My international career took off after National Games in 2002: Sania Mirza

25.09.2022 - 20:21 timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Sania Mirza has no doubt that the National Games had given her international career a major boost. "I was just 16 years old when I took part in the Games in 2002.

I did well and came into the limelight. It proved to be the perfect impetus for my international career," Sania said.The trendsetting and path-breaking Hyderabadi went on to win six Grand Slam titles in a glittering career.

But before that, she had played plenty of tennis in India, starting nearly two decades back. From the junior nationals in Delhi to the National Games and then the WTA tournaments in Hyderabad.

Her journey has been an inspiration to almost every player, including Gujarat's Ankita Raina. The Super Mom is excited that the Games are being held in Gujarat after a gap of seven years. "Here is wishing the organisers all success and the competitors the very best of luck in achieving their aspirations," she said.

tennis athletics Career India Delhi Hyderabad Sania

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Kerala and Karnataka's Hashika Ramchandra walked away with the individual top honours while Services reasserted their supremacy as a team with the 36th National Games concluding, here on Wednesday. Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar gave away the coveted Raja Bhalindra Singh Trophy to the Services contingent for the fourth consecutive time. They cornered 61 gold, 35 silver and 32 bronze to tower over all the competing teams. The 29-year-old Prakash won eight medals, with five individual gold, two silver and a bronze, to be named the 'Best Male Athlete'. Hashika Ramachandra was awarded the 'Best Female Athlete'. The 14-year-old won six gold medals in her collection of seven on National Games debut.

Olympian Srihari Nataraj Alleges Misbehaviour By Airline Upon Return From National Games

An Olympian and also a decorated Indian swimmer, Srihari Nataraj, alleged 'misbehaviour' by the staff of Indigo Airlines while he was returning from the National Games in Gujarat. Srihari alleged that the staff didn't just behave badly with him but also charged a hefty amount for carrying excess baggage on the flight. "I was returning from the National Games held in Gujarat, and the staff not only behaved badly but also charged us a hefty amount for excess baggage which was the medals and goodies that we athletes had won," he said in a tweet while tagging the airline.

National Games will help in building formidable hockey team for Paris Olympics: Graham Reid

Reid is here to witness the final of the eight-team hockey competition to be played at the Major Dhyanchand Stadium here on Tuesday. "This is the first National Games I am watching. I would say it has come at the right time.

Olympian Srihari Nataraj Alleges Misbehaviour By Airline Upon Return From National Games

Srihari Nataraj Claims Sixth Gold In 100m Freestyle At National Games

Olympian Srihari Nataraj ended his campaign in the National Games swimming competition with his sixth gold medal in the men's 100m freestyle at the Sardar Patel Aquatics Complex in Rajkot on Saturday. Nataraj won in 50.41 seconds, a new National Games record. Through the week, the swimmer from Karnataka watched his senior Sajan Prakash (Kerala) claim five gold, two silver and a bronze medal. On Saturday, Nataraj stormed to a 100m freestyle win with Sajan finishing seventh. He accomplished his mission of claiming the two freestyle sprint gold medals to add to the two backstroke titles besides anchoring Karnataka relay squads to two gold.

Goa To Host 37th National Games In October 2023, Confirms Indian Olympic Association

Goa will host the 37th edition of the National Games in October next year, the Indian Olympic Association confirmed on Saturday. The Goa state government has conveyed to the IOA its in-principal approval to host the next edition of the National Games. In a letter to Ajit Roy, Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs, Goa, IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta wrote: "IOA is pleased to note the whole-hearted support of the Government of Goa to host the 37th National Games in Goa in 2023, hence conveying IOA's approval to orgainse the 37th National Games in Goa.