I went with the flow, never thought of getting rewarded globally: Sreejesh

 

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Feb 2

ONE of the best goalkeepers in the world ‘The Wall’ of Indian hockey Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh had never thought that he would collect so many awards and would be recognised for his performance under the bar.

After been picked as the FIH player of the year 2021, shot-stopper Sreejesh won another global award a few days back in The World Games Athlete of the Year award.

Playing for India for the past two decades Sreejesh never imagined that he would be hailed by one and all. He just wanted to play with passion and determination. 

“When I started playing hockey, I never thought of wearing this blue (India) jersey. I just went with the flow. All these awards come after your performance on the field. I was just focusing on my training and worked hard. All these things got added to that performance in these two decades of my career,” said Sreejesh to a query by ‘The Hitavada’.

Sreejesh, became the first male and second Indian hockey player (after Rani Rampal) to win the global award.

The Khel Ratna award winner Sreejesh said The World Games Athlete of the Year award is the best thing that has happened to the game of hockey. Though he has been named as the world’s best, it is the game that has won the admiration of the world.

“It (the award) means a lot for global hockey. For me as a player, getting this award is good. FIH nominated my name for the prestigious award is a fantastic thing for me first of all. Secondly, we were fighting for the award with other games. Definitely, the voting system helped me a lot but hockey getting a global recognition is a very proud moment for the entire hockey fraternity,” said the Tokyo Olympics bronze medal winning goalkeeper.

“It is fantastic that FIH nominated an Indian for the award. It is a proud feeling that the entire world is voting for us and recognising us,” he added.

Sreejesh, 33, is at the other side of his age but feels that he still has that motivation to continue for another few years. He might have won the Olympics bronze, but he still yearns for a World Cup gold.

“The Tokyo Olympic medal (bronze) was a dream but I still want to better the colour of the medal. This (2022) year is very important for us. We will be going to South Africa for the FIH Pro League and then we have the Asian Games. Our focus now is on the next Olympic cycle which starts this year. First we have the Pro League which will help in creating a strong base for us. The Asian Games will help us get a direct berth in the Paris Olympics, so there is as an added motivation. In the last World Cup, we couldn’t qualify for the semi-finals. So winning a medal in the World Cup will complete my goal. I will try to give my best,” said Sreejesh.

Sreejesh has set short-term targets and will be focusing on doing well at the World Cup to be held at Bhubaneswar in India in 2023.

“For a goalkeeper, age is not a big barrier. It’s about how passionate you are. My next short-term goal is the World Cup to be held in India,” he said.

Sreejesh, who will be returning to the Indian squad after more than six months, felt that the break helped him regroup and rejuvenate well.

“It was a much-needed break. It helped me develop a bond with my family. We went for a holiday and the kids enjoyed a lot. I spend some quality time with them. The holiday was a rejuvenating experience for me,” Sreejesh said.

The star Indian custodian is also open to donning a coach’s hat once he hangs his boots. “I am enjoying my hockey at the moment. But yes, I am interested in coaching. I would definitely give it a thought once I call it quits. I will have to talk with my family and see how it (the coaching job) unfolds,” concluded The Wall of Indian hockey. 

Quicker, fitter, stronger: RTMNU buys fitness vests for Khelo India players

By Paritosh Pramanik

WITH an aim to produce medal winning players, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU)  has decided to monitor players’ fitness, stamina and other parameters and further enhance their performances with the help of technology. 

RTMNU’s Sports and Physical Education Department has purchased fitness vests for players those selected for Khelo India Centre and will monitor their progress through these chip-attached vests. 

The demonstration of vests/belts was done at Department’s office and at Subhedar Hall on Monday evening.

“Initially we will be using these vests at Khelo India Centre. The vests will have to be configured as per the demands of sport. We will ask members of concerned sport to provide us their requirements and the company (Kamla Tech Company) will work on our demands and provide the fully equipped vests,” Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Department of Sports and Physical Education, RTMNU told ‘The Hitavada’ after the demonstration.

The sensors are located in the middle of the vest (near to heart) of a sportsperson. The vest can be used for yoga, training, running and other all day activities. The vest has three sensors attached to it. The sensors can also give an audio alert when connected with mobile devices,” claimed Shishir Tyagi, Assistant Director,   Wool Research Association. “The device can run on third party applications also. It can be connected with Android, IOS and Windows 10 platforms,” he mentioned.

Dr Suryawanshi said RTMNU has purchased eight vests at present and at later stage the number can be increased.

“Initially, we will be using eight vests for Khelo India players. 

“Later, we can use them for our university players also once more  features and other required details are added to the product,” said Dr Suryawanshi.

RTMNU has  Khelo India Coaching Centre for athletics, badminton, handball and basketball at its ground in Ravi Nagar.

On Monday evening, demonstration was given on a couple of badminton players at Subhedar Hall. Live tracking of heart rate, calories burnt, steps taken etc were calculated.

Dr Suryawanshi believed that with these vests, players’ stamina, power and speed can be gauged. “After that we can work on different areas of players to make them much faster, stronger and fitter,” he said.

“The smart fitness vests with inbuilt sensors will help users to understand the effectiveness of their workout scientifically. The short, mid and long term analysis of the physiological markers, which the vest can provide, will also help the sportsperson to determine which workout is more efficient and impactful on his/her body,” explained Tyagi.

During the demonstration RTMNU Senate Member Arjuna and Dronacharya award winner Vijay Munishwar, Management Council Member Vishnu Changde, Ravindra Tong, Mangesh Mopkar, Atmaram Pande, Inderjeet Singh Randhawa, Dr Zakir Khan, Vijay Ghichare, Shoeb Khan, Nikita Raut, Jitendra Ghordadekar, Sayali Waghmare, Smita Bakre, Jayendra Dhole, Dr Manoj Ambadkar, Dr Vibekanand Singh, Dr Sudhir Sahare, Dr Nitin Jangitwar, Dr Amit Kanwar, Dr Sayma Siddique, Piyush Ambulkar and others were present.

RTMNU synthetic track to be ready by June

By Paritosh Pramanik

The pace at which the construction work of athletics synthetic track at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University’s ground at Ravi Nagar is going, it seems it will be completed in stipulated time, by 

June end.

If completed, this might also be for the first time in history of city that the work of any sports arena is completed in time.

After the tender process and actual work delayed on several occasions, the bhoomipujan of the track was done by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari late last year. Looking at the completed work at the venue, it is expected the track will be ready for competition from next academic year or by August, 2022 for other athletics competitions.

“We are on time. I think the track will be ready by June end,” a confident Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Department of Physical Education and Sports, RTMNU, told ‘The Hitavada.

The first layer for the synthetic track (of boulders, bricks and sand) is completed. The construction of side walls which will keep the layer bonded is also completed,” informed Dr Suryawanshi, who is also Secretary of Nagpur District Athletics Association.

There is a slight change in the plan as more space has been allotted for 100 metres races. “We have extended the track for 100 metres towards the entry gate where the landscaping was done. This will help the sprinters,” said Dr Suryawanshi, a former international long distance runner.

Similarly, the slope of football ground, which will be in the centre surrounding the track, has been done which will help rain water to drain out fast.

The 8-lane synthetic track will also have a steeple chase pit, one discus cum hammer cage, shot put ring, steeple chase water barrier, pole vault boxes, take off boards and other facilities.

This will be the second athletics synthetic track of the city afterDivisional Sports Complex in Mankapur.

WGM Divya settles for Asian silver

Principal Correspondent

RIDING HIGH her Woman Grandmaster title, Divya Deshmukh added another feather to her cap when she won another international crown the other day.

Brilliantly switching to the online event from Over The Board competition, Vidarbha’s first Woman Grandmaster Divya clinched the silver medal in the Asian Youth Chess Championship that was played online. 

In the Under-16 girls’ category, 16-year-old Divya finished on top but was declared second best based on the Buchholz Tie-Break Points system.

In the nine-round rapid competition, Divya won seven games, drew one, and suffered a loss in the last round to end at par with eventual winner Balabayeva Xeniya of Kazakhstan garnering 7.5 points each.

Divya, who was seeded third in the competition, started on expected lines winning five games she played. However, her winning run was stalled by Xeniya in the sixth round where both the seeded players split points. 

Divya then posted back-to-back victories in the next rounds. But in a bid to gain full points in the last round, Divya suffered a defeat at the hands of China’s Sun Jihan and settled for silver.

In her matches, the city’s only WGM beat Mongolia’s Urangoo Kherlenzorig, Fang Kun from Singapore, Vietnam’s Bui Ngoc Phuong Nghi and Ngo Xuan Quynh, Abbaspoorrad Nikoo of Iran and compatriots Bhagyashree Patil and Saniya Rafique Tadavi.

https://www.thehitavada.com//Encyc/2021/10/28/WGM-Divya-settles-for-Asian-silver.html

Jennifer, 13, grabs maiden U-15 national TT title

CLAIMS U-17 BRONZE AS WELL

Principal Correspondent

RISING table tennis player of city Jennifer Varghese claimed her maiden Under-15 gold in the national ranking table tennis tournament held at the Multipurpose Sports Complex in Mohali on Wednesday.

Jennifer, who claimed her maiden bronze medal in the Under-17 age category a day earlier, improved her performance in lower age category to notch up the gold medal in U-15 age group in the TTFI organised meet. In the final, the city lass, representing Maharashtra, defeated Sandika Bhattacharjee of Bengal 4-2 (11-9, 9-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-6).

Jennifer, the 2019 Cadet Nationals champion, made a bright opening against second seed Sandika. However, the West Bengal girl staged a nice comeback to lead 2-1. Undeterred, the lanky Nagpur girl fought well to thwart the initial threat from her opponent, taking the next three games. But it was not before winning the fourth game on extended points.

According to reports, the fourth game gave Jennifer confidence and brought some sanity to the haphazard game plan she dished out in the previous two games. By the time the fifth game began, the match was going only one way.

Earlier in the semi-finals, Jennifer thrashed M Hansini of Tamil Nadu 11-5, 11-7, 6-11, 11-9, 11-7 while Bhattacharjee got the better of Sayani Panda 11-8, 8-11, 7-11, 12-14, 11-6, 11-7.

Jennifer Varghese, seeded fourrth, outplayed the top-seed Tamil Nadu paddler Hansini 4-1. 

The Tamil Nadu girl was visibly hampered and could not come to terms with Jennifer’s attacking approach. Hansini did take a game off her rival, but it was too little and too late, reported TTFI.

In the quarter-finals, Jennifer defeated Nandini Saha of Bengal 11-5, 11-7, 12-10, 10-112, 9-11, 11-1 to continue her march.

A day earlier, Jennifer had to be content with a bronze medal in the Under-17 singles category. Jennifer stunned several top-rated players on her way to winning her first national medal in the Under-17 age category.

Jennifer shocked second-seeded and Delhi’s top-ranked Lakshita Narang in the pre-quarterfinal.

At Mohali, unseeded Jennifer outlasted Karnataka’s Sahana Murthy and then posted a fighting 3-2 win over Haryana’s Gargi Dangi in the second round to set up a clash against Delhi’s second-seeded Lakshita.

Jennifer created a flutter as she stunned the second seed player in the pre-quarterfinal with a 3-2 verdict. In the seven-game quarter-final, the Nagpur girl demolished Bengal’s Srijita Shaw Bengal 4-1 to assure herself a medal by making it to the semi-finals.

She, however, went down fighting against Tamil Nadu’s Kavyasree Baskar in the semis.

https://www.thehitavada.com//Encyc/2021/10/28/Jennifer-13-grabs-maiden-U-15-national-TT-title-CLAIMS-U-17-BRONZE-AS-WELL.html

Best chance for India to lift T20 WC, says Munaf Patel

By Paritosh Pramanik

INDIAN pacers have done exceptionally well on Australia and England tours and former India seamer Munaf Patel feels that the team now has the firepower to take 20 wickets on any given 

surface.

The 38-year-old bowler also hoped that India will do exceptionally well in the T20 World Cup starting October 17.

“We have a very good chance this T20 World Cup. The wickets in the UAE would be the same as in India. We are good at playing on slow surfaces. Above all, I don’t see any other Asian team as strong as India. Teams like Sri Lanka, Pakistan are slowly creeping up but we are at the top. We are used to playing on slow and flat wickets as we have played on them for years. The conditions will also be similar there. So I think this would be our best chance (to lift the trophy),” hoped Patel while speaking with ‘The Hitavada.’

Indian captain Virat Kohli has decided to step down from captaincy after World Cup but Patel felt there was no need to do so. “We are already doing well under him (Kohli) so it was not needed. But if Virat quits, it would be a completely different scenario,” he said.

Patel credited India’s brilliant performance with the ball in the recent past to BCCI, NCA and IPL for working relentlessly behind the scene in producing these talented pacers.

“I think we have a bright future in the pace department. The best part is that BCCI is maintaining the fast bowlers by using rotation policy. Plus, with experienced Ishant Sharma in the side, the new seamers are definitely getting the best guidance. The thing is players like Ishant, Umesh Yadav who are playing for the past 10-15 years, are helping the new bowlers develop and produce exceptional performance consistently,” said Patel, who was in city for a fast bowlers’ talent hunt programme for IPL Franchise Rajasthan Royals. The one day talent hunt trials were held at Mujumdar Cricket Academy in Vasant Nagar.

Patel also credited IPL for giving new talents to the Indian side.

“IPL has also helped in players getting exposure and train with senior players. Like (Jasprit) Bumrah has learned a lot from Zaheer Khan (former India pacer) at Mumbai Indians,” said Patel who has played 13 Tests and 70 ODIs for India.

Patel was of the view that fast bowler Mohd Siraj has taken the responsibility very well and has a bright future. “He is playing with Virat Kohli in IPL. That experience counts a lot. He has learned a lot from Virat in all aspects, be it training, discipline, fitness,” said the former pacer.

Patel said the reason India have won on foreign soil (Australia and England) was because of top-notch fielding and the ability to take 20 wickets.

“We were always good in the batting department. But to win a Test match, a team needs to take 20 wickets. Even if you score 1000 runs and can’t take 20 wickets, then you can’t win a Test match. Indian bowlers are taking 20 wickets regularly nowadays and to add to it our fielding has improved immensely,” reasoned Patel, one of the architects of India’s 2011 World Cup title victory.

On the bench strength in the bowling department, Patel credited the system in place.

“Our system has improved a lot. Look at NCA, the IPL, BCCI... we got Siraj from IPL. Today, we have a proper structure in place. We conduct the world’s best league in IPL where all the best players play. NCA is available for all, not only bowlers, 24x4. Credit also goes to Virat who has done a lot to take this team to the top. He has improved the fitness standards of the squad,” mentioned Patel, a former Rajasthan Royals pacer.

“The rotation policy has really worked well for India pacers. If we look back in the recent past, we never used a pacer for all five Tests. After one or two matches, they were rested. That’s the reason the bowlers are producing such favourable results,” Patel explained. The former pacer was impressed with seamer Umran Malik who has generated pace in 150s this IPL.

“It feels good when you get such a pacer in India, knocking at 150s. We always wanted a bowler who could generate real pace. But at the same time, only pace won’t do for Umran. He will have to maintain his fitness level as well. I think Virat has taken the right decision in holding Umran back in UAE as a net bowler,” Patel concluded.

https://www.thehitavada.com//Encyc/2021/10/11/Best-chance-for-India-to-lift-T20-WC-Munaf-Patel.html

IM Sankalp earns maiden GM norm

Principal Correspondent

AFTER athletics and badminton, the game of 64 squares is making Nagpur proud.

Teenage chess players of the city are achieving titles and norms frequently now a days.

After Raunak Sadhwani, who became first player from Nagpur to become a Grandmaster and Divya Deshmukh’s Woman Grandmasters’ title a few days back, another promising chess player International Master Sankalp Gupta inched closer to fulfilling his dream of becoming a GM.

On Thursday, Sankalp earned his maiden Grandmaster norm after he earned the required rating points in the GM ASK 1 Chess Competition at Serbia.

Starting as the 10th seed, Sankalp registered some fluent victories and stunning results and is sitting at the second spot behind compatriot Iniyan P in the 11 round competition.

Sankalp is currently performing at 2734 and gaining 24.8 Elo rating points.

Sankalp, 17, is playing his fourth Over The Board Competition and used all his experience in securing seven points from nine rounds. he continued his fine form after clinching his maiden International Rating tournament in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

“I am very happy with my first GM norm. I will be playing a couple of tournaments in Serbia and Spain and try to get the remaining norms,” Sankalp told ‘The Hitavada’.

During the competition, Sankalp registered five straight wins over FM Acor Corey of the US, GM Damljanovic Branko of Serbia, Bosnian GM Emir Dizdarevic, Indian Ritviz Parab and Russian IM Makarian Rudik.

His winning run was stalled by Montenegro’s GM Kosic Dragan who played out a draw. Sankalp bounced back as he defeated compatriot Raahul V S in the seventh round and remained in contention. With the seventh round win, he needed only a draw to earn his first GM norm.

The Dr Ambedkar College student of commerce faculty did well to split point with Indian Shantanu Bhambure and achieved his first goal. His first defeat of the competition came against compatriot P Iniyan.

In the last two rounds Sankalp will be playing against IM S Nitin and WIM Harshita Guddanti.

City’s Divya becomes India’s latest WGM

She is final norm away from becoming International Master

By Paritosh Pramanik

SHE had to wait for this day for more than a year. The coronavirus pandemic halted her smooth surge towards achieving the coveted Women’s Grandmaster (WGM) title. Though she kept herself “in the game” by participating in a few online chess meets, she sorely missed her favourite Over The Board competitions.

The day finally arrived on Wednesday and city’s talented chess player Divya Deshmukh achieved her final norm to be crowned as India’s latest Woman Grandmaster.

Playing her first OTB competition after more than two years, Divya made it a point to collect those vital points as soon as possible. And she did it with aplomb at the First Saturday GM October 2021 Competition in Budapest, Hungary, on Wednesday.

Divya, 15, scored five points out of possible nine and performed at ELO 2452 to secure her final WGM-norm becoming the fifth women Grandmaster from Maharashtra and also the youngest from the State.

Divya also scored her second IM-norm and is now a final IM-norm away from becoming India’s latest International Master.

Divya achieved her first WGM norm at Velammal International Women Round Robin Tournament and then secured the second norm at Aeroflot Open in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic halted her surge for more than two years.

Divya, who started as the second seed in the Budapest competition, ended a creditable fifth winning three games and drawing four.

After achieving her first “target” Divya posted on twitter: “Completed my 2nd IM norm and my last WGM norm. Hoping to play some more good chess in the upcoming tournaments.”

Divya said she loved playing OTB competitions and missed them all these days.

“I am very happy with this title (WGM). I love Over The Board (OTB) competitions. I missed them very much in the past two years. I was very excited to play the OTB after a gap of more than two years. Now, I need to achieve just one more norm for an IM title. I will try to get it in the next tournaments in the next couple of weeks,” Divya said from Budapest.

Divya, who crossed 2400 rating points in April 2019, was playing her first Over The Board Tournament since COVID-19 put a break on all competitions.

Divya’s mother Dr Namrata said the WGM title would have come much earlier had there not been this pandemic break.

“She could have achieved this title much earlier but for the coronavirus break she had to wait for so long. We all are very happy with her performance. We all are proud of her,” said Dr Namrata, a gynaecologist.

But for Divya it was the same as it was two years back.

“Played OTB chess after almost two years. Yet, I didn’t feel like anything changed at all. The intense atmosphere, the vibe, the anxiety during time crunches, the nervousness, the great games, and just about everything. Missed every bit of this and I’m so glad to be playing again,” Divya tweeted.

Divya, who is with her father Dr Jitendra in Budapest, will now play a couple of tournaments in Budapest and Latvia where she would attempt to achieve the final IM norm.

The Budapest meet starts October 15 followed by Latvia competition 10 days later.

The All India Chess Federation also congratulated Divya for her WGM title.

“Congratulations @DivyaDeshmukh05, latest Woman Grandmaster of India. Nagpur teenager Divya Deshmukh becomes the latest Woman Grandmaster of the country after achieving her second International Master Norm (Final WGM Norm) at First Saturday Grandmaster October 2021, Budapest Hungary,” the federation tweeted.

Vora, Kashmiri continue to head NDFA

 

 

Principal Correspondent

THE new body of Nagpur District Football Association took charge after the election of the association on Sunday. The entire body was elected unanimously at Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar Football Stadium, Suyog Nagar, north Nagpur.
Haresh Vora will continue as President for another term of two years. This will be his fourth term as the chief of the body. Iqbal Kashmiri too will continue to be the secretary. The only change at the top is the election of Mohd Khalid Ansari as treasurer of the association. AB Khan was the election officer.
The new body: President: Haresh Vora (Life Member), Vice-Presidents: Atmaram Pande (Big Ben), Sameer Meghe (LM), Kamil Ansari (YMFC), Abdul Latif (LM); Secretary: Iqbal Kashmiri (Nagpur Sporting Club); Treasurer: Mohd Khalid Ansari (Qidwai); EC Members: Vishal Naidu (Hansraj Club), Satyanarayan Jerpot (LM), Hemant Sahani (LM), Dr Kamal Ansari (Ansar Club, Kamptee), Stanley Gregory (Rahul SSA), Mohd Mobin (Rahul Academy women wing), Bernard D’Souza (LM), Mehfooz Akhtar (XI Star, Kamptee), Abid Khan (Eagle Sports), Papan Pramanik (Noble Sports Academy), Sanjay Kathale (Nagpur City Club).

Will help VHA in getting astro turf: Mayor Tiwari

 

 

Hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand’s mural dedicated to city

 

Principal Correspondent

NAGPUR Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari dedicated hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand’s mural to the city during a ceremony organised by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) at Vidarbha Hockey Association ground on Sunday morning.
On the occasion of National Sports Day, the Mayor once again raised hopes of an astro turf at VHA. “The proposal of an astro turf at VHA ground is pending with the government for several years. I request corporator Kishor Jichkar to follow up with the State Government where the file is stuck. Once the file moves to the Central Government I will personally talk to Sport Minister Anurag Thakur and get funds for the turf,” assured Tiwari.
Speaking further, he said that VHA should train players of NMC schools as there is a lot of talent in these kids.
“There is talent in the students of NMC schools, I request VHA to select players from NMC schools and train them so that they bring laurels,” added Tiwari.
The mural was idea of corporator Jichkar who took personal care in installing it at the gate of VHA. On the occasion, VHA Administrator TN Sidhra, NMC Sports Officer Pramod Tabhane, corporators Sanjay Bangale, Rupa Rai, Ujjwala Sharma, Prakash Warade, NMC Sports Officer Piyush Ambulkar, Vijay Barse, Narendra Jichkar, Vivek Siriah, Raju Reddy, Satish Fulsunge, Harish Kapoor, Kishor Goydani, Ghanshyam Mange, Naveen Naidu, Indu Thakur, Girish Naidu, Gajanan Malkar and others were present.

Dr Suryawanshi, Dr Welukar visit Guj varsity

By Paritosh Pramanik

CONTINUING its study tour, members of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) today visited Gujarat University in Ahmedabad to get the knowledge of indoor sports complex and other facilities there.
Director of Physical Education and Sports, RTMNU Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, former director Dr Dhananjay Welukar along with architect Anand Sarda are on a two-day tour of Ahmedabad where they would be collecting details about the indoor sports complex. This is RTMNU delegates’ second visit after they toured Marena-Manipal Indoor Sports Arena, Manipal a few days ago.
RTMNU will be constructing indoor sports complex at its premises in Ravi Nagar with an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore. The funds will be generated from various sources including CSRs. The study tour is planned so that one of the best sports complexes of the country is constructed in Nagpur.
“At present we are at Gujarat University in Ahmedabad. This is our second visit after which a blue print will be prepared by the architect,” said Dr Suryawanshi while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ over phone from Ahmedabad.
“The university is spread in 43 acres of land and have excellent sports facilities. We saw the indoor swimming pool which is of international standard. We liked the idea and the planning with which it is constructed. Similarly, the shooting range here is of international standard apart from facilities for badminton and other sports,” added Dr Suryawanshi. “The sports university also has a hostel which can accommodate 2000 students,” Dr Suryawanshi further said.
“We will also be visiting SAI Hostel in Gandhi Nagar and the Swarnim Gujarat Sports University,” informed Dr Suryawanshi.
On Wednesday the delegates will be visiting several private clubs which have multi-storey sports complexes.
“We will get more idea on how we can utilise space for other sports facilities by constructing multi-storey  complex,” he said.
Earlier this year RTMNU had formed a committee headed by former Board of Studies Chairman Babanrao Taywade for indoor sports complex.
The other committee members include Suryawanshi, who is also the secretary of the committee, former mayor Kundatai Vijaykar, Management Council member Vishnu Changde, former India cricketer Prashant Vaidya, Arjuna and Dronacharya Awardee Munishwar, Senate Member Adv Manmohan Bajpayee, Dr Welukar, Maharashtra Netball President Vipin Kamdar, former handball player Viral Kamdar and Sanjay Bhende.
The proposed land for indoor sports complex, which is situated at the left side of entrance gate of the Sports Stadium in Ravi Nagar, is sufficient enough to construct the indoor stadium.
“The area is sufficient for our dream project. It is approximately 90 metres in length and 40 metres in width. There is another 60 metres of unused land at the back side,” Dr Suryawanshi had told this newspaper.
The proposed project would cost around Rs 35-40 crore. RTMNU will contribute around Rs 5-8 crore.  RTMNU will try to generate money through CSR. It can also get grant from Khelo India Sports Infrastructure Development Scheme.
“This academic session State Government has helped Aurangabad University. Next year we will submit our proposal,” Dr Suryawanshi had informed.

Vora, Kashmiri unanimous choice for post of president, secretary

NDFA to get new treasurer in Mohd Khalid
 

By Paritosh Pramanik

THE 18-member executive committee of Nagpur District Football Association (NDFA) will once again be elected unanimously with incumbent president Haresh Vora and secretary Iqbal Kashmiri facing no opposition for their respective posts.
Similarly, the four vice-presidents will also continue to hold their posts for a term of two years.
The election of the association is scheduled for August 29 at Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar Football Stadium in Suyog Nagar, North Nagpur.
The only change at the top will be election of Mohd Khalid Ansari as the new treasurer. As reported by ‘The Hitavada’ on August 14, Khalid is all set to replace Karamchand Chaurasia.
Chaurasia is expected to be elevated to the Advisory Committee where a post is vacant since the demise of Arif Khan.
A total of 22 contestants filed their nominations for different posts and after scrutiny all were accepted by election officer AB Khan.
MLA Sameer Meghe, Kamil Ansari, Abdul Latif and Atmaram Pande will continue to be the vice-presidents of the soccer governing body of district.
President Haresh Vora, who is holding the post since 2015 after former Mayor Atal Bahadur Singh stepped down, is also Vice-President of Western India Football Association (WIFA), the soccer governing body of Maharashtra while Kashmiri
is the executive committee
member.
Those filing their nomination for executive committee members’ post include Stanley Gregory, Abid Khan, Dr Kamal Ahmed Ansari, Sanjay Kathale, Vishal Naidu, Mehfooz Akhtar, Mohd Mubin, Papan Pramanik, Bernard D’Souza, Satyanarayan Jerpot, Hemant Sahani, Ankush Bhadange, Adnan Ali, Biswajeet Dey and Eugene Norbert.
Out of 15 contestants, who filed their nominations, four are expected to withdraw from the executive committee’s post.
The last date of withdrawal is August 25.

Construction work of synthetic track begins at RTMNU Sports Complex

 

Principal Correspondent

THINGS have started taking shape at the Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University Sports Complex in Ravi Nagar.
The work of laying of synthetic track has started with the construction company digging boundaries of cinder track.
A JCB excavated earth from the boundary of football ground for the drainage line.
With a good base under the cinder track, not much work would be needed on that area.
The track is expected to be completed in nine months.
The ground breaking ceremony was held recently at the hands of Cabinet Minister Nitin Gadkari. The work of making the track has been entrusted to Public Works Department and RTMNU is spending around Rs 11 lakh on the entire project.
The contractor for the track is Sports Facilities Company Limited, Mumbai.
The track is being constructed as per the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) norms. It will have eight lanes along with steeple chase, jumping pits for long and triple jumps.
The entire track would be fenced and will have two gates apart form one main entrance. The track will also have a grass surface football ground in the middle.
According to the proposed plan. cages will be in place for hammer throw and discus throw and flood lights will ensure that competitions can be held in night.
Recently, a few changes were made in the plan. RTMNU had decided to construct separate lane and pit for long jump and triple jump.
“This was not in the earlier plan. But now we have decided to lay separate lane for long jump and triple jump. This will be done near the hostel building gallery. We have space on that side and we decided not to disturb the 8-lane track and create a separate one for jumping events,” Dr Suryawanshi had informed ‘The Hitavada’.
Similarly, the university dropped the plan of converting the football ground into artificial turf.
“It was decided to replace the lawn turf of football field into artificial turf. But that plan has been changed. We will continue with the same lawn turf but a fresh one would be laid. Special attention will be given to the work so that ground mud would not make way to the synthetic track. We may go for block tiles on the side of the track. The drainage system will also be renovated and slope from all sides of the playfield will be maintained,” Dr Suryawanshi had said.
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My next target is 2024 Paris Olympics, says bronze medal winner Manjiri

 

 By Paritosh Pramanik

THE senior archers of country might have fallen short of winning a medal at the just-concluded Tokyo Olympics in Japan but the cadets of India made a mark at the Poland World Archery Championship where they produced medal winning performances. The archers achieved their best ever show in the Youth World Championships by grabbing three gold, one silver and a bronze medal in the compound section.
In absence of Asian heavyweights Korea and China, Indian archers ruled the roost in the Under-18 (cadet) section, where the men’s, women’s and mixed pair teams emerged world
champions.
Vidarbha’s Manjiri Alone, a resident of Nandgaon, Khandeshwar 40 kms from Amravati district, won two bronze medals to add to India’s tally. Manjiri won bronze in individual as well as team championship. Back in the country after her superb performance in her maiden international competition, Manjiri was happy with her showing.
“I am really happy with my performance at Poland. This was my first international event and I proved my credential,” said Manjiri while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ on Wednesday.
The Standard IX Eklavya Gurukul School, Amravati student said she is now targeting 2024 Olympics in Paris.
“The next aim is to perform well in Asian Games and the ultimate target is Paris Olympics. I will be starting training for the same immediately. There is no time to rest on the laurels. Paris Games are just three years away,” said Manjiri, who got inspiration of taking up archery from her elder sister Samiksha, herself a national level archer.
In the individual bronze medal match, Manjiri defeated her opponent from The Netherlands to claim the third spot.
“There was no pressure on me. I did nothing new. What I practised at Sonipat (during India camp) I did same during the competition,” she said.
“I want to take my cadet performance to the next level and want to cement my place in the senior India team,” wished Manjiri, whose mother Ranjna is a home maker and father Manoj is clerk at Waman Vidyalaya in Amravati.
The performance would have been much better had Manjiri, or for that mater the entire team, got better equipment. “We practise for eight hours daily. The only thing is we expect much better equipment for practise. We are getting the equipment from Gurukul but we also have to spend from our pocket. We have a lot of problems in getting best quality equipment. They are costly too which everybody can’t afford. Our opponents participate with very high quality equipment. I think if we also get those equipment we can also shoot gold,” replied Manjiri.
There was financial windfall on Tokyo medal winners but the junior sportspersons hardly get anything for their heroics. Manjiri feels that financial help should also be given to other winners in other competitions as well.
“Yes, I think, if we get financial help for at least purchasing best quality equipment, we could perform much better. Archery is a costly sport and it needs a lot of money to play this sport. Only my parents know how they manage,” said Manjiri who doesn’t have any sport scholarship from Khelo India or TOPS.
Manjiri knows that her path upwards would be tougher but she is determined to give her best. “I know it will be very tough from here on but I will give my best to get selected in the Indian team,” Manjiri confidently said. The equipment with which she is now playing is not of the best quality and Manjiri also knows that it would be very difficult for her to make the next grade. For that she hopes that corporate and others come forward to help her sport survive. “I expect Government to help us financially so that we get better equipment. Even corporate houses can help us,” prayed Manjiri.

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 Coach begs for financial help

By Paritosh Pramanik

ARCHERS from Eklavya Academy, Amravati can bring several medals for India at international competitions including Olympics but for that Government must come forward and provide them with better equipment, said Eklavya Academy coach Amar Jadhav who was in Nagpur to receive India cadet medal winning archer Manjiri Alone. Jadhav rued lack of support from Federation as well as from Government in running the sport.
“We hardly get any support from the federation. Our players can easily match Deepika Kumar and Komalika Bari. Our archers hit same scores which these India internationals manage at the top level,” said Jadhav.
“At our academy we have at least 40-50 archers out of which at least 5-6 archers have the calibre to play at highest level. All are coached by Shiv Chhatrapati award winner Sadanand Jadhav.
Lack of financial help forced Jadhav to shell out money from his own pocket to purchase arrows for Manjiri.
“She had to leave for the competition but her arrows were dented and were of no use. I gave Rs 25,000 for new arrows,” claimed Jadhav. “Manjiri’s father had to shell out Rs 10,000 for her visa,” he added.
A player practises for eight hours daily. At least three dozens of arrows are required in a year for practise and they are costly too (Rs 35,000 per dozen). The arrows are of no use after three months as they become shapeless,” said Jadhav.
“If government or federation come forward and help us with equipment, our archers can bring laurels and the sport will grow exponentially,” concluded Jadhav.

 

Proposed hockey astro turf ground converted into golf course

 

 

By Paritosh Pramanik

THE bronze-medal winning performance by Indian men’s hockey team at Tokyo Olympics has reignited love for the game in entire country.
India’s third-place finish at the Summer Olympics has forced countrymen hope that the condition of game will get better, starting from the grassroot.
Though the condition and popularity of the game is improving in northern and north-eastern part of India, the situation in central part of the country is getting worse with each passing day.
In Nagpur, there are two hockey grounds (Vidarbha Hockey Association on Amravati Road and Vidarbha Women’s Hockey Association in Sadar). Pathetic condition of both the grounds is there to be seen for all. Leave aside astro turf, both grounds are unplayable on mud surface (chat) or lawn grass.
If that not enough, the proposed hockey astro turf at Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur has been ‘converted’ into a golf course.
In January, 2020, the State Government had proposed an ambitious Divisional Sports Complex expansion plan worth Rs 123 crore. The plan included construction of 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 athletic synthetic track gallery.
But a few months back, authorities inaugurated a golf course on the proposed astro turf land.
It was also announced that the golf course would be given to general public for a monthly fee while it will be on discounted rates for the school students.
The ‘encroachment’ on hockey astro turf land has pained the game lovers and also budding players who practice inside the complex. Players, who did not wish to be named, said that if the ground is allotted for hockey then why it is being used for golf.  “This shows their love and interest, or lack of it, towards hockey,” they alleged.
“They have spent around Rs four lakh on construction of golf course. What was the reason to spend such a huge amount when it is a temporary arrangement,” the players asked.
According to sources there would be change in the proposed plan. “There are minor changes in the proposed plan. The old plan was only for reference purpose. There might be addition of some more facilities and change in the location of specific sports grounds,” the sources said.
When contacted Shekhar Patil, the newly-appointed Deputy Director of Sports, Nagpur Division, said he will look into the matter. “I have assumed charge just a month back. I will have to go through the actual plan and only then I can comment on the issue. I am sure that all the facilities in the proposed plan will be in place and no game would be neglected,” Patil told ‘The Hitavada’.
A meeting regarding the proposed plan is likely to be held by month end.