Shuttlers’ camp 

A state-level advanced badminton coaching camp was organised last week at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. The camp was held after a long gap and attracted a large number of badminton players, mostly youngsters, who enthusiastically took part in the training programme. Players from Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, Balasore, Balangir, Paradip, Dhenkanal, Khurda, Angul and other parts of the state took part in the two-week long camp that started on July 23 and ended on August 7. 
The training camp was an advanced programme, in which only players who seek advancement in their career took part and expert coaches such as Sriharsha Routray, Anupam Patro, Kamal Das and Prakash Sahu provided valuable inputs to the participants. As many as 32 boys and girls took part in the camp that had three sessions — physical training in the morning, stroke practice in the daytime and match practice in the evening. In a different development, Pramod Bhagat, a bronze medallist at the Asian Games, emerged champion at the 3rd Indonesia Para-badminton International by defeating Ukun Rukaendi 2-0.

Target practice 

A training centre for archery players and enthusiasts has been opened at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor stadium in Cuttack by the district archery association. The training centre will be open throughout the year for archery players to hone their skills and prepare themselves for district and state-level events. Archers will be trained at the centre every day from 6.30am to 8am by expert coaches. Performing players will be helped to represent the district in various competitive events. The association has also invited young archers to register themselves and make use of the facility.

Mindful moves

Kendrapada girl Smaraki Mohanty and Puri boy Baivab Mishra were welcomed on their arrival on August 8 for winning gold and bronze medals respectively in the Commonwealth Chess Championship, 2016, held at Waskaduwa, Sri Lanka, from July 30 to August 6. A number of chess players and members of various sports associations welcomed them at the airport. While Smaraki won the gold medal in the Under-18 girls’ event, Baivab grabbed bronze in the Under-20 boys' event. In a nine-round tournament, Smaraki secured 5.5 points to become the champion, while Baivab scored six points. 

Football laurels

Rakesh Kumar Oram (in picture) has become the only football player from Odisha to be selected for the high-profile Indian Super League (ISL). The Odisha United Football Clubs felicitated the young talent from the state and wished him good luck for his endeavour in the professional football league. Oram, a winger, was part of the Under-19 India team and had toured Japan, Thailand and Malaysia, where he took part in a host of tournaments. Oram hails from Jharsuguda district and his younger brother is a member of the Under-14 Odisha team.

Combat tactics

Yodha Fighting Championship, a mixed martial art contact cum combat sporting event that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques, was organised at the Saheed Nagar Indoor Hall in Bhubaneawar from August 5 to 8. This is the second time the event was held in the state capital. Around 70 participants from all over the country and abroad took part in the championship organised by Utkal Karate School in connection with the Association of Combat Sports of India. The participants battled it out in three major events that comprised amateur fight, women’s fight and professional fight categories. There were 12 amateur events, two women's fights and two professional fights in the championship. It drew a huge crowd as people got to see some combat tactics and techniques in the ring.
 

Rugby winners

The Odisha women’s team grabbed the winning title at the Senior National Rugby Seven’s Championship at the Patliputra Stadium in Patna on August 7. A double try by Mirarani Hembram took Odisha to the title. Mirarani also bagged the best women player of the tournament. The Odia women defeated Maharashtra to lift the title, while the Bengal team finished third. Last year, the Odisha women’s team bagged gold medal at the 35th National Games in Kerala. The men’s team from Odisha finished sixth. As many as 12 women’s and 18 men’s team took part in the event.