Remembering Assam's First Arjuna Awardee

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

Justice for Monika

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

Show of Solidarity

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

I-League 2nd Division Football

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

Twenty20 Cricket

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

NE Twenty20 Cricket

Manipur Police win:

Guwahati, Dec. 19: Manipur Police Sports Club on Wednesday made a strong opening statement by posting a convincing five-wicket win over local outfit New Star Club in their first match of the 1st Bud Challenge Twenty20 cricket meet at the Nehru Stadium here.

The atmosphere on the ground was festive with the organisers, Bud Cricket Club, trying to recreate the frills associated with the new version of the game by playing foot-tapping music during the breaks.

After restricting New Star to 110 in 19.3 overs with some splendid fielding and bowling, the Manipur cops, helped by Man-of-the-Match L Kipgen (28 off 24 balls) and Y. Siman (24 off 43 balls), overtook the total with 3.1 overs remaining, despite suffering some early setbacks.

Earlier, Kipgen, a spinner, took two wickets for 20 runs.

"It was a good match. Despite losing early wickets we played well. The middle order too came good," said the captain of the winning team, Viking Salam.

Nikhil Mittal and Kishore Deka of New Star scored 27 and 21 respectively. Mittal took two wickets for 18.

Assam Ranji coach Sanath Kumar gave away the Man-of-the-Match award to Kipgen.

Earlier, the tournament got off to a flying start with a cracker of a match between Guwahati Cricket Coaching Centre (B) and Titan Club.

Batting first, Titan Club scored 174 for six in and then restricted their rivals to 153 in 19 overs for a 21-run win.

Man-of-the-Match Biswajit Medhi of Titan took four wickets for 15 while Nirmal Nath and Bhaskar Kalita took two wickets each.

For the winners, Trithankar Das made 52, Bhaskar Kalita 29 and Moon Kumar 24.

For Guwahati Centre, the main scorers were Pankaj Kalita (37), Ambar Bhattacharjee (29) and Mintu Chakraborthy (24).

On Thursday, Ankurjyoti Club will take on the Guwahati Centre, while hosts Bud Cricket Club will meet River Rine Club.

Posted On: The Telegraph

NE Twenty20 Cricket

Meet starts on Wednesday:

Guwahati, Dec 17: The maiden edition of the North East Invitation Twenty20 Cricket Tournament for the Dhireswar Kalita Trophy will begin at the Nehru Stadium here from Wednesday.

The Bud Cricket Club-organised tournament will be a 12-team knock out affair in which a team from Manipur -- Manipur Police Sports Club -- will be seen in action.

Guwahati Cricket Coaching Centre B team will play aganist Titan Club in the opening match at 9 am while on the same day Manipur team will meet New Star Club in the afternoon.

The final is slated for December 25.

Posted On: The Assam Tribune

36th Senior National Women’s Handball

Manipur meet Railways in final:

Guwahati, Dec. 17: Defending champions Railways will play Manipur in the final of the 36th Senior National Women’s Handball Championship on Tuesday.

Manipur beat a fighting Haryana 17-15 in the second semi-final on Monday evening to move into the final.

The Manipur girls led 9-8 in the first half.

Manipur were the lone entrant from the Northeast in the semi-finals, beating Chhattisgarh by a narrow margin (25-23) in the quarter-finals.

In a keenly contested match played at the Nehru Stadium, the girls from Manipur put up a better show but failed to convert several penalties that came their way, helping the Chhattisgarh team to remain in the hunt till the last.

In the first semi-final, played at Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phookan Indoor Stadium, the Railways staved off a spirited challenge by the All India University team to march into the final this evening. The Railways won 36-26.

Earlier, Railways defeated last year’s runners-up Maharashtra 27-8 in the quarter-final.

The university team beat Punjab 27-25 and Haryana got the better of Delhi 20-17 to move into the semi-final.

Maharashtra finished fifth beating Punjab 35-25 while Chhattisgarh ended sixth beating Delhi 26-21.

Tomorrow, Punjab will play Delhi for the seventh and eighth positions.

Meanwhile, the annual general meeting of the Handball Federation of India, which was held here, decided to bid for the Asian Championship in Kuwait on December 29.

Assam Handball Association president Kalyan Gogoi said Guwahati is in the running for hosting the meet along with Chandigarh.

Posted On: The Telegraph

36th Senior National Women’s Handball

Manipur win, mix day for Assam:

Guwahati, Dec 15: Once again it was a mixed day for Assam in the 36th Senior National Women’s Handball Championship as the side registered one win and one loss at the Nehru Stadium here on Saturday.

Earlier yesterday also Assam registered same results in their two group matches.

The hosts, who first clashed with Orissa, won the game 23-11. Juri Baishya, Bobita Chetry, Jhuma Roy, Sona Misra and Sanu Sarma scored four goals each while Dulumoni Talukdar pumped in three more goals for the winners.

In their second match of the day against Chandigarh, Asom fought well but lost the game in a nail-biting finish 14-12.

Bobita Chetry (2), Juri Baishya (30) Sona Misra(2), Pinki Chetry (2), Anu Patar (1), Dulumoni Talukdar (1) and Ranu Barua (1) scored the goals for the home side.

Assam now should win their last two group matches in order to qualify for the quarter-final in the championship.

Meanwhile, defending champion Indian Railways registered another win today defeating Jammu and Kashmir 12-7.

Results of the other matches: Gujarat bt Tripura 10-6; Himachal Pradesh bt Madhya Pradesh 11-7; All India University bt Nagaland 43-7; Delhi bt Pondichery 35-10; Uttar Pradesh bt Pondichery 35-10; Chhatishgarh bt Chandigarh 17-14; Manipur bt Bihar 30-4; Kerala bt Bihar 23-6; Uttarakhand bt Andhra Pradesh 13-8 and Maharastra bt West Bengal 20-3.

Posted On: The Sentinel

36th Senior National Women’s Handball

Twin losses for Assam:

Guwahati, Dec 14: Hosts Assam on Friday opened their campaign with two losses in the 36th senior national women’s handball championship at Nehru Stadium here.

The home side went down fighting to Madhya Pradesh 15-17 in their Group C match and then to Himachal Pradesh 12-13. The Assam women’s best efforts went in vain, as their opponents scored over them both in speed and temperament.

Manipur, on the other hand, have won in the two matches they have played so far in Group D. Manipur edged past All India Universities 20-17 and then tamed Uttarakhand 20-4 this evening.

Tripura registered the biggest win of the day, thrashing Tamil Nadu 40-3 in a Group A match, signalling a challenge to defending champions Indian Railways who are pitted in the same group.

The Handball Federation of India today decided to bid for an Asian Championship to be held in Guwahati next year and also to organise some national coaching camps here.

Posted On: The Telegraph

36th Senior National Women’s Handball

Easy win for Railways on first day:

Guwahati, Dec. 13: Defending champions Indian Railways today opened their campaign in style, posting thumping wins over Gujarat and Tamil Nadu on the first day of the 36th Senior National Women’s Handball championship that got under way at Nehru Stadium and Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phookan Indoor Stadium on Thursdy.

The Railways women got the better of Gujarat 15-6 and Tamil Nadu 25-1 in two Group A league matches.

The first match of the tournament, played between Railways and Gujarat this morning, was a one-sided affair with the Railways clinching an easy win over their Western Railway rivals.

The first win failed to satisfy the hunger of the Railways women, and Tamil Nadu suffered a humiliating defeat in a post-lunch tie.

In two other pre-lunch matches, the Punjab women were held to a 16-16 draw by their Madhya Pradesh counterparts in a Group C match, while Kerala beat Uttaranchal 15-6 in a Group D tie.

In the afternoon, Manipur tamed Nagaland 25-3 in a Group D tie while Kerala lost to All India Universities 10-25.

Punjab registered their second win of the day over Himachal Pradesh 17-7 in the afternoon.

In the other matches in the afternoon, Maharastra routed Uttar Pradesh 22-6 in the only Group B match played today while Chattisgarh got the better of Madhya Pradesh in a Group C tie.

Around 450 players and officials from 24 states arrived here today to take part in the meet. The Delhi team is on its way. The teams from Karnataka, Goa and Pondicherry have confirmed their participation but are yet to report.

The 28 teams have been divided into four groups of seven teams each. The group champions will proceed to the semifinals of the six-day event.

Today’s results: Railways bt Gujarat 35-7 (gr-A), Punjab held Madhya Pradesh 16-16 (gr-C), Kerala bt Uttar Pradesh 25-6 (gr-D), Railways bt Tamil Nadu 25-1, Maharashtra bt Uttar Pradesh 22-6 (gr-B), Chattishgarh bt Madhya Pradesh 18-9 (gr-C), Manipur bt Nagaland 25-3 (gr-D), Punjab bt Himachal Pradesh 17-7, All India University bt Kerala 25-10, Jammu & Kashmir bt Gujarat 15-6.

Posted On: The Telegraph

Image Courtesy: Eastern Projections

Another Story:

National Women Handball

Championship begins in Guwahati:

Guwahati, Dec 13: Twenty-five teams will be in fray for top honours in the 38th National Women’s Handball Championship which begins here on Thursday.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi will formally inaugurate the meet in the evening at the Tarun Ram Phookan Indoor Stadium though matches will start from the morning onwards.

Till Wednesday evening, 12 teams -- Gujarat, Railways, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Uttaranchal, Orissa, Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya, Manipur and Assam -- have arrived while the other teams are scheduled to arrive on Thursday.

Jharkhand, which earlier had confirmed their participation, withdrew from the meet.
All the teams have been given accommodation at the Tarun Ram Phookan Indoor Stadium. The matches will be played both at the Nehru Stadium and the TR Phookan Indoor Stadium.

The Assam Handball Association president Kalyan Gogoi said all arrangements have been completed to hold the meet in a befitting manner.

Source: The Assam Tribune

Assam vs Tripura Ranji Plate Match

Assam pipped by Kerala for semi-final spot:

Guwahati, Dec 12: Assam failed to take the first-innings lead against Tripura in their Ranji Plate Division Group A league match on the fourth and final day at Nehru Stadium here on Wednesday, which resulted to Kerala pipping them by one point for a semi-final berth.

Resuming on 245 for four, Assam needed 216 runs on the final day to surpass Tripura’s first innings 460, but were all out for 410 with Tushar Saha removing overnight not out batsmen Palashjyoti Das and Sridharan Sharath.

The hosts were kept in the hunt by Sadagopan Ramesh, who made an unbeaten 161-ball 101.

Dhiraj Goswami hung around for 105 balls for his 16, as along with Ramesh he added 91 for the seventh wicket. But, all these were not enough as Assam fell short by 50 runs.

Tripura got three points by virtue of their first innings’ lead but still finished last in the group with 11 points while Assam collected one point from the drawn match to swell their total point to 12 and had to be content with third place.

In Surat, Kerala collected five points by virtue of an outright win against Gujarat, who have already qualified for the semi-final from Group A with 22 points from four matches, by nine wickets to aggregate 13 points and book the second semi-final spot from the group.

A simple first innings lead for Assam against Tripura would have ensured them three points from the match and a berth in the semi-finals.

Brief Scorecard:
Tripura 460 (Nishit Shetty 165; Tushar Saha 73 not out; Rajib Saha 66; Krishna Das 5/140) drew with Assam 410 (Palashjyoti Das 114; Sadagopan Ramesh 101 not out; Sridharan Sharath 71; Tushar Saha 4/114)

Another Story:

Assam vs Tripura Ranji Plate Match

Palashjyoti shines in Assam fightback:

Guwahati, Dec 11: Riding on an impressive unbeaten century by opener Palashjyoti Das, Assam put up a valiant show against Tripura on the third day of the four-day Ranji Trophy Plate Division encounter at the Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday.

Resuming their innings at the overnight score of 68 for one after Tripura had put up a total of 460 in the first innings, the hosts, at the end of the day’s play managed a total of 245 for the loss of four wickets.

Though Assam lost some early wickets in Tajinder Singh (10), Nishanta Bordoloi (16) and Mrigen Talukdar (29), the unbeaten 91-run stand between opener Palashjyoti and skipper Sridharan Sharath kept the scoreboard ticking and gave the hosts reasons to smile.

Sharath played a captain’s knock, notching up an unbeaten 52 off 133 balls, which included as many as eight hits to the fence.

But the star of the day was Palashjyoti with his unbeaten 102 off 380 balls. The opening batsman paced his innings quite well hitting the bad balls to the fence at a regular basis.

His unbeaten innings of 102 included 12 hits to the fence.

For the visitors, the pick of the bowler was left arm spinner Tushar Saha who, apart from pocketing two crucial wickets, gave away just 66 runs in his quota of 42 overs. Pacer Vineet Jain claimed one Assam batsman.

Though Assam are yet to avoid follow on, the possibility of anything as such is remote. In-form batsman Sadagopan Ramesh will come next.

Assam still trail by 215 runs as the match is heading towards a draw.

Brief Scorecard:
Assam 245 for 4 (Palashjyoti Das 104 batting; Sridharan Sharath 52 batting) trail Tripura 460 by 215 runs

Posted On: The Assam Tribune

Another Story:

Ranji Plate Group A Match

Tripura 285/4 on Day One against Assam:

Guwahati, Dec 9: Nishit Shetty smashed a career-best 164 not out to propel Tripura to a healthy 285 for 4 against Assam on the first day of four-day Ranji Trophy Plate Division Group A match at Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.

Electing to bat after winning the toss, Tripura were in touch of bother at 32 for 3 before Shetty added 106 runs for the fourth wicket with Rajib Saha, who made his highest first-class score of 66, and a further 147 for the unbroken fifth wicket with Timir Chanda (36 not out).

Shetty struck 26 boundaries in his 232-ball knock as Tripura headed towards a big first-innings total.

For Assam, Krishna Das and Dhiraj Goswami took two wickets apiece, conceding 73 and 54 runs respectively.

Brief Scorecard:
Tripura 1st innings: 285 for 4 (Shetty 164 batting; Rajib saha 66; Timir Chanda batting 36; Krshna Das 2/73; Dhiraj Goswami 2/54)

Ranji Plate Division Group A Match

Assam vs Tripura tie starts Sunday:

Guwahati, Dec 8: Assam play their last Group A match in the Ranji Trophy Cricket Tournament against Tripura which gets under way at the Nehru Stadium on Sunday.

The match is crucial for both the sides as either team can still make to the semi-final stage of the tournament.

Gujarat have already qualified for the semi-final from Group A with 22 points from four matches.

Assam are in second spot with 11 points from the same number of matches while Kerala and Tripura are jointly in the third spot bagging eight points each from four matches.

A simple first innings lead could take Assam to the semi-final but Tripura have no other alternative but to win the match to go into the semi-final stage.

Meanwhile, Assam made two changes in their squad that played the last few matches.

Wicket-keeper Rajdeep Das, who was injured, will be replaced by Amjad Ali while Gakul Sharma will take the place of another injured S Suresh.

Source: The Sentinel

36th Women’s National Handball

Guwahati to host Championship from Dec 13:

Guwahati, Dec 8: The 36th Women’s National Handball Championship will get under way at the Nehru Stadium here from December 13.

Around 28 teams from the different parts of the country are expected to take part in the meet.

Talking to mediapersons at a press conference here on Saturday, secretary of the Assam Handball Association Gautam Choudhury said preparations for the tournament are in last stage and the teams will start arriving in the city from December 10.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi will be the Chief Guest at the inaugural function which will be held at the Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phukan Indoor Stadium on December 13.

The initial matches of the tournament will be held at the Nehru Stadium but from the quarter-finals onwards the tournament would be played at the Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phukan Indoor Stadium. Four courts would be used during the initial stage to complete the group league matches.

Choudhury also added that during the tournament the annual general meeting of the Handball Federation of India will be held in the city. Several top level issues would be discussed in the meeting which will be held for the first time in the city.

Commenting on the home team’s chances in the tournament, Choudhury said the preparatory camp for the home team has already started. However, he felt this time the team would comprise of many junior players and it would be considered a good performance if it managed to be within the first five at the end of the tourney.

The press meet was also attended by the chairman of the organizing committee Robin Bordoloi and the president of the Assam Handball Association Kalyan Gogoi.

Source: The Sentinel

Ranji Plate Division Match

Assam concede 147-run 1st innings lead:

Guwahati, Dec 3: Assam were all out for 259 in their first innings to concede a 147-run lead to Services on the third day of their four-day Ranji Plate Group A League encounter
at the Nehru Stadium here on Monday.

Resuming at 92 for 3 in reply of Services first innings total of 406, Assam never really got going, as the highest contribution in their innings came from Services, by the way of 59 extras.

The hosts folded their innings at 259 in 92 overs with opener S Suresh and wicket-keeper Rajdeep Das top-scoring with 49 each.

For Services, left-arm medium-pacer Rakesh Sharma took a fiver on debut for 82 and Arun Sharma and Ashish Mohanty got two wickets each.

At draw of stumps, Services were 83 for one in their second innings.

Brief Scorecard:
Services 406 and 83 for 1 lead Assam 259 (Extras 59; S Suresh 49; Rajdeep Das 49; Rakesh Kumar 5/82) by 230 runs

Ranji Plate Division Match

Assam still in trouble against Services:

Guwahati, Dec 2: Assam were still in trouble as they ended the second day of the four-day Ranji Plate Group A League tie against Services on 92 for 3 at the Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.

The hosts lost three quick wickets towards the end of the day as Services, who had earlier taken their innings to 406, pressed home their advantage.

Although Services lost two quick wickets in the morning after starting the day on 272 for 5, Ashish Mohanty and Surender Patwal added 86 for the eighth wicket to put the visitors in charge.

Mohanty scored 57 and Patwal 34. Krishna Das took four wickets for Assam.

Assam had made a good start as S Suresh and Palasjyoti Das made Services wait for 18 overs for the first wicket. But then three batsmen returned to the pavilion in the space of 16 runs, Rakesh Kumar taking two in three overs.

At draw of stumps, Assam were 314 runs behind Services first innings total with opener S Suresh batting on 40 and Mrigen Talukdar giving him company without opening account.

Brief Scorecard: Assam 92 for 3 (Suresh 40 not out; Rakesh Kumar 2/34) trail Services 406 (Ashish Mohanty 57; Krishna Das 4/81) by 314 runs

Ranji Plate Division Match

Assam on back foot against Services:

Guwahati, Dec 1: Poor fielding forced Asom to the back foot on the first day of the four-day Ranji Trophy Plate Group tie against Services at the Nehru Stadium on Saturday.

Electing to bat first and riding on a fine century by Tahir Khan, Services scored 272 for the loss of five wickets when stumps were drawn for the day.

The match is a crucial for Asom as they need a win to stay in the competition. But poor fielding, particularly in the first session, pushed the home team on the back foot on the first day.

Unless the remaining five wickets of the Services are the wiped off early on Sunday, it could be very difficult for Assam to earn full points from the match.

Tahir Khan, who opened the innings for Services, produced a splendid knock of 142 runs, which helped his side strongly placed at the draw of stumps on the first day.

Tahir’s 142 came off 254 balls with 19 boundaries. Tahir was also involved in two good partnerships with captain Yashpal Singh and vice captain Jasvir Singh during his stay at the wicket. Tahir and Yashpal added 83 runs for the fourth wicket while his partnership with Jasvir for the third wicket was worth 72 runs.

Of the five wickets that fell today, Krishna Das and Arlen Konwar bagged two wickets each while S Suresh picked up one.

Assam had so far played three matches. The team lost the first match against Gujarat and drew with Vidarbha in the second. Asom defeated Kerala in their last group match to earn full points from the game.

Brief Scorecard: Services 272 for 5 in 88.1 overs (Tahir Khan 142; Yashpal Singh 40; Krishna Das 2/42; Arlen Konwar 2/71)

Assam team: S Sarath (capt), Nishanta Bordoloi (vice-capt), Sadagopan Ramesh, S Suresh, Tajinder Singh, Palasyjyoti Das, Rajdeep Das (wk), Dhiraj Goswami, Bichitra Baruah, Arlen Konwar, Krishna Das, Mrigen Talukdar, Sourav Bhagawati, Souvik Das, Touhid Ali Talukdar, Bitop Mahanta.

Coach: Sanath Kumar; Manager: Umananda Bora; Physio: RB Kannan