Latest news with #NCOEs
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Sneha's positive dope test a big wake up call for AFI, SAI
CHENNAI: In what could be another embarrassing episode for Athletics Federation of India (AFI), Sneha K tested positive for banned substance and is undergoing provisional suspension. It was on Sunday, Sneha's name started doing the rounds for returning positive. Interestingly, the 400m athlete was part of the training camp at the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Thiruvananthapuram. Sneha was also part of the Asian Athletics Championships underway in Gumi, South Korea and had to be withdrawn because of this. She was tested by the World Athletics' anti-doping watchdog Athletics Integrity Unit and tested positive for stanozolol. According to the AIU website, she has been served notice of charge. Stanozolol is an anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) and a performance enhancing drugs. It is banned at all times. This comes days after ace javelin thrower Shivpal Singh tested positive for banned substance and chief national coach of the junior India team, Ramesh Nagpuri, was penalised by National Anti-Doping Agency for reportedly 'aiding' evasion. Shivpal was training at the NCOE Patiala. The urine sample was collected during out-of-competition. The AFI had started an audacious plan this year of decentralising the national camps. Athletes testing positive in camps should give a wake-up call to not just the AFI but also the Sports Authority of India (SAI), who is in-charge of the NCOEs. India has already started bidding for the 2036 Olympic Games and is keen to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030. But such unsavoury instances will bring in disrepute to the country. Sneha had represented India at the World Relays on May 10 and 11. She won bronze at the Federation Athletics Championships in April where she clocked her personal best of 53.00s. She also ran at the Indian Grand Prix 2 at Thiruvananthapuram.
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Business Standard
04-05-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Mandaviya joins 'Fit India' cycling drive, stresses benefits of exercise
Mandaviya highlighted the significance of physical activity in today's increasingly digital world ANI Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, participated in the 21st edition of the 'Fit India Sunday on Cycle' campaign, promoting fitness and environmental awareness through regular cycling. The initiative, which has gained traction across the country, aims to encourage citizens to adopt healthier lifestyles and reduce pollution through sustainable practices. Mandaviya highlighted the significance of physical activity in today's increasingly digital world. "This is the 21st edition of 'Sunday on Cycle'. Teachers of the country have given a message to the country... 'Sunday on Cycle' keeps us healthy," he said. Stressing the need to strike a balance between digital engagement and physical well-being, the Union Minister remarked, "Physical activity is very important to stay healthy. Today, we have become digital but are missing out on physical." He also pointed to the broader environmental benefits of cycling, stating, "We can also solve pollution through cycling." The 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) and MY Bharat. Events are simultaneously held across Sports Authority of India regional centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) and the Khelo India centres (KICs) across the country. Till now, 'FIT India Sundays on Cycle' has been organised nationwide across 4200-plus locations, witnessing the participation of more than 2 lakh individuals. The movement also promotes environment-friendly practices to decrease air pollution levels across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Fit India' initiative in 2019 with the motto of promoting a healthy and active lifestyle among citizens. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hans India
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Mizoram in focus as future women hockey stars identified at ASMITA sub-junior league
New Delhi: Five under-16 girls from Mizoram are among the 15 selected by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to be inducted into the various National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) for hockey. Seen as the building blocks for women's hockey in India, the girls have been chosen after the conclusion of the 2024-25 season of the ASMITA league matches. The 15 selected for training at the NCOEs include three players from Haryana and two each from Jharkhand and Odisha. The presence of girls from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh reflects the passion for hockey in India. Piyush Dubey, the High-Performance Director for hockey at SAI and Khelo India, said these girls have been chosen keeping the 2032 and 2026 Olympics in mind. 'We have to think of a pathway, and these girls have the potential to make it to the senior national team. In the last three to four years, ASMITA has provided the opportunity to see so many players in action, and this is a welcome change in our hockey ecosystem. This did not exist before,' said Dubey. He added that many players like Sunelita Toppo, Sujata Kujur, and Sakshi Rana have emerged from this hockey league and are now representing India. Six teams featuring 120 under-16 players took part in the ASMITA sub-junior hockey league's final phase. A total of 17 matches were played in the Rs 15.5 lakh prize money event. SAI Shakti won the team championship for the third consecutive time, beating Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy 2-1 in the final match at Delhi's National Stadium. Odisha's Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre finished third, while Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy ended fourth. The following players have been selected: For NCOE Lucknow - 1. Shweta Upadhyay (Haryana), 2. Rashi (Haryana). For NCOE Mumbai – 3. Laldinpuii (Mizoram), 4. Binita Karketta (Jharkhand), 5. Suneli Burh (Odisha) 6. Salmi Jadia (Odisha). For NCOE Delhi – 7. Tulashi (Andhra Pradesh), 8. Pearlin (Karnataka), 9. Vanlarinluii (Mizoram), 10. Lalnulfelli (Mizoram). For NCOE Sonipat – 11. Diya (Haryana). For NCOE Bhopal - 12. Aradhana Rajbhar (Uttar Pradesh), 13. Shivani Khalko (Jharkhand). For NCOE Kolkata – 14. Loicy Lalthanpuii (Mizoram), 15. Lalfakwami (Mizoram). Mizoram's ascendency in women's hockey has been quite startling. For the first time in its history, the tiny northeastern state, known for its footballers and boxers, won a bronze medal in the senior national women's hockey championship in Panchkula, Haryana. Dubey says that Mizoram girls have been showing improvement in the last five-six years and credit goes to the coaches who are working at the SAI centre in Thenzawl. Lalrothuami, a 2009 junior India player who turned coach in 2011, said young girls are taking an interest in hockey and some 40 are training at the SAI Centre. Mizoram have found a unique way to attract youngsters to play hockey. The image and profile of current Indian women's team player and Tokyo Olympian Lalremsiami Hmarzote have been used in advertisements and social media to attract girls to participate in trials. 'The response has been fairly good from the villages. Two of our girls, Lalthantluangi and Lalrinpuii, are ASMITA products and are junior Indian team members. They are a great advertisement for us, and we are very happy that five Mizoram girls have been selected for training at NCOEs,' said Lalrothuami. 'Our players need more competitive exposure and a better training ecosystem. In terms of skills, all players are more or less equal, but Mizo girls are stronger and have the stamina. We hope they will utilize the facilities at NCOEs well,' the coach added. Selection at NCOEs does not guarantee a long-term membership. There are two assessments every year, and players are judged on the three basic parameters: physical strength, sports science tests, and, of course, skills. Players who do not meet certain standards are deselected. This ensures quality control and the opportunity for more players with merit.
