Indian shooters endured a second consecutive medal-less day at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, a crucial tune-up event before the Asian Games. While Vidarsa Vinod reached the women's 50m rifle three positions final, finishing sixth, other Indian participants struggled in various events, including men's and women's skeet, and men's 25m rapid fire pistol. The performance raises concerns ahead of the upcoming major competition.
India's U-23 men boxers showcased a strong performance at the Asian U-19 & U-23 Boxing Championships in Jakarta, with six athletes advancing to the semifinals. This achievement guarantees India at least six medals in the competition, highlighting the talent of young Indian pugilists on the international stage.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) CEO Raghuram Iyer announced that India will send 125-130 athletes to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, participating in eight able-bodied and four para sports. The IOA is also preparing for the Asian Games and is in talks with the IOC for India's 2036 Olympic bid in Ahmedabad, which is also set to host the 2030 CWG. Iyer clarified that the IOA will not interfere in athlete selection matters.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced a multi-year partnership with Dream Sports Foundation (DSF) to strengthen U16 football in India, focusing on grassroots development and a cohesive pathway for young players.
India's junior women's hockey team is set to embark on a tour of the United Kingdom from July 5 to 14, playing seven matches against various international U-21 teams and Scotland's senior side. This tour, led by new coach Tim White, is crucial for the team's preparation for future competitions and aims to provide valuable international exposure.
India's national Pokemon UNITE team achieved a remarkable runner-up position at the AESF-sanctioned Pokemon UNITE Asia International Tournament in Bangkok, showcasing strong strategic play and resilience against 11 national teams from across Asia.
Egypt's national football coach, Hossam Hassan, has vehemently blamed 'unfair' refereeing decisions and 'external factors' for his team's dramatic World Cup elimination by Argentina, stating he will no longer watch the tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be broadcast live in India after FIFA and 'Z' group reached an agreement. The tournament will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be broadcast live in India after FIFA and 'Z' group reached an agreement. The tournament will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Indian skeet shooters Bhavtegh Singh Gill and Mairaj Ahmad performed strongly on the opening day of the ISSF World Cup (Shotgun) in Lonato, Italy, finishing joint 14th. Parinaaz Dhaliwal also impressed in the women's section, placing tied-11th. The performances offer hope for India's first medal of the season and serve as crucial preparation for the upcoming Asian Games, despite other Olympians facing challenges.
The fourth edition of the Oriental Cup, an inter-school football tournament, is scheduled from July 7 to 16 in New Delhi. It will feature over 45 school teams, 1,500 student-athletes, and offer scholarships worth Rs 2.5 lakh to encourage young talent. Organisers aim to make it India's leading school football competition, with growing participation, especially among girls' teams.
The 24-member Indian junior men's hockey team, led by new coach Frederic Soyez, has departed for an exposure tour in Belgium from July 7 to 17.
Karnataka's G Sindhushree, an unheralded pole vaulter, achieved a new national record of 4.25m at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar. This performance not only secured her a gold medal but also a spot in the Asian Games. Overcoming personal hardships, Sindhushree dedicated her achievement to her late father. The event also saw other athletes like Animesh Kujur, Harshita Bhadra, Manpreet Kaur, Gowthami Jayaraman, Mohammed Afsal, and N Thowfeeq qualify for the Asian Games in various disciplines.
European T20 Premier League (ETPL) is a necessary addition in the existing assortment of franchise-based tourneys as the format is here to stay unlike ODIs, said Indian spin bowling legend Ravichandran Ashwin on Thursday.
Six Indian women boxers have advanced to the semifinals of the Asian U-19 and U-23 Boxing Championships in Jakarta, assuring India of at least eight medals in the U-19 category. Notable victories include Chandrika Bhoresh Pujari, Joyshree Devi, Prachi, Chahat, Gunjan, and Anshika.
A rural-level cricket competition in Shimla's Jubbal subdivision is using sports to raise awareness about drug abuse and environmental protection. The 'Shaan-e-Bushahr' Mandhol Premiere League-4, featuring over 80 teams, encourages participants to plant saplings and monitor their growth, building on previous successful tree-planting initiatives.
India is set to host the Asian Senior Fencing Championships for the first time from June 19-24 in New Delhi, featuring athletes from 34 countries, including Olympic medallists. The event is a direct qualifier for the Asian Games and offers ranking points for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with Indian Olympian Bhavani Devi leading the home challenge.
IOA President PT Usha emphasises the importance of athlete-centric policies in Indian sports administration, highlighting the need for prioritising athlete welfare and development.
The seventh edition of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) tournament is set to begin in Panaji, featuring top Indian and international players. Indian paddlers like Manav Thakkar, Manush Shah, and Diya Chitale view the tournament as crucial preparation for the upcoming Asian Games, aiming to build momentum and gain competitive experience. The league also introduces an AI-powered review system.
In a bizarre incident, Tamil Nadu's R Harshitha was made to re-run the women's 400m hurdles alone on Saturday due to a goof-up by race officials, and she eventually failed to qualify for the finals at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar.
Early data from the World Cup indicates that sportswear giant Adidas is currently gaining a significant advantage over rival Nike in brand visibility and sales. Adidas, an official sponsor, is seeing a substantial surge in apparel spending and foot traffic, particularly driven by jersey sales. While Nike's business is also growing, it is being outpaced by Adidas, which appears to have a more resonant product offering. Nike, facing declining market share and intense competition, is relying on the World Cup for a boost, though its footwear presence remains strong.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz has entered next month's Cincinnati Open as he targets a return from a wrist injury, tournament organisers said.
Naveen Rathi successfully defended his Category A boys' title, and Ayesha Gupta won the girls' crown at the 25th NCR Cup Junior and Amateur Golf tournament in Manesar. The event, organised by the Delhi Golf Society, saw over 160 participants, with other categories also witnessing strong performances from emerging talents like Arush and Unnati Singh.
India's U-23 women boxers showcased a dominant performance at the Asian U-19 and U-23 Boxing Championships, with nine pugilists successfully advancing to the semifinals, thereby assuring a minimum of nine medals for the country. Several boxers secured convincing victories in their quarterfinal bouts.
Ahmedabad is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with key sports complexes slated to be ready by 2029. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave and the Gujarat Police Academy will be central to the Games, featuring 17 disciplines including shooting, badminton, and hockey. Celebrations are planned across 8,000 locations to mark Commonwealth Games Day.
France striker Kylian Mbappe hit back at a Paraguayan senator, describing her as a "despicable woman" on Monday after she launched a racist attack on him following Paraguay's elimination from the World Cup.
Spain defender Aymeric Laporte has questioned some refereeing decisions involving Argentina ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, saying aggressive play should not go unpunished.
India is set to celebrate Commonwealth Games Day on May 24 across 8,000 locations, with a main event in Ahmedabad, featuring sporting stars and a focus on fitness and national pride.
Matthew Hayden says the European T20 Premier League can establish itself as a talent-development platform for Europe's associate nations, stressing that ETPL's strength lies in creating pathways to global franchise cricket rather than competing with the IPL.
India made a strong start at the Asian U-23 Athletics Championships in Ordos, China, securing five medals on the opening day. The haul included a gold in the mixed 4x400m relay, one silver, and three bronze medals, showcasing the nation's emerging talent in athletics.
It happened in 2017, two years after Scaloni ended his playing career. De la Fuente, then in charge of Spain's youth teams, was among the figures who helped guide a recently retired player taking his first steps towards management.
The Indian Air Force defeated the Indian Army (Southern Command) 2-0 in the inaugural match of the 7th Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament. Agniveer Vinayak Santosh Hande was named Man of the Match, receiving a Rs 25,000 cheque. The tournament, organised by the Air Force Sports Control Board, features 16 teams and was declared open by Air Marshal S Sivakumar.
The Indian Air Force defeated the Indian Army (Southern Command) 2-0 in the inaugural match of the 7th Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament-2026. Agniveer Vinayak Santosh Hande was named Man of the Match in the tournament, which features 16 teams and was inaugurated by Air Marshal S Sivakumar.
Brazil's head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed disappointment after the team's FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 defeat to Norway, but stated the team would use the exit as motivation for future improvements. He highlighted the need for new midfield talent as key players like Neymar are expected to retire from international football.
Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma missed the cut at the BMW International Open on his return to competitive golf. Meanwhile, Germany's Thomas Rosenmueller shot the day's best round to move into contention for the title, just two strokes behind the leaders.
Displaced Palestinians in Gaza are overcoming power cuts, poor internet and ongoing insecurity to follow the FIFA World Cup, finding brief moments of joy and escape amid the hardships of war and displacement.
Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the current World Cup will be his last, expressing no regrets about his illustrious career.
India commenced its campaign at the Asian Relay Championships in Shaoxing, China, by securing two medals on the opening day. The mixed 4x100m team earned a bronze, while the mixed 4x400m team clinched a silver medal, showcasing a strong performance by Indian athletes.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant has announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Miguel Figueira Damasceno, the reigning ISL Golden Ball winner, on a two-year contract. Miguel, who previously played a crucial role in East Bengal's title-winning campaign, is known for his attacking prowess and ability to provide assists. He expressed excitement about playing for Mohun Bagan's passionate fanbase and aims to help the team win multiple titles.
France's journey to the World Cup semi-finals is not just about star players like Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, but also a deep-seated unity and player-led analysis forged in private conversations and hotel rooms, according to midfielders Adrien Rabiot and defender Jules Kounde.
