Amma FC take on mighty Footie First today

 

Principal Correspondent

 

WITH a convincing win in their opener, Amma FC, Nagpur would look to stunning formidable Footie First Football Club, Mumbai in their second league encounter of India Football League Qualifiers match of Maharashtra Zone’s Women’s Football League at Cooperage Ground in Mumbai on Saturday.

Their opener was a cakewalk against Next Sports Academy, Palghar whom they thrashed by five goals to nil on Thursday.

However, to keep their winning run intact, Nagpur girls, led by midfielder Sunita Yadav, will have to be on their toes for 90 minutes of play.

Footie First have recorded the biggest win of the tournament so far when they drubbed Pacangan Football Club, Satara 14-0 in their first outing.

The Mumbai Women’s League champions Footie First have a strong line-up with Jyoti leading from the front. The forward has scored nine goals in their opening encounter and would be eager to keep her good show going.

Amma FC defenders will have to be more vigil on the defence line.

Rakshanda Amle Kiran Jadhav, Nazah Mistry and Vinita Bhalavi will have to mark Jyoti along with Mamta Kumari, Priyanka Gurung and Amrapali Jadhav.

A lot would depend on Nagpur’s midfielders comprising Rakshanda Sonekar and captain Sunita to play as the link between the forward line and defence.

Coach Annie Paul had said that the team had missed bagful of chances in the opener which has irked her. “We could have won by a much bigger margin had we not missed sitters. This has to be changed in the coming matches,” Annie had told ‘The Hitavada’.

Nagpur will have to rectify their mistakes of missing out on easy chances in their first match. Forwards Annie Anthony, Cristal Gomes, Sonekar, Nikita Shende will have to grab the opportunities and try to take early lead.

It would be important for Amma FC to play a well combined game. Though they hardly had any combined practice in Nagpur due to coronavirus restrictions, they have played one match and had a good training session on Friday at the Cooperage ground. This would help them in adjusting themselves and prepare for a tough fight on Saturday.

“I am sure the players would give a tough fight to Footie First,” said Annie on Friday. “They should play without any pressure. This is only their second game and there are many more games to play,” she added.

Amma FC start with a bang

 

THRASH NEXT SPORTS ACADEMY, PALGHAR 5-0

 

By Paritosh Pramanik

 

THEY hardly had any combined practice sessions but still Amma Football Club girls eked out a superlative performance in their opening match of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) Qualifiers at Cooperage Ground, Maharshi Karve Road in Mumbai.

The Maharashtra Zone of Women’s Football League is organised by Western India Football Association (WIFA).

In their opening match, Amma FC thrashed Next Sports Academy by five goals to nil to start their campaign in the seven-team competition on a rousing note.

Substitute Nikita Shende shook the net twice while Nidhi Verma, Punam Kumari and Annie Anthony scored one each as Amma FC started with a bang.

“I am happy with the performance of the team but not satisfied with the result. They could have scored at least 5-6 more goals. They missed easy chances,” team coach Annie Paul told ‘The Hitavada.

With restrictions imposed in Nagpur last month, the players were unable to do combine practice. “We hardly had any combined practice due to restrictions in Nagpur. Had these girls got played together for a few sessions, the margin of victory would have been much bigger,” Annie added.

“This was our first match. We will do better as the tournament progresses,” she hoped.

Amma FC got off to a dream start when Nidhi Verma managed to break the Next Sports Academy, Palghar defence in the fourth minute to give her side a 1-0 lead on the artificial turf of Cooperage.

Striker Punam Kumari then showed good combination upfront and stretched the lead in the 17^th minute. Before changing ends, Annie Anthony put Amma FC in a comfortable position scoring the third goal in the 41^st.

Next Sports Academy, Palghar showed some courage in the second half and managed to hold the Sunita Yadav led Nagpur team to some extent with defenders Gauri Singh, Shivani Shivgan, Hardika Katkar and Juhi Mhatre guarding the wall.

However, Nikita Shende, who replaced Rakshanda Sonekar in the 55^th minute, found the gap in the defence and delivered twin blows to bury Palghar. Nikita first scored in the 79^th minute and then rounded it off five minutes before the final whistle to help Amma FC script a dream start.

Nagpur will play their second match on Saturday against Footie First Football Club.

Nagpur’s Amma FC girls to play in Mumbai’s WIFA Women’s league

 

To open their campaign against Next Sports Academy on April 1.

 

By Paritosh Pramanik

 LAST year, they could not manage to arrange a sponsor and had to miss out on an opportunity to play the prestigious competition.

However, Annie Paul, the women’s football coach of Nagpur, made it sure that this time there won’t be any shortage of funds. From getting a sponsor to conducting selection trials amidst restrictions and to training at different grounds, and doing fitness through Zoom platform, women footballers from Nagpur are set to kick-start their season with their participation in Indian Women’s League.

After almost a year without a game, eve footballers from Nagpur would be looking to forward to some on field competition.

Amma Football Club of the city will be taking part in the Western India Football Association (WIFA) organised Indian Women’s League (Women’s Football League) which begins at Cooperage ground in Mumbai from Thursday.

WIFA is the football governing body of Maharashtra with its headquarters in Mumbai.

Total seven teams from Mumbai, Satara, Palghar, Pune and Nagpur, namely, Footie First, Pacangan FC, India Rush SC, Kenkre FC, PIFA FC, Next Sports Academy and Amma FC are taking part in the round robin league tournament.

Amma FC will open their campaign against Next Sports Academy on April 1 at 10 am.

The finalists of the tournament will qualify for the India leg of the tournament which will be held later this year.

Annie, coach of the club said the team has a great chance to showcase their talent.

“This team stands good chance to qualify. Last year also we qualified by emerging as the best club in the (Nagpur) district but due to lack of funds, we were unable to send our team for the prestigious tournament,” Annie told ‘The Hitavada’.

“This year we managed to find sponsors for our team. It’s a long tournament which will be played for around 15 days. We have to arrange for our travel expenses as well as stay. This time we started preparing early and arranged enough funds,” a satisfied Annie said.

As last year women’s tournament could not take place in Nagpur due to COVID-19, Annie decided to hold selection trials this time. “Nagpur District Football Association (NDFA) could not hold competition last year. Winners of district tournament make it to the league. So we decided to conduct selection trials for girls at Central Railways Institute Ground in Ajni. We shortlisted players during the three-day trials and then conducted conditioning camp. But due to lockdown our training got hampered. For last couple of days we practised at Yashwant Stadium,” said Annie.

To keep players fit Annie conducted fitness classes through Zoom platform.

“We were unable to hold fitness training due to restrictions on physical training by the local authorities. Hence, we conducted fitness classes through Zoom. This helped players remain in shape,” added Annie.

Annie hoped that the team can win matches and qualify for the Indian league.

Most of the teams from other zones have already qualified. Only Maharashtra zone’s tournament is remaining. Our team is strong and I think they can qualify for the Indian Women’s League. This is a very big platform for women. It’s on the lines of Indian Super League. Players will definitely benefit from this meet,” she claimed.

Amma FC team: Goalkeepers: Stanzin Tsomo, Bhubneshwari Pendam. Defenders: H Yadav, Trupti Sakhre, Annie Anthony, Kiran Jadhav, Vinita Bhalavi, Rani Kadam, Akansha Shelare, Nazah Mistri. Midfielders: Cristal Gomes, Sunita Yadav, Muskan Upadhayay, Rakshanda Soneka. Forwards; Ria Pinto, Nidhi Verma, Punam Kumari, Nikita Shende, Sneha Uikey. Officials: Coaches: Annie Louis Paul, Daryl Samuel, Kunal Meshram, Peter Anthony. Managers: Roshni Khobragade, Priyanka Lanjewar.

Amma FC’s schedule:

Apr 1: vs Next Sports Academy (10 am)

Apr 3: vs Footie FC (10 am)

Apr 5: vs PIFA (3.30 pm)

Apr 7: vs Pacangan FC (7.30 am)

Apr 11: vs India Rush FC (3.30 pm)

Apr 13: vs Kenkre FC (7.30 am)

GM Sadhwani helps Bangladesh Police win title

 

 

By Paritosh Pramanik

MAKING his presence felt, Nagpur’s only chess Grandmaster Raunak Sadhwani showed his prowess in Dhaka Bangladesh. Representing Bangladesh Police team, GM Sadhwani helped his side clinch the Mujib Borso Saif Powertec Premier Division Chess League 2020 on Monday. The invitational competition was organised by Syed Shahab Uddin Shamim at Dhaka.

Sadhwani’s team comprised Bangladesh’s International Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman, Grandmaster Mollah Andullah Al Rakib, GM Rahman Ziaur, all from Bangladesh and GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly from India.

In the competition GM Sadhwani won creditable eight points from 10 games. The title win helped him earn 10 rating points taking his current live rating to 2555.

Bangladesh Police team won the title hands down with 20 points in their kitty. Shahin Chess Club finished second with 14 points while SAIF Sporting Club finished third, also with 14 points.

The tournament had 11 teams and was played in round robin format with all teams playing each other.

On his way to helping his Bangladesh Police team win the title, GM Sadhwani defeated Kaustuv Kundu, Subhyan Kundu, Dhulipalla Bala Chandra Prasad, Neeloptal Das, Mohammad Minhaz Uddin, Anup Deshmukh and Bhuiyan Golam Mustafa. He managed to hold Mitrabha Guha and Kovalev, Vladislav while lost only one game against Abhimanyu Puranik.

An elated Sadhwani said he was happy to help his side win the title. “First of all I want to thank Bangladesh Police team for inviting me and for their great hospitality. Bangladesh police became the champions. I am happy that I contributed in this achievement,” said 15-year-old Sadhwani.

The only GM from Nagpur said he was grateful that he got this opportunity to play On the Board tournament. It has been more than a year that On the Board (OTB) tournaments took place due to coronavirus.

“I am grateful that I got this opportunity to play OTB. This helped me meet my friends, simply loved the tournament atmosphere which I was missing from last one year. It was nice to play OTB. It’s the real chess,” GM Sadhwani added.

The Grandmaster said that he is happy with his performance but also added that he needed to improve on various aspects of the game.

“I am really happy with my performance. Above all it helped my team win the title. But still, I need to improve on various aspects of the game and I am working on that,” Sadhwani said.

Sadhwani thanked GM Ganguly for taking care of him and teaching him finer points of the game.

“I would like to thank my team-mate and senior pro GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly for taking such a good care of me. I have learnt valuable lessons from him.”

Sadhwani hoped that the pandemic ends soon and he gets opportunities to play on the board tournaments frequently.

“I hope this pandemic ends soon. It is a very tough time for everyone. I am eagerly waiting for more strong OTB tournaments,” he concluded.

 

 

Big loss for jr cricketers but players’ safety paramount: VCA Prez Jaiswal

 

By Paritosh Pramanik

THE Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to suspend all junior inter-state cricket tournaments has put a big question mark on the careers of age-group cricketers especially those in the Under-16 category.
Due to increase in the COVID-19 cases, the BCCI has decided to put off all the age-group competitions especially Vijay Merchant, Vinoo Mankad and Cooch Behar Trophy at least till the end of IPL.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah informed its affiliates about the decision through an email a few days ago.
“While our endeavour was to get in as many matches as was practicable across different age-groups in the season, prevailing circumstances have now forced us to suspend all age-group tournaments. This is on account of the fact that active COVID cases are on the rise and organising tournaments requires inter-city travel, strict quarantine measures and the creation and maintenance of bio-secure bubbles for the participants. Moreover, the situation is presently not conducive in some states,” Shah’s email stated.
Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) President Advocate Anand Jaiswal admitted that it would be a big loss for cricketers not only of Vidarbha but all over the country but added that the decision was taken after looking at players’ safety.
“Definitely it is a big disappointment that there won’t be any age-group tournaments this year. But looking at the situation we are in, I don’t think they (BCCI) really had a choice. I don’t think it would also be proper to have a tournament for the youngsters who would be exposed (to the virus). Players’ safety is paramount,” Adv Jaiswal told The Hitavada.
The VCA chief was also aware of the loss especially to the U-16 boys as they won’t be able to get a tournament of their age group for at least three years and they won’t be included directly in the U-19 teams.
“It’s a big loss to U-16 players as they will not be able to come in; they will not be able to switch up. But the circumstances are such ...it’s very difficult (situation at present),” remarked Adv Jaiswal.
Adv Jaiswal hoped that in coming days when COVID-19 case load decreases, BCCI may find out a way to hold tournaments in these age categories.
“Once it comes down (COVID-19 cases), they (BCCI) may find a way, in summer or sometime. But at the moment with the pandemic spreading all over the country, I don’t think it’s possible,” said Adv Jaiswal.
When asked whether the BCCI should change the age-group for U-16 to U-17 for one year as a special case so that the players do not lose out on their chances, the VCA President was of the view that BCCI apex committee would be the best to take a decision.
“It’s up to the BCCI apex committee to take a decision on whether to change the age group or not because it will affect everybody, all over the country, not only us (VCA). I am sure there might be something in their mind and they (BCCI) will think over it. But all that can be done later on when things are little normal. Because in these circumstances, we can hardly play or travel,” explained Jaiswal.
Vidarbha junior cricketers have done exceedingly well in past few years winning almost all the trophies and it will be a big loss for the association and players for not having the age-group competitions. The VCA president was aware of the fact.
“It is definitely a big loss for us (VCA) as well as players. The players have done really well in recent past and would have continued the good show. But it’s not in our hand,” rued Jaiswal.
The VCA President said they will wait and watch how the situation improves and then only plan future course of action for age group players.
“We have to wait for the situation to get normal. We are not sure when it will be normal again. When it normalises, we will see what can be done. We can pursue with the BCCI and also at local level and see what we can do. But before that we can’t plan anything. We will first have to wait for the pandemic to subside and after that we can see what can be done for these boys,” VCA head Adv Jaiswal concluded.

Live telecast of kho-kho will help popularise the game: Sengar

 

 

By Paritosh Pramanik

Star Vidarbha kho-kho player Dilrajsing Sengar, who hails from Katol, expressed his excitement to be watched by people on TV and said broadcasting of the Ultimate Kho Kho will take the sport to larger audience.
“I have been playing kho-kho since the last 14 years and I never thought that I would ever attend a camp with so many world class facilities. Now, I understand my body and game better,” said Sengar.
Sengar who will be part of Ultimate Kho Kho, said the game will definitely rise once it is beemed on televisions.
“I am thrilled to know that kho-kho league will come live on TV and people will be able to see us live. It will further increase the interest of people in the game,” the 25-year-old Sengar, who recently attended KKFI and UKK’s first-ever High-Performance scientific training camp, said.
A member of Vidarbha Krida Mandal (VKM), Katol, Sengar has been associated with the club since he was 14.
“I used to play for Vidarbha Krida Mandal in Katol. Since I started playing I am associated with VKM,” said Sengar who works with Forest Department.
His club VKM is one of the strongest clubs in the region and has won many titles.
“We are winners of almost all the tournaments held in Nagpur. Ours is one of the strongest clubs in Nagpur.
“At VKM there used to be around 60-70 players practicing at one time. Kho-kho is very popular in Katol. Though the number has slightly dwindled due to coronavirus, still there are 40-50 players playing at present,” said Sengar who did his graduation from Nabira College, Katol.
Sengar feels UKK will do a world of good for kho-kho players and they will be financially sound from now on.
“UKK will definitely help us grow financially. It’s a big platform for all the players. After this league, we will be financially strong because most of the players belong to middle or lower-middle class families. It will be of great help for all the players. Above all we will be recognised all over once we are on TV,” he mentioned.
The teams will consist of men and under-18 from all States across India registered under Kho Kho Federation of India.
Player drafts are scheduled for mid-year this year and franchise-owners will be offered a bank of over 150 Indian players based on their performance and score in national and recently concluded high performance training camp in February 2021.
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has signed an exclusive multi-year TV and Digital broadcast deal with Ultimate Kho Kho.
Scheduled to kick-start in September, SPNI and UKK will bring forth this home-grown sport in its new avatar under the lenses of sports technology and innovations, that will guarantee high-octane games exclusively across SPNI’s network sports channels and their dedicated OTT platform ‘SonyLIV ’.
“Ultimate Kho Kho will bring back the oldest sport packaged in a modern avatar coupled with a new format and a dazzling
television product that has
the potential to not only revolutionise the sport but also create a unique experience for the
audience—something that no one has ever witnessed before,” Amit Burman, Dabur Group Chairman and Promoter of the Ultimate Kho Kho said in a
statement.
Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer, Distribution and Head,  Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India, said: “Our focus has always been to promote a multi-sport culture in India and Ultimate Kho Kho is a great addition to our sports portfolio.
Tenzing Niyogi, Chief Executive Officer, Ultimate Kho Kho stated: “For a sport to be packaged as a brand, it needs to have ‘an edge of the seat’ format, where every minute is a spectacle. We aim to create new champions, celebrate the pride for the sport and take kho kho to newer commercial heights.”