Nagpur News: In a bid to celebrate International Sports Journalists’ Day, Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) honoured talented football and hockey players of the city at a function held here on Tuesday at Police Lines Takli grounds.
The programme was organised in association with Nagpur District Football Association (NDFA).
Members of NDFA Second Divisional champion team Al Aziz Football Club were felicitated on the occasion along with girls and boys hockey players who represented Maharashtra in Hockey India’s national tournaments.
An exhibition football match between journalists and NDFA officials was also played which was won by the NDFA officials on penalties after both the teams played out a 2-2 draw.
Girl hockey players, who were felicitated include Rinku Yadav, Deepali Arjapure, Sonu Meshram and Anita Gajbhiye while boys who represented Maharashtra Sub-junior hockey team Tabrez Sheikh and Akib Rahim and Shahbaz Pathan (Senior National) were also feted.
The team members of Al Aziz Sports Club include: Meraj Ansari, Waqar Ahamed, Ansari, Mohd Khalil, Md Asif Ali, Ishrad Sagar, Mohd Saqlain, Mohd Muqib, Alam, Sharique Nihal, Mohd Faraz, Amir Patel, mohd. Jameel, Shahid Hassan, Mohd Kafeel, Sartaj, Faizan, Zubir Shekih, Aquib, Arshad Kamal. Coach: Mohd Anees Raza, Manager: Javed Rana.
Anjaya Anaparthy (SJAN) and Naquib Ansari (NDFA) were also honored for their exception play during the friendly match.
The function was graced by Sameer Meghe, Chairman, Tirupati Urban Co-operative Bank; Avinash Bhute of Tajshree Motors, Anupam Soni, Secretary, Nagpur Union of Working Journalist; Kishor Jichkar, former Corporator.
Dr Ram Thakur, SJAN president conducted the programme. An exhibition football match between journalists and NDFA officials was also played which was won by the NDFA officials on penalties after both the teams played out a 2-2 draw.
