Fitistan, the promoter of the SBI Platinum Jubilee Kargil Tiger Hill Step Challenge, has set a minimum target of 70 crore steps over a period of 85 days from May 3 to July 26 this year. 

from left to right:  Major Surendra Poonia, VSM – Founder Fitistan – Ek Fit Bharat, Brigadier Pravin Shinde, VSM – Chief Security Officer, SBI,  Shilpa Bhagat, Founder Fitistan – Ek Fit Bharat, Rajesh Maharaj during the press conference to announce Kargil Tiger Hill Step Challenge 2025

The running/walking event is held mainly to remember  the  527 soldiers who died during the Kargil War in May-July 1999 and also to create awareness of walking as a physical exercise towards achieving wellness in life. The first edition of the Tiger Hill Challenge was held last year. 

Major Surendra Poona, founder, Fitistan expects the participation number to double from last year’s  16000. Shilpa Bhagat, also founder Fitistan said: “We are not only trying to move the body, but also the heart.”

Brigadier (Retd).Pravin Shinde who is the Chief Officer, Security, SBI said that all 17 circles of the Bank will take part in the Tiger Hill Step Challenge. Last year the event recorded 42 plus crore steps. 

Fitistan had set specific targets for individuals last year – from.5000 steps on a daily basis for a month and leading to 15000 steps on July 26 that is celebrated as Kargil Vijay Diwas. This year, Fitistan has created a provision to register even for a single day participation. ” The registration will be open – on the Fitistan app – on all days of the event,” said Ms. Bhagat, a Miss India World 2013

Rishabh Thakkar beat Hitesh Kotwani 495 – 313  and Rohan Jambusaria romped home with ease against  Anurag Bagri 611-294 in their respective group-stage matches of the two-hour format CCI Billiards Classic 2025  at the Wilson Jones Billiards Hall on Tuesday.

Like Thakkar and Jambusaria for whom it was a second straight win in the four-man field in each group, Vishal Madan too emerged on a positive note with a facile 690-229 win against Nikhil Ghadge. 

In another match, Arun Agrawal scored  a close 430 – 399 win against Ketan Chawla with the winner making a high break of 144. 

India’s most decorated cue sport champion Pankaj Advani began his campaign in style with three century plus breaks in his first group match  against Tathya Sachdev. Advani won 860-170.

Dhvaj Haria great form and constructed a triple century break of 306 and went on demolish Nikhil Ghadge, winning by a massive 1040-150 points margin in the opening Group-E match of the CCI Billiards Classic 2025 played at the Wilson Jones Billiards hall on Monday. The lanky left-handed cueist also produced a century break of 129 besides substantial efforts of 74,71,70, and 61 to complete a comfortable win.

CCI member Anurag Bagri registered a stunning 560-426 over former National champion Alok Kumar in a Group-G encounter. Bagri managed to compile two breaks of 65 and 54.

Seasoned billiards maestro Ashok Shandilya showed the class of yore as he brushed Aditya Agrawal by a massive 747-338 margin in a Group-A match. The former World champion Shandilya compiled breaks of 117, 115, 80 and 68 to breeze to victory.

Khar Gymkhana’s Rishabh Thakkar also started in style and defeated veteran cueist Arun Agrawal 627-127 with a degree of comfort. Thakkar rolled in breaks of 151, 97, and 81 to secure his win.

A determined Siddharth Parikh overcame Nalin Patel snatching a close 391-391 victory. Parikh had breaks of 67, 67, and 50, while Patel managed two breaks of 76, and 54.

Results – Group-A: Ashok Shndilya beat Aditya Agrawal 747-338.

Group-C: Siddharth Parikh bt Nalin Patel 397-391.

Group-E: Vishal Madan 450-301.

Dhvaj Haria beat Nikhil Ghadge 1040

Group-F: Rishbah Thakkar beat Arun Agrawal 627-127.

Group-G: Anurag Bagri beat Alok Kumar 560-426.

Aditya Shandilya amply proved that he a chip of the old block with a creditable come from behind 4-2 victory against Rushabh Gohil in a first round match of the Baulkline 4.0 All-India Snooker tournament, organized by NSCI and played at their premises on Monday.

Down by two frames Aditya, son of former World billiards champion Ashok Shandilya, showed a strong fighting spirit and with a couple of tidy breaks won the next four on the trot to pull off a satisfying win.

In a keenly contested encounter, Arivind Goud clinched a hard-fought 4-3 win against Jay Tollawala. In a match of fluctuating fortunes, Goud produced match-winnin effort of 61 in the deciding frame to seal his win.

In contrast, Hritik Jain things his own was smoothly cruised to 4-0 win against Chintan Patel.

Results: Hitesh Maloo beat Kersi Aga 4-2 (74-38, 2-72, 44-57, 69-19, 67-49, 71-31);

Arvind Goud beat Jay Tollawala 4-3 (20-66, 52-60, 65-52, 55-43, 9-67, 71-16, 76(61)-33);

Hritik Jain beat Chintan Patel 4-0 (71(51)-40, 76-39, 73-28, 77-5);

Aditya Shandilaya beat Rushabh Gohil 4-2 (21-56, 31-43, 62-18, 72-71, 83-0, 65-10).

Hitesh Kotwani showed great touch and got the better of Vivek Narayan 430-266, in a second-round Qualifying match of the CCI Billiards Classic 2025 at the Wilson Jones Billiards hall on Saturday. Kotwani had three significant breaks of 80, 55 and 52 and has now qualified for the main draw.

In another second round qualifying match veteran Tamil Nadu challenger Rafafat Habib prevailed over Shubham Randhe 248-210. Habib’s efforts of 73 and 63 saw him keep ahead of Randhe who put up quite a strong fight and managed one good effort of 66.

Nikhil Ghadge managed to beat a spirited fight from CCI member Dr. Piroze Patel by snatching 192-153, winning by 34 points.

Both Habib and Ghadge have confirmed their place in the main draw.

Earlier, in a first-round tie, Dr.Phiroze Patel ousted Agastya Mital 217-84.

Results qualifying draw – Round 2: Nikhil Ghadge beat Dr. Piroze Patel 192-153,

Hitesh Kotwani beat Vivek Narayan 430(80,55,52)-266,-

Rafat Habib beat Shubham Randhe 348(73,63)-210(66),

Round 1: Dr. Phiroze Patel beat Agastya Mital 17-84,

Bhupendra Pandya beat Mithil Shinde 219-198

In a hugely player-centric tournament, which is a first-of-its-kind set-up in India, the Baulkline 4.0, organized by NSCI.

Snooker Tournament will feature the crème de la crème of the Indian snooker world with 32 players set to vie for honours from April 28-May 11.

Among the star names, defending champion Pankaj Advani, India’s two professionals Ishpreet Singh Chadha and Kreishh Gurbaxani, lone foreign entrant Martin Goodall, Brijesh Damani and Rayaan Razmi will match wits in what promises to be a star-studded affair. All the big names in Maharashtra will be on view in the tourney, which will also include junior and sub-junior tournaments.

The organising committee has raised the ante upping the prize money by more than 50% from last year. The total prize money fund is Rs 32 lakhs, with champion richer by Rs 5 lakhs, runner-up will pocket a cheque of Rs 2.5 lakhs.

What is exceptionally heartening is the new slew of features introduced by the organising committee with an emphasis on players who will be participating. 

First, the qualifying rounds were held across the length and breadth of the vast Indian country, in 28 zones with two qualifying from each zone. Right from the start, the two qualifiers from each zone will be richer by Rs 10,000 and Rs 9,000, and all the outstation players can avail of the free stay at the venue. Not just this, each significant break of 50 and above will be rewarded with cash prizes. Even winning a single frame and finishing on the losing end will fetch the players Rs 400 each. 

The qualifying rounds will identify 16 players who will join the other 12 in the main draw in the day-long tournament, which will culminate with the final on May 11.

So, get set for an exciting time as snooker returns with a bang to the NSCI club in Worli.

Rohan Pai started with a flourish as he constructed a century break of 120 to defeat Sachin Lokare 480-150 in a first-round Qualifying match of the CCI Billiards Classic 2025 at the Wilson Jones Billiards hall on Friday.

Besides that huge effort, Pai also had three substantial breaks of 50, 54 and 53, ensuring his comfortable victory.

Tataya Sachdev was also in good nick and overcame Mehul Sutaria 485-143. Sachdev had two sizeable breaks of 61 and 66, which ensured his win.

In another match, Akshay Gogri prevailed over Carl Serrao, recording a 299-230 victory. Gogri produced two good breaks of 56 and 54, which helped him come through.

Results – Qualifying round: Chandu Kansodaria beat Darshan Shah 367-232, Akshay Gogri beat Carl Serrao 299(56,54)-230, Tataya Sachdev beat Mehul Sutaria 485(61,66)-143, Rohan Pai beat Sachin Lokare 480(120,50,54,53)-150, Vivek Narayan beat Vatsal Ponda 253-250, Hitesh Kotwani beat Akash Israni 476-229,

About three quarters of an hour to Tuesday midnight, MCA Colts’   Shashank Attarde hit the Parsee Gymkhana skipper and left-arm spinner Shams Mulani for a six of the last ball of the final  to bring a remarkable two-wicket victory for his side to win the R.F.S.Talyarkhan Memorial Inviational T-20 tournament at Bombay Gymkhana’s floodlit ground.

MCA Colts team  with the trophy

Chasing a stiff target of 174, the Colts outfit showed its allround depth to achieve a win that seemed unlikely at rhe halfway mark, when they had lost half the side for 90 runs. In the circumstances, Colts,  led initially by Sidharth Akre  and Atharva Ankolekar kept hopes alive in their dug out with a recovery stand of 39 for the sixth wicket.

Thereafter the pendulam swung towards the Kennedy Seaface based side when seamer Sylvester D’Souza got rid off Akre and effected the run out of Saksham Jha. But Ankolekar and Attarde kept themselves busy with a bold and brave 32 run stand for the eighth wicket that brougt the Colts within striking distance of the target and the title. The colts needed 30 in the last three and they accomplished a splendid feat when the chips were down..

After the innings break the Gymkhana fast bowler Zaid Patankar struck in the fourth ball of his first over – the fifth of the powerplay – by removing former India opener and the Colts captain Prithvi Shaw  who made a 13-ball 15 with three boundary.(4s) shots. Patankar was relentless as he proceeded to get rid of Suved Parkar in his next over.

The Colts scored 51 at the conclusion of the powerplay, a shade better than their opponent,. but lost three wickets, including that of a game-changer in Shaw. The Colts chase began with a first-ball dismissal of Divyansh Saxena to D’Souza.

Earlier the Gymkhana side scored at a little over eight runs an over at the half-way mark (82/3) after a modest 49 for 2 in the first 6-over powerplay and sustained the scoring rate of eight plus an over to finish its innings at 173 for seven wickets.

Mulani, who took guard at the fall of the fourth wicket, held fort with a 22-ball 38 with one 4  and three 6s. He and Sagar Chhabria (26 off 15 balls) added 51 runs for the sixth wicket.

The Gymkhana side lost opener Kevin Almeida in rhe in the last ball of the third over and  Ishan  Mulchandani in the third ball of the sixth. Mulchandani was quick off the block making a 17-ball 31 with three hits to the fence and two over it.

The middle- order batters, Vikrant Auti.and Sachin Yadav made good contributions making 26 and 21 before Mulani and Chhabria forged the highest partnership of their innings. In all the Gymkhana side hit ten 4s and nine 6s.

The scores: Parsee Gymkhana 174 for 7 in 20 overs (Shams Mulani 38, Ishan Mulchandani 31, Vikrant Auti 26, Sagar Chhabra 26, Sohan Sabnis 2 for 26) lost to MCA Colts 179 for 8 in 20 overs (Sidharth Akre 35, Atharva Ankolekar 31, Jai Jain 26, Shashank Attarde 25 not out, Sylvester D’Souza 2 for 39, Zaid Patankar 2 for 20, Aayush Vartak 2 for 39).

The Cricket Club of India returns with yet another cue-sport spectacle- this time, it’s the thrilling Three Ball Classic, cueing off on April 28.

Pankaj Advani with 2024 trophy

Proudly presenting the CCI Billiards Classic 2025, the country’s grandest and most prestigious billiards showdown. 

The action begins with the qualifying tournament on April 25 and 26, where 48 contenders will battle for 12 coveted spots in the main draw. Here, they will join 20 elite billiards maestros in the gripping league format at the iconic Wilson Jones Billiards Room. 

With a prize pool of over Rs 10 lakhs and a twist in the 150-up format, The Classic thus transforms into a blend of both short and long formats of the game. 

Martin Goodwill the lone overseas player is among the seeded players in the main draw. Goodwill is a former European Open champ in a field that includes among others present Asian Champion Dhruv Sitwala and Pankaj Advani, the current world champion in point format and the defending champion of the tournament, having triumphed in the last two editions of the tournament. 

The others in the elite field include Brijesh Damani, Raiyaani Razmi, Divaaj Haria, Ketan Chawla and Rohan Jhambusaria. 

The winner of the Classic will get prize money of Rs 2,50,000 while the runner-up will get 1,50,000.

Seedings: 1. Pankaj Advani, 2. Dhruv Sitwala, 3.  Brijesh Damani, 4. Raiyaani Razmi, 5. Dhvaj Haria, 6. Ketan Chawla, 7. Rohan Jhambusaria, 8. Martin Goodwill.

Home favourite Otters Club ‘s Saanvi Deshwal gladdened the hearts of her fans  as she new sets new marks –– 100m breast stroke and 200m individual Medley  – on  new records a day  saw four new records were established  on the final day of the Otters Club’s 38^th Otters Open Swimming Gala at their pool, yesterday.The other two were established in the men’s section by  Aryan Bhosale (DSC) in the 100m back stroke and MGMO’s Ashwin Jaiswar in the 200m Individual medley events.

While both senior and junior swimmers failed to create new marks on the opening day, the final day, however  saw four new meet records established with Sanvi   pipped her twin sister Aanvi at the receiving end in one of them.

FOUR NEW RECORDS ESTABLISHED:  MEN: (100m Back Stroke): Aryan Bhosale (DSC) – 00:57.64 (OR)- 00:58.77). MEN (200m Individual Medley):Ashwin Jaiswar (MGMO) -02:09 secs. (OR)- 02:10.31 secs .

GIRLS U-15: (100m Breast Stroke):Saanvi Deshwal (Otter Club)- 01:13.82 secs (OR)- 01:16.75 secs.).( 200m Individual Medley):Saanvi Deshwal (Otters Club)- 02:19.20 secs. (OR)- 02:24.31 secs).

Individual Champions in various age groups :

MEN;  Aryan Bhosale (DSC)- 3G+1S with 1 NMR+ 1 BMR. BOYS: (U-17): Om Satam  (Gen AK Vaidya SA)- 4G+2S; Boys (U-15): Dhiaan Doshi (Otters Club)- 4G.  (U-13): Kabir Khubchandani (Khar Gym) – 4G+2S; Boys U-11:  Daksh Razdan (GSC) – 3G+1S; Boys U-9: Kabir Tekchandani (Khar Gym) – 2G+3S; Boys U-7: Agasthya Rao (Shree Mumbaidevi SP) – 1G+2S+1B.

 WOMEN: Zara Bakshi (Khar Gym)- 5G+2S. Girls: (U-17): Naishi Ruhil (Forest Club )-3G+1S+1B; Girls (U-15): Saanvi Deshwal (Otters Club) – 4G+2S with 2 NMRs. Girls (U-13): Heeva Patel (Bombay YMCA)- 3G+2S+1B; Girls  U-11: Anaahi Jain  (Wadala SP)  – 1G+3S; Girls U-9: Devika Kharude (Mulund SP) – 3G+1S; Girls U-7: Girija Pande ( CSMSS)- SG+2S.