave the credit of his success to his parents and coach Samsher Khan.
Nagpur District Athletics Association President Gurudev Nagrale, Secretary and others congratulated Nayan for his remarkable feat.

Sarde takes big leap

 

 

 To represent India in U-20 World Athletics Championships in Peru

 

August 18, 2024

By Paritosh Pramanik
In his early days, he used to get dejected for not finishing on the podium during the district and division competitions. But this Krida Prabodhni Nagpur’s sprinter from Buldhana, kept believing in himself and finally cracked the code.
Nayan Sarde, all of 19, will be representing India at the World Junior (Under-20) Athletics Championship to be held in Lima, Peru, South America from August 27.
Sarde, who has been representing Krida Prabodhini since 2019, will be rubbing shoulders with top athletes from USA, France, Germany, to name a few, in the 110 metres hurdles event.
“I am confident of performing well in the competition. This being my first international competition, I am a bit nervous but I have trained well in the past one month and will give my best,” said Sarde, while talking with ‘The Hitavada’, from Bengaluru.
Sarde became the first athlete from Vidarbha to be selected in Indian team in this category. He has been exceptional in 110m hurdles this season. He got selected in the Indian team on the basis of his excellent performance in the qualifiers and selection competitions during the Indian Grand Prix at Bengaluru.
The Buldhana lad is training at SAI Bengaluru camp will leave for Lima with the Indian team on August 21.
“I am training at Bengaluru. Coaches here have asked me to train the way I am training in the past. They did not burden me with any new techniques. I am really working hard and am sure of a good show. My first target will be to better my personal best timing (14.11 secs) and then qualify for the semis,” said Sarde, who’s father Dilip is a former athlete and working in Police Department.
During Sarde’s formative days, Ganesh Jadhav and Anil Ingle gave him basic training in hurdles at Buldhana.
After coming to Nagpur, he improved his performance under the guidance of coach Samsher Khan.
He made his presence felt by winning a gold medal in the 110m hurdles in the 18 years category at the Junior National Championships held in Guwahati in 2021.
“No doubt the competition will be very tough in Lima. However, I am confident of performing on the big stage,” added Sarde.
The lanky sprinter said he wants to participate in the World University Games which will be held next year.
“I will work hard to qualify for the World University Games next year,” he confidently said.

 

Nayan’s major achievements
2024: Junior Federation Cup Silver Medal (14.23 seconds)
2023: Junior Federation Cup Gold Medal (14.18 seconds)
2023: Junior National Athletics Bronze Medal (14.30 seconds)
(Under 18 Age Group)
2022: National Youth Athletics Silver Medal (14.29 seconds)
2022: Junior National Athletics - Gold Medal (14.28 seconds)
    (All 110m hurdles)

Vidarbha’s international athletes
Olympian Rajeev Balakrishnan: 110m hurdles silver medallist at South Asian Games
Aparna Bhoyar-Thakre South Asian Games bronze medallist
Charulata Naigaonkar-Behare: Asian Athletics Championship fourth place finisher
Madhuri Gurnule: Afro-Asian Games participant
Kalpana Bante-Chikhle: Junior Asian Athletics Games participant
Vaishali Fating-Kshetrapal: International Athletics Grand Prix participant
Nikita Raut, Prajakta Godbole, Monica Raut: World University Games participants.

 

3 city footballers to play prestigious Durand Cup

 

 
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, July 17, 2024

NAGPUR footballers’ talent is being recognised in the country.
If Asheer Akhtar has been retained by NorthEast United for another year and will be playing the Durand Cup, two other footballers from the Orange City, in all probability, will be seen playing India’s oldest and prestigious football tournament, this season.
Apart from Asheer, who will be donning NorthEast United jersey, Vasu Kanojiya and Rashid Ansari, will be representing Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) football team in this edition’s Durand Cup starting July 27.
“The CISF team has been invited for Asia’s oldest tournament this season. We have been pitted against Kerala Blasters FC, Mumbai City FC and Punjab FC in Group C and will be playing our league matches in Kolkata,” said Vasu Kanojiya from Delhi.
Asheer’s NorthEast United are placed in Group E and will play their matches against Odisha FC, Bodoland FC and BSF at Kokrajhar.
“Last year, we lost the semis but this season we are determined to move a step further,” Asheer confidently told ‘The Hitavada’ from Guwahati where the team is preparing for the 133rd edition of the tournament.
Vasu Kanojiya is a former Rahul Sankrutyayan Club’s midfielder and has joined CISF in 2022. Twice he has represented Maharashtra in the Santosh Trophy National Championship.
“We are ready to take part in the most prestigious tournament of Asia,” said head constable Vasu, who has also led Nagpur University football team in the past.
Rashid, an assistant sub-inspector in CISF, is a senior player and has joined CISF way back in 2015. He played for Nagpur Football Club (NFC) in the NDFA Elite Division leagues.
The midfielder has helped NFC win the NDFA league twice in 2010 and 2011.
Durand Cup will feature a total of 43 matches with Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s taking on Downtown Heroes FC in the opening encounter at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

Kamptee’s Asheer shining in ISL

 

 NorthEast United extends Asheer’s contract for a year

 

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, July 15, 2024

THEY could not let him go. Asheer Akhtar, who gallantly saved NorthEast United’s fortunes in the last edition’s Indian Super League, has been retained by the franchise for another year after the defender showed immense maturity and talent to bail his side out of
the pit.
“My contract has been extended for another year. Last year, I joined NorthEast United from Sreenidi Deccan FC. I think I have impressed NE United mamagement,” said Asheer while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ from Guwahati on Monday.
Asheer, son of former City Police footballer Mehfooz Akhtar, has become a pillar of strength of NorthEast United in the country’s most popular league --ISL.
After the defender signed the north-eastern side last year, the team has progressed a lot with Asheer manning the defence line.
The sturdy defender became the ‘Wall’ for NE United and helped the side concede less number of goals to see the team finish at the seventh spot. Last season, NorthEast United played 22 matches and won six, drew eight and lost eight.
Asheer made it to the playing XI on 19 occasions and also scored a goal against Bengaluru FC and won two Hero of the match awards.
“Last year we missed the play-offs by one point and finished seventh but this year we are determined to make it to top six first, and then target the semis,” said the 29-year-old defender who also helped NorthEast United reach Durand Cup semis last year.
Asheer has been playing professionally since 2010. He joined SAIL Football Academy Bokaro and stayed there for two seasons. He spent a couple of seasons in Nagpur playing for Rabbani Club, Kamptee and then again moved to Pune FC Under-19 team. He shifted to Kashmir in 2014 to play second division and then played the Goa League in 2015.
In 2016, Asheer played I-League for Mumbai FC and then joined Bengaluru FC for another couple of years 2018-19). He then moved to East Bengal and then Mohammedan Sporting Club, Kolkata before moving to Sreenidi Deccan Football Club in 2022.
“I started playing as a forward in school (MM Rabbani) and Rabbani Club. But when I moved to Pune, the coached as me to play as a defender. Since then I am playing as a right back,” said Asheer.
Asheer wants Nagpur players to stay calm and have patience.
“Nagpur has immense talent in football. The players need to be patient in their approach and should continue their hard work. One day they will also be able to play for big clubs,” concluded Asheer, who was part of the Hero ISL-winning squad with Bengaluru FC in the 2018-19 season.

Wankhade shining in UK 1st Div league.jpg

Hits two tons and as many fifties to take Dulwich to 4th spot in 10-team table

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, July 7, 2024

VIDARBHA’S power-hitting batter Apoorva Wankhade is tonking the balls in the United Kingdom.

Playing for Dulwich Cricket Club in the Surrey Championship, Wankhade has till date scored a couple of centuries and as many fifties for his side.

Wankhade had to sit out of the entire last season as he got injured during the VCA 

selection tournament—Bapuna Cup.

“I suffered with an ACL Ligament injury last year and had to sit out the whole season. It took five months to recover. Now, I am fully fit and ready for the challenges ahead,” Wankhade told ‘The Hitavada’ from Dulwich, on Saturday.

In the championship, Wankhade slammed 89 runs against Normandy Cricket Club. Batting first, Dulwich scored 215 from 43.5 overs with Wankhade hammering 78-ball 89 which had eight boundaries and four maximums. Normandy managed to post 213-8 in 50 overs.

In the other match, the lanky batter cracked a fine 128 from 114 deliveries, clobbering six sixes and nine boundaries which helped Dulwich crush  Walton on Thames Cricket Club by five wickets.

Dulwich chased down the target of 179 in 46.5 overs with Vidarbha’s Wankhade emerging the match’s highest scorer.

“The championship is played in a unique format. A team has to play 18 matches. Nine matches are played in 50-overs-per-side format and remaining nine in 120-overs-per-side. “Top two finishers move to the upper division,” informed Wankhade, who had hit his second century in the 120 overs format against Beddington Cricket Club.

Coming in at No 4, Wankhade continued his aggressive game and hit 121 runs from just 87 deliveries which helped his side post 267 all out in 56.3 overs.

Wankhade’s 121, highest for his side, was laced with 14 sweetly-timed boundaries and four sixes.

Wankhade felt that his good show in the UK will help him get his place back in the Vidarbha team. “My job is to score runs and I am doing that. If I have a bulk of runs under my belt it would help me in getting back into Vidarbha side. I still have  some 14-15 matches left here and will score runs in tons,” said  a confident Wankhade as he signed off to play for another match, this time against Old Hamptonians Cricket Club.

Welcome to Divisional Sports Complex ‘Water Park’

Water leaking from the roof of indoor hall

Dy Director Patil says, maintenance, repair work in progress

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, July 6

IT’S an Indoor Hall, no it’s a WATER PARK!!!

Welcome to the Indoor Hall of Divisional Sports Complex, situated in Mankapur, Koradi Road.

If anybody is eager to enjoy 'waterfall' in the city, pay a visit to the indoor hall during the rainy season.

Come rains and the ceiling starts leaking from various corners making it difficult for the shuttlers, paddlers, karatekas, judokas and other budding players to practice.

For years, tall claims have been made by politicians to make Nagpur a sporting hub. But the harsh reality is that hardly anything concrete has been done for the past many years.

Nagpur city is blessed with top leaders like Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and current Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to name a few. But despite these stalwarts' presence, sports has been neglected for years.

The present condition of the indoor hall of Divisional Sports Complex is the best example.

In March early this year, a whopping Rs 746 crore was sanctioned for the sports infrastructure development and upgradation of the Divisional Sports Complex. But till date not a single brick has been put in place.

Officials only say, the paperwork is in process and construction work will begin soon.

SOON... How soon? Even they don’t know.

If the indoor hall is leaking, the synthetic track which was laid a few years back is inviting injuries to the athletes as it is torn in some areas.

A video has gone viral on social media where rain water can be seen pouring inside the hall from the roof with a budding shuttler still managing to continue her practice.

When contacted, Shekhar Patil, Deputy Director, Sports and Youth Services, Nagpur Division, said that maintenance work is being carried out regularly,

“The indoor hall is more than a decade old. It is not that we don’t carry out maintenance work. The workers are doing their job regularly. Daily, the leakage on the roof is identified and plugged. Today’s leakage is at another location. This is a new leakage and we will definitely repair it,” said Patil.

It is surprising that despite financial allocations for the Divisional Sports Complex in crores, hardly any development is seen in the recent past.

If we go by records, the State Government had disbursed Rs 51.20 crore for the Complex. Similarly, Rs 63.20 crore was also disbursed by the District Planning Committee from the Playground Development Scheme.

Earlier this year, a proposal of Rs 683.79 crore was put up for the upgradation and renovation of the complex. Accordingly, the government had approved Rs 746.99 crore through which the latest sports infrastructure was to be developed.

In March 2023, the State Government had allocated another Rs 100 crore for the 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.