KOCHI: For the Indian trio of Preeja Sreedharan, Kavita Raut and Sudha Singh the Cochin International Half Marathon set to blast off on Sunday is an opportunity to match strides with seasoned road runners from Africa.
The three star performers are all geared up to run their second half marathon in the space of a fortnight after competing in the race in Delhi earlier this month. It was Preeja who triumphed over her training partners in the capital city.
“There are no events happening in track & field for now so it is good for us to grab this opportunity and test ourselves against some of the professional marathon runners,” said Preeja. The three champion distance runners are currently training at the high-altitude centre in Munnar and observe the marathon to be a good preparation for the upcoming year that includes Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Manu scalps five as state u-25 takes lead
DC CORRESPONDENT
KOCHI: Manu Krishnan’s five-for has given Kerala a solid lead against Madhya Pradesh in the C.K. Nayudu Trophy U-25 cricket at Indore on Saturday.
MP were bowled out for 139 with Manu taking 5/41 and Basil bagging 3/41 that has put Kerala in a comfortable position with a lead of 148 runs. In their second innings, Kerala lost two wickets with 63 on the board.
Brief scores: Kerala 287 in 94.4 overs (Sachin Mohan 69, Akshay 62, Sanjay Mishra 5/75) & 63/2 in 26 overs (Sachin 23) vs MP 139 in 47.3 overs (A. V. Singh 54 not out, Bais 27, Manu 5/41, Basil Thampi 3/41).
Kerala out of volleyball meet
Kochi: Kerala surrendered their senior national volleyball crown when they lost to Uttarakhand in the semifinals at Moradabad on Saturday. The state men’s team that held an impeccable record in the nationals were outclassed by the opposition that won in straight sets 25-22, 25-23, 25-21 in the first semifinals. Tamil Nadu defeated Services 23-25, 25-18, 22-25, 25-17, 15-10 in the other semis.
Punjabi Varsity in football quarters
Kochi: Punjabi and M.L. Sukhadia Universities got big wins to reach the quarterfinals of the all India inter-university football championship at St. Peter’s HSS Kadayiruppu on Saturday. Punjabi thrashed Barkathulla University 13-0 while Sukhadia drubbed Ranchi 9-0 to finish first and second in Pool ‘C’ and qualify to the quarterfinals.
Calicut University topped Pool ‘B’ with a goalless draw against J.N.T. University and M.G. University finished runners-up to LNCPE Gwalior in Pool ‘D’ to advance.
