Sports

Magnus Carlsen is back in action at 6th Edition of Tata Steel Chess India

deccanwebtv Oct 22, 2024

• Tournament to take place from November 13 – 17, 2024
• at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium. Kolkata

Chennai October 21, 2024: World No. 1, Norwegian chess Grand Master – Magnus Carlsen will be in seen in action at the 6^th edition of Tata Steel Chess India. It will be 2^nd time that Carlsen will be participating in the tournament. Earlier in 2019 he participated and won the tournament. This year the tournament is going to be held from November 13 – 17, 2024 at the state-of-the-art auditorium – Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium, Alipore, Kolkata.

The Indian chess contingent, after a golden performance at the Chess Olympiad 2024 at Budapest, Hungary, will also be participating in the tournament. Other top ranked world players will also headline the competition at the sixth edition of Tata Steel Chess India (TSCI). Like earlier editions, the tournament will have both Open and Women category with same the format – rapid and blitz & will have equal prize money for both categories. Viswanathan Anand will continue his association with the tournament as the Ambassador.

The line up for this year’s tournament are as below:

Mr. Viswanathan Anand, Ambassador of Tata Steel Chess India said, “Looking forward to being back at Tata Steel Chess India. It has become the marquee event in India. This year brings the best of the world headed by Magnus Carlsen. I am particularly excited that the women’s event will have the best of Indian Chess. This year has been a celebration of Indian chess and this event will be a fitting tribute.”  

Mr. Chanakya Chaudhary, Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel said, “Sports have always been vital to Tata Steel’s goal of building an enduring and meaningful relationship with the community. Our tradition of nurturing and celebrating sporting talent is ingrained in our organisational fabric. We are excited to host the sixth edition of Tata Steel Chess India, which marks the return of World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. Members of the Indian men’s and women’s squads, following their gold medal wins at the Chess Olympiad 2024, will also join the tournament alongside top global players. We strive to raise the bar of the event, encouraged by the enthusiastic response we have received year after year.”

Mr. Jeet Banerjee, Director, Gameplan commented, “Today Tata Steel Chess India has been recognized as a world class chess tournament and for the same, we are really thankful to Tata Steel for their continuous support over the years. Owing to the stature and gaining popularity of the tournament in the chess fraternity, this year the lineup of players is absolutely star studded with Magnus Carlsen and top ranked players in the world chess from both men and women category to participate in the 6th edition of Tata Steel Chess India.”

Chennai Kaalpandhu League- Season 4

deccanwebtv Sep 15, 2024

Government Model Higher Secondary School Saidapet Boys & Jayagopal Garodhiya Girls Higher Secondary School Madhavaram Creates History, winning

~ Rahul & Maruva Farzeen players scores maximum goals~

Chennai, September, 14 2024:

Chennai Kaalpandhu League (CKL) Season 4 organised by LatentView
Analytics saw Government Model Higher Secondary School, Saidapet boys school and Jayagopal
Garodhiya Girls Higher Secondary School, Madhavaram girls school emerge as winners. CKL Season 4
took place in SDAT Grounds, Nehru Park, Chennai from September 09, 2024 onwards. This league
witnessed 36 teams from Government and Corporation-run schools playing 46 matches in the Under-14
category.
The prize distribution ceremony saw, Arjuna Awardee Joshna Chinappa – Indian Squash Player and 10m
Air Rifle Gold Medalist Sri Karthik Sabari Raj – National Games 2023 as Chief Guests. Mr.Venkat
Viswanathan, Founder, LatentView Analytics and Mr. Parminder, Head-Sportzvillage Foundation, and
Ms. Poornima, Head of CSR, LatentView Analtyics were also present at the prize distribution ceremony.
The girls finals was played between Jayagopal Garodhiya Girls Higher Secondary School, Madhavaram
and Government Higher Secondary School, KK Nagar. The boys finals was played between Cosmos
Fighters and Government Model Higher Secondary School, Saidapet.
The overall league tournament saw Master Rahul from GHSS, Kuthambakkam and Miss M.H. Maruva
Farzeen from Jayagopal Garodhiya Girls Higher Secondary School, Madhavaram scoring maximum
number of goals – 8 & 10 each in the overall tournament.

FINALS Scores:

APL Season 4

deccanwebtv Aug 4, 2024

4 ஆகஸ்ட் 2024 இன்று நேரு வெளியரங்கத்தில் APL Season 4 காலை 6:30 மணியளவில் ஆரம்பித்தது.இது கடந்த 4 பருவங்களாக வெற்றிகரமாக நடைப்பெற்று வருகிறது. விசேஷமாக இந்த 4.ஆம் பருவத்தில் 3 தலைமுறையினரும் பங்கு பெற்றனர். 4 வயது முதல் 55 வயது வரையிலான தடகள வீரர்கள் பங்கு பெற்றனர். இந்த நிகழ்வினை மேலும் சிறப்பிக்க சிறப்பு விருந்தினராக திரைப்பட நடிகர் ஆர்யா, ரெட் ஜெயண்ட் மூவீஸ் திரு.M.செண்பகமூர்த்தி, IAS officer சுப்ரியா சாஹீ, IPS Officer A. மயில்வாகனன், DAC Developers MD திரு. சதீஷ்குமார், ஸ்ரீகோகுலம் குழும நிறுவன V.C Praveen மற்றும் விக்கான் ஷெல்டர்ஸ் ஆகிய பலரும் கலந்து சிறப்பித்தன, மாலை 6 மணியளவில் வெற்றிகரமாக இந்நிகழ்வு நிறைவு பெற்றது

Chennai Gears Up for the Second Edition of HCL Cyclothon

deccanwebtv Jul 18, 2024

Race is scheduled on October 6, 2024 and will start and finish at Mayajaal Multiplex, ECR,Chennai

The theme is #ChangeYourGear which focuses on the transformative power of cycling and itspositive impact on individual well-being

Chennai, July 18, 2024: HCL Group, a leading global conglomerate, today announced the launch of
the second edition of the HCL Cyclothon Chennai 2024. Unveiling event details and the registration
process, HCL extended an invitation to cycling enthusiasts and the local community. Following two
successful editions in Noida and one in Chennai with participation from over 5000 cyclists, the HCL
Cyclothon Chennai 2024 will take place on October 6, 2024, starting from Mayajaal Multiplex.
Powered by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and under the aegis of the
Cycling Federation of India, this event offers an impressive prize pool of Rs 33 lakhs. Registrations
are open until September 22, 2024. For more details, visit www.hclcyclothon.com
Dr. Atulya Misra (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary at the Government of Tamil Nadu, and
Meghanatha Reddy, Member Secretary of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT),
were present as the chief guests. Dignitaries such as Onkar Singh, Secretary General at the Asian
Cycling Confederation and Sundar Mahalingam, President of Strategy at HCL Corporation, were also
present to announce the Second Edition of HCL Cyclothon Chennai.
The theme of this edition is #ChangeYourGear emphasizing the transformative power of cycling and
its positive impact on individual well-being and environmental sustainability. The previous edition of
HCL Cyclothon Chennai was held in October 2023 and witnessed the participation of over 1100
cyclists pedaling on the ECR Road. The race will start and finish at Mayajaal Multiplex, covering a
route that includes MGM Dizzee World, Dhanlakshmi Srinivasan College of Engineering, and
Mattukadu Boat House, with the route tailored as per different categories.
Present at the launch event, Dr. Atulya Mishra, Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Tamil Nadu
said, “We are excited to witness the second edition of the HCL Cyclothon in Chennai. HCL’s dedication
to promoting sports and fitness through such initiatives is commendable. This event not only fosters
community spirit and athleticism but also contributes to a healthier future for our city. By
encouraging active participation in sports, HCL is making a positive impact on Chennai’s
development.”
Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Sundar Mahalingam, President of Strategy at HCL Group,
said, “By cultivating a culture of cycling, we aspire to inspire individuals and communities to come
together, stay active, and contribute to a greener, healthier environment, truly embodying our brand
purpose, ‘Human Potential Multiplied’. Through HCL Cyclothon, we aim to transform the cycling
landscape in India by motivating people to take up cycling not just as a sport but as their way to a
healthy lifestyle.”
Remarking on the launch announcement, Mr. Onkar Singh, Secretary General at the Asian Cycling
Federation said, “Our combined efforts with HCL to promote cycling as both a lifestyle and a
competitive sport are truly admirable. The rise of cycling in India is inspiring, and with HCL’s
significant contributions, we look forward to a bright and exciting future for the sport in the country.”
Cycling Federation of India, the national governing body of cycle racing in India will provide technical
support basis their knowledge and expertise.

The event aims to provide a platform for professional and amateur cyclists to showcase their talent
and inspire a new generation to take up cycling as a sport in India. The event details are as follows:

Successful Finish for Chennai Leg of HCL Squash Tour & Southern Slam

deccanwebtv Jun 9, 2024

• 47 players participated in the PSA level HCL Squash Tour and more than 254 Players competed in HCL Southern Slam

• HCL plans to organize three more PSA Challenger Tournaments alongside three zonal-level slams in different cities till March 2025

• After Indore, Chennai was the second leg of this PSA level HCL Squash Tour

Chennai, June 08^th 2024: To enhance the squash ecosystem in India, HCL, a leading global conglomerate, along with the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), successfully concluded the second leg of its multicity Indian Squash Tour in Chennai. This tour, part of HCL’s Squash Podium Program, aimed to provide Indian players an opportunity to compete against the world’s best on their home turf and gain international ranking points. The HCL Southern Slam was held at the Indian Squash Academy, from June 04 to June 08, showcasing exceptional talent and competitive spirit among players. The top squash talents, including Ravindu Laksiri (World Rank 142), Anahat Singh (U19 & World Rank 114), Rathika Suthanthira (World Rank 170), Rahul Baith (World Rank 206), Vedant Patel (World Rank 316), and Om Semwal (World Rank 279), compete for a $3K prize money in both the PSA Men and Women categories.  

The Southern Slam and HCL Squash Tour provided a unique platform for young players to compete against best of the talents, gaining experience and enhancing their Asian and World ranking points respectively. Some of the key victories include Anahat Singh (India) winning in Southern Slam U-19 and women’s category of HCL Squash Tour and Ravindu Laksiri (Sri Lanka) winning in Men’s category.

Winner details are below:

The tournament’s success was celebrated at the closing ceremony, attended by esteemed guests including Ishaan Bhatnagar, member of Olympic Gold Quest and gold medallist Badminton player and Dr. Arumugam S. who is Director of Sri Ramachandra Centre of Sports Science.

Rajat Chandolia, AVP and Head of Brand at HCL, reaffirmed HCL’s commitment to squash “Our commitment to the Southern Slam and PSA Challenger underscores our dedication to elevating squash in India. Through these initiatives, we aim to provide young players with invaluable opportunities to compete on an international stage, showcasing their dedication and talent. The performances we’ve seen here in Chennai are a testament to their hard work and passion. We are proud to support their journeys and are determined to expand the squash community to more cities, fostering growth and excellence in the sport across the nation.”

Cyrus Poncha, Secretary General at Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), “The Southern Slam and PSA Challenger in Chennai are not just tournaments, they are vital platforms that bring together young and seasoned talents from across the globe. These tournaments offer a competitive arena where our athletes can test their skills against the best, gain invaluable experience, and showcase their prowess on an international stage. The enthusiasm and energy surrounding these tournaments are palpable, and they underscore a bright future for squash in India.”

In recent years, the Squash Capital has undergone a transformation in its squash facilities, cementing its position as a key hub within the central region of India. The city has continuously hosted various squash tournaments, including the successful Squash World Cup and National Doubles Championship. The culmination of events like the HCL Southern Slam & PSA Challenger Tour in Chennai marks a pivotal moment, symbolizing the city’s growing influence within the squash community.

HCL National Doubles Championship Concludes Successfully in Chennai

deccanwebtv May 15, 2024

Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar win gold in the Men’s Doubles category

Pooja Arthi and Rathika Seelan win gold in the Women’s Doubles category

Abhay Singh and Joshna Chinappa win gold in the Mixed Doubles category

15 May 2024, Chennai, India: HCL, a leading global conglomerate, along with the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), today successfully concluded the HCL Nationals Doubles Championship held at the Indian Squash Academy, Chennai between May 13 – May 15, 2024. Under the HCL Squash Podium Program, the revival of the Doubles Squash Championship after a hiatus of 17 years, was a cherished event in India’s squash history.

Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar won gold in the men’s doubles with a score of 2-0, Pooja Arthi and Rathika Seelan in the women’s Doubles with a score of 2-1 and Abhay Singh and joshna Chinappa in the mixed doubles category. The winners were felicitated by the Chief Guest Dr. Atulya Misra, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Government, and Thulasimathi Murugesan, the gold medallist from the Asian Para Games 2022, who was the guest of honor at the finale ceremony.

With India demonstrating prowess in doubles squash on the international stage last year during the Asian Games, HCL endeavored to capitalize on this momentum by reintroducing the Doubles Squash Championship. This exciting initiative pursued to breathe new life into the sport of squash and provided a platform for emerging talent to showcase their skills in doubles play.

Rajat Chandolia, AVP and Head of Brand at HCL was happy to witness the enthusiastic participation of squash players in the HCL National Doubles Championship. He congratulated all the winners and participants on their outstanding performance. He said, “HCL decided to revive this segment to support the Indian players after witnessing their recent success in the Doubles Championships internationally. HCL National Doubles Championship was the first event planned as a part of the Squash Podium Program 2024. Besides this, we have introduced several new activities such as the PSA Challenger Tournaments, High-Performance Camp for Asian & World Junior Championships, Referee Development Program, and Coach Development Program, all aimed at elevating the sport of squash to new heights.”

Cyrus Poncha, Secretary General, the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) said,“I am truly excited to see the renaissance of doubles squash in India, thanks to the mutual efforts of SRFI and HCL. It was truly thrilling to see the clashes between the double pairs. I believe that Indian Squash has a bright future and the stars of tomorrow will emerge from these events. Our association with HCL has been monumental for the sport and our combined efforts will continue to nurture talented players.”

Winner in both men’s and mixed doubles categories, Abhay Singh, said, “I have always been interested in playing in the doubles category. I thank HCL and SRFI for organizing this championship after a long time in India. I have played with Velavan in Commonwealth but this was my first time playing doubles with Joshna. It is such an honor to team up with her. I was sure that I would win in both categories but now it’s time to win gold at the Asian Doubles Championship in Malaysia.”=

The final matches were fought between the pairs of Abhay Singh & Velavan Senthilkumar vs. Rahul Baitha & Suraj Chand in the men’s category and Pooja Arthi & Rathika Seelan vs. Janet Vidhi & Nirupama Dubey in the women’s category and Abhay Singh & Joshna Chinappa vs. Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu & Rathika Seelan in the mixed doubles category.

Day 2 of HCL Doubles Squash Championship 2024 Sees Top Seeds Dominate Semi-finals

deccanwebtv May 15, 2024

Chennai, India – The second day of the HCL Doubles Squash Championship 2024 continued with high energy at the Indian Squash Academy, featuring the conclusion of the round-robin matches followed by the semi-finals across all categories. As the competition progress the day’s events unfolded with the top seeds confirming their superiority in riveting matches.

Semi-finals Recap and Key Highlights:
The tournament progressed smoothly with seeds performing up to expectations, setting the stage for a series of compelling clashes.

In the Women’s Doubles, Janet Vidhi and Nirupama Dubey showcased resilience by overcoming Anjali Semwal and Sunita Patel in a tightly contested match, scoring 5-11, 11-6, 11-10. Their victory emphasized the unpredictable nature of the sport, as they rallied from a set down to clinch the win.

The Mixed Doubles also witnessed a thrilling encounter where Rahul Baitha paired with Anjali Semwal to edge past Ravi Dixit and Janet Vidhi. The pair won with scores of 11-8, 7-11, 11-10, demonstrating excellent chemistry and adaptability in a back-and-forth battle.

In the Men’s Doubles semi-finals, the duo of Rahul Baitha and Suraj Chand triumphed in what was the longest match of the tournament so far against Guhan Senthil Kumar and Vikas Mehra. Lasting 61 minutes, the match ended with scores of 6-11, 11-9, 11-7, showcasing their endurance required at this high level of competition. Meanwhile, top seeds Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar continued their dominant run with a convincing victory over Ravi Dixit and Sandeep Jangra, winning 11-2, 11-6, and securing their spot in the finals.

Forward Look:
As the championship advances to its final stages, the anticipation builds with top-seeded players and rising stars set to face off in what promises to be a spectacular finale.

The HCL Doubles Squash Championship 2024 continues to enjoy extensive coverage from HCL and ABP News, ensuring that squash enthusiasts everywhere can follow the action as it unfolds.

HCL Squash Podium Program Announces New Initiatives To Strengthen India’s Squash Ecosystem

deccanwebtv May 14, 2024

• Revival of National Doubles Championship after 17 Years, PSA Tournaments in new territories, NexGen player development with Brain Training Program and introduction of Grassroots program

Chennai, May 13, 2024: To enhance the squash ecosystem in India, HCL, a leading global conglomerate, along with the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), announced new initiatives in the HCL Squash Podium Program. Since its launch in 2019, the multi-pronged program has focused on driving a 360-degree overhaul in Indian Squash by multiplying the potential of athletes and providing them with the necessary support, infrastructure and opportunities. It is dedicated to guide players to finish at the top of the podium at prestigious international events, including the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games in 2026, while also laying the groundwork for participation in the LA Olympics in 2028.

Sundar Mahalingam, President of Strategy, HCL Corporation commented at the launch, “The HCL Squash Podium Program, launched in 2019, resonates deeply with our core philosophy of ‘Human Potential Multiplied’. Over the past five years, we’ve witnessed a rise from 26 to 88 world-ranking players in India, which is a testament to the program’s efficacy. The program has now been redesigned to further revolutionize the Indian Squash landscape. It aims to unlock the full potential of squash athletes, coaches, and referees, providing them with global opportunities. HCL is thrilled to be a part of this transformative journey, equipping our athletes for upcoming global competitions.”

N. Ramachandran, Patron of the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) said, “HCL’s unwavering support for nearly a decade has played a pivotal role in India’s remarkable success, including World Doubles titles, Commonwealth Games medals, and, most recently, five medals at the Asian Games. This sustained dedication has propelled our athletes to unprecedented heights.”

The new features that have been added to the Squash Podium Program include:

• HCL National Doubles Championship: After witnessing recent success in the doubles category, HCL is reviving this category after 17 years to support the Indian players. It is the first event planned as a part of Squash Podium Program and is being held from 13 – 15 May at Indian Squash Academy, Chennai. The championship is bringing together a pair of top-seeded players including Abhay Singh with Velvan Senthilkumar, Pooja Arthi with Rathika S. competing in the male and female category respectively. The exciting pairing of Abhay Singh with Joshna Chinappa and Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu with Rathika S. will be seen in the Mixed Doubles category. The winners will be representing India at the Asian Squash Doubles Championship scheduled from July 4-7 in Johor, Malaysia.

• HCL Squash Tour & Junior National Events: Five international PSA Challenger tournaments will be organised in new cities including Indore, Kolkata, Goa, etc. These squash tournaments will give both junior and senior players exposure to an international squash tournament and enhance their world ranking.The first PSA tournament is lined up from May 22 – 27 in Indore at the heritage campus of the famous Daly College.

• NexGen Squash: HCL will support the identified potential junior players by providing them access to good coaches, international exposure, and technical and scientific training. The strategic Brain Training Program (a 6-month-long neurofeedback training to improve players’ cognitive skills) will focus on assessing their strengths and weaknesses to ultimately drive improvement in their performance. A trained sports psychologist will be closely working with the players. By undergoing this training with consistency and hard work, a player can expect improved memory, focus, body control, balance, and enhanced cognitive agility which will further help in upping their game.

• Grassroots Squash: Through this initiative, HCL aims to introduce squash to children from a young age to increase the number of players between the ages of 6 to 12 years. Under the pilot program being launched this year, HCL will be tying up with schools across the country, starting with Noida and Chennai.

Ongoing Activities since the launch of Squash Podium Program in 2019:

• High-Performance Camp for Asian & World Junior Championships: Selection Trials will be organised for Asian/World Junior in U13, U15, U17 & U19 categories leading to the selection of the top 16 players who will undergo a high-performance camp for 1 week in Chennai with Indian coaches and British Squash Coach, Chris Ryder.

• Referee Development Program: This includes a referee mentorship program in which mentors will accompany and assess referees during squash tournaments. This will also be followed by their training, certification, and international exposure.

• Coach Development Program: A four-week-long coach-development clinic will be conducted in four different cities. The coaches will get the opportunity to train and learn from an international tutor along with a top Indian coach. These coaches will also be a part of the HCL’s grassroots program and will get hands-on experience in training the budding players.

Apart from this, through strategic information dissemination and fan engagement initiatives, the new HCL Squash Podium Program will elevate the profile of squash in India.