Boxengasse » Friday before their home game against Minnesota. SANTA

His fingers arent taped or palms powdered as he settles down for a chat, sporting a bright red tee and a hint of a smile. It doesnt take much to get Rio-bound shot putter Inderjeet Singh, towering at 6 5, talking, his little faith in the countrys sports administrators recurring through the length of the conversation, much like a bad dream.With a throw of 20.65 m, Inderjeet achieved the Olympic qualification mark at the Federation Cup in Mangalore in May last year, becoming the first Indian track and field athlete to do so. Now with the Rio Games less than a month away, he doesnt want to go on a training overdrive and wear out his body. I was adamant about qualifying early since I had no funds or support for training. I realized that this would be the best way to make people sit up and take notice, he says.In July last year, he became the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal at the World University Games in Gwanju, South Korea. In fact he won Indias first-ever medal, a silver, in the sport in the 2013 edition of the event. Interestingly, he competed wearing borrowed shoes, two inches smaller than his feet size as his luggage got misplaced.Though its his maiden Olympic experience, 28-year-old Inderjeet, originally hailing from Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar in Punjab, chooses not to obsess over it. I just want to go out there and give my best shot. I should have no regrets. The learning that I gain from the experience will be invaluable. This will not be my last Olympics.A five-month training at the Aphelion Athletics Club, Pennsylvania from November last year with coaches Pritam Singh and Shakti Singh, Inderjeet acknowledges, widened his understanding of the sport and helped introspect on his own performance. It was a new experience for me. Jab hum apne area se bahar nikalte hai tab humme pata lagta hai ki kya reh gaya aur kya karna hai (Only with exposure do you understand your failings and what needs to be done to address them). Also, I feel I was overtraining in US. Now Ive recovered, Im ready. Im looking to participate in a few competitions before Rio. The Grand Prix to be conducted by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on July 10-11 figures high on his checklist.Usually tall and powerfully built, shot putters are required to throw a metal ball, tucked between the neck and shoulder, weighing around 7.2 kg (women compete with a lighter ball weighing no more than 4 kg) from the throwing circle set around 1 inch below the ground level into the landing sector. Making one and a half revolutions across the circle to add power to the throw, the athlete has three shots to attempt to land the ball farthest into the landing area.Despite being named in the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) scheme, it took Inderjeet close to four months to receive clearance to train in US under his coaches. Processes should be simpler. Also administrators shouldnt impose things on athletes, our opinion should be solicited.The Sports Authority of India (SAI) had rejected his request to take his personal coaches along with him to US. It was only after he threatened to quit the TOP scheme that it was accepted.Inderjeets story is one that finds resonance among a large cross-section of Indian athletes. With his father, the sole breadwinner of the family, passing away early, they were left with little option but to sell off most of their property to fund his training and dietary needs. Humare ghar mein agar ek paisa bhi milta tha na, corner mein pada, toh saara mere pe lagaya gaya - isko banana hai (Even if there was a single paisa?found lying in any corner of the house, it was spent on furthering my dreams). It took me 15 years and a lot of struggles to find myself where Im today. There were times when I thought of quitting the sport. My struggles continue. Athletes should speak up. If we dont, administrators will continue to impose their will on us. The onus is on us to pave an easier path for the next generation of athletes.Inderjeets coach and friends would turn on their motorcycle headlights so he could train at the Bhim stadium in Bhiwani, which had no lights, in the evenings.Much hasnt changed even today, he rues. Humare desh mein toh khiladi galti se bante hain?(In India, athletes are made by accident). Dave Winfield Jersey . 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With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Tahjere McCall scored 16 points, including a layup with 18 seconds left to help Tennessee State hold on to beat Northern Arizona 69-65 in the Cable Car Classic on Saturday night.McCall split a pair of free throws to give the Tigers a 65-63 lead with 54 seconds remaining. Jaleni Neely missed two free throws on the Lumberjacks ensuing possession before McCall scored a layup. Darreon Reddick split a pair of free throws to seal it for Tennessee State (2-0).McCall was 6 of 9 from the floor. KeenDarrius Hamilton added 14 points.ddddddddddddMarcus DeBerry had 16 points to lead Northern Arizona (0-2). Neely had 15 points and Ako Kaluna added 14.Hamilton made a layup, McCall tipped in a shot then forced a turnover and dunked as part of a 6-0 spurt to give the Tigers a 61-56 lead with 5:40 remaining. DeBerrys 3-pointer pulled the Lumberjacks to 63-62, but they didnt get closer. ' ' '