Category Archives: Sports

Anxiety is a positive emotion before any tournament, says Robin Uthappa

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

UthappaKF31may2019

Robin Uthappa, who endured a tough season with Kolkata Knight Riders in the recently concluded IPL, said that anxiety acts as a motivator ahead of the start of any major tournament. KKR failed to make the play-off stage this season as they lost their do-or-die encounter against Mumbai Indians.

The recent Indian Premier League (IPL) ended with Mumbai Indians picking up their fourth title as they beat Chennai Super Kings in the final by one run. Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai made their way to the final after they beat Kolkata Knight Riders in their final league match at the Wankhede Stadium. However, things would have been different for Dinesh Karthik & Co. had they beaten Mumbai in that match. Had they done so, it would have been them who secured the fourth spot instead of Sunrisers Hyderabad who made the cut.

KKR’s Robin Uthappa, who had a tough outing with the Kolkata-based side this year, said that anxiety has an important role to play before the start of any tournament.

“Before the last game… I got to be honest, I did feel pretty anxious, (but) it’s quite a good feeling. It’s got to be anxiety. If you are nervous, then may be you are not prepared well enough. If it is anxiety, then it’s a positive emotion that precedes a tournament,” Uthappa said in a recent interview with The Telegraph.

The former Indian middle-order batsman further opened up about his preparation phase before the start of a typical IPL season.

“All of that becomes a lifestyle, honestly. I pretty much work out every day. The hours depend on how the body is feeling. We don’t go crazy working hard. Working smart is also a critical thing, understanding your body, how much recovery is required… all these aspects play a huge role in training.

“You are a cognisant of all these aspects and you train accordingly. Sometimes you train for an hour and hour-and-a-half, sometimes it goes on for a few hours and sometimes just 45 minutes, just a top-up on all that you have done. Sometimes you are feeling good, but you are also sore. So, you pop in and out of the gym for a 20-minute-half-an-hour session.

“Primarily, it is a combination of speed, endurance and strength. Cricket is a start-stop kind of sport. Today the sport is moving towards the power aspect of the game. You want to keep in mind those aspects as well,” Uthappa added.

source: http://www.sportscafe.com / SportsCafe / Home> Cricket> National> News / by SportsCafe Desk / May 22nd, 2019

Full-time national coach need of the hour: Joshna Chinappa

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

After reaching the pre-quarterfinal at the British Open last week, Joshna Chinappa opened up on her rivalry with Dipika Pallikal, problems with the national coaching setup and her plans for 2019 in an interview.

From being top 10 in the world in 2016, to winning the 2014 Commonwealth Games women’s squash doubles gold with Dipika Pallikal and being one of the few on tour to beat the top three in women’s singles, Joshna Chinappa’s career has been on an upswing since she turned pro 15 years back.

Earlier this month, the 32-year-old won the singles title at the Asian Championships in Kuala Lumpur to become the first Indian to win two continental crowns and retain the title she won at Chennai in 2017 by beating Pallikal.

After reaching the pre-quarterfinal at the British Open last week, she opened up on her rivalry with Pallikal, problems with the national coaching setup and her plans for 2019 in an interview. Excerpts:

You are the first Indian to defend and win two Asian Championship titles.

It feels great to have won the Asian Championship again. It was a good week in Kuala Lumpur, especially travelling with the team. On the professional tour it’s usually just me so it was nice to have the whole team, including physiotherapist Dimple and Harry (Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu) be there to support us.

Your opponent in the final, Annie Au, has a strong record against you. How satisfying was it to beat her for the first time since 2017?

Annie is tough to play against, mentally and physically. I had lost to her three times so it was extremely satisfying to win the final.

Sandhu was courtside when Saurav Ghosal and you won the Asian titles. Your thoughts on banking on fellow players for advice instead of a coach…

Harry is a player and has experienced what we as professional players go through and understands the game well. So having him was helpful. At most of my tournaments we help each other because we don’t have a full-time coach travelling with us. As Harry is injured (and out) of the tour, he was happy to come with the team and it is great SRFI (Squash Rackets Federation of India) chose to send him with us.

There’s been a controversy regarding coach, Cyrus Poncha. SRFI say he was in Malaysia. The players deny which is why they had to help each other during matches.

Harry, as coach, and our physiotherapist were the only officials who travelled with us.

What are the challenges of not having a chief national coach?

I work with my coach, Hadrian Stiff, in Bristol, England, so I keep going as often as I can to train there. Also, I train at the squash academy in Chennai. The coaches at the academy are helpful, but it would be great to have an experienced coach based here or even a part-time coach work with the juniors and seniors. I hope we can get a coach to travel with us on the pro tour as it makes a huge difference to have someone in our corner, helping us in-between games.

How do you view your rivalry with Pallikal? You have a better record (7-2) against her.

We have a healthy rivalry on court and when I play her it’s like playing any other player I compete with on the professional tour.

You have beaten the top-three players (all Egyptians) in the world at least once but lost to players ranked below you.

Competition is extremely high in the women’s game. Everyone is working hard and is so fit and strong with high levels of skill. You have to be at the top of your game from Round 1.

Can Egypt’s domination in women’s squash be broken?

Egypt are extremely strong and I don’t see that changing soon.

What can be done to improve Indian squash?

We need more TV time and better infrastructure, which is monitored by quality coaches and trainers.

The disadvantages of squash not being an Olympic sport?

The development of the sport and financial support from the government and corporates would be a lot more if squash was an Olympic sport.

Your goals for 2019?

To be injury free and healthy.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Other Sports / by Sandip Sikdar, New Delhi / May 27th, 2019

Football tourney from May 24

Leaders, Records, All, Sports
Logo of D Sivappa Memorial Gold Cup Football Tournament 2019.
Logo of D Sivappa Memorial Gold Cup Football Tournament 2019.

D Sivappa Memorial Gold Cup Football Tournament 2019 organised by Blue Boys Youth Club will be held at the grounds of Government Primary School grounds in Suntikoppa in Kodagu from May 24 to June 2.

Bettageri estate owner late Doddamane Sivappa’s grandson and D Vinod Shivappa’s son Vishal Sivappa will flag off the tournament. He is the chief patron of the tournament.

Consumer Forum Hassan President A Lokesh Kumar, Kushalnagar DySP Dinakar Shetty and patron D Vinod Sivappa will be part of the inaugural session.

D Sivappa was one of the main patrons of football tournaments in Suntikoppa. After him, his son D Vinod Sivappa initiated a football tournament through Blue Boys Youth Club in loving memory of his father every year and has been sponsoring the trophies and cash prizes. Several philanthropists are behind the success of the football tourney in Suntikoppa, a press release said.

D Vinod Sivappa is sponsoring a cash prize of Rs 30,000 to the winning team, Rs 20,000 to the runners-up team, trophies and also other individual prizes.

Bike riders take a voyage to Himalayas

Amazing Feats, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Bikers Ranjith Kiggal and Kashyap Mekeri.
Bikers Ranjith Kiggal and Kashyap Mekeri.

Ranjith Kiggal and Kashyap Mekeri from Kodagu have successfully undertaken a bike voyage to the Himalayan region.

The bike ride named ‘The ride of life Part-2’ kick-started in front of General Thimayya statue in Madikeri on April 14. After the completion of the ride, the duo has returned to Madikeri.

Ranjith and Kashyap have visited Nainital, Badrinath in Uttarakhand and the Himayalan regions, on their Royal Enfield bike.

The distance covered by them was approximately 6,200-km and the preparation began three months ago.

Both of them got in touch with bike riders who had already visited these places by bike. They took the Madhurgiri-Anantapuram-Hyderabad-Nagpur-Jhansi-Bareli route to reach Nainital in Uttarakhand on the sixth day of their ride.

In the course of their journey, they visited Jhulaghat on India-Nepal border and also Rishikesh and Haridwar. From Haridwar, they took the route of Mathura-Agra-Shirdi-Satara-Belagavi-Davanagere-Hassan to return to Madikeri.

Rider Ranjith Kiggal said that they had a fresh experience in visiting these places. They encountered a different atmosphere, people and culture on the route.

Appanderanda Yashwant Kalappa guided their tour, he added.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Districts / by Adithya K A / DH News Service,Madikeri / May 20th, 2019

Den Thimmaiah Emerges Fastest Driver In Autocross

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

DenThimmaiahKF09may2019

Den Thimmaiah emerged as the fastest driver at the National level 4-wheel Autocross Championship organised at Begoorkolli.

Organised at the fields belonging to the members of Chendira, Ippumada, Chekkera and Thethira families by JCI Ponnampet Golden, he emerged victorious as he clocked in at 2.02 minutes at the 850-meter rally course.

He also won the Coorg Local Open, 1,400-1,600cc category and Indian Open categories, adding three victories to his name.

In ‘The Coorg Local Open’ category, Den Thimmaiah won the first place, followed by Kokengada Darshan and Karavanda Thimmiah respectively.

Mohamad Shiek won the first place, Shrihari the second and C.K. Somanna the third place in the 800 cc category.

In the 1,001-1,400 cc category, the first place was won by Ismail Khan, second by Harshad Pasha and the third by Sparsh Nanjappa.

Den Thimmaiah won the first place while Dhruva Chandrashekar and Kokengada Darshan won the second and third place respectively in the 1,400-1,600 cc category.

The first place was bagged by Den Thimmaiah while the second and third place were won by Dhruva Chandrashekar and Roopesh respectively in the Indian Open Class.

In the XUV class, Mekerira Kariappa won the first place while Shriganesh won the second place.

In the Women’s category, Puttichanda Dayan Somaiah won the first place and Pooja Karumbaiah won the second place.

Over 40 participants took part in the event.

JCI Ponnampet Golden President Koniyanda Kavya Sanju, Mondovi Motors Gonicoppa showroom manager Manoj, JCI secretary Kotangada Nanaiah, JCI leaders Kotrangada Subbaiah, Arasu Nanjappa, Katimada Giri, Nirin Monappa, Robin Subbaiah, Pullangada Natesh distributed prizes to the winners.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / May 09th, 2019

Asian Squash championship: Ghosal and Joshna script history

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Sunday special: Saurav Ghosal and Joshna Chinappa made it a memorable day for India.
Sunday special: Saurav Ghosal and Joshna Chinappa made it a memorable day for India.

Become the first to win the Asian title at the same time

Saurav Ghosal and Joshna Chinappa emerged champions in the Asian squash championship here on Sunday. This is the first time two Indians have finished on top in the same tournament.

An unprecedented feat that eluded the Indians in Chennai two years ago became a reality in Malaysia when Joshna, the second seed, successfully defended her title shocking the top seed Annie Au of Hong Kong 11-5, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6.

Soon after, Ghosal, the top seed and finalist last year, ensured there was no slip-up this time when he downed the fourth seed Leo Au Chun Ming, also of Hong Kong, 11-9, 11-2, 11-8.

Sweet revenge
Joshna, who had lost to Annie in the Macau Open last month and seen her head-to-head record drop to 12 losses in 20 meetings, played with purpose and conviction. Though she suffered a blip in the second, she recovered to win the next two in style.

In the men’s summit clash, Ghosal proved the master. Except for a brief period in the first and third games, there was little the Hong Kong player could do to match the Indian who achieved his maiden success at this level.

“Happy to win the Asian title for the first time. I had come close in the past, so it is hugely satisfying to finally win it. Hopefully, this will lead to further success in the future,” said Ghosal.

“I thought I really played well in the final. I had lost to Annie a few times prior to this and so I had come prepared. Most importantly, I found the length and that was the key. I am very happy to defend the title,” said Joshna.

Big achievement
“Winning two titles is an achievement that has come for the first time. I congratulate Saurav and Joshna and wish them more success in their endeavours in the future,” said N. Ramachandran, Patron, Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI).

National coach Cyrus Poncha said: “What was missed two years ago has been done for the first time. It is a massive achievement.”

The results (finals):

Women: Joshna Chinappa bt Annie Au (Hkg) 11-5, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6.

Men: Saurav Ghosal bt Leo Au Chun Ming 11-9, 11-2, 11-8.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by Sports Bureau / Kuala Lumpur – May 05th, 2019

Fun-filled Labour Day at Ponnampet

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Sports
Women workers at Tata Coffee, Palibetta take part in a three-legged race organised by Tata Coffee on Wednesday.
Women workers at Tata Coffee, Palibetta take part in a three-legged race organised by Tata Coffee on Wednesday.

Healthy competition, team spirit, and enthusiasm marked the Labour Day celebrations organised in Ponnampet on Wednesday.

Tata Coffee, Palibetta, organised various sports events for its employees to celebrate Labour’s Day. Around 300 workers from 19 departments of the company, took part in around 23 various events with their spirit aloft.

Sack race, three-legged race, tug-of-war, and many other sports with rural touch, refreshed the players as well as the audience. Workers also took out a march past at the programme.

Sports convener Kiran Madhavan and sports adviser C U Ashok were present.

Speaking at the occasion, Tata Coffee General Manager K G Rajiv said that the company has been providing all facilities to its workers and this has helped in establishing a mutual faith between the organisation and its employees. The Tata Coffee has been conducting sports day every year on Labour Day to boost integrity among workers.

Rajiv advised the workers to follow security measures during their work so as to protect themselves from wild animal attacks and also from other accidents. Senior General Manager M B Ganapthy lit the sports torch.

In Madikeri

City Workshop Labourers Association chief advisor P B Chitrakumar said that the labourers contribute immensely to the economy of the Nation and the government has to respond to their problems.

Speaking at an event organised by the City Workshop Laborers Association at Samudra Hotel auditorium in Madikeri on Wednesday, he said that 60% of the population of every country in the world, comprises of labourers. The Nation strengthens if the the workers are strong.

“The government should take up measures to safeguard the interests of non-organised workers by providing them job security.”

Two categories of people: Capitalists and Labourers were created after the Labour movement in India, and the capitalists started harassing the labour class. Chitrakumar lamented that the politicians have been using labourers for their political benefits.

The organisations should identify good workers in their place and should honour them with awards, he added.

Association president P Ramesh opined that the labourers are deprived of government facilities meant for them, due to lack of information. The labour department should take initiatives in this regard, he said.

Advisor K H Chandrahas inaugurated the formal programme. Association vice president P Vinod, general secretary Charan, former general secretary M G Chandra and A Y Lokesh were present at the programme.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / DH News Service, Ponnampet / May 01st, 2019

Tambukutheera, Kaliyanda win hockey tourneys

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports
Tambukutheera team which won the Highlanders Invited Cup hockey tournament held at General K S Thimayya Stadium in Napoklu
Tambukutheera team which won the Highlanders Invited Cup hockey tournament held at General K S Thimayya Stadium in Napoklu

Tambukutheera won the Highlanders Cup Hockey tournament and Kaliyanda won the Warriors Cup, at Highlanders Invited Cup Hockey tournament and Warriors Champion Cup, held at General K S Thimayya Stadium in Napoklu on Sunday.

In the Highlanders hockey tourney, Tambukutheera notched up a victory against Mukkateera by a score of 2-0. The winning team won a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a trophy while the runners up received Rs 25,000 in cash and a trophy.

In the match, Sukesh scored a goal within the ninth minute of the match. Deepu secured another goal in the 10th minute. In spite of three penalty corners, Mukkateera team could not convert them into goals.

In the Warriors Cup, Kaliyanda edged past Cheppudira by 4-3 in the tiebreaker. Both the teams could not score a goal by fulltime.

Speaking on the occasion, entrepreneur Maleyanda C Nanaiah called upon the people to save nature for the future generation.

MLC Veena Acchaiah, former Hockey players Paradanda Sadananaiah, Areyada Babychinnappa and Cheppudira Cariappa were felicitated.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / by Naina J A / DH News Service, Napoklu / April 28th, 2019

Hockey Brings Joy To Flood-Ravaged Kodava Families

Records, All, Sports

KakkabeHighlandClubKF27sat2019

Terming the decision to drop the traditional Kodava family hockey tournament this year in the wake of last year’s natural calamity that ravaged Kodagu district as a wrong move, Kodagu Press Club President Ajjamada Ramesh Kuttappa has regretted that the 22-year-old record of the tournament has been broken.

The annual Kodava Hockey Festival, which is usually held in the months of April and May every year, was called off for 2019 by Kodava Hockey Academy and Mukkatira family as floods ravaged the district. The month-long tournament was supposed to be hosted by Mukkatira family and was scheduled to be held at Balugodu Kodava Samaja grounds. The hockey festival in 2020 will be hosted by the Mukkatira family followed by Adengada family in 2021.

Kuttappa was speaking as the chief guest at the Invitational Hockey Tournament organised by Kakkabe’s Highland Club for flood-affected families at General K.S. Thimayya Stadium near Napoklu Cheriyaparambu recently.

Regretting that the Kodava Hockey Academy has lost its existence by failing to host Kodava Family Hockey Tournament that was being organised for the past 22 years without a break, he lauded Kakkabe Highland Club for hosting the tournament which has brought some joy to flood-ravaged families.

Kodava Hockey Academy Vice-President Kaliyanda Nanaiah, who spoke after inaugurating the tournament, said that Kodagu is home to hockey festivals and several sports personalities from the district have made a mark in international tournaments.

He thanked the organisers for hosting the tournament for families ravaged by the natural calamity that stuck Kodagu last year. Bhagamandala Bhagandeshwara Temple Committee President Biddatanda Thammaiah and Nadikerianda Tej Poovaiah too spoke. Highland Club President Apparanda Sagar Ganapathy presided. Shambhu Mandappa, Harish Poovaiah, Manu Somaiah, Aruna Baby, Dr. Poovaiah, Raghu Somaiah and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / April 27th, 2019

Kodava families to take part in hockey tourney

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Sports
The ground readied for the hockey tournament at Napoklu.
The ground readied for the hockey tournament at Napoklu.

Highlanders Cup and Warriors Champion Cup Hockey Tournament will be organised by The Highlanders Family Club, at General K S Thimayya Taluk Stadium, at Napoklu from Tuesday.

The hockey tournament will be held between 14 Kodava families from the natural calamity hit villages in Kodagu. The funds raised from the tournament will be handed over to the victims.

The participating families are Naganda, Mandeera, Channapanda, Kalachanda, Tambukutheera, Mallanjeera, Odiyanda, Pasooru, Muddanda, Mukkateera, Chettira, Mandeyanda, Morkanda and Shanthanda.

Six Kodava families—Kaliyanda, Mandepanda, Kandanda, Anjaparavanda, Cheppudira and Areyada families will take part in the Warriors Champion Cup Hockey League.

Talented hockey players will be provided free education at KALS of Gonikoppa, Sai Shankar of Ponnampet, and Vidyashrama institutions in Mysuru.

The hockey tournaments will be held under the guidance of Coorg Hockey Academy Vice President Kaliyanda C Nanaiah, senior player Badakada Deena Poovaiah, commentator Cheppudira Cariappa and national hockey referee Anjaparavanda Sharan Cariappa, said organisers.

The inaugural of the tournament will be presided over by The Highlanders Family Club President Apparanda Sagar. Kodava Hockey Academy Vice President Kaliyanda C Nanaiah, growers Kulletira Shambhu, Apparanda Appayya, Dr Nadikeriyanda Tej Poovaiah, CNC President Nandineravanda Nachappa and others will take part.

The Highlanders Family Club President Apparanda Sagar said that the public can donate through the club to help the natural calamity victims.

The financial assistance will be distributed to the victims on April 24, during the valedictory ceremony.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A / DH News Service, Madikeri / April 22nd, 2019