Archives for September 2018

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs on Thursday launched the “Punch Tantra” collection to promote tribal artefacts and named world boxing champion Mary Kom as the brand ambassador of “Tribes India” — an initiative to promote tribal artefacts.

The Punch Tantra range of tribal artefacts promoted by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) includes handlooms and handicrafts which will be promoted by Kom, as per a release.

During the launch function she said such initiatives would bring great change in the lives of the tribal people, socially and economically.

Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said that the probable potential of TRIFED was much more than many other public sector units and if utilised properly, it may become a game changer in the Indian economy.

The TRIFED had invited the top 200 artisans and producers to the function as part of its initiative to promote tribal entrepreneurship and generate livelihood opportunities.

“Besides, a team of 60 young entrepreneurs from Dantewada, Chhattisgarh was also present,” the release said.

(IANS)

Pro Kabaddi League franchise Dabang Delhi KC on Thursday announced Joginder Narwal as the captain for the upcoming sixth season.

Delhi has a completely new composition of young and experienced players. Dabang Delhi will kick-off its campaign on October 9 against Gujarat Fortunegiants, according to a statement.

Speaking about the team and their plans for the season, Joginder said: “The team is looking good and we have young and fit players to last the longer season. We have skilled and experienced players in all departments and the young guns add depth to the Dabang squad. With utility players across the team, our aim is to be the team to watch this season.”

Talking about the Dabang captain, Krishan Kumar Hooda, Dabang Delhi coach said: “Joginder Narwal is a strong asset to the team in the upcoming season and I’m sure he will lead the team very well.

“He is a versatile player – our Take Down Tiger – one who defends well to take down the opposition. He is extremely fit and skillful and with this new squad, I’m sure that he and the team will give all its fans reasons to cheer and rejoice through the league,” he added.

Squad:

Raiders: Chandran Ranjit, Shabeer Bapu, Pawan Kumar, Naveen Kumar, Yogesh Hooda, Khomsan Thongkham, Kamal Kishor Jat.

Defenders: Vishal Mane, Ravinder Pahal, Satpal, Viraj Landge, Anil Kumar, Tushar Bhoir.

All-Rounders: Meraj Sheykh, Rajesh Narwal, Tapas Pal, Vishal, Sidharth

(IANS)

After 16 years, India progressed to the quarter-finals of the AFC U-16 football championship as they played out a goalless draw against Indonesia in their final group stage match on Thursday.

This is the best ever performance in the group stage of the competition, amassing five points from three matches, according to a statement.

Their previous best performance was way back in 2002, when they finished the group stage with four points.

With this draw, India finished runners-up in Group C with five points from three matches and will now progress to the knockout rounds of the Championship, where the Colts are likely to face Korea Republic.

At the Official Post Match Press Conference, Head Coach Bibiano Fernandes labelled the moment as “special for Indian football fans”.

“We have worked really hard to get where we are and we are very happy with our performance in the group stages. The boys gave their cent percent on the field and we played according to our plan.”

Referring to the qualification to the quarters, Bibiano said: “This is a special moment for each and every one back home. The credit goes to all my staff, the grassroots coaches who tutored these kids at a young age, and my players for putting in the hard work day in and day out.”

Indonesia had the better of the first half but fell prey to complacency in front of goal and supreme Indian defending that kept them at bay.

However, India could have taken the lead as early as the 6th minute when a counter-attack from the flanks saw Vikram Partap’s header go inches over the goal after he was found on the flanks by Ridge De’Mello. Indonesia upped the ante soon after and threatened the Indian defence.

On the 20th minute, India were awarded a golden opportunity to take the lead but Ricky Shabong’s shot from inside the box earned a deflection off the leg of an Indonesian defender and went out for a corner.

Despite all the possession by Indonesia, Goalkeeper Niraj Kumar was forced into action for the first time only in the 27th minute, when he dived to save a shot from a distance.

The Indian defence played tight and compact, thwarting the Indonesian attack line and whatever chances the opponents cajoled, were wasted in front of Niraj Kumar.

Both teams went into the tunnel at level pegging as the scoreline read 0-0.

Changing over, India restricted Indonesia to the midfield and held them at bay from the attacking third. India even came close to scoring in the 63rd minute when De’Mello was found unmarked in the box but failed to find the back of the Indonesian net as the opponents survived the counter-attack.

Indonesia, despite dominating possession, were not able to create a clear goal scoring chance, often flustered by the Indian defence, defending in numbers.

India had the chance to take the lead again in the 72nd minute, but Ricky Shabong failed to find the net from close range, despite the Indonesian custodian being absent.

(IANS)

Three-time silver medallist at the Para Asian Games, Sandeep Singh Maan, is aiming for another top-notch show at the upcoming edition of the games, beginning October 6 in Jakarta.

Sandeep, who has suffered from a dysfunctional left arm since birth, however, is yet to fulfil his dream of winning a medal for India at the Paralympics, the biggest international multi-sport event for para-athletes.

Recalling his journey over the years, the 25-year-old, who is promoted by Cairn India, told IANS: “I was around 14 and my then coach R.D. Singh had given me an aim — that I have to be a top-level athlete. He asked me for a medal at the Para Asian Games, which could have been achieved only through hard work and dedication.”

“I just followed his words.”

“This 14-15 year long journey has been a difficult one, full of injuries beside facing many other problems, nevertheless my devotion was always the same,” the 2016 Arjuna awardee explained.

On being quizzed about how he decided to take up sports, Sandeep said: “It all started in 2006. I belong from Hanumangarh and Devendra Jhajharia, the first Indian to win two gold medals at the Paralympics, used to train there.”

“He (Jhajharia) received a rousing welcome in my hometown after bagging gold medal at the 2014 Paralympics and that is what bought me closer to the sporting world,” he said.

About his unfulfilled dream, he said his main focus is on winning a medal at the 2020 Paralympics Games in Tokyo.

“I have always dreamt of a podium finish at the Paralympics. I will try to be fully fit when I enter the games in 2020. I am working on the mistakes I committed in the past, which denied me a medal in the earlier editions,” said Sandeep, who competes in men’s 100 metre, 200 metre, 400 metre and long jump events and is coached by Dronacharya Awardee Satyapal Singh.

Thanking Cairn India for its support to many para athletes like him, Sandeep said: “Cairn has supported a lot, be it financially or mentally. They take proper care of all my needs.”

Sandeep, who believes that the situation of para-athletes has changed after the 2016 Paralympics and that they are getting much-needed recognition nowadays, also expressed the hope of another good show at the forthcoming Para Asian Games and said his preprations have been fantastic for the prestigious event.

The Indian Para Asian Games contingent was given a warm send-off by none other than Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan in a glittering ceremony in the national capital on Wednesday.

IANS

 Former Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich and now a strong contender for the President’s post in FIDE, the world chess body, did not seek the support of All India Chess Federation (AICF) even as a formality.

The AICF is the Indian government recognised national body for chess.

Similarly, the third contender for the FIDE President’s post British chess Grand Master (GM) Nigel Short too did not seek AICF’s support.

The FIDE Presidential elections slated early next month is a three-horse race with Dvorkovich, Short and Georgios Makropoulos contesting with their teams.

“I did not, as the representative of India is on the ticket of Mr. Makropoulos,” Dvorkovich told IANS when queried about approaching AICF for support.

Responding to the question Short told IANS: “No. I did not meet any official of AICF. I thought it will be a waste of time as D.V.Sundar is part of the Makropoulos team. But many Indian chess Grand Masters are hoping that I would win.”

Sundar, Vice President, AICF is in the fray for the post of FIDE General Secretary as a part of Makropoulos team.

The present FIDE Deputy President Makropoulos is contesting for the FIDE President’s post.

“Sundar will be voting on behalf of AICF at the FIDE elections,” an AICF official had told IANS preferring anonymity.

Curiously, Dvorkovich and Short are promising the National Chess Federations that they would bring in transparency in FIDE operations, attract big corporate sponsors.

They also said the FIDE under their regime would financially support the National Chess Federations and not the other way around as it is now.

Meanwhile Israeli chess Grand Master Boris Gelfand recently has expressed his support for Dvorkovich and the later thanked him for the support.

Gelfand is the first player with world fame to have extended his support to Dvorkovich’s candidature.

Gelfand in a detailed message posted on Dvorkovich’s election campaign website wished the Russian and also the English GM Nigel Short another FIDE Presidential candidate success in their endeavour.

“Let us hope that an experienced organizer Arkady Dvorkovich and a great chess player Nigel Short will win the elections and succeed in changing the world of chess for the better,” Gelfand said.

Gelfand said Dvorkovich has organised 10 super tournaments and managed to find energetic people to actively promote chess across Russia.

According to Gelfand, the arrival of Dvorkovich has marked the rise of Russian chess.

Gelfand said: “It seems to me that taking an opinion poll among chess players would now give an approximately 95:5 result in Dvorkovich’s favor in terms of percentage correlation.”

“Nevertheless, elections are known to be decided by delegates casting their votes, and I do not know whether the opinion of professional chess players does or does not matter to them,” Gelfand said and added that he would vote for Dvorkovich.

Incidentally when queried by IANS whether under their regime chess players of certain standing would be given the right to vote in FIDE elections both Dvorkovich and Short avoided a direct answer.

“Chess officials have to respect chess players and consult with them on all the important decisions to be made by FIDE,” Dvorkovich said.

Short said: “As for voting rights for players, there are much more important issues that need to be addressed first. But under our management, players will be there in more number of committees that deal with issues concerning them.”

IANS