Flying start for Nagpur at Inter-District Volleyball Championship

NAGPUR: It is always heartening to see packed crowd supporting the non-cricket sports.
Thousands of fans thronged the Pratap Nagar-based Samarth Vyayam Shala ground on the opening day of the 43rd Maharashtra State Inter-District Volleyball Championship, which got underway on Sunday.
The unexpected crowd support not only boosted the morale of the players but it also warmed the hearts of the organizers - Nagpur District Basketball Association.
The holiday crowd got their money's worth as both the men's and women's teams of Nagpur district began their campaign on a winning note. The defending champions made a bold statement with their splendid performance. While city men thrashed Latur 25-16, 25-15 in the inaugural encounter, their women counterparts got the better of Akola also in straight games - 25-21, 25-20.
Captain Saurabh Rokde led from the front with the able support from Parth Tiwari and Sagar Sachdeo. "I am happy with the way we played today. It is good to start with a comfortable win," Rokde told TOI after the win.
The coach of the Nagpur women's team, Devendra Bhute was pleased with the perfect start but said there is still a scope for the improvement. "There are certain areas we must improve as the competition gets tougher by the day," said Bhute. Skipper Anjali Dharme, Shweta Gajbhiye and Diksha Deolkar excelled for the hosts.
In a lop-sided outing, Amravati crushed Bhandara 25-3, 25-9. Mumbai Suburban too did not have to sweat much in brushing aside Yavatmal 25-21, 25-12.
Thane men beat Gondia 25-16, 25-20 thanks to superb display by Wasim Khan and Tanvir Khan. In other matches, Raigarh edged out Hingoli 25-15, 19-25, 15-7, while Amravati downed Washim 25-11, 25-16.
Earlier, Mayor Archana Dehankar, Devendra Phadnavis, Sunil Kedar, Sudhakar Deshmukh, Harjinder Singh and MSVA and NDVA president Vijay Dangre inaugurated the five-day tourney.
Will Anurag Naik play?
There is still a question mark whether Anurag Naik will play in the tournament or not. The talented city youngster, who was part of the triumphant Nagpur district team in the last year's tournament at Dahiwadi (Sangli district), has opted to play for Mumbai City this year.
However, he did not get the necessary NOC from the Nagpur district which may prove disaster for him. The Maharashtra State Volleyball Association rules clearly state that if a player wants to change his district he must secure a NOC from the previous team.
Nagpur district teams
Men: Saurabh Rokde (captain), Nilesh Mate, Sagar Chilkulwar, Pranay Thakre, Nayan Watkar, Parth Tiwari, Saurabh Makde, Sagar Sagdeo, Vishal Pande, Swanand Khedkar, Nitin Belkhede, Hemant Parbat. Stand-byes: Vikas Kamble, Pratik Thakre. Coach: Pravin Chilkulwar; Assistant coach: Ram Andani.
Women: Anjali Dharme (captain), Ritika Naidu, Shweta Gajbhiye, Bhagyashri Rokde, Sapna Meshram, Bhagyashri Dharmik, Disha Devalkar, Vina Khonde, Jaishri Thakre, Neha Chikhale, Sonali Bandre, Snehal Kondewar. Stand-byes: Yogini Thakre, Puja Fale, Mayuri Sengar. Coach: Devendra Bhute; Assistant coach: Savita Pivlatkar.