Team Orisports 30-Nov-2012 430
High-scoring Chhattisgarh won the basketball title, the last of the three, in the 38th National Women Sports Meet (Group-I), which concluded at the Kalinga Stadium here today. They scored at will to thrash Tamil Nadu in the final 123-64. Punjab finished third, defeating hosts Odisha 70-36 in the play-off match.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh gymnasts and Maharashtra swimmers emerged champions in the four-day meet, which involved a total of 451 competitors from 21 states. Odisha Assembly Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat handed over the trophies at the closing function. State Sports Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi, Sports Secretary Injeti Srinivas, Panchayati Raj Secretary Aparajita Sarangi, Women & Child Development Secretary Arti Ahuja and Sports Director DV Swamy were present on the occasion.
V Malavika of Karnataka and Rutuja Udeshi of Maharashtra cornered glory bagging four and three titles respectively in the swimming, which was conducted here at Biju Patnaik Swimming in Complex Kalinga Stadium. Malavika won the four titles in 100, 200, 400m freestyle and 200m individual medley relay.
Rutuja claimed the treble by winning the 100, 200m breaststroke and 100m butterfly events.
A Gulnaz Rawoof and S Angel Rose of Tamil Naduand claimed one title each in 200m backstroke and 100m backstroke events respectively. Maharashtra swimmers emerged group champions with 42 points, while Tamil Nadu (26) and Karnataka (20) occupied the second and third positions respectively.
In gymnastics, Uttar Pradesh won the team championship, while Tripura and Andhra Pradesh finished second and third respectively at JN Indoor Stadium in Cuttack. Tripura gymnast Dipa Karmakar won the individual all-around title, while B Aruna (AP) and Anita Prajapati (UP) ended second and third respectively.