sports

Pramod gets rousing welcome

Bhubaneswar : Shuttlers Pramod Bhagat got rousing welcome here on Thursday on his arrival from Indonesia where he bagged a gold and a bronze medals. Members of Paribartan Foundation and Para-players form members were present. Asian games bronze medalists Pramod emerged champion of the 3rd Indonesia Para-Badminton International by defeating Ukun Rukaendi 2-0 in the final at Indonesia on Sunday. In the men’s Sl3 category final, Atabira boy Pramod edged out Indonesian Ukun by 21-15, 21-13. In the semifinal, Pramod Bhagat pipped Daisuke Fujihara by 21-15, 21-16. In the doubles event Bhagat partnering Indrajit Pal lost to Indonesian team by 0-14 and got the bronze medal. I am happy with my performance, but it hurts me when the Sports Department officials making a difference between able and disable players. Nether they came to give a flower bucket on my arrival after winning a international medal nor I am getting the equal benefit like other players of the State in the case of getting Government Job, Pramod Bhagat said.

8 teams to join Abhaya Cup Kabaddi

Bhubaneswar: Altogether eight selected team of the State will takepart in the 2nd Abhaya Cup All Odisha Senior Men’s Kabaddi Tournament, which will begin at SGO Ground here from August 13 to 16, said Organising secretary Bhagyadhar Jagadev here in a Press Meet here on Friday. Barabati Club (Cuttack), Kishore Club, KIIT (both Bhubaneswar), Jajpur Kabaddi Association, GN Sports Organization (Pipilli), Sambalpur Kabaddi Club, SAI (Dhenkanal) and 6th Battalion (Cuttack) are the eight teams will fight for the top honour. Eight teams are divided in two groups to play the league round matches. Top two teams of each group will qualify for the semifinal round. The champion, runner-up and 2nd runner-up will receive cash prizes of `10,000, `6,000 and `4,000 respectively.  Organising Committee chairman Artabandu Patra, co-chairman Sarat Kumar Das, Bhubaneswar Athletic Association secretary SR Parija, Aranibda Mitra, Ashok Mohanty, Gopinath Tripathy and  Pradip Routaray.