Messi is currently at the Mumbai airport and is expected to leave shortly for the final set of engagements, which includes an appearance at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium for a ticketed event.
Sports Minister Manohar Singh Gill has taken a swipe at the national soccer team, saying schoolboys and the old men of the 1956 Olympic team could beat the current crop of internationals, local media reported on Tuesday. Despite his withering remarks, Gill actually underestimated the parlous state of the national team, who are 148th in the FIFA world rankings sandwiched between Tajikistan and Lebanon.
'In any other sport, this would have been an open and shut case. But with ICC Chairman, CEO, CFO, Commercial chief, and head of Events and Communications being Indians, suspension seems unlikely.'
"Game Set Match... So it's now confirmed and official. World Cup winner Argentine superstar Rodrigo De Paul and Uruguayan and Barcelona legend Luis Surez will join Messi for the 'GOAT Tour to India 2025' Vamos," posted organiser Satadru Dutta on social media.
India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting, advocating for a 'zero tolerance' approach to terrorism and emphasizing the need for the SCO to adapt to the changing global landscape.
The Himachal Pradesh Boxing Association (HPBA) has nominated Anurag Thakur to contest for the post of president of the Boxing Federation of India.
Rising shot putter Samardeep wins gold with meet record, India share spoils with Sri Lanka on Day 1
Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Friday announced a cash award of Rs 6.70 lakh for all the gold medal winners at the recently concluded Youth Women's World Boxing Championships in Guwahati.
Sports Minister Mandaviya plans COE for every sport with corporate funding
The International Cricket Council welcomed the comments the Indian Sports Minister that BCCIs contractual difficulties needed to be resolved in the interests of the game.
"Commonwealth Games in India would leave lasting impact by boosting tourism, and creating jobs, the Government said in a statement.
Sports Minister Vijay Goel, on Saturday, met former Olympic bronze-medallist Vijender Singh to discuss the way forward for Indian boxing, which has been severely hampered by administrative wrangling in the past four years.
PM Modi uses cricketing metaphor to describe India's partnership with UK
'There has been no gentlemanness in the game. There have been very rude, arrogant gestures on the field.'
Thousands of TMC supporters thronged the rally route, waving the party flags, raising slogans and holding aloft colourful posters.
Ministry mulls graded funding for sports federations
A rich talent pool of players promises a bright future for Indian table tennis despite the recent retirement of stalwart Sharath Kamal, said Dronacharya awardee coach Sandeep Gupta.
An e-auction of over 1,300 items gifted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun, featuring items such as a statue of Goddess Bhavani, an Ayodhya Ram Temple model, and sports memorabilia from the 2024 Paralympic Games. Proceeds will go to the Namami Gange project.
The three-member panel will examine the "current legal and administrative status of the BFI and assess the implications of the delay on the governance and functioning of boxing in India."
Currently, the hockey players draw salaries from the departments and organisations that they are employed with even though a proposal to have a graded contract system by Hockey India has been in the deliberation stage for past few years.
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said all pending complaints of sexual harassment at SAI institutes will be disposed off
Preparations for the World Para Athletics Championships are going as per schedule with laying of Mondo tracks in both competition venue and training area set to be completed by September 1
Women's national hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne was on Friday named chief coach of the Indian men's team -- a stunning decision given that the Dutchman has no prior experience of handling a senior men's side.
Tainted former IOA President Abhay Singh Chautala lashed out at Vijay Goel for criticising his appointment as Life President of the national Olympic body, saying the Sports Minister should first focus on his job as he has failed to fulfil his responsibilities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the RJD's past education policies in Bihar, attributing migration to the state's poor education system under their rule. He praised the current NDA government's efforts to improve education and development, launching several initiatives focused on youth skilling and education in the state.
Sports budget raised by over Rs 350 crore, Khelo India gets biggest share
India's bid to host the 2036 Olympics is not merely an attempt to make a statement internationally but also a well thought out plan to create world-class infrastructure, said Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse.
India's Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched the Digilocker facility for athletes, making it mandatory for national federations to digitise certificates and other essential documents of sportspersons within the next year. The initiative, launched in the presence of representatives from 40 National Sports Federations, aims to ensure hassle-free record-keeping and prevent exploitation of athletes. The cloud-based platform, developed by Digital India Corporation (DIC), allows for storage and verification of documents. The ministry has also announced that physical certificates will no longer be considered valid after one year.
Kiren Rijiju said the coronavirus-forced nationwide lockdown, which has been extended till May 17, forced his ministry to delay the resumption of the training camps at Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres. The lockdown was earlier meant to end on May 3.
'Engaging with Pakistan at this stage sends out a message that undermines the sentiments of the people of India who stand firmly against any compromise on national security.'
India and the UK on Thursday inked a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) that will cut tariffs on British whisky, cars and an array of items, besides boosting bilateral trade by around $34 billion annually.
BCCI wants to adopt Olympic sports; Govt mulling approval to OCI athletes
Multiple tailwinds for the automobile sector, including a cut in goods and services tax (GST) rates, are keeping analysts bullish on auto stocks from a long-term perspective, even as they see the rally running its course in the near term.
Veteran boxer Sarita Devi, who is currently serving a provisional suspension, has found support from cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar who has written a letter to the Sports Minister urging him to support her and ensure that her career is not terminated prematurely.
The Argentina captain's Kolkata schedule on December 13 will begin at 9am with a meet-and-greet event, followed by the unveiling of a 70-feet statue of him at the Lake Town Sribhumi on VIP Road.
Bhaichung Bhutia urges 'sports first' shift in Indian education to create world champions
'In my 26 years at Raj Bhavan, working with more than ten governors, I can tell you C P Radhakrishnan Sir stands out.'
In its latest order, the Himachal Pradesh High Court directed the Sports Ministry observer and the Returning Officer to issue a fresh election schedule before April 28, when the case is set to be heard again.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe met Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Primer Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday and discussed India's intent to host the 2036 Olympics and development of athletics in the country.
'Those who call for war from far-off places should realise the repercussions it has on the people who are actually affected.'
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