Pakistan is set to participate in the Men's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in India, with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirming the union government's policy allows multi-lateral engagements despite bilateral tensions. The tournament, featuring six nations including India and Pakistan, will be held from October 27 to November 5 in Jalandhar and Mohali, with free entry for all matches.
Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui and Sweden's Andreas Almgren claimed victory in the women's and men's races, respectively, at the New York City Marathon on Sunday. Chepkirui reclaimed her title, while Almgren made a stunning debut, with both races featuring dramatic finishes and strong performances.
The UEFA Champions League group stage commenced with contrasting fortunes for debutants Como and Sabah. Italian side Como secured a dominant 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig, celebrating their first-ever qualification in style at their upgraded home stadium. In contrast, Azerbaijani champions Sabah faced a challenging debut, suffering a 4-0 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick brushed aside questions about his Manchester United future, urging his struggling side to end their nine-game winless run against Roma while insisting the dressing room remained united.
East Bengal FC has been drawn into Group B of the AFC Women's Champions League, alongside strong teams from South Korea, Vietnam, and North Korea. Kolkata will host this group stage in November 2026, marking a significant milestone for Indian football.
The Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) is expanding its second season to include 10 franchises, up from eight, and has increased its player auction purse to Rs 5 crore. This expansion comes as the league aims to fill a void created by the uncertain scheduling of the Pro Kabaddi League's next season. The recent player auction saw over 300 players, with Ayan Lochab fetching the highest bid.
India secured its fourth consecutive victory at the Asian Champions Trophy, defeating Malaysia 4-2, with Harmanpreet Singh scoring a hat-trick. Coach Craig Fulton acknowledged the significant setback of losing striker Abhishek to an ankle injury just before the match but lauded the team's consistent performance.
India's Asian Games gold medalists in kabaddi and shooting received a grand welcome at the IGI Airport.
The UEFA Champions League group stage commenced with thrilling matches as holders Paris St Germain, Arsenal, and Liverpool all secured victories. Ferran Torres netted a hat-trick for PSG in their dominant 6-1 win, while Martin Odegaard's late strike gave Arsenal a 1-0 triumph over Napoli. Liverpool came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1, and Barcelona also started strong with a 5-1 win against Feyenoord.
Pakistan has formally requested the Asian Hockey Federation to move its Asian Champions Trophy matches from India to a neutral venue, citing a "sensitive bilateral situation" and security concerns. The tournament is scheduled for October 27 to November 5 in Mohali and Jalandhar. This request follows earlier claims of Pakistan's participation and past withdrawals from events in India.
Kajal Dhochak secured a silver medal in the women's 76kg category at the World Wrestling Championships after a close final loss to Anastasiya Alpyeyeva on Wednesday. This marked India's second silver of the day, with Neelam Sirohi also finishing second in the 50kg category, making it a historic day for Indian women's wrestling.
Reigning MotoGP champion Marc Marquez secured a dominant victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix, his first win there since 2018. This win significantly extends his championship lead to 44 points over rival Jorge Martin, who was absent due to injury. Marquez now stands poised to potentially clinch his eighth world title at the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix.
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has stated he feels no added pressure to win the Champions League in his second spell, ahead of their opening match against Inter Milan, emphasising that his current tenure is distinct from his past one.
The Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) is expanding to 10 teams for its second season with the addition of two new franchises, Jind Jaguars and Kurukshetra Knights. KCL chairman Balwan Singh stated this expansion will create more opportunities for players and strengthen the league's ecosystem, focusing on talent development.
Kimi Antonelli, the 20-year-old Mercedes driver, has become Formula One's youngest champion, a culmination of a lifelong passion for racing shared with his father and significant investment from Mercedes in his generational talent.
India's badminton contingent, led by HS Prannoy, is set to compete at the USD 500,000 Super 500 Korea Open. Newly-crowned Hylo Open champion Lakshya Sen has withdrawn, placing more responsibility on Prannoy. Young talents like Tanvi Sharma, Malvika Bansod, and Anmol Kharb will also feature, alongside Indian doubles pairs.
Lewis Hamilton secured his first pole position for Ferrari at the Mexico City Grand Prix, while Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli is on the verge of becoming Formula One's youngest champion, needing only a ninth-place finish to clinch the title.
Veteran India defender Amit Rohidas has refuted recent reports suggesting his retirement after the Asian Champions Trophy, stating he intends to continue playing as long as his form and fitness allow. He emphasised focusing on current tournaments and consistent performance rather than looking too far ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Twenty-year-old Indian compound archer Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru expresses strong confidence in India's ability to secure an Olympic medal at Los Angeles 2028. Following his success at the Asian Games, he believes recent landmark performances, including securing a mixed team compound quota and recurve team victories over South Korea, have positioned India to challenge traditional powerhouses and achieve Olympic glory. He highlights the importance of consistency and institutional support in this journey.
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and defending shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been selected as India's flag-bearers for the Asian Games opening ceremony. This decision highlights the significant contributions of shooting and athletics to India's medal tally, with a 158-strong contingent participating in the event.
Real Madrid, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, Real Betis, Aston Villa, and AEK Athens all secured victories in their opening Champions League matches.
Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu secured her second title of the season by winning the Hylo Open Super 500 tournament in straight games against Denmark's Line Hojmark Kjrsfeldt. Sindhu displayed superior control and stroke-play, winning 21-12, 21-14 in the final, earning 9200 ranking points and staying on track for the season-ending World Tour Finals.
Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians have announced a significant overhaul of their coaching staff ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League season, naming former India batter Robin Uthappa as their new batting coach. The franchise also appointed Mitchell McClenaghan as bowling coach and T Dilip as fielding coach, with Dhawal Kulkarni taking on the role of development bowling coach.
Former world number one Naomi Osaka was defeated 6-3, 7-5 by 18-year-old Slovakian wildcard Mia Pohankova in the second round of the Pan Pacific Open, bringing an end to Osaka's 2026 season.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has stated that the national team is yet to receive government clearance to participate in the men's Asian Champions Trophy in India, refuting claims of confirmed participation.
Aston Villa kicked off their Champions League journey with a hard-fought 3-2 away victory over Club Brugge, propelled by two assists from Pau Torres. Meanwhile, AEK Athens also secured a winning start, defeating Austrian side LASK 1-0 thanks to a stunning free-kick from Razvan Marin.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu will lead the Indian challenge at the USD 500,000 Hylo Open Super 500 badminton tournament in Germany, fresh from her French Open runner-up finish. Other prominent Indian shuttlers like Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, and HS Prannoy will also be in action, aiming for strong performances.
The Indian golf trio of Anshul Mishra, Arkesh Bhatia, and Ribhav Verma failed to make the 36-hole cut at the Asia-Pacific Amateur golf tournament in New Zealand. Defending champion Fifa Laopakdee of Thailand maintained his lead despite windy conditions, positioning himself well for the weekend.
Defending champions India began their Asian Games campaign with a dominant 13-1 victory over Indonesia in their opening Pool A match. Striker Dilpreet Singh led the charge with four goals, supported by braces from Shilanand Lakra and Sukhjeet Singh. India's focus remains on securing the gold medal and a direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh revealed that Punjab, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu are strong contenders to host the 2030 FIH Men's and Women's World Cups, with Odisha being the preferred choice. He also outlined Hockey India's strategy to expand the sport's reach across the country by bringing international tournaments to various states and focusing on infrastructure development. The article also touches upon player selection for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with Hockey India giving team management a free hand.
Real Madrid secured their sixth consecutive victory across all competitions with a dominant 3-0 win over Racing Santander in LaLiga on Sunday. Goals from Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Yan Diomande propelled Real to within three points of league leaders Barcelona, showcasing a sharp and assured performance.
The new Champions League season kicked off with star performances from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, securing wins for Real Madrid and Manchester City, respectively. Jose Mourinho's Madrid overcame Inter Milan, while City defeated Porto. Other matches saw Borussia Dortmund, Real Betis, Aston Villa, and AEK Athens also claim victories.
Indian golfer Pranavi Urs, fresh from strong performances including a top-four finish at the Hero Women's Indian Open and an Asian Games gold, is set to compete in the USD 1.2 million Wistron Ladies Open in Chinese Taipei. She will face an experienced international field, including defending champion Yani Tseng and recent Indian Open winner Pornanong Phatlum.
Four Indian boxers, including Commonwealth Games gold medallist Arundhati Choudhary, advanced to the semifinals of the 46th International Tammer tournament in Tampere, Finland, on the opening day. Aarti Dhariyal, Ankushita Boro, and Hussam Uddin Mohammed also secured wins, while World Champion Jaismine and Hitesh are scheduled to compete later on Friday.
Lewis Hamilton secured his first pole position for Ferrari at the Mexico City Grand Prix, a feat that brought back memories of Michael Schumacher's dominant years with the Italian team. At 41, Hamilton also became the oldest pole-sitter since Mario Andretti in 1982, expressing his joy at rewarding Ferrari and reflecting on his enduring passion for the sport.
Indian hockey defender Jarmanpreet Singh has dismissed reports of his impending retirement, stating his strong desire to continue playing and target the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Despite Hockey India's reported plan to phase out senior players after the Asian Champions Trophy, Jarmanpreet, a key member of medal-winning teams, remains focused on contributing to the team's success, a sentiment echoed by captain Harmanpreet Singh who called the reports "rumours".
Boxer Lovlina Borgohain's parents expressed immense joy and pride after their daughter clinched a gold medal at the Asian Games. They highlighted her hard work and dedication, noting her long-standing goal to upgrade her previous silver to gold. The family also shared Lovlina's future aspirations, including an Olympic gold and upcoming world championships.
Mumbai Indians have confirmed a significant shake-up in their coaching staff, announcing the departures of iconic former player Lasith Malinga, along with Paras Mhambrey and Carl Hopkinson.
Twenty-year-old Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli is poised to become Formula One's youngest world champion, needing just two points in Mexico City to clinch the title, a feat he views as "just the beginning" of a career he hopes will include racing with his father.
Everton defeated Newcastle United 3-1 to reach the League Cup quarter-finals, where they will face fourth-tier side Fleetwood Town. Goals from James Garner, Hayden Hackney, and Thierno Barry secured the win for Everton, despite the absence of Jack Grealish due to a disciplinary breach.