Category Archives: Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

262 Punches & 262 Kicks in 1 Minute in Karate Puts Kodagu Lad K Rahul into Asian Book of Records

Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sports

Mangaluru: 

He is the new ‘Bruce Lee’ of this tiny Kodagu district which has contributed thousands of warriors, sports personalities to the nation. Keeping its tradition of shining in various fields, a youth has added another feather in the cap of this hilly district by gaining entry into the Asian Book of Records with his karate skills in January 2022, after being entered into the India Book of Records in December 2021. Meet young and dynamic martial arts lad 20-years-old K Rahul, hailing from Virajpet in Madikeri/Kodagu district, who achieved a new feat with a record-making 262 punches and 262 kicks in One Minute in karate. In view of the Covid pandemic, the achievement was recorded online.

Rahul is the first person from the Kodagu district to create such a record. Earlier, Rahul had secured a place in the India Book of Records. The karate tournament in which participants from 18 countries participated, was organised jointly by Dynamic Shotokan Karate Du Association, World Union of Martial Arts Association, World Karate Alliance and Evolution of Karate, in December 2021. Rahul who was very fond of karate since childhood, started practising the art when he was just twelve years old. “A lot of hard work and perseverance for a decade was behind my achievement. I owe my success to my parents who encouraged and supported me in this sport. Everyone has innate talents and they should make good use of them through practising”. said Rahul.

Apart from gaining entry into the Asia Book of Records, Rahul has won many medals at State and national level championships. He won first place in Kata and Kumite division in 2016 in the Karate championship organised by Karate Tues UECHI RYU DO India of Kerala. He strove many years to gain entry into the India Book of Records, where he was issued an identity card, certificate and medal to Rahul. Rahul was trained by karate expert H R Shivappa. In September 2021, he won a gold medal in an international online karate championship competition organised by the World Union of Martial Arts Federation, World Karate Alliance, following which he aimed to gain entry into the Asia Book of Records- and succeeded.

K Rahul seen with his Parents

Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Rahul said, “Karate is not merely a martial art for self-defence, but offers a lot to sportspersons to achieve. Kodagu, the smallest district in the State, has contributed hundreds of sports talents to the country.

Many talented sportspersons have proved their mettle in international and national level sports competitions. Following in the footsteps of all these Kodagu athletes, I was really keen on Martial arts and Athletics. I was so dedicated to karate that at my first Karate tournament in Karate Times Cup 2016, I secured 1st position in Individual Kumite and Kata. Since then I reached greater heights in this Art, winning top places in various Karate tournaments”.

Born to Kumar, who runs a metal shop in Virajpet, and Varalakshmi, a homemaker, Rahul attended St Anne’s Composite High School and is currently enrolled in a pre-university BA programme at Mangalore University.

He enrolled himself in UECHI RYU Karate school at the age of 12. In 2017, he won third place in Karate Times Cup; In 2017, Karate tournament organized by Naga Martial Arts Academy (R) Mysore SHORIJINI-RYU, he won 3rd position and in Kumite 2nd position; he won 2nd position in Kumite in 2018 Karate Times Cup; First place in SEIKO FUKUCHI CUP-2018 SOUTH INDIA in Individual Kata and Kumite; In 2019, in the Karate Times Cup at Kannur he gained 3rd position in Individual Kata and 2nd Position in Team Kata.

In 2019, got 1st place in the BODHIDHARMA JKS INDIA CUP 2K19 WORLD in Kata; In the 5th O.K.A.A OPEN KARATE CHAMPIONSHIP 2019 in Kata, he bagged 3rd Place; In 4th O.K.A.A OPEN KARATE CHAMPIONSHIP 2019 in Kata, he got the 2nd place; In the STATE LEVEL OPEN E-KATA CHAMPIONSHIP-2020 Above 18 years Black Belt, he secured 1st place; the 15TH STATE LEVEL INVITATIONAL KARATE CHAMPIONSHIP Below 70kg Black Belt fetched him the 2nd place and in Above 16 years Black Belt, the 2nd place.

No doubt that Rahul is the new hope for Karate among youth as he has won a series of prizes and his passion for Karate was inspired and supported by his parents in winning many laurels and awards consistently so far. It’s time for other youth to follow in his footsteps and take up Karate or any other sports, and make it big.

Anything or any achievement can happen over Coffee! No doubt the rich bold Coffee of Virajpet/Madikeri consumed by this Kodagu lad has shown some big results in Karate. Team Mangalorean congratulates K Rahul on his superb achievement, and we wish him all the luck in his future Karate talents, so he could enter the Guinness Book of World Records. You Go Boy!

source: http://www.mangalorean.com / Mangalorean / Home> Mangalorean News> Local News / by Alfie Dsouza, Team Mangalorean / February 15th, 2022

Kodagu Original Inhabitants Form Committee For Protection Of Constitutional Rights

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

Madikeri:

 Dr. Mechira Subhash Nanaiah of Murnad has been unanimously elected as the President of Kodagu Moolanivaasigala Samvidhanika Hakku Samrakshana Samithi, a Committee that has come into existence for the protection of Constitutional Rights of Kodagu original inhabitants.

Nanaiah’s election was announced at a meeting of Kodagu Gowda Samajagala Okkoota held at Madikeri on Sunday, which was attended by representatives of various Kodava communities.

The meeting also elected Kodagu Gowda Samajagala Okkoota President Soortale Somanna as the Hon. President of the Samithi.

This apart, senior advocate Padinjharanda G. Ayyappa, who is the President of Kodagu Heggade Samaja, Kodava Muslim Association (KMA) President Duddiyanda H. Soofi, Kodagu Airy Samaja President Babbira Saraswathi and Savita Samaja leader Vedapanda Kiran as the Vice-Presidents of the Samithi.

The meeting also resolved to include representatives of all original inhabitant communities in the Samithi and to evolve plans for launching a movement for reddressal of issues.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / Februrary 04th, 2022

‘Clear encroachments at Keere stream or face protest’

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

The drive on clearing of encroachments at Keere stream which was started in full spirit has remained stagnant for the past two months.

After clearing the encroachment of the bypass road drain, the taluk administration had assured of clearing the encroachment in the Keere stream which is situated in the heart of the town. The sudden stoppage of the operation has given room for speculation.

Two months ago, the encroachment of the bypass road drain was cleared with police security. The structures were razed mercilessly.

The citizens of the town expected a similar operation with the clearing of encroachment in the Keere stream.

However, the expectations were not met as the operation was stalled all of a sudden.

Excavating machines are gathering rust in the banks of the Keere stream for the last two months, it is alleged.

Residents alleged that most of the people among those who have encroached on the Keere stream belong to the ruling party and are influential. Therefore, the officials of the taluk administration have kept silent.

The operation of clearing of encroachments was initiated by Ponnampet taluk in-charge Tahsildar Yogananda. Now, Ponnampet has got a full-time Tahsildar. However, the operation has been stalled now.

“If the encroachments in Keere stream are not cleared, a protest will be staged against the taluk administration,” residents Gangadhar, Purushottam, Fayaz and Ahmed said.

Tahsildar Prashanth said that regarding the clearing of encroachments, the High Court had given time before starting the clearing operation in the Keere stream. The time has lapsed and the operation will be started soon.

Taluk Akrama Sakrama Samiti president K B Girish Ganapathy said that the government land which had been encroached in the town should be cleared as per the law. The taluk administration should take immediate action.

Kaveri Jalamoola Samrakshana Horata Vedike, Gonikoppa, president Pulinjana Poovaiah said that the compound of a private school had encroached on the Keere stream. There were other structures that had been built after encroaching the stream. The encroachments had resulted in flooding of residential areas in the rainy season. Therefore, the encroachments should be cleared.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Gonikoppa / February 14th, 2022

Robin Uthappa Bought By Chennai Super Kings For INR 2 Crores In IPL 2022 Mega Auction

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports
Robin Uthappa Bought By Chennai Super Kings For INR 2 Crores In IPL 2022 Mega Auction

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made their first buy in the IPL 2022 mega auction with Robin Uthappa set to join the franchise after being bought for his base price of INR 2 crore.

Uthappa will return to the squad after being part of the franchise in the previous year, where CSK won their fourth title. Uthappa played a major role in the title victory, scoring 115 runs in four games including a 63 in the knockout stages.

The 36-year-old is one of the most experienced in the league, having played 193 matches in the IPL. He has played for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders, before joining CSK last season.

In 193 matches, he has scored 4722 runs at an average of 27.94 and a strike rate of 130.15. He was a huge factor when KKR won the IPL 2014 title under Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy. CSK will be keen he can replicate his performance from the previous season.

source: http://www.cricketaddictor.com / Cricket Addictor / Home> IPL 2022 News & Updates> IPL News / by Ca Jr. Staff / February 12th, 2022

Arabica coffee price touches all-time high

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, World Opinion
Arabica coffee price touches all-time high
Arabica coffee price touches all-time high 

HIGHLIGHTS

The Arabica Parchment coffee price has soared to an all-time high of Rs 16,200 per 50-kg bag on Thursday, in Somwarpet and Chikamagalur markets.

Madikeri:

The Arabica Parchment coffee price has soared to an all-time high of Rs 16,200 per 50-kg bag on Thursday, in Somwarpet and Chikamagalur markets. A large-scale destruction caused by snowfall to the similar coffee variety in Brazil, the largest producer of the crop, has come as a blessing in disguise for the growers here.

According to traders, normally, this coffee variety commands a price of Rs 10,500 to 11,500. Similarly, the cost of Robusta Parchment has touched Rs 7,600 per bag. The last time when Arabica coffee reached the highest price was in 2014 when it sold at Rs 9,600-Rs 9,800 per bag. The price saw a downward trend and touched Rs 6,000.

The prices of Arabica Cherry and Robusta Cherry have seen a marginal rise in price. They command a price of Rs 7,500-7,600 and Rs 3,800-Rs 4,100 per bag respectively. Growers in Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan are elated over rise in the prices of coffee, despite problems of shortage.

Coffee was bought and exported by the government through the Coffee Board before growers were allowed to sell their produce directly in the open market since 1992, following protests by them.

December to April is the time for coffee harvesting and 90 percent of growers sell the produce before the beginning of the rainy season due to the price fluctuations and lack of warehousing facilities. The total annual coffee production in the country is approximately 3.6 lakh tonnes. Most of the Arabica growers have already sold their produce.

Speaking to The Hans India, a coffee exporter and promoter of AWIT Innovations (P) Ltd in Kushalnagar, Rajiv Kushalappa said that the price fluctuations are likely to increase in the near future due to prevailing international market conditions. According to him, the rise in the price was fallout of crop loss in Brazil following heavy snowfall. Ratan Machaiah, a coffee grower in Gonicoppa, said that the cost of production of coffee has increased significantly in recent years and growers are in a distress.

The wages of labourers, cost of fertilisers, pesticides, etc., have doubled over the past decade, but the price remains the same. The growers are gambling on unpredictable climatic conditions year after year. He has urged the government to support the growers by announcing a special package.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / byCoovercolly Indresh / Hans News Service / February 10th, 2022

Kodava Movie ‘Bheerya’ Title Card Released

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

Madikeri:

In a new trend to the release of movies, the title card of Kodava movie ‘Bheerya’ was released after the shooting, casting and editing works have been completed. The movie is ready to be released on the silver screen.

Makers of this particular movie had initially decided to keep the shooting and other works under wraps. Normally, before any movie is shot, the producers and directors would release the title with much fanfare and gain enough publicity in the media. Likewise, many such movies do not see the light of the day and many times they remain on paper.

 However, ‘Bheerya’ Kodava movie makers decided to go against the flow and completed all the necessary works before launching the title in public. The title release was recently done by noted advocate and President of Bengaluru Kodava Samaja Mukkatira T. Nanaiah.

 The film will be released in April. It has been produced under the banner ‘Thithira Cine Creations’ and has been directed by Balyamederira Aryan Muddappa. The film has been financed and produced by entrepreneur Thithira Sharmili Appachu.

The title ‘Bheerya’ comes with a tagline ‘Badalavanera Boli’ (the light of change) and signifies the martial race of Kodavas who are known for their valour in the war fields all over the world.

The Kodava community has contributed to the Armed Forces in a significant manner and it occupies a pride of place in India’s culture and ethos. The title signifies this spirit, said Sharmili.

Except for minor works including dubbing and other works, the entire process of movie-making has been completed and is ready for release in April, she added. The movie has senior and junior artistes and their names will be released in the due course.

Releasing the title, Nanaiah wished good luck for the movie team and said more and more Kodava movies must hit the screens and this is a way to safeguard and document the unique Kodava culture. Director Aryan Muddappa and Raj Charan of Udupi who played the role of villain in the movie were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 09th, 2022

Tata Open Maharashtra: Bopanna-Ramkumar lift men’s doubles trophy

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

The second-seeded Indians erased the first set deficit to win 6-7(10) 6-3 10-6 in one hour and 44 minutes.

Pune: Indian duo Rohan Bopanna and Ramkumar Ramanathan pose with the trophy after defeating Australia’s Luke Saville and John-Patrick Smith to clinch the title at the Tata Open Maharashtra Tennis Tournament, at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune (source: PTI)

India’s Rohan Bopanna and Ramkumar Ramanathan won their second ATP World Tour title together after pipping the top seeded Australian pair of Luke Saville and John-Patrick Smith in the final of the Tata Open Maharashtra, on Sunday.

The second-seeded Indians erased the first set deficit to win 6-7(10) 6-3 10-6 in one hour and 44 minutes.

Bopanna and Ramkumar had combined as a team on the ATP Tour for the first time at the Adelaide event last month in the run-up to the Australian Open and won the trophy.

For Bopanna, it was his 21st ATP doubles title while for Ramkumar it is his second trophy at this level and it will push him inside doubles top-100 for the first time in his career.

They split USD 16370 as prize money and earned 250 ranking points each.

Bopanna had won this event with compatriot Divij Sharan in 2019.

Still going strong at an age of 41, Bopanna said it’s his years of playing experience that is helping him out in the circuit.

“A lot is to do with experience, which you really bring in, years and years of experience and the biggest thing is my body is feeling very very good at the moment,” Bopanna said after the match.

“I did a lot of yoga which has helped me tremendously and I am very thankful to my Yoga Teacher (Mohan) in Bangalore which has made such a difference for me and I can try something new at this age.

“It has made a difference and that really shows as long as I am playing matches, competing and doing something that is physically appealing. May be at the practice court I may not be giving my 100% but as long as I am feeling good and go out their and enjoying the pace as currently right now.”

Asked to compare the two titles that they have won together, Bopanna said performing before the home crowd was tough while in Adelaide no one watched them.

“Both are extremely special but anytime you win a title at home it’s lot more pressures. In Adelaide no one was really watching, but here there were lot more expectations and especially coming here with a win people expected an automatic win which wasn’t easy but at that tie break the crowd really helped.

“You just get that extra boost, that extra energy. Even if your legs are feeling tiered that’s the energy you need to hit the serve especially for me. Winning in India is always especial and especially with an Indian partner is truly truly great.

Ramkumar said he now wants to play ATP 500 event in Dubai and for that wil try to do well in the the upcoming two Challengers in Bengaluru.

“Let’s see if there is a chance to get in Dubai and hope I can play that,” said the 27-year-old.

Ramkumar said everyone believed in his game and that gave him confidence in this tournament.

“Coming from Bops (Bopanna) who always believes in me, my coaches and every one who have always believe in me and said you play well and that just keeps me going.

“I just have to work on a few thing on court and just keep competing at this level as much as I can which will improve my game and automatically the ranking,” he said.

Big serves marked the beginning of the contest with only Ramkumar and Luke losing a point each in the first four games.

Bopanna’s volley error on a return from Luke made it 30-all in the fifth game but Ramkumar pulled off an ace and followed that up with another huge serve to hold for a 3-2 lead.

The Indian team had got a chance to break Patrick-Smith’s serve in the next game when Luke made an error while attempting an overhead volley at 40-30 but the opportunity could not be utilised as the Australian pulled of a big serve on the deuce point.

The Australians also created break opportunity on Ramkumar’s serve in the ninth game when they found two service return winners and the Indian serving a doubler fault at 40-30 but the home team managed to hold.

A comfortable hold at love by Patrick-Smith made it 5-5.

Eventually a tie-break was required for deciding the first set. Both the teams had a number of set points as the Indians squandered two chances and the Australians three before converting their fourth.

They got the chance when Bopanna made an unforced error at 10-all and Ramkumar netted a forehand on set point.

In the second set, the Indian duo needed a good start and they got it by breaking Luke’s serve in the third game when the Australian made a volley error on deuce point.

Bopanna saved a break chance on his serve in the next game to keep their nose ahead. Patrick-Smith was serving to stay in the set in the ninth game and was broken to allow the Indian team force a Super Tie Breaker.

At 30-all, an engrossing rally ensued between the two pairs. Luke blinked to give Indian first set point which they converted when Bopanna dispatched a volley winner with ease.

Bopanna and Ramkumar dominated the STB to secure the title.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Sports> Tennis / by PTI / February 06th, 2022

Nursing student uses Miss Connecticut Teen USA platform to advocate for mental health, increase representation

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World Opinion

For Nikitha Kikanamada, a sophomore nursing major at Quinnipiac University, the beginning of the spring semester is bittersweet, as it’s her last semester as the titleholder of Miss Connecticut Teen USA.

During her Miss Teen USA interview, Kikanamada wore a Sherwani, a traditional South Asian suit. (Contributed by Nikitha Kikanamada)

Kikanamada will pass down the title to the winner of Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2022 in April, after holding it since June 2021. She has used her platform as the first Indian-American titleholder to increase representation of her South Asian culture, as well as expanding her mental health advocacy.

After being diagnosed with depression and anxiety in 2019, Kikanamada started an Instagram account called More for Myself, where she raises awareness for mental health issues. She also runs an account called The South Asian Segment, where she features the stories of people of South Asian descent to combat stereotypes.

“(Mental health issues are) not something that is talked about in South Asian households,” Kikanamada said. “So to be the face of change for those people who look like me, I’m just so honored.”

In November 2021, Kikanamada took her platform to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she competed in Miss Teen USA. While she did not place in the competition, Kikanamada said she enjoyed the opportunity to represent her home state.

“Even though I didn’t win or even place, I was able to share my story,” Kikanamada said. “And that, in itself, is an achievement.”

As she enters her first college semester that is not simultaneously preoccupied with preparations for her next pageant, Kikanamada said she is looking forward to continuing her education.

“I don’t know if I will be back yet as a Miss,” Kikanamada said. “I hope to, I really do, but it’s a lot. It’s mentally, physically and emotionally a lot. And I just want to focus on myself right now and my career.”

Despite juggling nursing school and preparing for pageants, Kikanamada said her professors have always been supportive and understanding of her situation.

“(Last semester) they were more than happy to accommodate me and everything that I’ve been doing,” Kikanamada said. “They seem very proud of me, which gives me a lot of support.”

Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2021 and Quinnipiac nursing student Nikitha Kikanamada (right) poses with Miss Teen USA 2021 Breanna Myles (left). (Contributed by Nikitha Kikanamada)

Professor of psychology Anne Eisbach taught Kikanamada in a child development psychology course during the fall. She said she enjoyed learning about Kikanamada’s efforts as titleholder. 

“It was clear to me that she was strongly committed to her responsibilities both as a student and a titleholder – and I was impressed with how she balanced both roles,” Eisbach said. “… As a professor, I always encourage my students to broaden their education beyond the classroom and so I was happy to support Nikitha as she was able to make this happen!”

Before being named Miss Connecticut Teen USA, Kikanamada also held the titles of Miss South Windsor Teen USA 2020 and Miss Teen India Connecticut 2018. She first entered the pageant industry at eight years old, when her mom enrolled her in modeling and acting classes.

“She always told me, ‘I just saw something in you,’” Kikanamada said. 

After modeling, acting and dancing for several years, Kikanamada entered pageants through the National American Miss organization, a program for girls ages 4-20. Through NAM, Kikanamada participated in competitions for preteen titles throughout the Northeast. 

In high school, Kikanamada went on to win Miss Teen India Connecticut, her first major pageant title. Kikanamada said her time as the titleholder for Miss Teen India Connecticut piqued her interest in the opportunity to represent her Indian heritage on a larger scale. 

“I was able to take my culture and my background and something I love, which is pageants, and in ways mix them into one, which was really amazing,” Kikanamada said.

In 2019, Kikanamada had another opportunity to represent her culture when she competed for Miss Connecticut Teen USA. After not placing in the competition, Kikanamada decided to move on from pageants and focus on finishing high school and pursuing college. Then, when she received a letter in the mail asking her to come back to compete in Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2020, she decided she wanted to give it one more shot.

“I wasn’t going to (compete again), I really wasn’t,” Kikanamada said. “I begged my mom to let me be coached — usually girls get coached for their local pageants, (but) I’ve never been coached before, until I reached out to the coaches that sponsored (the previous) year.”

Kikanamada joined KP Consulting, where she has multiple coaches that help her prepare for competitions.

“I love them so much,” Kikanamada said. “They truly just helped me be who I am today. They helped me find a purpose in my life.” 

Kaet Parent, one of Kikanamada’s coaches, said her preparation for Miss Connecticut Teen USA was challenging as it was plagued by uncertainty — the pageant was postponed multiple times due to the pandemic.

“Nikitha was on top of everything, no matter how frustrating anything was in terms of COVID impacting the dates being changed, a lot of uncertainty, she just remained diligent,” Parent said. “She had a goal and her goal was to win, and nothing was gonna get in her way.”

Beyond coaching, Parent said she has valued getting to know Kikanamada on a personal level, calling her “special and incredible.”

“Nikitha just has this fire inside of her that is so special,” Parent said. “… I think that is something that anyone around her, not even talking in the world of pageants, but anyone around her — friends or family professors — they see that and I think that is something that people latch onto.”

source: http://www.quchronicle.com / The Quinnipiac Chronicle / Home> Featured> Features> News / by Melina Khan, News Editor / February 03rd, 2022

Singles players competing in doubles format is good for game: Rohan Bopanna

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

Bopanna is set to compete at the Tata Open Maharashtra with compatriot Ramkumar Ramanathan.

Rammukar Ramanathan and Rohan Bopanna in action (Twitter/tennisfi)

Veteran Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna says the presence of singles players in the doubles draws, in a way, is good for the sport as they draw more fans into the stadiums and that goes a long way in promoting the doubles format.

The sport lives on the superior, physically and mentally demanding singles style but at the same time the doubles format is also getting tougher by the day because when the top singles player unleash their high-quality game, it makes the doubles matches more interesting, tough and tricky.

When only the doubles rankings were considered for entries, the format was even for its exponents. But acceptance of singles rankings has brought top players and established stars in the fray, making it difficult for doubles player to sustain.

Bopanna said it can’t be said in certain terms if it’s good or bad but presence of singles players does have an advantage.

“That’s a catch 22 situation, talking about it,” Bopanna said when he was asked if it wasn’t better if only doubles specialists play this format.

“Lot of singles player?s do play doubles to improve their game. (Denis) Shapovalov (Bopanna’s partner) is somebody who enjoys playing doubles and simultaneously he is also learning so much, whether it’s his accuracy on returns, his volleys, or returns, which helps him so much in the singles.

“Today, I know cut offs of all the tournament get tougher and tougher because a lot of (singles) guys are playing doubles.

“It will be great for doubles players if the rules go back in the day when it was only the doubles ranking but that’s not really going to change. That’s why sustaining the ranking by playing at the highest level is very important, otherwise it is tough get into 500s and 1000s.

“In a way, having singles players you have lot of people watching (the game). At the end of the day, doubles is also getting promoted, so this is catch 22 situation, not sure whether you have them there, or have only doubles players with doubles rankings.”

Bopanna is set to compete at the Tata Open Maharashtra with compatriot Ramkumar Ramanathan.

There have been debates in past on this issue when doubles players felt that singles players are eating into their share. For singles players, playing doubles gives them good practice and match sharpness but the doubles players’ survival depends only on this format.

Recently, India’s Arjun Kadhe said he has decided to focus more on doubles and top singles player Yuki Bhambari also said he would actively compete in the doubles format.

Bopanna, 41, said the key for them would be to keep their rankings high.

“Even if you are taking the doubles route, it is extremely difficult. There is no guarantee it is easier route.

“Having played for so many years, (I know) it’s about sustaining for years and years and that’s the key. In the men’s doubles, I was the only one playing at the Grand Slams, we have so many wonderful players. Keeping ranking high, day in and day out is the key.

“It’s a good opportunity for Yuki and Arjun, if they are taking that route to try and do well in the circuit, but it’s not just about playing.”

Bopanna hoped that some young players will take the baton from the current generation.

“I know there’s a gap from the guys who playing like Ram or Sumit, Praj. Having said that there are more Challengers (in India). It will take a few years but there are talented youngsters in India who need to get chance in India and get their ranking high enough.”

Bopanna, the winner of a mixed doubled Grand Slam Trophy, said India does need an ATP 250 event on its circuit along with Challengers and ITF Futures.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Sports> Tennis / by PTI / February 01st, 2022

Kodagu to get an international cricket stadium

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

Sports enthusiasts have expressed their joy as ‘bhumi puja’ was performed on the 12.70 acres of land dedicated to the stadium.

Representative image. Credit: Unsplash Photo

The dream of having an international cricket stadium in Kodagu will be fulfilled, as the bottleneck regarding the crematorium land has been solved.

Sports enthusiasts have expressed their joy as ‘bhumi puja’ was performed on the 12.70 acres of land dedicated to the stadium in Palemadu near Hoddur.

Even as Kodagu has been acclaimed as the sports district, there has always been a dearth of facilities for sports, such as the state-of-the-art stadiums. Even though there are stadiums, there are no facilities.

Budding sports persons and sports lovers often complain about the lack of amenities at the turf hockey ground.

The State Cricket Association has initiated work towards the construction of the cricket stadium. Association district convener Prithvi Devaiah said that the stadium, equipped with modern facilities, will encourage the budding cricketers in the district.

The association had planned to construct the stadium in 2015. However, the villagers of Palemadu posed objection as the proposed land was the crematorium. The villagers said that the tombs of their ancestors lie in the land and the stadium cannot be constructed on that.

Despite holding several meetings, the stakeholders were unable to arrive at a common conclusion, and the work remained stagnant after levelling of the land.

However, the issue was resolved amicably during mediation talks initiated by Deputy Commissioner Dr B C Sateesha.

The district administration has assured that a one-acre land from the existing crematorium and another acre land near Palemadu village, a total of two acres, will be sanctioned to the villagers. Also, the State Cricket Association has assured of adopting a village for the development. Only local labourers will be deployed for the construction work of the stadium.

Nirnanappa, who has been representing Palemadu villagers in their fights towards the crematorium land, said that some officials who had come to conduct the survey of the land, have created confusion by stating that the villagers are entitled to get only one-acre land while it was told during the mediation talks that a villager will be getting two acres of land for the crematorium.

Severe fights will be carried out if the assurance is not fulfilled, he said.

The Bhumi Puja, towards the cricket stadium, was held in the presence of the DC, Superintendent of Police Kshama Mishra, Assistant Commissioner Ishwar Kumar Kandoo, State Cricket Association Managing Committee member Shanti Swaroop and district convener Prithvi Devaiah.

The budget for building the stadium is Rs 50 crore and will comprise an indoor stadium, restaurant, swimming pool, gymnasium and air conditioned rooms and gallery.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Karnataka Districts / by Adithya K A, DHNS, Madikeri / January 11th, 2022