News for 'Commonwealth of nations'

India Gears Up To Host Major International Sports Events

India Gears Up To Host Major International Sports Events

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

India is set to host 11 international sporting events in the next six months, including the Badminton World Championships. The Sports Ministry has pledged to provide top-notch facilities, addressing previous criticisms of playing conditions, and is actively preparing for future Olympic bids.

Sports Ministry Grants Conditional Recognition To Interim Judo Federation

Sports Ministry Grants Conditional Recognition To Interim Judo Federation

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

The Sports Ministry has granted conditional recognition to the interim Executive Committee of the Judo Federation of India (JFI), which was elected following a Delhi High Court order. The recognition is subject to the outcome of ongoing court cases and strict compliance with the National Sports Governance Act, with warnings of suspension or revocation for irregularities. The JFI is required to amend its constitution, conduct final elections, and submit monthly compliance reports.

How International Exposure Is Elevating Indian Rugby

How International Exposure Is Elevating Indian Rugby

Rediff.com28 Jun 2026

Indian rugby player Sumit Kumar Roy highlights the critical role of international exposure and the Rugby Premier League in the team's recent success, including a silver medal in Asia's top rugby sevens competition. The team aims for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2036 Olympics, learning from global players and focusing on discipline. Uruguay's Diego Ardao also emphasizes the need for skilled coaches and dedicated players to develop the sport in India, acknowledging the nation's vast potential despite the long road ahead for Olympic aspirations.

TTFI Explains Manika Batra's Omission From Asian Games Team

TTFI Explains Manika Batra's Omission From Asian Games Team

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

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.

Can Harmanpreet end India's 50-year hockey World Cup medal drought?

Can Harmanpreet end India's 50-year hockey World Cup medal drought?

Rediff.com22 Jul 2026

Indian men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh believes his side is capable of ending the country's five-decade-long World Cup medal drought, drawing parallels with the team's success at the Tokyo Olympics.

Historic! Paddlers Manav Thakkar-Manush Shah rise to World No. 2

Historic! Paddlers Manav Thakkar-Manush Shah rise to World No. 2

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

Guided by Indian table tennis legend Sharath Kamal, the duo have established themselves among the world's elite through a series of impressive performances on the WTT circuit.

KM Deeksha Fails Dope Test; India Leads AIU Ineligible Athletes List

KM Deeksha Fails Dope Test; India Leads AIU Ineligible Athletes List

Rediff.com2 Jun 2026

National Games silver medallist K M Deeksha has failed a dope test, according to sources. India maintains top spot in AIU list of currently ineligible athletes.

Delhi Secures Hosting Rights For 2027 World School Championships

Delhi Secures Hosting Rights For 2027 World School Championships

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

The Delhi government has signed a tripartite MoU with the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) and the International School Sport Federation (ISF) to host international school badminton and wrestling events in 2027. This initiative aims to strengthen Delhi's sports ecosystem, provide young athletes with international exposure, and bolster India's global sporting identity.

Neeraj Chopra Will Deliver At Asian Games And LA 2028 Olympics, says Anju Bobby George

Neeraj Chopra Will Deliver At Asian Games And LA 2028 Olympics, says Anju Bobby George

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

Legendary athlete Anju Bobby George believes it's just a matter of time before Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra delivers for the country at the big stage -- the Asian Games and 2028 Los Angles Olympic Games.

Trans Tamil immigrant wins Scotland poll, sparks debate

Trans Tamil immigrant wins Scotland poll, sparks debate

Rediff.com11 May 2026

An Indian doctoral student from Tamil Nadu, Q Manivannan, has sparked a debate on immigration and representation in UK politics after winning a local election in Scotland. Manivannan's victory has drawn criticism from anti-immigration voices, highlighting the rules that allow foreign nationals to contest elections in Scotland.

Gurindervir Singh's Family Celebrates Record-Breaking Sprint

Gurindervir Singh's Family Celebrates Record-Breaking Sprint

Rediff.com27 May 2026

The family and coach of Indian sprinter Gurindervir Singh celebrate his record-breaking 100m sprint at the Federation Cup in Ranchi, where he became the first Indian to run below 10.10 seconds.

Krishna Jayasankar Targets National Outdoor Shot Put Record After Indoor Success

Krishna Jayasankar Targets National Outdoor Shot Put Record After Indoor Success

Rediff.com11 Apr 2026

Indian shot putter Krishna Jayasankar is aiming to break the national outdoor record after setting a national indoor record in the USA. She is training to qualify for the Commonwealth and Asian Games.

'There will never be another Jaspal Rana'

'There will never be another Jaspal Rana'

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

The Indian shooting fraternity is mourning the sudden demise of legendary pistol ace and Dronacharya awardee Jaspal Rana at the age of 49 due to cardiac complications. Rana, a multiple-time Commonwealth and Asian Games gold medallist, was also a highly successful coach who mentored Olympic medallists like Manu Bhaker, leaving an indelible mark on Indian shooting.

India Aims To Be A Top 10 Sporting Nation By 2030

India Aims To Be A Top 10 Sporting Nation By 2030

Rediff.com27 Apr 2026

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has urged Indian shooters to support the country's goal of becoming a top-10 global sporting power within a decade. The NRAI marked its 75th anniversary with a plan to introduce shooting to 7.5 lakh youth through grassroots outreach.

NRAI honours Jaspal Rana, Raja Randhir Singh by naming India Open events after them

NRAI honours Jaspal Rana, Raja Randhir Singh by naming India Open events after them

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) on Tuesday announced that the India Open Competitions in July will be named in honour of legendary shooters Jaspal Rana and Raja Randhir Singh, who died recently, leaving the fraternity shocked.

Chopra Receives Top Male Athlete Award At Inaugural Indian Athletics Ceremony

Chopra Receives Top Male Athlete Award At Inaugural Indian Athletics Ceremony

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

Ace Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was awarded 'Best Male Athlete of the Year 2025' at the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards. Chopra expressed his emotional connection to the award, given in the presence of multiple generations of athletes. The ceremony also honoured Parul Chaudhary as Best Female Athlete and P T Usha with a Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising significant contributions to Indian athletics.

Manika Batra Demands Answers, Threatens Legal Action Over Asian Games Snub

Manika Batra Demands Answers, Threatens Legal Action Over Asian Games Snub

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

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.

18-year-old record breaker Anushka eyes Neeraj Chopra-like popularity

18-year-old record breaker Anushka eyes Neeraj Chopra-like popularity

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

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.

Asunta Lakra Calls For Urgent Intervention Against Sexual Harassment In Indian Hockey

Asunta Lakra Calls For Urgent Intervention Against Sexual Harassment In Indian Hockey

Rediff.com10 Jul 2026

Former India women's hockey captain Asunta Lakra has written to the Sports Ministry, SAI, and IOA, alleging institutional protection of sexual harassment and intimidation of women athletes within the sport. She claims she faced threats and a smear campaign after raising concerns about an individual, Sudhir Gola, and has accused Hockey India Secretary General Bholanath Singh of threatening her. Singh denies the allegations, linking them to upcoming elections, while Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey has acknowledged Lakra's concerns and promised an amicable resolution.

Delhi Government Signs MoU To Host International School Badminton And Wrestling

Delhi Government Signs MoU To Host International School Badminton And Wrestling

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

The Delhi government has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding with the School Games Federation of India and the International School Sport Federation to host international school badminton and wrestling events next year, aiming to boost the city's sports ecosystem and provide international exposure to young athletes.

22 Rowers Join TOPS Development Group For Asian Games

22 Rowers Join TOPS Development Group For Asian Games

Rediff.com1 Jun 2026

Twenty-two rowers have been inducted into the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Development Group to prepare for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The selection, made by the Mission Olympic Cell, includes prominent names like Balraj Panwar and Arvind Singh.

Remembering Jaspal Rana: The Pioneer Who Transformed Indian Shooting

Remembering Jaspal Rana: The Pioneer Who Transformed Indian Shooting

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

Jaspal Rana, a legendary Indian shooter and influential coach, has passed away at 49 after battling cardiac issues. He was a pioneer who brought shooting into the national spotlight with his fearless performances and later shaped the careers of many world-class athletes, including Manu Bhaker, leaving an indelible mark on Indian sports.

Doha Diamond League: Neeraj Chopra back where he thrived, ready for new challenge

Doha Diamond League: Neeraj Chopra back where he thrived, ready for new challenge

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

Indian javelin throw superstar Neeraj Chopra would hope that his lengthy injury-forced absence from competition does not affect his rhythm when he returns to action against an in-form line-up of heavyweight rivals in the familiar environs of the Doha Diamond League on Friday.

Rising Stars of Indian Chess: Rishabh Kumar and Adhiraj Mitra Chart Their Own Paths to Glory

Rising Stars of Indian Chess: Rishabh Kumar and Adhiraj Mitra Chart Their Own Paths to Glory

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

As India's remarkable chess revolution gathers momentum, teenagers Rishabh Kumar and Adhiraj Mitra are ensuring that the country's future on the 64 squares remains brighter than ever.

Why Manika Batra Misses Out On Asian Games Table Tennis Squad

Why Manika Batra Misses Out On Asian Games Table Tennis Squad

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

India's prominent table tennis player, Manika Batra, has been excluded from the national squad for the upcoming Asian Games due to her absence from domestic events, which impacted her national ranking. The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) cited adherence to its selection criteria, which prioritises both national and world rankings.

Manika Batra Alleges TTFI Violated Constitution In Asian Games Squad Selection

Manika Batra Alleges TTFI Violated Constitution In Asian Games Squad Selection

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

Star Indian table tennis player Manika Batra has accused the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) of violating its own Constitution during the selection of the Asian Games squad, where she was named a reserve. Batra claims a nine-member committee, exceeding the constitutional limit, finalised the team, leading to her "mental exhaustion" from the ongoing fight.

Pooja Singh breaks 14-year-old high jump Nat. record at Asian U20 meet

Pooja Singh breaks 14-year-old high jump Nat. record at Asian U20 meet

Rediff.com29 May 2026

Teenaged high jump star Pooja Singh shattered the national senior record en route winning the gold medal to lead a strong Indian show on the second day of the Asian U20 Athletics Championships here on Friday.

Ancy Sojan erases Anju Bobby George's 22-year-old long-jump record

Ancy Sojan erases Anju Bobby George's 22-year-old long-jump record

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

Kerala's Ancy Sojan created history on Saturday by breaking the long-standing national record in women's long jump at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar.

Rana dies at 49: Bindra 'heartbroken', teammates shocked

Rana dies at 49: Bindra 'heartbroken', teammates shocked

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

The death of former Asian Games champion and celebrated shooting coach Jaspal Rana at the age of 49 has triggered an outpouring of grief across India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra and several leading figures from the sporting world paying tribute to one of the country's most influential shooters and mentors.

Rohit Yadav Surpasses Neeraj Chopra in Global List with 87.05m Throw

Rohit Yadav Surpasses Neeraj Chopra in Global List with 87.05m Throw

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

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.

Gulveer Singh Smashes Indian Mile Record In USA

Gulveer Singh Smashes Indian Mile Record In USA

Rediff.com30 May 2026

Indian long-distance runner Gulveer Singh became the first Indian to run a mile race in under four minutes, winning the title at the 24th Annual Music City Track Carnival in Cleveland, USA.

Gulveer Singh Breaks National Half Marathon Record in New York

Gulveer Singh Breaks National Half Marathon Record in New York

Rediff.com15 Mar 2026

Gulveer Singh finished third at the New York City Half Marathon, setting a new national record for the 21.1km distance. He clocked 59 minutes 42 seconds, surpassing the previous record set by Avinash Sable in 2020.

Indian Navy hails Petty Officer Gurindervir's golden run

Indian Navy hails Petty Officer Gurindervir's golden run

Rediff.com24 May 2026

Indian Navy congratulated Gurindervir Singh after he became the first Indian to run 100m in under 10.10 seconds.

Athletics Series In Ludhiana Offers CWG Qualification Chance

Athletics Series In Ludhiana Offers CWG Qualification Chance

Rediff.com30 May 2026

The Ludhiana leg of the Indian Athletics Series on June 13 will serve as a Glasgow Commonwealth Games qualification platform for those who could not make the cut in the Federation Cup due to unfavourable weather.

Harshit Damodaran, Akshat Bajaj Secure Gold And Silver For India

Harshit Damodaran, Akshat Bajaj Secure Gold And Silver For India

Rediff.com21 Jun 2026

Indian gymnasts Harshit Damodaran and Akshat Bajaj achieved a historic gold-silver finish in the junior men's vault event at the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Zunyi, China. Harshit secured gold with 13.649 points, while Akshat took silver with 13.433 points, marking a significant achievement for Indian gymnastics.

NADA Hands Provisional Suspension To Prominent Athletes Over Doping Violations

NADA Hands Provisional Suspension To Prominent Athletes Over Doping Violations

Rediff.com6 Jun 2026

India's National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has provisionally suspended 24 athletes across various sports, including cricketer Bhupen Lalwani, weightlifter Ajith Narayana, wrestler Sahil Jaglan, and national record holder runner KM Deeksha, for failing dope tests. The suspensions highlight ongoing challenges with doping in Indian sports.

Raksha Khadse Encourages Athletes To Pursue Excellence

Raksha Khadse Encourages Athletes To Pursue Excellence

Rediff.com27 May 2026

Union Minister Raksha Khadse has encouraged sportspersons to strive for excellence, highlighting the government's focus on strengthening sports infrastructure and supporting athletes through initiatives like Khelo India.

Gurindervir, Animesh Break 100m Record At Athletics Meet

Gurindervir, Animesh Break 100m Record At Athletics Meet

Rediff.com22 May 2026

The National Senior Athletics Federation Competition witnessed a national record being broken twice in the men's 100m race, along with other impressive performances in long jump and 10,000m races.

Gurindervir Singh's Record Run Sparks Sub-10 Second Hopes

Gurindervir Singh's Record Run Sparks Sub-10 Second Hopes

Rediff.com24 May 2026

Gurindervir Singh's record-breaking 10.09-second run in the 100m at the Federation Cup National Championships has ignited hopes for Indian athletes to finally break the coveted sub-10-second barrier. Experts believe that with the right training, equipment, and opportunities, an Indian sprinter could achieve this milestone in the near future.

Selva Prabhu leaps to silver and sets national indoor record at NCAA Championships

Selva Prabhu leaps to silver and sets national indoor record at NCAA Championships

Rediff.com15 Mar 2026

With this podium finish in the triple jump event, Indian athlete Selva Prabhu qualifies for the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and the World Indoor Championships.