Hyderabad Sports | Stadiums

[sriece19]

Hyderabad monsoon races start from July 25
Press Trust of India / Hyderabad July 21, 2012, 17:05

The stage is set for 26-day-long Hyderabad monsoon horse race season here from July 25 with a whopping Rs 8.44 crore in stake money on offer.

The races were originally scheduled to commence from July 19 and conclude on October 22 with 28 race days framed for the season.

However, first and second day races were cancelled as the track was not conducive for racing in view of insufficient rainfall. Thanks to recent rains, the track now looks lush green, K Bhupal Reddy, Steward, Hyderabad Race Club (HRC), told reporters yesterday.

More than Rs 8.44 crore in stake money and trophies worth Rs 29,55,000 will be offered during the season against Rs 8.40 crore in stake money and Rs 26,20,000 towards the value of trophies offered last year, he said.
Further, monsoon season owners will also be getting performance incentives when their horses finish first, second and third in events other than sweepstakes races, Reddy said.

He said there are 22 "A" licensed trainers at HRC and 763 horses, 211 of them two-year-old, under their charge. Around 43 jockeys, including eight apprentices, have been licenced to ride at Hyderabad.

Some of the leading outstation trainers/jockeys are expected to participate in the classic/graded races, he said.

The prestigious races during the season are: The Nizam's Gold Cup (Aug 12), The A P Governor's Cup (Aug 19), The Deccan Book Makers Fillies Championship Stakes (Aug 26), The Deccan Book Makers Colts Championship Stakes (Sep 2), The President of India Gold Cup (Sep 9), The A P Chief Minister's Cup (Sep 16), The Vijay Textiles Deccan Derby (Oct 2), The Melbourne Racing Club Trophy (Oct 7) and the Golconda St Leger (Oct 15).

[sriece19]

Confident badminton team departs for London

A confident Indian badminton team — comprising Saina Nehwal, P. Kashyap, Gutta Jwala, Ashwini Ponappa and V. Diju and chief coach Pullela Gopi Chand — left for Delhi enroute London to take part in the Olympics later this month.

The women’s doubles pair of Jwala and Ashwini are confidence personified.

“We won bronze in the World championship at the same venue, Wembley, where Olympics competitions are going to be held.

“We should be very comfortable with the playing conditions as the drift factor will be much less compared to the Asian venues,” said Jwala. She also pointed out that the Wembley stadium had the best lighting system in place.

The pair trained mostly at the Fateh Maidan indoor stadium under the tutelage of coach S.M. Arif with an occasional stint at the Gopi Chand Academy where ace shuttler Saina, Kashyap — India’s lone entry in men’s singles — and mixed doubles specialist V. Diju trained.

“At the Olympics, I don’t believe there can be any specific strategy or a set plan. All you are expected to do is to rise to the occasion and play high quality game to win a medal. This has been our target in the training sessions,” said Ashwini.

“Everyone will be fully prepared for this mega event. And we too are in a determined mood. We are going to fight till the last point,” added Jwala.

Saina believes that she is mentally and physically better prepared for this edition of the Olympics than the earlier one at Beijing. “You need a bit of luck to win a medal at this level. From my side, I would be giving more than 100 per cent,” she said.

Kashyap said if he plays as well as he did in the recent Asian circuit, he should be in a position to pull of a couple of surprises.

Gopi Chand reiterated that this is the strongest badminton team from India ever for Olympics.

“We have a very good chance of winning a medal. The players are capable of playing to Olympics standards. Let us hope for the best,” he said.

[sriece19]

Hyderabad Cricket Association focuses on strengthening junior cricket

HYDERABAD: The last decade or so had seen a steady decline in the standards of the game in Hyderabad. Matters came to such a sorry affair that the Hyderabad Ranji team was shot out for a lowly 21 against Rajasthan two seasons ago.

That was a wake up call for the administrators and the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) president Arshad Ayub took a bold decision to enlist the services of former India player Sunil Joshi to coach the senior side last year.

Though there was severe criticism within the HCA, former Test spinner Ayub stood his ground and in the end his stand was vindicated.

Joshi, who was coaching a side for the first time, was instrumental in instilling in the Hyderabad team a sense of purpose and discipline.

The young side responded well to the left-arm spinner's methods and made a comeback to the Elite division of the Ranji Trophy.

To make sure that the good work done by Ayub was not in vain, newly-elected secretary MV Sridhar renewed Joshi's contract with the senior team for yet another year.

The former Hyderabad captain, who had stepped in to coach the Hyderabad team on a short-term basis after coaches SL Venkatapathi Raju and Vivek Jaisimha had tendered their resignations after the debacle against Rajasthan, is a votary for continuity. Sridhar's main point on which he ran the election campaign was restoring the 'glory of Hyderabad cricket'.

Hence, Sridhar, in the first Executive Committee meeting of the newly-elected body held on Saturday, made sure that the development of cricket would be the first and foremost priority of his administration. In that direction, the EC appointed Joshi as the coach of the senior team.

But the most notable decision of the EC was to nominate former Hyderabad player P Jyothi Prasad as the chairman of the Junior Selection Committee.

Prasad is known in the cricketing circles for his no-nonsense approach to the game. "He is a tough task master and is never afraid to call a spade a spade. His knowledge of the game is unrivalled as is his passion to develop young cricketers. Hence, it is a very shrewd move to have Prasad as head of the junior panel," one of the HCA members said.

With the Hyderabad team lacking a strong reserve team, the move to rope in Prasad will undoubtedly have a positive effect on the junior teams, which had taken a severe beating over the years.

Coaches: Sunil B Joshi (Ranji Trophy team). D Girish (U-19). Kiran Kumar (U-14).

Senior selection committee: Harimohan (chairman), C Jai Kumar (member), Shaik Riazuddin (member), T Pavankumar (member).

Junior selection committee: P Jyothi Prasad (chairman), P Vijaykumar (member), J Shivaji Yadav (member), Chetan Joshi (member).

Sub-Junior selection committee: Timothy Ravi Kumar (chairman), Ifteqaruddin (member), PM Rangaraj (member), Leo Brendon (member).

[sriece19]

Sportspersons’ nutritional needs are different: expert




Diet specific to the sport and event should be provided: NIN scientist
It is as simple as that. Can you put diesel in petrol car and expect it to perform properly?

For the dismal performance of Indian athletes in international events, one of the reasons pointed out by Y. Venkataramana, Head of the Physiology Division, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), happens to be the lack of attention paid to nutrition.

Having worked long years with athletes and part of the team that came up with ‘Nutrition and Hydration Guidelines for Excellence in Sports Performance’, Dr. Venkataramana underscores the lack of focus on nutritional needs of sports persons in different categories.

The first mistake is the concept of common mess. “The nutritional need of a badminton player is different from that of a 100-metre runner or a heavy weight boxer. You have to cater to their needs and thus a separate mess and diet with suitable nutritional values should be provided to them,” he says.

Sports need to be supported with science. “We have talent. But if we do not drive sports with science, we will not improve,” he says.

The practice of same diet provided to a sprinter and a boxer has to go. “Diet that is specific to the sport and event should be planned and provided.”

Dr. Venkataramana also disputes the common approach of a coach being the all-in- one person. His prescription is to understand the importance of nutrition and roping in sports nutritionists to help the sports person perform well.

Common misconceptions need to be driven away. “Generally, it is said that ‘ser ghee and badam halwa’ will do wonders. But it is not true,” he points out. Another misconception, according to him, is more protein means more energy and he says, “That is also wrong and could, in fact, have adverse effect”.

The guidelines drafted by the NIN prescribed diets for different categories of sports depending upon the body weight and energy needs.

[sriece19]

‘Schools will have sports as a subject soon’



Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy launches the new-look ‘Sportstar’ magazine

Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy formally re-launched Sportstar magazine with a new look in the presence of distinguished sports personalities from the twin cities at a function here on Wednesday evening.

“This magazine comes from the group which owns The Hindu which I believe is the most newsworthy newspaper in the country,” the Chief Minister said. “This is a media group which is known for its reputation and quality. I will be a regular reader of the magazine,” he said at the function here on Wednesday.

“Sportstar has been known for its in-depth coverage over the years, not just focussing on cricket but all other disciplines,” Mr. Reddy said. “Well, many distinguished sports personalities who were present here said that getting featured in the magazine meant an extended career in sports. But I was not that fortunate during my playing days (the Chief Minister had led Hyderabad under-22 cricket team),” he remarked.

The Chief Minister said his government would soon issue a GO making it compulsory for all schools to devote one period for sports daily. A sports policy would be worked out after discussions with eminent sportspersons in the country, he said, adding that it would be a model for other States.

G. Vinod, president of HCA, said he had always been an ardent reader of not just The Hindu, but also Sportstar.

Test cricketer V.V.S. Laxman described Sportstar as the most respected and reputed magazine.

“As a kid I always dreamt of being featured in the magazine. It is great that this is now coming out with a refined and classy look,” he said.

Triple Olympian Nandnuri Mukesh Kumar said that to see one’s name and picture in the Sportstar was always the ultimate dream of every sportsperson. He had the select gathering in splits when he remarked that if one were featured in the magazine it was almost certain that his career got extended by a year. “Such is the value of this magazine and I have great memories of it since my early days,” he commented.

Big motivation: Mithali

Indian women’s cricket captain Mithali Raj said that Sportstar had always carried inspirational stories. “It keeps you going and has always been a big motivation,” she said.

Former India volleyball captain and Arjuna Awardee V. Ravikanth Reddy recalled how desperate he was to buy a copy of the Sportstar when the magazine featured the State team on winning the Junior Nationals.

True values

Former India football captain Victor Amalraj said that the magazine always stood for true values.

Promising table tennis player Nikhat Banu felt honoured on being invited to attend the function.

[sriece19]

Originally Posted by sriece19

‘Schools will have sports as a subject soon’

Sound sports policy on anvil: CM

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy said that a good sports policy would be announced after elaborate discussions with eminent sports personalities of the country. A high-level meeting with eminent sports personalities of the nation would be convened soon after completion of London Olympics. The CM re-launched the ‘Sports Star’, a weekly magazine of The Hindu group, on Wednesday evening.

He Chief Minister stated that the State government was encouraging sports, games and athletics which would inculcate dedication, discipline and concentration in younger generation. Sports stadia would be constructed in all the 294 Assembly constituencies with an estimated cost of Rs 1.5 crore each on 5 acres to 10 acres of land in the first phase, and in each mandal headquarters in the second phase.

He also informed a daily sports period was being made compulsory in all schools and the sports subject would be introduced at a later date. The budget for sports was enhanced from Rs 20 crore last year to Rs 220 crore this year, and Rs 4.5 crore dues to eminent sports personalities in the State in shape of cash incentives had been distributed recently. Two per cent reservations in government jobs were re-started in the State, he added.

VVS Laxman, Mukesh Kumar, Ravikanth Reddy, Victor Amalraj Mithilaraj and former minister G Vinod also spoke on this occasion.

[sriece19]

Champions set sail in the City



The 27th Anniversary Regatta of The Laser National Sailing Championship got underway at the Secunderabad Sailing Club on Wednesday. Situated on the Husain Sagar premises, the Secunderabad Sailing Club was a hive of activity with enthusiastic participants gearing up for a variety of races scheduled over the week.

The Hyderabad Sailing Week will see as many as 90–100 sailors from across the country participating in different categories which are: Laser Std, Laser Radial and Laser 4.7, which again are subdivided age-wise, gender-wise and on varying professional levels; Apprentice Master, Master and Grand Master levels.

Defending champion in the Laser Standard class, BK Rout, Gajender Singh, Dharmender Singh and Sharif Khan, amongst others, will vie for top honours at the event. The local challenge in the form of sailors S Srinivas, SS Siwatch, Dilip Kumar, Suhiem Shaikh and S Anirudh, will try to keep the prizes in the home city.

While offering fair umpiring, organisers say that prevailing windy conditions will ensure a fierce competition and that the participant who is strong and sure will be the winner. “Sea-like conditions at the Husain Sagar Lake and a conducive weather in the City hold a lot of promise for exciting races over the coming few days,” spokesman for the organisers of the event announced.



Rohini Rau who missed the London Olympics by a whisker is all set to overcome the debacle. The fact that she missed the cut by a mere ‘spot’ was compounded when her name was not proposed for a wildcard entry. She blames the politics in Indian sports bodies for this missed opportunity. “Had my name been sent, I would have made it to the Olympics as a wildcard entrant. I shall, though, keep performing and hope to do the country proud in the Asian championships,” she said, while consoling herself, “The weather over here is better than in London.”



The sailor who tops the Laser Standard Fleet without discards will be awarded the Late Lt Cdr Kelly S Rao trophy instituted to honour the Hyderabad man, who not only was a multiple winner of Laser national events, he also represented India at the Seoul and Barcelona Olympics. World champion in the Enterprise class of boat, he brought laurels to the Country like no one else did in the sport.

[sriece19]

Hyderabad concede lead against Rajasthan in Shafi Darash tournament

http://www.cricketcountry.com/cricke...urnament/16605

[Gudavalli]

Gagan Narang wins bronze medal in 10m air rifle at London Olympics

NEW DELHI: Shooter Gagan Narang ended India's medal drought at the London Olympics after clinching bronze medal in the 10 metre air rifle event with an overall score of 701.1 just behind the gold medallist Romania's Alin George Moldoveanu (702.1) and sliver medallist Niccolo Campriani 701.5.

Narang shot 103.1 in the final to take the bronze. Moldoveanu shot the same score as Narang in the finals - 103.1 - but clinched gold by virtue of finishing first in the qualifying round at the Royal Artillery Barracks in London on Monday.

This is India's 1oth individual medal in the history of Olympics. Narang had won four gold medals in the 2010 Commonwealth Games and followed with two silver medals in the Guangzhou Asian Games.

Earlier in the day, Beijing Olympics gold medallist Abhinav Bindra crashed out of the London Games by failing to qualify for men's 10 metre air rifle final while compatriot Gagan Narang made it with an overall score of 598.

Narang started of well in the finals as he shot a 10.7 in his first attempt followed by a mediocre 9.7. Narang fought back hard as he scored 10.6 and 10.7 in his third and fourth attempt.

Narang shot a 10.4 in his fifth attempt followed by a 10.6. Narang then had bad series of 9.9 and 9.5 but he came strongly to score 10.3 and 10.7 in his final two shots.

Bindra, who became India's first individual Olympic gold medallist in Beijing, shot 594 to finish 16th out of 47 contestants. Narang was one of the top eight shooters who qualified for the medal round.

[Gudavalli]

Rajasthan, Hyderabad share honours

Mysore, July 30 (IANS) Expectedly, Rajasthan CA drew with Hyderabad CA in a high-scoring match of the Shafi Darashah Trophy cricket tournament here Monday.
In Alur, Baroda CA and Bangladesh 'A' were also involved in a draw with the former making up for their first innings debacle by making 445 in their second essay. Bangladesh were 184 for four, chasing a target of 334, but did not make a serious effort to achieve it given the paucity of time.
In Bangalore, K.B. Pawan slammed 237 (341b, 25x4, 2x6) and Amit A Verma made 138 (184b, 14x4, 2x6) for KSCA XI drawing with KSCA Colts, who could not convert a 216-run first innings lead into a positive result. KSCA XI made up for their poor first innings effort of 190 all out by making 503 for four declared in their second essay.
Brief scores:
Bangalore: KSCA Colts 406 all out in 127.5 overs and 100 for 1 in 28 overs (Mayank Agarwal 41 not out, Kaunian Abbas 50 not out) drew with KSCA XI 190 all out in 59.1 overs and 503 for 4 declared. in 113.5 overs (K.B. Pawan 237, Amit A Verma 138, CM Gautham 39 not out).
Alur: Baroda CA 202 all out in 70.3 overs and 445 all out in 109.5 overs (Kedhar Devdhar 91, Mohd. Forhad Hossain 3/54, Enamul Hoque (jr) 5/138] drew with Bangladesh 'A' 314 all out in 86 overs and 184 for 4 in 68 overs (Mominul Hoque Souorav 52 not out, Imrul Kayes 59, Shahriar Nagees Ahmed 32, Bhargav Bhat 2/99, Firdaush Bhaja 2/16).
Mysore: Rajasthan CA 626 all out in 153.5 overs and 240 for 8 in 67 overs (Vineet Saxena 41, Vaibhav Deshpande 34, Arjit Gupta 82, Lalit Mohan 6/82) drew with Hyderabad CA 411 all out in 106.1 overs.

[sriece19]

London Olympics 2012: Saina Nehwal first Indian to reach semi-finals



Saina Nehwal today created history as she became the first Indian shuttler to reach the semifinals of the Olympics after notching up a hard-fought straight-game victory over Tine Baun of Denmark in the women's singles quarterfinals at the London Games, here today.

Fourth seeded Saina edged past fifth seed Tine 21-15 22-20 in a 39-minute match at the Wembley Areana to set up a clash with the current world No 1 and World champion Yihan Wang of China in the semifinals, whom she hasn't beaten once in her last five encounters.

With this win, Saina bettered her quarterfinal finish at the Beijing Games four years ago and also excorcised the demons of that painful defeat to Maria Kristin Yulianti of Indonesia.

The world No 5 Indian had to toil hard against the two-time All England Champion Tine, who matched her strokes but was a tad erratic, which proved to be her bane in the quarterfinal match.

Saina was very precise with her strokes, while Tine was erratic initially and it allowed the Indian to lead 11-7 at the break.

After the breather, Saina slowly mixed her strokes to move into the game point at 20-12 with a short smash but she committed some unforced errors and a few judgemental mistakes on her part allowed the Dane to save three game points. Saina finally pocketed the first game with a smash which Tine netted.

In the second game, Tine opened up a slender 3-0 lead and extended it to 10-7 but Saina reeled off four straight points to lead 11-10 at the break once again.

[sriece19]

Airtel begins the soccer talent hunt in Hyderabad



Airtel in association with Manchester United, one of the best soccer clubs in the world, launches under-16 soccer talent hunt which will cover 16 cities across India and choose 12 talented footballers to give the chance to train with Manchester United Soccer School and kick-off a career in professional football.

The hunt will kick off with a bang in Hyderabad on August 3, 2012, with more than 1,350 talented footballers registering for the two-day auditions to be held at Gymkhana Grounds – Secunderabad, Hyderabad.

The three-month long talent hunt will involve participation from over 10,000 young soccer players. The boys who turn up for the auditions will be put through the paces under the guidance of five coaches-cum-selectors, who will then pick 120 of the most talented players to advance to the next phase.

These players will be selected according to criteria based on the aspects mentioned in the Manchester United Scouting Guidelines. These aspects will dwell on the technical and tactical skills, the physical and mental strengths, the social skills, besides focusing on attitude, behaviour, communication, discipline, enthusiasm and fairplay.

The shortlisted 120 players will be informed of their status as well as the venue and timing of the second phase of selections on completion of the first phase. The best three players will be picked from the 120, who will then join their counterparts from the other 15 centres to participate in the six-day final selection trials, scheduled for September.

The 120 shortlisted players will also receive Manchester United certificates, signed by Alex Ferguson, the manager of Manchester United.

[sriece19]

Hyderabad climber helps Pune team scale Mt. Everest



Here is a classic case wherein meticulous planning over a period of two years has helped an expedition team from Pune scale Mount Everest this May. The climbers also managed to complete the expedition by spending less than the average expenditure incurred per person for Mt. Everest.

The usual expense to scale Mount Everest for a person hovers between Rs. 35 and Rs. 40 lakh. The team from Sagarmatha Giryarohan Sanstha Adventure Club, Pune completed the expedition by keeping the expenses within Rs. 20 lakh per person.

On Thursday, the team members -- Shrihari Tapkir, Sagar Palkar, Ramesh Gulave, Anand Bonsode, Balaji Mane, and Kushal Deshmukh -- who were guided in all aspects of the climb by famous climber from Hyderabad Shekhar Babu, interacted with press persons. Of the six climbers in the team Shrihari Tapkir, Sagar Palkar and Anand Bonsode managed to reach the summit on May 19.

One of the team member, Anand Bonsode, also claimed a place in the Limca Book of Records for performing the national anthem on a guitar at camp 2 (6,320 metres above sea level) of Mt. Everest. “I performed several Hindi film songs and the national anthem with my guitar at camp 2 for more than 15 minutes. We have sent the documented evidence and waiting for confirmation,” he said.

Guidance of climber Shekhar Babu was vital to complete the expedition at low cost, they said. “Thanks to Mr. Shekhar we reduced the number of support staff, got Oxygen cylinders and climbing gear at affordable rates,” they said.

“We started climbing small and medium peaks in the Himachal region in 2010. We took climbing courses from a host of mountaineering institutes. Last year, we undertook a pre-expedition climb to Mt. Meru in Nepal. We were around 13 members out of which Shekhar Babu handpicked six of us for the actual climb,” the team members said.

[deepakhearthacker]

London Olympics badminton: Saina Nehwal wins bronze
Saina nehwal wins Bronze Medal!! once again a Hyderabadi!!
awesome............

[sriece19]

Originally Posted by deepakhearthacker

London Olympics badminton: Saina Nehwal wins bronze
Saina nehwal wins Bronze Medal!! once again a Hyderabadi!!
awesome............

Saina is pride of the Nation

[sriece19]

Man U beckons football crazy young guns

Great response to Airtel Rising Stars’ talent hunt programme

It was a T-20 format with a difference in football! For, the ‘Airtel Rising Stars’ talent hunt programme (under-16 years), organised by the Procam International, featured five-a-side selection matches, lasting 20 minutes each at the Gymkhana Grounds in Hyderabad on Friday.

[sriece19]

Hyderabad man's solution helped Vijay win Olympic silver

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/15356827.cms

[sriece19]

Grand welcome to Super Saina

Fans and friends greet ace shuttler Saina Nehwal, fresh from her victory at the 2012 Olympics.

Fresh from her victory at the 2012 London Olympics, shuttler Saina Nehwal arrived at Hyderabad this afternoon. Having clinched a bronze medal, Saina’s return was eagerly anticipated by family, friends and fans.

However, thanks to the absence of any advance information of her homecoming, many fans and supporters missed her arrival at the airport. Her father, Harvir Singh Nehwal, was the only one from the family present as Saina’s elder sister will be reaching Hyderabad from Jalandhar tomorrow with their mother. However, scores of Harvir’s colleagues accompanied him to welcome his daughter.

Brimming with delight and excitement at receiving his daughter, Harvir was discussing nothing but her feat at the Olympics. He shared his excitement with Postnoon while on his way to the airport. “It has been a terrific experience. I am being escorted by my colleagues who have decided to give her a grand reception,” he said. Harvir is a scientist at the Directorate of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad.

“It is a very proud moment for me. I have been told that all the security arrangements have been made and we have been keeping track of her journey from London to Delhi to Hyderabad. Fans and supporters have already started gathering at our house in Gachibowli,” said Singh, while signing off.

Saina, along with her coach P Gopichand, landed in the City around 12.30pm, from where they will proceed to attend a press meet at the Gopichand Badminton Academy in Gachibowli. Given that it is Ramzan, Harvir Singh says, “Of course we will be celebrating with biryani and haleem. I think she deserves it, considering that she has played one of the best games of her career in the tournament.”

[sriece19]

VVS Laxman slams ton for Hyderabad in Shafi Darashah Trophy




Veteran VVS Laxman warmed up for the new season with an unbeaten 102 and along with Akshath Reddy (105) helped Hyderabad make 253 for 4 in reply to KSCA President XI's first innings total of 278 at stumps on the second day of the Shafi Darashah Trophy cricket tournament on Tuesday.

Laxman slammed 15 boundaries in the course of his unfinished 154-ball innings while Reddy's knock lasted 201 deliveries and comprised 13 fours and two sixes.

At the Gangothri Glades grounds, Mumbai Cricket Association (CA), thanks to an unbeaten 115 (142b, 18x4, 1x6) by Swapnil Salvi, were 154 for no loss in reply to Rajasthan CA's 277 at the end of a truncated day's play with the match beginning later due to overnight rains. The other opener, Kaustubha Pawar, was batting on 34.

In Bangalore, KSCA Colts were on 279 for nine against Baroda CA on a day when the proceedings began late and ended at 3 p.m. due to bad light with just about 20 overs being possible. Overnight not out batsman Mayank Agarwal (91) could not add to his total.

At Alur, Bangladesh 'A' batsmen fared rather poorly and were 188 for seven against KSCA XI, who were dismissed for 284 with left-arm spinner Enamul Haque Jr. taking six for 119. Mominul Haque Sowrab (52) was the top scorer for Bangladesh.

Brief Scores:

In Mysore: KSCA President's XI 278 for 9 in 90 overs (Ravi Kiran 4/35, M Hasan 2/81, K Naidu 2/45) vs Hyderabad CA 253 for 4 in 78 overs (Akshath Reddy 105, VVS Laxman 102 batting, Ryan Ninan 2/43).

Rajasthan CA 277 all out in 83.3 overs (Ankit Lamba 56, Azim Akhtar 32, Kshemal Waingankar 5/76, Balawinder Singh Sandhu Jr 2/52, Rakesh Prabhu 2/87) vs Mumbai CA 154 for no loss in 50 overs (Swapnil Salvi 115 batting, Kaustubha Pawar 34 batting).

In Alur: KSCA XI 284 all out in 89.1 overs (CM Gautham 63, Enamul Haque Jr 6/119) vs Bangladesh 'A' 188 for 7 in 62 overs (Md. Imrul Kayes 37, Md Shamsur Rehman Shuvo 35, Mominul Haque Sowrab 52 Md. Mithun 35 batting, K Gowtham 4/59).

In Bangalore: KSCA Colts 279 for 9 in 100.3 overs (Manyank Agarwal 91, Pawan Deshpande 46, Anirudh Joshi 35 batting, Pirdaush Bhaja 5/90, Murtuja Vohora 2/56) vs Baroda CA. (IANS)

[Gudavalli]

Gopichand’s belief: Want a champion, forget democracy

A few years ago, the trainees of the Pullela Gopichand academy at Gachibowli had the tendency of calling the training complex a three-star jail since none of the players were allowed to walk out of the premises for even a general stroll or shopping without the permission of the coaches and a gate pass.

Some of the players even had to surrender their cell phones after the morning training session and it was difficult for many to fathom the logic of all these rules. Slowly but surely they understood that it was coach Gopichand’s way to ensure that the players utilised their rest time only to recover from the strenuous training sessions and not waste their time and energy indulging themselves in unnecessary activities.

The Gopichand Academy, which gave India its first Olympic medal when Saina Nehwal won the bronze in London last week, has now become a cradle for badminton talent in India and the man who dreamt of making India a superpower in world badminton one day, rules it with an iron fist.

Gopichand has shown Saina the way. AFP
“If you want to produce champions, there is no place for democracy,” Gopichand had told the writer way back in 2009. The conversation about India’s future in badminton had then wavered towards the 2001 All England champion’s strict control over his wards and Gopichand had responded saying he needs to know everything that his player does every minute of the day.

Gopichand has firmly believed the progress of any player depends as much on what he or she does on the court but also outside the court as it can physically and emotionally affects their overall development.

The Indian Oil employee was very clear in his mind that the Indians were second to none in skills but lacked the fitness levels to match the best in the world. A fan of the Chinese training regime which puts tremendous emphasis on fitness and agility, Gopichand’s went about the task of building the fitness levels of his players with extensive training and strict diet control.

“Not one of my trainee will lose a match because he or she is unfit,” a statement Gopichand today makes with pride anytime he is asked about the players at his academy.

But that was not an easy task. When in Hyderabad, Gopichand is at the academy at 4.30 in the morning preparing the daily training schedule of the 30-odd trainees and explaining his assistant coaches what they are supposed to do for the day. The elite shuttlers are put through three sessions each day with the physical training and gym sessions customised to every individuals needs.

“During breakfast time, Gopi sir would stand behind some of us, even weigh the amount of food intake we had because we used to hate eating the protein rich food,” Prajakta Sawant, now the women’s doubles national champion, had told me once.

The rules were even stricter for Saina. Even when she was on a break and attending promotional functions, she would excuse herself and go to her room once it was time for her to sleep and I have personally witnessed how Gopichand would remind her about the time if Saina did miss the deadline.

Once Saina became a star and the entire nation began following her progress, the most popular ward were given certain liberties but Gopichand was never willing to compromise on certain issues and that became a bone of contention between the two last year.

But Saina soon understood the importance of the strict regimentation that Gopichand had prepared for her considering her body’s tendency to quickly gain weight, something that slowed her down on the court.

In the run up to the Olympics, Saina’s public appearances were restricted and there was a rationing on even the amount of time she can spend talking on phone.

The results of the regimentation are for everyone to see. Saina won the country’s maiden bronze in badminton and her academy mate P Kashyap became the first Indian male shuttler to reach the quarterfinals at the Olympics.

There is a battery of youngsters who have the potential to carry the baton from these two and have already started showing the spark on the international stage. P Sindhu is already the junior Asian champion, Sameer Verma has been a finalist in the junior Asian meet and HS Prannoy won silver in the inaugural Youth Olympics.

In order to match the best, Gopichand has adopted the same philosophy of strict regimentation the Chinese, Koreans or the Japanese follow. The results have just started to show.