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World’s first high-altitude para sports centre to come up in Leh with focus on 2028 Paralympics
The world’s first high-altitude para sports centre will be established in Leh, Ladakh, aiming to advance the skills and confidence of athletes ahead of the 2028 Paralympics.
A Memorandum and Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, and the Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF).
“It is a very proud feeling for us that Leh will be establishing the world’s first-ever high-altitude centre for para sports. Indian para-athletes have won 29 medals, including seven gold, in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris and it is a testament to the talent we have in our country,” said Advocate Tashi Gyalson, Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of LAHDC.
Till the time the centre is completed, the AMF will identify 15 Children with Special Needs (CwSN) from the Leh-Ladakh UT region and they will undergo screening, counselling and training at their Infinity Parasports Academy and Rehabilitation Centre in Hyderabad.
“The opening of Leh Ladakh as a hub for para sports marks a new era not just for the region, but for India’s future in international competitions,” said Aditya Mehta, Founder, AMF.
List of Sports to be included:
Para Sports:
Winter Games:
-PTI
HOCKEY
Vedanta’s Kalinga Lancers ready for action as HIL 2024 schedule is announced
Vedanta’s Kalinga Lancers are set to begin its journey with a powerful lineup and a well-structured game plan as the Hockey India League (HIL) arrives after a hiatus of seven years.
The team, after a successful player auction by securing international stars and emerging local talent, is now gearing up for some of the most anticipated matches of the season as the schedule is announced.
The coveted league, which will run from December 28, 2024, to February 1, 2025, brings together eight fierce teams competing for the coveted HIL championship title across iconic venues in Rourkela and Ranchi.
The Kalinga Lancers will kick off its campaign on December 30, 2024, in Rourkela, against UP Rudras. With matches stacked against formidable opponents like the Tamil Nadu Dragons, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, and Delhi SG Pipers, the team has a challenging but promising path ahead. The squad, which includes seasoned players like Krishan B Pathak, Aran Zalewski, and Alexander Hendrickx, along with rising Indian talents like Rosan Kujur and Mukesh Toppo, are expected to deliver a stellar performance throughout the tournament.
Commenting on the finalization of the schedule, Sunil Gupta, COO of Vedanta Aluminium, said, “This is a pivotal moment not just for the Kalinga Lancers but for hockey in Odisha and India as a whole. With a solid squad and a strategic roadmap in place, we are excited to compete in front of passionate fans, especially at our home ground in Rourkela. Our mission is to inspire and bring back the fervour for hockey in this region while striving for victory in every match.”
-Team Sportstar
TENNIS
Men’s ITF Tennis: Dev beats national champion Rethin
Dev Javia recovered from being down 1-4 in the decider to beat national champion Rethin Pranav 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the first round of the $25,000 ITF men’s tennis tournament at the MSLTA Complex on Tuesday.
Like in the first set when he dropped serve in the ninth game from being up 40-0, Rethin dropped serve from 40-15 in the decider, as Dev sailed through in the climax with a touch of assurance.
The left-handed Dev, who was a bright junior, has matured into a quality player in recent times. He will play the winner of the match between top seed Khumoyun Sultanov of Uzbekistan and Adil Kalyanpur.
The results
-Kamesh Srinivasan
POLO
12-goal polo tournament: Jaipur Delta bears Vimal Arion Achievers
Santiago Marambio smashed seven goals to power Jaipur Delta to a 10-4 victory over Vimal Arion Achievers in a league match of the Umaid Bhawan Palace Sir Pratap Singh Cup 12-goal polo tournament at the Jaipur Polo ground here on Tuesday.
Jindal Panther will be the third team in the league. The top two teams after the league will play the final on Sunday.
The results (league)
-Kamesh Srinivasan
VOLLEYBALL
Kochi Blue Spikers to start senior team
With an aim to offer its academy players something to aspire for, the Kochi Blue Spikers has decided to start a senior volleyball team.
The Blue Spikers play in the Prime Volleyball League, but almost always, the team is disbanded after the league.
The Blue Spikers, owned by the Muthoot Pappachan Group (MPG), will now form a team, which will play all-India and State-level tournaments and also produce players who could play for the club in the PVL. The new plan will also offer jobs for players.
“We are looking at providing a proper ecosystem... we have existing academies so we were thinking, what is the future of our academy players,” Hanna Muthoot, MPG’s Director of Sports, told Sportstar on Tuesday.
“We are looking at getting them good colleges so that they will also continue playing volleyball with us ... with that idea, we are now launching the Muthoot Spikers team.”
Around 200 children (boys and girls), between 12 and 17 years, now train at various age-group academies run by the MPG and the plan is to take the sport to the next level.
SOUTH AFRICAN COACHES ARRIVE
The MPG has also brought Size Vardhan and Desiree Vardhan, a coaching couple from South Africa, who guide the youngsters. While Size, who guided teams at the African zonal championships, will offer coaching, Desiree – a sports scientist and coach developer – is expected to offer valuable support.
The new Blue Spikers men’s team will have players between 18 and 27 years, and has invited interested players who have completed plus two to apply for berths in the team.
-Stan Rayan
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