Category Archives: Sports

Rohan Bopanna satisfied with his season

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports
Back to training: Ritabrata Sarkar, Niki Poonacha, Rohan Bopanna, and Sravya Shivani at Bopanna’s academy in Bengaluru. 

He is happy to have handled all the uncertainties with aplomb

It has been a fascinating season with all the uncertainties and Rohan Bopanna is happy to have salvaged the best tennis in the bargain.

After winding up the season with the Paris ATP Masters quarterfinals, the 40-year-old Bopanna is back at his tennis academy in Bengaluru, providing guidance to youngsters.

Having returned to the professional circuit after lockdown with a quarterfinals in the US Open, and following it up with good wins on clay before winding up on the hard courts in the final leg, Bopanna was understandably satisfied at his ability to get the best out of himself on both surfaces.

“I must have done about 35 COVID tests. They were so different. In one place we had to just gargle water and spit for the test. In some places, they really drilled into our nose and throat,” recalled Bopanna.

With suitable caution and measures, Bopanna was happy that many different levels of players, from national champion Niki Poonacha to the youngsters learning the technique, were back on court at his academy, getting ready for the season ahead.

“I wish I had such a facility when I was growing up. It would have cut the time taken for growth by so many years.

“Instead of wasting energy on facing the multiple challenges, one could have just focused on tennis and got better,” said Bopanna.

With seasoned coach M. Balachandran managing the programme with a battery of competent coaches and other experts at the Sports School, Bopanna said that he would close his other centre and focus on tennis in one place.

No clarity

There is not so much clarity about the professional season ahead with Australia demanding a two-week quarantine for players visiting the country for the tennis events including the Australian Open.

“The request is to be able to train during quarantine period. All events are supposed to be held in Melbourne. The other events like Doha are being shifted to a later date. There is no sign of the Pune ATP,” said Bopanna.

The answers will come in due course of time, and the players may have to fly to Australia in December.

For the moment, Bopanna is happy to be home with family and spend quality time with his trainees.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Tennis / by Kamesh Srinivasan / New Delhi – November 13th, 2020

Obstacle Course Inaugurated At Sainik School In Kodagu

Education, Records, All, Sports

Kushalnagar:

Air Vice Marshal P.J. Walia, Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration, Training Command, Indian Air Force, Bangalore and Chairman, Local Board of Administration, Sainik School Kodagu, chaired the 21st meeting of the Local Board of Administration of Sainik School here on  Oct. 29. 

The Chairman also inaugurated the Sangolli Rayanna Obstacle Course, which aims at training multiple fitness components of the cadets. This Obstacle Course will help in preparing them for SSB. In addition it will help in developing diversified skills and abilities like self-discipline, perseverance, courage, resourcefulness, self-reliance and teamwork among cadets.  

The Local Board of Administration Meeting was attended by Gp. Capt. R.R. Lall, Command Education Officer, Bangalore, Lt. Col. Seema Tripathi, Chief Coordinator, Prof. Y. Sreekanth, Principal, Regional Institute of Education, Mysuru, Prof. R. Shivappa, Registrar, University of Mysore, Vijay Kumar Swarnkar, Executive Engineer, CPWD, Mysore Central Division and P.S. Machado, DDPI, Kodagu district. 

Keeping in view the prevailing pandemic condition, Krishnaji S. Karichannavara, Director, Secondary Education, Karnataka State, Murthy, Under Secretary, Finance Department, Karnataka State and Dr. Jaibharat Madivaleppa Mangeshkar, Parent Member, attended the meeting online.  Col. Kannan, Principal and Member-Secretary, briefed all the training and administrative aspects of the school and the progress made in the past nine months. 

He said, ‘an obstacle course is a series of challenging physical obstacles cadets must navigate usually while being timed. Obstacle course can include running, climbing, jumping, crawling and balancing elements with the aim of testing speed and endurance.’ The members deliberated and arrived at various policy decisions for future development of the school.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 05th, 2020

Arun Machaiah Elected Vice-President Of National Karate Association

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All, Sports

Madikeri:

Noted Karate Master Cheppudira Arun Machaiah has been elected as the Vice-President of National Karate Association.

Arun Machaiah was declared elected in the presence of Retired Judge of Assam High Court Justice B.P. Borkotoki at the Association’s National Council Meeting held under the joint aegis of Union Ministry of Sports and Indian Olympic Association, at Guwahati in Assam recently.

Arun, who became the first national champion in 1977, did his higher training in Karate at Singapore. He has won medals in the heavy weight category in the World and Asian Karate Championships held between 1989 and 1993 at Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, China, Mexico, Nepal etc.

A seventh degree Black Belt holder of World Karate Federation (WKF), he is an International Referee. He has won many awards, including the prestigious Best Sportsperson Award of the Government of Karnataka in 1994. His term of office as the Vice-President of the Association will end in 2024.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / October 29th, 2020

Bopanna-Middelkoop finish runners up at European Open in Antwerp

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Rohan Bopanna and Matwe Middelkoop finished runners up at the European Open in Antwerp, losing to second seeds John Peers and Michael Venus in the final.

Rohan Bopanna and Matwe Middelkoop pose with their runners up titles.   –  EUROPEAN OPEN WEBSITE (HTTPS://EUROPEANOPEN.BE)

The Indian-Dutch team of Rohan Bopanna and Matwe Middelkoop was beaten 6-3, 6-4 by second seeds John Peers and Michael Venus in the doubles final of the European Open in Antwerp, Belgium.

It was the first time the Indian-Dutch duo has reached a final. Bopanna and Middelkoop had earlier beaten Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen 4-6, 6-3, 10-8 in the semifinal.

Elsewhere in the Wolffkran Open challenger in Germany, seventh seed Prajnesh Gunneswaran lost 7-6 (6), 6-1 to Botic van de Zandschulp in the semifinal.

The results:

European Open in Antwerp, Belgium

Doubles (final): John Peers (Aus) & Michael Venus (Nzl) bt Matwe Middelkoop (Ned) & Rohan Bopanna 6-3, 6-4;

Semifinals: Matwe Middelkoop & Rohan Bopanna bt Sander Gille & Joran Vliegen (Bel) 4-6, 6-3, [10-8].

Wolffkran Open, Ismaning, Germany

Singles (semifinals): Botic van de Zandschulp (Ned) bt Prajnesh Gunneswaran 7-6(6), 6-1.

source: http://www.sportstar.thehindu.com / Sportstar / Home> Tennis / by Team Sportstar / New Delhi – October 26th, 2020

IPL 2020: Robin Uthappa achieves another milestone, joins Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina in elite list

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports

IPL 2020: Rajasthan Royals batsman Robin Uthappa on Saturday achieved another feat in his career and the fifth Indian player after Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan and Mahendra Singh Dhoni to score over 4,500 runs in IPL.

(pic credits: PTI)

New Delhi | Jagran Sports Desk:

 Robin Uthappa, who was going through a lean patch, on Saturday returned to form and smashed a fiery 41 off 22 balls to give Rajasthan Royals a solid opening stand against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

During his innings, Uthappa also achieved another landmark in Indian Premier League (IPL) career and went past 4,500 runs in the cash-rich league. By doing so, the 34-year-old became the ninth batsman overall and the fifth Indian player after Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan and Mahendra Singh Dhoni to achieve this huge landmark.

Following his fiery innings against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Uthappa said that he really enjoyed opening the innings again, adding that “wanted to give a good start” to his team. He noted that the “pitch became slower and slower as the innings progressed”, which was making it difficult to play shorts freely.

“If we were told we would get 177 (at the start), we would have happily taken it. Glad that I got the opportunity to open – the wickets are slowing down, and I think it will further slow down as the tournament progresses. We are confident about defending this – have a decent bowling attack, but they have a good batting line-up as well,” Uthappa said, as reported by Hindustan Times.

In his remarkable IPL career, Uthappa has played 184 matches and 4,535 runs at an average of 28.34 and a strike rate of 130.09. Out of the total number of runs, Uthappa has scored 2,439 runs for Kolkata Knight Riders in six IPL seasons. The 34-year-old also has 24 fifties to his name with 87 being his highest total.

However, Uthappa’s innings was not enoug for Rajasthan Royals as Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated them easily with 7 wickets in hand. AB de Villiers smashed an unbeaten 55 off 22 balls after skipper Virat Kohli scored 32-ball 43 as RCB, chasing 179 for three in 19.4 overs.

Posted By: Aalok Sensharma

source: http://www.english.jagran.com / Jagran English / Home> News> Cricket / by Jagran Sports Desk / October 17th, 2020

International Hockey Player Uthappa Ties Knot

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports

International hockey player Sannuvanda K. Uthappa, son of Sannuvanda Vasanth Kushalappa and Niraj of Devarapura, tied the nuptial knot with Sanjana, daughter of Puttichanda Uthappa and Leela of Bollarimad, at The Yellow Bamboo Resort in Balaji, South Kodagu, yesterday.

Only family members of the couple and close relatives were part of the simple ceremony (Dampathi Muhurtha) held last evening.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / September 28th, 2020

Karnataka woman kindles Kashmiri girls’ football dreams

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sports
Poonam Chattoo with her husband and Real Kashmir owner Sandeep Chattoo.

Over the past couple of seasons, Real Kashmir FC have been a beacon of joy for the people in India’s northernmost union territory.

A club that beat many odds to gain promotion to the I-League, mounted a title charge against all expectations in its first season in top-flight football and overcame the challenges posed by lockdown to achieve higher standards.

The men’s team has brought smiles to their people. And now it’s the women’s turn. At the helm is Poonam Chattoo, a Karnataka native who made Kashmir her home after her marriage to RKFC owner Sandeep Chattoo three decades ago.

“My parents are coffee planters settled in Kodagu after my father retired from the Food Corporation of India. It’s been a long journey from Kodagu to Kashmir, both diverse culturally, geographically and climatically, but I am grateful for the love and affection I have received,” Poonam, who gradutated from Bengaluru after schooling in Chandigarh, tells DH.

The women’s team has been in the making for a long time and the response has been overwhelming, according to Poonam, a teacher.

The requests flooded in from girls after RKFC made a name in the I-League but with so much unpredictability, they started in a small way with a She Power Programme with DPS, Srinagar. Now, the club has taken the plunge by starting registrations for building U-10 and U-14 teams. A training ground also has been identified and plans are being made to ensure they take part in national tournaments.

“(Coming from Karnataka) Sports is definitely in our blood. That mindset has helped me see things differently. All that these young girls need is just an avenue for their talents to bloom,” says Poonam.

“The past year has been dark but then the last couple of decades have not been easy either. Sport has always provided psychological, physiological and cathartic relief and I have always felt that the women have borne the bigger brunt of the circumstances. The girls just did not have an outlet.”

In her quest for understanding the difficulties, she had chats with Afshan Ashiq — captain of Kashmir football team and part of the recent virtual meeting with PM Narendra Modi for the Fit India Movement — about the trials and tribulations she faced and continues to face. Poonam also spoke to Irtiqa Ayoub who runs a rugby team in Kashmir.

“God willing, if we are able to bring hope to even a handful of young girls, I would consider it a blessing,” Poonam admits. 

There are big challenges ahead, though, especially for someone as inexperienced as Poonam in the labyrinth that is Indian football.  

“Yes, I have no experience of managing a football team, but having been a teacher it shouldn’t be a problem, plus we have very able coaches and a support team. And of course, we have a big brother in RKFC who we can always call for support.

“One doesn’t stop living….we just find different ways to go about our business,” she says.

Well, few are as adept at doing that at that as RKFC. 

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports> Football / by Sandeep Menon / DHNS, Bengaluru / September 29th, 2020

Rohan Bopanna, 40, on how he and Denis Shapovalov, 21, started doubles partnership

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports, World Opinion

Indian doubles star Rohan Bopanna, 40, was desperate for a partner at the Indian Wells Masters last year, and when he saw that Denis Shapovalov was available to play, he hit him up. Bopanna, a 19-time doubles champion, was positively surprised by the quick response from rising Canadian star Shapovalov, who accepted to play.

Since then, Bopanna and 21-year-old Shapovalov have played together at 14 more events. Shapovalov, who is enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 10, is focused on his singled career but he occasionally plays doubles with Bopanna since the two have a good connection.

“My partnership with Denis is truly unique, given he is almost 20 years younger than me(laughs),” Bopanna told the Indian Tennis Daily. “It all started at Indian Wells last year when I was looking for a partner and you need to combine rankings to get into the doubles draw.

All the doubles specialists already had partners so I was checking on as to which singles players I can play with. I saw Denis’ name and decided to send him a text. And Indian Wells is an event where all singles players end up playing doubles as well.

So it was nice of him to say yes. Right away, from the first match, we enjoyed the camaraderie between us. “I think I bring in special experience into the doubles format. And his super-fast speed, power and flamboyance, helped my game tremendously as well.

So that combination worked for us. Slowly, we started committing to more events – be it 250, 500 or Grand Slams. Slowly, we started to enjoy each other’s company, and I got to know him a lot better. He’s a fantastic guy and he’s doing so much for tennis.

It has transformed into an honest friendship and as long as we enjoy playing together, that is what gives us success at the end of the day.

source: http://www.tennisworld.org / Tennis World / Home> Tennis News> Tennis Interviews / by Dzevad Mesic / September 29th, 2020

Olympian S.K. Uthappa Engaged

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports

Wedding this evening at Kodagu Resort (27th)

Olympian S.K. Uthappa engaged

Gonikoppa:

Olympian Sannuvanda Kushalappa (S.K.) Uthappa got engaged to Puttichanda Sanjana at Yellow Bamboo Resort in Balaji village, South Kodagu, yesterday. Only family members of the couple and close relatives were part of the simple engagement ceremony and the marriage (Dampathi Muhurtha) will be held this evening.

Daughter of Puttichanda Uthappa and Leela couple of Bollarimad village, Sanjana is working at a private firm in Bengaluru.

S.K. Uthappa’s father Sannuvanda Kushalappa of Devarapura village, mother Niraj, brother Chinnappa and his wife were present during the engagement.

Uthappa made his international debut in hockey against South Africa in 2012 and scored a total of three goals in the five-match series. He was then picked to play at the 2012 Olympics Qualification Tournament where he exhibited good game.

Uthappa captained the side for the first time at the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy in Malaysia, in a league game against Pakistan, in the process of rotation of captaincy the team followed after the 2016 Rio Olympics. His side won the game 3-2.

An Ekalavya Awardee, he has played a  total of 164 international tournaments.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / September 27th, 2020

Levista: Made in India, savoured globally

Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Its distinct taste can be traced to the geographical speciality of its plantation in Coorg

Image Credit: Supplied / gulfnews.com

You experience the flavour of Levista, right from the beans to the coffee you drink. The beaming spirit of SLN Group is like a perfect cup of coffee — fulfilling, hearty, crisp, wholesome and so gratifying since 1956.

Levista’s distinct taste can be traced to the geographical speciality of its plantation, which is rooted in Coorg, the coffee capital of India. It is born from the rich expertise of a company that supplies coffee to leading Indian and global coffee companies, and is among the top ten coffee exporters of India. Millions of coffee drinkers wake up to Levista every morning. It is the coffee for coffee lovers, and across the world, people have placed their trust in the timeless flavour of its legacy.

Wafting across the world

Levista has definitive plans in place to spread its aroma across 10 countries, and has undertaken brand building associations with leading entities.

It also has Café Levista, located strategically across cities for discerning coffee lovers, to enjoy a wholesome experience with friends and loved ones. By 2025, 500 such outlets will be operational in India and overseas to deliver its rich taste and heritage. Levista pours the best quality brew made from handpicked beans, with offerings across instant, filter, and artisanal range of coffees.

An association befitting Kings

Recently, Levista has proudly associated with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as their official licensed coffee partner.

It’s a distinctive milestone for two big brands to come together during the Indian Premier League, as the action shifts to the UAE this season.

To make it truly memorable, there will be CSK combo packs which will be retailed as a limited edition, along with the team’s memorabilia.

It will indeed be an unbeatable mix for coffee and cricket fans, when the world is watching. The quality and flavour of Levista resonates with the vivacity and passion of CSK.

source: http://www.gulfnews.com / Gulf News / Home> Lifestyle> GN Focus Report / September 13th, 2020