Padmini becomes 1st women IM of Odisha
Bhubaneswar: Women Grand Master (WGM) Padmini Rout of Odisha bagged the International Master (IM) title on the basis of her present rating. She is the first women of the State received the IM title. Earlier she was bagged three IM norms, but before the Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival at England she started with 2388 rating points. After the ninth round she gathered 53 points and reached 2441 points. Though she achieved the IM title as per the FIDE guidelines, the FIDE would announce it soon. The IM title holder must reach 2400 rating points which she achieved in this meet. On the process she also bagged first Grand Master (GM) norms. As per the present All India women rating Padmini has been placed in the third place. GM Koneru Humpy and GM Dronavalli Harika both of Andhra Pradesh are in first and second place in the national ranking respectively.
State Excise Athletic Meet from today
Bhubaneswar: State Excise Sports Committee is all set to host the two-day long 45th State Excise Athletic Meet at Kalinga Stadium from February 6 to 7. Altogether 700 athletes from across 30 districts would participate in different athletic events. State Excise and Co-operation Minister Damodara Rout would inaugurate the meet as chief guest. Among other dignitaries Excise principal secretary SP Thakur, additional secretary Sangram Keshari Ray, OSBC managing director Dwijaraj Kar will be present in the inaugural ceremony.
Odisha eves win in Nat’l Games Hockey, Football
Bhubaneswar: In the women hockey Odisha edged out Karnataka by 5-1 goals in the league round match of the 35th National Games at New Hockey Stadium, Ashramam, Kollam on Thursday. In the one sided match, Ambika Toppo draw the first blood through penalty corner in the fifth minute of the match. Jira Ekka double the lead in the 17th minute through penalty corner. Nilprojita Majhi, Ambika Toppo and Birajini Ekka netted a goal each in the 20th,27th and 46th minutes respectively. Niha of Karnataka scored the solitary goal in the 52nd minute to reduce the winning margin. Odisha women football team would meet Haryana in the semifinal of the 35th National Games at Corporation Stadium, Trissur in Kerala. In the last league round match on Wednesday, Odisha edged out host Kerala by 5-0 goals. Odisha’s Star striker Pyari Xaxa nailed double goals in the 15th and 64th minutes respectively.
Odisha rowing team bag 1 gold, 1 silver
Bhubaneswar: Odisha rowing team bagged one gold and one silver medal in the 35th National Games at Vembanad lake, Alappuzha in Kerala on Thursday. Sanjukta Dung Dung and Manjula Xess bagged gold medal in the women Coxswain less Pairs-500mts by clocking 01:47.00 seconds and the silver and bronze medals claimed by host Kerala and Chandigarh by clocking 01:52.00 and 01:53.00 seconds respectively. Similarly, Meena Madhuri Toppo, Sanjukta Dung Dung, Manjula Xess and Pricila Baxla bagged silver medal in women Coxless Four-500 mts by clocking 01:40.00 seconds. The host Kerala and Chandigarh won gold and bronze medals by clocking 01:39.00 and 01:45.00 seconds respectively.
SAI wins Jadupur Cup Football
Bhubaneswar: Sports Authority of India (SAI) Cuttack emerged champion of the Jadupur Cup Football by defeating Friends Paradise,Jatani by 2-0 goals at Jadupur in the city outskirt on Thursday, being organized by Jadupur Athletic Association. The 1st goal was scored by Saswat Swain of Sai Hostel in 8th minute. After the chang of sides, his mate Rajes Nayak nailed the final goal in the 55th minute. The champion team received the trophy along with cash award of Rs15,000 and the runners up team richer by Rs10,000. Rajes Nayak and Sk Kamal of the champion team received the man of the final and man of the tournament respectively. Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sudam Marandi present in the final match as chief guest. Among others Tourism and Culture minister Ashok Kumar Panda, Jadupur Athletic Association president Dilawar Khan and Secretary Daud Ali were present. SS Panda, Sekhawat Khan, S Patra and Pradipta Nayak were conducted the match as referees.