Patterson's Sports Page

Chris O’Brien, Head Coach, Manchester United Soccer Schools and fellow coach Mick Bennett have designed special one-week and two-week summer vacation football course to benefit players from out of Mumbai, who wish to learn playing soccer the Manchester United Way at their excellent facility at the Cooperage Football Ground in Mumbai.

Designed in a manner that will enable players to benefit without staying in Mumbai for long periods of time, all players attending the programs, regardless of ability will be able to take part in a series of fun and challenging coaching sessions following the latest MUSS curriculum.

The courses will also focus on other areas, such as physical, mental and social development. All activity is based on principles and coaching methods employed by the famous Manchester United Academy and delivered by qualified Manchester United Soccer Schools coaches.

The summer courses include: The opportunity to win a place at the 2012 World skills final at Old Trafford; exclusive MUSS merchandise; individual player evaluation and will be open between April 23 and June 2, 2012.

The course will be divided between a 6-day course and a 12-day course and will include 2-hour sessions daily; a practical look at how Manchester United train; technique & skill practice; tactical small-sided games; individual player evaluation and an opportunity to win a place at the 2012 World Skill Finals. The 12-day course will also have workshops including nutrition & hydration and parents sessions.

More details can be got from 022-22844544. For more information log on to the website www.manutdsoccerschools.in

Deccan Chargers today announced that Emirates, the international airline which serves India with 185 weekly flights, will be Team Sponsor for their season, starting 7th April.

Emirates will be supporting the Hyderabad-based team for an initial period of three years and will be with them for their opening Indian Premier League (IPL) match against the Chennai Superkings in Vizag.

Ms Gayatri Reddy, co-owner of the Deccan Chargers, and Venkatram Reddy, COO, were joined by Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ Vice President India and Nepal, at a press conference in Hyderabad to finalise the agreement.

“We are proud to have a leading global brand like Emirates as our Team Sponsor for the next three seasons of the IPL,” said Ms Gayatri Reddy. “We are confident this association with Emirates will be fruitful. With an exciting new squad and sponsor, we look forward to the tournament and repeating our winning performance in DLF IPL 2012.”

“We are honoured to be joining forces with the Deccan Chargers and partnering with the team for the next three IPL campaigns,” said Orhan Abbas. “India is a vital market for Emirates and we recognise the huge role it has played in our development, from the employees who make up almost 25% our workforce to the millions of Indian passengers who book with us every year.

“Through this sponsorship we have the chance to connect with the people who we connect to 122 destinations and show our ongoing commitment to a nation which Emirates has been serving since we began operating in 1985,” added Orhan Abbas. “It is also a tremendous opportunity for us to further strengthen our support of a sport which the people of India follow with renowned passion.”

The Deccan Chargers – whose home games will be played at Vizag, Cuttack and Hyderabad - will feature a host of household names in 2012, including Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, who will captain the side, South African stars JP Duminy and Dale Steyn, as well as Indian wicketkeeper/batsman Parthiv Patel.

The press conference in Hyderabad – which Emirates has been operating to since 2001 - was also attended by vice-captain Cameron White, head coach Darren Lehmann and their fellow Australian Daniel Harris, as well as Indian stars Patel, Shikhar Dhawan, Amit Mishra and Manpreet Gony, who had the honour of unveiling the 2012 home kit.

As Team Sponsor, Emirates will enjoy a range of rights and entitlements to display their official logo on platforms that include the team’s apparel, in stadia branding, for premium hospitality and match tickets, official merchandise and access to the Deccan Chargers players.

 

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Mahindra Racing Team and Riccardo Moretti got an amazing result at the Mugello Circuit on Sunday, by taking the victory in the Season opening race at the 125GP Italian Championship. It was also a good race for the Sarath Kumar, who unfortunately was forced to an early retirement due to a technical issue. Moretti started the race from the pole thanks to the outstanding performance displayed in the two qualifying sessions, while Kumar got off from the 8th row and the 22nd spot on the grid. It was the first week-end for the young Indian rider on the Italian track and also the crash suffered during the wet 2nd qualifying session didn't help, albeit it let to no injury. Moretti got a fantastic start of the race and he both maintained and quickly extended his leadership on the opponents. Kumar, on the other hand, didn't get the best start, but he was able to settle into a good rhythm and to overtake several riders ahead of him. As the race went into its second half Moretti's advantage on the runner-up grew to an amazing ten seconds, while Kumar kept pushing hard before pulling to an early and unlucky retirement - due to a technical problem he experienced with three laps to go, after a good battle with Luca Marini - brother of Valentino Rossi. The race ended up with an overpowering victory by Moretti, who crossed the finish line with a big margin over the rest of the field, that means first place in the standings.

Muffadal Choonia – Team Mahindra Racing Principal: "We feel ecstatic winning the first race of the italian championship which is one of the toughest national motor racing championships in the world. A victory in our debut race is a shot in the arm. We are now in the right frame of mind to vie for the championship title!"

Riccardo Moretti: "We started this season in the best way possible. My start from the grid was a good one and since I was in the lead I tried to push at my best to get the best margin possible. I was able to do so and that allowed me to just manage the advantage in the second part of the race. During the course of the week-end I got to know both bike and time much better and I can say we're still not at 100% but surely there's good room for improvements. I would like to thank my team that gave me a very competitive bike and I'm looking forward to the next event, that will take place at Imola."

Sarath Kumar: "It's been a very good experience for me, despite the technical problem that didn't allow me to finish the race. I learned a lot, though. I didn't get the perfect start but my race pace was not so bad. Next time I will do better, I'm sure."

 

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Rajasthan Royals today welcomed UltraTech Cement Limited as the Principal Team Sponsor for IPL 2012. The leading cement brand has been associated with the Rajasthan Royals since the first season of the IPL. They were principal team sponsor in 2009 and 2010 while being an on-ground partner in 2008 and 2011. The Royals also launched the team's new jerseys and presented their new line up, which includes five cricketers who were acquired at last month’s IPL auction.

Says Mr. Raghu Iyer, CEO, Rajasthan Royals: “We are extremely delighted with the continued association with UltraTech cement. They have been true partners and have extended their support to the Royals throughout our journey in the IPL so far. I would like to express heartfelt gratitude to UltraTech Cement for reposing their faith in the Royals and I hope we can win together this season”

Mr. O P Puranmalka, Business Director, UltraTech Cement said: “Cricket in India is truly a national game, transcending geography, age and gender. And when two brands that share similar values come together, it is sure to be a winning combination! Rajasthan Royals in their previous IPL editions have stood for inspired leadership, innovation and professionalism. Driven by a team of Professionals and strategic thinkers, UltraTech, as a Market Leader and a champion brand, places great emphasis on all of these attributes too.”

“We are very pleased to have UltraTech Cement as the Royals’ Principal Team Sponsor. I am confident that with their support, the Royals, under a new captain and with the exciting new additions to our squad will be able to give our fans a lot to cheer about this season. As a tribute to our home city we have also designed a new training jersey.” said Shilpa Shetty, Rajasthan Royals.

Ms. Shetty along with Mr. Puranmalka launched the team’s official jersey in the presence of team members at the glittering ceremony that witnessed the use of innovative video projection mapping to unveil the brand new jersey. The projection was used to show case the team’s unforgettable moments of victory and pride during the last few seasons.

Designed by Puma, which is the franchises' official kitting partner, the lightweight jersey is made with Polyester and lightweight mesh back and are made to give high breathability in soaring temperatures. With uniquely styled names and numbers inscribed in Dazzel gold, the royal blue jerseys have cut and sew panels with Dazzel inserts. In addition to this, a training jersey dedicated to the pink city of Jaipur, the team’s home was also unveiled at the ceremony.[slideshow]

It has been nearly two years now that I have been playing for the St. Aloysius College Football team and never in this term did I play a match as rough as today. It was a nightmare. The season hasn't been great at all. Not a single trophy this year and all hopes were on the ongoing Mangalore League.

If we were to be champions, we had to win all the matches from today. Unfortunately its over for us as today we drew 1-1 to Bengre. Initially I used the word nightmare not because we drew and our chances of winning the league are over but because we were saving our lives today more than playing football.

Our opponents Bengre, known for their notorious style of play, made all attempts to crush us with rash play. We were not even given an opportunity to hold the ball for a fraction of a second. The minute we received the ball, we had a opponents going for our legs but not the ball.

To our relief, we had the crowd backing us. This is something which we have hardly experienced. The referee flashed several yellow cards to our opponents and a few to our players but the mood just could settle down. Having the built advantage, they easily crippled us for the ball. Nevertheless, it  was a good experience.

But I'm still wondering if whether what we played today was football or rugby?

Four Goan Girls have been selected for the India U-13 Girls team, that will participate in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-13 Girls Football Tournament to be held at Colombo, Sri Lanka from the 9th to the 14th of March, 2012.

The names of the girls are:

1. Lifa Gama from OLPS School, Cortalim

2. Aria Jean Vas from OLPS School, Cortalim

3. Scindia Veganand Saundatik from Holy Cross H.S. Siolim

4. Anline Sharmila Fernandes from Fatima Convent H. S. Margao.

Congratulation to the young girls and all the very best for their international challenge. Hope they make Goa and India proud.