India’s former penalty corner specialist Len Aiyappa is in town to help the Project 2013 squad players improve on their penalty corner drag flicks.
The 34-year-old Len, of Bangalore, was one of the top penalty corner drag flickers in the world during his playing days from 1999 to 2005.
Len also trained the Spain National Under-21 drag flickers in 2010 and was also attached to Italian clubs for four years from 2007.
The defender, who plays for Air India in the Indian League, was also the top scorer in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) for three consecutive years in 2003, 2004 and 2005 – and for three different clubs (Ernst & Young, Bank Simpanan Nasional and Telekom respectively).
He was the last foreign player to win the MHL top scorer’s award in 2006.
Len, who arrived here on Wednesday, said that he was more than happy to help the Project squad drag flickers prepare for the Junior World Cup in Chandigarh, India, in December.
“Penalty corners are crucial during matches … a good drag flicker can help his team win matches. I am here to help fine-tune their flicks so that they are accurate and powerful,” said Len, who will be here for 12 days.
The five drag flickers in the Project squad are Mohd Shahril Saabah, Mohd Nor Aqmal Abdul Ghaffar, G. Kavin Kartik, Mohd Zulhairi Hashim and Mohd Aminudin Mohd Zain.
Len said he would return to KL “another four of five times” to train the Project squad drag flickers.
“My aim is to produce a good drag flicker for Malaysia for the Junior World Cup in December,” said Len.
Project squad coach K. Dharmaraj believes that Len is the perfect choice to guide and turn his youngsters into deadly penalty corner flickers.
source: http://www.thestar.com.my / The Star Online, Malaysia / Home> Sports / Friday, May 17th, 2013
Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna — File Photo Bengaluru:
Indian tennis is playing out like a long-running soap opera.
Seasons have rolled by but the central characters have remained the same and so has the plot. A power-hungry negative but central character in the form of the All India Tennis Association and a group of protagonists, who although united in the cause of the sport, have for long differed in their opinions.
But come April 6, we could witness the end of the opera which in turn could usher a new beginning for the sport, which has a strong following in the country.
This Saturday, the newly-formed Indian Tennis Players’ Association will hold its first Annual General Body meeting in Bengaluru, following its launch in February.
The ITPA, by itself, is a model for sportspersons in the country who for long have been ruled by the whims and fancies of federation honchos, for most of whom players’ welfare is a very low priority.
Although the ITPA came into existence last month, the indications to the effect have been around for a while now. Until recently, unity was never a strong point of Indian tennis. Internal bickering and ego clashes have always been a part of the sport’s culture.
Last year, when Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna took on the men, who wield power and supposedly know what is best for the sport in the run-up to the London Olympics, a significant glimpse of unity in times of crisis proved to be shining beacon.
The next show of strength came when 11 players made themselves unavailable for the Davis Cup tie against Korea after the AITA chose not to take up the players’ suggestions.
The players are back in the fold, on their terms, and determined to bring about a positive change in the tennis scene in the county. But they take pains to maintain that they are not a rival body to the AITA, but a “forum for the players, by the players.”
Speaking about the players’ unity, one of the primary factors behind the formation of the ITPA, India’s singles ace Somdev Devvaraman said, “All the players are sticking together and that’s a positive sign and it’s not going to change anytime soon. It’s very evident to all of us that we are doing what is correct and what is right for the sport in the country.
“We are always going to support each other. It’s rare and it’s a beautiful group to be a part of,” said the undisputed leader of the young generation.
The 28-year-old pro, who is on a comeback trail, further stated, “It’s our right to voice our opinion, India is a free country where people have always voiced their opinion if we don’t like it, we’ll say it. That’s the way I have been brought up.”
While AITA may beg to differ, Bhupathi rightly points out that they have only the interest of sport in mind. “What we are trying to do is call for better process in tennis and make it a better sport for everyone.”
All these players show passion and commitment on the court and it’s no surprise the same comes out when they speak of the way forward for Indian tennis.
“The ultimate thing is a lot of players who have played in the past and most of the present players are all on the same page. One thing is for sure, all of us want the exact same thing as an outcome. We just want the best for the players and for the future of the game. I think all of us are tennis enthusiasts, and we just want the best for it,” said the strappy Somdev.
A new beginning beckons Indian tennis, and the fact that the ushers are men and women who are passionate about the sport may well bring the bang back into Indian tennis. We will have the AGM on Saturday. Trust me, we are going to be there in full force supporting the team during the Davis Cup tie and we will be there in full force to make sure what changes we set out to do in Indian tennis happens.”
Mahesh Bhupathi “I’m glad the ITPA is formed and I’m looking forward to the first meeting. It is great to have a platform where people who are truly connected to the sport have a chance to discuss the future and identity the best way forward for the sport.”
Modelled around the ATP (the Association of Tennis Professionals), the ITPA, a Section 25 Company, a non-profit association, is a body floated as a platform to represent the professional interests of tennis players across the country.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Sports> Tennis / by Manjula Veerappa / DC / March 31st, 2013
Star Indian shuttlers lit up the hall as they walked the ramp in a gala opening ceremony here on the eve of the India Open.
Displaying designer clothes, Parupalli Kashyap, Jwala Gutta, Ashwini Ponnappa, P.V. Sindhu, Pullela Gopichand and Saina Nehwal took to the ramp Monday night as the entire Indian badminton contingent cheered them on. Olympian Kashyap got the loudest cheer from his fellow players.
Shuttlers who played in the London Olympics were felicitated and presented with prize money as had been promised by the Badminton Association of India (BAI).
Saina got Rs.25 lakh for winning the bronze medal in London last year. Women’s doubles specialists Jwala and Ashwini got Rs.2.5 lakh while Jwala’s mixed doubles partner V. Diju was awarded Rs.1 lakh.
source: http://www.vancouverdesi.com / Vancouver Desi.com / Home> Sports / by IANS / New Delhi, April 23rd, 2013
Anjaparavanda family team outdid the Palanganada family by two goals to lift the 17th Kodava Hockey Cup. The runners-up bagged a fourth consecutive win.
The match was spectacular as Anjaparavanda’s goal keeper was former Olympian and present Hockey India-Karnataka secretary A B Subbaiah, while the Palanganda team was represented by Amar Aiyyamma, an international player.
The winners received Rs 1 lakh and a trophy, while the runners-up received `75,000. Anjaparavanda team won for the second consecutive time after 2008. “We expected to win the finals this time too and we played well. We were confident as we won thrice in a row, but luck was not in our favour,” rued Palangada team captain Ajay Aiyyappa.
“It is up to the leader to plan and take the team ahead. We played well and it brought us the cup,” said Anjarapanvanda captain Sherry.
The 18th edition of the Kodava Family Hockey will be held in Balgodu, as the Thathanda family accepted the Kodava Hockey Academy’s Flag at the valedictory function from tournament president T Pratap, while other families received the flag from Kodava Hockey Academy chairman P Kuttappa. The finals were played in Kodava Heritage centre grounds Balugodu in Virajpet on Sunday.
‘Will Continue to Support Family Cup’
MLC M C Nanaiah urged the Kodava families to conduct the tournament in Balugodu since it is a heavy investment to conduct the tournament in different places every year. Kodagu has produced 62 international hockey players and will continue the tradition in the future too, he said.
MLA K G Bopaiah said that in the past five years, special grants were released for the Kodava Hockey festival through the BJP. “The new government will continue to provide grants on my recommendations,” he said and added that a proposal has been submitted to set up a synthetic turf ground in Balugodu.
P Dilip Cariappa and B Poonacha participated in the body building show, while the Coorg Sports Management team performed South African music and Kolata which enthralled the large gathering.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service – Madikeri / May 14th, 2013
The event saw actors and celebrities like Prajna, Surabhi, Harshika Poonacha, Bhuvan Ponannaa Ramesh, Aravind and Ajai Rao in attendance
Taking fashion and glamour into a whole new level, actress Harshika Poonacha and actor Bhuvaan Ponannaa launched their dream company — GlamGod Fashions and Events, which specialises in every aspect of fashion, modelling, films and glamour.
A huge bunch of actors and celebrities including actors Ramesh Aravind, Ajai Rao, Prajna, Surabhi, Indian idol winner Sriram, director AMR Ramesh were present during the launch.
Harshika was on top of the world, attired in a red dress along with celebrity director Bhuvaan Ponannaa, as both welcomed everyone with open arms and posed for the shutterbugs.
“While acting is still a part of me, I wanted to branch out and try out new things. The opportunity came my way when Bhuvaan told me about his plans of starting an international fashion agency,” says Harshika.
She added, “Through our company, we plan to promote young talent in fashion industry and films and give them a platform to showcase their art on an international platform using our tie-ups with agencies overseas. I remember when we entered the industry, both of us had no background in films and we took every day as it came. So I want to give something back. With this launch, I hope to do just that.”
The guests and her team surprised Harshika by getting a cake on her birthday. The actress played along when they smeared the cake on her face.
“It was the best birthday I ever had, not only because I could celebrate it with people whom I love, but also because I have entered a new phase of my life,” she said.
The evening also had an exclusive fashion show choreographed by Braveem Thamaya where international designer Reshma Kunhi showcased her spring summer collection.
The show saw models dressed in ethnic clothes like long kurtas, sherwanis and dhotis in bright summer colours along with Indo-western attires like kurtis, smart jackets and pants.
With only ten unique creations on the ramp, the audience were left craving for more. “Our main motto is to simplify fashion and provide opportunity to all the budding talents in the city and subsequently all over India.
The focus will not only be on clothes, but on hairstyle, make up, choreography and also on the quality of models. There is a huge demand for Indian models overseas and our company will bridge that gap.
All newcomers and freshers can sign up with our agency at no cost and the deserving will be selected and groomed for free and subsequently be used for commercial events and films all over the world,” said Bhuvaan Ponannaa, the director of the company.
The evening saw the celebrities let their hair down at Tango Calypso as they wished the best to both the directors and their team.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Express Features – Bangalore / May 13th, 2013
The Kudekal Gowda family team won the Kattemane Cricket Jambara-2013 in the finals held on Sunday at General Thimmayya Stadium in Madikeri.
The final match was between Kudekal and Panathale teams, where the former lost the toss and was asked to bat first. The Kudekal team scored 91 runs for a loss of seven wickets. In response, the Panathale team could score only 81 runs for a loss of nine wickets.
Kodagu Gowda Cultural Academy office bearers, Kodagu Gowda Yuva Vedike and Kattemane family conducted the tournament for 14 days. The winners received awards and cash prize of `30,000 and the runners-up received `20,000.
In a tug-of-war was held for the family members and the women’s team of Karnaiyyana family emerged winners, defeating the Uluvarana team. In the men’s section, Pookulandra team won against the Kattemane family.
source:http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service – Madikeri / May 14th, 2013
Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy President Addanda C. Cariappa is seen receiving the National Bhasha Samman award from Sahitya Academy President at a function held in Shillong yesterday. Shillong (Meghalaya):
The Kodava language, despite not having a script of its own, has grown over the past few decades and deserves to be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, opined Addanda C. Cariappa, President of Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy.
He was speaking after receiving the Bhasha Samman national award instituted by the Sahitya Academy at U Soso Tham Auditorium here yesterday. The award was presented to him in recognition of his services towards Kodava language through drama, literature and journalism over the past few decades.
The awards were presented by Academy President Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari. Meghalaya State Urban Development Minister M. Ampareen Lyngdoh was present.
The five others honoured by the Academy are — Narayan Chandra Goswami of Assam, Hasu Yajnik of Gujarat, Tabu Ram Taid of Assam, Sondar Singh Majaw of Meghalaya and late Mandira Jaya Appanna (posthumously).
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / May 14th, 2013
Ajai Appachu started his winning streak in competitive riding in 1996. | EPS
For the son of an army man, taking to tough sports and adventure is second nature. Coorg lad Ajai Appachu is no different. Being based in Bangalore, Ajai was attracted to horse riding and took to equestrian events like ducks to water in 1995. He took part in local events and then graduated to bigger events. He started his winning streak in competitive riding in 1996 when he was adjudged the best rider in the zonal championships at Kolkata.
There has been no looking back for Ajai, whose parents Maj Gen Cheppudira Jai Appachu and Gita, have given him all encouragement and opportunities to excel in it.
A truly gifted rider and an extremely successful instructor, Ajai has won innumerable equestrian accolades in India, South Africa and Australia in every field of equestrian sport, whether dressage, show jumping or eventing.
Ajai has been trained under world-class instructors and is now the guiding force behind the Embassy International Riding School competition yard.
His students reflect his ability and the EIRS team for the Junior National Equestrian Championship is a force to reckon with, having achieved the highest medal tally at national level since 2003. The young rider has a long list of achievements under his belt.
Just sample this:
*Won the Individual Gold (1.30 mt) at the recently held KRA Cup, Seoul, South Korea. Also, won the Team Silver for Jumping.
* Qualified for the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in the year 2010.
* Won FEI World Jumping challenge Category A in Meerut (2011).
* Won the FEI World dressage challenge held at Embassy International Riding School in 2008.
* Won Team Gold in show jumping at the Junior International (1999)
* Best Rider at the Tollygunj Horse Show (1997-98)
* Junior National Champion at Bangalore (1998)
* Represented India in South Africa where the team won a gold and three bronze medals
* Represented India for the 4th time in the International Tent Pegging meet (2000)
* Won the gold in the Lance and silver in the Team Sword events.
Ajai’s recent success in the World meet has given him immense confidence “I will be participating in a eventing meet in Germany.
My target is the 2016 Olympic Games,” said Ajai, for whom, his mentor and coach Maj Ahluwalia is the know-all and be-all of equestrian.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by S. S. Shreekumar / ENS – Bangalore / July 06th, 2012
Agarwood trees grown in Dakshina Kannada | Express Photo
Plantation and coffee estate owners in Kodagu, Hassan, Chikmagalur and Dakshina Kannada finally have a reason to cheer despite the decreasing prices of their produce.
For the last five to six years, a wonder plant agarwood has replaced the conventional silver oak in many coffee estates bringing handsome dividends to growers.
Agarwood is a high value commercial crop which is in great demand in national and international markets.
The tree is used to make ittar (natural perfume oil) and perfume.
The outer part of the stem, which is of low quality is used to make incense sticks and in paper manufacturing industries.
An agarwood sapling is easy to grow as its maintenance is inexpensive and it gives yield in eight years.
Traditionally, almost all coffee growers in India plant silver oaks as an intercrop providing shade to other plants. Recently, coffee plantations in Western Ghats and Malnad region have started planting agarwood. The origin of the tree can be traced to the evergreen forests of Southeast Asia.
Agarwood was first introduced in South India by Vanadurgi Agarwood India Limited (VAIL) which was formed with its shares distributed among planters, promoters and Vanadurgi Flavours and Extracts (P) Limited.
The company is exclusively involved in the planting, processing and marketing of agarwood.
VAIL Managing Director K N Dharmendra Kumar told Express that the company has distributed more than one million agarwood saplings to 5,000 plus growers across eight districts in Malnad region.
The company has entered into a buy-back agreement with farmers to provide good seedlings, technical guidance, artificial inoculation, setting up of processing units and purchase of their inventories.
He said that 150 to 200 agarwood trees can be planted in one acre plot of coffee, arecanut or coconut plantation.
Anil Ponnappa, a progressive coffee planter in Madapura said he has planted 600 agarwood trees supplied by VAIL in his coffee estate. Another agarwood grower N Vishwanath in Sagar, Shimoga district said he has planted 15,000 saplings on his dry land a year ago. “Agarwood is a good alternative to other crops whose prices are falling these days,” he added.
Agarwood is costlier than sandalwood in the international market as it is in great demand in Gulf countries.
A sandalwood tree takes at least 25-30 years to fully grow while an agarwood takes tree takes only 8-15 years.
The inner stem (resinous) of agarwood is valued at `10,000 per kg while agarwood oil costs Rs 10 lakh per kg in the international market. Agarwood is priced according to the density of wood, resin, purity, aroma and colour.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Coovercolly Indresh / ENS – Somwarpet / December 02nd, 2012
Rohit Kuttappa was a budding bowler who played first division cricket in Chennai for over eight years. But a knee injury during six years ago led him to take up cycling as a part of the rehab programme which later sowed the seeds of an entrepreneur in him.
What started as a personal exercise became a group activity and later bloomed into a sports management company in 2009. “Initially, my brother, a college-mate and I used to cycle as a part of my fitness regime every weekend,“ recalls the 27 year-old who did his Master’s in economics from Loyola College in Chennai.
This attracted a lot of queries which later became a cycling group on Facebook called Chain Reaxion.
“But when the group of four grew to 150, we saw a business opportunity that could also activate people to take up cycling as a sport,“ reveals the first generation entrepreneur hail ing from a coffee planter family in Coorg.
“There was no motive to set up a structured business team and I had always wanted to do something with sports and when corporates as TI cycles approached us to host cycling events, we floated a fullfledged sports management firm,” adds the MD of CRX Sports Ventures.
Today, CRX hosts all major cycling events in the city including the 2013 Chennai Cycling event that saw about 4,700 people participating and even the 2012 International BMX tour of India that saw riders from across the globe joining.
Impelled by the success that came its way through the Internet and following queries from clients on helping them choose the right kind of bikes, CRX now has added two web portals to its portfolio — choosemybike.com and choosemybicycle.com.
“The idea is to promote a user-driven review portal which could also service corporates providing consumer insights,” says Rohit who completed his part-time MBA in marketing alongside.
Cricket and cycling apart, CRX is also focused on hockey and conducted the World’s largest hockey tournament in Coorg in 2012 that saw 220 local Kodava team taking part.
“It’s time to do something for our national game,” says Rohit who is now training for the first division league of Chennai Hockey Association.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Business/Tech / by K. Sreedevi, DC / May 07th, 2013
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