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All winners along
with the management of JSW |
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The first JSW-Karnataka State open squash championship was held at the Jindal Vijaynagar Sports Complex, Vijaynagar Works,
Bellary, Karnataka from June 28 to July 1.
Laxman Joshi and Aparajitha lifted the title in the boys and girls under-19 categories respectively. While Joshi beat compatriot Kunwarpal Singh 9-8, 9-4, 9-0, Tamil Nadu's Aparajitha got a walk-over Rinki Soni in the finals.
The four-day event has attracted about 120 players from all over the country, including about three dozen from the Jindal Squash Academy in Thane district,
Maharashtra.
Speaking to the Press, Vinod K. Nowal, executive director, JSW Steel, Vijaynagar said,
"JSW Steel and JSW Foundation have strived to promote sports at the National level. The tie-up with the Karnataka Squash Racquets Association is for the next four years".
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The championship was held in open category (for men and women) besides the Under-19, Under-17, Under-15, Under-13 and Under-11 age groups for boys and girls. About 40 players from Mumbai, 20 from Chennai and almost the same number from Karnataka participated. Rs.One lakhs was the prize money for the winners while the sponsors Jindal South West Steel provided boarding and lodging for all participants. With such encouragement, hopefully higher rated players will consider participating in future editions of the tournament.
Special thanks to Mr. Sajjan Jindal
Results :
Girls Under 11: Urwashi Joshi bt Ruchi Mishra 9-0, 9-0, 9-0
Boys Under 11: Aditya Khatri bt Nikhil Mishra 9-6, 9-0, 9-2
Girls Under 13: Anju Sharma bt Shweta Yadav 9-0, 9-2, 9-2
Boys Under 13: Pragun Khemka bt Shashi Pandey 9-6, 9-6, 6-9, 9-3
Girls under 15: Aparajotha bt Rinki Soni 9-2, 9-5, 9-0
Boys under 15: Prithvi Aditya bt Yaksh Davar 9-6, 9-7, 9-6
Boys Under 17: Laxman Joshi bt Nitin Chauhan 9-4, 9-3, 9-6
Girls Under 19: Rinki Soni bt Aparajitha (walkover)
Men: Sarvesh Chauhan bt Kunwarpal Singh 9-1, 9-10, 9-0, 9-7. |
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| Perhaps D stands for Dynamo in his middle name! This coach has to be seen in action to be believed. Starting his coaching sessions at 5.00 PM sharp everyday at Goregaon Sports Club, he has his players all charged up in no time at all, and keeps them that way for an hour each at least. His sessions go like clockwork- the payers warm up on their own quite meticulously, and then enter the court with him for a doze of squash and zest. Developing fitness is his forte, and with a course for coaches coming up, producing accomplished players is not too distant a vision for
Ramesh.
Ramesh got into sports in 1992 with learning Lawn Tennis under Santosh Lokhand at Kamat's Club, and in due course became his assistant. In addition, he learnt Table Tennis, Badminton and Swimming. In 2002, the Squash Trainer at the club went on a months leave, and Ramesh took charge temporarily. |
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Ramesh Singh |
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Seeing his enthusiasm level, the members prompted him to pursue Squash professionally. So he went to Baburao Salvi at Andheri Sports Complex to take training from him for 2 months and started playing professionally.
Ramesh joined Goregaon Sports Club in 2004. His trainee Suruchi Gupta reached the Semifinal of Hero Honda Khar Gym Championship. Presently, some of his promising players include Rahul Shah, Siddhant and Rajiv, while Ashaye Kejdiwal and Aditya Singhi have developed well under him. Owing to his dedication and zeal, each and every player who knows him gives him sincere respect and admiration. No wonder the three Squash Courts at GSC are always fully booked, and if you blink, it seems Ramesh is in all three courts at the same time!
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