Lionel Messi broke the FIFA World Cup scoring record, but his achievement was overshadowed by controversial refereeing decisions.
The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) has clarified that Manika Batra's exclusion from India's Asian Games squad was due to strict adherence to existing selection criteria. Despite her name being considered, Batra did not meet the requirements, primarily lacking a national ranking and not being in the top 50 of international rankings at the time of selection. The decision was a collective one by the selection committee, based on a comprehensive assessment.
Indian shooters Vanshika Chaudhary and Shiva Narwal secured a silver medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the ISSF Junior World Championship in Suhl, Germany. This achievement further boosted India's leading position in the medal standings with a total of 16 medals.
National record holder Jyothi Yarraji made a remarkable return to competition after a year-long injury lay-off, breaching the Asian Games qualifying standard in the 100m hurdles at the National Inter-State Championships. She achieved the feat with a time of 13.14 seconds, well within the AFI's requirement.
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.
Julian Quinones continued his remarkable FIFA World Cup campaign with his third goal as Mexico defeated Ecuador to reach the last 16, ending a 40-year knockout drought and inspiring fresh belief among the home fans.
Videos circulated online showed Senegal players being screened by airport security before travelling from Raleigh, North Carolina to San Antonio, Texas for a warm-up friendly against Saudi Arabia ahead of the tournament.
Ace Indian swimmer Sajan Prakash is set for his final season, targeting a podium finish and a personal best at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Having qualified for both the CWG and Asian Games, Prakash is undergoing intensive training, focusing on recovery and strategic preparation with new coach Sandeep Sejwal, as he aims to make a significant impact in his last major international appearances.
A national record holder at just 18, Uttar Pradesh athlete Anushka Yadav has a simple wish -- to make hammer throw match the popularity of javelin which has a massive fan following in the country.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has established a four-member ad-hoc committee to manage the affairs of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI), following a directive from the Delhi High Court to restore democratic governance within the sport.
'If there are different laws governing the same subject, it can increase the compliance burden on platforms. The process would be easier and more transparent if there were a singular national-level law.'
The H-1B visa once symbolised the American Dream for Indians, but today's students are increasingly asking whether they need America at all. In 1995, the question was: How do I get to America? In 2026, it may be: Do I need to?
Rohit Yadav lit up Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Stadium with a career-best throw of 87.05m in the men's javelin throw on the concluding day of the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships.
If we really want to curb the further depreciation of the rupee and make the rupee appreciate, we want to come out of the mindset that the exchange rate is merely a number, bring policy corrections to help reduce the outflow of foreign exchange by imposing suitable tariffs to discourage imports and bring self reliance, discipline FPIs, and correcting rules governing royalty outflows, suggests Dr Ashwani Mahajan, National Co-Convenor, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch.
Teenager Pritam Kendre won a gold medal in the men's 10m air rifle at the ISSF Junior World Championship in Suhl, Germany, contributing to India's growing medal tally of 11, including five golds. India also secured a bronze in the women's 25m pistol team event, showcasing strong performances from its young shooting contingent.
Iran's football federation announced its World Cup ticket allocation has been revoked just days before the tournament, leaving many fans unable to attend.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has suspended Russia's membership for up to three years due to its failure to comply with a ruling to stop holding events in Russian-controlled Ukrainian territories. This decision follows Russia's continued organisation of chess events in annexed regions, violating a Court of Arbitration for Sport order.
Tejas Shirse has broken his own national record in the men's 110m hurdles, clocking 13.27 seconds at the Indian Athletics Series 9. This performance also secured his qualification for the Commonwealth Games and ranks as the sixth best in Asia this season.
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey was denied entry into Canada for a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Panama due to ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK, where he faces rape and sexual assault charges. Canada's Federal High Court upheld the visa refusal, despite Ghana's government calling the decision "extremely unfair" and questioning the reliance on unproven allegations.
Star Indian high jumper Sarvesh Kushare has set a new national record by clearing 2.31m at the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar, becoming the first Indian to breach the 2.30m mark.
Indian boxer Jyoti secured the country's only gold medal at the World Boxing Cup 2 in Guiyang, China, defeating Uzbekistan's Farzona Fozilova in the 48kg final.
A US federal judge has ruled that the USD 100,000 fee imposed by former President Donald Trump for H-1B visa applications was unlawful, as it lacked congressional approval. The ruling states the fee was a tax, exceeding the administration's authority and impacting skilled global talent.
Haryana and Rajasthan have signed an agreement to implement the 1994 Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) agreement, allowing Rajasthan to receive water from the Hathini Kund barrage during monsoons. The pact, signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, resolves a 32-year-old issue concerning water allocation among Yamuna basin states.
Belgian winger Jeremy Doku faces a personal dilemma during the World Cup as his wife is due to give birth to their first child. He hopes to be present for the birth, potentially requiring him to leave the tournament.
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.
Indian table tennis star Manika Batra has threatened legal action against the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) if she is not provided a 'factual explanation' for her omission from the Asian Games squad.
'...because that protects their aviation industry.' 'The Boeing 787 is one of the most widely-flown wide-body aircraft in the world, and Airbus is running neck-and-neck with Boeing.' 'Airbus is not going to let an opportunity like this pass.' 'If a software problem with the 787 is confirmed, they will use it to increase their own orders.'
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.
India's Parul Chaudhary has set a new national record in the women's 5000m event, clocking 15:04.26 to finish second at the Meeting Nikaia 2026. This performance also secured her qualification for the Asian Games 2026.
Indian boxers, including Commonwealth Games-bound athletes, achieved a remarkable feat at the 56th Grand Prix Usti nad Labem in Czechia, securing a total of 12 medals, with eight gold, three silver, and one bronze. Both the men's and women's teams delivered commanding performances, showcasing their prowess ahead of major international competitions.
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.
Nicolas Pepe justified his World Cup selection with two goals on Thursday, coming out of the cold to restore his reputation as a key striker for the Ivory Coast.
Senior officials from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) met in New Delhi to discuss key issues including the Indian Super League (ISL), the AIFF's Constitution, and compliance with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. The AFC assured AIFF of continued support for Indian football.
G Sindhushree lacked the funds to buy proper equipment after her father's death in 2022, forcing her to compete with shorter poles until she borrowed a longer one just two weeks before the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar.
Indian stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded in early trade, driven by a decline in crude oil prices, supportive global cues, fresh foreign fund inflows, and buying in blue-chips like Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank. Track Sensex, Nifty movement on June 22, 2026.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board has officially approved the qualification system for cricket at the LA Olympic 2028, marking the sport's return after 128 years. The event will feature men's and women's T20 competitions with six teams each.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has confirmed that the government has released funds for the national team's participation in the FIH Nations League and the FIH World Cup. However, player Abdul Hannan Shahid has raised concerns about low daily allowances and lack of financial support for players.
Defending champion Jannik Sinner returns to Wimbledon with his aura of invincibility dented after a dominant stretch, leaving the world number one to prove he can impose his game on grass and keep the challengers led by Novak Djokovic at bay.
Defending champion Jannik Sinner heads to Wimbledon under scrutiny after his French Open disappointment, but coaches and experts believe the world No. 1 remains the favourite to retain his title despite fitness concerns.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will lead a mass yoga session in New Delhi for the 12th International Day of Yoga, themed "Yoga for Healthy Ageing," joined by actor Akshay Kumar. The Sports Ministry is organising nationwide events with over 15,000 participants, highlighting yoga's global impact since its UN adoption in 2014.
