Six of five titles at national-level tennis championship go to Odia players, while youngster Lalit Kumar Sahu wins two golds at national weightlifting tourney held in Odisha recently

Power women

Winners of junior girls' weightlifting championship on the podium at the Utkal Karate School. Weightlifters from across the country took part in the 12th youth boys and girls, 53rd men and 29th women junior national weighlifting championships that concluded recently. Odia lad Lalit Kumar Sahu won two gold medals in boys' 94-kg category. Maharashtra lifters took the maximum titles at the five-day championships winning team titles in the youth girls, junior women and finishing runners-up in the youth boys and junior men events. The championships were inaugurated by sports minister Sudam Marandi.

Proud girls

Players from Odisha bagged five out of the six titles at the AITA-OTA Championship Series U-16 and U-18 tennis tournament held at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Kabir Hans from Odisha clinched doubles title by winning both the singles final of boys' U-16 and U-18 respectively. Rutuparna Choudhury from Odisha captured three titles by winning all the finals of girls' U-16 and U-18 singles and girls U-18 doubles. For this tournament, title winner in each event will get 25 AITA ranking points and runners-up 20 points. The tournament was organised by Odisha Tennis Association with around 65 players from 11 states taking part in the events.

Modern turf

The proposed artificial turf to be set up at Saunamara in Sundergarh district has gladdened the heart of many. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik led the foundation stone of the project in this rural place that has produced a number of quality hockey players over the years, including Dilip Tirkey. The project would cost nearly Rs 5.5 crore and would be funded by the state government and some public-sector units. The turf would be of international standard with sand management technology that wouldn't require water for maintenance. Work on the project would be over within five months starting mid-December. The plan is to give exposure to local talents under guidance of expert coaches.

Cricket victory

Odisha Cricket Association congratulated the captain and all the members of Odisha U-19 cricket team, including the support staff, for their innings victory against Chhattisgarh in Cooch Behar Trophy that concluded recently. They also announced a cash prize of Rs 25,000 each for Amrit Khatua (for scoring a century) and Preet Kanwar (for taking five wickets) along with a cash prize of Rs 5,000 each to all the remaining players and support staff of the team for their outstanding performance and contribution. The senior cricket team scripted an innings victory in the Ranji Trophy match against Maharashtra at Wayanad. The association will reward players Biplab Samantray, Suryakanta Pradhan and Deepak Behera with Rs 50,000 each while other players will receive Rs 10,000 each.

Hockey champs

Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar, emerged champions in the 7th Raja Memorial Inter-School Hockey Tournament by defeating Sainik School of Bhubaneswar by a margin of 7-0 goals in the final match. The tournament was organised by Poonam Youth Welfare Organisation at Odisha Police High School ground in Cuttack. Defending champion KISS started the game on an attacking note and Bikash Lakra set the first goal in the fifth minute of the game. Later, Jeevan scored a goal to double the lead and a goal from Anshuman took the lead to 3-0 before half time. In the end, KISS won the game by seven. Eight teams had taken part in the tourney in two groups.

Golf glory

Eminent golfer Lakhi Swain has made the state proud again by winning the Indo-Nippon tournament in the women's category organised by Embassy of Japan in New Delhi from December 2 to 4. Lakhi emerged winner in the ladies' category with single birdie and seven par attempts. In the 18-hole competition, her score was 84 and in Stableford segment she compiled 45. Around 120 golfers from Japan and India, including 30 women golfers, took part in the tournament. She was also in contention for winning the longest drive and straightest drive title with a shot of 300 yards. Unfortunately, she missed out on the title during a draw of lots conducted to pick the winner.

Kabaddi tria

The Odisha Kabaddi Association will conduct a selection trial for the state junior boys and girls team at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on December 11 ahead of the National Junior Boys' and Girls' Kabaddi Championship scheduled to be held in Gujarat from December 21 to 25. The players, aged below 20 years as on December 31, are eligible to take part in the selection camp, while players below 65kg and 70kg can take part in the trial. State Kabaddi Association secretary Ajaya Kumar Behera has said that the affiliated units can send maximum six players in each group.

Golden moment

A 12-member Odisha squad, including eight girls and four boys, bagged two gold and two silver medals in the 37th Junior National Rowing Championship held at Kollam, Kerala, from November 28 to December 3. Reshma Minz bagged silver medal in the single scull, while she and Deepika Xess won the silver in the double scull. In coxless four event, Jharana Hasti, Kamala Lakra, Sumitra Mallick and Ritu Kaudi claimed the gold medal while Jharana Hasti and Kamala Lakra secured gold medal in the coxless pair.