This is the post tournament press release from Indicorps..

Contact: Roopal Shah

(93776.99951)

ultimate@indicorps.org

www.indicorps.org

Ahmedabad, Gujarat – The Ultimate Spirit of any game – sportsmanship - got a big boost this past weekend when Indicorps-Manav Sadhna under the banner of “Ahmedabad Ultimate” hosted the first National Ultimate Frisbee tournament in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Ultimate Frisbee is a fast-paced, non-contact sport with a unique spirit of sportsmanship that encourages a tradition of mutual respect and unity among all players – both on and off the field.
The tournament, held at St. Xavier’s College Football Ground on Sunday 24 February 2008 brought together multiple generations of Ultimate players. Ahmedabad Ultimate hosted three teams: Delhi, Chennai and our own Ahmedabad team of 10 dedicated players. Delhi, the most experienced team, won the tournament. Ahmadabad and Chennai both featured many “first time’ tournament players and fought very spiritedly against the champions.

Chennai player Sukrit Sarkar, 25, account manager Radio Mirchi, said: “This tournament was a victory for the sport of Ultimate in two ways. Firstly, it brought together talents from three different cities and was impressive to see the amount of talent and enthusiasm of the players. The second victory was interacting with a very unique group of people whose lives are being directly and positively affected by the sport.”

Two other teams of younger players (seventh standard students) from Abhay Ghat and the Gandhi Ashramshala had a chance to interact with the visiting Delhi and Chennai teams. Chennai Player Karthikeyan Vijayakumar, 25, entrepreneur in Chennai, stated: “We were really impressed with the children at Abhay Ghat and the Ashramshala who we played with on Saturday before the tournament. They have tremendous talent and great energy. It will be great for them to get additional mentorship/coaching to take them to the next level. It was also great fun to have them come cheer us on in today’s tournament – we’ve never had such enthusiastic fans!” The little people found new role models and aspirations for their own play.

In addition, the tournament strengthened the already existing, but decentralized community of Ultimate players in India. Anjali Dotson, 25, an Ultimate Player who has been working in Kutch since September 2006 stated that “More than showing how far Ultimate has come in India, this weekend’s tournament how far Ultimate can go.” Abhinav Vinayakh Shankar, 24, a consultant by profession, has been playing beach ultimate in Chennai for the last six months. “It is always fun playing Ultimate; more so when we have diverse teams and today was just a great day for Ultimate in India. I think this tournament will be the foundation stone for the future of Ultimate in India. It was an honor being part of a tournament.”

Karthik Raman, 25, who returned from the United States to India for a year-long health project in Naickaneri Hills, Tamil Nadu through Indicorps, and volunteered at Sunday’s tournament stated: “Activities such as Ultimate Frisbee are really important for India’s development to stem the growing concerns of dreaded diseases such as diabetes, and high blood pressure. Ultimate is a fast paced game that requires the participants to constantly move up and down the field. It is exciting not only for participants, but also for spectators. It is also a great game for both boys and girls!”

Ahmedabad Ultimate will join hands with Volunteer Ahmedabad/Indicorps to coordinate a 4-week Ultimate Camp for college students and young professionals in April-May 2008. Ahmedabad Ultimate hopes to promote the spirit of the game and get more young people involved in Ultimate fun! If interested, please email ultimate@indicorps.org.

Delhi has promised to host the next Ultimate tournament this fall. “We are going to beat you this time,” smiled Raju Thakor.