Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Marathon Man Of India

25 02 2014

Marathon Man Of India

 Dr. (Wg. Cdr.) Ashis Roy served in the Indian Air Force for 21 years and after retirement settled in New Delhi in 1978 as a Practicing Physician Cardiologist. At the age of 50 years Dr. Roy took up jogging and running to maintain good health. He ran his 1st Marathon at the age of 53 years and by the time he became 80 years old, he had completed 115 marathon races, which is a National record for men in India. His achievements in the field of most strenuous sports of running 42.2 Km. marathon, is the rarest example of extraordinary excellence in sports. His achievements are enumerated in the following paragraphs.
Roy’s 115 marathon races include 75 marathons in foreign countries like U.S.A (44 marathons), Canada (12 marathons), U.K. (2 marathons), and one each in Greece, Holland, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Macau, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria and Pakistan.
Roy has run 40 marathons in India.
Roy holds the Indian National record of marathon for 55+ age group which he made in 1987 in a record time of 3 hrs 10 min. This record is still unbroken after 25 years.
Roy is the first Indian to have run a marathon race after attaining the age of 70 years as well as 80 years.
Roy is the first Indian to have run on the following occasions two marathons on two consecutive Sundays;
                In 1997 – 1. New York City Marathon – 2 November 1997.
                                      2. Rhode Island Marathon –  9 November 1997.
                In 1998 -  1. Rotterdam Marathon      — 19 April 1998.
                                      2. Wroclaw Marathon —-         26 April 1998.
                In 2003 -  1. Prague Marathon —            18 May 2003 (Age – 71 yrs).
                                 2. Vienna Marathon —             25 May 2003.
Roy is the only Asian to have run the following three Marathon Races in U.S.A. on three consecutive Sundays and stood first in all three races in his age group of 65 – 69 Years.
  1. Toledo Marathon – 25th April 1999.
  2. Cleveland Marathon – 2nd May 1999.
  3. Cincinnati Marathon – 9th May 1999.
Roy has run 13 Marathons in 2009 at the age of 77.
[1]   Mumbai Marathon[India]——————–2009.
[2]   Gurgaon Marathon[India]——————-22 February,2009.
[3]   Potomac Marathon[USA]——————–3 May,2009.
[4]   Delaware Marathon [USA]——————18 May,2009.
[5]   Bob Potts Marathon [USA]—————–31 May,2009.
[6]   Niagara Marathon [Canada]—————-20 June,2009.
[7]   Massey Marathon [Canada]—————-19 July,2009
[8]   Self Transcendence Marathon[USA]—-22 August,2009.
[9]   Rochester Marathon [USA]—————–13 September,2009.
[10] Baltimore Marathon [USA]——————10 October,2009.
[11] Marine Corps Marathon[USA]————-25 October,2009.
[12] Harrisburg Marathon [USA]—————–8 November,2009.
[13] Gurgaon Marathon [India]——————-9 December,2009.
Roy has also won medals in his age group in the following International Marathons:
  1. International Veterans Marathon, Athens (1986) – 3rd Position.
  2. Asian Veteran Marathon, Kuala Lumpur (1990) – 1st Position.
  3. Toledo Marathon USA – (1999) 1st Position.
  4. Cleveland Marathon USA – (1999) 1st Position.
  5. Cincinnati Marathon USA – (1999) 1st Position
  6. National Capital Marathon,Ottawa (2000) – 2nd Position.
  7. Pepsi Millennium MarathonBurlington (2000) – 1st Position.
  8. Midnight Sun Marathon,Tromso (2002) – 2nd Position.
  9. Prague International Marathon(2003)- 1st Position.
  10. San Diego Marathon (2004) – 3rd Position.
  11. Lahore International Marathon, Pakistan (2005) – 1st Position.
  12. Charlottesville Marathon, USA (2005) – 1st Position.
  13. Forest City Marathon, Canada (2005) – 1st Position.
  14. Frederick Marathon, USA (2006) – 2nd Position.
  15. Calgary Marathon, Canada- (2006) – 2nd Position.
  16. Nashville Marathon, USA (2007) – 3rd Position.
       17. Foot Traffic Flat Marathon,USA (2007) – 2nd Position
       18. Edmonton Marathon, Canada (2007) –2nd Position
         19. Grandmas Marathon, USA (2008) – 3rd Position
         20. Friendly Massey Marathon,Canada (2008) – 3rd Position
       21. Self-Transcendental Marathon,USA (2008) – 2nd Position
       22. Mumbai International Marathon,India (2009) – 2nd Position.
       23. Potomac River Marathon, USA (2009) – 2nd Position.
       24. Bob Potts Marathon, USA (2009) – 1st Position.
       25. Niagara-on-the-lake Marathon, Canada (2009) – 1st Position.
       26. Friendly Massey Marathon, Canada (2009) – 2nd Position
       27. Self Transcendence Marathon, USA (2009) – 2nd Position
         28.  Rochester Marathon, USA (2009) – 2nd Position.
       29. Baltimore Marathon, USA (2009) – 2nd Position
       30. Harrisburg Marathon, USA (2009) – 1st Position
       31. Gurgaon Marathon, India (2009) – 1st Position
       32. Mumbai Marathon, India (2010) – 1st Position
       33. Chandigarh Marathon, India (2010) – 1st Position
       34. Potomac River Marathon, USA (2010) – 1st Position
       35. Bob Potts Marathon, USA (2010) – 1st Position
       36. Sunburst Marathon, USA (2010) – 1st Position
       37. Self Transcendence Marathon (2010) – 2nd Position
       38. Gurgaon Marathon, India (2010) – 1st Position
       39.  Yakima Canyon River Marathon (2011) – 3rd Position
       40.   Potomac River Marathon [2011] – 1st Position.
       41.   Grant-Pierce Indoor Marathon[2011] – 1st Position
       42.   Self Transcendence Marathon [2011] – 1st Position
       43.   Gurgaon Marathon, India [2012] – 1st Position
Roy has written a book on running named “Joy of Running” which contains his experience of running 80 marathons in 20 countries and the scientific facts of the benefits of running along with advice on how to train for running marathons.
Roy is the First Indian to have been made a member of the Elite 100 Marathon Club of North America and 100 Marathon Club of UK.
Roy has been honoured by the Marathon Maniacs Club of USA by upgrading his status to Iridium [****] level.
Dr [Wing Commander] Ashis Roy                                                                       
Consultant Physician & Preventive Cardiologist                                                  
Phone: 91-11-26279922, Mobile: 09711475558.                                                                  
E-mail: ashisroy32@yahoo.com  
Website:www.marathonmanofindia.com                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                       

 
Best Regards,
Shakti Raj Vidyarthi

SAIL-SBI OPEN PRESENTED BY INCREDIBLE INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

25 02 2014
SAIL-SBI_Open_2014_-_Press_Conference_Picture
SAIL-SBI OPEN PRESENTED BY INCREDIBLE INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM RETURNS FOR ITS SEVENTH EDITION
LAHIRI AND SIDDIKUR LEAD A STRONG FIELD
New Delhi, February 24, 2014: The SAIL-SBI Open presented by Incredible India Ministry of Tourism returning for its seventh edition in India will mark the beginning of the 2014 Asian Tour season. The US$ 300,000 tournament will be staged at the venerable Delhi Golf Club from February 26 – March 1, 2014. The Pro-Am event is scheduled for February 25.
The Steel Authority of India Ltd and State Bank of India are the main sponsors of India’s second-longest running international tournament. The tournament is supported by Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India and is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).
The strong field will feature five players from the top-10 of last year’s Order of Merit. The Indian contingent will be spearheaded by defending champion Anirban Lahiri who finished third on the Asian Tour last year. Bangladesh’s Md Siddikur Rahman, who bagged fourth place on the 2013 Order of Merit, will be the other top contender this year.
Last year, Lahiri defeated countryman Rashid Khan in a playoff to claim his third Asian Tour title at the SAIL-SBI Open. It was also his third victory at the Delhi Golf Club, which has proven to be a happy hunting ground for the talented Lahiri.
Former Order of Merit champions Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand and India’s Jyoti Randhawa, who finished in the top-20 last year, will also be back to challenge for the SAIL-SBI Open title at a venue where they have tasted victory in the past.
Besides Lahiri, the other past winners of the tournament competing at this year’s edition are Chapchai Nirat of Thailand and Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg.
Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng and Prom Meesawat along with Korean Baek Seuk-Hyun, all of whom finished in the top-10 in Asia last year, add further muscle to the field.
The Indian challenge will be strengthened by the presence of former Asian Tour winners SSP Chowrasia, Digvijay Singh, Rahil Gangjee and Himmat Singh Rai. Rashid Khan, the 2013 SAIL-SBI Open runner-up and reigning Rolex Rankings champion on the PGTI, will once again be a force to reckon with on his home course.
Mr. C S Verma, Chairman, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), said, “We seek to promote Indian professional golf by staging tournaments such as the SAIL-SBI Open. With SAIL steadily increasing its global presence, we are happy to be associated with this event as it attracts participation from all over Asia and other countries. We wish the players all the best and look forward to a fascinating week of golf.”
Mrs. Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairman, State Bank of India, said, “We enjoy a very strong relationship with our partner SAIL and are pleased to collaborate with them on the SAIL-SBI Open. The State Bank Group is committed towards promoting sports in India. We are proud to be associated with the SAIL-SBI Open, one of the biggest events on the Indian golfing calendar, which sees Indian professionals compete against the top names in Asia.”
Mr. Anand Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, said, “The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has committed itself to the development of sport in India. We support the growth of golf and golf tourism through active involvement under the “Incredible India” banner. The staging of international tournaments such as the SAIL-SBI Open, help us promote India as an international golfing destination.”
Mr. Kyi Hla Han, Chairman, Asian Tour, said, “On behalf of our players I would like to thanks SAIL and SBI for their sponsorship of this event. As the season opening event for our 2014 season, we look forward to a very successful launch of our new season. I am sure our talented players will put up a great show and compete well against players from the PGTI.”
Mr. Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI, said, “The SAIL-SBI Open has been a strong week for Indian professionals on the Asian Tour schedule with the top names in Asia rubbing shoulders with India’s best talent. We are hopeful of good performances by the strong Indian contingent once again. We sincerely offer our appreciation and thanks to SAIL and SBI for continuing their valuable support to Indian professional golf. We also thank the Asian Tour for partnering with the PGTI and look forward to hosting another successful tournament in 2014.”

Monday, February 24, 2014

India, China discuss boundary issues 

India, China discuss boundary issues Updated on : 24-02-2014 04:04 PM
India and China on Monday discussed boundary issues and implementation of a recently-concluded border pact during the sixth round of the Annual Defence Dialogue between the two sides. 

At the talks held in South Block here, the Chinese side was headed by Deputy Chief of People's Liberation Army (PLA) Wang Guanzhong while Defence Secretary R K Mathur led the Indian delegation.

The Chinese team also met Defence Minister A K Antony after the talks, Defence Ministry officials said. During the sixth round of Defence Secretary-level talks , the two countries are understood to have reviewed the implementation of the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) signed in October last year. 

The issue of border transgressions by the Chinese troops is also learnt to have come up for discussion at the meeting. Incursions by the Chinese troops have taken place along the Line of Actual Control even after the two sides reached BDCA. 

India has been saying that though the pact does not guarantee an end to these incursions, it has helped in resolving the border incidents at a faster pace. The proposal for setting up a hotline between the DGMO- levels officials is also understood to have been discussed at the meeting. 

The two sides had in November held their third round of joint exercises in Kunming after a gap of nearly five years. At the time of the signing of BDCA, the two sides had agreed to have more exchanges between their training institutions. 

India and China are also exploring the possibility of having joint exercises between the air forces and the navies. The two countries had put on hold their joint exercises after the Chinese side denied visa to the then Northern Army Commander Lt Gen BS Jaswal in 2010. 


Military-backed government in Egypt resigns unexpectedly
In a surprise development, Egypt's military-backed government led by Prime Minister Hazem El-Beblawi on Monday resigned after a Cabinet meeting. 

Beblawi announced his cabinet's resignation on state TV. 

The decision was made after the cabinet meeting attended by armed forces chief and Defence Minister Field Marshal Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. 

Interim President Adly Mansour is expected to accept the resignation and commission Ibrahim Mahleb, minister of housing in Beblawi's government, to form the new cabinet. 

The reason for the Cabinet's resignation was not immidieately known. 

Sisi, who ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July, is expected to announce soon that he will run for president. 

Beblawi's government was sworn in on July 16, less than two weeks after the army Morsi. 

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Ikumi Yoshimatsu
To Nksagar_1@yahoo.com
Feb 21 at 8:34 AM

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe can help end stalking and violence against women in Japan. Ask him to set up a taskforce to investigate.

 
Dear Naresh -
I won the Miss International beauty pageant in December 2012. Ever since then, I have been stalked, intimidated, and blackmailed. 
My stalker even tried to abduct me from a TV studio, made threatening calls to my family and told my parents that I could wind-up dead
He even hired private investigators to stalk me. I fear for my life and now have 24-hour security. 
I went to the Japanese police with 30 pieces of evidence. They did nothing
I went to the Japanese courts to ask for a restraining order. They, too, did nothing
What’s worse is that I’m not alone. Many women suffer because for centuries Japan has been plagued by a “culture of silence” toward crimes against women. 
However, there is hope. The current Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is a strong and vocal supporter of women’s rights
Mr. Abe’s leadership on this issue would be a game-changer -- and that’s why I’m asking him to establish a taskforce to investigate stalking and violence against women in Japan. 
My petition already has more than 1 lakh signatures and the endorsement of Mr. Abe’s wife, Akie. Sign my petition.
Japan is very sensitive to its reputation overseas -- if we raise our voices together in a global outcry, I know Mr. Abe won’t be able to ignore it. 
Please help me change my country so that women can start enjoying the economic and moral benefits of a truly equal society. 
Sign my petition and forward my mail to your friends. 
Thank you for taking action,
Ikumi Yoshimatsu via Change.org
This email was sent by Change.org to Nksagar_1@yahoo.com. You can edit your email preferences orunsubscribe from Change.org emails.

Friday, February 21, 2014

CCI Imposes Penalty of Rs.3.81 crore on Dr. L.H.Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai
Competition Commission of India(CCI) has imposed a penalty of Rs.3.81 crore on Dr. L.H.Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai for violation of Section 3 & 4 of the Competition Act. The informant Mr. Ramakant Kini had approached CCI alleging that the hospital had abused its dominant position in the area of stem cell banks and did not allow the stem cell of the child to be collected by any other service provider except M/s Cryobank with whom it had an exclusive agreement.

Consequent upon detailed investigation by DG-CCI, the Commission had arrived at the conclusion that exclusive arrangements between two undertakings do not accrue any benefit to the consumer and are rather at the cost of consumer. Such an agreement has anti-competitive effect in any market. CCI also considered it as an abuse of dominance by Hiranandani Hospital and the conditions put up on its patients that in case one had to avail stem cell banking system, they will only have to avail services of Cryobank, as abusive and violative of Section 4 of the Competition Act. CCI, under Section 27 of the Act, has passed the following order:-

“(a) The agreement of OP hospital with Cryobank for the years 2011-12 and 2012-13 are declared null and void.

(b) The OP hospital shall not enter into a similar agreement with any stem cell bank in future.”

These directions have to be complied with immediate effect.

The Commission has also imposed a penalty of Rs. 3,81,58,303/- calculated at the rate of 4% of the average turnover of OP hospital. The penalty is to be deposited within 60 days of receipt of the order.

The six major world powers - US, UK, France, Russia, China plus Germany have agreed on a framework for talks leading to a comprehensive nuclear deal. The lead negotiator for the P5+1 group and the EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the two sides have agreed a timetable and framework agreement. The two sides will meet on a monthly basis at the level of Iranian foreign minister and Catherine Ashton till June. The next meeting will be held in Vienna on March 17 after a meeting of technical experts in early March. At a press conference in Vienna she said that they have identified all the issues that need to be addressed to reach a comprehensive and final agreement.

Iran and P5+1 Group of nations were engaged in talks in Vienna over the past three days on a joint action plan leading to a comprehensive deal over Iran’s controversial nuclear program. The Joint Plan of Action was signed by Iran and P5+1 group of nations in Geneva last November. It provides for scaling down of parts of Iranian nuclear program in exchange for partial easing of sanctions over a period of six months. The six month time frame is to be used to arrive at a comprehensive deal. The interim nuclear deal came into effect on January 20.
Retweeted by
is not just a sick liar, but a dangerous criminal also, per the cases he has declared on his affidavit.

Telangana bill passed

Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill has been passed by Parliament with Rajya Sabha, approving it by voice vote. The Lok Sabha had passed it on Tuesday. CPM staged a walk-out in the Rajya Sabha as its demand for voting was not accepted. The main opposition BJP said though it was not fully satisfied with the provisions of the Bill, it is extending support to it in the interests of people of Telangana. All the amendments moved by the opposition parties including BJP were negated. However, TMC members who were against the Bill, did not press for their amendments.

Intervening in the discussion the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh announced to grant special Category Status to 13 districts of
Seemandhra for a period of five years to put the state’s finances on a
firmer footing. He assured the House that the Centre will execute the
Polavaram multi purpose project and will make any further amendments if needed for Rehabilitation and Resettlement under the project. The Prime Minister said the resource gap that may arise in Seemandhra after state division in the first year will be compensated in the Regular Union Budget for 2014-15.

Zee Cine Awards emerges

21 02 2014
Ali Zafar & Yami Gautam wow everyone with the first look of

Total Siyapaa⠡t Zee Cine Awards

Zee Cine Awards emerges as Bollywoodâ³ Preferred Launch Pad
to showcase the first look of upcoming films




Zee Cine Awards, the Worldâ³ Biggest Viewerâ³ Choice Awards, has set new benchmarks every year and established itself as a preferred platform for the filmmakers to promote their upcoming films. Owing to the sheer magnitude of its reach and popularity, the stage of Lux Cozi Zee Cine Awards 2014 powered by Dabur Vatika Enriched Olive Hair Oil and Karbonn Mobile witnessed the spectacular first look launch of two of the biggest upcoming Bollywood movies- Ashay Kumar starrer- Holiday & Ali Zafar and Yami Gautam starrer- Total Siyapaa

Total Siyapaa⠷as set to release few days before the award show. The upcoming film ᔯtal Siyapaa⠥xtended its release date to leverage the grand and prestigious stage of Lux Cozi Zee Cine Awards 2014 to launch its ᦩrst-look⮼ The movie is now all set to release on 7th March.  Ali Zafar, the lead actor who is based in Pakistan, flew in especially to attend the awards function. The lead actors enthralled the audience with their stupendous act considered as one of the best romantic performances to look forward to at the Awards.
Catch the most stunning spectacle of entertainment as the world biggest viewers choice awards Lux Cozi Zee Cine Awards 2014 powered by Dabur Vatika Enriched Olive Hair Oil and Karbonn Mobile airs at 8 PM on 23rd February on Zee TV, Zee Anmol and Zee Tamizh.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Laureus World Sports Awards 2014


 ALL BLACKS, BAYERN MUNICH, MIAMI HEAT AND RED BULL RACING AMONG BIG-HITTERS FIGHTING FOR NOMINATION FOR 2014 LAUREUS WORLD TEAM OF THE YEAR AWARD

·         Bryan Twins in the running after historic tennis ‘Golden Slam’
·         British and Irish Lions head strong rugby challenge for Nomination
·         European Solheim Cup Team are contenders after first win in US
·         World’s media vote for SIX Nominees for Laureus Team Award
·         15th Laureus World Sports Awards in Kuala Lumpur on March 26
·         Apply for media accreditation at http://accreditation.laureus.com/

LONDON, February 20, 2014 – A blue chip collection of some of the greatest teams in the world are in the running for Nomination for the 2014 Laureus World Sports Awards.

Champions League winners Bayern Munich, NBA champions Miami Heat, Formula 1 Constructors’ World Champions Red Bull Racing and New Zealand’s All Blacks are all strong contenders, while the Bryan Twins are also attracting support after completing a tennis doubles’ Golden Slam.

The Laureus World Sports Awards, now celebrating its 15th year, is recognised as the premier honours event in the international sporting calendar. The names of the six Nominees for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award, as voted by the Laureus Media Selection Panel, will be announced later this month and the winner unveiled at the Awards Ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on March 26.

Bayern Munich look favourites to become one of the Nominees after they were the first club to complete the treble of UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup. In the Bundesliga, they lost only one match and created many records: most points in a season (91); highest winning points margin (25); most wins (29); fewest goals conceded (18). Six players were nominated for the FIFA Player of the Year Award: Philipp Lahm, Thomas Mueller, Manuel Neuer, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinsteiger, with Ribery making the final shortlist of three.

Miami Heat captured the NBA title for the second year running, after a dramatic game seven in the NBA Finals against San Antonio Spurs which the Heat won 95-88. Inevitably the hero was LeBron James who scored 37 points, equalling the record for an NBA Finals game seven. He was also named Finals MVP for the second straight season. Dwyane Wade scored 23 and Shane Battier had 18. In five seasons coach Erik Spoelstra has now lead the Heat to five play-offs and two Championship wins.

New Zealand’s All Blacks continued their superb run of form winning all 14 of their Test matches for a 100% record in 2013 – the first time a national team has achieved this since the game went professional. Lead by veteran Richie McCaw, the team includes Kieran Read at No 8, the International Player of the Year, and fly-half Dan Carter, the highest points scorer in Test match rugby.

Red Bull Racing won the Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship for the fourth straight year in 2013. Sebastian Vettel secured the drivers’ championship, winning 13 Grand Prix during the year, including a run of nine straight victories, while co-driver Mark Webber had eight podium finishes. The team’s Adrian Newey became the first car designer to win ten drivers' and ten constructors' titles.

On July 6, American twins Bob and Mike Bryan won their third Wimbledon - their 15th career Grand Slam title - which made them the first doubles pair to hold all four major titles and the Olympic gold medal at the same time, giving them a historic Golden Slam. The 35-year-olds have won more matches, more tournaments and more Grand Slams than any other pair. In April they secured their 800th win.

In addition to Bayern Munich, several other football teams have strong credentials for Nomination. Under coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, Brazil won a record fourth Confederations Cup, beating Spain 3-0 in the final, ending the World Cup holders unbeaten run of 29 matches in competitive football. The Germany Women’s Football Team won their sixth straight European Championship with a 1-0 win over Norway in the final in Stockholm. And Nigeria beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in front of 85,000 in Johannesburg in February to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time.

In rugby, the British and Irish Lions won their first Test series since 1997, beating Australia 2-1. Coach Warren Gatland and captain Sam Warburton filled the same roles for the Lions as they do for the Wales Rugby Team, which won the European Six Nations Championship for the second straight year and provided the bulk of the players for the Lions.

Under coach Bernard Laporte, Rugby Club Toulonnais won their first ever Heineken Cup in 2013 - their only major trophy in 20 years - thanks to a wonderful defence and the brilliant kicking of Jonny Wilkinson, who was named European Player of the Year.

The European Solheim Cup Team won in the United States for the first time with a 18-10 victory in Colorado. It was also the first time that Europe have retained the trophy. Brilliantly lead by captain Liselotte Neumann, Europe had six rookies in their squad - Carlota Ciganda, Charley Hull, Caroline Masson, Beatriz Recari, Giulia Sergas and Jodi Ewart Shadoff.

In addition to Miami Heat, three other American teams have strong claims for Nomination. Baltimore Ravens beat San Francisco 49ers 34-31 to win their second Super Bowl, at the end of the 2012/13 season. The Ravens have had great success since moving from Cleveland, making the play-offs nine times since 2000, with two Super Bowl victories. Alabama Crimson Tide won their second straight college football title under coach Nick Saban and their third in four years, beating Notre Dame 42-14. Saban is the first coach to win back-to-back BCS titles. In ice hockey. Chicago Blackhawks beat Boston Bruins 4-2 to win the Stanley Cup for the second time in four seasons.

The Spain Handball Team won their second World Championship in style after they defeated favourites and European title holders Denmark 35-19 on home ground in Barcelona, while Team Sky won their second straight Tour de France through Chris Froome.

The Laureus World Sports Awards recognise sporting achievement during the calendar year 2013. The names of the six Nominees for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award, as voted by the Laureus Media Selection Panel, comprising leading sports editors, sports writers, broadcasters and online journalists from around the world, will be announced on Wednesday, February 26, along with the names of Nominees from six other categories.

The eventual winners will then be chosen in a secret ballot by the ultimate sports jury, the 46 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy - the living legends of sport honouring the greatest athletes of today – and unveiled at the Laureus World Sports Awards Ceremony, to be staged in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, March 26.

Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which supports more than 140 sports-based community projects in 34 countries around the world that have helped to improve the lives of over one-and-a-half million young people.

Among those who have been honoured at previous Awards Ceremonies are Sebastian Coe, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Alex Ferguson, Lewis Hamilton, Rafael Nadal, Pelé, Michael Phelps, Steve Redgrave, Ronaldo, Michael Schumacher, Kelly Slater, Serena Williams and Zinedine Zidane. Guests attending the Awards Ceremony have included His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain, HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, David and Victoria Beckham, Sean Connery, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Morgan Freeman, Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey.

YB Dato' Seri Mohamed Nazri, Minister of Tourism & Culture of  Malaysia, said: “Kuala Lumpur is honoured to have been given the privilege of hosting the prestigious 2014 Laureus World Sports Awards and the city looks forward to staging this internationally-renowned event and welcoming a plethora of sporting legends to Malaysia. This is a sports-loving country and I can promise warm Malaysian hospitality awaits all our guests. Coupled with international events such as the Monsoon Cup and Formula One Grand Prix, we are supremely confident that Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is the perfect host for a sporting event with such global significance. I am positive this will be an event to remember for all involved.”

Members of the Laureus World Sports Academy volunteer their time to act as global ambassadors for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, whose mission is to use sport as the means to combat some of the world’s toughest social challenges facing young people today such as juvenile crime, gangs, HIV/AIDS, discrimination, social exclusion, landmines awareness, education and health problems such as obesity. Since its inception Laureus has raised over €60 million to support projects around the world.

For more information please contact:
Abhoy Chattopadhyay / Deependra Chetri on +91 98113 25251 / +91 9810418855.
Photo Archive: www.laureusarchive.com
Website: www.laureus.com
Follow us on Twitter @LaureusSport
Ashok Chakradhar Launches ‘Banyan Tree Brothers’ at
 World Book Fair
New Delhi, 19 Feb 2014 : Eminent poet and scholar Ashok Chakradhar launched the ‘Banyan Tree Brothers’ by Pigeon Publication at World Book Fair, Pragati Maidan. Based on rebirth of soul ‘Banyan Tree Brother’ is authored by Dr. Nidhi Dhawan, a first time author.  Her love for books and fascination with interplay of emotions and cultures was the melting pot in which the ‘Banyan Tree Brother’ was created. At the young age of 18, her poetry was published in the American Anthology Of Poetry.
‘Banyan Tree Brother’ is a story of generation of acceptance, dispute and then again acceptance. Two Friends live together, grow up together and apart. As Banyan Tree looks on, life deals them enough to ride on, and then, crashed their waves in a swirling whirlpool of Karmic Cycle.
Famous for satire and comedy poetry, the great Hindi poet Ashok Chakradhar commended the author’s effort of beautifully presenting the tale of a soul rebirth. While launching the book he said “The book is a fabulous work of fiction that shows Hindu & Muslim communities as interweaved in real life and that human emotions & karma influence life far more than religion”.
The author, Dr. Nidhi Dhawan raised the issue of communal harmony and said “It’s been my firm belief that religion originated to get people together and create a sage space in the jungle of survival, definitely not for creating or abetting conflict- as happens in this day and age. It is time to remove religion from the public and political domain and bring it back to one of personal choice and in the personal space and choice. We are each able to find our own god realisation. What we do and how we do defines our Karma”.
Regards,
 
Sujoy Kumar Chowdhury
Manager Media
Impact Public Relations Pvt. Ltd.
Coaches stress on importance of confidence and freedom at the Airtel Rising Stars final trials

The names of 11 selected players will be announced on Feb 21

Mumbai, 20 February 2014: The final trials of Airtel Rising Stars 2013-14, India’s largest under-16 soccer talent hunt got off to an outstanding start on Day one with 23 selected participants being out through the paced by Manchester United coaches at Mapusa’s Duler Stadium today. The camp marks the culmination of an intensive six-month talent hunt conducted in seven cities with the support of state and district football associations.

On Day one of the two-day trials that were conducted at the stadium and in an indoor arena, coaches stressed on the importance of confidence and freedom in football. They also briefed participants on playing their individual game, and displaying their distinguishing strengths and expertise. The entire group was divided into four teams of five players each and 5 vs 5 conditioned games were held, where coaches tested players with different scenarios and conditions to test the techniques and skills of the players. There were also classroom sessions, before the players were shown a presentation on what it takes to be a Manchester United players, narrated by Ryan Giggs.

The afternoon session stressed on dribbling skills, shooting skills and included a workshop for goalkeepers, after which they played a 11-a-side 20 mins game to conclude
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The players will be judged on technical and tactical skill, physical and mental strength, social skills, on field behaviour, communication, discipline, enthusiasm and fair play.

The camp is being overseen by Manchester United coaches Lami Sonola, Kecvin O’Connell and Adam Hilton, who will choose 11 young footballers to train at a week-long camp at the Manchester United Soccer School in the United Kingdom.

The unique format of ‘Airtel Rising Stars’ ensured that each player at the camp gets equal opportunity and time to demonstrate his skills, overseen by officially certified  and renowned coaches.

Started by Bharti Airtel in association with Manchester United, one of the best soccer clubs in the world, ‘Airtel Rising Stars’ screens young footballers across India for sporting capabilities and skillsets based on their performance in tests, real time match simulations etc. The on-ground execution of ‘Airtel Rising Stars’ has been entrusted to Procam International - India’s largest Sports marketing and Leisure Management company.


Santosh Barodia Senior Consultant
M: +91.9820509642 | 

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