Hero MotoCorp celebrated the 10th anniversary of its MotoSports Team Rally, highlighting a decade of achievements in global rally-raid. The event saw the launch of the "India's Next Dakar Hero" programme, a five-year partnership extension with Dakar Rally organisers, and the induction of young Indian racer Shlok Ghorpade, reinforcing the company's commitment to Indian motorsport talent.
Indian wrestler Nisha Dahia has transformed her mindset, moving past repeated injury setbacks and frustrations to focus on her performance at the Asian Games. After years of questioning her fate, she now embraces a mature outlook, concentrating on hard work and accepting outcomes. Her training with Japanese coach Kosei Akaishi has also enhanced her technical skills, particularly in ground wrestling, making her a more complete athlete as she aims for a major medal.
Avinash Sable marked his winning steeplechase comeback after 14 months away, opening up about his ACL injury, lost confidence, difficult rehabilitation and renewed focus on Asian Games gold.
John Abraham, owner of Northeast United, believes the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season will mark a significant turning point for Indian football. With a new club-led domestic structure and a return to the traditional home-and-away format, Abraham envisions a "paradigm shift" where football could rival cricket's popularity. He also highlighted NEUFC's regional impact and their ambition to win the ISL title.
Veteran skeet shooter Mairaj Ahmad Khan expresses strong optimism about the future of Indian shooting, attributing the potential rise to government-backed initiatives like Khelo India. He is preparing for his third Asian Games appearance and believes India will have the best team across all shooting disciplines in the next four years, thanks to enhanced grassroots development and support systems.
Indian sprinter Gurindervir Singh, who holds the national record in the men's 100m, expressed renewed focus and confidence for the upcoming Asian Games after recovering from a hamstring injury that affected his Commonwealth Games performance. He stated he is "completely fit" and performing personal bests in training.
The Indian contingent for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya will undergo orientation sessions focusing on empathy and mutual respect. For the first time, a Safeguarding Officer will accompany the 768-strong team to provide support, counsel distressed athletes, and enforce a code of conduct, ensuring a safe and conducive environment for performance. The officer's role, mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia, includes confidential reporting and potential accreditation suspension for serious violations.
India's T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer expressed his excitement about participating in the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, highlighting the opportunity to interact with top athletes and understand their mindset, while also focusing on the team's immediate T20I challenges.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan's University of Tsukuba to facilitate specialised training and exchange programmes for Indian athletes, coaches, and sports scientists. This partnership aims to enhance cooperation in various sports-related fields and boost India's international competitiveness, especially in disciplines like athletics, archery, table tennis, swimming, and judo.
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.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen made a stunning comeback from Achilles surgery to win the men's 5,000 metres at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, securing a $150,000 prize. Fellow star Mondo Duplantis also claimed a pole vault title, narrowly missing a world record. The new championship format aims to attract new fans with its high-stakes fields and glitzy production.
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.
The UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championships has commenced in Kanpur, featuring 1900 players across 12 categories, including top senior athletes. The tournament proceeds despite the Sports Ministry's recent suspension of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) over election irregularities, with the TTFI asserting its autonomy.
The trophy is supposed to be the full stop to a tournament, not another comma in an India-Pakistan controversy, points out K R Nayar.
Indian javelin thrower Rohit Yadav is determined to secure a podium finish at the upcoming Asian Games, stepping in after Neeraj Chopra's withdrawal due to injury. Yadav, who recently achieved a personal best of 87.68m, is focused on his rhythm and mindset to deliver his best performance and make the nation proud.
Brazil has announced a 26-member squad, featuring stars like Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Marquinhos, for their historic first-ever football match against India on October 3 in Kolkata. Coach Carlo Ancelotti is overseeing a significant rebuild, integrating young talent with experienced players, with an eye on future tournaments like the 2028 Olympics and 2030 World Cup. The squad includes several debutants and a focus on current form, marking a new strategic direction for the Selecao.
Indian boxer Parveen Hooda is set to compete in the Asian Games, aiming to win a medal after her previous bronze was revoked due to a WADA suspension for whereabouts failures. Her comeback journey has been marked by significant challenges, including changing weight categories multiple times, overcoming injuries, and adapting her training to a new division. Hooda is determined to prove herself and achieve a podium finish, viewing it as unfinished business.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi has launched the 'Shaktidoot 2.0' statewide sports scheme, significantly increasing financial assistance for athletes up to Rs 50 lakh. The initiative also focuses on identifying grassroots talent, supporting differently-abled players, and inaugurating sports complexes and libraries worth over Rs 388 crore. The scheme introduces a transparent, performance-based selection process and immediate aid for exceptional non-scheme players.
Aisam ul Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, has announced he will compete as a doubles player in the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Lamine Yamal's double propelled Barcelona to a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Levante, preserving their perfect LaLiga start with five wins and extending their winning run.
The Philippines Tennis Association has requested a WTA exemption for Alexandra Eala to participate in the Asian Games, which clashes with the mandatory China Open.
Dev Ruparelia and Ishita Negi clinched the boys' and girls' singles titles, respectively, at the India Junior International Badminton Grand Prix in Pune. Indian pair Pavan and Punith Suresh also secured the boys' doubles crown, showcasing strong performances from young Indian shuttlers.
Kerala's Mijo Chacko Kurian secured a gold medal in the men's 400m event and a silver in the 200m at the 15th leg of the Indian Athletics Series in Meerut. The event also saw other athletes like Adesh Garsa, Sandeep Singh, Avantika Narale, Harita Bhadra, and Priya Mohan clinch top honours across various track and field disciplines, showcasing a strong performance from national athletes.
UEFA vice-president Laura McAllister stated that UEFA is actively seeking a credible challenger to FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the upcoming March election, emphasising the need for a candidate capable of uniting football's confederations and delivering lasting governance reform, rather than merely installing a European figurehead.
Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist Pramod Bhagat clinched a gold medal in men's singles SL3 and a silver in men's doubles SL3-SU5 at the Japan Para Badminton International. Fellow Indian shuttler Sukant Kadam marked a significant career milestone by securing his 100th medal, alongside a silver in men's singles SL4 and men's doubles.
Multiple Asian Games medallist rifle shooter Ashi Chouksey expresses confidence in the Indian contingent's performance at the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Having secured two silvers and a bronze previously, Chouksey is focused on achieving gold and highlights the rigorous preparation, including intense training and psychological support, to ensure India's success against strong competitors like China.
Indian wrestling coach Virender Dahiya and wrestler Antim Panghal have expressed strong confidence in the national team's preparation and potential for the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Dahiya believes the team will significantly improve on its previous medal tally, while Panghal highlights the strong team cohesion and gold medal aspirations. The squad features a mix of experienced and young talent, aiming to overcome strong regional competitors.
India women's hockey players urge the Sports Ministry and corporates to save the Women's HIL, saying the league is vital for developing future talent.
Ganges Grandmasters have secured a spot in the Global Chess League finals despite a loss to PBG Alaskan Knights. Defending champions Alpine APL Pipers, however, suffered a defeat against Triveni Continental Knights, leaving their final berth dependent on the outcome of the last league match. Key moments included Ian Nepomniachtchi's draw against Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen's first loss in the competition to Alireza Firouzja.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced the new season of the Indian Women's League (IWL) will commence in October, alongside IWL 2. The federation also revealed significant changes including higher coaching licence requirements, revised disciplinary rules, and an ambitious long-term expansion strategy aiming for 12 teams by 2032 to professionalise women's football in India.
Indian track and field athletes, including Avinash Sable and Parul Chaudhary, are using a specialised 'smart track' at SAI NCOE Bengaluru to fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming Asian Games.
Cricket Australia has announced that private investment will be introduced into the Big Bash League (BBL) from the 2027-28 season, beginning with the sale of the Melbourne Renegades T20 franchise, a move aimed at strengthening the league's long-term future and boosting finances.
Indian steeplechaser Avinash Sable made an emotional and triumphant return to competition, winning the men's 3000m steeplechase at the Indian Athletics Series Final. This victory marks his first race in the distance since suffering a career-threatening ACL and meniscus injury in July 2025, which led to surgery and a challenging recovery period. Sable, a Commonwealth Games silver medallist, expressed the immense struggle he faced but is now confident of winning a medal at the upcoming Asian Games.
Paralympic Committee of India president Devendra Jhajharia expressed confidence in the Indian contingent's performance at the upcoming Asian Para Games in Japan. He highlighted the team's focused training, stress-free environment, and recent successes, while also outlining long-term plans for the 2028 and 2032 Paralympics and addressing grassroots development challenges.
Promising Indian golfer Arjun Prasad has officially joined the AM Green Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) ahead of its second half of the season, set to begin in late September. Prasad, 27, brings a strong performance record, including a recent professional title win and multiple top-10 finishes, making him a significant addition to the league's roster alongside other notable players.
Indian squash players Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh have received high seedings for the upcoming Asian Games, positioning them as strong contenders for gold medals. Their performance is crucial as singles winners will secure direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, significantly raising the stakes for the Indian contingent.
Indian recurve archer Dhiraj Bommadevara has won a historic gold medal at the Archery World Cup Final in Saltillo, Mexico.
The Iran national women's kabaddi team conducted a six-day practice camp at the Sports Authority of India's Sonepat centre, engaging in matches against the Indian team and local sides.
Japan's cricket captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and all-rounder Charlie Hara-Hinze believe the upcoming historic T20 match against India on September 22 can serve as a crucial springboard for the sustained growth of cricket in Japan, a country traditionally dominated by baseball.
Asian Games debutant Kartik Karkera, an orthopaedic doctor, expresses confidence in securing a podium finish in the men's marathon despite facing faster international competitors. He believes the challenging heat and humidity will make it a tactical race, playing to his strengths, and prioritises a medal over a personal best. Karkera also highlights the advantage of his 1500m background and medical knowledge in his training.
