North Zone Dominates Cricket; SJAM-1 Shines in Table Tennis

North Zone triumphed in the JK Bose Inter-Zonal T20 Cricket Trophy, finishing the tournament with an impeccable record. They lost only one wicket throughout the competition, showcasing their dominance. In a separate event, the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai (SJAM-1) claimed victory in the AC Bali Table Tennis Tournament, further highlighting the competitive spirit of the ongoing Golden Jubilee celebrations for the Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI) National Convention.

The cricket final took place at the Roshanara Cricket Ground in New Delhi on March 16, 2024. North Zone faced off against East Zone, who batted first, scoring 135 runs for 6 wickets in their 20 overs. Pranab Shil led the innings with an impressive 47 not out from just 23 deliveries, while captain Abhishek contributed an unbeaten 39.

In response, North Zone displayed remarkable batting prowess, reaching their target without losing a wicket in just 9.5 overs, finishing with a score of 136. Rishabh Singh was the standout performer, scoring an unbeaten 87 off 40 balls, while captain Akash Rawal supported with a solid 31. Rishabh Singh’s exceptional performance throughout the tournament earned him the title of leading batsman, amassing a total of 289 runs.

Table Tennis Highlights and Other Competitions

The AC Bali Table Tennis Tournament, held at the Roshanara Club, saw SJAM-1 secure the team championship by defeating the Delhi Sports Journalists Association-1 (DSJA-1) in the final. The victorious team comprised of Amol Karhadkar and Ashwin Ferro, who both contributed significantly to their success. DSJA-1, featuring players Bharat Sharma, Kushan Sarkar, and Norris Pritam, finished as runners-up.

Individually, Amol Karhadkar also clinched the men’s singles title, outperforming Keerthi from the Tamil Nadu Sports Journalists Association. In the men’s doubles category, Karhadkar and Ferro demonstrated strong teamwork, securing the championship against Sarkar and Sharma, who took second place.

Other notable results from the tournament included Bengaluru winning the basketball competition, while in futsal, SJAM-2 emerged as champions, with SJAM-1 finishing as runners-up.

The overall success of these events during the SJFI National Convention underlines the vibrant spirit of sports journalism in India and celebrates the dedication of sports professionals across the country. The various competitions not only fostered camaraderie but also highlighted individual talents within the sporting community.