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This time round, Puri chess player, Aparajita Gochikar, struck gold at the Commonwealth Games in South Africa. Sports talents hunts were conducted at sports hostels across the state. Competitions were conducted in a variety of sports such as wrestling and football. However, the setback of the week has been the suspension of athelete Jauna Murmu, who failed a dope test. The Telegraph turns the spotlight on talented sportspersons.
Chess champion
Chess player from Puri, Aparajita Gochikar, grabbed the Under-18 gold medal at the Commonwealth Chess Championship held in South Africa from June 27 to July 3. A winner of many state championships, Aparajita had won the All-India School Chess Championship in Tirupati in 2007 and finished 22nd in the Asian Junior Chess Championship. The Commonwealth title has now become her best performance, where she defeated Betha Jerry of RSA, winning 7 points in 11 rounds. She had won five games, lost two and drew four. Overall, 380 players from most of the Commonwealth countries were competing in this championship. Other winners from India are R. Bhubaneswari (Tamil Nadu, U-20 gold), Ivana Maria Furtado (Goa, U-14 gold) and Esha Karvade (Maharastra, winner of the Best Women's title).
Talent hunt
The directorate of sports and youth services has begun a state-level talent scouting programme for all sports hostels across the state. The programme, which began on July 1, is meant for selection of talented trainees for 15 government sports hostels and three sports centres. The scouting is being conducted for 11 disciplines for aspirants in the age group of 10 -14. District sports officers and gram panchayat-based Kridashrees are conducting the programme at the district level.
Athlete suspended
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Leading international athlete from Orissa, Jauna Murmu, who had received a gold medal in a team event at last year's Commonwealth Games and missed a bronze by a whisker at the Guangzhou Asiad this year, has been suspended following a dope test in which she tested positive. The middle-distance runner was provisionally suspended by the Athletics Federation of India after she failed in the surprise test conducted by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in Patiala. According to sources, Jauna's sample had banned substances such as epimethandiol and metabolites of methandienone.
Shooting
The Orissa State Badminton Association held its elections last week. The election was conducted by Orissa Olympic Association (OOA) and the state directorate of sports. Deepak Basu took over as president while Pradep Mohanty became secretary. Both were elected uncontested.
Badminton elections
The Orissa State Badminton Association held its elections last week. The election was conducted by Orissa Olympic Association (OOA) and the state directorate of sports. Deepak Basu took over as president while Pradep Mohanty became secretary. Both were elected uncontested.
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| A state-level Taekwondo Black Belt Championship was held last week at the Club House in Barabati Stadium. Conducted by the Orissa Taekwondo Training Centre, the event saw the participation of more around 70 youngsters from various districts of the state. Five participants emerged successful in second dan black belt exams, whereas 60, including four girls, received their dan black belts. |
Wrestling
The team includes six boys, five girls and four officials. Wrestlers Anikesh Sahu, Swadhin Mandal, Subarna Nayak, Afsana Begum are a part of the delegation, which is coached by Raj Kishore Sahu and Rambha Sahu.
Football league
The sub-junior national wrestling championship, which is on in Tamil Nadu from July 2, holds hopes from the state. A 15-member squad from the state named by the Orissa Wrestling Championship is participating in the event. The first division football league organised by the Football Association of Orissa (FAO) at the Barabati Stadium, has reached an interesting stage. The Deciders for the super-league stage are being held now. Sunrise Club of Group D defeated Sunshine Club (2-0) to emerge on top in the group on Monday. In another match, Independent Club lost 2-0 to Radharaman Club.
