Latest news with #Dronacharya
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Khelo India Youth Games 2025: Maharashtra bags hat-trick of titles; Bihar impresses on home turf
Maharashtra has, time and again, managed to convince that its on-field prowess isn't a sporting fluke. The seventh edition of the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) in Bihar was no different, as Maharashtra's Under-18 athletes completed a hat-trick of team championships in the multi-discipline event. The state not only accounted for close to 17 per cent of the medals on offer, but also ensured there was daylight on the tally between itself and second-placed Haryana. Maharashtra's players won 158 medals (58 gold, 47 silver, and 53 bronze), while the runner-up bagged 117 (39 gold, 27 silver, and 51 bronze). Rajasthan finished third with 60 medals (24 gold, 12 silver, and 24 bronze). Maharashtra's gold medals were won across 14 sports, with an overwhelming majority coming from athletics (10), swimming (seven), gymnastics (seven), archery (six), and weightlifting (five). According to a statement from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, most of Maharashtra's standout performers — especially the archers and weightlifters — already train at Khelo India centres or the National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Aurangabad, Patiala, and Sonepat. SAI's talent development team also deserves a hat tip for identifying and nurturing 186 of the 5,071 athletes — 50 per cent of them girls — who participated in these Games. Meanwhile, Bihar, enjoying the privilege of competing in its own backyard, sprang the biggest surprise, significantly improving its rank to 15th after finishing 21st in the previous KIYG in Tamil Nadu. It registered seven gold, 11 silver, and 18 bronze medals. The host recorded a growth of 620 per cent over its showing in 2023, where it won five medals, including two gold, two silver, and one bronze. RELATED | Sports Minister announces multiple Games under Khelo India scheme Raveendran Sankaran, Director General and CEO of the Bihar State Sports Authority, attributes the roaring success to multiple factors. 'It didn't happen overnight. It took us four years. We initially concentrated on talent scouting. We empanelled the right persons for the right games; Dronacharya and Arjuna awardees from across the country helped us identify talent. For coaching too, we had national and international awardees and Olympians mentoring our kids,' he tells Sportstar. A lot of wrestling's history can be traced back to the akhadas of Haryana. Therefore, it came as no surprise when the state claimed eight of its gold medals in the sport. What's worth further praise is that Haryana's boxers also bagged eight, while its fencers won seven gold medals, indicating the state's foray into non-conventional sporting ecosystems. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary (centre), Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse (right) and Director General and CEO of the Bihar State Sports Authority, Raveendran Sankaran (centre left), during the closing ceremony of the 'Khelo India Youth Games 2025'. | Photo Credit: PTI Bihar tried something similar. It won both the gold medals on offer in Rugby 7s, a sport in which they have been improving by leaps and bounds for a while now. In fact, less than a month ago, the senior women's team from the state had lifted the trophy at the Nationals. 'I can't compete with Haryana in wrestling in the next 10 or maybe even 20 years. The same is true of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in basketball and volleyball. They are far ahead of us. So, we selected such sports where not only is the potential there in our athletes, but also where the competition is thin. But at the same time, those sports had to be part of the Olympics or Asian Games programme. Like Rugby 7s is part of the Olympics, and we won both titles. We chose games where our medal probability would be higher,' explains Raveendran. India's 🇮🇳 youth didn't just show up—they stole the show at the 7th #KheloIndiaYouthGames in Bihar, smashing numerous youth national and meet records. Congratulations to every athlete and their support staff. #KhelKeRangBiharKeSang@mansukhmandviya@khadseraksha@BSSABihar… — Khelo India (@kheloindia) May 15, 2025 A total of 26 records were broken at KIYG 2025. Girls established eight of these records. Incidentally, five also became national youth records in weightlifting. Sairaj Pardeshi of Maharashtra accounted for three of these records himself, breaching the earlier Snatch, Clean and Jerk, and Total marks in the 81kg category. Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya elucidated how the Khelo India programme, launched on October 14, 2017, will help India realise its Olympic dream. He said, 'Over the past decade, Indian sports have undergone a remarkable transformation. Under the Khelo India initiative, we have created a dynamic and inclusive sporting ecosystem with regular national-level competitions. Tamil Nadu's players pose with medals after winning gold medal in the women's volleyball event at the Khelo India Youth Games 2025, at Patliputra Sport Complex, in Patna. | Photo Credit: PTI Taking this vision forward, we will soon introduce a series of Khelo India Games throughout the year, including formats like the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) and others. These events will further strengthen our domestic sports structure and serve as a vital talent pipeline as we gear up for the Commonwealth Games 2030 and the Olympic Games 2036. India is on the move and the youth are at the heart of this sporting revolution.' The Khelo India caravan has hence set up camp in the picturesque Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, where the inaugural KIBG — a landmark event to draw national attention to coastal and beach sports — is currently underway.
Mint
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Former national shooting coach Sunny Thomas dies at 84
Former national shooting coach and Dronacharya awardee Sunny Thomas passed away at his residence in Uzhavoor on Wednesday following a brief illness, family sources said. He was 84. Thomas, who played a crucial role in elevating Indian shooting on the global stage, served as the coach of the national shooting team for 19 years, from 1993 to 2012. A college professor by profession, Thomas was a five-time state shooting champion and a national champion in 1976. During his tenure as coach, the Indian shooting team won numerous medals in international events, including the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. He also coached many Olympic medalists from India. In recognition of his contributions, he was honoured with the Dronacharya Award in 2001. Thomas is survived by his wife and two children. People from various walks of life, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, have condoled the demise of Thomas. With his passing, the Indian shooting community has lost a coach who gave it direction, the CM said in his condolence message. "India performed best in shooting at the Olympics and World Championships when Sunny Thomas was the head coach," he recalled. Although the country did not have a significant legacy in shooting, Thomas became a world-renowned coach through his sheer dedication and willpower, he added. Olympian Abhinav Bindra expressed deep sorrow over Thomas's demise. "Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Prof Sunny Thomas. He was more than a coach—he was a mentor, guide, and father figure to generations of Indian shooters," he wrote on 'X'. "His belief in our potential and his relentless dedication to the sport laid the foundation for India's rise in international shooting. He played a big role in my early years, and I'll always be grateful for his support and guidance. Rest in peace, sir. Your impact is everlasting," he added. First Published: 30 Apr 2025, 11:02 PM IST
Hans India
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Abhinav Bindra mourns passing of Sunny Thomas, says he was a ‘father figure to generations of Indian shooters'
New Delhi: Legendary shooting coach Sunny Thomas passed away on Wednesday at Uzhavoor in the Kottayam district of Kerala at the age of 83. In his memory, Abhinav Bindra took to social media to mourn his passing. Sunny Thomas was also the former vice-president of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the national coach for a long time, and earned the first Dronacharya award in Shooting. Prof. Sunny Thomas, a Dronacharya Awardee, was the coach of the Indian shooting team for 19 years from 1993-2012, mentoring many a champion shooter, including Abhinav Bindra, who became the first Indian to win an individual Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008, during his tenure. Abhinav Bindra was amongst the first to condole the death of Prof. Thomas as he took to social media and called the late Sunny Thomas a 'father figure to generations of Indian shooters.' 'Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Prof. Sunny Thomas. He was more than a coach, he was a mentor, guide, and father figure to generations of Indian shooters. His belief in our potential and his relentless dedication to the sport laid the foundation for India's rise in international shooting. He played a big role in my early years, and I'll always be grateful for his support and guidance," posted Bindra. NRAI president Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo has led the Indian Shooting community in mourning the passing away of the legendary coach. 'This is a void which Indian shooting will find very difficult to fill,' said Shri. Singh Deo. 'Professor Thomas was an institution in shooting and India would not have become the Shooting power that it is today, without his selfless contribution to our sport. The entire shooting community is in grief, and on behalf of everyone at the NRAI, I send my heartfelt condolences to his loved ones,' he was quoted as saying by NRAI in a release on Wednesday.
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Former national shooting coach Sunny Thomas no more
Former national shooting coach and Dronacharya awardee Sunny Thomas died at his residence in Uzhavoor here on Wednesday morning following a brief illness, family sources said. He was 84. Thomas, who played a crucial role in positioning Indian shooting on the global stage, was the national team coach for 19 years, from 1993 to 2012. A college professor by profession, Thomas himself was a five-time state shooting champion and a national champion in 1976. Sunny Thomas with Abhinav Bindra in 2001. | Photo Credit: M LAKSHMAN/HINDU During his tenure as coach, the Indian shooting team won medals in various international events, including the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. The nation recognised his contributions by bestowing him with the Dronacharya Award in 2001.
Mint
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Virat Kohli shares heartwarming moment with childhood coach after IPL heroics during DC vs RCB clash; watch viral video
Virat Kohli is the biggest star in the world of cricket and in India, especially in his hometown of New Delhi, he is nothing short of a demigod. However, all the riches and fame that he has been blessed with thanks to his hard work has not made India's finest batsman forget his roots. After guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a 6-wicket win in the Indina Premier League against Delhi Capitals with a vital innings of 51 (47), Kohli touched the feet of his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma. Sharma was in the crowd as RCB pulled of a vital win in tough conditions, and the Dronacharya awardee was allowed access to the ground during post-match interactions between the sides. Sharma 'blessed' Kohli in a funny manner, pinching the batsman's stomach area in jest. Watch the interaction here, which happens 20 seconds after the start of the video: RCB ended Sunday night at the top of the IPL standings after a fine win at the Arun Jaitley stadium against the Delhi Capitals. Krunal Pandya was the star with a brilliant all-round display as he held his nerve to a tense win on a difficult, two-paced surface. Winning the toss and choosing to field first, RCB restricted the home side to 162 for 8, with pace duo Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood picking up five wickets between them, while spinners Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya putting the brakes during the middle overs. In the second innings, RCB got off to the worst start possible in their chase as they slumped to 26 for 3 within the first four overs. However, a 119-run fourth-wicket partnership between Pandya and Kohli helped RCB recover and get over the line as they leapfrogged Gujarat Titans to the top of the table. Stay updated on all the action from the IPL 2025. Check the IPL 2025 Schedule, track the latest IPL 2025 Points Table, and follow the top performers with the Orange Cap and Purple Cap. First Published: 28 Apr 2025, 03:31 PM IST
