Spotlight

Kyra Shroff is first on the list of four players shortlisted to partner Sania Mirza in women’s doubles at the London Olympics this July. The announcement was made by the All India Tennis Association on March 24, 2012. Shroff’s winning performances at ITF (International Tennis Federation) tournaments in March have enhanced her world ranking in singles and doubles.

A 15-year-old record in the women’s category was eclipsed when sprint specialist Ayesha Billimoria ran 200 m in 25.8 seconds at the 36th Bombay YMCA State Level Annual Athletic meet on November 28, 2011 at the University Stadium. She overturned Leena Chauhan’s record timing of 26.4 seconds set up way back in 1996.

Yohan Pandole won the boys Under-15 national title at the Junior National Squash Championships at Jodhpur towards the end of last year. "Maharashtra, led by the talented Mahesh Mangaonkar and Pandole procured a rich haul of six gold medals from the 10 at stake,” states the Press Trust of India on March 1, 2012 describing a felicitation function organized by the Squash Racquets Association of Maharashtra and Indian Squash Professionals at the Bombay Gymkhana. Maharashtra minister of parliamentary affairs Harshvardhan Patil and sports minister Padmakar Valvi honored the winners.

Rian Pandole, boys Under-14 tennis player, was the runner-up at the MSSA (Maharashtra School Sports Association) title clash on January 23, 2012. He gave the top seed Aryan Goveas a tough, two-hour fight before losing 6-4, 3-6, 1-6. A product of the CCI (Cricket Club of India) Coaching Academy, Rian was the only boy from Bombay selected earlier for the all India trials in his age category, conducted by the All India Tennis Association and was also selected for the IMG Reliance sponsored training at the Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida.