Eastern India Bodybuilding

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'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

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

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