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Home ground of the Pune Strykers
Capacity - 5000

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After almost four years of constructing Chikalwadi Hockey Stadium, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has finally allocated Rs2.4 crore for the stadium.

According to PMC’s executive engineer Sandeep Khandve, who is incharge of the stadium work, the fund for the grounds has been sanctioned in the recently held PMC budget meeting.

“There has been some 10% cutting in the amount we had proposed. We had approached a Mumbai firm and a tentative budget for overall work was Rs3.25 crore. However, we can manage with the amount as we have received Rs50 lakh already,” he said.

The renovation work has been started and as per the officials the basic ground will be available for players in two months.
“The process for tender will begin soon and we can give the work order depending on the quotations. However, we have to import the synthetic turf and a foreign company will be involved in the matter. This is a bit lengthy process but if all goes well then we can expect the ground fully ready at the end of this financial year,” said Khandve.

Maharashtra Hockey Association (MHA) secretary Ikram Khan expressed happiness over the decision and assured help to the civic body.

“Finally after four years, the PMC has taken a right decision. If I am not wrong, then Pune city will be getting its first synthetic turf stadium. The Khadki area has proved to be a nursery for hockey but without a playground. In India, Bhopal is another nursery, but their government has provided all the facilities to the players. Even without any facilities we have produced a number of players, and we can do wonders when we will get the fully-equipped stadium in the heart of the city,” he said.

“I also want to thank DNA for the constant follow-up in this issue and I feel their impact has made the things rolling,” he added.

http://www.dnaindia.com/pune/report_...n-pune_1674924

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BANGALORE: The national hockey camp has been shifted from the Sports Authority of India to the Balewadi facility in Pune after the worn-out artificial turf at the south centre was found to be too risky for high-intensity training.

The hockey think-tank, which has been mulling this option since last week after players expressed their apprehensions about the turf, decided that Pune would be the best option in terms of weather and the facilities. SAI endorsed the decision on Tuesday, it is learnt.

The decision comes as a big blow to SAI Bangalore, which has been touted as the national training centre for hockey. Chief coach Michael Nobbs was reassuring when he said that his vision for Bangalore remained intact but was equally resolute as he pointed out that the team would prefer to train elsewhere until the turf is replaced at the South Centre.

The decision has prompted an exodus of sorts, with more than 100 campers -- both seniors and juniors -- set to leave the south centre and assemble in Pune by Sunday. Training will begin from Monday. "We will be training in Pune until we go to the four-nation Olympic test event in May. Even upon return, we will not train in Bangalore if the turf is not replaced," Nobbs said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/s...w/12630463.cms

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Navi Mumbai: Pune FC stamped their superiority finishing with an all-win record after registering a close 3-2 win over Mumbai FC in their last Under-20 I-League Group-B (Mumbai) encounter at the Fr. Agnel ground, Navi Mumbai on Friday.

The game billed as the ‘Maha Derby’ and more about finishing on top of the 5-team group had Pune FC trail by a Chetan Tandel (33rd minute) goal at half time

Pune FC came back strongly in the second half to equalize through substitute Abung Meetei (65th minute), before David Lalbiakzara (74th minute) gave Pune FC the lead. Mumbai FC, then, leveled terms through Altamash Sayed (86th) before Pune FC’s William Lalnunfela (88th minute) struck the match-winner

Both teams had earlier qualified for the final phase to be played in West Bengal next month. Victory for Pune FC meant finishing with 12-points after completing their fourth win on the trot.

Pune FC effecting seven changes to the squad that played last seemed to lose the sting they possessed as they conceded a goal in the 33rd minute of play.

Changing ends, Pune FC decided to bring in regulars Abung Meetei (for Janak Kudmal) and Nikhil Kadam (for R Shivram) which made all the difference. Pune FC attacked at will and the experience both players carried helped add sting in the opponents half.

Five minutes past the hour, Pune FC forged ahead through the combined effort of the substitutes. Winning a throw in on the right, Riyan Yadgiri’s throw-in was met by Mumbai FC player who headed on to an unmarked Nikhil on the left flank. Nikhil’s cross, then, went off a Mumbai FC defender and rolled clear to Abung who ended placing it to the left of the goalkeeper.

Spurred by the goal, Pune FC attacked at will and nine minutes later took the lead. Nikhil from the right played a through pass to William who was positioned in the center of the field. William, in turn, managed to find David on the top of the penalty box and strike the ball home to the right corner.

However, Pune FC’s joy was shortlived with Mumbai FC’s Altamash Sayed netting in the 86th minute.

But just when the match seemed drift to a draw, Pune FC struck the winner. Once again it was Nikhil who architected the goal. Off a solo run on the right, Nihil weaved past four defenders to release a stiff try on goal, which was blocked by the custodian. However, the keeper could not check the deflection and William on hand did well to capatalise on the opportunity in a flash.

The win was creditable for Pune FC as they played out the last 15 minutes with 10 players after David was sent off for two bookings.

http://www.indiansportsnews.com/comp...ndefeated.html

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Central midfielder Djidja Pierre Douhou Sey, 25, in his comeback year at Pune FC, completed a huge turnaround claiming the ‘Pune FC Player of The Year 2011-12’ award.

His teammates nominated him for the ‘Players’ Player Award’. Douhou is the third foreign player and first midfielder to receive Pune FC’s highest honour.

Douhou received a trophy and Rs 2.0 lakh. Earlier, Douhou figured in the squad in its maiden year of elite football in India. For Douhou the one important reason that swung the top-award his way was the contribution towards the team’s performance that included maximum assists.

Douhou also got the ‘Players’ Player Award,’ for which Rs 1 lakh and a trophy was presented to him. The ‘Best Young Player’ award went to Manipur-born Singam Subash Singh

HE AWARDEES -
Best Player of the Year: Djidja Pierre Douhou Sey

Best Young Player of The Year: Singam Subash Singh

Man of Steel: Shanmugam Venkatesh

UAPF Award: Arata Izumi

Players’ Player: Djidja Pierre Douhou Sey

Fans’ Player of the Year: Mandjou Keita

Goal of the Year: Gurjinder Kumar

Best Trained Player of The Year: Othallo Tabia

Best Player Under-19: Abung Thangjam Meetie

Best-Disciplined Under-19 Player: Nikhil Kadam

Best Under-17 Player: Pankaj Gore

Best Under-15 Player: Jorden Fernandes

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/do...ervice/943751/

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Star Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has inaugurated a cricket museum in Pune. The museum is reported to have an extensive collection of all personal belongings of famous cricketers from all around the globe.

The museum, set up in the Sahakar Nagar area of the city by a private collector Rohan Pate, is the first of its kind in the city.

Lauding Pate's efforts, Tendulkar said it would offer cricket lovers an opportunity to see things associated with the greats in the game.

The museum has a collection of personal belongings of famous cricketers including Sir Don Bradman and has a separate section devoted to Tendulkar who has handed over the T-shirt worn by him during the 2011 World Cup victory.

The museum will be thrown open for public on May 7

http://www.cricketcountry.com/Cricke...um-in-Pune/469

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copyright - MB Nambiar

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Pune FC kept their winning run intact registering a 2-0 verdict against Shillong Lajong FC to annex the Under-20 I-League title, the first-ever at any level ever since the club was established in 2007.

Down to 10-men for the last 30 minutes of the game, Pune FC did well to keep their first-half double-strike intact to emerge on top. Victory, thus, was Pune FC’s fourth in four games and sealed the title with a round to go in the on-going Final League in Kalyani, near Kolkata.

Pune FC took their tally to 12 points and remained three clear of second Mumbai FC. In the last round Pune FC play Prayag United SC on Friday.

First half strikes from skipper Suji Kumar (21st minute) and William Lalnenfula (41st minute) were enough as Pune FC took their winning run to eight games in the competition stretching from the Group Stage.

Pune FC began proceedings with some neat work by William down the right flank sending in a cross for Suji Kumar. The Lajong defense was alert though to clear the danger.

Five minutes into the game, and Pune FC had successive chances of taking the lead. Nikhil, with some good work on the right, cut back for William whose powerful try was saved by Lajong ‘keeper. The rebound fell for Suji, but his try went just wide.

The Lajong defense was made to work continuously as Pune FC surged forward. A long free kick into the box caused trouble for the opponents as William’s drop volley went over.

Pune FC’s dominance of the game was evident as they pushed ahead in search for the opener. A long free kick from half line had the Lajong defense coming up with a scrappy clearance. From the resulting corner, William teed up Ranjan, whose ambitious bicycle-kick went over.

Lajong managed to up their game and work Pune FC custodian Amrinder Singh. But the shot from distance was not enough to cause a problem. At the other end, Nikhil earned a free-kick after being brought down, but his shot going over.

As the match progressed the game was getting scrappy. Both teams were unable to get their best on a slightly bumpier and smaller ground.

Moments later, Lalrempuia played a brilliant defense-splitting through ball to send Nikhil in the clear, only for the Lajong ‘keeper to thwart the attempt. At the other end, Lajong managed to put in a dangerous cross from right as they pushed forward. Pune FC defender James Singh was alert, producing an excellent tackle in the box.

A minute later Pune FC took the lead. On a counter, William attacked from the right only to be cut down once inside the penalty box to earn an obvious penalty kick. Lalrempuia stepped up, but kick to his bad luck had the Shillong Lajong ’keeper save the attempt. However, but skipper Suji Kumar was alert and scored off the ensuing rebound.

Pune FC didn’t settle down and continued causing problems for the rival defense. Five minutes after going one-up, Gobin Singh’s dangerous cross from left was just too high on the bounce for William and Suji as the Lajong ‘keeper collected.

Just past the half hour mark, striker Haokip had a good scoring opportunity. He got ball on top of box, turned and shot straight into the ‘keeper.

‎Meanwhile, Lajong strung an attack up on left after spell of possession. Defender James produced a clearance from the box. Although Lajong had successive corners, their final finishing wasn’t good enough.

William doubled Pune FC’s advantage in the 41st minute. Substitute Deepak Kumar, on for Haokip, laid a good ball for Suji Kumar on the right. Suji sent in a peach cross to William in the box, who met the ball with a header past a bewildered Lajong ’keeper.

As the first half closed in, Pune FC created three chances. First, William got into a brilliant position to shoot from top of box and force a good save from the Lajong ’keeper who tipped over. A minute later, the ‘keeper denied Deepak by intercepting William’s set up after cutting back inside the box. Deep into added time Suji played Lalrempuia only have the latter’s try blocked and the ball roll wide.

Pune FC went into the break with a two-goal cushion.

Pune FC began the second period with a good spell of possession. Nikhil’s attempt from top of box had the ‘keeper produce a diving save.

Ten minutes into the half, Pune FC survived a closed call. Lajong curled in a free kick and a striker headed towards the goal. Defender Rintea came up a timely header that ricocheted off the post and over. This was the only time that Pune FC seemed to be beaten all ends up.

Couple of minutes later, Lajong defense cleared attempts from Nikhil, William and a header off a corner to keep the scoreline down.

Just past the hour mark, defender Rintea was booked for getting into a scuffle after he clattered into a Lajong FC striker and the latter squared up for face off. Two minutes later Rintea received his marching orders after picking up his second booking for elbowing the Lajong striker. Subsequent pressure on the referee by Lajong players resulted in the second booking to Rintea.

Pune FC, down to 10 men, had to play almost half an hour more. As a result, Pune FC brought a defender Kamardeep Singh in place of Nikhil to hold on to the lead.

Lajong used their man advantage to have more of the ball. Although having more possession after the sending off, Lajong was unable to open their account, thanks to some excellent defending by Pune FC.

Into the final ten minutes of the game, Pune FC went on a counter attack. William charged into box, but was brought down and earned a free kick. Lalrempuia’s shot going inches wide.

The Pune FC defense produced an excellent game to keep out the opponents who were trying hard to get a goal in the closing moments of the game. Into added time, ’keeper Amrinder charged out to collect a ball behind the defense, hurting himself in the process. However, that was temporary as he picked himself up to finish off the rest of the period.

http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/13...crown-with-win

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Pune boy Arjun Kadhe in boys' doubles quarters at French Open

Paris: Pune boy Arjun Kadhe and his Peruvian partner Jorge Brian Panta Herreros stormed into the quarterfinals of the boy's doubles at the French Open with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) victory over third seeds Julien Cagnina and Luke Saville here on Wednesday.

Ninteen-year-old Kadhe and Herreros dominated the first set, wrapping it up in just 20 minutes.

However, their higher ranked opponents were never going to cave in and fought back in the second as both teams managed to break their opponents twice.

Just when it looked like the Belgian-Australian duo were getting into their rhythm, Kadhe and his partner raised their game in the tie-breaker to set up a last eight clash against Australia's Andrew Harris and Nick Kyrgios.

Kadhe is currently the Indian national doubles champion

http://sports.ndtv.com/french-open-2...at-french-open

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Everest climbers return to Pimpri (in Marathi)

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PUNE: The Royal Western India Turf Club's (RWITC) racing season is all set to begin in Pune from July 26, promising a packed calendar for race aficionados.

The RWITC also plans to unveil a host of other events such as an aerial show to mark the strengthening of the relationship between the RWITC and the army, apart from unfurling Tribe@Turf - three non-racing events expounding the city's local culture.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Vivek Jain, chairman, RWITC, said, "The advertised prize money of about Rs 7.15 crore, which is at par with that of the last racing season, is one of the main highlights of the races to be held at the Pune race course. However, as the performance incentive payable to horse owners has been enhanced by 5%, the incremental stakes payable would be over Rs 20 lakh, making the actual payout higher than last season in 2011." He added that the season is spread over 27 racing days with over 200 races.

Jain said that despite the economic slowdown and cut-down in marketing budgets across the board by several corporates, the club has attracted record sponsorships this time also, with contributions of over Rs 1.25 crore.

"Each weekend will feature a sponsored/graded race as has been the norm for the past several seasons. In addition, the season will also see classic, grade 1 races such as the Nanoli Stud sponsored Pune Derby and McDowell Signature Indian St Leger, scheduled for October 14 and September 30, respectively," he added.

He said that last year, the Indian St Leger race returned to its rightful place in Pune, which has been its traditional home. "Permanently shifted back to Pune since the last season, this last of the Indian classics will give the season an added dimension and is sponsored with Rs 2 million," Jain said.

The Derby Weekend, scheduled for October 13, will feature Oktoberfest, being conducted since the last two years. The RWITC, in association with Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, will present the event, which features a live band from Germany playing the Oktoberfest tune, among other things. The season will also feature a number of 'Millions' and 'Graded' races for each age category, the highest for any monsoon season in India. A record 18 races will carry a minimum prize money of Rs 1 million.

The RWITC is also endeavouring to gain recognition in the international racing world. "Last week, we participated in the Asian Racing Conference in Turkey, where I made a formal presentation on behalf of the Turf authorities, thus showcasing the Indian side of racing. The RWITC Trophy will now be run at the Singapore Turf Club, as part of our objective to establish reciprocal arrangements with international racing clubs," said Jain.

He added that talks on the possibility of RWITC hosting an international jockeys' race in India in 2013 are also underway. "This event will have jockeys being bid for internally by 12 Indian sponsors," he added. Also, this season, the club has framed trophies in memory of three distinguished trainers - Bal Lagad, Nana Raghunath and Vinayak - who passed away last year.

Meanwhile, the performance incentive of horse owners has been enhanced from 20 to 25%. "The reimbursement of service tax on stakes, which is a benefit over Rs 3.5 crore annually to the owners, has also been approved. In addition, six races have been reserved for 'small owners', an experiment which was successful in Mumbai," he said.

On improvement in the race course here, Jain said that new starting gates and railings were added last year and the monsoon track has been extended by 400 metres this year.

"The extended monsoon track will be in operation in a few weeks. The popular LED screen would once again be placed across the track," he said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/15155375.cms

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PUNE: Pune FC kept their undefeated home record against Mumbai FC intact with a 3-2 victory and claimed temporary leadership of the I-League 2012-13 standings on Thursday.

The home side was spearheaded by Japanese midfielder Daisuke Nishiguchi's all-round performance, which included scoring two goals and setting up the winner for Jeje Lalpekhklua at the Balewadi Sports Complex here.

Daisuke (7th) opened the scoring and then netted Pune FC's equalizer in the 51st minute after Mumbai FC struck back through Evaws Quao (17th) and ND Opara (26th). Daisuke then set up Jeje (75th) in the clear to complete Pune FC's victory.

The win took Pune FC's points tally to six and leveled Pailan Arrows. However, a better goal scored tally gives Pune FC the edge.

With the game restricted to mid-field play for most of the early stage, Pune FC went ahead in the 7th minute.

Defender Chika Wali played a defense splitting through ball to Daisuke on the right. The Japanese timed his run well to round off the advancing Mumbai FC custodian to slide the ball into the net.

Ten minutes later, it was Mumbai who equalized against the run of play. Quoa was first denied by Reds' keeper Shahinlal Meloly who brilliantly tipped over his shot from long range. On the succeeding corner, Quao headed in the corner by Nicholas Rodrigues.

Pune FC were made to pay for their scrappy defense as striker ND Opara put the Mumbaikars ahead. On back-to-back corners, the Pune FC defense failed to mark Opara at the far post as he digged his volley into the goal. Pune FC went into the breather trailing 1-2.

The second half began with Pune FC surging forward looking for the equalizer. However, they weren't made to wait long as Daisuke equalised in the 51st minute to charge up the crowd.

Right-back Srikanth Ramu sent striker Jeje on a counter from the right. Jeje beat Mumbai FC defender Peter Costa before sliding the ball to Daisuke inside the box. The Japanese beat the Mumbai custodian Kunal Sawant to complete his brace.

Pune FC's persistence bore fruit when Jeje put Pune FC in the lead mid-way through the second period. The striker first dispossessed Costa, before passing the ball back to Daisuke. The Japanese went on a run to the right and slide the ball to striker. Jeje, on the top of the box, took a shot to the left of the keeper to put the Reds into driving seat.

Pune FC held on to their lead as Mumbai attackers failed to score deep into added time. Shahinlal saved a shot from Ashutosh Mehta on the goal-line. The rebound fell to Haroon Amiri whose shot hit the horizontal and the second rebound was hit over the bar from six-yards out by Abhishek Yadav.

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MUMBAI: It's been a good year for golf as far as the city of Pune is concerned. The city is all set to host its second professional event of the 2012 season when the Players' Championship, one of Professional Golf Tour of India's (PGTI) big prize money events with a purse of Rs 35 lakh, begins at the Poona Club Golf course from Wednesday.

The four-day event will be followed by the sixth leg of Volvo World Golf Challenge on November 11 (Sunday), where local amateurs will compete for berths at the national final.

Among the top names participating in the PGTI event are Mukesh Kumar, Harendra Gupta, Om Prakash Chouhan, Shankar Das, Ajeetesh Sandhu and Abhijit Singh Chadha, to name a few. The top foreign golfers in fray are Mithun Perera ( Sri Lanka), Anura Rohana (Sri Lanka), Kunal Bhasin (Australia), Anthony Choat (Australia) and Md Zamal Hossain Mollah ( Bangladesh). The local challenge will be led by Gurki Shergill, Rajiv Datar, Jaideep Patwardhan, Aditya Bhandarkar, Pravin Pathare, Saurabh Bhaduri, Sameer M Shaikh and Sachin Nigade.

In the Pune leg of the Volvo World Golf Challenge, which is played in over 35 countries, amateur golfers from across the region will vie for honours. Volvo, the Official automobile partner of the PGTI, will host seven legs of the event across India in association with the PGTI. The two best-placed finishers at each event will qualify for the national final to be held later this month. The two winners from the national final will win an invitation to compete in the World Final next January.

"We are happy to return to Pune, a city fast emerging as a major golfing centre in the western part of the country. Our partnership with the Poona Golf Club seeks to strengthen the foundation of the sport in this city by staging professional tournaments. This event will go a long way in further popularizing the sport in this bustling city. The course looks in great shape and we look forward to an absorbing contest this week," said Padamjit Sandhu, director, PGTI.

The Poona Club course, laid way back in 1918, is widely acknowledged as one of the finest in India. It has lightning-fast greens and each hole contains at least two or three well-placed bunkers to test the skills of a professional. The course also boasts of some huge water bodies.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/s...w/17116491.cms

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Drag races as my fellow petrol heads and cricket fans would agree is much like a T20 game, lasting a shorter duration but offering double the action and excitement. It wasn’t too long ago when Five-time European Drag Bike Racing Champion Ian King gave fans in India a taste of his homemade drag recipe, taking a GULF GP Originals Top Fuel Drag (Road) Racing Bike from 0 to 97 km/h in 0.7 milliseconds and hitting a top speed of 402 kmh. Sadly, the nirvana of watching the fastest motorcycle on the planet in its eccentric element lasted just seven seconds.



So, for drag racing fans, supercar and superbike owners in the country, the good news from the other side of the valley is that the country’s 1st International Level Drag racing event, ‘The Valley Run 2013’ will be taking place at the Aamby Valley City Air Strip on the 9th & 10th March this year, and



Supercars, Superbikes, Indian cars & bikes will all go head to head in this mega drag racing event to set the record for the best quarter mile timing. Supported by the FMSCI, Performance Racing Store, Seventh Gear Customs & AXN India “The Valley Run 2013” will see the participation of both professional race car drivers and the general public in different drag race categories ranging from 100 to 225 cc -2 stroke bikes to diesel cars (Indian/Foreign) with over 3001 cubic capacity. Special prizes for the fastest time of the day set by an Indian car or foreign bike and a separate stunt show are also part of the event line up in its opening year.



Ten time World Drag Race Champion Rickey Gadson will grace the inaugural event and provide valuable tips to participants, while doing exhibition runs on the ZZR1400 (Monster Energy) along with the Y2K's first run on the a Drag Strip in India.



Excited about his presence at the first ever Valley Run in India, Rickey Gadson said, "I am definitely looking forward to making my maiden voyage over to Mumbai, India for The Valley Run 2013. India has a huge and thriving drag racing fan base. So I'm honored to be the first US Champion Drag Racer to come over and be a part of this event.”

http://www.zigwheels.com/news-featur...e-event/15638/

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