Sports Guides : indiamarks

III Commonwealth Youth Games, Pune, India

indiamarks — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:29:02 -0700

The spectacular sporting bonanza is about to unfold in the cultural capital of Maharashtra. Pune is the proud host of the Commonwealth Youth Games 2008. An independent multi sports event, the Youth Games are a run up and a trial event to the Commonwealth Games 2010 to be held in Delhi.

The unique look and image created for the Commonwealth Youth Games 2008 reflect the heritage of the host city and state. The logo created is a result of an aesthetic blending of culture and modernity. The seal carrying the host city name is formed from the confluence of the city values and the historical seal of the great Maratha king, Shivaji Maharaj.

Pune: The Host City for The III Commonwealth Youth Games 2008.

indiamarks — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:28:57 -0700

Pune is renowned for hosting several world class events, including India's oldest Marathon. World class sports facilities, modern infrastructure, excellent connectivity by multiple means of transport and a rich cultural heritage coupled with amazing climate, indeed vouch for Pune's candidature as the host city for the III Commonwealth Youth Games 2008.

The Commonwealth Youth Games embody the spirit of humanity, achievement and harmony. Pune, as the host city for the III Commonwealth Youth Games, inherently prides itself of all these noble values. The cultural capital of Maharashtra is also known as the "Queen of the Deccan" due to its salubrious climate and location. A significant player in the history of India, it wears a rich historical legacy characterized with the glorious period of the Marathas and the Peshwas.

It is one of the fastest growing metropolis in the country. The city is emerging as a major IT centre of excellence. Pune is also known as the "Detroit of the East" due to the presence of fastest growing automobile industry in Asia. The city has a rich heritage and historical repute of being the epicenter of all activities related to tradition, sports and culture.

Pune as a modern energetic city pulsating with warmth, energy, vivacity and enthusiasm provides a perfect background for an event of such a magnitude while contributing towards the tradition of the Commonwealth Youth Games.

Pune is the ideal venue for conducting the Commonwealth Youth Games as it is truly the city of the youth!

Martial Art of Kerala - KALARI

indiamarks — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:42:58 -0700

'Kalari' or 'Kalaripayyat' is the exclusive martial arts legacy of Kerala. An old combat martial art originating in Southern India, Kalari is used as a defensive system. It's believed that Kalaripayyat may have been the inspiration for the many Asian martial arts we know today.

Kalaripayattu is indigenous to the South Indian state of Kerala and derives its name from the Malayalam word ‘Kalari’ which literally means ‘battlefield’. In respect to this martial art, Kalari refers to the arena where training goes on and demonstrations are performed.

Originally, the Kalari was a place of learning for subjects such as ayurvedic medicine, yoga, philosophy, astrology, architecture and geometry in addition to combat arts. Physical well being is a fundamental element to this martial art with massage techniques and medical treatments being part of the over-all system.

Vijender Singh Win's India it's 3rd Medal at the Beijing Olympics 2008

indiamarks — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 05:01:28 -0700

Boxer Vijender Singh won another medal for India at the Beijing Olympics when he out punched Carlos Gongora of Ecuador in the quarterfinal of the 75kg category bout on Wednesday, 20th August 2008. With this victory into the semi's, he went on to the semi-finals to fight for the silver position with the Cuban boxer Emilio Correa Bayeaux but lost out and had to settle for bronze. This medal is the 3rd with Sushil Kumar winning a Bronze in freestyle wrestling and Abhinav Bindra striking Gold in the shooting Air Rifle event.

Sushil Kumar Wins Bronze for India at the 2008 Beijing Olympics

indiamarks — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:12:49 -0700

Delhi's Sushil Kumar bags India a bronze medal in men's 66kg freestyle wrestling category making India's total medal tally of 3 a recent bronze from Vijender Singh in boxing, so far in the Beijing Olympics 2008. India is no longer the “one-medal nation”, Sushil Kumar ensured that by winning a bronze medal on Wednesday 20th August '08, just a week after shooter Abhinav Bindra struck gold in Beijing.

(Reuters Photo)

Abhinav Bindra strikes Gold at 2008 Beijing Olympics

indiamarks — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:07:55 -0700

India won its first individual Gold medal at the Beijing Olympics today. Abhinav Bindra won the prestigious medal at the 10m Air Rifle event at the Beijing Games.

The 25-yr-old is a Khel Ratna and Arjuna awardee and has won a gold medal in 2002 Commonwealth Games in the pairs event and silver in the individual event. He also got a gold medal in the 2006 World Championship in Zagreb. Winning the solo gold medal at the Beijing Games, makes one recall the time Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won the silver medal in Athens 2004, for Double Trap Shooting.

This is the first time an Indian has won a solo gold medal in any Olympics. And all this amidst a spine injury which hindered his preparations in the run up to the Games.

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India's Best Shooters at The Beijing Olympics 2008

indiamarks — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 02:39:32 -0700

Shooting competitions at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing will be held from August 9 to August 17, at the Beijing Shooting Range Hall (rifle and pistol events) and Beijing Shooting Range Clay Target Field (shotgun events).

If there's one event India has a chance of getting some medals it's definitely shooting! While Manavjit Singh Sandhu and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore are hot favourites to win medals this Beijing 2008 let's wish all 9 of our Indian Shooters all the Best and Hope they hit it right on target!

Also Read:
India at Beijing Olympics 2008: The Indian Squad
Indians to watch out for in the 2008 Beijing Olympics
Indian Athletes Competing in The 2008 Beijing Olympics
India at Beijing Olympics 2008: India's Tennis Hopefuls

Here's a closer look at India's Best Shooters at the 2008 Beijing Olympics:

India at Beijing Olympics 2008: The Opening Ceremony

indiamarks — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:52:49 -0700

The Olympics kicked of today the 8th of August, 2008 at Beijing with it's Grand Opening Ceremony.

India's small contingent of 98 including 56 athletes and a support-staff of 42 officials led by Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore carrying the tri-colour looked a bit shoddy with their mis-matched outfits. The Indian Olympic Squad looked good from far, as the male members decked out in off-white sherwanis. But as they came closer, things looked hardly impressive with the female members of the contingent making it a veritable go-as-you-like with their contrasting outfits that made them look completely misfit for the occasion.

The tennis duo of Sania Mirza and Sunitha Rao, attired in black trousers and practice jackets, looked completely out of sorts and the contrast was even more jarring to the eyes as going side by side was Delhi paddler, Neha Aggarwal who chose a greenish saree for the occasion.

While the crowd roared with excitement to greet them, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, one can only feel that they should have been better organized and more formal in their setting and presentation.

While I have the utmost respect for each and every sports person at Beijing for getting as far as they did, judging from the carefree and laid back attitude at the opening ceremony...it make's me wonder whether we really stand a chance at winning any medals this year or are we just there for the ride. Let's just keep our fingers crossed and pray the players performances in their respective events isn't as boring, unorganized and sloppy as their entrance today.

India at Beijing Olympics 2008: India's Tennis Hopefuls

indiamarks — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:12:24 -0700

The Olympics are here again. But India's performance in the Olympics till date has not been so impressive. This year, with the hockey team out of the medal contingent, we can at least look up to tennis for some consolation..

This time Indian Tennis squad will be represented by Sania Mirza and world famous duo of Leander Paes – Mahesh Bhupatahi. Mirza, India’s female tennis sensation will participate in singles as well as doubles with her partner Sunitha Rao. After suffering from injury for a long time Mirza has recently made a come back. Due to her in and out intervals, she could not maintain her winning steak and her position has also dropped in the latest world rankings. But the Hyderabadi girl while talking with media recently was looking highly optimistic for the Olympic medal.

Following a long series of tit-bits, Paes and Bhupatahi got ready to play together for India in Beijing Olympics. Both these players have lots of potential, so we can hope medal in tennis for India. Besides, female tennis players Mirza and Rao too have the caliber to win medal.

Also Read:
India at Beijing Olympics 2008: The Indian Squad
Indians to watch out for in the 2008 Beijing Olympics
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India's Best Shooters at The Beijing Olympics 2008

Here's a Look at Our Tennis Hopefuls from The Indian Squad at the 2008 Beijing Olympics:

Indian Athletes Competing in The 2008 Beijing Olympics

indiamarks — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:00:21 -0700

Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics will be held during the last 10 days of the games, from August 15 to August 24, 2008, at the Beijing National Stadium. The Olympic sport of Athletics is split into four distinct sets of events: track events, field events, combined events, and road events.

Out of the 56 Sports contestants competing from India in the Beijing Olympics 2008, 17 will compete in Athletics Events.

Also Read:
India at Beijing Olympics 2008: The Indian Squad
Indians to watch out for in the 2008 Beijing Olympics
India's Best Shooters at The Beijing Olympics 2008
India at Beijing Olympics 2008: India's Tennis Hopefuls

Here's a closer look at the Indian Athletes competing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics:

Indians to watch out for in the 2008 Beijing Olympics

indiamarks — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 05:59:30 -0700

This is India’s Total Olympics Medal Tally:
* 8 Gold medals, 1 Silver medal and 2 Bronze medals in Hockey
* 2 Silver medals in Athletics and 1 in Shooting
* Bronze for wrestling (Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav 1952 Helsinki)
* Bronze for tennis (Leander Paes 1996 Atlanta)
* Bronze for weightlifting (Karnam Malleswari 2000 Sydney)

Also Read:
India at Beijing Olympics 2008: The Indian Squad
Indian Athletes Competing in The 2008 Beijing Olympics
India's Best Shooters at The Beijing Olympics 2008
India at Beijing Olympics 2008: India's Tennis Hopefuls

India is all set for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, sending it's finest Sports people for different sports. Out of the whole Indian Squad sent to Beijing this year...these few are the most promising to bring home some medals this year at the 2008 Beijing Olympics:

India at Beijing Olympics 2008: The Indian Squad

indiamarks — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 05:25:58 -0700

Which just 3 days to go for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the pressure is on! All countries are looking to their Best Sports Persons to bring home the Gold and if not the Gold at least a Silver or Bronze. While India's best gold medal winning sport so far in the Olympics has been it's National Sport Hockey...Unfortunately for the first time since 1928, the Indian Men's Hockey Team will not be taking part in the Summer Olympics due to its failure to qualify, But we hope to win some medals in other sporting events. For the first time India is sending a team of swimmers to the Beijing Games...and we wish them all the Best.

A contingent of 56 athletes will represent India, and are supported by a support-staff of 42 officials. The athletic contingent is the largest, with 16 athletes.

Here's the India's finest and most talented sportspeople representing India in the Beijing Olympics '08- The Indian Squad!

Also read:
Indians to watch out for in the 2008 Beijing Olympics
Indian Athletes Competing in The 2008 Beijing Olympics
India's Best Shooters at The Beijing Olympics 2008
India at Beijing Olympics 2008: India's Tennis Hopefuls

White Water Rafting the Untamed Rivers of India!

indiamarks — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 05:40:22 -0700

If you love the Rush and thrill of Adventure Sports and water is your thing, White Water Rafting is just the thing to try! The Himalayas, stretching 3,200 kilometers along India’s northern frontiers, cradle numerous rivers which flow all year round.

White water rafting in India is almost exclusively confined to the Himalayan rivers in the north, which flows down towards the south of India, meandering between densely green mountains, and through steep ravine. Rivers such as the Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Indus, Zanskar and Teesta offer `raft-worthy' rapids, and a trip down a river can be a great way to see the countryside. This abundance of mountain rivers makes India a world class whitewater destination‚ with plenty of first-descent and exploratory possibilities.

Sania Mirza India's No.1 women's player

indiamarks — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:55:46 -0700

Personal:
Sania was born in Mumbai but now resides in Hyderabad. She began playing tennis at age 6 and was coached by her father, Imran Mirza. She has one sister, Anam. She is the first Indian to break into the top 50 WTA rankings. Tennis legend Steffi Graf is her idol. Ocean's 11 is one of her favourite movies, as are actors Brad Pitt and Hugh Grant.

She loves listening to hip-hop, rap and Hindi remixes and likes playing cricket and swimming. Her favourite colors are red and black.

Birthdate: November 15, 1986
Age: 21 years
Height: 1.71m (5' 7 1/2")
Birthplace: Mumbai

Highest Singles ranking: No. 27
Highest Doubles ranking: No. 20
Status: Pro (2003)
Current coach: S Narendranath
Former coaches: Vasudeva Reddy and C G K Bhupathi

Pune Gearing Up for The 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games

indiamarks — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:43:13 -0700

Pune the Cultural Capital of Maharashtra and the proud hosts of the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games is busy gearing up for this huge sporting event. The III Commonwealth Youth Games will be held in Pune from the 12th to 18th October 2008. Over 1,300 athletes and 350 officials from 71 countries will participate in these games, in 9 disciplines -Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling in the Commonwealth Youth Games 2008. So this by no means is an easy task to Host.

Rajasthan Royals are the IPL Champions

indiamarks — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:37:26 -0700

Rajasthan Royals have been crowned the winners of inaugural IPL as they beat Chennai Super Kings by three wickets to clinch a win off the final ball in a tense finale at Dr D Y Patil ground, Mumbai.

Rajasthan team maintained their royal supremacy right through the demanding 44 days of the fascinating version of this slam-bang cricket as it is now fitting to say that Royals' rule Kings'.

Chennai won - Mumbai out

indiamarks — Wed, 28 May 2008 03:12:48 -0700

Super Kings has entered into the semi finals of IPL. Mumbai has lost its place. Bad fate to them

The Lions-Kings XI Punjab

indiamarks — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:59:31 -0700

Bollywood diva Preity Zinta and her industrialist beau Ness Wadia-owned Kings XI Punjab is one of the strongest teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the team management is confident of living up to the expectation in the inaugural Twenty20 tournament, starting Friday 18th April.

Zinta and Wadia, along with renowned industrialists Karan Paul and Mohit Burman, pumped in a whopping $76 million to buy the Mohali team's franchise for a period of 10 years.

Kings XI Punjab

indiamarks — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 06:20:48 -0700

Kings XI Punjab : Team Mohali of the Indian Premier League was officially launched at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium. A blend of youth and experience, 'Kings XI Punjab' is the youngest team with a core group of all-rounders. With eight proven international and eighteen domestic players, the team boasts of experience, leadership and talent. The team will be led by Yuvraj Singh who is also the Icon Player and coached by Tom Moody, the former Aussie all rounder.

Bangalore Royal Challengers-Team Players

indiamarks — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:46:56 -0700

"Cricket connects millions of Indians. Cricket is the perfect platform for our brands to engage with young India. The equity that our brands gain from this association is the real potential for us", UB Group Chairman Vijay Mallya said in a statement.
Led by Rahul Dravid, the team has the likes of Anil Kumble, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Misbah-ul-Haq, Dale Steyn, Zaheer Khan, Nathan Bracken, Jacques Kallis, Cameron White and Mark Boucher.

Bangalore Royal Challengers

indiamarks — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:55:46 -0700

Bangalore Royal Challengers is the team that is going to represent the city of Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, the inaugural Twenty20 cricket tournament to be held in India. The team is owned by the Liquor Magnate Vijay Mallya, the chairman of UB Group. Charu Sharma is the CEO of the team and Rahul Dravid, the captain of the team is the Icon Player. Martin Crowe, the former New Zealand captain, has also been signed as a member of the management team. Venkatesh Prasad, the former Indian fast bowler and the present bowling coach of India has been declared the coach for the team.

Kolkata Knight Riders-Key Players

indiamarks — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:09:43 -0700

Bollywood and Cricket are the India's big pastimes, so what better way to make the fans sit up and take notice than by blending the two together through Shah Rukh Khan also known as the King of Bollywood, and the IPL.. One of the eight Indian Premier League teams, Kolkata Knight Riders, was unveiled by actor Shah Rukh Khan along with the team coach John Buchanan and Captain Sourav Ganguly at an impressive function. Shah Rukh said, “we are here to play to win.” Explaining the name of the team he said it was chosen keeping the youth in mind. “It should be appealing to kids,” and added “you have to play cricket like football in Kolkata.”

Kolkata Knight Riders

indiamarks — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:31:58 -0700

The name of the team was revealed on March 10, 2008 with an official team unveiling ceremony on March 11, 2008. The official theme of the team is Korbo, Lorbo, Jitbo Re (We will do it, Fight for it, Win it) and the official colors are black and gold.

Kolkata Knight Riders is a franchise of the eight team Indian Premier League. It was bought on January 24, 2008 by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment in partnership with Juhi Chawla and her husband, Jai Mehta

IPL Facts and Trivia

indiamarks — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:12:17 -0700

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) launched its first Professional venture in the form of Twenty20 league, which is called "Indian Premier League" (IPL). With this announcement the Board had definitely called the shots in reply to Zee group’s promoted "Indian Cricket League" (ICL). This new concept was made public among the hot shots of World cricket at a press conference.

Indian Premier League

indiamarks — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:03:43 -0700

The Indian Premier League (IPL) (also known as the "DLF Indian Premier League"), is a Twenty20 cricket competition created by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The first edition of the Indian Premier League starts on 18 April 2008. Its tagline is
"8 teams, without any players, only warriors " "IPL MANORANJAN KA BAAP" (Father of entertainment) "Cricket ka Karamyuddh"