Lucknow SAI sub-centre revels

As India won the inaugural women’s kabaddi gold,there was jubilation at Sports Authority of India (SAI) Sub-Centre,Lucknow. The young trainees of the centre congratulated each other for India’s performance. The proceedings of the Indian women in kabaddi at the Asian Games were being closely followed by the officials and the players. The SAI sub-centre had developed a strong bond with the national kabaddi team as the women’s national camps in preparation for the Asian Games were organised here thrice.

SAI sub-centre’s kabaddi coach Brijendra Pal Singh who too supervised the women’s kabaddi camps along with team coaches Monika and Sunil Dabas said that he was elated at the fact that the efforts of the girls bore fruit. “Since women’s kabaddi was included in the Asian Games for the first time,therefore,the girls also came to know about the strength of the different opponents which is going to help them. Though the final against Thailand today was almost a one-sided battle,Iran gave a good fight to India in the semi-finals and India won that match by just one point— 23-22. We need to be more alert against Iran in future events.” Director SAI Sub-Centre Sanjay Saraswat said,“We are very happy that the girls claimed a gold. We were confident that the team will come back with a gold. The women’s kabaddi camp was held here thrice in preparation for Asian Games—first from September 25 to October 25 in 2009,then from July 16 to August 14 in 2010 and the last one from October 25 till just before their departure for Asian Games. While the girls practiced with good dedication,SAI too provided all the requirements which were told by the team coaches.”

‘Jasmer has done UPP proud’

Arjuna awardee Ranveer Singh who is assistant director sports in UP Police and former captain of the Indian volleyball team said that he was happy that Jasmer Singh who was in the Indian men’s kabaddi team which won the gold today is employed with UPP. “Jasmer has done the department proud. He hails from Haryana and was recruited in UPP through the sports quota as constable about eight years ago and I am happy that he has done the department proud on various occasions because of which he has been getting promotions. He was very recently promoted as Sub-Inspector,” Ranveer informed.