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)

Seikhohao Tuboi Renews Contract With Shillong Lajong FC

Shillong Lajong Football Club has extended the current contract of Seikhohao Tuboi with the club for the upcoming I-League season.

The Manipuri striker, who joined Shillong Lajong in the 2008-2009 season has inked a new deal to commit his future to North East I-League Club, Shillong Lajong FC.

Tuboi, who has been nursing an injury which he suffered from the 2011-12 season, has been a prolific scorer in front of goal for the Reds, and has always been a crowd’s favourite. Always alert in front of goal ,Tuboi played a stellar role in Lajong’s 2008-09 I-League 2^nd Division campaign and was instrumental in guiding Shillong Lajong FC  to the I-League in 2009-10.It was also his unforgettable goal scoring heroics (including the historic “bicycle kick” goal against Dempo), which saw Shillong Lajong reach the finals of the Federation Cup in 2009a moment which  would always be etched forever in the fans’ memory.

His development though, was cut short by a prolonged injury, which saw him sitting out of the 2012-13 season as well.

However, a well structured and intensive health regime from the Club’s medical staff has ensured that the 24 year old Tuboi regain full fitness and will be a part of the team in the upcoming season.

Commenting on the new deal with the Club, Tuboi reiterated his eagerness to don the colours of the Club once again and said, “I cannot wait to get back on the field and start scoring goals again”, a visibly happy Tuboi commented.

Tuboi has started training with the first team, and his addition will certainly add depth to the Lajong forward line.

Two boxers from Northeast in World Championships team 

Veteran Manipuri boxer Suranjoy Singh failed to find a place in the Indian team in 52kg for the World Championships to be held from October 11-27 in Almaty in Kazakhstan.

Another Manipuri boxer Thokchom Nanao Singh was, however, picked by the selectors in 49kg after two-day trials in Patiala which concluded on Wednesday. 

Assam's Shiv Thapa also got selected in 56kg category, making it two boxers from Northeast in the World Championships.

L Devendro Singh of Manipur was forced out of the trials due to a cut above the eye.

The Indian Team: Vijender Singh (75kg); Thokchom Nanao Singh (49kg); Madan Lal of Haryana (52kg); Shiva Thapa (56kg); Vikas Malik (60kg); Manoj Kumar (64kg); Mandeep Jangra (69kg), Sumit Sangwan (81kg); Manpreet Singh (91kg); Satish (+91kg).

Controversy involving All Manipur Sepaktakraw Association has erupted

Controversy erupted after All Manipur Sepaktakraw Association (AMSTA) decided to expel four players from Manipur, who were selected in the Indian team for the ongoing Sepaktakraw World Super Series in New Delhi, for attending national camp without informing it.

AMSTA had wanted an open trial for the ISTAF Super Series first leg in New Delhi while Sepaktakraw Federation of India (STFI) refused to do so on the ground the players to represent India would be selected from among who have been in the national camp in New Delhi for more than six months under funding from the Sports Ministry.     

Akash Singh, a member of Indian men's team, and Kh Bijeta, Kh Omita and O Chaoba of women's team, were on Wednesday expelled for 10 years by AMSTA for taking part in the national camp without informing it. 

According to a report in the timesofindia.indiatimes.com a livid STFI has decided to take action against the Manipur unit in its executive committee meeting on Saturday for expelling four players who are taking part in the ongoing Sepaktakraw World Super Series.

"They don't have the authority to expel the Indian players. What do they (AMSTA) think of themselves? How can they stop a player from turning up for the country? Do they think they are bigger than the country?" Dahiya asked. 

"We are having our executive committee meeting on August 31 and we will take action for sure. We cannot remain silent if a player has been expelled for doing national duty. It's is unacceptable," he added. 

AMSTA president Kh Dorendra, who is also a deputy president of STFI, had on Wednesday said that the state unit had asked its players not to take part in the national camp as the federation had not accepted its request for an open trial. 

"We (AMSTA) have wanted a selection trial for the ISTAF World Super Series first leg in Delhi and second leg in Thailand (September 26-29) and also Kings Cup to be held in Thailand (from September 16-22) so that the country can have the best players to prepare for 2014 Asian Games," Dorendra had said. 

"We wrote a letter regarding this to STFI secretary after a decision by AMSTA executive committee but there was no trial and the team was selected without trial. Akash, Bijeta, Omita and Chaoba took part in the camp which began in Delhi from August 11 without informing us and so AMSTA decided to expel them for 10 years," he had said. 

Three footballers from Northeast included in Indian team for SAFF Championships

National football coach Wim Koevermans named his squad of 20 for the September 1-11 SAFF Championships in Kathmandu. Among these, Gouramangi Singh (Manipur), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Mizoram) and Nirmal Chhetri (Sikkim) are from Northeast.

India play Pakistan in their first match in the SAFF Championships.

The Squad:

Goalkeepers: Subrata Paul, Karanjit Singh, Sandip Nandy.

Defenders: Nirmal Chettri, Arnab Mondal, Gouramangi Singh, Raju Gaikwad, Sandesh Jhingan, Mohanraj Nalappan.

Midfielders: Syed Rahim Nabi, Mehtab Hossain, Arata Izumi, Lenny Rodriguez, Alwyn George, Jewel Raja Shaikh, Francis Fernandes.

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh, Dawson Fernandes, Jeje Lalpekhlua.

Head Coach: Wim Koevermans.

Manipuri archer Bombayla returns home after World Cup triumph

The triumphant Indian women's recurve team, which clinched the World Cup Stage IV crown in Poland, returned home in the wee hours on Tuesday to a lukewarm response.

The archery team, comprising Bombayla Devi, Deepika Kumari and Rimil Buriuly, were later felicitated at the resident of President of Archery Association of India (AAI), VK Malhotra.

The archers were, however, a little disappointed that no top officials had come to receive them at the Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi.

"We are a bit disappointed. If we compare with other sports, there are lot of people receiving the players at the airport. This is a very big achievement, we defeated Korea. It would have been great had we received a big welcome but its okay our job is to do better and we will do it," Rimil said.

Bombayla played down the incident, though. "We were very tired after a long journey and had a flight to catch. The electronic media would just not let us breathe. Deepika got so harassed that she got worked up and was in tears," she said.

Malhotra, who is also the acting president of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), praised the women archers for their winning effort.

"It is a great effort by the archers. They have made India proud," Malhotra said.

The senior BJP leader, however, said that they wanted the team to get all the attention and so no top official had gone to receive them at the airport.

"We were having the welcome lined up for the team at my residence. Also the trainers had accompanied the team. I didn't want only the officials to be shown on the channels. It should be the archers only, it is their day," Malhotra said.

Asked about rewards, Malhotra said: "That will be discussed with the federation."

The archers left for Aurangabad later, where the national camp will be held.

The Indian women's recurve team on Sunday had defeated the formidable South Koreans, comprising -- Yun Ok-hee, Ki Bo-bae, and Joo Hyun-jung -- 219-215 to clinch the World Cup Stage IV crown in Poland.

It was the Indian women's second consecutive World Cup title, following their success in Medellin (Colombia) last month.

Chekrovolu Swuro lone sportsperson from Northeast recommended for Arjuna Award for 2013

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award: Ronjan Sodhi (Shooting)

Arjuna Award: Chekrovolu Swuro (Archery), Virat Kohli (Cricket), P V Sindhu (Badminton), Gaganjeet Bhullar (Golf), Joshna Chinnappa (Squash), Mouma Das (Table tennis), Kavita Chahal (Boxing), Rupesh Shah (Billiards & Snooker), Abhijeet Gupta (Chess), Saba Anjum (Hockey), Rajkumari Rathore (Shooting), Neha Rathi (Wrestling), Dharmender Dalal (Wrestling) and Amit Kumar Saroha (Athletics-Para).

Dronacharya Award for coaches: Poornima Mahato (Archery), Mahavir Singh (Boxing) and Narinder Singh Saini (Hockey). 

Dronacharya Awards for Lifetime Contribution in Coaching: K P Thomas (Athletics) and Raj Singh (Wrestling) 

Dhyan Chand Awards for Lifetime Contribution to Development of Sports: Mary D’Souza Sequeira (Athletics),  Syed Ali (Hockey), Anil Mann (Wrestling) and Girraj Singh (Para Sports-Athletics).

Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar (for Contribution to Sports Development by Entities Other than Sportspersons and Coaches); Dr U K Mishra, Founder and President, National Sports Academy, Allahabad (Community Sports Identification and Nurturing of Budding Young Talent), Services Sports Control Board (Financial Support for Sports Excellence), Pullela Gopichand Academy of Badminton, Hyderabad (Establishment and Management of Sports Academies of Excellence) and Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (Employment of Sportspersons and sports welfare measures).

Selection Committee for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Awards: Michael Ferreira (Chairman), Limba Ram, V Devarajan, Zafar Iqbal, Vandana Rao, Anjali M Bhagwat, Indu Puri, Shakti Singh, Ravi Shastri, Kripa Shankar Patel and Surinder Khanna.

Apart from a medal and a citation, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardee will receive a cash prize of Rs.7.5 lakh.  

Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awardees will receive statuettes, citations and cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh each.  Recipients of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar will be given trophies.

The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a function in Rashtrapati Bhawan on August 31.

Nanjing Youth Asian Games: August 16-24

Two sportspersons from North East took part in Youth Asian Games in Nanjing, China and won a medal each.
Monjam Kavita Devi won a bronze in girls 44kg judo competition. The judoka from Manipur beat Karchayeva Aida of Kazakhstan in bronze medal contest.

Mizo boy T Lalchhanhima won another bronze in boys 56kg category weightlifting competition. He lifted a total of 228kg (100 in snatch and 128 in clean and jerk).

Both participated as Independent Olympic Athlete under the banner of Olympic Council of Asia as India is serving ban from the International Olympic Council.