National training camp by Aditya Mehta Foundation to transform soldiers to para-athletes Kick-offs

Media Release
June 25, 2017

Bengaluru, June 25: Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF), driven by Asian Championship medalists para-cyclist Aditya Mehta in his continuous effort to unearth and scout para-athletes who could go on to represent and bring laurels for India at global competition has kick started its ambitious National Training Camp at the BSF STC, Yelahanka on the outskirts of Bengaluru from today.

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The camp which will see around 150 para-athletes in making comprising of brave soldiers from Central Armed Police Forces who put their body on the line to protect the country.

The initiative since its inception had not only scouted Para athletes but also transformed the disillusioned soldiers into heroes and champions as the Indian Para Cyclists team, a product of this National Camp went on to win gold, silver and bronze medal at the Asian Championship in Bahrain in February 2017. In its second year the success has not only inspired more of the soldiers to enroll and approach Aditya and AMF has also pulled all resources to train these brave hearts and mentor them by internationally acclaimed coaches for a week long training in six para sporting disciplines including swimming, cycling, badminton (standing &wheelchair), tennis (wheelchair), shooting and body building.

“This camp is very special as it not only helps in giving a purpose to the lives of the soldiers who with unfortunate turn of events were completely disillusioned. But also is helping to explore the talents and evolve them into Indian para-athletes become champions and wining laurels for India,” Aditya said.

The training which is India’s only such camp for the para-athletes was inaugurated by Shri. K.K Sharma, Director General of Border Security Force, Shri. P.S Sandhu Inspector General of BSF STC, Bengaluru and Shri.A Dinakar Babu (IAS) Vice-Chairman and MD of Sports Authority of Telengana State.

“I am really thankful to Shri. P.S Sandhu for being a continuous pillar of support from my playing days to till date. While he not only supported me and encouraged my vision, he also helped me to get connected with DG BSF, Mr.Sharma. He has not only understood my will do work in Para Sports but also is the reason for AMF to not only work with the Armed Forces but also has given the courage and support to AMF to help the specially abled soldiers to get a new lease of life”, the two times Asian Paralympic silver medalist further added.

After the week-long camp is over, AMF will take the selected athletes under its wing where they will not only be given further enhanced training but also will be funded to pursue their dream of making the country in national and international events.

“It is a matter of immense pride for BSF to be part of such as noble cause. I would like to extend my thanks to AMF for their endeavour in empowering these brave individuals to do something great in their life even after going through such a loss in their life. I wish AMF all the best and hope they create many more champions in coming years,” Shri. K.K Sharma Director General of BSF said.

These brave hearts will be coached by top para coaches with Anand Kumar, Girish Sharma and Mark Dharmai taking care of badminton, Bholanath Daluai in-charge of swimming. Alok Mandal will be responsible to train the para-cyclists assisted by Aditya himself, while Madhu Bagri and Balachandar Subramaniam will help the tennis players hone their skills. Swaroop will be taking care of shooting disciplines and Vicky sharpening the skills of the bodybuilders.

About Aditya Mehta Foundation

Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF) is a non-profit organisation which aids people with disabilities to pursue sports while also providing them self-sustenance. The Foundation, started in October 2013, has grown by leaps and bounds in a short span. Based in Hyderabad, the Foundation has managed to span out to virtually every corner of the nation. It represents a unique cause and seeks to help a neglected part of a fairly large population.

The AMF raises funds through its signature Fund Raising event, the Infinity Ride, and also scouts for talent among the disabled population of India. It also provides counselling for them and helps them get better at their sport or even find a sport that is suitable for them. It provides the necessary equipment, training and funding for these athletes as well to help them grow in their sport and compete at the International level. Along with the civilian talent, a major part of the foundation’s efforts is directed at finding and nurturing talent in the nation’s Central Armed Police Forces (Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Sahastra Seema Bal and Central Industrial Security Force), which have a number of soldiers who have suffered debilitating or permanent injuries while serving the country at the border or in naxal-hit areas.

National Camp Partners – Border Security Force Key Sponsor: Sports Authority of Telengana State

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News Network
July 26,2020

Chennai, Jul 26: Indian Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand suffered his fifth straight defeat in the USD 150,000 Legends of Chess online tournament, going down 2-3 to Peter Leko of Hungry.

The former world champion got off to a good start and won the first game of the best-of-four contest. The next two games were drawn before Leko levelled by winning the fourth.

The Hungarian then claimed the Armageddon (a tie-breaker) to ensure Anand remain winless and at the bottom of the points table.

Anand, who is making his maiden appearance on the Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour, had earlier lost to Peter Svidler, Magnus Carlsen, Vladimir Kramnik and Anish Giri.

World no. 1 Carlsen bounced back strongly to avoid an upset, beating veteran Vasyl Ivanchuk 3-2 to stay on top.

Legends of Chess is a unique event where Carlsen, Liren, Nepomniachtchi and Giri, semifinalists at the Chessable Masters (part of the Magnus Carlsen Tour), received an automatic invite and are up against six legends aged 40-52, who have been at the top of world chess at various points in their career.

The tournament is part of the Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour. The winner of this event will qualify for the USD 300,000 Grand Final scheduled from August 9 to 20.

Results of Round 5: Peter Leko beat Viswanathan Anand 3-2; Magnus Carlsen beat Vasyl Ivanchuk 3-2: Vladmir Kramnik beat Ding Liren 2.5-1.5; Anish Giri beat Boris Gelfand 2.5-1.5; Ian Nepominiachtchi beat Peter Svidler 3-1. 

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News Network
January 6,2020

Sydney, Jan 6: Nathan Lyon captured five for 50 and 10 match wickets as Australia crushed New Zealand by 279 runs on Monday, capping a golden domestic summer as they swept the three-Test series.

The off-spinner led the powerful Australian bowling attack to dismiss the Kiwis for 136 and seal another heavy win over the Black Caps after similar victories in Perth and Melbourne.

Australia have been unbeatable this season, winning all five Tests at home -- two against Pakistan and three against New Zealand -- after retaining the Ashes by drawing the series 2-2 in England.

"It's been a great summer for the Australian Test side," Lyon said.

"It's pretty special to be part of it, we have been impressive, pretty clinical, the batters have done well and given us bowlers plenty of time."

Australia declared their second innings at 217 for two with David Warner scoring an unbeaten century, leaving the Black Caps with a revised 416-run target in the fourth innings on a wearing Sydney Cricket Ground pitch.

But the Kiwis buckled under the pressure of Australia's superior bowling attack with Mitchell Starc taking three for 25 to support the wiles of spinner Lyon.

"They were clinical in all areas and after the first match they put us under pressure session after session," said skipper Kane Williamson, who missed the Test with a virus.

New Zealand were reeling early at 27-4 and never recovered after Starc and Lyon took two wickets each in the middle session to put the skids under the tourists.

Starc removed both openers, Tom Latham and Tom Blundell, in the first five overs. Blundell fell to a stunning catch by a diving Lyon at point for two and stand-in skipper Latham lost a review for leg before wicket.

Jeet Raval was out in a review to the faintest of edges on 'Snicko' in Lyon's first over for 12.

First-innings top-scorer Glenn Phillips went for a duck after technology detected a faint outside edge to wicketkeeper Paine off Lyon.

Taylor's Kiwi record

Ross Taylor became the leading all-time Kiwi batsman, going past Stephen Fleming (7,172) before he was bowled by Pat Cummins for 22 to take his Test aggregate to 7,174.

Big-hitting Colin de Grandhomme smacked Lyon for six to bring up his fifty but went next ball hoicking to Joe Burns at deep mid-wicket for 52.

Todd Astle was out to a superb diving catch by James Pattinson in the outfield for 17.

Starc yorked William Somerville's middle stump for seven and BJ Watling was the last to fall, caught at backward square leg by Pat Cummins for 19.

Earlier, Warner completed his 24th Test century and remained unbeaten when skipper Paine declared upon the dismissal of Marnus Labuschagne.

"You know you're capable of doing so," Warner said, when asked about how he had bounced back from his disastrous Ashes campaign in England last year.

"I was in the nets hitting the ball well and had the skipper backing me. To be able to play with freedom helped me. It's all paying off."

Labuschagne, who was dropped on four in a regulation caught-and-bowled chance by leg-spinner Astle, was caught at long on off Matt Henry for 59 -- his seventh score over 50 in eight innings this domestic summer.

Labuschagne finished the home five-Test season with a stunning aggregate of 896 runs, made up of his 215 in the first innings, three other centuries and three half-centuries in eight innings.

There was drama late in the Australian innings when Warner was given an official warning by umpire Aleem Dar for running down the middle of the pitch in scampering a single.

It resulted in five penalty runs being added to New Zealand's first innings total meaning their target was revised down from 421 to 416.

The Test was played against the backdrop of one of Australia's most devastating bushfire seasons with at least 24 people losing their lives in blazes raging across the country, including on the outskirts of Sydney.

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News Network
April 25,2020

New Delhi, Apr 25: The love and loyalty of the fans will never let him leave Royal Challengers Bangalore till the time he is playing IPL, skipper Virat Kohli said on Friday.

RCB have reached the IPL final thrice but have not gone on to win the trophy.

During a live session on Instagram with former South African captain and RCB teammate AB de Villiers, Kohli said winning the tournament remains the goal but he would not leave the team irrespective of the results.

"It has been such an amazing journey. It is always going to be our dream, winning the IPL together. There is no scenario where I could think of leaving the team ever.

"You can feel emotional about the season not going well but till the time I am playing IPL, I am never leaving this team. The fans, their loyalty has been amazing," said the India skipper.

Responding to Kohli's feelings towards RCB, De Villiers too acknowledged the support of fans over the past nine years. Kohli, on the other hand, has been with RCB since 2008.

"Same for me. I never want to leave RCB but to do that I got to keep scoring runs. I am not the captain you see," said the South African in jest.

Both recalled their early days in international cricket and their growth as cricketers and friends.

Kohli said at times, the youngsters coming in have too much regard for the "system" and he wants to see them break the norm.

"I want to see youngsters coming in scoring 500-600 runs. I want people to break the norm. Sometimes I feel people have too much regard for the system in sport. When you break the shackles, you do something special."

Kohli also acknowledged contribution of Mark Boucher, Gary Kirsten and Duncan Fletcher early on in his international career.

"Gary always gave me positive feedback. Boucher told me in 2008 to improve my game against the short ball. He had the vision. Then Fletcher, he had a keen eye for the game. So many people who have contributed (to my growth)," said Kohli.

De Villiers picked the 119 at Wankhede in the 2015 series decider as his best knock against India. Kohli picked the 119 he scored in Johannesburg Test in 2013.

"I was always really motivated to win the series after 2-2 . I was incredibly motivated to do something special," de Villiers said.

They also picked their combined South Africa and India ODI team. It included Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ab de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, M S Dhoni (captain), Yuvraj Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Dale Steyn, Jasprit Bumrah and Kagiso Rabada.

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