India finish fourth in Sepaktakraw World Super Series

Team with two Manipuris in it wins bronze medal alongside Indonesia

Akash Singh from Manipur taking a shot; captain Jiteshor Sharma, also from Manipur, seen along with him

Akash Singh taking another shot

Indian men's team lost 12-15, 10-15, 12-15 to Indonesia in the 3^rd-4^th placing match of ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/14 campaign by Indonesia at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi today.

The national team won a bronze nonetheless, as match results only count towards the official ISTAF World Rankings.

Results:

 3-4^th placing - Indonesia bt India 3-0 (15-12, 15-10, 15-12)

5/6 placing - Thailand bt Iran 3-0 (15-5, 15-4, 15-4)

7/8 placing - Japan by Singapore 3-1 (14-16, 15-8, 15-8, 15-12)

9/10 placing - Brunei bt the United States 3-2 (8-15, 15-10, 15-11, 6-15, 12-15)

Women’s

 Final – Thailand bt Indonesia 3-1 (15-10, 17-15, 15-3, 15-8)

 3-4 placing - Vietnam bt Malaysia 3-0 (15-7, 15-8, 15-7)

 5/7^th placing - South Korea bt India 3-0 (15-5, 15-9, 15-6); Japan bt India 3-1

(14-16, 12-15, 13-15, 13-15)

ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/14 is the first round of ISTAF SuperSeries 2013/14. Alongside the ISTAF World Cup, the elite, internationally-recognised ISTAF SuperSeries is the only sepaktakraw tournament recognised by ISTAF and therefore plays a key role in deciding the official ISTAF World Rankings

The tournament’s men’s and women’s competition sees the top two teams from each group advance to the play-off stage based on points accumulated. The second round in the men’s competition is a single elimination, 8-team play-off stage while the women’s is a 4-team play-off stage.

ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/14 will be televised for the first time throughout the entire Indian sub-continent via Doordarshan and reach over 1.4 billion viewers. Sports fans throughout the region will get to enjoy over eight hours of live TV coverage, as well as selected matches featuring the India men’s and women’s teams.

All in all, ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/14 will be watched by fans in 70 countries. 

8th Manipur State Football League Postponed

The commencement of 8th Manipur State League 2013 sponsored by Th.Joykisan Singh has been postponed for a few days due to unplayable ground condition caused by rain.

A fresh date for commencement of the league will be announced later on, AMFA said.

Assam win 5 medals in Karate Nationals

Assam team claimed one gold, two silver and two bronze medals on the second day of the National Tenshinkan Shotokan Karate National Championship being held at Batala, Punjab.  Jadav Jyoti Rajguru won the gold medal in Senior Kata category.Manuranjan Baruah (12–13 yrs Kata) and Sudharshan Rai (14–15 yrs Kata) claimed silver. Nayan Jyoti Nath (14–15 yrs Kata) and Sanjay Kumar Shaw (Senior Kata) won bronze medals, according to a report in 'The Sentinel'.

Nagaland archer Chekrovolu Swuro conferred Arjuna Award

Nagaland archer Chekrovolu Swuro was conferred the prestigious Arjuna Award by President Pranab Mukherji at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on August 31. She was among the 14 sportspersons who were conferred Arjuna Award.

30-year-old Chekrovolu is the first ever Naga to be bestowed with this prestigious award. In 2012, she became Nagaland state’s first Olympian and only the second Naga to reach the Olympic arena. It was T Ao who 64 years earlier led the Indian football team at the 1948 London Games.

She also received the Dr. T. Ao Sports Award and the Young Naga Achievers Award in 2012 following her qualification and participation in the London Olympic Games in 2012. 

She has won more than 80 medals at the regional, national and international level, including podium finishes at the world and Asian level.

Chekrovolu represented India in archery in the 2002 Asian Games and 2006 Asian Games and was a member of the silver medal winning team in the Archery World Cup 2011 held at Turin, Italy. She also participated in the 2012 LOndon Olympics in both women's individual and team archery.

The Arjuna Awards was instituted in 1961 by the government of India to recognize outstanding achievement in National sports. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 500,000, a bronze statuette of Arjuna and a scroll.

Manipuri Akash stars in quarterfinal win in Sepaktakraw Super Series

India took one step closer to finishing in the top three of ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/14 when they beat Iran in a match that once again had the crowd at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi on the edge of their seats.

The first regu of Akash Singh (from Manipur), Sandeep Kumar and G Jiteshor Sharma (from Manipur) defeated the Iranians 9-15, 15-11, 17-16, 15-10 to book a semi-final spot against second seeds Malaysia, who defeated Singapore 3-0 to claim their place in the last four.

Despite losing the first set, India showed they meant business when they led from the start of the second set to win. A series of errors in the third set saw the Iranians take an 11-5 lead, until Akash and his ever-present arsenal of spikes levelled the score at 12-12. Both teams traded points until the explosive striker settled the set with a spike to give the Indians a narrow 17-16 win. It was all over for Iran in the fourth as India, cheered on by a very vocal crowd, lead from 2-2 right up to the end.

Korea sent shock waves across the sepaktakraw world when they defeated defending champions and top seeds Thailand 15-12, 15-13, 15-10 at ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/14. This was Thailand’s first defeat in five years of competitive competition.

The Koreans will now meet Indonesia in the semi-finals. The Indonesians defeated Japan 15-11, 15-10, 15-8 in the quarter-finals.

In the women’s competition, India (which fielded an all Manipuri team) suffered their fourth consecutive loss of the tournament, this time falling 14-16, 12-15, 13-15, 13-15, 13-15 to Japan in the playoff to determine 5th/7th placing.

The women’s trio of Kh. Omita Devi, Chaoba Devi and Bijata Chanu did well to win the first two sets, but Japan battled their way back in the third after falling behind. They then wrapped things up despite India’s best efforts in the last two sets to claim their first ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/13 win.

ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/14, which ends September 1, kicks-off this year’s ISTAF SuperSeries 2013/14 season. The New Delhi tournament is followed by ISTAF SuperSeries THAILAND 2013/14 in Bangkok from September 26-29 followed by ISTAF SuperSeries MALAYSIA 2013/14 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah from October 31 to November 3.

Held for the first time in India and the first time outside Southeast Asia, ISTAF SuperSeries is created by Asia Sports Ventures (ASV) and supported by local organisers Sepaktakraw Federation of India (STFI).

Results:
Men’s quarter-final:
Malaysia bt Singapore 3-0 (15-6, 15-7, 15-4)
India bt Iran 3-1 (9-15, 15-11, 17-16, 15-10)

Women’s semi-final
Indonesia bt Malaysia 3-0 (15-11, 15-9, 15-7)
Thailand bt Vietnam 3-0 (15-7, 15-5, 15-4)

Women’s 5/7th placing
Japan bt India 14-16, 12-15, 13-15, 13-15, 13-15

Mary Kom conferred Lifetime Achievement award

London Olympics bronze medalist MC Mary Kom was conferred the Baroda Sun Lifetime Achievement Award on Aug 30 in Imphal in recognition of her feat and the laurels she has brought to the nation.

RK Arora, general manager, Bank of Baroda Eastern Zone, Kolkata handed over the award to pugilist Mary Kom during a function at the Court Hall, Manipur University here.

The award carries Rs 5 lakh, a shawl and a trophy.

Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Manipuri cyclist Manorama Devi to train in Korea: Report

Manorama will undergo a 50-day training cum competition camp in Incheon.
The Korea Cycling Federation (KCF) will play host to rising Indian track riders Deborah of Andaman and Nicobar and Manorama, according to a report in www. timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Korean and Asian Cycling chief Hee Wook Cho had spotted the talent of the duo during the Asian Junior Championships in New Delhi in March. 
The duo leave for Korea Sep 3 with Services coach Manas Barik, who will also be taught by International Cycling Federation (UCI) level 3 coach Chester Hill.
The two will fly from Korea to Thailand for the Oct 4-6 Track Asia Cup in Bangkok.

Sikkim United to play in Durand Cup Football Tournament 2013

Durand Cup this year is scheduled from 02-19 Sep 2013. The Quarter Final Round Matches will commence from 09 Sep 2013.

The tournament will be conducted in two stages. Stage-I will be Qualifying Round to be played on Knock-out basis and Stage-II will be Quarter Final Round to be played as a league cum knockout Round at Dr Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi.

12 teams will feature in the qualifying rounds. Two regimental teams from the Army, one team each from Indian Navy and Air Force, two teams from DSA, three teams from Para Military Forces i.e. BSF, CRPF and Assam Rifles. One team from PSU viz. TATA Football and one team Kerala Police. They are divided into two groups of six teams each. Winner of each group will be promoted to Quarter Final Round.

Eight I-League teams have been seeded directly in Quarterfinals. They are Air India, ONGC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Sikkim United, Kalighat Milan Sangha, Bhawanipur, Pune FC and Mumbai Tigers. Services Football Champion, Army Red and Runners-up Army Green are also seeded directly to this League round. Two winner teams of Qualifying Round will join the Quarter Final Round to make it total 12 teams. The teams are divided into four groups of three teams each. Winner of each group will play semi-finals i.e., Winner of Group-I will play against Winner of Group-III and Winner of Group-II will play against Winner of Group-IV. It will be played on knock-out basis. Final is fixed on 19 Sep 2013.

The Opening Match on the day of Opening Ceremony, Semi-finals and Final will be played in floodlights.

Prizes. Net value of Cash prizes has been increased to the tune of Rs 50 Lacs as under:-

(a) Winner - Rs. 25 Lacs.

(b) Runners up - Rs. 10 Lacs.

(c) Losing Semi-finalists - Rs. 10 Lacs( 5 Lacs each).

In addition, a composite package has been provided for each participating team in Quarter final Round of Rs 3.5 Lacs on account of TA, Boarding & Lodging.

The last four teams qualifying for the Semi finals will get additional Rs 1 Lac i.e total Rs 4.5 lacs.

Indian men's team reaches quarterfinals in Sepaktakraw World Super Series

Team with two Manipuris defeats Singapore for the second time in as many days

India may have been assured of a quarter-final berth at ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/14 even before their first spike, but they qualified in grand style after beating Singapore for the second time in as many days.

Coach Hemraj stayed with the same regu that on Wednesday staged the most amazing comeback in SuperSeries history, and his faith in Akash Singh (from Manipur), Sandeep Kumar and captain G Jiteshor Sharma (from Manipur) was justified when they won 15-9, 16-14, 15-9 at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi.

Although today’s match may have lacked the drama and edge-of-seat action of their first encounter, India still managed to get the crowd going, thanks to Akash and his ability to spike almost at will.

The national team coasted in the first set and looked ready to do the same in the second after taking a 4-0 lead and then extending it to 7-2, but Singapore clawed back point by point  until they drew level at 14-14. India then duly collected the two points needed to win, and never looked back in the third set.

“We played just as well today as we did in our first match, but what gave us the edge was the confidence that we had defeated Singapore just the day before,” said chief coach Hemraj, adding that he would not make changes to the team in their quarter-finals against Iran.

India and Singapore, who qualified for the quarter-final on account if being in the two-team Group D, will be joined in the quarter-final by Malaysia, Iran, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and South Korea.

ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/14, which ends September 1, kicks-off this year’s ISTAF SuperSeries 2013/14 season. The New Delhi tournament is followed by ISTAF SuperSeries THAILAND 2013/14 in Bangkok from September 26-29 followed by ISTAF SuperSeries MALAYSIA 2013/14 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah from October 31 to November 3.

Held for the first time in India and the first time outside Southeast Asia, ISTAF SuperSeries is created by Asia Sports Ventures (ASV) and supported by local organisers Sepaktakraw Federation of India (STFI).

Results (Day 2):

Men’s:

Group B: Malaysia bt Iran 3-0 (15-7, 15-7, 15-9)

Group C: Indonesia bt South Korea 3-1 (15-10, 15-13, 10-15, 15-9)

End of Road for Indian Women's Team in Sepaktakraw World Super Series 

Two from Northeast in women’s team end disappointing outing with third consecutive loss

India’s women team, already out of the running of the ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/14 semi-finals, lost their last group match against South Korea 15-5, 15-8 and 15-6 in New Delhi.

The national team had earlier lost 10-15, 10-15, 8-15 to Indonesia and 15-3, 15-7, 15-9 to second seeds Vietnam on Day 1. Their third consecutive loss today at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex ended a spirited but ultimately disappointing tournament for the team of first-time internationals. 

Dolly Srivastava, C Chaouba Devi (from Manipur) and Keinelino Nakhro (from Nagaland) lost the first set tamely but put on a fighting display in the second. They could not maintain their momentum, however, and ended their final set, and top four hopes, at ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/14 in 11 minutes.

In earlier Group A matches, Malaysia defeated Japan 15-9, 15-11, 15-11, 15-12 to book their semi-final slot. Indonesia, meanwhile, defeated Vietnam 15-12, 15-7, 15-8.

Malaysia plays Indonesia in the first ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/14 semi-final while defending champions Thailand face off against Vietnam in the second. Both matches will be played tomorrow.

ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/14, which ends September 1, kicks-off this year’s ISTAF SuperSeries 2013/14 season. The New Delhi tournament is followed by ISTAF SuperSeries THAILAND 2013/14 in Bangkok from September 26-29 followed by ISTAF SuperSeries MALAYSIA 2013/14 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah from October 31 to November 3.

Held for the first time in India and the first time outside Southeast Asia, ISTAF SuperSeries is created by Asia Sports Ventures (ASV) and supported by local organisers Sepaktakraw Federation of India (STFI).

Note to editor: A recap of all today’s matches not played at Press time will be included in tomorrow’s report.

Results (Day 2)

Women’s

Group B: Malaysia bt Japan 3-1 (15-9, 15-11, 15-11, 15-12)

Group A: Indonesia bt Vietnam 3-0 (15-12, 15-7, 15-8); Korea bt India 3-0 (15-5, 15-8 and 15-6)

Results (Day 1, Round One late matches)

Women’s

Group A: Vietnam bt South Korea 3-0 (15-5, 15-10, 15-10); Vietnam bt India 3-0 (15-3, 15-7, 15-8)

Group B: Thailand bt Malaysia 3-0 (15-7, 15-9, 15-8)