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www.southasiangames2016.com 5 - 16 February 2016 TIKHOR12th February, Thursday | Issue: TTimes7 imes All-Indian Aff airs… itting a double century of medals, Hthe Indian contingent plundered the remaining two gold medals in the Tennis Competition of the 12th South Asian Games in Guwahati, Assam. Continuing the terrifi c show, Indian player Ramkumar Ramanathan bagged a gold beating compatriot Saketh Myneni 7-5, 6-3 in the men’s singles fi nal on the concluding day of the tennis event at the All Assam Tennis Association Grounds. Match- Men’s Singles Gold winner Ramkumar Ramanathan & Match- Men’s Singles Silver winner Saketh myneni The fi nal day also caught attention in the women’s doubles, which was also an all-Indian aff air, when the duo of Prarthana Thombre and Sharrmadaa Baluuishika clinched the gold defeating the pair of Rishika Sunkara and Natasha Palha 7-5, 2-6, 10-4 in the fi nal. Besides, sweeping the Gold honours, the Indians won all silver medals on off er in fi ve events -- men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Remarkably, fi nals of the fi ve events were all-Indian aff airs. A fascinating tale of Table Tennis From Shillong: were in action throughout the singles, doubles, mixed doubles and team events with Erika always present, cheering them on. With so much time spent away from home representing their country, having family close to you is a great thing, according to the sister act. “We actually don’t get that much time to play with family, but ....next page Medals Tally Nabita Shrestha is fl anked by sisters-in-law Elina Maharjan (right) and Country Gold Silver Bronze Total Erika Maharjan (left) after the former two received their bronze medals INDIA 140 78 20 238 in the women’s doubles table tennis event on Wednesday SRI LANKA 25 51 76 152 eam mates are often very close, but the PAKISTAN 72243 72 Tmembers of the Nepal women’s table tennis team have a truly special connection. BANGLADESH 41041 55 Sisters Elina Maharjan and Erika Maharjan and NEPAL 11220 33 their sister-in-law Nabita Shrestha were part of 13 1115 Nepal’s contingent at the South Asian Games, with Elina and AFGHANISTAN Nabita coming away with a bronze in the women’s doubles. MALDIVES 02 1 3 Nineteen-year-old Erika did not get a chance to play, but BHUTAN 01 4 5 Elina and Nabita, Nepal’s two strongest female paddlers, TIKHORth 12 February, Thursday | Issue: 7Times having them around allows you to feel free and lessens the last eight years, while it has been seven for Elina and four for pressure,” Nabita said, while Elina chipped in, “You can enjoy young Erika. the moment and it is a big support.” They trained hard for seven to eight hours a day in the three Not only do the three live in the same house, but they also weeks leading up to SAG 2016, but come away with mixed attended the same schools and college. In fact, they are feelings about the results. all pursuing business degrees - Nabita, the oldest at 23, is “We hoped for a lot, but got this much (bronze) only. We studying for her MBA, while Elina (21) is doing her BBA. Erika, hoped a lot for the team event but unfortunately it didn’t meanwhile, is in her second year of a Bachelor in Business go our way,” Nabita said. “I am happy, but not satisfi ed,” she Studies. added. “As we said, it’s a way of supporting each other,” Nabita, who The paddlers now have only a little time to rest, as is married to the brother of Elina and Erika, quipped while Nepal will be taking part in the World Team Table Tennis the others laughed. Championships, which begin at the end of the month. Asked if there were any interests they do not share, the Photo Caption: Nabita Shrestha is fl anked by sisters-in-law paddlers struggled to think before Elina said, “It’s somehow Elina Maharjan (right) and Erika Maharjan (left) after the all similar.” former two received their bronze medals in the women’s Nabita has been representing Nepal in table tennis for the doubles table tennis event on Wednesday. Onto another innings From Shillong: nlike legendary pugilist MC Mary Kom and tennis star Sania Mirza, who are still going Ustrong after tying the nuptial knot, the determination to become stronger is in India’s star woman footballer Oinam Bembem Devi too. However, the 35-year-old Manipur woman has decided to shut the door on marriage and devote her life to develop sports, particularly women’s football, in India. The current team captain will hung up the boots from international football after the 12th South Asian Games after playing for India for over two decades. “I have been playing football for 21 years and this is the right time for me to retire after the 12th South Asian Games,” Bembem said in Shillong. Bembem, who ruled out immediate marriage plans even after retiring from football, will embark on another mission. “My new journey will be to groom young Indian footballers, especially to develop women’s football in the country,” she said. “I eat, sleep and drink football,” said the footballer who made her international debut against Guam in the Asian Women’s Championships as a 15-year-old. Bembem, who was named twice as AIFF Woman Footballer of the Year, in 2001 and 2013, also wishes to see more women’s football tournaments in the country, including introduction of an I-League for women. “I think women’s football in India has the potential to grow. After retirement, I will devote my time to train junior footballers in Manipur so that they can represent the country in national and international levels,” said the midfi elder who has made 18 appearances for India and scored 11 goals in internationals. Bembem is hopeful on development of women’s football in India as she feels there has been some improvement after the AIFF-FIFA grassroots programme was launched in the country. Oinam Bembem Devi, Captain, Indian She feels the grassroots programme for women is also strong in her state Manipur and Women’s Football Team, during the match in many districts, young boys and girls are being trained for the under-13 and under-14 against Nepal in Shillong on Thursday teams. Bembem, who played for Maldivian football club New Radiant in 2014, led the Indian women’s team as skipper to title in the 11th South Asian Games in Bangladesh in 2010 and the 2012 SAFF Women’s Championship in Sri Lanka in 2012. 2 TIKHORth 12 February, Thursday | Issue: 7Times Actions across the arena India’s Bala Devi & Nepal’s Sajana Rana vie for the ball Tennis: Men’s Singles Gold & Silver India, Bronze- Pakistan and Sri Lanka 50mm Rifl e Prone Men Team: India (Gold), Pakistan (Silver) & Sri Lanka (Bronze) 400 m women Hurdles Gold-India, Silver -India, Bronze- Sri Lanka Women’s Kabaddi in action - Nepal vs. India Shot put Gold Medal winner India’s Om Prakash Singh along with Silver Medalist Jasdeep Singh (India) and Bronze Medalist Muhammad Waseem (Pakistan) Maldives Silver medalist in 200m Run Women’s Hockey Gold Medal winner India with Silver & Bronze Medal winners Sri Lanka & Nepalpal 3 TIKHORth 12 February, Thursday | Issue: 7Times Competition Schedule for 12th February, 2016 Event Venue Time Athletics Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium, Sarusajai Sports Complex, Guwahati 0700 Marathon (M & W) Football (Women) JLN Stadium, Shillong 14:00 & 19:00 (Semifi nals) Handball LNIPE, Sonapur, Guwahati 1500 – 1630 (M), 1200 – 1330 (W) Hockey Moullana MD. Tayabullah Hockey Stadium, Bhetapara, Guwahati 1730 & 2000 (M) 0900, 1100, 1700 & 1800 (M); Kabaddi DTRP Indoor Stadium, R.G. Baruah Sports Complex, Ulubari 0900, 1000, 1700 & 1800 (W) Shooting Shooting Range, Kahilipara 0930 – 1430 & 0830 – 1600 (M) Maldives memorable Indian eves defeat Sri Lanka victory! to win the Hockey Gold From Shillong: n a battle of island nations, Maldives came out on top Iagainst Sri Lanka when they locked horns in the football fi eld during the 12th South Asian Games women’s round match the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex in Shillong on Thursday. Although with this glorious win, Maldives have ended their journey in the women’s football tournament at 4 points from four matches, yet Maldives skipper Fadhuwa Zahir bagged the title of ‘Star of the day’, scoring both goals through set pieces in the initial half, much to the delight of ndian Women Hockey team has earned the Gold medal Iby defeating the Lankans in the fi nal of the 12th South Asian Games. In a jam-packed Moullana Md Tayabullah Hockey Stadium, in Guwahati on Thursday evening, the Indian eves started on an attacking note and scored early in the 2nd minute through a fi eld goal from Rani, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead in the match. The Indian eves kept pressing hard, pushing the opponents to the back foot and led the opponents by 6-0 at the half time. For India Rani scored 3 goal. And Yendala Soundarya scored 2 goals. Indian eves earlier defeated Sri Lanka in their second encounter on 8th February by a huge margin of 12-1. Maldives Aminath Shamila and Sri Lankas I Withanage inaction dharohar coach Naoko Kawamoto. A festival of diverse cultures of India with special focus on North East th th Expressing her happiness, Maldives coach Naoko Kawamoto Date: 6 - 15 February, 2016; Time: 6:00 PM onwards.