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Category: Others

Indian Chess Federation Unveils Ambitious Action Plan to Transform the Game

Indian Chess Federation Unveils Ambitious Action Plan to Transform the Game

By May 10, 2024 0

Indian chess is experiencing a surge of excitement and optimism. With a 17-year-old Grandmaster poised to challenge for the world championship and a new leadership team at the All India Chess Federation (AICF), the future looks bright.

AICF President Nitin Narang has unveiled an ambitious ₹65 crore action plan, outlining measures to support players, enhance infrastructure, and promote the game at the grassroots level. The plan includes cash rewards for top players, contracts for age-group players, and the establishment of 20 online academies to provide coaching to promising young talents.

Narang emphasizes the importance of sustainability and transparency in the federation’s operations. He has secured funding commitments from several partners and plans to increase revenue through initiatives such as a national rating system and a unified registration process.

The AICF is also exploring the possibility of hosting the Gukesh vs Ding Liren World Chess Championship in India later this year. Narang acknowledges the challenges involved but remains optimistic about securing the bid.

To address the need for qualified coaches, the AICF will implement a “Train the Trainers” program. The federation also plans to incentivize chess content creators to promote the game and inspire aspiring players.

Narang recognizes the importance of supporting women in chess and has introduced several initiatives, including increased representation in arbitration and expanded events under the “Smart Girl” program.

The AICF’s focus on grassroots development includes the establishment of district-level academies and a robust policy framework to ensure the proper training and support of young players.

Narang emphasizes the need for an active and responsive federation that listens to stakeholders and addresses their concerns. He encourages feedback and ideas to enhance the action plan and build a sustainable and thriving chess ecosystem in India.

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Indian Shooters Resume Olympic Trials in Bhopal for Paris Berths

Indian Shooters Resume Olympic Trials in Bhopal for Paris Berths

By May 10, 2024 0

Indian Shooters Gear Up for Paris Olympic Trials in Bhopal

The Indian shooting contingent is set to resume their quest for Olympic glory as the third and fourth Olympic Selection Trials (OST) commence in Bhopal on Saturday. With 16 Paris quota places secured in pistol and rifle events, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) is conducting trials among the top five shooters in each event to determine the squad for the Games.

In shooting, Olympic quotas are earned for the country, but individual shooters must prove their worth in selection trials to secure their berths in Paris. The top two shooters in each event, based on the average of their best three trial scores out of four, will represent India at the Olympics.

The first two trials were held in New Delhi last month, and the MP State Shooting Academy in Bhopal will host the remaining trials over the next nine days. The opening day will feature the men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol and women’s 25m pistol T3 qualification rounds, with the finals scheduled for Sunday.

A total of 16 matches across eight Olympic rifle and pistol individual events will be held, culminating in the men’s and women’s 10m air rifle T4 finals on May 19. Three women shooters, Olympian Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh, and Rhythm Sangwan, are vying for multiple events, including the 25m sport pistol and 10m air pistol.

Among the favorites in the men’s rapid-fire pistol event are Anish Bhanwala and Vijayveer Sidhu, who hold quota places and have performed well in the first two trials. In the 25m sport pistol, Manu and Esha have emerged as strong contenders after the initial trials.

Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Ashi Chouksey will renew their rivalry for Olympic spots in the men’s and women’s 50m rifle 3 positions, respectively.

The trials will be a crucial test for the Indian shooters as they aim to secure their places in the Paris Olympic squad. With the competition expected to be intense, the top performers will have the opportunity to represent their country on the world’s biggest sporting stage.

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Praggnanandhaa Stresses Need for Corporate Sponsors in Chess

Praggnanandhaa Stresses Need for Corporate Sponsors in Chess

By May 10, 2024 0

Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa, who recently made history as the youngest player to compete in the FIDE Candidates Tournament, has emphasized the crucial role of corporate sponsors in the sport. Despite the perception of chess as an inexpensive pursuit, Praggnanandhaa highlights the significant financial burden associated with training and competing at the highest levels.

Praggnanandhaa, who recently entered into a long-term sponsorship agreement with the Adani Group, expressed his gratitude for their support. He explained that chess training involves extensive travel, equipment, and coaching, making it a costly endeavor. The Adani Group’s sponsorship has alleviated the financial pressure on Praggnanandhaa and his family, allowing him to focus solely on his chess development.

The 18-year-old Grandmaster is currently participating in the Rapid and Blitz tournament in Poland, which marks the start of a packed schedule for him. He is set to compete in the Grand Chess Tour, including the Superbet Romania classical tournament, the Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz, and the Sinquefield Cup. Praggnanandhaa is also excited to participate in the Norway Chess and the Real Masters in Switzerland.

Praggnanandhaa acknowledges that his success is not solely due to his talent but also to the unwavering support of his family and sponsors. He emphasizes the importance of corporate sponsors like the Adani Group in fostering the growth of sports and providing financial assistance to athletes.

To maintain his peak performance, Praggnanandhaa follows a rigorous physical and mental regimen. He engages in physical sports, such as badminton and beach volleyball, to keep his body and mind sharp. He also undergoes extensive chess training, including opening preparation and calculation exercises.

Praggnanandhaa’s journey serves as a testament to the challenges and rewards of pursuing a career in chess. With the support of sponsors and a dedicated training regimen, he continues to push the boundaries of the sport and inspire young chess enthusiasts worldwide.

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India Unveils World Pickleball League, Boosting Racquet Sports Hub Status

India Unveils World Pickleball League, Boosting Racquet Sports Hub Status

By May 10, 2024 0

India’s burgeoning reputation as a potential racquet sports hub is poised to receive a significant boost with the launch of the World Pickleball League (WPBL), the first-ever professional pickleball league. This groundbreaking initiative is the brainchild of Natekar Sports and Gaming (NSG), led by former Davis Cup tennis star and Arjuna Awardee Gaurav Natekar, in collaboration with Sony Entertainment Talent Ventures India (SETVI).

Pickleball, a captivating racquet sport that seamlessly blends elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton, has garnered immense popularity worldwide. Recognizing its immense potential, Natekar, leveraging his three decades of experience in the sports industry, expressed his pride in unveiling the inaugural global professional pickleball league in India. He emphasized the sport’s accessibility, stating, “Its easy-to-learn-and-play nature, coupled with its age and gender inclusivity, makes it the ideal sport for people to come out and play, thereby democratizing sports participation like never before.”

The inaugural edition of the league will feature six franchises vying for the coveted title. Each team will comprise five to eight players, including international stars. Notably, the league mandates teams to include Indian and junior players, providing them with an invaluable opportunity to interact and learn from the world’s best.

Arvind Prabhoo, President of the All India Pickleball Federation and International Pickleball Federation, hailed the professional pickleball league as a transformative initiative for the sport in India. He expressed confidence that this league would propel the growth of pickleball, bringing it closer to the target of engaging one million players nationwide within the next five years.

Currently played in over 80 countries, pickleball has gained significant traction in the Asia Pacific region, with India emerging as a promising hub. Over the past few years, the sport has witnessed a steady rise in popularity, with over 30,000 amateur players and 8000 registered players across 18 states actively participating. Its compact space requirements and accessibility for individuals of all ages, from seven to 70, have contributed to its widespread appeal as both a recreational and competitive sport.

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Neeraj Chopra Begins Season at Doha Diamond League, Aims for 90m Barrier

Neeraj Chopra Begins Season at Doha Diamond League, Aims for 90m Barrier

By May 10, 2024 0

Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic and world javelin champion, will kick off his season at the Doha Diamond League 2024 on Friday at the Qatar Sports Club. Joining him will be fellow Indian Kishore Jena, who will also make his Diamond League debut.

Both athletes have already secured their spots at the Paris Olympics. They last competed at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, where Jena won silver and Chopra took gold. Chopra is the only Indian athlete to have won a Diamond League title, which he achieved in Zurich in 2022. He lost the title last year to Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch, who is also competing this year and won silver at the Tokyo Olympics.

Chopra is aiming to break the 90-meter barrier. “I’ve been training well and have had some good throwing sessions leading up to this event,” he said. “I’m in form, but I don’t know…there are three throwers over 90m. I’m still not there.”

Vadlejch has a personal best of 90.88m, while Anderson Peters has a personal best of 93.07m and Julius Yego boasts 92.72m. “I’m stuck between 88 and 90m. But I really want to break this barrier. Maybe tomorrow, it will be good,” Chopra said.

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Jyothi Yarraji Wins Gold in Season-Opening 100m Hurdles

Jyothi Yarraji Wins Gold in Season-Opening 100m Hurdles

By May 9, 2024 0

National record holder Jyothi Yarraji has made a triumphant start to her outdoor season, claiming gold in the 100m hurdles at the Harry Schulting Games in Vught, the Netherlands. The 24-year-old clocked a time of 12.87 seconds, her fourth career best, to secure victory in the World Athletics category E event.

Yarraji’s performance is a testament to her consistent progress and unwavering determination. Last year, she made history by winning a silver medal in the 100m hurdles at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Her impressive display in Vught suggests that she is well on track to qualify for the Paris Olympics, even though she has yet to meet the qualifying standard of 12.77 seconds.

Currently ranked 26th on the World Athletics Road to Paris list, Yarraji is poised to secure a spot in the Olympic field through world rankings. Only 25 athletes will qualify for the women’s 100m hurdles in Paris based on entry standard, while 15 will earn their place through world rankings.

Yarraji’s national record stands at 12.78 seconds, a mark she set during the World University Games last year. Her versatility was evident in February when she claimed gold in the 60m hurdles at the Asian Indoor Championships in Tehran.

Yarraji’s success is a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes in India and around the world. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and her ability to overcome challenges serve as a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

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Bajrang Punia Suspended by UWW for Anti-Doping Violation

Bajrang Punia Suspended by UWW for Anti-Doping Violation

By May 9, 2024 0

Bajrang Punia, India’s star wrestler and Tokyo Olympic medalist, has been provisionally suspended by the United World Wrestling (UWW) for an alleged anti-doping rule violation. The suspension stems from an incident on March 10, when Punia refused to provide a sample after the selection trials in Sonepat.

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) issued a notice to Punia on April 23, requesting a response by May 7. In his defense, Punia released a video on social media, questioning NADA’s use of an expired sample collection kit in December.

Punia’s lawyer, Vidhuspat Singhania, confirmed that they had submitted a reply to NADA’s notice on May 7. However, he expressed unawareness of the UWW suspension.

According to UWW records, Punia’s suspension will remain in effect until December 31, 2024. The suspension is based on NADA’s provisional suspension for an alleged anti-doping rule violation.

Provisional suspensions by anti-doping authorities apply to all competitions, both domestic and international, until the charges are resolved. International federations typically do not issue separate suspensions in such cases.

The hearing in Punia’s case has yet to commence. However, UWW rules allow for provisional suspensions in cases of anti-doping rule violations that do not involve an adverse analytical finding or a final hearing.

Punia’s suspension is a significant setback for his Olympic aspirations. He failed to qualify for the two Olympic qualifiers after losing in the Sonepat trials. India has yet to secure an Olympic berth in the 65kg weight class, which will be contested by Sujeet Kalkal in the ongoing World Qualifiers.

If Punia is ultimately banned for refusing to provide a sample, his Olympic dreams will be shattered.

In a separate development, NADA has withdrawn a notice of “three whereabouts failures” against Punia. Singhania clarified that the notice was issued in error and that it had been retracted.

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Gukesh Recovers, Praggnanandhaa Bounces Back in Superbet Rapid

Gukesh Recovers, Praggnanandhaa Bounces Back in Superbet Rapid

By May 9, 2024 0

Newly-crowned FIDE Candidates’ champion D Gukesh displayed resilience and determination in the Superbet rapid and blitz tournament, a part of the Grand Chess Tour. After a slow start, Gukesh recovered to defeat compatriot R Praggnanandhaa and Vincent Keymer.

Praggnanandhaa, who lost to Gukesh in the first round, bounced back strongly in the fifth round by defeating Anish Giri. Gukesh also capitalized on his opportunities to crush Keymer.

Romanian Kirill Shevchenko’s impressive run was halted by Erigaisi Arjun, who secured his first victory in the event. World number one Magnus Carlsen of Norway joined Shevchenko in the lead with seven points out of a possible ten. Wei Yi of China trails by one point.

Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Arjun share the fourth spot with five points, alongside Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan. Jan-Kryzstof Duda of Poland and Vincent Keymer of Germany occupy the eighth spot with four points, while Giri languishes at the bottom with just two points.

Four more rounds remain in the rapid section before an 18-round blitz tournament commences.

Earlier, Arjun held Carlsen to a draw in the opener and drew two more games to stay within striking distance of early leader Shevchenko. Gukesh lost his first two games before drawing the third, while Praggnanandhaa recovered in the third round to beat Abdusattorov.

Shevchenko emerged as the early leader with three consecutive victories. He benefited from a blunder by Gukesh in the first round, defeated Praggnanandhaa in a brilliant game, and outplayed Keymer.

Arjun showcased a solid approach with three draws, while Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa had mixed results. Gukesh blundered his queen in the first round against Shevchenko and lost to Abdusattorov in the second round. Praggnanandhaa drew against Duda but lost to Shevchenko before defeating Abdusattorov.

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Neeraj Chopra Prioritizes Training Over Stardom Ahead of Diamond League Debut

Neeraj Chopra Prioritizes Training Over Stardom Ahead of Diamond League Debut

By May 9, 2024 0

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, India’s golden boy in javelin throw, has acknowledged the challenges of balancing his stardom with his training and competition schedule. The 26-year-old superstar, who is also the reigning world and Asian Games champion, is set to kick off his season with the first leg of the Diamond League on Friday.

Chopra, who has spent the majority of the past few months training abroad in South Africa, Turkey, and Switzerland, expressed his desire to prioritize his sport over social obligations. “For me, my sport is more important,” he said. “It’s good for my profile if I play in India, but there are too many functions and marriage functions. I also want to join my family and friends, but more than that, I want to train in an Olympic year.”

Chopra’s stardom has undoubtedly elevated the stature of athletics in India. “It’s not like cricketers, like Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni, but a lot of people know me,” he said. “I go to India sometimes, people know me, which is good for athletics. People know about athletics and follow athletics because of the Olympic gold.”

Despite the recognition, Chopra remains focused on his ultimate goal: breaking the elusive 90m mark. “About 90m, last year I said I will throw 90 and threw 88. This year, I don’t want to say, I want to show,” he said. “People have been asking me this question since 2018, when I threw 88.06 at the Asian Games. But, a lot of things happened, my elbow injury, the surgery, and now I have been stuck between 88 and 90m.”

Chopra is aware of the expectations that come with his status as an Olympic champion, but he tries to focus on his technique. “Obviously, it is the Olympics year and India is a big country and everyone expects gold,” he said. “But, it’s really hard in Olympics because the best from the world are competing with you.”

“My focus is to just stay healthy and concentrate on my technique. And yes, if I stay healthy everything will be good.”

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Indian Shooters Disappoint at ISSF World Cup in Baku

Indian Shooters Disappoint at ISSF World Cup in Baku

By May 9, 2024 0

Indian shooters continued their disappointing performance at the ISSF World Cup in Baku, with none of the skeet exponents in both men’s and women’s events qualifying for the finals.

In the men’s skeet event, Asian Games silver medalist Anant Jeet Singh Naruka finished 15th with a qualifying score of 120/125. Veteran marksman Mairaj Ahmad Khan, 48, managed only 105 and finished 76th among 80 shooters. Sheeraz Sheikh finished 54th with an aggregate of 115.

In the women’s skeet event, Raiza Dhillon finished 16th with an aggregate of 114/125, while Maheshwari Chauhan was 20th with 113 points. Ganemat Sekhon finished 25th with 111 points.

The Indian trap shooters had also failed to impress earlier in the World Cup, with none of them making it to the finals. Vivaan Kapoor narrowly missed the six-shooter finals, finishing seventh, while Prithvi Tondaiman finished 24th and Bhowneesh Mendiratta finished 39th. Veteran Zoravar Singh Sandhu finished 52nd.

Olympic quota winner Rajeshwari Kumari finished 23rd in trap with a qualification round score of just 108/125, while Shreyasi Singh managed only 107.

The dismal performance of the Indian shooters in Baku is a cause for concern, as it comes just months before the Tokyo Olympics. The shooters will need to improve their form significantly if they want to challenge for medals at the Games.

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