Lotus in the Mud

Mary Kom gets Khel Ratna; Sarita Arjuna

2009-07-30T09:20:00.001+05:30

New Delhi, July 29: For the first time since the inception of the Rajiv Khel Ratna Award in 1991, three sportspersons -- four-time world boxing champion Mangte Chungneijang Marykom, Olympic bronze medallists boxer Vijender Singh and wrestler Sushil Kumar -- will receive the country`s highest sporting honour.

Mary will be the second sporstperson from the state to receive the prestigious award after weightlifter Nameirakpam Kunjarani.

The only other time more than one sportsperson was bestowed the award was in 2002-03 when shooter Anjali Vedpathak and athlete K.M. Beenamol shared it.

Meanwhile, chief minister of Manipur, O Ibobi Singh and his SPF government expressed happiness over the selection of Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Laishram Sarita for the Arjuna Award.

The chief minister said that four-time world boxing champion May Kom and international player Sarita were really rare and talented players. He expressed his pride at getting the most prestigious sports award by the players of the state and also asked the young players to concentrate and become good players while assuring that sports would surely bring peace to the state.

N Biren Singh, state minister for youth affairs and sports also expressed his happiness over the awards to be given to the players of the state and felt proud of such achievements by the state’s boxing players.

The sports ministry also announced the list of 15 Arjuna Award winners Wednesday.
India`s opening batsman Gautam Gambhir, world No.6 badminton player Saina Nehwal and trap shooter Ronjan Sodhi, who equalled the world record, are among those selected for the Arjuna Award.

The selection committee headed by former table tennis player Indu Puri also selected Olympic medallist Sushil`s coach Satpal and former All England Badminton champion and Saina`s coach Pullela Gopichand for the Dronacharya Award.

The prize money for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyanchand Awards have been increased.

Khel Ratna prize money has been hiked from Rs.500,000 to Rs.750,000 while Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyanchand Awards prize money has been increased from Rs.300,000 to Rs.500,000.

List of awardees:
Rajiv Khel Ratna: M.C. Marykom (boxer), Vijender Kumar (boxer) and Sushil Kumar (wrestling)
Arjuna Award: Mangal Singh Champia (archery), Sinimol Paulose (athletics), Saina Nehwal (badminton), L. Sarita Devi (boxing), Tania Sachdeva (chess), Gautam Gambhir (cricket), Ignatius Tirkey (hockey), Surinder Kaur (hockey), Pankaj Shirsat (kabaddi), Satish Joshi (rowing), Ranjan Sodhi (shooting), Poulami Ghatak (table tennis), Yogeshwar Dutt (wrestling), G.L. Yadav (yachting), Parul Parmar (badminton disabled) .

Dronacharya Award: Baldev Singh (hockey), Jaidev Bisht (boxing), Satpal (wrestling) and Pullela Gopichand (badminton) .

Dhyanchand Award: Ishar Singh Deol (athletics), Satbir Singh Dahya (wrestling).

Controversy over formation of 'Hockey Manipur'

2009-07-04T09:22:00.002+05:30

Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) on the one hand and Manipur Hockey Association (MHA) and Manipur Women’s Hockey Association (MWHA) on the other are at loggerheads over the formation of 'Hockey Manipur' to run the game in the state.

Manipur Hockey Association (MHA), along with Manipur Women’s Hockey Association (MWHA) had constituted an interim unified body — Hockey Manipur — in a joint meeting on June 28 with MWHA president N Momon Devi as president and Th Manihar Singh as secretary general.

However, the Manipur Olympic Association on June 29 formed another ad hoc committee called Hockey Manipur, with MOA vice-president BC Singh as chairman and Olympian Ksh. Thoiba Singh as convenor.

The MOA in a statement said an Indian Olympic Association instruction on June 1 had necessitated the move. The Manipur Hockey Association and Manipur Women’s Hockey Association's membership to MOA was also suspended.

Hemjit finishes fifth in Asian Youth Games

2009-07-02T16:40:00.001+05:30

Yumnam Hemjit Meitei was the only Manipuri in the Indian team in the inaugural Asian Youth Games (June 29-July 7) in Singapore.

He finished fifth in the 3 metre springboard diving final held on June 30 with 397.70 points. Wu Dongliang of China was first with 626.60 points, Alharbi Rashed of Kuwait second with 474.95, Cho Sung In of South Korea third with 474.05 and Ali Ospan of Kazakhstan fourth with 417.80 points.

Hemjit stood fourth in the preliminary rounds.

Hero's welcome accorded to Suranjoy

2009-06-20T10:35:00.003+05:30

Imphal, June 19: Asian Boxing Championship gold medallist Mayengbam Suranjoy Singh was accorded a warm welcome by the people of Manipur on his arrival at Imphal today.

Suranjoy, who clinched the flyweight category (51 kg) gold medal at the Asian championship held at China's Zhuhai from June 7 till 13, arrived at Tulihal Airport at around 9.15 am from where he was accompanied by a large number of enthusiastic supporters to SAI SAG Centre, Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.

At the felicitation programme hosted by SAI NERC, Imphal and attended by many SAI officials and sportspersons, Mayang Imphal Assembly Constituency MLA Dr Kh Ratankumar, who is also the chairman of MANIDCO, formally handed over a cash reward of Rs 50,000 in recognition of the 22 year old's accomplishment at the international arena.

Later in the day, Suranjoy also attended another reception programme jointly organised by Mayang Imphal Khuman Youth Association and All Uchiwa Development Association at Uchiwa Pakhangba Lampak.

A native of Mayang Imphal, Suranjoy ended India's 15 year gold medal drought at the Asian Championship with the triumph at the recently concluded Zhuhai championship.

Suranjoy's career collection, so far, include eight gold, one silver and same number of bronze medals at the National level competition while at the international level his haul has gone up to four yellow metal, five silver and two bronze medals.

Source: The Sangai Express

Another Story:
Imphal, June 19: His gold medal glittering in the sun and tears streaming down his face, Manipur’s very own Mike Tyson returned home today to a tumultuous welcome.
Boxer Mayengbam Suranjoy Singh has not only brought a gold medal — which he won at the Asian Boxing Championship held at Zhuhai in China — but also hope and joy for the state which has been wreaked by violence in recent times.

Suranjoy defeated Chinese boxer Li Chao 9-8 in the final of the 51kg bout at the boxing meet held from June 7-13.

It was truly a champion’s welcome as hundreds of fans, well-wishers and family members garlanded Suranjoy with tears of joy at Tulihal airport here this morning. Amid the jostling, Suranjoy said, “This is just the beginning and I hope to repeat and better myself in future competitions.”

“This is an Asian ring but I hope to do better in the world championships and Olympics,” he added. The pugilist credited his success to his coach N. Ibomcha Singh, who had guided and nurtured him.

Suranjoy, a native of Uchiwa Leirak Achouba in Mayang Imphal, is a chief petty officer in the Indian Navy in Mumbai.

The crowd that was eagerly waiting at the airport went berserk as Suranjoy was heaved onto an enthusiastic fan’s shoulders.

Among those present at the airport were Mayang Imphal Congress legislator Kh. Ratankumar Singh along with erstwhile coach N. Ibomcha Singh and another boxing champion, Dingko Singh.

The boxer was later driven in an open jeep through the streets of Imphal. He also visited the Special Area Games complex at Khuman Lampak to express gratitude to his mentors and friends. Ratankumar presented him a cheque for Rs 50,000.

Suranjoy’s proud father, M. Inakhunba Singh, was speechless with delight. The state government will felicitate Suranjoy along with silver medallist Th. Nanao Singh, at the Khuman Lampak main stadium tomorrow morning.

Source: The Telegraph

Upbeat boxers eye Commonwealth glory

2009-06-17T23:25:00.002+05:30

On a high after its best ever performance at the Asian Boxing Championships in 27 years, Indian boxers expressed a lot of confidence.

Talking to the media after his arrival with the rest of the team in New Delhi on Tuesday, Suranjoy Singh, the sole gold medallist at the Zhuhai meet, said, "I will win gold at the Commonwealth Games."

India won one gold, two silver and four bronze medals at the meet, finishing third behind China and Uzbekistan.

Chief coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu was visibly upbeat. "Boxers who had been written off have made excellent comebacks," he said, "The youngsters have also made a mark."

On whether the contingent should be expected to bag gold at the Commonwealth Games, he said, "100 per cent."

Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Vijender Kumar was also optimistic about India's future prospects.

"We have a number of juniors like Balwinder (Beniwal), Nanao (Singh) and Suranjoy who will definitely brighten our chances of winning more medals in future," he said.

On being asked if the gold medal was expected, Suranjoy said, "Yes, I was hoping to win after bagging gold in a previous competition in the Czech Republic."

"I have to now prepare and work even harder for the forthcoming World Championships and Commonwealth Games," Suranjoy added.

He admitted that his short stature was a bit of a problem but said it wasn't a big factor.
Suranjoy's gold is India's first since 1994, when Rajkumar Sangwan had triumphed in Tehran.
"Suranjoy is very aggressive and strong-willed," remarked Sandhu.

"He was confident of and committed to winning the gold medal. He has snatched the medal from the Chinese."

Sandhu also expressed satisfaction at the team's overall showing. "It was a morale-building performance.

In fact, Vijender was also expected to win gold, but had a bit of bad luck, losing to a boxer from the host nation. The crowd's raucous cheering put him off a little."

Although he had to settle for bronze at Zhuhai, Vijender didn't sound overly disappointed. "Beating the world champion (Uzbek Atoev Abbos) in such an important tournament was extremely gratifying," he said.

Sandhu thanked the support staff for the contingent's improved display. "The entire team's coordinated efforts, in addition to the support from the sports ministry under Mr MS Gill, are bearing fruits."

Source: www.espnstar.com

Suranjoy comes of age

2009-06-17T22:48:00.004+05:30

New Delhi, June 16: With three gold medals in three international meets this year, Suranjoy Singh is tipped to be the next big thing in Indian boxing. This, though, comes a few years after the Indian Boxing Federation’s selection committee had told him that he was not good enough.
The 22-year-old Manipuri boxer’s story seems to be the quintessential prodigy-showing-early-promise-before-losing-his-way one. But for once, it doesn’t end there.

A bronze medallist at the world junior championship in 2004, Suranjoy didn’t have a smooth transition from the junior to the senior level. Struggling to cope with the increasing demands of the sport, he failed to meet the expectations. A first-round loss at the 2007 national championship in the Capital, and he was off the selectors’ radar.

“I became so miserable when I was told that I was not good enough. That was very hard to deal with,” says Suranjoy, back from the Asian Boxing Championship in Zuhai, China. “Basically, I was finding it hard to compete at that level all of a sudden.”

Concurs national coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu: “He had tremendous potential but lost his focus when he graduated to the senior level. Slowly, he was no longer being considered for national camps and Indian contingents participating in tournaments abroad. The committee, in fact, told him not to waste his time as well as theirs.

“Sometime last year, he came to me and asked for a second chance. He promised he wouldn’t let me down, and I am glad to say he hasn’t.”

Source: Indian Express

Suranjoy Singh

2009-06-16T22:46:00.002+05:30

Football's loss is boxing's gain

New Delhi, June 16: Suranjoy Singh could have gone the Rennedy Singh way but football's loss turned out to be boxing's gain as the Manipuri pugilist went on to end India's 15-year wait for a gold medal at the Asian Championships.

The 22-year-old wanted to make it big as a footballer like his famous state-mate but his elder brother Suranjit - a former boxer himself - motivated him to take up boxing after a frustrating wait to make it to national level football.

The transition, however, was not easy as it was initially unacceptable to his family."I was into football and seriously thought of a career in it because the game is huge in Manipur but not getting a national break frustrated me," Suranjoy told PTI.

"My brother introduced me to boxing at that point and it was he who made me realise that success in an individual sport would fetch me a lot more recognition and satisfaction. After giving it a thought, I realised that he was right because I would have been probably lost in a team sport like football," the diminutive fly weight (51kg) boxer added.

The Navy man said once he made up his mind to take up boxing, he found it hard to convince his parents.

Source: Press Trust of India

Asian Boxing Championships

2009-06-13T22:01:00.001+05:30

Suranjoy ends India's 15-year gold drought in Asian boxing

Zhuhai (China), June 13: Manipur's Suranjoy Singh gave India its first Asian Championship gold in 15 years while Thokchom Nanao Singh and Jai Bhagwan settled for silver medals as the country's boxers rounded off a 27-year-best performance in the elite event here today.

India ended their campaign with a gold, two silver and four bronze medals, which went to Jitender Kumar (54kg) Vijender Singh (75kg), Dinesh Kumar (81kg) and Paramjit Samota (+91kg). The team was placed third in the overall standings behind hosts China and Uzbekistan.

The performance this time is a marked improvement from 1982 championships held in Seoul where the country's boxers notched up two gold, an equal number of silver and a bronze medal.

The last gold medal for India in the Asian Championship came in the 1994 edition in Tehran where Rajkumar Sangwan finished on top in the super heavy weight category.

And today, it was a fly weight (51kg) boxer who broke the 15-year jinx. Suranjoy, a junior World Championship bronze medallist in 2004, beat Li Chao of China 9-8 in a thrilling encounter.

"It was certainly not one of my best performances because my opponent came very close to upstaging me but I am thrilled to win India's first gold medal here in 15 years," an elated Suranjoy said.

Another Manipuri, Nanao (48 kgs) settled for a silver losing 8-9 in a cliffhanger finaL to Pongprayoon Keaw of Thailand.

Nanao was leading after winning the first round 3-2 and was tied 6-6 at the end of the second round. He was leading 8-7 in the third round with less than ninety seconds from the finish but the Thai boxer came back strong to win 9-8.

Cricket in Arunachal

2009-01-02T23:02:00.001+05:30

Fund crunch hits cricket
Itanagar, Jan 1: Cricket in Arunachal Pradesh faces an uphill task, always walking a tightrope on matters of finance.
Established in 1997, the 12-year-long wait was over for the association with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) giving it affiliation recently, but the celebrations that followed were shortlived.
The cash-strapped cricket association that has none other than PWD minister Nabam Tuki as its president, is struggling to acquire funds and get a plot of land to build a stadium of its own.
Lacking even the “bare minimum” infrastructure for cricket in the state, the Arunachal Cricket Association had somehow managed to organise the first edition of the under-17 tournament in 2007 with Rs 5 lakh assistance from chief minister Dorjee Khandu and some donations from well- wishers.
On the basis of organising the tournament held successfully, the BCCI accorded affiliation to the ACA on September 27, 2008.
After getting the BCCI affiliation, however, the Arunachal Cricket Association was unable to raise the necessary funds for the 2nd edition of the under-17 tournament in 2008. The tournament, which was slated for October 15, had to be rescheduled for November 17 onwards because of funds constraint.
According to the association, it had managed to hold the second edition, too, as a low-key affair without any sponsorship where only a few teams participated.
“The tournament was quite a success and it generated a good response, but our anxieties are far from over. We are finding it difficult to find a plot of land to build our own stadium,” Arunachal Cricket Association secretary Tado Kholi said.
“Indira Gandhi Park, the venue of the 2007 tournament, was in a bad shape bearing the brunt of government programmes and cultural shows that were organised there. We had to incur extra expenditure in sprucing up the ground, besides paying the forest department, which maintains the ground, Rs 1,000 per day for holding the tournament. Somehow, we organised the tournament with a budget of Rs 4 lakh,” Kholi said.
“But this year, even after fixing the schedule for the tournament, we were still groping in the dark because of lack of funds,” Kholi said.
Though talks are on to find a plot of land in Jully or Doimukh area, unless the formalities are cleared nothing can be said, he added.
The association’s secretary said even after knocking on the door of sports minister Atum Welly for allotment of land for a cricket ground, he only got a verbal assurance.
Source: The Telegraph

Snippets

2009-01-02T22:59:00.001+05:30

Oil India storm into I-Day Cup final
Nagaon, Jan 1: Oil India Football Club, Duliajan entered the final of 60th Independence Day Cup football tournament defeating Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) Sports Club, Guwahati 4-0 in the second semi-final match at Nowgong Sports Association’s Nurul Amin Stadium here today.
Oil India maintained their good run in the tournament with another impressive show today, outplaying the fancied ASEB to earn a comprehensive victory.
Striker Bhupen Gogoi scored the first two goals in the 29th and 44th minutes of the game, while midfielder Stephen Njoh scored the third goal in the 58th minute.
Manas M. Chetia scored the last goal for Oil India during injury time.
Oil India will now meet last year’s runners-up BSF, Jalandhar in the final on Saturday.

Imphal West triumph
Imphal: Imphal West District Football Association claimed the title of the 11th Inter District Women's Football tournament with a come-from-behind 2-1 win and making it 7-1 aggregate victory in the double-leg competition at Khuman Lampak main Stadium on Wednesday.
Even though the Imphal East eves side surged ahead on Ng Bala's seventh minute score the arch rivals equalised through Th Tababi in the 33rd as O Bembem converted a penalty in the 56th minute to ensure the title win.

Junior National Football at Bhillai

2009-01-02T22:39:00.002+05:30

Results of Group A QF league matches on Jan 2: Manipur beat Meghalaya 2-0; Punjab drew Gujarat 0-0
Results of Group B QF league matches on Jan 1: Jharkhand beat Chandigarh 2-0; Delhi beat Uttar Pradesh 2-1
Results of Group A QF league matches on Dec 31: Meghalaya beat Punjab 1-0; Manipur beat Gujarat 5-0
Results of matches on Dec 30: Cluster III: Bengal 3 Tamilnadu 0; Cluster VII: Delhi 4 Madhya Pradesh 0

Junior National Football

2008-12-31T00:11:00.002+05:30

Results of matches on Dec 29 at Bhillai:
Cluster IV: Uttarakhand 4 Pondicherry 0
Cluster VII: Delhi 2 Mizoram 2
Cluster VIII: Uttar Pradesh 4 Bihar 0
Cluster III: Punjab 2 Orissa 0
Cluster IV: Jharkhand 3 Assam 2
Results of matches on Dec 27:
Cluster IV: Assam 3 Uttarakhand 1
Cluster IV: Jharkhand 13 Pondicherry 0
Cluster III: Maharashtra 2 Punjab 2
Cluster VIII: Uttar Pradesh 3 Tripura 0
Results of matches on Dec 26:
Cluster I: Haryana 2 Kerala 0
Cluster VI: Manipur 5 Karnataka 0
Cluster V: Gujarat 3 Himachal Pradesh 0
Results of matches on Dec 25:
Cluster IV: Assam 10 Pondicherry 0
Cluster VIII: Bihar 6 Tripura 1
Cluster III: Orissa 0 Maharashtra 0
Cluster IV: Jharkhand 3 Uttarakhand 0
Results of matches on Dec 24:
Cluster I: Haryana 1 Meghalaya 1
Cluster II: West Bengal 0 Chandigarh 1
Cluster V: Chhattisgarh 1 Gujarat 3
Cluster VI: Goa 0 Manipur 0

Manipur Women's Winners Cup

2008-12-31T00:07:00.002+05:30

Manipur cops win BM Singh Trophy
Imphal, Dec 28: Manipur Police Sports Club lifted the 8th Women Winners Cup for B.M. Singh Football Trophy crushing Naharol Yaipha Thourang Club 5-0 in the last league match played at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium here today.
Th. Tababi Devi scored four goals, including a hattrick. This is the record seventh win for Manipur Police women’s team in the prestigious B.M. Singh Football Trophy. Naharol Yaipha Thourang Club had won the cup once.
Manipur Police Sports Club collected 12 points and bagged Rs 2,000 with the trophy while runners-up Naharol Yaipha Thourang Club fetched nine points and won Rs 1,500 today.
The lone presence of international player Ng. Bala Devi in Naharol Yaipha Thourang Club could hardly bring about any change as she was marked all the time and did not get her teammates’ support throughout the game.
Manipur Police Sports Club were all fired up right from the beginning with good support from their medios with striker Th. Tababi Devi scoring four goals. Two of the Police goals were almost gifts from Naharol custodian S. Memtombi Devi.
Th. Tababi Devi drew first blood in the 7th minute after she sent a right-flank cross to the goalmouth where the ball hit Memtombi Devi and rolled into the net. The second goal came in the 12th minute as O. Bembem Devi fired a lofted shot from the middle that was totally misjudged by the Naharol goalkeeoer. The police club was leading 2-0 till the first half.
Naharol Yaipha never had an easy moment in the game as Manipur Police mounted pressure throughout the second half and Th. Tababi Devi had a marauding run, beating defenders to come up with three more goals. She scored in the 45th, 52nd and 69the minute completing her hattrick.
Earlier today, Eastern Sporting Union had a 4-0 victory against United Progressive Sporting Association. Th. Umapati Devi, M. Mandakini Devi, P. Vijeta Devi and A.Romi Devi scored the goals. They finished third with six points.
Kangchup Road Youth Physical and Sporting Association finished fourth with three points and United Progressive Sporting Association finished last without a win from four games.
Source: The Telegraph

AIFF Executive Committee

2008-12-31T00:05:00.001+05:30

Ankur Dutta VP; Ranjith, Larsing members
Following is the AIFF Executive Committee members for 2009-2012:
Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi - President
Praful M. Patel (WIFA) - Vice President (West Zone)
A.R. Khaleel (Karnataka) - Vice President (South)
Subarata Dutta (IFA) - Vice President (East)
Venod Sharma (Chandigarh) - Vice President (North)
Ankur Dutta (Assam) - Vice President (North Nast)
Hardev Jadeja (Gujarat) - Treasurer
Joaquim Alemao (Goa; West) - Member Executive Committee
A.R Dev (Madhya Pradesh; West) - Member Executive Committee
K.M.I Mather (Kerala; South) - Member Executive Committee
C.R Visswanathan (Tamilnadu; South) – Member Executive Committee
Inder Singh (Punjab; North) - Member Executive Committee
Sunil Bhardwaj (Haryana; North) - Member Executive Committee
M.A. Alam (Orissa; East) - Member Executive Committee
Tempo Bhutia (Sikkim; East) - Member Executive Committee
L. Ranjith Roy (Manipur; North East) - Member Executive Committee
Larsing M. Sawyan (Meghalaya; North East) - Member Executive Committee`
Rakesh Yadav (Railways ) - Nominated

Dingko's Bangkok Asiad Feat Revisited

2008-12-31T00:00:00.001+05:30

I miss running with the tricolour, says Dingko

Chennai: The country has forgotten Dingko Singh, who won India a gold medal in Bangkok Games in 1998. A week after New Year's Day, Dingko will only turned 30 and that probably compounds the romance and the tragedy of the boxer's story - Akhil Kumar, the current braveheart, is 27, and by no means a late bloomer.
A maverick boxer far ahead of his time in terms of technique, it was the Dingko's talent and audacious arrogance in the ring that set him apart from the rest. A technical catalyst, his boxing serves as the reference point for the change in Indian technical approach that was adopted post-Athens 2004, benefits of which are being reaped by the current lot.
"What he did came naturally to him, but all the boxers today are trained to fight like Dingko," said a boxing federation official, adding that there was no better method to adopt to score than Dingko's technique.
"Suddenly, in four years time, we began winning," he adds.
Coaches at SAI centres across the country still turn eloquent over his famed reaction time and speed, but temperamental to the point of disbelief, Dingko probably could not have burned brighter. Injuries began to take a toll and four years ago he made his exit.
As the country prepared for the Athens Olympics, a brief news item said he had lost in the first round of the Hissar Nationals - an event in which he would usually sleepwalk to victory.
Today, a much-mellowed Dingko himself is busy completing a National Institute of Sports (NIS) coach diploma.
"Only he can impart that speed and the locked elbow punch," says a fellow coach, adding, "We can't lose him anymore."
Sent to an orphange in Imphal as a kid since his mother couldn't raise six children, Dingko took to boxing to channelise his anger. Back home in Imphal, he caused scores of girls and boys alike to suddenly throng the Zen-master-like Imbocha Singh's boxing classes at the sprawling Khuman Lampak SAI Centre of Excellence, making it the cradle of the sport before Bhiwani replaced it.
Dingko remains the reason why multi-world champion, Mary Kom still dissolves into giggles at the every mention of her hero's name, like a schoolgirl talking about her favourite movie star. The Manipuri unabashedly admits that it was Dingko's 1998 gold that spurred her to take up boxing.
"I miss running with the tricolour after winning boxing tournaments," says Dingko, adding, "Maybe one day my son Dingson will do it. He's only eight, but seems keen."
There is a pause on the phone line, and then he asks. "Do you know what Dingson means? Son of Dingko," he laughs. Dingko Singh is much-mellowed now but the arrogance remains. Good to know some things don't change.
Source: The Times Of India

Mary Kom Exploits

2008-12-06T09:22:00.006+05:30

Manipuri gets 4th consecutive World Championship gold

Ningbo City (China), Nov 29: India's M C Mary Kom (46kg) re-asserted her status as the world's most successful woman boxer clinching an unprecedented fourth successive gold medal but India failed to retain the team crown at the fifth AIBA World Championships here on Saturday.

In a repeat of the previous World Championship final in New Delhi, the 25-year-old out-punched Romania's Steluta Duta 7-1 to grab India's only gold medal at the event.

The other Indian finalist, N Usha (57kg) had to be content with a silver for the second successive time after she lost 1-6 to Chinese Qin Jian.

The defending champions, who were here with a small seven-member contingent, thus finished the tournament with a haul of one gold, a silver and two bronze medals -- through Chhoto Laura (50kg) and L Sarita Devi (52kg), who lost in the semifinals yesterday.

Though she couldn't ensure that the team retained the overall title, Mary Kom was once again the star of the show for India.

The Manipuri boxer remained away from the ring for two years to take care of her twin babies after completing a hat-trick of World Championship golds in New Delhi.

The pint-sized pugilist returned to don the gloves this year at the Asian Championships in September where she failed to retain her gold and settled for a silver.

She claimed the National title earlier this month before leaving for the World Championship to achieve the spectacular feat.

Justice for Monika

2008-12-05T23:07:00.002+05:30

Don't disclose B sample result: Delhi HC
Imphal, Dec 4: The Delhi High Court has ruled that the B sample test result of weightlifter L Monika Devi should not be disclosed without the permission of the court.
An order to this effect was passed by Chief Justice AP Shah and Justice S Muralidhar on November 26 cting a petition jointly filed by Monika Devi, Ex-MLA L Ibomcha Singh and retired Medical Director Dr Th Suresh Singh.
The joint petition prayed for the intervention of the High Court in taking up necessary action against the officials responsible for the last minute exclusion of Monika Devi from the Beijing Olympics and for giving compensation by the Union of India for the mental harassment caused to the lifter.
The petition also contended the report of the urine sample of Monika taken during the Olympic trial as invalid.
Jan 7, 2009 has been fixed for the the next hearing.
The Sangai Express

Court issues notice on Monika plea

Eastern India Bodybuilding

2008-10-06T09:38:00.001+05:30

Assam bodybuilder wins title:
Guwahati, Oct 5: Shyamal Debnath of Assam emerged champion in the 55kg category in the Mr Eastern India Bodybuilding Championship held at Asansol in West Bengal recently.
At the same venue Mr North East Bodybuilding Championship was also held where Shyamal won the title in his group. Other competitors from Assam, Trailukya Das, Dhrubajyoti Barik, Jitumoni Das, Nipananda Hazarika, Mnoj Kr Boro, Dulal Gogoi, Mubarak Hussain and Mridu Paban Dutta also won medals in their respective weight groups.
Shyamal also was placed among top 10 competitors in the 47th Senior National Bodybuilding Championship for the Mr India title held at Pune from September 24 to 26.

Assam Netball Teams Named

2008-10-06T09:34:00.001+05:30

Nazira, Oct 5: The senior men and women Netball teams of Assam have been selected for taking part in 34th National Games to be held at Jharkhand and for the national selection camp in New Delhi from October 4. The India netball team will be selected for Common Wealth Games from the New Delhi camp.
The Assam team’s selection was made after the five-days camp held at Rohiteswar Saikia Memorial Indoor Stadium, here recently where players from Tinsukia, Sivasagar, Nazira, Jorhat, Baksa, Guwahati, Orang and Mariani districts took part.
The teams: (Men) Dipak Gogoi (Sivasagar, Captain), Dipu Deka (Baksa), Atul Boru (Baksa), Pinku Borgohain (Nazira), Siladitya Bhattacharya (Nazira), Devajit Dihingia (Nazira), Jamal Ali (Nazira), Dipankar Gosh (Tinsukia), Sunil Senapati (Tinsukia), Guneswar Sonuwal (Sivasagar), Manash Sonuwal (Jorhat).
Women: Lolita Deka (Baksa), Trishna Mahanta (Baksa, Captain), Maidangshree Boru (Baksa), Nayanmoni Deka (Guwahati), Rumi Chetia (Sivasagar), Kripa Doimari (Orang), Jumashree Musahari (Orang), Rumila Basumatari (Orang), Simi Chetia (Nazira), Boby Baishya (Nazira) and Rita Bora (Nazira).

Sub-Junior National Football

2008-10-06T09:30:00.000+05:30

Punjab, Mizoram set up title clash
Hoshiarpur: Hosts Punjab and Mizoram will meet in the final of the 31st Sub-Junior National Football Championship for Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy in Mahilpur on October 6.
In the semifinals played on October 4 at the Principal Harbhajan Stadium here, hosts Punjab eked out a hard-fought 1-0 verdict over Goa.
After a barren first session, Punjab managed to score a goal in the 46th minute. Sarbjit pounced on a rebound off the Goa goalkeeper and shot into the goal which turned out to be the winner.
In the second semifinal, Mizoram got the better of Assam 2-1. The Assamese opened the account through Hitler in the 7th minute. Mizoram restored parity in the 17th minute through Lalnunmawia.
Lalnunmawia again scored in the 64th minute to steer his team into the finals.
Source: United News of India (UNI)

Justice for Monika

2008-10-06T09:26:00.001+05:30

Sit-in-protest staged on Monika issue:
Imphal, Oct 4: Functionaries and volunteers of North East Students' Organisation's constituent bodies as well as former and present-day sportspersons staged sit-in-protest at Latasil ground in Guwahati in denunciation for preventing weightlifter L Monika Devi from participating at the recently concluded Beijing Olympic Games as well as in demand for making public the investigation report on the said issue.
An AMSU statement further maintained that the protest was organised to condemn exclusion of Monika Devi from the Beijing Games which is akin to discriminating against the people of North East region and to demand punitive action against the guilty persons responsible to denying the weightlifter an opportunity to compete with the world's best.
While AMSU president Khamba Laishram along with hockey Olympians Thoiba, Tiken and body-builder Kh Pradipkumar represented Manipur at the protest, NESO's functionaries led by its chairman Dr Samujjal Bhattacharya and a number of sportsperson also took part at the sit-in-protes.
In their remarks at the demonstration site, representatives of NE States un-equivocally expressed that preventing Monika from the Beijing Games clearly reflects discriminatory attitude of the Central authorities against the people of the region and pledged to work in unison to eradicate such step-motherly treatment.
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoiba Singh Speaks Out

2008-10-06T09:19:00.002+05:30

IHF should give proper attention to junior level: Thoiba
Guwahati: The former star of the Indian hockey team Thoiba Singh, who was in the city to join a sit-in-strike organized by North East Student Organization (NESO) to seek justice for weightlifter Monika Devi, said that lack of proper training facilities to the junior players is the reason behind the downfall of Indian hockey. Here is the excerpt.
Q: This time India failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics. Your reaction.

A: I was really hurt by the episode. You know, hockey is the game where once India dominated totally and also won the Olympics title for eight occasions. But we have lost the past glory and it is really very unfortunate for us that we didn't qualify for the recently concluded Beijing Olympics.
Q: Why such things are happening in the Indian hockey? Do you feel we don’t have quality players?

A: No, there is no dearth of talent in our country but we are still far away from proper planning. We failed to qualify for the recently concluded Beijing Olympics for several reasons. We are continuously ignoring to develop our junior players and as long as this type of system would be continued in our country I feel we will see such type of failure in the future also.
Q: Your suggestion in this regard.

A: We have to give equal attention to the junior players and should give them all type of training facilities. Unfortunately Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) failed to do so. Federation should play a vital role in this regard if they really want to bring back the golden day of the Indian hockey.
Q: Few experts feel that proper attention to be given at the time of selecting junior players. Do you feel it so?

A: I agree. Nowadays hockey is played in the astro turf and to play on that surface you need both physical fitness and speed. So during the selection we should keep both the points in our mind and special attention should be given on the speed.
Q: Are you actively involved with coaching nowadays?

A: Earlier, I did coaching regularly but due to different reasons it is not possible for me to continue coaching.
Q: Would you like to involve yourself for the development of hockey in the NE region?

A: I am always ready to do that. You would be glad to know that in the recent past, I had a talked with the officials of the Assam Hockey Association also regarding the development of the hockey in this region. I am always ready to help the game whenever my service would be sought.
Q: You know everything about the incident of Monika Devi. Would you tell us whether this type of incident did occur in Indian sports during your days?

A: It would be little bit difficult for me to give reply as I played the team game and Monika is associated with individual game. In the team game, it is difficult to do this type of injustice with a player.
Q: From a player’s points of view what will be the effect on Monika after the entire episode?

A; There will be a big impact on Monika after the incident. A player has to sacrifice a lot to reach a respectable position. After got selection in the team for a event like Olympics and all of a sudden if you dropped out from the team for a wrong reason then I feel that it is enough to finish a bright career.
Source: The Sentinel

NE hockey from Oct 21

2008-10-06T09:10:00.001+05:30

Guwahati: The second edition of the North East Hockey Championship will get under way at the Vetapara Hockey Stadium from October 21.

All the States of the North East are expecting to take part in the championship. The secretary of the Assam Hockey Association, Tapan Das said that this time they are trying to organize the tournament in a different way and if everything go according to plan then the participating team would get appearance money.

He added that they are in touch with two big companies and they would be the main sponsor of the tournament.
Source: The Sentinel

Justice for Monika

2008-09-23T09:44:00.003+05:30

Ministry to test Monika's B sample in Japan
New Delhi, Sep 22: The true picture in the Monika Devi doping saga may finally see the light of the day with the Sports Ministry on Monday deciding to get the lifter's Sample B tested abroad.

In a letter to the Scientific Director of the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), the Ministry referred to the T S Krishna Murthy report on the saga and sought testing of Monika's B sample in the World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory in Tokyo."

As recommended by T S Krishna Murthy, it has been decided that the B-sample kept with NDTL in respect of Monika Devi should be examined by an accredited laboratory outside India for immediate analysis. This work may be entrusted to the accredited laboratory in Japan," the Ministry said.

The Ministry also asked the official to find out if Monika would like to be present herself at the time of testing or would send a representative, the cost of which would be borne by the government."

In accordance with the rights available to the athlete under WADA code, the athlete must be given opportunity to be present herself or send her representative.

"For this, it may be ascertained from the athlete concerned whether she would like to be present herself or send her representative during the analysis of B-sample at the above mentioned WADA accredited lab and if so, necessary arrangements may be made for her or her representative's travel abroad at Government cost.

Government may be kept informed of the progress in the matter," the letter said.Sports Ministry appointed TS Krishna Murthy probe Monika issue and former Chief Election Commissioner, flayed the lack of coordination among the agencies and the inordinate delay in between testing of samples and conveying the outcome to the lifter.

Reacting to the Krishna Murthy report, the Ministry shot off a separate letter to the NDTL Scientific Director. "It is directed that NDTL must strictly comply with the WADA International Standard of Laboratories, which stipulates that reporting of A-sample results, should occur within 10 working days of the receipt of sample.

"Based on the above mentioned norm, NDTL should anticipate the problem being faced in analysing the A-sample, and in case they are not able to test the sample within the stipulated time, immediate action should be taken, to send the sample to another WADA accredited laboratory, following due procedure with prior approval of CEO, NDTL," the letter read.

"In cases of unanticipated problems which may delay analysis, the same procedure should be followed to send the samples to another WADA accredited lab after obtaining the approval of CEO, NDTL", the Ministry said.

Source: Press Trust of India (PTI)

Asian Women’s Boxing Championship

2008-09-23T09:39:00.002+05:30

'India’s medal hopes bright'
Guwahati, Sep 22: China’s likely pullout from the 46kg and 48kg weight categories has brightened the medal prospects of defending champions and hosts India in the six-day 4th ASBC Asian Women’s Boxing Championship that would get under way at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium here on Tuesday.
Disclosing the possible pullout by China, Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) secretary general PK Muralidharan Raja said that out of 83 entries from 12 countries, 79 entrants from 11 nations have already reported.
He refused to give a direct answer to the likely pullout, but dropped hints that it could have a lot to do with their weight. Raja said: “The Chinese pullout from the two categories will be final only after the weighing-in tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.”
There will be a total of 70 bouts in the 13 weight groups.

Source: The Telegraph

31st Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy

2008-09-22T20:53:00.001+05:30

Mizoram, Meghalaya win in Sub Jr Nationals

Mahilpur (Punjab), Sep 22: Mizoram whipped Chhattisgarh 8-0 in Cluster II while Meghalaya beat Kerala 1-0 in a Cluster III match of the 31st Sub Junior (U-16) National football tournament for the Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy here on Monday.

Tomorrow, Assam and manipur play Karnataka and Chandigarh respectively in Cluster VI matches while Tripura face Haryana in Cluster VIII.
Results of matches on Sept. 22:

Mizoram beat Chhattisgarh 8-0; Meghalaya beat Kerala 1-0; Tamil Nadu beat Orissa 5-4; Punjab beat Pondicherry 14-0

30 Federation Cup Football

2008-09-22T20:32:00.003+05:30

NE Zone qualifying round begins on Sep 25:

New Delhi, Sep 22: The Northeast Zone qualifying round of the 30th Federation Cup football tournament begins on September 25 in Tripura with FC Kukikawan (Mizoram) taking on ASEB (Assam) in the opening match.

Next day, Khliehriat West Club of Meghalaya play North Imphal Sports Association of Manipur.

The qualifiers, introduced under the newly changed format to spread the game across the country on the lines of England's FA Cup, will provide a national platform to newcomers.

The 26 teams have been divided into five zones -- South, East, North-East, North and West -- in the first round and the winner of each group will join the 12 second division I-League teams in the next round of qualifiers.

The first round of qualifiers end on October 26. The 17 clubs will be divided into four groups and the winners of each group will move into the main round where they will be joined by the 12 I-League sides.

In the main round to be played on a league basis, the 16 teams will be divided into four groups and winners of each group will make it to the semi-finals.
Zonal Qualifying Round Fixtures:
North East Zone: Venue (Tripura)
25.9.08: Match 1: FC Kukikawan (Mizoram) Vs ASEB (Assam)
26.9.08: Match 2: Khliehriat West Club (Meghalaya) Vs North Imphal Sports Association
27.9.08: Match 3: Ageya Chalo (Tripura) Vs Winner of Match 1
28.9.08: Match 3: Winner of Match 2 Vs Winner of Match 3

South Zone: Venue (Pondicherry)
23.9.08: Match 1: Sathiyabama (Pondicherry) Vs ICF (Tamil Nadu)

24.9.08: Match 2: Titanium (Kerala) Vs BEML (Karnataka)
26.9.08: Match 3: Winner of Match 1 Vs Winner of Match 2
East Zone: Venue: Rajendra Stadium, Siwan, Bihar
25.9.08: Match 1: SEC Railways (Chhattisgarh) Vs Peerless (IFA)

26.9.08: Match 2: Rail SC (Jharkhand ) Vs SBI (Orissa)
28.9.08: Match 3: Raj Milk Vs Winner Match 2
28.9.08: Match 4: Winner of Match 1 Vs Winner of Match 3
West Zone : Venue (Home & Away)
Group A: 7th Oct 08: Match 1: SESA Goa Vs Gujarat Police (Venue: Goa)

12th Oct 08: Match 2: Gujarat Police Vs SESA Goa (Venue: Gujarat)
Group B: 7th Oct 08: Match 1: BMFC Vs Lions Club (Venue: Maharashtra)

12th Oct 08: Match 2: Lions Club Vs BMFC (Venue: Madhya Pradesh)
20th Oct 08: Match 3: Winner A Vs Winner B Venue (Gujarat/Goa)
26th Oct 08: Match 4: Winner B Vs Winner A (Venue: Maharashtra/Madhya Pradesh)
North Zone: Venue (Gurgaon)
5th Oct 08: Match 1: Raghav Club Vs Him Club
5th Oct 08: Match 2: UP Police Vs Chandigarh FC
6th Oct 08: Match 3: Uttarakhand Police Vs INFC Delhi
6th Oct 08: Match 4: RCF Kapurthala Vs J&K Bank
7th Oct 08: Match 5: Winner of Match 1 Vs Winner of Match No 2
8th Oct 08: Match 6: Winner of Match 3 Vs Winner of Match No 4
10th Oct 08: Match 7: Winner of Match 5 Vs Winner of Match No 6

Subroto Cup

2008-09-22T19:59:00.005+05:30

Nagaland School in Sub Jr. semi-finals

New Delhi, Sep 22: Green Wood Hr Sec School, Kohima, Nagaland defeated Namchi Sports Hostel, Sikkim 5-0 in a quarterfinal match of the sub junior section in the Subroto Cup here on Monday.

Tingnyek scored a hat-trick in the 22nd, 29th and 31st minutes while Wasadplung (ninth minute) and Nyuhenlo (13th) contributed one goal each.

In another quarterfinal match, Govt. Kolasib High School, Project Veng, Mizoram lost 0-2 to St. Ignatius High Sec School, Gumla, Jharkhand.

Results of QF matches played on Sept. 22:

Sub-juniors (U-14): Green Wood Hr Sec School, Kohima, Nagaland bt Namchi Sports Hostel, Sikkim 5-0.

Scorers: Tingnyek (22nd, 29th & 31st min), Wasadplung (9th) and Nyuhenlo (13th).

St. Ignatius High Sec School, Gumla, Jharkhand bt Govt. Kolasib HighSchool, Project Veng, Mizoram 2-0.
Juniors (U-17): Sports Authority of India, Kolkata bt Vasant Valley School, VasantKunj, New Delhi 2-1.

Town High School, Sundargarh, Orissa bt Govt. Model Sr Sec School,Chandigarh 2-1.

Tomorrows Fixture (Sept. 23): at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium

Semi-finals:

Sub-Juniors: Boys Sports Company (Army Boys), Bangalore vs Green Wood Hr Sec School, Kohima, Nagaland

BKSP, Dhaka, Bangladesh vs St. Ignatius High Sec School, Gumla, Jharkhand
Juniors:Govt. Central Hr Sec School, Mizoram vs SAI, Kolkata

Army Boys, Lucknow vs Town High School, Sundargarh, Orissa

Football in Baichung Bhutia's Land

2008-09-22T17:24:00.002+05:30

FIFA’s help, a major boost for football in Sikkim

Gangtok: Nestled in the foothills of Himalaya, Sikkim is widely known for its rich biodiversity. But not many may know it is also the breeding ground of footballers in India from the northeast. The State recently got a major boost, when world’s biggest football organization FIFA, decided to provide monetary assistance for the development of football sport in the state.

It is well-known that people in the northeast region of the country have always been drawn to sports, especially football. And, their passion perhaps, drew Federation International of Football Association (FIFA), the biggest name in the world of football, towards India, particularly towards Sikkim.

Known for its pristine natural reserve, Sikkim is also known as the home of Bhaichung Bhutia, all time India’s best footballer and captain of current Indian football team. Youngsters in the region view FIFA support, as a milestone, to encourage the sport here.

Arjun Rai, Coach of the United Sikkim Football Club, said: “The money that FIFA has given for our State, would be highly beneficial for promotion of football here. That money would be used in ground maintenance, making new grounds and football houses. So we will be benefited.”

Leezang Lepcha, Football player, Sikkim, said: “Football is in our blood. It is highly popular in northeast. There are other sports also but in Sikkim, in Gangtok and in northeast we give more preference to football. That’’s why we are playing football since our childhood.”

Under its Goal Project II, FIFA would be providing a monetary assistance of rupees one crore to develop the football infrastructure in the State. Even the state government and All India Football Federation would be contributing two million rupees each to fasten the process of development.

Sikkim is the only state after Karnataka to be selected by FIFA for its Goal Project, which is believed to boost moral of youngsters of the region to further hone their skill and talent.
Source: Asian News International (ANI)

Sub Jr. National Football Championship

2008-09-22T17:20:00.001+05:30

Assam beat Manipur
Mahilpur (Punjab), Sep 21: Asom registered its first win in the Sub-Junior National Football Championship defeating Manipur 3-1 on Sunday. Asom will now face Karnataka in the second league match which will be held on Tuesday.
Results of the matches played on Sept. 21:
Cluster VI: Assam beat Manipur 3-1; Cluster VI: Karnataka beat Chandigarh 6-0; Cluster VII: Delhi beat Gujarat 1-0; Cluster VI: Himachal Pradesh beat Bihar 1-0; Cluster VIII: Goa beat Tripura 3-0.
Results of the matches played on Sept. 20:
Punjab beat Pondicherry 23-0; West Bengal beat Orissa 4-0; UP beat MP 2-1; Meghalaya beat Maharashtra 4-1

4th ASBC Asian Women Boxing Championship

2008-09-22T17:02:00.003+05:30

‘Asian boxing will provide a good platform for Asom boxers’
Guwahati, Sep 21: Guwahati is all set to host the 4th ASBC Asian Women Boxing Championship which would be held at the Karmavir Navin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium at Sarusajai from September 23.

Talking to The Sentinel exclusively, B Kalyan Chakravarthy, secretary general of the organizing committee assured that it would be one of the most memorable tournament for the participants and they would return home with sweet memories of Asom. Here is the excerpts.
Q. Would you kindly highlight the preparation of the mega event?

A. As we all know that it is the first official international tournament in Guwahati so you can understand the magnitude of the event. Till date everything is going on according to the plan. Several teams have already arrived in the city and rest of the participating teams would reach Guwahati by tomorrow.
Q. How many teams are taking part in the championship?

A. We have received confirmation of 12 countries including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Macaw, China, Chinse Taipei, Vietnam, North Korea, South Korea, Mongolia, Kazaksthan, Indonesia and India. The number of participants would be more then one hundred.
Q. What would the inaugural and closing ceremonies be like?

A. We will organize small functions to showcase the culture of the northeastern region. Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi will attend the inaugural function as the chief guest. On the other hand, we have invited the recent Olympics bronze medal winning boxer Vijender to grace the inaugural function.
Q. There is always a chance to get hurt in boxing. What about the medical facilities?

A. We have already made such arrangement so that we can provide the participating boxers best medical facilities, including ICU, whenever it is necessary. At the same time we have insured the boxers also and if anything happened they will get compensation.
Q. The State Government played a big role in the National Games that was held in Guwahati. What about this time?

A. This time it is completely different story. The host of the meet is Assam Boxing Association and they are doing everything to make it a grand success. This is for your information that except me there is no involvement of Sate Government officials in this championship and Government even not offered financial assistance. Yes, a few ministers including Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi extended helping hand but they too providing helps on their individual capacities, not as a minister.
Q. What about your experience of working with the local sports organizers?

A. It is undoubtedly a big event and I think Assam Boxing Association has done a good job till date to host the meet. However, I found professional attitude missing among few officials which is very essential particularly when you are going to arrange such a big event.

Q. The sports organizers had complained that the response from the Government was very slow when they approached them for different reasons. Your comments.

A. I don’t ignore. But you know we have to make a lot of formalities before we reach to a decision and it needs few times but I feel the problem would be perished when more and more such events would be held in Guwahati.
Q. What response you receive from the sponsors?

A. To be honest except a few big companies, the response from the sponsor is not satisfactory at all. Actually, I think there is a lack of awareness among the local companies. They yet to know what mileage they would get by sponsoring such type of tournaments. Frankly speaking, if we can organize this event in places like Delhi or Mumbai, I am sure that Asom Boxing Association could easily make a good fund for their future expenditure.
Q. It will be the first major international meet in Guwahati. What are the positive things we would get from it?

A. I feel it is the platform for the boxers like Kalpana and Pranamika to start their campaign for the next Olympics. I am very optimistic that if women boxing is introduced into the London Olympic then few boxers from Asom would definitely bring laurels to the country.
Q. Any arrangement to make the championship a memorable one for the boxers?

A. Definitely. We have planned to take the boxers and the officials to Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary and cruise ride in the mighty Bramhaputra. On the other hand will honour them with the finest tea of Asom.

Source: The Sentinel

Earlier Story:

Five from NE in national boxing squad

4th Asian Women’s Boxing Championship

2008-09-22T16:46:00.004+05:30

Vijender, Akhil to attend opening ceremony

Guwahati, Sep 21: Teams started pouring in since Saturday for the 4th Asian Women’s Boxing Championship which will be held at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium in the Sarusajai Sports Complex here from September 23 to 29.
Olympian boxers Vijender Singh and Akhil Kumar will also attend the inaugural ceremony.
The North and South Korea teams were the first to land here on Saturday. Teams from Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Macau, Sri Lanka and Vietnam followed the Koreans. The rest of the teams from Mongolia, Nepal, China and Chinese Taipei will arrive tomorrow.
The Indian team is already in the city after the selection on September 16.
The Assam Boxing Association has completed almost all the arrangements for the mega event.
All the bouts will be organised in one ring, which has been set in the Sarusajai-based indoor stadium today, under the watchful eyes of boxing technicians Deben Gogoi and Padum Boro.
The officials of the organising committee gave all the teams warm reception at the airport.
Cultural troupes took the stage today for the final dress rehearsal for the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday.
Joint director of sports, Rajib Prakash Baruah, who is co-ordinating the programmes, said the low-key opening ceremony would be marked by traditional Assamese flavour exhibiting the Sattriya culture of the host state.
“The 45-minute programme will start with Sattriya dance accompanied by the welcome song by Sangeeta Kakati, followed by bhor-taal nritya and the Bihu dance, which are popular cultural items of the state. Another attraction of the programme will be mime on boxing by mime artiste Mainul Haque,” Baruah said.
“Besides, there will be a demonstration of thang-ta, a traditional martial art form of Manipur, by leading players from the state. This too is expected to be a prime attraction of the programme,” he added. A dressed rehearsal for the opening ceremony was also conducted in the stadium today.
Chief minister Tarun Gogoi will inaugurate the championship at 3 pm.
The closing ceremony on September 29, however, has “something special” kept “secret”, Baruah added.
Sources said singers like Joy Mukherjee and others from Mumbai could rock the stage.

3rd Manipur State League

2008-09-22T13:35:00.003+05:30

SSU, Singjamei on top after round nine
Imphal, Sep 21: Goal difference continues to be the deciding factor in the race for the title of the 3rd Manipur State League football tournament with SSU, Singjamei replacing TRUGPU, Nambol on top of the points table at the end of ninth round today while reigning champion NISA, Thangmeiband humbled TRAU, Tiddim Road 4-0 at THAU ground.
NISA would be leaving for Tripura tomorrow to participate in the zonal level Federation Cup football competition.
Hosting USA, Khurai at Lilong Chajing ground today, SSU handed a crushing 4-0 defeat to the visitors with Gaichungam Kamson opening the score account in the opening minute before goals from L Dewan (31st), Kh Ratan (53rd) and AS Thamreishang (67th) took the match from the opponents' grasp.
At Nambol, home team TRUGPU outplayed MPSC 2-0 to tie SSU at 21 points with the Singjamei side pipping their nearest rival on goal difference. Naoton (31st) and Surchand (84th) were TRUGPU goal scorers.
Goals from M Bijen (19th), Benjamin Kamson (75th), S Bikram (84th) and O Pritam (90th) fetched NISA maximum point and the third place in the standing on 21 point.
Playing at home, ESU (Wangkhei) held on its 69th minute goal by Ph Cheitei to edge past PYC, Phoudel.
In the day's other matches NEROCA downed NLYC, Churachandpur at Liberal College, Luwangshangbam ground as YWC, Thambalkhong and AMOFA, Moirang played a 3-3 draw at Thambalkhong.
After taking an 8th minute lead through L Nabachandra, NEROCA fell behind 1-2 as K Thangoulian struck in the 36th and 54th minutes before H Amarjit emulated the rival player's feat to slam in a brace within a span of four minutes (74th, 77th).
In the keenly contested YWC versus AMOFA match, H Roshangliana (10th), Th Inaotomba (28th) and Lalrintvanga (84th) scored for the Moirang side while Palmei Poupangai (42nd), W Daniel (59th) and Lensang Khongsai (88th) led the YWC fightback.
Points Table after Round Nine (Matches played; wins; draws; losses; goals for; goals against; goal difference; points)
1. Southern Sporting Union, Singjamei 9 6 3 0 21 4 +17 21
2. TRUGPU, Nambol (promoted) 9 6 3 0 22 7 +15 21
3. NISA, Thangmeiband (champion) 9 6 3 0 21 8 +13 21
4. Manipur Police Sports Club 9 5 3 1 12 6 + 6 18
5. NEROCA, Laipham Khunou 9 6 0 3 19 14 + 5 18
6. United Sports Association, Khurai 9 3 2 4 7 13 - 6 11
7. Phoudel Youth Club, Thoubal 9 2 2 5 11 14 - 3 8
8. Youth Welfare Club, Thambalkhong 9 2 2 5 10 14 - 4 8
9. All-Moirang Football Association 9 1 4 4 7 11 - 4 7
10. Tiddim Road Athletic Union 9 2 1 6 7 17 -10 7
11. Eastern Sporting Union, Wangkhei 9 2 1 6 5 15 -10 7
12. New Lamka Youth Club (promoted) 9 1 0 8 10 29 -19 3
Source: www.indianfootball.com

Justice for Monika

2008-09-22T13:10:00.002+05:30

SAI official RK Naidu transferred

New Delhi, Sep 18: Less than a week after T S Krishnamurthy submitted his report on the Monika Devi doping saga, a top Sports Authority of India official was today removed from his post at the SAI headquarters here and sent packing to Bhopal.

R K Naidu, who was the SAI Director (Team Division), has been transferred to Bhopal and would be replaced by SS Roy, who is the Director of SAI Northern Centre in Sonepat.

Monika was about to board the Beijing flight before she was charged to have flunked a dope test. After a lot of drama and protest wave, the lifter was cleared by a review committee set up by the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF).

But the reprieve came too late and the Olympic door had been shut on her face by then.Krishnamurthy was less than impressed by the role played by SAI in the entire episode and was particularly annoyed with the inordinate delay between Monika's dope tests and intimation of the results to the lifter.

"There is no doubt that there has been a considerable delay in completing the test of the sample of Monika Devi taken on June 6, 2008 and in communicating the same to the athlete. Had the testing been done within the stipulated time and the result thereof been communicated immediately thereafter, the disappointment and the mental shock the athlete had by the sudden and abrupt communication especially through the media first could have been easily avoided," the former Chief Election Commissioner had observed in his report.

Source: Press Trust of India (PTI)

Other Stories:

IWF welcomes Krishnamurthy report

Government accepts Krishnamurthy report

Sports Ministry issues anti-doping guidelines

Anti-doping guidelines and procedure

Guidelines for selection of athletes, coaches and efficient management of camps

Justice for Monika

2008-09-13T07:49:00.002+05:30

Krishnamurthy report blames none

New Delhi, Sep 12: The one-man inquiry committee to probe the Monika Devi controversy on Friday ruled out any malafide intentions by the authorities to bar the Manipuri lifter from Beijing Olympics on dope charges but came down heavily for the delay in communicating the test results to the lifter.
Former Chief Election Commissioner TS Krishnamurthy, who submitted the probe report to the Sports Ministry on Friday, did not find any violation of procedure in the whole testing process but stated the delay in conveying the test results was "unpardonable".
He also said the controversy could have been avoided had there been unity of purpose among the authorities concerned.
"I must state that I did not come across any concrete evidence of any malafides on the part of any individual although it is very clear that there was lack of unity of purpose among all these persons... it had no direct nexus to the issue of dope testing of the athlete," Krishnamurthy said in his 18-page report.
"I am quite clear in my mind that the whole controversy surrounding this episode could have very well been avoided had there been a better management of the procedures," he said in the report, which was prepared after recording the versions of SAI, Ministry, IOA, NDTL and Monika.
The report said Monika was subjected to four sample tests out of which two results -- of the first on June 6 and of the last on July 28 -- were found to have returned with "adverse analytical findings".
After the disclosure of the dope test results, Monika had alleged the Sports Authority of India had "deliberate and malafide" intentions behind preventing her participating in the Beijing Olympics.
Krishnamurthy also suggested to rename SAI to Sports Development and Regulatory Authority for better coordination so that such instances of lapses and delay could be avoided in future.
Krishnamurthy particularly found fault in the delay in conveying the result of the first sample taken on June 6 in Pune and for not communicating the same to the lifter.
"The July 10 report of the first sample (of June 6) mentioned 'suspicious case' and 'report to be submitted'. This was conveyed by SAI to the IWF but there is no indication of it having been communicated to the athlete.
"The same sample was subject to CG-IRMS analysis (for confirmation). This analysis report dated July 25 stated 'there is likelihood of exogenous (synthetic) origin and recommended for follow-up/longitudinal studies'.
"Two other samples dated June 29 and July 15 sent by SAI centre, Bangalore to NDTL found 'No banned substance detected'.
"Another sample taken on July 28... and the report on this on August 5 with the finding 'adverse analytical finding for use of endogenous steroid or its precursors'," it said.
"There is no doubt that there has been a considerable delay in completing the test taken on June 6 and in communicating the same to the athlete. Had the testing been done within the stipulated time and the result thereof been communicated immediately thereafter, the disappointment and the mental shock the athlete had by the sudden and abrupt communication could have been easily avoided," it said.
"Such a delay (in the dope result of first test) is indeed unpardonable as it is not in any case in the spirit of WADA code even assuming that NDTL was not aware that the sample related to a priority case relating to an international competition."

Source: Press Trust of India (PTI)

Full Report

Ministry to take action based on findings

Report rules out mala fide intent

Probe panel flays delays in Monika case

Probe panel advised Monika to test B sample

Monika keeps mum

'Controversy could have been avoided’

Monika Issue

2008-09-09T22:34:00.003+05:30

Ban on national, international meets suspended:

Imphal, Sep 8: Giving a breather to the sportspersons of the state, the Coordinating Committee Against the Conspiracy to Exclude Monika from Beijing Olympics by Government of India has temporarily lifted the ban on participating in Zonal, National and International level competitions.
The decision was taken after a meeting of the Co-ordinating Committee at Khuman Lampak sports complex here on Monday, announced Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) president and the Co-ordinating Committee's convener Elangbam Binoy Singh while talking to mediapersons after the meeting.
"Since the Centre has responded to the people's demand by entrusting CBI to begin inquiry into the matter related to deliberate exclusion of Manipuri weightlifter Laishram Monika Devi from the Beijing Olympic squad, we have resolved to lift the restriction so that the State athletes can continue excel in sports and bring more laurels' Binoy said adding "Our players will fight for the sake of justice".
Stating that sports has become a mass movement and that it survives because of the people's contribution, the MOA president said the whole people of Manipur have shown their united strength in demanding justice.
However, the Committee may resume its restriction if the guilty officials involved in pulling out Monika from the Olympics are not punished, Binoy informed.
The whole of Northeastern region and Manipur in particular has been in turmoil after Laishram Monika Devi, who hails from remote Nachou village of Bishnupur district, was withdrawn from the just concluded Beijing Olympics on doping charge, though the charge was cleared afterward.
On August 11 last a public meeting organized by the Committee at Khuman Lampak sports complex here and the meeting resolved that athletes of the State should stop participating in all sporting competitions beyond the State until the Centre tenders an apology to the people of Manipur, stops all forms of discrimination against sportspersons and punishment of the guilty officials.
Endorsing to meeting resolution, sportspersons of the State skipped from various Zonal and National sports competitions in different disciplines including Hockey ( sub-junior), athletes (zonal), Judo ( national), Kabadi ( zonal at Imphal), weight lifting ( National) and Sepak Tekraw ( National) and Subroto under 14, Binoy said.
The State athletes will, however, get the chance to take part in the Eastern Zone Badminton Championship to be held at Meghalaya, the MOA president added.
Monika, who is currently in Manipur, has expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Committee for struggling for her cause.
A rally will be staged at Imphal by representatives of various sports and students bodies in addition to Meira Paibi (women vigil groups) on Wednesday to exert pressure for bringing justice in the CBI probe and book the errant officials, the MOA chief informed.
On Wednesday last around one hundred womenfolk picketed Manipur Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) office at Khuman Lampak sports complex demanding announcement of the Krishnamurthy probe report and punishment of the guilty officials.

Source: The Sangai Express

Other Stories:

Manipur to resume participation

Boycott withdrawal comes too late for junior lifters

Justice for Monika

2008-09-09T21:56:00.003+05:30

CBI launches probe into Monika allegations
New Delhi, Sep 7: The CBI has launched an enquiry into allegations by weightlifter Monika Devi that she was barred from taking part in the Beijing Games because of deliberate lapses on part of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

The CBI registered the Preliminary Enquiry (PE) against "unknown persons" after a request was made by the Manipur Government to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for a thorough probe into the entire incident.

While during the PE, the CBI will summon records of IOA, Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the statement of Monika in front of the one-man commission set up by the Sports Ministry, it cannot go in for questioning of any individual till the case was converted into a regular case.

Monika, in her deposition before the T S Krishnamurthy Commission, had alleged that the actions of SAI as "unreasonable and malafide" and also that she failed to go to Beijing Olympics because of the "deliberate lapse" on the part of the IOA.

The weightlifter hailing from Manipur, in her petition had blamed the SAI for the whole controversy which led to her withdrawal from the Indian Olympic contingent just hours before her scheduled departure to Beijing.

"If the report (dope test) was at all positive, why did the SAI not inform the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) 48-72 hours prior to the departure as required under the provisions of WADA?" she questioned.

Monika said the SAI, being an institution, ought to have acted reasonably and fairly and the sports body's "ill treatment" to her was "highly condemnable".

"The actions of SAI were unreasonable, malafide as a result of which my reputation and career had been damaged for which SAI is to be blamed," she told Krishnamurthy in her written submission.

The weightlifter said a day after the news of her dope test report being found positive was published by media, the IWF on August 6 had received a letter from SAI which stated that out of the four tests conducted during the training period on June 6, June 29, July 15 and July 28, the report of the test conducted on June 6 was found to be positive without mentioning the name of any prohibited drug.

The CBI would be examining all the test reports during its probe before deciding on whether the case could be converted into a regular case or not.
Source: Press Trust of India (PTI)

Earlier Stories:

Northeast sportspersons neglected: Monika

Monika's name not on 2010 CWG list

IWF chief denies probables list release

Biren seeks to allay fear

Manipur Breeding Ground of Top Footballers

2008-09-05T10:21:00.002+05:30

Six Manipuri footballers in India squad:

New Delhi: Renedy, Surkumar and Gouramangi Singh have become vital cogs in the Indian football team but the Manipuri trio feel that they were lucky to get the break at a young age in big clubs of Kolkata, Goa and Mumbai.
All three hail from nondescript places in Manipur but thanks to age group tournaments and TFA talent scouting they rose to become key members of the Indian team which booked an 2011 Asian Cup berth after winning the AFC Challenge Cup.
"Six Manipuris were in India's AFC Challenge Cup squad of 23 and lots of Manipuris are playing in other top clubs of the country. But in absence of corporate sector to sponsor clubs in Manipur, you have to play outside the state to get noticed. The passion for football and chance spotting by talent scouts had taken me this far," said Renedy, the seniormost India player after captain Baichung Bhutia.
Born at a football family at Sekmai near state capital Imphal, Renedy tried his luck at the U-12 National Talent Search tournament in 1989 where he caught the eyes of TFA talent scouts which changed the course of his life.
"I was a bit lucky to have got the breakthrough at a young age without much difficulty. I owe my success to TFA in a big way," said the 29-year-old, the first Manipuri who played regularly for India.
He spent six years from 1990 at TFA and got the break in a big club when he joined Mohun Bagan in 1996 as a 17-year-old before spending three years from 1997 with East Bengal. He debuted for India senior team at the age of 20 in the Asian Cup qualifiers in 1999 against UAE.
India right back Surkumar's tryst with stardom began at 14 when he was scouted by TFA after a national U-16 tournament in Allahabad in 1997 and he confessed he was initially not considered a good prospect in Jamshedpur.
He spent three years at TFA before joining East Bengal in 2000. He returned to the same club in 2003 and is playing for the club since last season. In between he was with Mahindra United of Mumbai for five years and debuted for India in the World Cup qualifiers against UAE in 2001 when he was just 18.
"My uncle was instrumental for my making it to state squad for U-16 Nationals in Allahabad and there TFA scouts spotted me," said the 25-year-old Manipuri from Khurkhul near Imphal.
Surkumar now feels that youth of the country can now take up football as a career with the players getting good salary these days.
"A footballer's career is short no doubt, but with 35-40 lakh salary a year we can also have a career. Some other footballers are getting more than this," he said.
Young India central defender Gouramangi Singh, who hails from the same place as Renedy, was picked by a TFA talent scout team in 2000 when he was just 14 years of age.
From TFA, he went to Dempo in 2004 where he spent one year and was with Mahindra in 2005 and with Churchill Brothers since 2006-07. He debuted for India as substitute against Indonesia in 2003 in a friendly match.
Gouramangi was not a India regular for a couple of years and he shot into limelight in the Nehru Cup last year and in the recent AFC Challenge Cup with he and Anwar doing a fantastic job at the backline in the absence of seniors Mahesh Gawli and Deepak Mondal.
"If you are in TFA and you have the talent you can make it big. It happened to me and I am indebted to TFA for my achievements," said Gouramangi who is now 22.
Having tasted success, the youngster now wants to play abroad if any such offer comes, an idea coach Bob Houghton had been encouraging his charges.
"The Asian Cup in 2011 would be a big stage, we will be watched by the agents of top clubs of Asia and I will be game to join one of them if offered though I have to take advice of seniors," said Gouramangi, the youngest of the trio.
All the three have one more common thing -- they spoke highly of coach Bob Houghton.
"I have been in Indian team for nearly ten years and played under different coaches but he is the best. Frankly, many a times I don't want to go for training for my clubs but not for a single day I had not felt like that under Bob," Renedy said.

Source: Press Trust of India (PTI)

Asian Women Boxing Championships

2008-09-05T10:15:00.002+05:30

12 countries confirm participation:

Guwahati, Sep 4: Till date 12 countries, including China, Vietnam, Kazakstan, Nepal, Indonesia, Lebanon, Sri Lanka and host India, have confirmed their participation in the 4th Asian Women Boxing Championship which will be held here from September 23 to 28 at Sarusajai’s Nabin Ch Bordoloi Indoor Stadium.
China will send a full strength 20-member team for the mega event. Around 150 women boxers from 25 countries are likely to take part in the Assam Amateur Boxing Association organised meet.

As it an important tournament before the world championship, all the participating countries will send their best boxers.
Meanwhile the final camp to prepare the Indian team will be held here from September 6. The Indian Boxing Federation has short-listed 40 boxers for the final camp. Organisers here informed that the selected boxers will arrive here from tomorrow onwards.
Four Assamese boxers-Kalpana Choudhury (representing Indian Railways), Jahnabi Gogoi, Pratibha Kachari and Pronamika Bora have been included in the list for the final camp.
Source: Assam Tribune

Subroto Cup

2008-09-05T09:55:00.002+05:30

Nagaland beat Uttarakhand 2-1

New Delhi, Sep 4: Nagaland under-17 team on Thursday registered their second consecutive victory against MP Sports College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand in the Subroto Cup here.

Seoengdie (8th min) and Avilie (60th) scored for the Nagaland side while Shankar Dobhil found the target in the 21st min for Dehradun team.

Coming after a victory against Tripura (4-0) in their opening match, the Nagaland team continued with their winning momentum. They will now face Assam on Friday.

Meanwhile, Nagaland u-14 (sub-juniors) team, last year's runners-up, play their opening match against the winner of Group B on September 10.

Results of Matches on Sep 4:
Sub-juniors (U-14):
Assam beat Sainik School 2-1; Scorers: PP Deka (52nd min); Juliananiush (59th); Thinley Dhendup (11th)Meghalaya beat Chhattisgarh 9-0; Scorers: Readytone Nongbri (2nd, 7th, 10th, 16th, 40th min); Tyngshain Umdor (32nd, 44th, 55th)

Sikkim beat IPSC 10-0; Scorers: Dillu Ram (15th, 30th, 37th, 43rd min); Crama Sindm (6th, 11th, 33rd); Ricaro (58th); Youma (59th)

Maharashtra beat Sri Lanka 6–0

Haryana beat Gujarat 4-0

TAFS beat Goa 2-0

Army Boys beat Delhi 7–0

Juniors (U-17):

Assam beat AFBBS 2-0; Scorers: Shyam Mareh (36th, 46th min)

Mizoram drew Orissa 0–0

Nagaland beat Uttarakhand 2–1; Nagaland: Seoengdie (8th); Avilie (60th)Uttarakhand: Shankar Dobhil (21st)Bangladesh beat Maharashtra 2-0

Chhattisgarh beat Gujarat 2–1

Sainik School beat NCC (WB&S) 3-0

TAFS drew IPSC 2-2

Chandigarh beat Bihar 12-0

Junior National Taekwondo Championships

2008-09-05T09:52:00.001+05:30

Assam shine in national taekwondo:

Guwahati, Sep 4: Assam won six medals, including three golds, in the 28th Junior National Taekwondo Championship held at Pondicherry recently.
Assam stood second in the championship which was held under the aegis of the Taekwondo Federation of India.
The medal winners are: Nilufa Begum, Sanju Boro, Ajoy Basfor (all gold), Nandan Brahma, Mukul Basumatary (both silver), Rekha Ranee Gogoi (bronze).

Manipur State League

2008-09-05T09:47:00.002+05:30

Three teams share top spot:

Imphal, Sep 4: The competition in the 3rd Manipur State League is getting fiercer by the day. After 24 matches, three teams are now running neck and neck at the top spot, each determined to claim the league title. Tiddim Road Unique Gamy Players’ Union, North Imphal Sporting Association and Southern Sporting Union currently share the lead with 10 point each after the fourth round of the state league.
The Tiddim Road Unique Gamy men, however, are in a better position, as they have not conceded a single goal in the tournament so far. Moreover, they defeated defending champions Tiddim Road Athletic Union 4-0 on Wednesday evening at Bishnupur Mini Stadium.
Playing before a home crowd, Tiddim Road Unique Gamy Players’ Union had that added advantage which they utilised fully to defeat their rivals.
The first half remained goalless, but in the second half the tide turned in favour of the home team as they pounded the Athletic Union men to a pulp.
Tiddim Road Unique Gamy’s M. Sudhiranjan Singh drew first blood in the 53rd minute and only two minutes later, the Athletic men were given another setback when S. Surchand Singh netted the second goal for the Gamy men.
The Athletic men, still reeling from shock, were unable to bounce back and the feeble attempts they made were brutally squashed by their opponents.
However, the Gamy men were still baying for more blood and in the 73rd minute, M. Sudhiranjan Singh netted his second goal of the match. Ksh. Naoton Singh scored another goal two minutes later to shut out the defending champions from the match.
In another match, Manipur Police Sports Club defeated Youth Welfare Club 2-1. The match was played at Manipur Police Training School in Pangei.
Youth Welfare Club caught the Policemen napping when Th. Vandona netted the ball in the 46th minute to grab the lead.
The Policemen however, came back with a vengeance and in the 65th minute, Ksh. Kanta Singh, fetched the equaliser. They had the last laugh, as Md Ziaul Haque proved lucky in netting the winning goal in the 88th minute.
In the other matches played on Wednesday, Southern Sporting Union blanked Eastern Sporting Union 3-0 at Lilong Chajing in Imphal West. North Imphal Sporting Association won 3-1 against United Sporting Association at Sekmai Kangjeibung. North Eastern Re-Organisation and Cultural Association had a solitary goal victory over All Moirang Football Association in their match played at Luwangpokpa ground.
Phoudel Youth Club inflicted a 6-2 defeat on New Lamka Youth Club at the former’s home ground at Thoubal district.

Source: The Telegraph

29th Amba Medhi Football Tournament

2008-09-05T09:42:00.002+05:30

Nagaland Police make it to semis:
Dalgaon, Sep 4: Nagaland Police stormed into the last-four stage of 29th Amba Medhi Football Tournament.
In a one-sided first quarter final played at the Mangaldoi Stadium, near here on Thursday, the Nagaland cops handed a 3-0 drubbing to 2nd Assam Special Reserve Force (ASRF), Diphu.
After a goal less first session Saku struck twice in the 56th and 82nd minutes respectively while Visakhali netted another goal in the 77th minute.
On Wednesday Assam Police Blues crushed Orang Club of Dimakuchi 4-1 in a pre-quarter final match of the meet.
In the second quarter final match tomorrow former champions Oil India Limited, Duliajan will take on Dynamo Club of Guwahati.

All-India Railway Basketball Championships

2008-09-05T09:33:00.002+05:30

Western Railway victorious:

Guwahati, Sep 4: Defending champions Western Railway on Thursday crushed North Western Railway 90-58 in the men’s preliminary round match in the 51st Men’s All-India Railway Basketball Championship organised by Northeast Frontier Railway Sports Association at its Stadium.
The 51st Men’s and the 32nd Women’s all-India basketball championship began on Wednesday and will continue till Tuesday.
The Western Railway men thrashed North Eastern Railway 83-38 in an earlier match last evening.
In the other men’s matches played today, Eastern Railway overcame North Eastern Railway 69-45, Research Design & Standards Organisation defeated Railway Board 41-33, Metro Railway (Calcutta) went down to Northern Railway 29-67 and Central Railway trounced Chittaranjan Locomotive Works 71-22.
On Wednesday evening, the South East Central Railway men outplayed West Central Railway 62-42, South Central Railway outsmarted North Western Railway 60-36, Southern Railway beat Diesel Locomotive Works 77-61, Central Railway prevailed over Metro Railway (Calcutta) 48-25 and Integral Coach Factory defeated Chittaranjan Locomotive Works 38-16 in a low scoring match.
In the 32nd Women’s All-India Railway Basketball Championship, Central Railway on Thursday prevailed over South Central Railway 69-44.
On Wednesday evening, Western Railway posted a 41-23 win against West Central Railway while South East Central Railway registered a 68-35 victory over South Western Railway.

Justice for Monika

2008-09-05T09:28:00.002+05:30

YAS office sealed, Biren soothes frayed tempers:

Imphal, Sep 3: Venting their ire against the alleged discriminatory attitude to weightlifter Laishram Monika Devi, women in hundreds today picketed at the office of State's Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) Department and sealed the same office today by locking its main gate.
The impasse, however, ended without any major incident after Sports Minister N Biren rushed to the YAS office located in Khuman Lampak Sports Complex and sought three days' time to urge the Central Government authorities for an immediate stand and clarification on the sordid conduct of SAI and IOA officials and action ased on the enquiry report of former Chief Election Commissioner TS Krishnamurthy.
The Minister reportedly assured to take up the matter at the next meeting of the State Cabinet in addition to insisting that a joint meeting along with representatives of organisations concerned would be hosted after the arrival of L Monika. Following the Minister's intervention the agitators reopened the YAS gate.
Earlier, the protestors under the banner of the 'Coordinating Committee Against the Conspiracy to Exclude Monika from Beijing Olympics by the Governmet of India converged at the YAS office gate demanding that the Krishnamurthy probe findings be made public and the guilty ones punished accordingly.
As per account of a key member of the Committee namely AK Janaki the former CEC, entrusted to investigate into the L Monika Devi issue, had submitted his report to the Union Sports Minister MS Gill on September 1 and rather than initiate action the Minister has taken leave for 15 days thereby amounting to delaying tactics and denial of justice.
Expressing that with the Central Govt seemingly reluctant to initiate appropriate action against the guilty officials of Indian Olympic Association and Sports Authority.of India based on the Krishnamurthy report the YAS office had been picketed and locked, Janaki maintained.
Monika's elder sister L Mamta Devi, who was also among the agitators, said only after the erring IOA and SAI officials are punished there would be satisfaction as if Monika had competed in the Beijing Games.
Monika, herself is slated to arrive?at Imphal tomorrow from Guwahati, where the Nachou native had joined a protest march denouncing alleged politicising of sports administration and selection exercise in the country.

Source: The Sangai Express

Dimapur League

2008-09-05T09:25:00.002+05:30

Dimapur, Sep 4: United Burma Camp beat Invaders by 2-0, Chumukedima XI thrashed Tenyimie 4-0, DYC defeated Spark FC by 5-0 and the match between Salu Riju and Dorians ended goalless in the DDFA Premier League 2008, played at the DDSC Stadium on Thursday.
Friday's matches: Vanguard vs Longshia; USC Nepaligaon vs Diphupar XI; Mascot vs Invaders; United Burma Camp vs DYC

Justice for Monika

2008-09-04T12:34:00.002+05:30

Monika hopes for punishment to guilty:

Guwahati, Sep 3: Weightlifter Monika Devi on Wednesday said her soul would get peace if her compatriot Sailaja and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) top officials were punished by the inquiry committee.
Speaking here on the occasion of annual Abhiruchi Sports Day, Monika said, "I am innocent. I have been framed by the senior SAI bosses, who did not want me to go to Beijing Olympics. I have cleared, at least, 30 dope tests before. How come just hours before I was scheduled to leave for Beijing, news flashed on TV that I have tested positive?"
According to Monika, SAI Executive Director R K Naidu and Sailja ganged up to cook up the dope theory and successfully prevented her from taking flight to Beijing.
"They (SAI officials) are all thieves. Just because I got into the cleansing act and decided to do away with corrupt SAI coaches, they are now after me. SAI’s executive director (teams) RK Naidu and (SAI coach) Hansa Sharma are among others have all ganged up against me and implicated me," she added.
She rued that India missed a bronze, adding as the eventual bronze medalist of Beijing Olympic, lifted the same weight she used to lift generally.
"In the pre-Olympic trial, a fierce competition was organised by some army judges who have no knowledge of modern day women weightlifting and there Sailaja was made eventual winner. In fact, she had taken dope to enhance her performance. So far, she had failed five times in the WADA dope test and according to WADA rules, she should have been banned for life,'' she further informed.
Her home state Manipur was in turmoil over her denial and forced the Prime Minister to intervene. Currently, an inquiry was going on under the former Chief Election Commissioner Krishnamurthy.
The day is celebrated statewide at over 100 places 3 every year to celebrate the birthday of the first Asian Games gold medalist as well as the state’s first Arjuna award winner Bhogeswar Barua.

Source: United News of India

Subroto Cup

2008-09-04T12:25:00.004+05:30

Nagaland beat Tripura 4-0:

Dimapur, Sep 3: State under 17 (juniors) started their campaign on high note with a victory over Tripura in the ongoing Subroto Cup played at Delhi on Wednesday.

Team manager, Nyuvitho Nyuthe DSO Kiphire said that the state team defeated Tripura 4-0 in their opening match. Hukavi scored two goals while Rokozhaz and Benri contributed one goal each for the team. Two goals were scored in the first half and while the other two were scored in the second half.

The state team representing Modern School New Market, Kohima is placed in pool-D along with Air Force team, Assam, Tripura, Uttarakhand and Sri Lanka. Altogether 32 teams including teams from aboard are taking part in the tournament which is organized by Air Force India and held every year in New Delhi.

It may be mentioned that the state under -17 team was the runners-up in 2004. Earlier, the state team was scheduled to play their opening match against Sri Lanka on September 2, but the match was postponed as the Lankan team could not reach the venue on the scheduled day. The match will be played on September 7. On September 4 (Thursday) state team will take on Uttarakhand.
A sixteen member state under 14 (sub juniors) led by team manager, Yanthan, DSO Wokha and team coach, Mughato will be leaving for Delhi on September 5 to take part in the Subroto Cup at Delhi. Last year runners-up, state under-14 team is representing Green Wood School, Dimapur.

Seeded directly in pre-quarter finals the state team will play their opening match against the winners of group B on September 10.

State u-14 squad: Vekuto, Pusu, Vishio, Akok, Imti Wapang, Taliakum, Tsiebu, Veluto, Lunminlan, Nyhunhelo, Tiatoshi, Lusinei, Moakumzuk, Tingnyek, Wasadplung and Akalu.

Source: Nagaland Post

Meanwhile, making an impressive start to the tournament, OM Roy Memorial Secondary School from Meghalaya won its first league match in Under-14 Subroto Mukherjee Cup by defeating host school from Delhi 2-0 on Wednesday. OM Roy opened the scoring in the 18th minute through a goal scored by Walamsuk Nongkhlaw, while Tyng-shain Umdor scored the second goal in the 46th minute to ensure OM Roy win the match by 2-0 goals. OM Roy will play its second match with a school from Chattisgarh on Thursday.

Source: Shillong Times

Buchi Babu Cricket

2008-09-04T12:17:00.002+05:30

Rajasthan rout Assam:

Guwahati, Sep 3: Assam suffered a humiliating 235-run defeat at the hand of Rajasthan in their opening group league match of the Buchi Babu Naidu Cricket Tournament in Chennai on Wednesday.

In reply to Rajasthan’s massive 377 for six in the allotted 90 overs Assam were bundled out for a paltry total of 102.

Brief score: Rajasthan 377 for six in 90 overs (Subhanshu Vijay 86, Nihkil Doru 54, Y Venugopal Rao 69, Robin Bisht 101, Rohit Jalani not out 45, Amit Singha 2/63).
Assam 102 all out (Deepak Sharma not out 43, Pankaj Singh 2 for 25, Sumit Mathur 2 for 20, Shilendra Gehlot 2 for 13, Gajendra Singh 4 for 34.

Remembering Assam's First Arjuna Awardee

2008-09-04T12:12:00.003+05:30

Monika flags off run:

Guwahati, Sep. 3: Manipur weightlifter L. Monika Devi on Wednesday urged people to be alert against any move to deprive players from the region of representing the nation at the international level.
Flagging off the annual Abhiruchi Sports Day mass jogging from Chandmari flyover here to Nehru Stadium, a tearful Monika said she fell “victim to some nasty politics.”
Monika Devi was deprived of a berth in the Indian contingent to the Beijing Olympics last month after allegedly testing positive in a dope test. Though she was subsequently cleared of the allegation, it was too late for her to join the contingent.
Later, an apparently disturbed Monika said she was still undecided about participating in any national meet in the near future.
Manipur’s sports organisations will be boycotting all national events till former Chief Election Commissioner T.S. Krishnamurthy, who is conducting a probe into the issue, submits the report to sports minister M.S. Gill and justice is meted out.
The weightlifter also took part in a felicitation ceremony where 56 heads of educational institutions were honoured for their contribution towards organising this particular sports day for the past 25 years.
The day marks the birthday of Arjuna awardee Bhogeswar Barua.
The mass jogging today was dampened by a morning drizzle, which reduced the turnout to a little over 3,000, including contingents from about 35 schools in the city.
Bhaskar Vidyapith emerged winners in the mass jogging and were trailed by teams from LOG English School and Disneyland High School.
Among the sports establishments, Manchuria Kung-fu Academy finished first, followed by Guwahati Kho-kho Coaching Centre, Lutuma, and Sarusajai Sports Coaching Centre.
Disneyland High School, represented by about 250 students, were awarded the O.P. Nayar Trophy for having the highest number of participants.
The jogging was followed by a dance competition among schoolchildren where St Stephen’s High School team emerged champions while Disneyland High School and Maharishi Vidya Mandir, Kalipur, finished as first and second runners-up respectively. In the aerobics competition, teams from Maharishi Vidya Mandir, Rajgarh, Maharishi Vidya Mandir, Sixth Mile, and T.C. Girls’ H.S. & M.P. School were declared the top three.
Although the day is marked by felicitation of noted sports personalities, this being the silver jubilee year, the main function will be held in December. The felicitation ceremony is likely to be attended by Australian cricketer Steve Waugh or Brett Lee, along with another Asian Olympian.

Source: The Telegraph

Subroto Mukherjee Cup Football Tournament

2008-09-03T23:40:00.003+05:30

Results of matches on Sept. 3:
Sub-juniors (U-14):
Haryana drew Sikkim 1-1
Haryana: Sikander (25th); Sikkim: Karan Singh (53rd)
Meghalaya beat Delhi 2-0
Wanlalmsuk Nongkhlaw (25th); Tyngshain (60th)
Uttarakhand beat The Air Force School 2-0
Assam drew West Bengal 1-1
Assam: PP Deka (5th); Bengal: Biki Mallick (28th)
Army Boys drew Jharkhand 1-1

Juniors (U-17):
Orissa beat The Air Force School 2-0
AFBBS beat Uttarakhand 1-0
Nagaland beat Tripura 4–0
Hukavi (29th, 68th); Benri Thung (54th); Rokozhakho (61st)
Kerala beat Haryana 1-0
Chandigarh beat Sainik School 5-0
Mizoram beat Maharashtra 1-0
Lalfakzuala (51st)
Jharkhand beat Bihar 3-0
IPSC beat Bangladesh 1–0

Justice for Monika

2008-09-03T23:25:00.002+05:30

NE sportspersons neglected: Monika

Guwahati, Sep 3: Weightlifter Monika Devi, who finds herself in a doping controversy, on Wednesday alleged that the Central Government was neglecting budding sportsmen of the northeastern region.

"The Centre had always failed to cater to the sporting needs of the region, that is why northeast was lagging behind," alleged Monika, who missed Beijing Olympics on dope charges.

She was later cleared by a review panel appointed by the Indian Weightlifting Federation. The Sports Ministry also instituted a one-man committee of former Chief Election Commissioner of TS Krishnamurthy to probe into the doping controversy.

The Manipuri lifter was speaking after flagging off the Abhiruchi Sports Day Run in honour of Arjuna awardee from Assam, Bhogeswar Baruah, here.

"It is a conspiracy and it is really unfortunate," she said on her missing the Olympics as she broke down in front of a mammoth crowd of school children who participated in the run.

Monika said she was yet to decide whether or not to participate in national championships. She had last month stated that she would not take part in any national or international event until the officials who "wrongly" accused her of failing the dope test were punished.

Thousands of school children braving intermittent rain participated in the run from Chandmari area of the city to the Nehru stadium.

Source: Press Trust of India

Subroto Cup Football Tournament

2008-09-03T10:29:00.001+05:30

Results of Preliminary round matches on Sept. 2:
Sub-Juniors (U-14)
Assam beat Maharashtra 5-2
Scorers: Assam: Manuranjan (8th min); B. Chettia (13th, 28th, 45th); PP Deka (25th)Maharashtra: Elvin (47th); Vineet (50th)
Gujarat beat IPSC 5-1; West Bengal beat Sainik School 4-1; Goa Vs Uttarakhand 4-2; Army Boys beat Chhattisgarh 15-0; Jharkhand beat Delhi 5-0
Juniors (U-17)
Assam drew Uttarakhand 0-0; Chandigarh beat Jharkhand 2-0; NCC (WB&S) beat Bihar 8-0; Orissa beat IPSC 2-1; Tripura drew Air Force Bal Bharti School 0-0; Maharashtra drew TAFS 1-1; Chhattisgarh drew Haryana 1-1.

Champion Boxer Back in Ring

2008-09-03T10:09:00.004+05:30

Mary Kom ready for world championship:

Imphal, Sept 2: The world champion MC Mary Kom, the pugilist from Manipur comes back to the boxing ring after a two-year break to add a fourth world title to her bag. The defending 46 kg champion is now ready for her fifth world championship in Ningbo in China in November this year.
Mary, mother of two said it was difficult to sit for more than a year and a half and do nothing. She gave birth to twins a while back and had to keep the boxing gloves away. She said that her secret of success was to maintain her body weight.
“I had to take complete rest, doctors had advised me not to box for some time. Then I had to take care of my sons. It was a difficult period but my husband was very cooperative. At the moment, I am focusing on regaining my fitness and form,” she said.
She was vigorously going through weight training and sparring sessions with her team mates at the Hissar camp for the past month.
Mary Kom hopes that she will be able to enter the ring with full confidence in the Asian Championship, beginning in Guwahati from September 23. The championship will see boxers from 16 Asian nations, including China, South and North Korea, Mongolia and Japan.
Indian boxers will participate in all 13 weight categories. “This will be a test event for me before the world championship in China.” She declared.
Talking about the good performance of Indian boxers in the Beijing Olympics, she said, “We hope in the London Games women’s boxing will be included and we can win a few more medals.”
The boxing champion Mary Kom entered the Limca Books of Records last year. This 22-year-old world-boxing champion from Manipur became India’s first woman pugilist to get the Arjuna Award in 2004. She won the Silver medal in the World Championship in USA in 2001, her first international exposure that spurred her on to greater heights. Mary Kom won gold in the world championship in Turkey in 2002, in Russia in 2005 and in India in 2006.
She once said, “I was initially an all-round athlete, and 400 m race and javelin were my pet events. When Dingko Singh returned from Bangkok Asian games with a gold, I thought I should give it a try”.
After winning her first title and best boxer at the first State Level Invitation Women’s Boxing championship in Manipur in 2000, Mary Kom went to win the gold in the 7th East India Women’s Boxing Championship held in West Bengal and subsequently to win five Indian National Championship from 2000 to 2005.

Source: Assam Tribune

Arjuna Awardee Manipuri

2008-09-03T09:46:00.003+05:30

Judoka Tombi Devi does Manipur proud:

Imphal, Sept. 2: Manipur judoka Kh. Tombi Devi has done the state proud once again. She was one of the two sportspersons from the Northeast to take part in the Beijing Olympics. Now she has been conferred the Arjuna Award for the year 2007.
Tombi has added another feather to Mayai Lambi Sports Academy’s cap after being named among the 11 sportspersons selected for the prestigious award.
The 26-year-old soft-spoken judoka was ousted in the first round of the Olympics at Beijing, but she made history by becoming one of the nine Olympians the state has so far seen being honoured with the Arjuna Award. The only other sportsperson from the region to take part in the Beijing Olympics is archer L. Bombayla Devi of Manipur, who had an early exit.
The announcement has come as a matter of pride for the Mayai Lambi Sports Academy here, of which Tombi is a product. The academy specialises in judo coaching, and has groomed several talented judokas.
In fact, Tombi is among the two judokas from the academy, after A. Anita Chanu in 2004, to be honoured with the Arjuna Award.
Mayai Lambi Sports Academy president Th. Bijoy Singh described it a “very joyous and happy moment” for the academy. “It is a great achievement for Tombi as well as for the academy,” he said.
In a short span of 10 years, the academy has witnessed two Arjuna awardees and several more are in the making, he added.
Singh said six judokas, including two boys and four girls, of the academy were now being trained in Patiala for the next South Asian Games.
Manipur Olympic Association president E. Binoykumar Singh said, “The gentle and positive Tombi Devi deserved the Arjuna award and we feel proud of her”.
Devi bagged a gold in the 48-kg category of the Commonwealth Judo Championship in January this year and won another gold in the 21st Bosfors Judo Championship in Turkey last year. She also garnered a silver in the India Cup International Judo Championship held in 2006 in Orissa. Last year she won a bronze medal in the Asian Judo Championship in Kuwait.

Source: The Telegraph

Kh. Tombi links:

Tombi K Devi loses to H Ana in Judo

Tombi Devi out of Olympics in two and half minutes

National sports awards given away

Great feeling to be conferred Arjuna Award

Show of Solidarity

2008-09-03T00:11:00.003+05:30

Monika Devi to Lead Abhiruchi Run:

Guwahati, Sept. 1: Manipur weightlifter L. Monika Devi will lead Abhiruchi Sports Day’s silver jubilee run in Guwahati on Wednesday. The organisers of the run invited her to take part as a mark of solidarity with neighbouring Manipur's fight against vested interests that allegedly dashed the ace sportsperson’s Olympics dream last month.
“Today it is Monika Devi from our neighbouring Manipur, tomorrow it could be somebody from Assam. Hence, it is time we joined Manipur’s fightback against vested interests from mainland India which have conspired against the weightlifting prodigy from the Northeast. She is reaching Guwahati on Tuesday to lead the run. We will accord her a warm welcome,” the chairman of the organising committee of the run, Balendra Mohan Chakravarty, said on Monday.
The day is celebrated statewide at over 100 places on September 3 every year to celebrate the birthday of the first Asian Games gold medallist as well as the state’s first Arjuna award winner Bhogeswar Barua.
Monika Devi will lead the run from Chandmari flyover here.
On the day’s programme, Chakravarty said unlike the earlier editions, outstanding sports personalities would not be felicitated on Wednesday but during the main silver jubilee function in December.
This time, the run that will culminate in Nehru Stadium will be followed by a dance and aerobics competition among children from nearly 50 schools in the city.
Besides, the heads of about 70 educational institutions in the city will be felicitated to express gratitude for their service to make the event a success every year.
On the silver jubilee function in December, Chakravarty said an Australian cricketer and an Olympian from any Asian country would be invited as special guests. He hinted that Steve Waugh or Brett Lee would be contacted for their availability.
The main function here will also comprise a two-day seminar on the importance of physical education as a subject in school curriculum and a daylong indigenous sports festival.
Source: The Telegraph

Monika Devi Links (in chronological order):
Monika fails dope test
Monika tests positive, withdrawn from Games
I am innocent, I have been framed: Monika
I am innocent, says Monika
IOA relieved Monica tested positive in India: deputy chef-de-mission
Coach stands by Monika Devi
Kalmadi praises SAI
Monika questions SAI's dope test norms
SAI dope test on Monika illegal: IWF
L Monika case shocks Manipur
CM, MP assure interventions
Conspiracy, cries Manipur
What did Monika test positive for?
Weighlifting Federation boss insists Monika clean
'Monika case attempt to defame Northeast'
Protests in Manipur over Monika Devi's dope report
Ex-weightlifting champ blames IWF for dope taint
Monika to seek ‘B’ sample test
Manipur erupts over Monika exit
24-hr general strike called today to protest Monika exclusion
Northeast footballers appeal for Monika
Boycott threat over Monika
MOA decides to boycott natl championships and Natl Games over Monika issue
Monika cleared, but won't be able to compete in Games
No entry for Monika in Olympics: IOA
SAI clears, but Monika won’t go to Beijing
International weightlifting body says 'no' to Monika
IOA, SAI ruined Monika's career: Ibobi
Monika Devi issue: Manipur CM seeks CBI probe
Monika’s village mourns death of sport
State parties demand resignation of IOA president and Union sports minister
MSF announces boycott of national leaders as protests continue in state
Monika accuses fellow lifters, demands probe
Manipur sends request for CBI probe into Monika episode
Manipur sets apology deadline
Public meeting seeks apology from GOI on Monika issue
Protests over Monika
Big conspiracy to end my career: Monika
Sports minister orders probe in Monika Devi doping case
Advani wants probe into Monika's doping episode
Manipur opts out: Athletics team returns as a mark of protest for Monika
Rousing welcome for Monika, bandh on Aug 19 to stay
Monika puts foot down on competitions
PA Sangma to take up matter with PM
General strike cripples life in state; schools, colleges spared
Battle headed for court- Panel for Monika consults legal experts
Krishna Murthy to submit Monika dope report
NESO demands CBI probe into Monika case
Panel urges PM to book conspirators- Monika places statement
IOA deliberately didn’t allow me to go to Beijing: Monika

Pride of Manipur

2008-07-16T08:54:00.003+05:30

Manipuri lifter Monika Devi selected for Beijing Olympics

New Delhi, July 15: Manipuri weightlifter L Monika Devi was today unanimously chosen ahead of Shailaja Pujari to represent the country in the Beijing Olympic Games after a selection trial in Bangalore, bringing to an end a selection controversy and allegations of bribery.

Monika, who won a silver and two bronze in the Asian Championship in Japan in April-May to help book the lone berth for India, will compete in the 69kg category while Shailaja (75kg) would be the reserve lifter.

"Monika was chosen for the Olympics by an unanimous decision of the Selection Committee. I am happy that everything went off smoothly during the trials," Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) President Harbhajan Singh said.

"Dev Dutt Sharma will accompany Monika as coach in Beijing," he added.

Monika and Shailaja were shortlisted for the final selection after an earlier trial in Pune on June 29 was followed by allegations of bribery on IWF General Secreatry B R Gulati to select Shailaja. Gulati had rubbished the allegations as "baseless".

Shailaja was also alleged to have used kneeguards, which were not permitted under IWF rules, in the Pune trial. This led to the Sports Ministry ordering probe into the bribery scandal and asking to cancel the trials besides directing to shift the trial venue from Pune to NIS, Patiala.

IWF stuck to its guns on the repeat selection trials though it shifted the venue of trial to SAI Centre, Bangalore.

Sharma's selection as coach was also against Ministry directive that a woman coach should accompany a woman lifter in Beijing.

Source: Press Trust of India

Other Stories:
Monika gets the nod
IWF selects Monika ahead of Shailaja

AFC U-13 Girls Football Festival

2008-06-18T09:18:00.002+05:30

Six from NE in 22-member Indian squad:
New Delhi: Five Manipuris and one from Tripura have been selected to represent India in the AFC Under 13 Girls Football Festival to be held in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam from June 23 to 27.
The Manipuri players are Elangbam Panthoi Chanu (Goalkeeper), W Linthoingambi Devi (Defender), T Ranjita Devi (Defender), H Sunita Devi (Defender), Th Purnima Devi (Defender) while Mampi Bhowmick (Forward) is from Tripura.
Former player RK Amusana Devi from Manipur will be the deputy coach.
Myanmar, Japan, Singapore, Korea Republic, China and hosts Vietnam are the other participating countries in the festival.
Full squad:
Goalkeeper: Elangbam Panthoi Chanu (Manipur)
Defenders: W Linthoingambi Devi (Manipur), T Ranjita Devi (Manipur), H Sunita Devi (Manipur), Th Purnima Devi (Manipur), Sithara Hari Kumar (Kerala), SK Alivia (Karnataka), Varalakshmi Mani (Puducherry)
Midfielders: Tanvi Bhargava (Chandigarh), Masuka Somesh (Karnataka), Raksha Pawar (Uttarakhand), Salma Fernandes (Goa), Subhaprabha Rout (Orissa), Sangeetha Viagulasamy (Puducherry), Viswa Kirti Patel (Gujarat)
Forwards: Josline D Souza (Goa), Preeti Shinde (Goa), Luica Gracy Simoes (Goa), Karishma Oram (Orissa), Veerpal Kaur Bawa (Punjab), Mampi Bhowmick (Tripura), Kanmozhi Muthukrishanan (Tamil Nadu).
Chief Coach: Shukla Dutta
Coach: RK Amusana Devi

Ticket to Beijing

2008-06-01T14:51:00.001+05:30

Manipuri woman judoka earns Olympic berth:
New Delhi, May 31: Commonwealth champion Kh Tombi Devi and Diviya will represent India at the Beijing Olympics, the Judo Union of Asia said today.
Kh Tombi Devi, who qualified in the 48 kg category, and Diviya (78 kg) earned their Olympic berths as per the points they received in the Asian Judo Championships.
Kh Tombi Devi is from Manipur and is presently working with the CRPF. She won the Gold medal in the Commonwealth Judo Championship in January this year. She also bagged the bronze in the Asian Judo Championships held in Kuwait last year.
The Judo Federation of India is sending them for training to Uzbekistan along with coach Armen Bagdasarove.
Source: United News of India (UNI)

62nd Santosh Trophy

2008-06-01T14:46:00.002+05:30

Manipur fail to qualify for pre-quarterfinals:
Srinagar/Jammu, May 31: Services qualified for the pre-quarterfinal from Cluster II after they held Manipur to a 2-2 draw at GGM Science College grounds at Jammu today.
Both the teams finished with equal points of five with one win and two draws each but Services had better goal average of plus eight while Manipur had plus five.
Services now play Tamil Nadu in the pre-quarter Final on Monday.
Nagaland held Orissa to a 2-2 draw in an inconsequential match of Cluster II played at Maulana Azad stadium at Jammu.
How Manipur missed out:
May 27: Manipur beat Orissa 7-2; Services beat Nagaland 8-0
May 29: Manipur drew Nagaland 0-0; Services drew Orissa 1-1
May 31: Nagaland drew Orissa 2-2; Manipur drew Services 2-2

Santosh Trophy

2008-05-31T00:26:00.001+05:30

May 30 Results:
Delhi beat Tripura 2-0, Haryana beat Assam 3-1, Sikkim beat Chandigarh 3-1, Tamil Nadu drew Bihar 2-2, Karnataka beat Uttar Pradesh 3-0, Railways beat Chhattisgarh 3-0
Sikkim beat Chandigarh 3-1 at Maulana Azad Stadium at Jammu. The match was a mere formality as both the teams had been out of contention for a Pre-quarterfinal berth from Cluster I.
Chandigarh opened the score through Gopal Thapa in the 13th minute which was equalised by Bikas Jairu six minutes later. C Subba added another in the 84th minute and Bikas Jairu completed a brace in the injury time of the second half to seal the match 3-1 in favour of Sikkim.
Delhi defeated Tripura 2-0 in a Cluster III match to set up a Pre-quarterfinal clash with Hosts J&K. Delhi scored through Praveen Rawat in the 18th minute and made it 2-0 in the 33rd minute through G.Kamesh.
Haryana defeated Assam 3-1 in a close encounter to advance to Pre-quarterfinal stage from Cluster VI and will play Karnataka in the pre-quarterfinals.
Assam opened the score in the 5th minute through Gulidum Bongmei, which was equalised by L Thoiba Singh the 40th minute. Haryana increased the lead through Jatinder in the 74th min while Thoiba scored his second goal in the last minute to make it 3-1 for Haryana.

SAFF Cup football

2008-05-31T00:02:00.001+05:30

Five northeastern players in India squad:
Baichung Bhutia, Potsangbam Renedy Singh, Bungo Singh, Moirangthem Gouramangi Singh and Sushil Kumar Singh were named in the India squad for the SAFF Cup football championship in Maldives and Sri Lanka to b eheld from June 3-14.
Regular India defender Surkumar Singh, who injured himself in India's second friendly against Chinese Taipei on May 27 in Chennai, had to miss out.
The Squad:
Goalkeepers: K Subrata Paul, Subhashish Roy Chowdhary. Defenders: Mahesh Gawli, Gouramangi Singh, Deepak Mondal, N S Manju, Anwar Ali, Sameer Naik. Midfielders: Steven Dias, Climax Lawrence, N P Pradeep, Bungo Singh, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Renedy Singh, KuttimaniForwards: Baichung Bhutia (Capt), Sunil Chhetri, Manjit Singh, Abhishek Yadav, Sushil Kumar Singh

Vision India

2008-05-30T23:45:00.001+05:30

AFC pats Manipur on football development:
Kuala Lumpur: AFC General Secretary Dato’ Paul Mony Samuel has congratulated the All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) for another successful football season of the Manipur State League.
“I would also like to congratulate Thangmeiband’s NISA club for their impressive title run in only their first season in the league,” he said.
“I am delighted that Manipur State League, launched under AFC’s Vision India programme in 2006, has witnessed tremendous growth in quality of the game and standards of the clubs.”
“With strong commitment and leadership of AMFA, the Manipur State League has become a model of success and one that needs to be emulated in many states across India,” he said.
He said the successes of state and schools league will inspire the AMFA to launch an under-14 club youth league this year.
“I am confident that the success of these leagues will inspire the association to launch a youth league this year,” he added.
Source: Asian Football Confederation

Bayern Munich vs Mohun Bagan

2008-05-30T23:38:00.002+05:30

German coach Hitzfeld Praises Lalwampuia:
Kolkata: Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld picked out Lalwampuia, Lal Kamal Bhowmick and Ishfaq Ahmed and amongst those who shined from the Mohun Bagan side in May 27 match against the German giants.
“They played well and were certainly better than the Indonesian team which we took on a few days ago.
“It’s difficult on judge the players after seeing them for only one game but Bagan’s number seven (Lal Kamal), nine (Lalwampuia) and 11 (Ishfaq) played well and seem to be good players.”
The 60-year-old ended his second stint with Bayern last evening and said, “It was an emotional match and it was not only my farewell but Oliver Kahn’s. It is great that it took place in Kolkata.”
Hitzfeld who would now join the Swiss national team didn’t have much to say on the sending off incident involving Bayern’s Breno and Bagan’s Cardozo.
“I was very far away so I cannot comment on the incident.”

SAFF Cup

2008-05-29T07:41:00.005+05:30

Surkumar ruled out:

Kolkata: Defender Surkumar Singh, who pulled a hamstring in the second friendly against Chinese Taipei on Tuesday, has been ruled out of the SAFF Championship in Maldives and Sri Lanka.
According to AIFF sources, though the national coach Bob Houghton is keeping his fingers crossed, the Manipuri, who plays for East Bengal, will be kept out of the SAFF squad.

“Houghton would take a decision only on Thursday. He hasn’t announced his final team yet.”
Surkumar’s injury could further weaken India’s defence. Houghton has been forced to shift Deepak Mondal to the left back position because of N.S. Manju’s injury. With Surkumar unavailable, Samir Naik or Syed Rahim Nabi might find a place in the side.
India play Nepal in the first match on June 4.

Santosh Trophy

2008-05-28T19:15:00.000+05:30

May 28 Results:
Sikkim beat Bihar 5-1, Assam drew Madhya Pradesh 0-0, Mizoram drew Railways 1-1, Tamil Nadu beat Chandigarh 2-0, Jharkhand beat Uttar Pradesh 3-2.

Assamese Creates Tennis History in United States

2008-05-28T10:39:00.004+05:30

Somdev Dev Varman wins 2nd consecutive NCAA singles title:
Oklahama (USA), May 27: Assamese origin Indian tennis star Somdev Dev Varman created history on Monday (May 27) by winning his second consecutive National Collegiate Athletic Association singles title with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over J P Smith in the final.
Dev Varman, who made his Davis Cup debut in February in India vs Uzbekistan tie in New Delhi, cruised to victory in under an hour to become the first Indian and only the 13th player in the US collegiate tournament's 124-year history to win consecutive titles. He is just the fourth player to do so in the last 50 years.
He joins a band of players including Georgia's Mikael Pernfors (1984 and 1985) and Matias Boeker (2001 and 2002) to win consecutive NCAA singles title since the 64-player tournament format was adopted in 1977.
Dev Varman, who made his Davis Cup debut for India in February, defeated the 6 feet 9 inches John Isner in last year's final for the NCAA championships.
He becomes the first player since Dennis Ralston (1963 and 1964) to win consecutive titles without winning at least one of them on his home courts. He also joins Sargin Sargsian (1995) and Benjamin Kohlloeffel (2006) as the only players to win the ITA National indoor singles championship and NCAA singles championship in the same season. The win was his 18th career NCAA singles tournament victory, extending his record for most in the current tournament format.
"There was a little bit of a different feel this year than last year," Dev Varman was quoted as saying on the NCAA Web site.
"Last year there was a bigger crowd and it was No 1 vs No 2 instead of No 1 vs an unseeded player. But that didn't change how I prepared for the match. I was focused and played well."
The final turned out to be an easy outing for the Indian as he broke the unseeded Smith in the eighth game of the first set before serving it out 6-3. He broke Smith twice in the second set to go up 3-0 before closing out the match 6-3, 6-2.
Dev Varman ends the season with a 44-1 singles record, tying the record for wins in a season he set a year before. He is believed to be the first NCAA singles champion to finish the season with one or fewer losses since Jimmy Connors went undefeated in 1971.
The youngster -- winner of the the first India Abroad Award for Youth Achievement this year -- ends his college career with a 158-27 career singles record, setting the school record for career victories.
"To end my career like this is very special. I wasn't just playing for myself, I was playing for Virginia for the last time. I was playing for my teammates and my coaches too. The loss in the team tournament was so hard to take, but this was the best way to try to cheer everyone up a little bit," he said.
Source: www. rediff.com

Devvarman repeats as NCAA tennis champion:

India vs Chinese Taipei Friendly

2008-05-28T10:13:00.004+05:30

Four Manipuris in India first XI:

Irungbam Surkumar Singh, Moirangthem Gourmangi Singh, Bungo Singh and Potsangbam Renedy Singh took the field in India's second and final friendly match against Chinese Taipei on May 27 in the run up to the June 3-14 SAFF Cup in Maldives and Sri Lanka.

The match ended 2-2 draw.
N. P. Pradeep scored both the goals for India in the .

In the first friendly against the same opponents on May 24, there were five Manipuris with young striker Sushil Kumar Singh taking field along with Surkumar, Gouramangi, Bungo and Renedy.

India Squad on May 27: Subrata Pal, Mahesh Gawli, Surkumar Singh, Gourmangi Singh, Deepak Kumar Mondal, Bungo Singh, N.P. Pradeep, Renedy Singh, Climax Lawrence, Sunil Chhettri, Bhaichung Bhutia (captain).

India squad on May 24: Subrata Pal, Mahesh Gawli, Surkumar Singh (66' Nanjangud Shivnanju Manju), Gourmangi Singh, Deepak Kumar Mondal, Bungo Singh, N. P. Pradeep, Renedy Singh, Climax Lawrence (77' Sampath Kumar Kuttimani), Sunil Chhettri, Bhaichung Bhutia (71' Sushil Kumar Singh).

Mohun Bagan vs Bayern Munich

2008-05-28T09:56:00.004+05:30

Four NE players rub shoulders with Oliver Kahn:

Two Mizos and two Manipuris had the opportunity to play against legendary German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn in his last competitive match on May 27 at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
Lukram James Singh, Sagolsem James Singh, Henry Gangte and Pachau Lalam Puia donned Mohun Bagan colours in their match against the famous Bundesliga side Bayern Munich.
In the first half, Sagolsem James Singh wasted an easy chance off the corner kick of Lal Kamal Bhowmick and Lalam Puia shot straight into Kahn a minute before the breather. Bayern won the match 3-0 and Kahn was given a standing ovation by more than a lakh crowd when he left the field after being substituted in the 56th minute.
Mohun Bagan skipper Baichung Bhutia missed the match and the Sikkimese sniper was playing as captain for India against Chinese Taipei in an international friendly in Chennai today (May 27).
Mohun Bagan: Sangram Mukherjee (90' Chirodeep Chattopadhyay), Rahul Kumar, Rakesh Masih, Anand Vasim, Habibur Rehman Mondal (71' S Naveen Kumar), Lal Kamal Bhowmick, Sielphaw Henry Gangte (60' Tapan Maity), Sagolsem James Singh, Lukram James Singh, Ishfaq Ahmed, Pachau Lalam Puia (64' Branco Vincent Cardozo).
Bayern Munich: Oliver Kahn (56' Michael Rensing), Christian Lell, Andreas Ottl, Breno, Uwe Schlottner (82' Diego Pizarro), Mark Van Bommel, Ze Roberto (77' Taygun Kuru), Viktor Bopp (68' Gianluca Simari), Toni Kroos (74' Dominik Rohracker), Jose Ernesto Sosa (Diego Contento), Jan Schlaudraff
Yellow Cards: Sangram Mukherjee (36' Mohun Bagan) and Jan Schlaudraff (76' Bayern Munich)Red Cards: Branco Vincent Cardozo (84' Mohun Bagan) and Breno (84' Bayern Munich) Attendance: 1,20,000

62nd Santosh Trophy

2008-05-28T00:37:00.003+05:30

Manipur, Meghalaya win, Nagaland loses:
Jammu/Srinagar, May 27: Former champions Manipur opened their campaign with a facile 7-2 win over Orissa in a Cluster II match of the national football Championship for the Santosh Trophy played at GGM Science College grounds at Jammu.
Manipur, captained by former international Bijen Singh, toyed with their happless opponents.
Despite grabbing the lead in the 38th minute through Bhabani Singh, Orissa failed to continue with the magic as Jotin Singh of Manipur fired in from close range to level the scores in the 39th minute.
The second half was dominated by the energetic Manipuris who made Orissa dance to their tunes.
Bijen Singh (55th), Y Raju (61st, 82nd), I Khelemba Meitei (67th), K Samson (72nd) and A Naresh (77th) made no mistakes in converting their chances.
M Saddique scored the second goal for Orissa in the 74th minute from the left wing.
In another Cluster II match in Jammu, Services rode on a hat-trick by midfielder LB Victor to trounce Nagaland 8-0.
Nagaland were left clueless as the services forward line pumped in three goals in the first half and five in the second at Maulana Azad Stadium.
Shaji D'silva opened the account for Services in the 20th minute. Four minutes later, S Raleng shot home to make it 2-0. Gordon scored another goal just before the interval tohelp Services go to the break with a 3-0 lead.
After the change of ends, Victor came up with his hat-trick (63rd, 71st, 81st) to rub salt into Nagaland's wound. D'silva then completed his brace in the 70th minute, while Sudhir Mishra (61st) notched up a goal for Services.
At Polo ground in Srinagar, Meghalaya overpowered Uttarakhand 3-1 in pouring rain in an action-packed match.
Bansharalsun not only stunned their opponents but the spectators when he scored in the very second minute of the encounter. Receiving a ball from Kitkupar Kharshing, unmarkedBansharalsun made no mistake and sent the ball into the net from a close range (1-0).
Meghalaya scored another goal in the 42nd minute through Bansharalsun and then Marlanki Suting made it 3-0 in 74th minute before Nitin Kumar struck in the 76th minute to reduce the margin for Uttarakhand.
Due to unplayable ground conditions at the Bakshi Stadium following incessant rains, all matches matchs scheduled at the stadium till May 30 will be shifted to Kashmir University grounds.
Today's (May 27) Results:
Cluster II: Manipur beat Orissa 7-2; Services beat Nagaland 8-0
Cluster IV: HImachal beat Puducherry 3-2; J&K beat Daman and Diu 4-0
Cluster VIII: Meghalaya beat Uttarakhand 3-1
Scorers: Bansharalsun (2nd, 42nd), Marlanki Suting (74th)
May 28 Fixures:
Cluster I at G. G. M. Science College Ground, Jammu: Chandigarh vs Tamil Nadu; Sikkim vs Bihar
Cluster III at Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar (now shifted to Kashmir University grounds): Gujarat vs Tripura
Cluster V at Polo Ground, Srinagar: Jharkhand vs Uttar Pradesh
Cluster VI at Polo Ground, Srinagar: Assam vs Madhya Pradesh
Cluster VII at Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar (now shifted to Kashmir University grounds):
Mizoram vs Railways

62nd Santosh Trophy

2008-05-28T00:08:00.002+05:30

Mizoram wins, Sikkim loses first match:
Srinagar: Mizoram overcame stiff resistance from Chhattisgarh and scored a facile 2-1 win in their first Cluster VII match of the 62nd J&K Bank-National football championship for the Santosh Trophy at the Bakshi stadium here on Monday (May 26).
Arhima and Malsaw scored one goal each for the north-eastern state in the 15th and 87th minutes respectively. Chhattisgarh reduced the margin later on.
Results on May 26:Cluster I: Tamil Nadu beat Sikkim 4-1; Chandigarh beat Bihar 1-0
Cluster III: Delhi drew Gujarat 0-0
Cluster IV: Himachal Pradesh beat Daman and Diu 4-2
Cluster V: Karnataka beat Jharkhand 2-1
Cluster VI: Haryana drew Madhya Pradeh 0-0
Cluster VII: MIzoram beat Chhattisgarh 2-1

62nd Santosh Trophy

2008-05-26T16:14:00.002+05:30

International stars from North East to miss action:

Seven international footballers from the north east, including three regular India senior players, will not take part in the Santosh Trophy in Jammu and Kashmir (May 25-JUne 15).

Renedy Singh, Surkumar Singh, Gouramangi Singh, Sushil Kumar, Bungo Singh, Govin Moirangthem (all from Manipur) and Nirmal Chhetri (from Sikkim) are in the Indian team which is playing two friendly games against Chinese Taipei (May 24 and May 27) in preparation of the SAFF Championship in Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Three others Robert Lalthampuana (Mizoram), Chandam Chitrasen (Manipur) and Naoba Singh (Manipur) were also included in the pre-national football coaching camp in Goa but later left out of the main camp.

Lalthampuana will lead Mizoram in the national championship, Naoba Singh is in the Assam Squad while Chitrasen will not play for Manipur.

Sikkim's Ashish Chhetri and Bigendra Rai will also miss the championship due to national camp for the AFC Under under 16 tournament in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from October 4-8.

Some north east players in the big clubs of the country will, however, be seen action. They include Dharamjit Singh (Mohun Bagan), L. James Singh (Mohun Bagan), Bijen Singh (Mohammedan Sporting), Uttam Singh (Air India) and Lalit Thapa (Churchill Brothers) of Manipur, Pachau Lalawmpuia (Mohun Bagan), Henry Gangte (Mohun Bagan), Lalramluaha (Mohun Bagan), Khanthang Paite (Churchill Brothers), Lalhlimthara (JCT), F. Lalrozama (Pune FC), F. Lalmuanpuia (ONGC, Mumbai), JeJe Lalpekhlua (Pune FC), Malsawmdawngliana (Amity United, Haryana) and Buangpuia Ralte (New Delhi Heroes) of Mizoram, Bilifung Narzary (ONGC, Mumbai) and Marcus Basumatary (Salgaocar) of Assam and Sanju Pradhan (Air India) of Sikkim.

62nd Santosh Trophy

2008-05-26T14:42:00.002+05:30

No Baichung Bhutia in Sikkim Squad:

Gangtok: Sikkim will miss the services of India captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who is doing national duty, during the 62nd National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy to be held in Jammu and Kashmir from May 25.
Three more key players, besides Bhutia, would not be available for the same reason, SFA General Secretary Menla Ethenpa said.
The three are East Bengal player Nirmal Chhetri and two members of national under-16 team -- Ashish Chhetri and Bigendra Rai.
Keeping these limitations in mind, the Sikkim Football Association has picked a 20-member squad, Ethenpa said adding the boys should do well in the national football tournament as it would be held in similar weather condition as prevailed back home.
Sikkim has been drawn with Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Chandigarh in Pool A and play their lung opener with Tamil Nadu on May 26.
A five-day training camp for the state team was held at Paljor Stadium recently.
The squad: Bimal Bagdas, Karma Tsering Lepcha, Tashi Rapden, Rupen Rai, Karma Lhendup, Robin Gurung, Sonam Bhutia, Don Tshering Lepcha, Sagar Rai, Rohit Ansari, Milan Lepcha, Sanju Pradhan, Tshering Lepcha, Kiran Tamang, Ong Tshering Lepcha, Sisil Karthak, Engphuhang Subba, Bikash Jairu, Nim Tshering Lepcha and Bir Bahadur Pradhan.
Source: The Press Trust of India

62nd National Football Championship

2008-05-26T11:14:00.004+05:30

Squads for Santosh Trophy at Jammu and Srinagar from May 25 to June 15:
Manipur: In Cluster II along with Services, Orissa and Nagaland
Venue: G. G. M. Science College Ground, Jammu
Goalkeepers: Lalit Thapa and S. Basanta Singh
Defenders: L. Dhanachandra Singh, L. Uttam Singh, Khelemba Singh, Benjamin Kamson, H. Devan Singh, S. Thomas, Y. Raju Singh
Midfielders: Charan Rai, W. Ngouba Singh, W. Ajitkumar Singh, Zenith Tangkhul, S. Dharamjit Singh, L. James Meitei, M. Bijen Singh
Forwards: N. Jimmy Singh, I. Nilakumar Singh, K. Kamson Singh and Jotin Singh.
Coach: S. Akendra Singh
Manager: P. Raghumani Singh (AMFA VP)
27.05.2008: Manipur Vs Orissa; Nagaland vs Services
29.05.2008: Manipur vs Nagaland; Orissa Vs Services
31.05.2008: Manipur Vs Services; Orissa Vs Nagaland

Mizoram: In Cluster VII along with Chhattisgarh and Railways
Venue: Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar
Goalkeepers: Danny Lalrohlua, Vanlalhruaia
Defenders: Lalpianfela, Zohmingliana Arhima, R.Vanlalpeka, F. Lalrozama, Lalremruata Midfielders: Robert Lalthlamuana (Captain), F. Lalmuanpuia, Buangpuia Ralte, Samson Ramengmawia, Khanthang Paite, Malsawmtluanga, Henry Gangte, Lalramluaha
Forwards: Lalruatliana Sailo, Malsawmdawngliana, JeJe Lalpekhlua, Lalhlimthara, P C.Lalawmpuia
Coach: Vanlalngheta
Manager: Lalbiakzuala
26.05.2008: Mizoram vs Chhattisgarh
28.05.2008: Mizoram Vs Railways
30.05.2008: Railways Vs Chhattisgarh

Assam: In Cluster VI along with Haryana and Madhya Pradesh
Venue: Polo Ground, Srinagar
Goalkeepers: Bilifang Narzary (captain), Marcus Basumatary, Gobinda Boro.
Defenders: Dhananjay Boro, Mitradev Swargiary, Biplob Sonowal, Naoba Singh, Hemanta Brahma, Jyotish Basumatary.
Midfielders: Khirod Das, Ajit Singh, Fwjwbswrang Wari, Gulidom Rongmei, Manoj Boro, Priya Kumar Singh, Thoiba Singh.
Forwards: Manash Manjit Chetia, Sanjeeba Rongpi, Thomson Langthasa, Jayanta Basumatary. Coach: Anjan Nath
Manager: Subimal Dhar.
26.05.2008: Haryana Vs Madhya Pradesh
28.05.2008: Assam vs Madhya Pradesh
30.05.2008: Assam Vs Haryana

Sikkim: In Cluster I along with Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Chandigarh
Venue: G. G. M. Science College Ground, Jammu
Bimal Bagdas, Karma Tsering Lepcha, Tashi Rapden, Rupen Rai, Karma Lhendup, Robin Gurung, Sonam Bhutia, Don Tshering Lepcha, Sagar Rai, Rohit Ansari, Milan Lepcha, Sanju Pradhan, Tshering Lepcha, Kiran Tamang, Ong Tshering Lepcha, Sisil Karthak, Engphuhang Subba, Bikash Jairu, Nim Tshering Lepcha and Bir Bahadur Pradhan.
Coach: Thupden Rapgyal
Manager: Arjun Rai
26.05.2008: Tamil Nadu Vs Sikkim; Bihar Vs Chandigarh
28.05.2008: Sikkim Vs Bihar; Chandigarh Vs Tamil Nadu
30.05.2008: Sikkim vs Chandigarh; Tamil Nadu Vs Bihar

Tripura is in Cluster III along with Delhi and Gujarat
Venue: Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar
26.05.2008: Delhi Vs Gujarat
28.05.2008: Tripura vs Gujarat
30.05.2008: Tripura Vs Delhi

Meghalaya is in Cluster VIII along with Goa and Uttarakhand
Venue: Polo Ground, Srinagar
27.05.2008: Meghalaya Vs Uttarakhand
29.05.2008: Uttarakhand Vs Goa
31.05.2008: Meghalaya vs Goa

Complete Fixture:

Cricket Spreads to Nagaland

2008-05-18T17:51:00.001+05:30

Meet Hokaito, India’s first cricketer from Nagaland
Kolkata, May 17: He is known for his nippy left-arm fast bowling and for his right-handed big-hitting prowess. And he is a cricket coach’s ideal model when it comes to athleticism and smart fielding skills.
Meet Hokaito Zhimomi, India's first ever cricketer from the state of Nagaland, looking to make a name for himself in mainstream sports. North-East has produced scores of top athletes and sportspersons for decades, but Nagaland has been an exception, with no history of producing a home-bred sportstar on the national stage.
Playing club cricket over the last five years or so in the Kolkata Maidan, 22-year-old Hokaito may not have stood out with exceptional performances in the city's club circuit. But the boy from Dimapur, in Nagaland, has definitely become one of the most talked about names in Kolkata’s sports circuit after he got the call-up to train at the Eden Gardens with the Kolkata Knight Riders. In the few days of nets at Eden with Sourav Ganguly, Ricky Ponting & Co, Hokaito stood out with his liveliness.
The chirpy Nagaland player, who is currently playing for popular city club Dalhousie AC, honed his skills in the game under former national selector-turned-coach Sambaran Banerjee at his southern Kolkata coaching academy.
Recalls Hokaito in a chat with The Indian Express: “My journey in full-time cricket goes back a long way, when I was a kid back home in Dimapur. I used to passionately watch cricket on TV, and then decided to become a cricketer. So, I came to Kolkata with an uncle of mine, who stays here, and joined the Gymkhana Club. That's where my cricket career started.”
After spending a year with Gymkhana Club, Hokaito was signed up by Victoria Sporting Club, before eventually switching over to his present club. And all along, under former national selector Sambaran Banerjee, Hokaito has been specialising in his all-round skills, and making a name for himself over the last five years of training. Says Banerjee: “He’s a rare talent. I say this because not often do you see a player bowling left-arm pace and batting right-handed as a big-hitter, and then backing it all up with impressive fielding and fitness. Hokaito hails from the hills, which is why he is a remarkably tough guy out in the field.”
The wiry player said: “When I started playing cricket, there wasn’t anybody back home who played cricket. But today, things have changed in Nagaland.”

Women's Football

2008-05-18T14:09:00.003+05:30

Golden Year for Manipuri Women:

It was a sweet revenge for Manipuri girls over their opponents who dared to challenge their supremacy in sub junior football in recent years. Manipur defeated last year's winners Orissa 2-0 in the final of 4th Girl's (U-17) Sub Junior National Football Championship 2007-2008 at Diphu in Assam (April 25-May 11, 2008).

N. Montesori Chanu and E. Bindyarani Devi scored for Manipur. The duo must be doubly
happy that they were part of the team that lost to Orissa in the last edition.

Manipur had won the first and second editions of the tournament before Orissa won it in the third edition. Interestingly, all the finals so far had been between Manipur and Orissa. In the first edition at Udhagamandalam in Tamil Nadu in 2003, Manipur beat Orissa 1-0 in the final. In the second edition in 2004 at Dindigul in Tamil Nadu from December 9-24, Manipur had won 4-0 with a hat-trick from Bala Devi and Lalvarmoi Hmar scoring the other goal.

In the third edition in Chandigarh (July 10-27, 2006), the Manipur team led by international Bembem Devi and coached by yesteryear star Chaoba Devi returned second best losing to Orissa 0-1. This year, Manipur had beaten Chandigarh 17-0, Goa 6-0, Kerala 11-0, Mizoram 5-0 en-route to the semifinal where they beat Tamil Nadu 1-0.

The sub junior win also completed Manipur's domination in the women's football arena with the small state winning two other national competitions in the AIFF calendar -- U-19 and senior nationals. In the 16th Women's National Football Championship 2008 at Haldia in West Bengal from February 29 to March 16, Manipur beat Orissa 4-1 in the final while in the last edition of the Girls' under-19 National Football Championships held in Pondicherry from January 3 to 20, Manipur defeated Tamil Nadu 5-1 in the final.

Manipuri girls made up of more than half of national squad in U-17, U-19 and seniors. Players like Ngangom Bala Devi, Bembem Devi, Romi Devi Ashem and Lalvarmoi Hmar have graduated from U-17 to U-19 and now in the senior national squad.

Important members of Manipur team in the last three editions of U-17 national championship:
2nd edition (at Dindigul in Tamil Nadu from December 9 to 24, 2004): Bembem Devi, Ng. Bala Devi, A. Romi Devi, Kamala Devi, N. Roma Devi, L. Naobi Devi, Prameshwori Devi, Surbala Devi, Itarani Devi, Radharani Devi, Ranjita Devi, Lalvarmoi Hmar.
3rd edition (in Chandigarh from July 10 to 27, 2006): Y. Kamala Devi, M. Bembem Devi, N. Chanchan Chanu, N. Montesori Chanu, M. Mandakini Devi, N. Binodini Devi, T. Nungshitombi
Devi, W. Radharani Devi, H. Bijeta Devi, E Bindyarani Devi, Ksh Naocha Devi, I Itabala Devi
4th edition (at Diphu in Assam from April 25 to May 11, 2008): Y. Premi Devi, Ksh. Naocha
Devi, Y. Chandrajini Devi, E. Bindryarani Devi, N. Montesori Devi, K. Rameshori Devi, T.
Nungshitombi Devi.

India U-17 squad for the AFC U-17 women's championship in April 2005:
Goalkeeper: Wangkhem Thabal Devi (captain), Ahalaya Munda, Neelam Khalko
Defenders: Alochana Senapati, Romi Devi Ashem, Thangjam Ranjita, Tuli Goon, Suprana
Supraya Samal, Gulti Choudhary, Manpreet Sidhu
Midfielders: Chingtham Sanathoi Chanu, Lalvarmoi Hmar, Maibam Bembem Devi, Sasmita Malik, Manpreet Kaur, Suganya Raju
Forwards: Sapna Guria, Ngangom Bala Devi, Sangita Patra, Nameirakpam Roma Devi
Chief Coach: Moirangthem Ratan Kumar Singh

India U-19 squad for the AFC U-19 women's championship in Novemebr 2006:
Goalkeeper: Wangkhem Thabal Devi, Tarini Singh, Neelam Khalko
Defenders: Tuli Goon (captain), Surbala Devi Khumukcham, Alochana Senapati, Sabita Singh, Valarmita Ravi, Bijay Laxmi Sahoo, Romi Devi Ashem
Midfielders: Maibam Bembem Devi, Manpreet Kaur, Asha Rani Laishram, Chingtham Sanathoi Chanu, Sasmita Malik, Prameshwori Devi Irom, Shradhanjali Sahoo, Rinki Kujur, Nameirakpam Roma Devi
Forwards: Ngangom Bala Devi, Manpreet Kaur Sidhu, Lalvarmoi Hmar, Anuradha Chetri
Chief Coach: Moirangthem Ratan Kumar Singh

Indian women's senior squad for the AFC Women's Asia Cup Qualifiers 2008 in October 2007:
Goalkeeper: Ronibala Chanu Lourembam (Manipur), Prasanthi Pradhan
Defenders: Madhu Kumari (Bihar), Romi Devi Ashem (Manipur), Nameirakpam Geeta Rani Chanu (Manipur), Thoi Devi (Manipur), Alochana Senapati (West Bengal), Gulti Choudhary (West Bengal), Jayanti Barua, Ansha
Midfielders: Gitanjali Kuntia (Orissa), Oinam Bembem Devi (Manipur), Ngangom Bala Devi (Manipur), Lalvarmoi Hmar (Manipur), Gayatri Mallick (West Bengal), Rinku Ghosh (West Bengal), Pinky Bompal Magar (Orissa), Amoolya Jayaram
Forwards: Susmita Malick (West Bengal), Domiana Gomendes (Goa), Shilpy Deb (West Bengal),
Jagdeep Kaur (Punjab), Vasanthy Somu
Chief Coach: Premkanta Singh

Opinion Piece

2008-05-16T23:39:00.002+05:30

Manipur should be allowed to play as state team in I-League:
The All India Football Federation has decided that the second edition of the I-League will consist of only 12 teams and matches will be played only on weekends from mid-September till March 2009. I-League means India league but sadly the 12 teams represent just four states in India. Eleven of the clubs come from just three states.
There are four from Bengal — Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and the newly promoted Mohammedan Sporting and Chirag United. Goa also has four teams, holders Dempo, runners-up Churchill Brothers, Sporting Clube de Goa and promoted Vasco. The trio from Mumbai are Mahindra United, Air India and 2nd division champions, newly formed Mumbai FC. The 12th team in the fray is north India’s lone representative, JCT.
So the I-League is not really representative of Indian football, as it involves people of only a few cities, barely 10 per cent of India’s estimated population of 1.2 billion. Instead it reflects the fact that club football in India has so far developed only in three states. There are no easy solutions. Promotion of more teams will only make the I-League more lop-sided, as there will be more representatives from Bengal and Goa.
Current Indian captain Baichung Bhutia’s remedy is that states like Manipur and Kerala where the game is popular but lack a tradition of club football should be allowed to play as state teams. Baichung cites the example of Malaysia where state teams like Perak and Selangor feature in the Malaysian league. Of course if Manipur play as a state team it could create a quandary for several of their internationals Surkumar Singh and Renedy Singh who play for East Bengal or Gourmangi Singh (Churchill Brothers).
Baichung’s idea is meritorious as in this way the I-League will be more representative. Both Kerala and Manipur are beneficiaries of the Vision Asia programme and are vigorously promoting football amongst the youth. The state teams of Kerala and Manipur have invariably excelled in the Santosh Trophy as they play with great pride. Another important factor is that both these teams receive massive support in other states also from migrant Keralites and Manipuris. This was evident when the Santosh Trophy was held in Delhi in 2004 and Gurgaon in 2006. Kerala and Manipur received the maximum support.
The I-League is modeled on the J-League in Japan. But in Japan, football has spread all over the country. The J-League first started in 1992 with 10 teams just like the I-League. However the ten teams as can been from the list are from nine different cities, Kashima Antlers, Urawa Red Diamonds, JEF United Ichihara, Verdy Kawasaki, Yokohama Marinos, Yokohama Flügels, Shimizu S-Pulse, Nagoya Grampus Eight, Gamba Osaka, and Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Only Yokohama had two representatives.
The 15th edition of the J-league in 2007 had 18 clubs and they represented 17 different cities, each with their own stadiums. Japan succeeded in spreading the game all over the country because of their visionary approach. The J-League encouraged clubs to promote football or non-football related sports to acquire local sponsorships, and to build good relationship.

This article was written by noted football commentator Novy Kapadia

U-17 Girls' National Football

2008-05-02T14:42:00.000+05:30

Orissa, Haryana win matches:
Diphu, May 1: In two group A quarter final league match of the U-17 girls national football championship here on Thursday, Orissa prevailed over Tamil Nadu 3-0 while Hariyana edged past Sikkim 1-0.
With the wins both Orissa and Hariyana brightened their chances of entering into the last four stage from the four-team group.
In two matches of group B tomorrow Goa will play Manipur while Kerala will take on Mizoram.

Shifting Base

2008-05-02T14:38:00.001+05:30

OIL to leave Duliajan for Guwahati:
Guwahati: Oil India Limited is all set to shift their camp from Duliajan to Guwahati and if everything goes according to plan then the team will be in the city in June.

A top official of Oil India Limited Ramesh Phukan, who was also the manager of the side during their National Second Division League campaign in Kolhapur, told The Sentinel that they are trying their best to shift the team to Guwahati as it will help them to prepare the team in the best possible way for the forthcoming season.

It may be mentioned here that a couple of years back, Oil India Limited tried to shift their camp to Guwahati. However, that time there wish was not fulfilled. But after getting a good exposure in the Second Division Soccer League the officials of the Duliajan outfit is seriously considering shifting the team to Guwahati.

Commenting on a query on their consideration to shift the team to Guwahati, Phukan said, “We need some good competition to prepare the team for a tournament like the National Second Division Soccer League and this was the main cause for shifting. We will set up our camp in Narengi.” He also added that they are trying to get a berth in the Super Division Soccer League in Guwahati.

He said that Oil India Limited might appoint a new coach for their team this season and they have short listed few names for the post. It has been learnt that the coach of Mohammedan Sporting Sabir Ali is on the top of the list.
Source: The Sentinel

2008-05-01T10:37:00.001+05:30

Laishram Monika Fetches Weightlifting Olympic Berth:
New Delhi, Apr 30: With one silver and two bronze to their kitty in the ongoing Asian weightlifting championship in Kanazawa in Japan, Indian women have booked one berth for Beijing Olympics.
Laishram Monika Devi has fetched three medals for India in the women’s 69kg event in the final Olympic qualifying event which concludes on Thursday.
The team’s assistant manager Parminder Singh said that India had secured one Olympic berth in the women’s section.
“By virtue of one silver and two bronze medals, our women have booked one quota place for Olympics,” he said.
On Wednesday, Shailaja Pujari finished fifth overall in the women’s 75kg category with a total lift of 218kg (95 in snatch and 123 in clean and jerk), while compatriot Kavita Devi withdrew from the competition in the same category.
In the women’s above-75 kg category, Geeta Rani finished overall sixth with a lift of 224kg (99+125), while compatriot K. Tulsi ended at the bottom of the list in the 11-lifter field with a total lift of 177 (80+97).
Source: Press Trust of India

I-League 2nd Division Football

2008-04-30T11:57:00.001+05:30

Match at Nehru Stadium Under Floodlights:
Guwahati, Apr 29: The high mastlights in the Nehru Stadium will glow again for the final round matches of the ongoing ONGC second division I-league football tournament on May 1 and 4.
Disclosing this, Assam Football Association (AFA) sources said the lights, which failed because of a technical snag on the inaugural day (April 17), would be tested again on Wednesday. If they work properly, the second matches of May 1 and 4 would be held at Nehru Stadium under floodlights.
The matches were scheduled to be played at Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium from 3.15 pm simultaneously with another match at Nehru Stadium on the two dates.
Breaking the Assam State Electricity Board’s silence over the power failure fiasco on April 17, board official Debashish Bose said there was no major fault. “It was a minor snag caused by shortage of power supply,” he said.
“Though we worked from April 12 to 16 to repair the damages and tested the lights successfully twice, a minor snag developed after 45 minutes of service. There can be a power interruption because of the slightest defect even in the overhead transmission lines. We will test the lights late this evening and tomorrow and if we succeed, it will be upon the tournament committee to decide whether they hold it under lights or during the day,” Bose said.
He, however, added that the electricity board could not guarantee uninterrupted power supply “keeping in view the shortage of supply as well as the weather conditions when thunderstorms have been regular almost every night”.
The matches on May 1 and 4 will assume significance in view of being crucial ties involving Indian Bank, Vasco SC and Pune FC who will have to fight it out for a berth in the first division I-league.
Meanwhile, AFA sources said Chirag United have objected to playing against Mumbai FC on May 4 under floodlights. The sources, not wishing to be quoted, said the Calcutta team had signed in the fixture rescheduling last evening but later raised objection before the tournament officials. Source: The Telegraph

Sub Jr. Girls' National Football

2008-04-30T11:50:00.003+05:30

Manipur win; Assam, Tripura draw:
Diphu, Apr 29: Manipur beat Chandigarh 17-0, Orissa blanked out Jharkhand 3-0, while Assam and Tripura held Haryana and Bihar respectively in 1-1 draws in the four matches of the 4th sub-junior (under-17) girls' national football championship on Tuesday.
Goal getters for Manipur included Y Kamala (3), Bindyarani (4), Tejibala (2), bembem (3) and one each by Rinaroy, Meera, Santhalembi, Komlapati and Binodini. Manipur will play Goa in its first quarter final match on May 3 .
Orissa striker Gomati Bara displayed netted all the three goals for her team.
Tripura team striker Rita Karmakar scored a goal in the 20th minute. However, Bihar got their equaliser in the 70th minute from Ritika.
In the 4th match, Haryana striker Priyanka scored a goal in the 28th minute. Assam striker Sangita Boro scored the equaliser in the 75th minute.

Asian Weightlifting

2008-04-30T01:18:00.001+05:30

Monika wins silver, two bronze:

New Delhi, Apr 29: Laishram Monika Devi fetched the first medals for India in the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Kanazawa, Japan on Tuesday by finishing overall third in women's 69 kg category.
Monika lifted a total weight of 222 kg (100 in snatch and 122 in clean and jerk) to finish behind Liu Chunhong of China (262: 117+145) and Kao Ya-chun of Chinese Taipei (222: 98+124) respectively.
The Manipuri girl added a silver and bronze as she was second in snatch and third in clean and jerk.
Compatriot Srishti Singh finished last in the 10-lifter field with a total of 168 kg (78+90).
In the men's 56 kg category, Valluri Srinavasa Rao came a cropper lifting a total of 237 kg (102+135) to end a disappointing eighth in a 13-lifter field.
In the men's 69 kg class, Govindan Elumalai and Katulu Ravi Kumar stood overall 10th and 11th with total lifts of 288 (130+158) and 285 (128+157) respectively.
On Monday, Kailas Pujari ended a disappointing 15th in the men's 62 kg category with a total lift of 253 kg (110+143).
Kavita Devi and Shailaja Pujari will compete in the women's 75 kg category while Geeta Rani and K Tulsi will feature in the women's +75 kg class on Wednesday.
The tournament is the final qualifying event for the Beijing Olympics.
Source: Press Trust of India

Corporate Sector to Promote sports

2008-04-29T16:11:00.000+05:30

Meghalaya State Academy on cards:
Shillong: In what can be termed as a major boost towards the progress and development of various sports activities in the State, the State government is planning to set up a full fledged State Sports Academy at four acres land at Umsawli, New Shillong.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh, while giving this piece of information, said that the total expenses for construction of the sports academy would be sponsored by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).
"The CII came out with this proposal to the State government somewhere last year. We have identified the proposed land to set up the academy", Mr Lyngdoh said, adding that there are a few formalities left to be fulfilled before the construction of the academy takes off.
He believes that this academy would be a major boost for the progress of sports activities in the State.
The Sports and Youth Affairs Minister also said that the academy would provide trainings and conditioning camps for athletes in different fields. "However, we would concencrate more on football", he remarked.
Source: The Shillong Times

National U-17 Girls’ Football

2008-04-29T16:05:00.001+05:30

Mizoram girls trounce Delhi:

Diphu, Apr 28: Mizoram defeated Delhi 9-0 in Monday's league match of the 4th sub-junior (under-17) girls’ national football championship at Karbi Anglong Sports Association ground here.
Striker C.K. Lungthui ruffled the net four times, while L. Feli netted three and Ramthanpui struck twice to fashion the massive victory for Mizoram in the utterly one-sided affair.
Goa blanked out Chattishgarh 3-0. Monica Kafta scored in the 30th minute, which was followed by a brace by Stacy Cardozo in the 35th and 73rd minutes. In the other league matches today, Tamil Nadu defeated J&K while Sikkim routed Madhya Pradesh.
Jharkhand meets Orissa, Bihar will play Tripura, Manipur takes on Chattisgarh and Assam will play Haryana on Tuesday.
Source: The Telegraph

Sub-junior National Handball

2008-04-29T16:00:00.001+05:30

Assam team named:
Guwahati: Assam Handball Association has announced its team for the forthcoming Sub-junior National Handball Championship scheduled to be held in Punjab from May 2.

The squad: Ananta Das, Hariprasad Gogoi, Gobinda Barah, Utpal Deka, Deepjyoti Hazarika, Deokou Gogoi, Rajib Saikia, Tultul Daimary, Anil Boro, Rafiq Ali, Luchan Das and Gopal Deka.

Hockey Astroturf in Assam

2008-04-29T15:57:00.001+05:30

Sports Minister MS Gill says Kokrajhar will get astroturf:
New Delhi, Apr 29: Sports Minister M S Gill today approved the laying of 12 new astroturfs in the country, a project which will cost Rs 42 crore.
Locations for new Astroturfs include Singpura (J&K) and tribal pockets like Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh), Hazaribagh (Jharkhand) and Kokrajhar (Assam).
In another eight places, the work for establishment of astroturf is at different stages of completion. Besides, the work relating to replacement of old astroturfs at NIS Patiala and Kolkata is underway.
The proposal for setting up of another four astroturfs is also in the pipeline, he said.
By the end of 2009, India will have 30 Astroturfs spread across the country for the promotion of hockey.
Source: Press Trust of India

Santosh Trophy

2008-04-29T15:45:00.001+05:30

Manipur team selected:
Imphal, Apr 28: To represent Manipur in the 62nd National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy 2008 to be held in Jammu from May 25, the following players have been selected.
Goalkeeper: S Basanta (NEROCA); Defenders: Benjamin Kamson (NEROCA), H Devan (TRAU), S Thomas (NEROCA), Y Raju (NISA); Mid-fielders: Charan Rai (NISA), W Ngouba (NISA), W Ajitkumar (NISA); Strikers: N Jimmy (SSU) and I Nilakumar (MPSC), informed an AMFA release.
Moreover, those players who are playing in clubs outside the State but available in Manipur at present have also been intimated to AMFA joint secretary L Jyotirmoy Roy at 8 am of April 30 at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium.
Those players include: Goalkeeper: Lalit Thapa (Churchill Brothers); Defenders: L Dhanachandra (Air India), L Uttam (Air India), Khelemba (Viva Kerala); Mid-fielders: S Dharamjit (Mohan Bagan), L James (Mohun Bagan), M Bijen (Md Sporting Club), Zenith Tangkhul (Churchill Brothers); Strikers: Jotin (Viva Kerala) and K Samson (Air India).
Meanwhile, AMFA executive council has appointed AFC 'A' licencee S Ekendra as the coach of Manipur team for the 62nd Santosh Trophy.
Source: The Sangai Express

First Pitch

2008-04-29T15:38:00.001+05:30

American baseball inspires Manipur youth:
Imphal, Apr 28: The American baseball is getting increasingly popular in Manipur with sports enthusiasts in the state taking keen interests in the game.
The Manipuri youth's active participation in the game has led to the tournaments being organised at the state level.
After the establishment of First Pitch: the US - Manipur Baseball Project, a New York and Imphal-based organization - the players are encouraged to look beyond the conventional stream.
The organisation aims to develop and upgrade the centre for baseball along with other related facilities.
"I like this game and lots of my juniors also like the game. There has been a lot of encouragement due to the funding by the American organisation. This will certainly help in our progress," said Nongthang, a player.
Muriel Peters, Chairman of the First Pitch expressed her happiness at the increasing popularity of the game while lauding the players for their unbeatable passion for the sport.
"I think they play wonderfully. I am just happy to see that baseball is getting more popular," said Muriel Peters, Chairman, First Pitch, New York.
Moreover, the management of the First Pitch believes that the Manipuri youth have tremendous caliber, which can open up plethora of opportunities for them.
"We have the coaching camps said to be the best in Asia in our level, not comparing to Japan of course, but in south east Asia and south Asia. We have the most amazing success, the best of every kind, the Major Baseball League ever experienced," said L.omi Roy, Executive Director, First Pitch.
The sports has started to gain momentum in the state is evident from the recently organised State Level Tournament under First Pitch, which witnessed the participation from total 12 teams including four teams of women players.
Baseball, although of American origin, has inspired sports enthusiasts all over the world.
The sport is very popular in North America, Central America, parts of South America and the Caribbean, and parts of East Asia and Southeast Asia.
Source: Asian News International

National Sub Jr. Girls Football

2008-04-28T15:48:00.001+05:30

Comprehensive win for Manipur girls:

Diphu, Apr 27: Manipur thrashed Chandigarh 19-0 in the 4th Under-17 Girls Sub-Junior National Football Championship here.

The first leg match between the two played today saw the Manipur team lay siege at the rival territory with Y Premi netting the opener only 48 seconds into the match with her first of two in the game.

Other scorers in the thumping victory for the team include Chanchan (five), Naocha (three), Nungshitombi (two), Chandrajini (two), Bidyarani (two), Montesori (two) and Kamala (one).The second leg tie between the two will be played on April 29.

Asian Weightlifting Championship

2008-04-28T15:44:00.001+05:30

Manipur's Shaya Devi disappoints:
New Delhi, Apr 27: Manipuri weightlifter Shaya Devi finished a disappointing ninth in her weight category in the Asian Weightlifting championship at Kanazawa, Japan. She lifted a total of 174 kg (77 in snatch and 97 in clean and jerk) to finish ninth in the 12-lifter 53 kg event won by Chinese Cen Lijuan with a lift of 208 kg (91+117).Laishram Monika Devi will compete in 69 kg women's category on Tuesday.
Source: Press Trust of India

NE Veterans’ Football

2007-12-22T23:18:00.000+05:30

Imphal veterans top points tally:

Imphal, Dec. 21: Veteran Sports Association, Imphal, defeated All Thangmeiband Veteran Football Association by a solitary goal to top Group A with six points in the Northeast Veterans’ Football Cup at Thangmeiband Athletic Union ground.

Good defending by the Imphal team throughout the match kept the Thangmeiband players at bay.

The lone goal that clinched the match for Veteran Sports came in the 50th minute when G. Dhanakumar gave a clean pass to M. Shyamjai, who converted it into a goal.

The referee gave Thangmeiband player Ng. Ajit the marching order for a foul and later showed yellow cards to two of his teammates and a Veteran Sports Association player. In another match, Southern Union Veteran Football Association defeated Chingoi Baruni Veteran Trust 4-0.

The injury-hit Chingoi Baruni team took the field with nine players only.

The match began on an exciting note for Southern Union when Subhaschandra took a corner kick and scored a goal in the seventh minute.

A little later, Southern Union got a penalty when Chingoi Baruni player L. Brojen handled the ball within the box. Subhaschandra made no mistake in converting the penalty.

N. Tuleshwar and S. Budha added two more goals to wrap up the match.

Posted On: The Telegraph

Bodoland Martyrs’ Gold Cup

2007-12-22T23:13:00.000+05:30

Sporting tips from top coach:

Kokrajhar, Dec. 21: Mohammedan Sporting Club coach Sabir Ali has asked Assam to “invest in youth” if it wants to improve the standard of football.

The piece of advice came after Ali’s team won the 8th Bodoland Martyrs’ Gold Cup in Kokrajhar on Tuesday.

“Although we have won the trophy, we need to keep improving. Teams from Assam have been playing well and can pose a challenge if they focus on youth at the grassroots. The OIL team is good; ASEB is good as well. The football grounds are great and Assam is the only state that is hosting so many tournaments,” he said.

On Mohammedan Sporting’s performance in the Gold Cup, he said: “We were 10 players in the second half of the final. That made it difficult for us but we prevailed.”

Ali praised the organisers and the people of Kokrajhar for their support.

“We enjoyed our stay here. The spectators were supportive, though I was surprised to see so few people on the ground. I am thankful to the crowd and the organising committee for their support.”

This is the second time that Mohammedan Sporting have won the Bodoland Martyrs’ Gold Cup. They won the fifth edition of the meet in 2004.

The champion team went home with Rs 50,000 and the gold cup, while the runners-up received Rs 25,000 and a trophy.

Posted On: The Telegraph

Assam Club Football Championship

2007-12-22T23:03:00.000+05:30

OIL to play ASEB in final:

Deragaon, Dec 21: Oil India Limited (OIL), Duliajan, will lock horns with ASEB, Guwahati in the summit clash of the 12th Assam Club Football Championship at Bokakhat on Sunday.

In the second semi-final of the championship at Bokakhat on Friday, OIL outshot Food Corporation of India, Guwahati, by an aggregate of 5-2 goals via tie-breaker.

In the regulation time, the match was locked 1-1 and in the penalty shoot out OIL fired four on the target against FCI’s one.

Mintu Boro put OIL ahead in the ninth minute off a flag kick taken by Marlanki Suting. But in the second session Aroanjit Brahma restored parity with a header off a floater from Thomson Langthasa in the 67th minute.

In the tie-breaker, Manoj Gayari, Marlanki Suting, Durga Boro and Biplab Sonowal were the successful shooters for the winning team while for FCI only Hemanta Kumar Brahma could hit the target.

Source: The Assam Tribune

Twenty20 Cricket

2007-12-22T22:53:00.000+05:30

GCCC ‘A’ in Bud Cricket semi-finals:

Guwahati, Dec 21: GCCC ‘A’ entered the semi-finals of the First Bud Challenge Twenty20 cricket tournament for Dhireswar Kalita Cup, defeating River Rine by a huge margin of 122 runs in the group league match at Nehru Stadium on Friday.

GCCC ‘A’ electing to bat first, scored 172 runs for seven. Palashjyoti Das (27) was the top scorer while Debabrata Roy and Souvik Das scored 26 runs each.

Jintu Das, Vicky Rajjak and Sanjoy Das bagged two wickets each. River Rine Club struggled from the very beginning of their innings and was bowled out for 50 runs.

Debabrata Roy was the star of the day bagging four wickets for 14 runs. He got good support from Mrigen Talukdar who claimed three for just six runs.

In the other match of the day, Bud Cricket Club ‘A’ defeated Ankurjyoti Club by 47 runs.
Bud Cricket Club ‘A’ batting first, scored 162 runs while seven wickets with a fine half century from Situ Das (50).

Mukut Kalita and Sadiq Imran Choudhury contributed 19 runs each in the innings. Robin Das was the most successful bowler for Ankurjyoti by bagging three wickets for 22 runs.

In reply, Ankurjyoti Club was bowled out for 115 runs, thanks to some magnificent bowling from Mukut Kalita who bagged four wickets giving away just six runs.

Sukumar Barman (30) was the highest scorer for Ankurjyoti Club.

Source: The Sentinel

National Taekwondo Championship

2007-12-22T22:41:00.000+05:30

Manipur bags gold, bronze:

Imphal, Dec 21: W Lovely opened the gold medal account for Manipur in the 25th Sub Junior National Taekwondo Championship that began at Bhopal on Friday.

Apart from Lovely’s yellow metal haul in the girls’ fin weight class, L Dayananda added the boys’ featherweight bronze medal.

Source: The Sangai Express

8th National Paralympic Swimming

2007-12-22T22:37:00.000+05:30

Manipur's Luwanglakpa swims to bronze:

Imphal, Dec 21: Salam Luwanglakpa Meitei secured a bronze medal in the 100 metre category S.4 free style event in the 8th National Paralympic Swimming Championship at Pune on Friday.

The medal winning feat also qualified Luwanglakpa for the trial camp to be conducted in connection with the Beijing Paralympic.

Source: The Sangai Express

7th Women’s Winners Cup

2007-12-21T23:19:00.000+05:30

Eastern Sporting, Manipur Police win:

Imphal, Dec. 20: A valiant struggle by striker Ng. Bala Devi seemed to be the only plus point for Naharol Yaipha Thourang Club, which today lost to Eastern Sporting Union 2-1 in a match of the 7th Women’s Winners Cup for B.M. Singh Trophy, played at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium.

In another match, Manipur Police Sports Club continued their good run, fetching their second straight win, beating Kangchup Road Youth Physical and Sporting Association
2-0.

The Naharol Yaipha girls improved on their previous performance and matched the moves of their rivals, Eastern Sporting, in the first half. However, it was almost a lone show by international player Bala Devi, who ran through the match without any support from any of her teammates.

The Naharol team received a penalty as Eastern Sporting player N. Malemnganbi Devi touched the ball inside the danger zone. Y. Kamala Devi took the shot and scored the first and only goal for her team in the 28th minute.

However, Eastern Sporting came back in the match in the very next minute, with L. Naobi Devi scoring the equaliser for her team. The scoreline remained 1-1 at halftime.

In the second half, Eastern Sporting went on an all-out attack. Melody Haokip scored the winning goal for her team from a pass by Naobi Devi.

In the other match, the experienced Manipur Police had no problem in taming the Kangchup Road girls.

O. Bembem Devi scored the first goal for her team in the first half from a penalty kick.

Devi again stuck in the 71st minute, scoring the winning goal for her team, this time also from a penalty.

This was the second straight win for the Manipur cops who remained at the top of the tally with six points.

Posted On: The Telegraph

Assam Club Football Championship

2007-12-21T23:12:00.000+05:30

ASEB through to final:

Dergaon, Dec 20: Defending champions ASEB entered the final of the Assam Club Football Championship defeating Assam Rifles 7-6 in sudden death at Bokakhat on Thursday.

In a keenly contested first semi-final, no team could break the deadlock in the regulation time.

The ASEB midfielders Priyo Kumar Singh and Abuan Gonmei performed superbly and their tactical efforts paid dividends.

Both the players lorded the middle third of the pitch and they not only foiled the Rifles attack, led by Akum Ao at the midfield, but also initiated several well planned moves.

Akum and Omana Autlan tried their hearts out to break the ASEB defence but they were virtually bottled up by Birendra Narzary, Mitradev Swargiary and Suresh Das.

In the highly volatile match, referee Debashis Mazumdar had to book as many as five Assam Rifles and three ASEB players.

For ASEB Kamal Chetry, Zico Zoram Sanga, Abun Gonmei, Parikhit Rabha, Birendra Narzary, Mitradev Swargiary and Suresh Das were the successful shooters in the penalty shootout while for Rifles K Naoba, Singh, P Singh, Ajit Kumar Singh, Santa Singh, Akum Ao and Omana Autlan hit the target.

FCI Guwahati will play OIL in the second semi-final on Friday.

Posted On: The Assam Tribune

Twenty20 Cricket

2007-12-21T23:03:00.000+05:30

Palash, Jintu sparkle in Bud Cricket:

Guwahati, Dec 20: The first Bud Challenge Twenty20 Cricket tournament for Dhireswar Kalita Cup saw two unique performances on Thursday.

Palashjyoti Das of Gauhati Town Club scored a magnificent 164 while Jintu Das of River Rine Club completed a hat-trick against Bud B in the other match of the day.

The first match of the day was between GCCC 'A' and Ankurjyoti Cricket Academy. Palash, who scored a magnificent century against Tripura in the last Ranji Plate match in the same ground, continued his fine form scoring 164 runs. He needed just 64 balls to score the runs with 18 boundaries.

The innings helped Palashjyoti Das to write a few record in his name. In the Twenty20 format of cricket, his 164 runs could be the highest one in city cricket while the batsman could become the first player of the city to hit 11 boundaries in an innings in the shorter version of the game.

Riding on his magnificent knock and a spirited 85 by Bikash Sharma, GCCC ‘A' scored 280 runs losing three wickets in 20 overs. Ankurjyoti Cricket Academy was bowled out for 88 runs. Bitap Mahanta bagged three wickets for 19 runs while Sidharth Oja scored 39 runs.

In the second match of the day, Jintu Das hogged the lime light, completing the first hat-trick of the tournament. The match saw the comeback of former Ranji cricketer Rajesh Bora in competitive cricket but this was over shadowed by Jintu who scalped four wicket for 26 runs.

Bating first Bud ‘B' was bowled out for 63 runs. Tilak Das and Rajdeep Ojha scored 14 and 13 runs respectively, while Rajesh Bora contributed 11 runs on the board. River Rine reached the target losing just a single wicket. Jintu Das (21) was the top scorer of the side.

Brief Scores:
GCCC 274/3 (Palashjyoti Das 164, Bikash Sharma 25); Ankurjyoti CA 88/4 (Sidharth Oja 39, Somnath Bhattacharyya 25, Bitop Mahanta 3/19).
Bud B 63 (Tilak Das 14, Jintu Das 4/26). River Rine 64/1 (Jintu Das 21, Laxman Das 17, Kaushik Oja 17).

Posted On: The Sentinel

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