A Gold Medal Around Your Neck Doesn’t Matter, Giving 100% In The Field Does

“It doesn’t matter whether a gold medal is around your neck or have you qualified for any big sports event, at the end of the day you need to sleep honestly knowing that you gave your best in the field”, said, Rehan Poncha, Arjuna Awardee & Indian Olympic Swmmier and the Chief Guest at the inauguration ceremony of the MIT World Peace University’s 12th National level Inter Engineering Sports Summit. Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), Pune has organized a National Level Inter-Engineering Sports Meet, “MIT SUMMIT” with 15 different sports, 36 individual trophies and prizes worth 15 lacs starting from 14th September.

Also present at the ceremony were Dr. Vishwanath D. Karad, Founder President, MAEER’s MIT, Pune, Ganpatrao Mane, Kabaddi Player, Devidas Jadhav, Volleyball Coach, Sunil Kakde, Indian Rower, Prof. Rahul Karad, Executive President, MIT World Peace University, Dr. Mangesh T. Karad, Secretary & Trustee, MAEER’s Group of Institutions, Prof. L. K. Kshirsagar, Principal, MIT, Dr. R. V. Pujeri, Director, MIT WPU, Prof.S.S.Darade-Patil, Dean, MIT and Prof.  P. G. Dhanave.

The Krida Maharashi Puraskar was awarded to Shri. Ganpatrao Mane for his outstanding contribution in the field of Kabaddi. The Krida Acharya Puraskar was given to Shri. Devidas Jadhav for his outstanding contribution in the field of Volleyball and to Shri. Sunil Kakde for his outstanding contribution in the field of Rowing. Megha Agarwal was given the Sports Star of the Year Award at the hands of Mr. Rehan Poncha.

Rehan Poncha further said, “I decided to pursue a comparatively simpler course so that I can achieve my dream of representing India at the Olympics, the biggest sporting stage for any sportsman. I worked day in and day out to achieve my dream. But, I failed to qualify for the 2004 Olympic games. But I didn’t gave up, as I had my goal fixed firmly in my mind. In the next Olympic qualifications, 15 minutes before my qualifying swim, I was tensed, if I would had failed, that would had been my last shot at Olympics. All I did was think of the efforts taken by my coaches, my parents and all the toil I had taken to reach there. I qualified and the most proud moment of my life was to be one of the 62 members from a country of 1.2 billion people walking at the opening ceremony of Olympics with the Indian flag rightly waving in front of us.”

Ganpatrao Mane said, “The sports culture has not yet reached the rural parts of India. We lack sports infrastructure in the rural parts. The government has to give a keen attention to sports culture and infrastructure in rural areas.”

Devidas Jadhav said, “I have visited many countries in the world, participating in many tournaments, but I have not found any institute as passionate as MIT World Peace University when it comes to commitment towards sports. I hope tomorrow’s sports leadership should walk from the soil of Maharashtra.”

Prof. Dr. Vishwanath karad said, “Rehan Poncha has shown us that with a sense of discipline and character, one can lead a successful life. Be it engineering, management or medical students do not find time for sports from their heavy study syllabus. But MIT is an institution which understands the importance of sports in any student’s life. I appeal to all of you to create a platform and help in whatever possible way you can for the field of sports. It our responsibility to build a huge platform when it comes to sports.”

Prof. Rahul Karad said, “We want to create a sports culture in the whole country. We want MIT World Peace University to become a model for it. Sports bring the whole nation together. I wish lick to all the participants participating in the MIT WPU Summit 2017.

Dr. Mangesh Karad said, “It is the 12th year of the Summit. We started it in 2005 with participation of hardly 300-350 students. Today we have nearly 5000 students from all over India participating in this prestigious inter engineering tournament. It is a wonderful and path showing event happening in the sports environment of Pune. Universities have a huge task of Nation Building. What other than sports can contribute effectively to a building of a great nation.”

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Singapore Slammers retain the IPTL crown

After an 10-day 3-nation tour, the Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) 2016 culminated in an exciting grand finale with an epic showdown between the two table-shoppers, here at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in the historic city of Hyderabad.

The OUE Singapore Slammers retained the IPTL title in a rematch of last's years final although this time was played in the Aces home ground. A stunning 30-14 and a marvelous display for each player of the Singapore side.

 "We are waiting for the final", said the Slammers coach Purav Raja. And he didn't lie. The Indian professional tennis player was aware of the comfortable Head-to-head that the Aces have had in this 2016 edition: a 3-0 in matches, with narrow, tight and strong wins. But he also knew that this previous results could go in their favour.

As for the match, there is absolutely no doubt that Carlos Moyà could still play on tour. The former world number one, now retired, was once again in spectacular form. With an outstanding seven wins in a row, the Spaniard started things off precisely the way that coach Raja wanted. Beating Mark Philippoussis and also setting a very high standard for his team.Kiki Bertens continued with her sensational powerful game and the Dutch-woman not only beat Kirsten Flipkens. She also defeated the Belgian's substitute, the queen of Hyderabad herself, Sania Mirza.

The Indian tennis star played her first singles game of the year and was close to upset Bertens, who was extremely relieved once the set was over.In the Mixed doubles set, Marcelo Melo came with great confidence and, alongside Bertens, neutralized the power of the Indian duo Mirza/Bopanna.

 Everything looked on the Slammers bright side. Two more sets and the title would be renewed.Nick Kyrgios joined Melo and both took over Feliciano López and Ivan Dodig. All their sets have been spectacular this season and the final one was not an exception. After four sets, the four were on the Slammers side. It all came down to Marcos Baghdatis who sealed the final victory with a great win over Feliciano López.

Raja was right. His team delivered when it mattered. For a second straight year, the OUE Singapore Slammers are the IPTL champions.

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Sania Mirza Comes Back Home

After two intense legs in Tokyo and Singapore, the Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League lands tomorrow in Hyderabad, India, which will be the decisive leg where the final will take place. 

Home superstar Sania Mirza, one of the leaders of the local team, the Indian Aces, is ready to be the main protagonist as she hopes to guide her side to the IPTL crown. 

"I am looking forward to go to Hyderabad", said Mirza. "Actually the city has a very rich culture of sport, with amazing athletes coming from there. People follow the tennis all year round and have a deep knowledge of the sport in general. I really hope they come to support us." Mirza, women's doubles world number one and owner of six Grand Slam titles, grew up in Hyderabad, where she lives when the tour gives her time to do so. It will be the first time since April 2015 that she plays in front of her hometown crowd. 

"It is very special for me to play there. The last time was almost two years ago and before that it was actually in 2005 so it is always special to play back home because it reminds you where you come from, your beginnings, the journey you have had," said Mirza. The 30-year-old is not just the best women's doubles player in the world, she is a global icon. Her near-five million followers on Twitter make her the second most followed female tennis player right behind Serena Williams. 

Playing for the IPTL for the third time, Mirza says she loves the format. "As tennis players we play such an individual sport that it's great to be part of a team. It is a really fun format but also a very competitive one," she added. "Even if you play just one set, you are living every point with them because all the emotions you go through. Actually I think it's tougher to watch than to play, at least in my opinion. Emotionally, when you finish the match, you feel like you have played the five sets. That's what makes the format so special." 

From December 9-11, at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, the best tennis stars from past, present and future will be in Hyderabad.

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Sania Should Stop Playing For India

The people are agog over the marriage between Sania Mirza and Shoeb Malik. Sania is from India and Shoeb is from Pakistan. Already Sania Mirza is known as a glamour girl. She has got more publicity than what she deserves, if going by her sports record. The various online forums and TV channels are running messages from her fans criticising her decision.

The hype went to such level that the proposed wedding today figured in Maharashtra Legislative Council. Opposition Shiv Sena raised the issue of increasing number of cheating cases of spouses by foreigners. "Marriage cheating cases are increasing and in Sania's matter there are reports about her fiance (Shoaib Malik) being already married," MLC Neelam Gorhe said during a debate on the law and order situation in the state.

For me, it is a routing affair. There is nothing one can do to stop such marriages. Sania knows she is marrying an already married man. It is her decision. But after marriage, she should not be allowed to play for India. Because whatever tournament she takes part in, she is going to benefit from it. How can we allow Pakistani nationals to benefit monetarily by posing as an Indian?

If she is ready to part way with India, let her do it. But then, let us not allow her to make profit from her Indian credentials.

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