Volleyball Season - Preview

Jackie Robinson – This Iconic player was the first Black baseball player in the history of sports.
Lionel Conacher – Nicknamed “The Big Train”, is one of the top Canadian sportsman from early 90s.
Ian Bothom – An English cricket legend & current commentator, holds record for most test wickets by a English bowler.

What the heck are these guys doing rounds at UL Infy Blogs. By god, this is not an attempt to flourish the sports wisdom of UL folks, but rather to point out few (very very few) athletes in the entire history of sports who are famous as muti-sports specialists.

Jackie was a sports virtuoso, taking on every game, the likes of football, baseball, track, and basketball and competing at a high level in all of them.
Conacher made his name in history, excelling in Canadian football, ice hockey, lacrosse, baseball, boxing and wrestling.
Botham was a English league footballer before he made it to cricketing world.

Well.. though this list is so bare & short, it stands synonymous with UL Infy sports.
Yeah… we UL Infy don’t have any such scarcity when it comes to our sports history. Be it tennis, football, crickets or the latest fad volleyball, the lists of specialists, experts, masters, strategists, organizers, the list just grows large & wide.

A welcome break after the hectic tennis tournament, get set for another high-energy action – The volleyball tournament.

Starting altogether a new ball game (literally) last Thursday & oh boy it’s a sell out crowd even for the practice match. (I doubt if it was just the farewell cake that lured guys there.. but atleast I set the expectations right here !!)

So wait not.. Hit the ground today @ 5:15 for the very first match between Scorpions v/s Gators

A 3 match short tournament, (like a T-20 version of worldcup) the volleyball news & reports are gonna take rounds this place in coming week.

Stay tuned.. that's all for now Folks..

Volleyball Season - Day 0

[Enjoy the practise match pictures]

Tennis Season 2010 - Grand Finals

2010 Champion Rockers (Anbu & Mahesh)
2010 Runner-Up Glamour Brothers (Subin & Vipin)

For high quality videos please go to UL Infy Channel

Match: Grand Finale (Rockers v/s Glam Bros)
Will share a little secret today. I always drafts the match report of our matches one day ahead of our match. Not cause we are confident or sure about winning, but it gave us a drive to make it happen, to prove an intuition right :) 2 Times... 2 times in the entire tournament, had I changed the report after the match. I was never glad or happy about changing it, except for today one last time, when I feel so fine to be changing it, for I know the champs are the champs :)

Providing a fitting opening to the finals of an exciting tennis season, teams tied up at first set 6-6. Fighting for each points, each game, Glam bros & Rockers put up a spirited fight which went upto a tie breaker game (the only 2nd of its, in the entire tournament). Glam Bros took away the set 7-6 to take a lead in the match 1-0. What happens when you throw those Chinese rubber balls onto the walls ?? Well, it bounces back at you with much force & so do the real champs. For Rockers the match wasn’t over if one set was lost, until the last set was done, the last point was captured. And that when rockers made sure the next two sets belonged to no one else proved the point – the championship trophy of season-I UL Infy Tennis tournament belonged to no one else as well !!

Rockers won the finals against Glam Bros 6-7, 6-2, 6-3.

“We knew it was going to take a tough fight to snatch this tournament from Rockers. We tried our best (well not the best of best.. still..), but probably we need to get the fact what we really are, is the second best” said Subin for runners-up Glam Bros.

“I am happy (infact exhilarated), that we won this cup. Obviously remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament & losing out in final would’ve been much unfortunate. But more importantly this has been a wonderful tournament, so organized & so involved by you guys. I want to thank each & everyone of you for making this happen, especially Prasad for all the efforts he has put into this. A big applaud for all of you” Said Mahesh as he was handed over the winners trophy by Bday Lady & chief guest of the day Girija.

“Ive seen everyone over here is very enthusiastic about sports or for that matter any event. This was our effort to bring in all the people together to a same ground n have a nice time” said Prasad the tournament chairman, the low-profile version of Modi :)

Ok .. so before we end, a small note of thanks for UL Infy Tournament …

Thanks for bringing the geeks & freaks to the tennis courts actions,
Thanks for making my friends envy my trimming tummy,
Thanks for giving us an opportunity to trash & beat our bosses,
Above all, thanks for bringing back that childhood days, when we wait for 5 pm, the ring of final bell of school to run to the play ground !!

This is not an end.. but a beginning.. Action packed season in waiting… Watch out this space for more..
As for now.. good bye folks & thank you for tuning in.

Let the summer begin to simmer, then sizzle !!!

Whirlyball Match

Tournament - Day 15

[Picture will be updated soon...]

While most people were out playing Whirlyball, a different game was being played at the Brighton court in Wheeling. Rockers Vs. AoP.

The final game before the final and the final game of the super 6 (phew! too many finals) was not the one sided affairs seen as yet with the Rockers dominating the game. AoP played with spirit and clinched the first set 7-5 creating history in the tournament and breaking the 'no-set lost' run for the Rockers. The Rockers came back though, and with panache. They beat AoP 6-4 and 7-5 in the next two sets to remain unbeaten in the tournament.
This ended the dead rubber match (result did not impact who would go into the finals). "At least this time we didn't go down without a fight" said Guru for AoP. While Mahesh for Rockers mentioned, "It's good to go into finals with practice for a 3 setter. This is the first time we have had to sweat for the win yet."
Just thought I'll help out with this report and keep the blog complete.

by Talat

Take a bow !!

Standing on the penultimate day of UL Infy tennis tournament, impatiently waiting to move into the grand finale, before we decide the winner, lets rewind back a bit & take a bow at the people who made this so possible, so entertaining & so memorable a time it was.

The talks would’ve just remained talks, the thoughts would’ve just remained thoughts and the sports would’ve just remained on papers (or on computer screens) hadn’t a person called Mr.Modi (sweetly pet named by us) took up the matters in his hand & this event. Hats off to you Prasad !!!
(makes a point for your resume [winks] )

More than just sports, this had been a fortnight of fun, frolic & fete The joyful ride it was, would’ve not been possible, hadn’t we got some awesome entertainers like our Anna, Kalesh, Deba, Joyan etc. A special thanks to you all for making this so fun filled.
[Anna … one treat is already pending.. this adds up]

Without even playing a game, without even touching the racket few had been keen followers & fans of this tournament. I can’t resist to pull in here the likes of Girija, our super cheerleaders Aldo & Krishnapriya, SK coach Rahul etc for their support, advices & criticism through out the tournament.
(Also thanks for those proxy votes on each poll Rahul)

The format of tournament eliminated few teams after stage 1, but it never eliminated their support, participation & enthusiasm for the tournament. Although time constraints and logicality devoid them a chance to compete again this season, they had been the greatest support, the mob & the voice of the tournament. Cheers to all of you Daring Strikers, I-90 Cops & Drunken Monks.

Sport is incomplete without the fight, the vigor, the spark & the competitiveness, which goes into it. As much fun it was, more thrill it had been. Although most of the teams started off amateurish, rusty & out of touch as the tournament moved ahead, the game grew on them and much more dedication, practice & preparations went in. (the preparations reminds us of only one team.. he he). The action on court grew more & more intense. We saw closest buddies off the court, fighting intensely on the court, all the while maintaining the sportsmanship & spirit of game.

Teams sometimes lost or even got trashed (no use mincing of words here), but still we saw the smiles at the end of match. We saw them shake hands & walk away putting hands on shoulder & discuss the Oracle / Lotus notes meeting for next day. That was the spirit, all teams displayed throughout the tournament.

Inspiring was those moments, you guys gave us. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts to Ace of Pace, Altimate Vikings, Kabhi In Kabhi Out, Super Kings (just alphabetical.. please don’t mind) for your unflinching zeal for the game and the fight you put up at every stage of the tournament.

Finally as we enter the d-Day , the heroes of the day, the better of the best, the unconquered Rockers & the chivalric Glam Bros clash against each other to decide the ultimate champs. Whoever wins the final day, doesn’t change this fact - you guys rocked it !!

Gossips, controversies, sledging, fireworks, war of words.. as like any tournament, had been a part of UL Infy tournament also. I need a whole day to articulate all, hence here we end this sweet & short journey on a happy note. Thanks you all once again for making this one of the memorable time in UL for all of us.

Ok.. ok.. before we end this last blog of the series.. For those of who already know the blogger, thanks for your support & for those of who have still difficulty figuring it out..
Its Me - none else :)

So be there at heritage park court tomorrow for finals (or atleast for Pizza party)
Ok.. Thats all folks.. Goodbye ..  God bless all !!

ps: Sorry if i missed someone. Please feel free to add it :)

Tournament - Day 14

“Rain Rain go away, Come again another day
Little Johnny wants to play !! “
…was the chant in UL Infy room all through the day and why not, when two of the most anticipated deciders were scheduled for the day. Weather.com presented a bleak picture all through the day & there seemed no hope for any match to happen. Having spent a better part of day, permuting the finalists, the possibility of splitting points & ties started occurring through everyone’s mind. But seems like Zeus saw the passion we held for the game & put his flushing on hold …

Match 1 (Rockers v/s KIKO)
Eat your heart out for this one.. In the most thrilling upset of the tournament, super charged KIKO came from nowhere & beat the champions Rockers 6-0, 6-0

Are you shocked?? Then don’t be. This is a fake news !!
Actually a gluttonous-guilty-me typed this before the match, expecting some twist in KIKO’s tale, that they might bring in some change to their match report. So thought will put it anyway :)

Well the truth & the irrefutable fact is Rockers were too good for KIKO, as they made short work of the game beating KIKO 6-0, 6-1. Rockers thus stays unbeaten & enters the finals (or semis whichever) convincingly. Incidentally, KIKO ended super 6 with a clean sheet (5 matches, 5 loss). Nevertheless, the sportsmanship they displayed in every match was superb. Take a bow !!

“We are great touch & hope we keep this till the very end. We will not lose the focus & hope to win the tournament” Said Mahesh for Rockers.
“We tried our best, gave our best in every match. This was a disappointing tournament for us. We hope to come back much stronger next season” promised Prasad

Match 2 (Glam Bros v/s Ace of Pace)

Pre-Match: Do or die for AoP, after losing unexpectedly from SK, a must win situation to stay afloat. For Glam Bros its avoiding getting into any number games & entering straight to finals. AoP confident of the win they had at group stage, Glam Bros confident of the form they have been maintaining for last couple of matches.
At-Match: It was like AoP saved their worst for this day as they were mercilessly mauled over by Glam Bros. 6-0, 6-2 was the score of second outing of the two teams, who ironically provided one of best match of the tournament in that thrilling tournament opener.Today Glam Bros were in their bullish best and AoP simply had no answers. There were moments for AoP but were scarce & far apart for even calling it a fight.
Post-Match: “This was one of our worst outing. I know telling that we are not in our physical best is not an excuse for the loss, nevertheless we would’ve given better fight had we been in healthier shape.” Said Talat for AoP
“We are in good form & we want to win the tournament. We know there are really good teams to beat to win this, but we will be giving our best in final or semis which ever it is” Said Subin for Glam Bros.

Match 3 (Super Kings v/s Altimate Viking)
Although if no semifinals, this match had no relevance in the context of tournament, but for AV & SK fans, this was a decider. Same number of wins, same number of loss, win against same teams (KIKO & AoP), loss against same teams (Rockers & Glam Bros), almost same set win%. Going into a match, what more similarity can we ask for from two teams, who have played their heart out in this whole tournament?

But then match did not end up proving who was best, did not end up showing the better of the best, infact it did not end up itself :)
Result: Match abandoned due to rain
Rumored to be a tie & split points. Committee will confirm.

Well, for all the romanticism it possible entailed, there was never a better end than to finish this in a tie !!
Win or Lose, you both teams have already won the hearts & soul of friends & foes alike.

“We were in momentum, when rain interrupted the game. Would’ve loved to end this tournament on a high note. But never mind, cause being an underdogs, we have ended far higher than we expected” Said Anna for SK (& yeah if considered set % win they end up third in the super.)
“We were looking good in second set & would’ve been nice contest had we got a chance to complete the match. Cant do much about rain though” Said Vanshi (for a change) for AV.

That’s all for me folks.
This Journey is about to end in couple of days, but not before we have a grand finale (& Semis if any) & of course not before revealing the blogger in the last blog of the tournament tomorrow :)

~~ The Final Call ~~

Phew !! Infy Tennis tourney takes a break. Put your hair down n njoy some (useless) super 6 stats.

1# Of all the super 6 matches completed, only 36% matches saw the third set :)
(So if you wana come to watch a match, more often u can go home early)

2# Of all the 3 set matches, 75% times team winning first set won the match. It also means only 91% matches have the team winning first set win the match also.
(So Teams, win your first set.. else more chance you end up in losing side)

3# 26% of sets played had a 7th game set.
(hmm.. considering the competitiveness, we expected more)

4# 18% matches had it happened that team with match point lost the game.
(lol ..oh boy, nearly 20% times you are not safe even at the match point. So hold your celebrations till the final shot is done)

#4 Only 3.8% of sets were decided in a tie breaker.
(..and hence this illiteracy among players how a tie breaker is played)

#5 Rockers have never lost a set in super 6 (for that matter in whole tournament). & they are the only team to do so.
(Will someone be able to stop them)

Now some real numbers, for teams to plan their strategies & game plan …
Set Win % standing as of now
AV: 40%
AP: 50%
GB: 67%
KIKO: 11%
Rockers: 100%
SK: 44%

Say, there is no semi finals , & with three important matches to go now, here is how the chances stand

Rockers - Sure finalists (Even if they loose both matches)
AoP - Beating GB & Rockers (win one of them 2-0) will take them through to finals. Else GB will be in Finals
SK & AV - Virtually out. Can’t find any combination, which will see them through.
KIKO - Out

ps: There are another combinations, if Rockers lose to KIKO, which with all due respect, I’ve not considered

Disclaimer:
1. This is purely unofficial stats (based on published result & rules) & hence no guarantee if tournament committee has to follow this.
2. The stats are based on present standing, future matches possible points & win%. & please excuse me if there is some mistake :)
But watever this crap stats says, fun, gamesmanship, enthu is still 100%. All the very best for all the teams for the rest of the matches. Have a nice day folks :)

Tournament - Day 13

Busy bee today !! So quick update on yesterday’s match

Group E of super 8 ICC World T20 cup is so close, that there is no clue of who goes into semis unless the last ball is balled when India take on SL & WI take on mighty Aussies today. Even a win or lose cant predict anything !!

UL Infy tennis season 1 is nothing different.. When tournament enters its final chapter, and hardly a handful of matches left, the permutations are mind-boggling. Its an anybody’s game (except KIKO’s).

Match 9 (Glam Bros v/s Altimate Vikings)
The lackluster fever caught AV this time. When Glam Bros took on AV, everyone expected a close match. Going into match, & when both teams has same win-lose margin, this was supposed to be a virtual decider. Alas, the hype was entirely superficial and match staggeringly dull one-sided affair, Glam Bros winning it hands down 6-1, 6-4, replacing AV from the top of super 6 table.
“We played not-so-good today. Still the table is open & we will make the best of it” Said Ameya wearing his characteristic smile J
“We were on top of our game today & I think we made fewer mistakes than any game. I hope this touch keeps going” Said Menon for glam Bros.

Match 10 (Ace Of pace v/s Super Kings)
The cornered tigers roars.. & Super Kings were literally kings today. In a typical tollywood masala movie like match, our anna (err… Saravana) & Mukku came back from one set behind to take home an exhilarating win against Ace Of Pace. Placed in a must win situation to stay alive in the competition Super Kings showed the world who is the boss. Here is how it went..
First set - AP wins 7-5 (Duh tough one.. )
Second set – Super Kings comes back strongly 6-3
Third Set – AP leads 4-1, & then 5-2 & reached match point.. Super king breaks the match point to make it 3-5. Super kings get one more to make it 4-5. Next game AP reaches match point gain. Yet again Super Kings breaks & makes it 5-5. Then there was no looking back for super kings as Anna was everywhere, hitting, smashing, jumping, punching, dhamm-dishum..  on anything & everything(including net)... and they win 7-5 - the third set :)

“aa.. hhoo. Giiii.gooo.. hhqwty.. sdbfsjhgf… “ This is only what I understood from an overly excited Saravana's comment after the match. By the way, Wheeling police is looking for the person who destroyed the tennis court wired fence. I am not saying who was jumping on the fence in excitement :P

“Tough to lose such a match.. We tried our best, but today was their day” Said Talat for AP. and yes it was, you guys played really well, giving the tournament one of its best matches so far :)

"I would rate this match somewhere on same level as Padayappa movie" Said cheerleader Aldo after the match.

ps: Super kings is taking me to treat for this wonderful write-up.. So am off to a meaty treat.. catch you folks with final match stories soon !!

Tournament - Day 12

Warning: Nothing is working.. so for a change today, its a yuck report!
[skip the blog if corny humor is not your cup of tea. ]

SS match 6 (Glam Bros v/s Super Kings)

Mukku & Sarru, went up the hill,
To fetch a set from glamour..
Scores were tied, at second set,
But SK came trembling after
.
.
Says it all, the final scores,
Winners were, the glamour Bros.

Saranava Says..
“Might be their day, might be our day,
All we say, is Chalo teek hai”

Subin Comments
“Win was good, we are happy..
But loosing a set, was for sure crappy”

ps: GB won 6-4, 4-6, 6-0

SS Match 7 (KIKO v/s Ace of Pace)

Bah Bah KIKO have you any wins,
No sir no sir, 3 big loss.
One from the APs,
One from the kings,
And one from Glamour Bros,
Who lives in their dreams.
.
.
Tiny-winy, shots they might play,
But APs won the match of the day.

Dheeraj Says
“We fight with will, play for wins,
All we get is, safety pins”

Guru Says
“We are here, to take the cup,
Rest of you, please wake up”

ps: AP won 6-4, 6-2

SS Match 8 (Rockers v/s Altimate Vikings)

Twinkle Twinkle, mighty shots,
How I wonder, do they stop,
Up above the points table,
Fighting for a leader's label.
.
.
When Rockers hit those tweaky winners,
Ameya wished atleast a leaky dinner.
Five-Seven did A-Viking stand,
But Rockers today were, almighty brand.

Ameya Says
“Bad it was, to lose a thriller,
but good I dint throw away yesterday’s dinner”
Anbu Says
“Lost the grip at start, only to find it
We are still at top, everyone just mind it !!"

ps: Rockers won 7-5, 6-1

Please excuse me if you are feeling sick after reading this. Else before we end here we go folks...
Humpty dumpty sat on a wall,
News for day, that is all ;)

Predicate the Final Standings

Every team is hoping to best the other team. Few matches were nail biting and few clean sweep. Never a match failed to entertain the audience. To bring the next level of excitement we wanted every follower of the tournament to post their predication on the final standings as comments. Winner will be chosen and will be given a surprise gift :)

Best of Luck

Last entry for the prediction is May 11, 2010 9:50 PM

Tournament - Day 11

[Pictures will be posted soon]

While on a call, offshore gal says “yaar, I think I caught fever”. A-surprised-me says “Leave office early at 6pm & get some rest.”
She smiles, chuckles & replies “No that’s ok. I am fine”

While at home my roomie says “Dude, I think I caught fever”. A-little-concerned-me says, “Take an early dinner & get some sleep”
He smiles, laughs & replies “No that’s ok. I am fine”

Girlfriend calls up to say “Honey, I think I caught fever”. An-overly-concerned-me says, “Get an aspirin, go see a doc, take proper rest.”
She smiles, giggles & replies “No that’s ok. I am fine”
Just as I was wondering what the hell is this, she says” Its not aspirin-waala fever, its your UL Infy Tennis Fever” :)

Duh! After affecting 18 contenders, 10 support staff, seems like UL Infy Tennis fever has spread wide & far across, swaying the unshakable, hugging the untouchables. Crossing mountains, rivers, sea n continents, finally the fever has reached the other side of NBK UL building also. What else can explain the presence of even Maruti & family at a super Six match venue on day 11 :)

SS match 5 (Rockers v/s Super Kings)
When an In-form Rockers gets into mood, it’s a hard chance for any team these days. But with Super Kings the case is never so cut & dried, or so did Super Kings fans hoped. They flocked from near & far (even from other end of UL building) to watch Super Kings humbling Rockers.
But there was no twist in the tale, as Rockers, rocked the world of Super Kings to make a clean sheet 6-2. 6-0.
“We were not scheduled to play today, but did not want to lose the momentum we got from last game. So decided to play & it turned out a good day for us.” Said Mahesh

“If we play like we usually play in practice, we would even beat Federer, but don’t know in matches we hold back a bit.” Said an ever smiling Saravana ..
Win or loose you guys have a huge fan support.. So Rock On Super Kings :)

SS Match 7 (Glam Bros v/s KIKO)
KIKO seems to be lurching from crisis to crisis, as they yet again received a straight set defeat from Glam Bros 4-6, 0-6. Needing a win, both team started off with a competing first set, even tying up at 4-4 at one stage. But there was no looking back for Glam Bros after that as they took 8 sets straight to end KIKO’s misery.
This win was some tonic the off-color Glam Bro needed after an awful match against Rockers.
“We needed to win desperately & we are happy about the result. But I still think there is lot of improvement needed in our game if we have to even have an outside chance to take a poke at the championship” Said one of the Glam Bro Vipin
“No excuses for playing not-so-good, but the form we expected to pick up at super six stage is still very far from us. We will try to give our best in coming matches.” Said Prasad for KIKO, who now has 3 loses from 3 matches in Super Six & is virtually out of contention for the championship.

That’s all for the day folks. An off-court report series coming soon. So stay tuned.
Have a great day !!

Tournament - Day 10

SS Match 3 (Rockers v/s Glam Bros)
When Anbu lobbed a volley to the net, Vipin jumped up to finish off an easy kill, only to hit the edge of his racket. Unable to believe the idiocy of his shot, Vipin knelt down, ramming the racket on the court. Well.. that pretty much summarizes the whole match !!

Technically match was between Rockers & Glam Bros, but it seemed like the competition was between Vipin n Subin as of who will hit more number of faults in the match. [like some prize waiting at the end of match]. When an (uncharacteristic)Glam Bros forgot even the elements of tennis, Strikers made an easy win 6-1, 6-3 starting the super six in style.

“We were expecting much tougher match, but this did not even turn out to be a practice match. In any case we are happy cos we won. Also I needed some rest as my "BICEPTS-MUSCLES" were paining a bit.” Said Anbu for Rockers.
“I have no words to explain the pathetic game we displayed. Totally disappointed with ourselves. I think we will take some time off the ground & come back fresh.” Said losing captain Subin

SS Match 4 - (Super Kings v/s KIKO)
In a totally contrasting match, a re-invented, re-freshed & re-juvenated Super Kings put up an inspiring show to keep Kabhi In Kabhi Out at bay, winning their first super 6 match 7-6 (tiebreak), 7-5. KIKO also fired up, tried their best, but today their best was not good enough. KIKO can atleast be happy they kept their name, as their win loss series goes L-W-L (Out-In-Out).. That sends out a warning message to next KIKO opponents, Boy..its going to be a “W”(In) !!
“Me & Mukesh have been practicing hard, we have our plans & our combination is working wonders, like Ram-Shyam, Jai-Veeru, Paes - Bhoopathi, our pair (what.. Mukku-Sharu ??) will be remembered forever :) Said an all-smiles-Saravana
“Not our day, I guess.. But we tried our best & there are lots of positive to come out of it.” Said Dheeraj, before quickly heading for next meeting.

As Super 6 progresses, tables have tilted, favourites have changed & more exciting actions coming up. Watch out this space for more .. For now, have a nice day ahead folks !!