Indian para track and field athletes secured 14 medals, including five gold, at the Asian Para Games. Nishad Kumar became the third Indian to win two gold medals in a single edition, triumphing in high jump and long jump. Deepthi Jeevanji and Pranav Soorma also clinched gold, setting new Games and Asian records respectively, highlighting India's strong performance.
India, already in the semifinals of the Asian Champions Trophy hockey, will play Malaysia in their fourth round robin match on Sunday.
Sadhguru's Isha Gramotsavam, a rural sports festival, is expanding its 18th edition into North India, covering 10 states and one Union Territory. This year's event will engage over 80,000 players from 40,000 villages in men's volleyball and women's throwball, offering a prize pool exceeding Rs 1 crore, with the aim of social transformation through sport.
Indian men's hockey team chief coach Craig Fulton has indicated significant squad changes for the upcoming Pro League as the team enters a transition phase targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Fulton plans to select a new squad for the February Pro League and will assess players after the New Zealand tour to form a core group for future assignments. He also highlighted the need for improvement against higher-ranked European teams despite recent Asian Games success.
The Sports Ministry has approved a 492-member Indian contingent, comprising 265 male and 227 female athletes, for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Athletics forms the largest group with 73 participants, including star athletes like Neeraj Chopra and Jyothi Yarraji. Other prominent sports like shooting, weightlifting, badminton, boxing, and wrestling also feature strong teams, with some adjustments made due to doping violations.
Five-time champions India secured their third consecutive win at the men's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament, defeating Japan 4-1. Striker Abhishek Nain scored two field goals, while captain Harmanpreet Singh and Vishnukant Singh also found the net. Japan's lone goal came from Shota Yamada via a penalty stroke. India will next face Malaysia on Sunday.
Tokyo Paralympic champion shuttler Pramod Bhagat has urged authorities to take action against former head coach Gaurav Khanna. The controversy stems from Khanna's public prediction of India's medal tally before the finals at the recently concluded Asian Para Games, which Bhagat deemed unprofessional and unethical, causing undue pressure on athletes.
Five-time champions India began their Asian Champions Trophy hockey campaign with a dominant 13-0 victory over Bangladesh. Mandeep Singh scored a hat-trick, while Harmanpreet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, and Hardik Singh each netted a brace, showcasing India's strong title defence.
Indian teenager Joga Purty has qualified for the quarterfinals of the Asian Games women's speed climbing event, finishing ninth in the qualification round.
Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra congratulated Indian athletes for their Asian Games performance but stressed the critical need to enhance the country's high-performance sports ecosystem. He highlighted the urgency required for preparations, with the Los Angeles Olympics less than two years away, advocating for robust systems that support athletes from early stages to build resilience and ensure timely expert intervention.
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that India's participation in the 2027 SAF Games in Pakistan will be guided by the sports ministry's policy, which permits Indian athletes to compete in events with Pakistani participants and vice-versa. Separately, the MEA also commented on the ongoing legal proceedings for seven foreign nationals, including a US citizen and six Ukrainians, who were recently chargesheeted by the NIA for illegal entry and movement, though not under UAPA at this stage.
Following the Indian men's hockey team's historic Asian Games gold and direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, Head Coach Craig Fulton revealed plans to 'build a new team afresh' after the Hockey India League, emphasising the need for meticulous planning for the upcoming Games.
Such is the depth of riches in Indian cricket that Shubman Gill, despite boasting of a good record in T20Is and IPL, finds himself out of contention in India's T20 team.
Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh highlighted patience and composure as crucial factors in their 4-1 victory against Japan in the Asian Champions Trophy. Despite a tough first half, India dominated the final quarter, scoring three goals. Coach Craig Fulton also praised the team's patience and Harmanpreet's world-class performance.
The AICF's proposed constitution could change the symbolism of its top office. The president may no longer remain merely the king on the chessboard -- important to the organisation but with limited reach -- and could become something closer to the queen, influencing internal governance, external representation and emergency decision-making.
Virtual Eye will now provide the full suite of DRS technology to assist umpires and enhance the viewing experience during India's tour of New Zealand involving five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests.
Virat Kohli has expressed strong confidence in Shubman Gill's leadership potential, stating that Gill possesses the right perspective and intensity to captain India for a long time.
'Neither SAI nor state departments have a dedicated sports administration service. Instead, roles are filled by generalist civil servants or contractual staff, often lacking sector-specific expertise.'
Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra has announced he will not contest for a position on the Indian Olympic Association's Executive Board, despite being on the list of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit eligible for the upcoming elections on December 5. Bindra also shared his views on India's performance at the recent Asian Games and the record-breaking success at the Asian Para Games.
India-Pakistan clashes in cricket and hockey drew big audiences at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, helping fuel stronger viewership and a 20% revenue rise.
India's men's and women's kabaddi teams both secured dominant victories in their opening matches at the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad. The women's team defeated Malaysia 73-13, while the men's team beat England 46-26, showcasing strong performances in both raiding and tackling.
South Africa has officially named Durban as its preferred candidate city to host the Olympic Games in either 2036 or 2040, aiming to bring the prestigious event to the African continent for the first time. The bid has received government backing, with presentations to the International Olympic Committee's Future Host Commission scheduled for November.
India concluded its badminton campaign at the Asian Para Games with an impressive haul of three gold, five silver, and eight bronze medals, totalling 16. Nitesh Kumar, Naveen Sivakumar, and the pair of Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Joshi secured the gold medals, showcasing India's growing prowess in para-badminton.
Olympic medallists PV Sindhu and Mirabai Chanu are among 12 prominent sportspersons vying for a spot on the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) Athletes Commission. The elections, scheduled for November 3, will select 10 members for the 2026-2030 term. The article also details the electoral process, eligibility criteria, and mentions the upcoming election for eight Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs).
Star Indian para javelin thrower Sumit Antil successfully defended his gold medal at the Asian Para Games in the men's F42-44/61-64 combined event. India achieved a medal sweep with Mahendra Gurjar winning silver and Sandip Sanjay Sargar securing bronze, showcasing strong performance in para-athletics.
Indian cue sports legend Pankaj Advani secured his 29th world title by winning the WBL World Billiards Championship in Birmingham.
Former India hockey captain Sardar Singh has highlighted the need for greater discipline and sharper man-marking for the Indian team to bridge the gap with top European sides and Australia. He acknowledged India's progress in ball possession and overall fitness but stressed the importance of disciplined play. Singh also commented on Pakistan's withdrawal from the Asian Champions Trophy and expressed confidence in India's chances as hosts.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Indian Oil Corporation have signed an MoU for Rs 40 crore over two years to bolster boxing in India. This partnership, leveraging CSR funds and SAI's expertise, aims to enhance talent identification, athlete development, coaching, and international exposure for boxers, aligning with the revamped Khelo India Scheme.
India's men's hockey team, fresh from retaining its Asian Games title and securing a 2028 Olympics berth, is now preparing for the Asian Champions Trophy. The tournament, featuring six teams including India, will be held in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5. Head coach Craig Fulton emphasizes maintaining intensity for the home challenge, where India aims to extend its record as the most successful team.
Indian long jumper Shaili Singh discusses her controversial fourth-place finish at the Asian Games, where her jump measurement was disputed. She expresses her determination to move past the incident, focusing on upcoming competitions and her recovery from an ankle injury, while also exploring the triple jump.
Former champions Real Kashmir FC are set to kick off their Indian Football League 2026-27 season against debutants Nagaland United SC in Srinagar on Friday. Real Kashmir, under coach Ishfaq Ahmed, aims for a strong start after a challenging previous season, while Nagaland United makes its historic entry into the national league, led by coach Kaizad Ambapardiwalla and a young squad.
US Olympic sprinter Kenny Bednarek has expressed strong support for India's bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games. Citing his personal connection through his Indian girlfriend, golfer Sharmila Nicollet, and his admiration for the country's diverse culture, Bednarek believes India would be an ideal host, offering a unique experience for athletes and visitors. India is among seven nations vying for the 2036 Games, also planning bids for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2038 Asian Games.
Indian hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh has emphasised the team's focus on improving its defensive performance ahead of the Asian Champions Trophy. India, chasing a record sixth title, will face Bangladesh in their opener on Tuesday. Harmanpreet stated that despite being favourites, the team will not underestimate any opponent and views the tournament as a crucial platform for both experienced players and youngsters, as well as preparation for the 2028 Olympics.
Indian golf stars Shubhankar Sharma and Anirban Lahiri will spearhead a 27-member Indian contingent at the USD four million DP World India Championship. They will compete against a formidable international field, including seven Major winners like Rory McIlroy, at the Delhi Golf Club, starting on Thursday.
Head coach Amol Muzumdar believes the Indian women's cricket team is poised to dominate white-ball formats within two years, citing a strong talent pipeline from age-group cricket. He emphasizes a coaching philosophy focused on winning, discipline, and intense practice, drawing parallels to his Mumbai cricket upbringing. Muzumdar also highlights team unity and a positive dressing room atmosphere as crucial for success, similar to factors behind India's ODI World Cup win last November.
Indian World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav led his New York Yankees team to victory in a unique three-on-three tournament in Mumbai, blending cricket and baseball with ex-Major League Baseball players.
India's Asian Games campaign looked bleak in Nagoya. A slow medal start saw the country slip to around 12th, before a late surge took India back to fourth with 85 medals.
The Sports Ministry is set to commence the nomination process for the National Sports Awards next month, following a delayed announcement of the 2025 awards. The delay was due to a re-evaluation process aimed at preserving the integrity of the honours, which resulted in no Khel Ratna awardee for 2025 and fewer Arjuna awardees than recommended. The article also details the criteria for these prestigious awards and highlights some of the notable Arjuna awardees for 2025.
India's track and field contingent delivered a stellar performance at the Asian Para Games, securing 22 medals, including five gold, and propelling the nation to fifth in the overall standings. Sprinter Simran, high-jumper Praveen Kumar, and shot-putter Sachin Khilari notably set new Games records, contributing significantly to India's medal tally across various para-sports.
Suspended Boxing Federation of India (BFI) secretary general Pramod Kumar has requested World Boxing, IOA, and the Sports Ministry to send observers for a Special General Meeting (SGM) on October 28. BFI president Ajay Singh has declared the SGM "illegal and unconstitutional," warning of disciplinary action against attendees. The meeting aims to pass a no-confidence motion against Singh, amidst a deepening power struggle where both officials have suspended each other.
