The Sports Authority of India's Training Centre in Dimapur, Nagaland, will be upgraded to a National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) following an MoU with the state government. This multi-phase development will transform the 64-acre Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex, providing enhanced facilities for athletes in various disciplines.
A top national shotgun coach, involved in India's Asian Games preparations, is under investigation by the Sports Authority of India for alleged conflict of interest related to a contract for building a shooting range in Chennai.
'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.'
India's government is working to resolve tax and regulatory hurdles to bring Formula One back to the Buddh International Circuit on the outskirts of New Delhi in 2028, more than a decade after the race was dropped.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan's University of Tsukuba to facilitate specialised training and exchange programmes for Indian athletes, coaches, and sports scientists. This partnership aims to enhance cooperation in various sports-related fields and boost India's international competitiveness, especially in disciplines like athletics, archery, table tennis, swimming, and judo.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has provided international-standard pole vaulting equipment and financial aid to Sindhushree Ganesh, who will represent India at the Asian Games. Sindhushree, from an underprivileged background, has overcome challenges to achieve national recognition in pole vault, fulfilling her late father's dream.
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed strong "anguish" over the Indian hockey team's decision to change its traditional blue jersey to saffron for the upcoming FIH World Cup. Patnaik, whose state government previously sponsored the team, criticised the move as "petty politics" and an attempt to erase sporting legacy, alleging pressure from the BJP government in Odisha. Hockey India stated the saffron colour symbolises courage, sacrifice, and new beginnings, inspired by the national flag.
The Sports Ministry, led by Mansukh Mandaviya, has announced stringent selection criteria for the upcoming Asian Games, capping the contingent at 600 athletes. The policy prioritises medal prospects, stating that the Games are not for "exposure tours" or securing jobs. This includes a "realistic chance of winning a medal" and being in the top six continental rankings. The ministry will scrutinise recommendations from National Sports Federations, with specific cases like equestrian Anush Agarwalla and table tennis player Manika Batra highlighting the new approach.
Four promising Indian tennis players, including Manas Dhamne and Vaishnavi Adkar, have been inducted into the Government of India's Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) scheme, which provides comprehensive support for high-performance athletes. This move, welcomed by AITA, aims to strengthen India's presence in international tennis.
The Sports Ministry's Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) has sanctioned Rs 35.46 lakh for overseas training stints for Paralympic medallists Ajeet Singh (javelin) and Pranav Soorma (club throw) to prepare them for the upcoming Asian Para-Games in Japan. Both athletes, part of the TOPS core group, will train in Germany and Czechia respectively, with Pranav also participating in multiple championships.
A High Performance national coach for rifle shooters, Manoj Kumar, is under inquiry by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for allegedly conducting private coaching at a government facility and discriminating against non-attendees. Complaints from shooters and guardians detail pressure to name him as their official coach and unequal distribution of ammunition. The National Rifles Association of India (NRAI) secretary general has refuted the charges.
Olympic medallist Gagan Narang and weightlifting great N Kunjarani Devi have been appointed to a five-member search-cum-selection committee for the National Sports Board. Chaired by Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan, the committee will recommend names for the Board's Chairperson and Members. The National Sports Board is tasked with recognising National Sports Bodies and ensuring compliance with governance, financial, and ethical standards under the new National Sports Governance Act.
The Sports Ministry has issued a showcause notice to the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) over concerns about its selection policy and failure to make key appointments.
The FIFA-AIFF Telangana Academy, a new high-performance football training centre for boys and girls, has been launched in Hyderabad. This initiative, a collaboration between FIFA, AIFF, and the Telangana government, aims to nurture young talent with comprehensive support, including residential facilities and medical care. It marks India's first girls' football academy of its kind.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), conducted a workshop on Good Clinical Practice (GCP) to strengthen ethical sports science research.
The Kerala Sports Department has submitted its confidential inquiry report regarding the controversy surrounding the proposed visit of football legend Lionel Messi and the Argentina team to the state during the previous government's tenure.
International water sports star Bilquis Mir has filed a contempt case against the Jammu and Kashmir sports department for withholding her salary for over two-and-a-half years, despite a tribunal order to release it.
Vidarsa K Vinod, a 27-year-old shooter from Kerala, has secured a spot in India's Asian Games squad for the 10m Air Rifle and 50m Rifle 3 Positions events, overcoming significant financial hurdles and training setbacks through resilience and family support.
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.
Commonwealth Sport president Donald Rukare expressed satisfaction with India's preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, following a multi-city review of venues and infrastructure.
A 16-year-old Taekwondo player uncovered a fraudulent sports body, the 'Youth Khelo India Federation (YKIF),' which falsely claimed government affiliation and scammed athletes, prompting the Sports Ministry to file an FIR.
The Delhi High Court has reserved its verdict on petitions filed by riders Anush Agarwalla and Sudipti Hajela, who challenged their exclusion from India's dressage team for the upcoming Asian Games. The athletes appealed a single judge's earlier decision that upheld the Equestrian Federation of India's selection process. The court heard arguments from all parties, including the EFI, which maintained that the best riders were selected and opposed external interference.
Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse highlights the positive impact of the Khelo India Tribal Games on Chhattisgarh, shifting its image from a region associated with naxalism to one with opportunities for tribal youth through sports.
The Sports Ministry has introduced stricter guidelines for selecting coaches for India's Asian Games contingent, prioritising demonstrable contribution and regular association with athletes to manage the increasing number of requests.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is investing nearly Rs 1.95 crore in international exposure and national coaching camps for weightlifters preparing for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
Hockey India has called an urgent executive board meeting to address a series of sexual harassment, misconduct, and indiscipline cases, considering stringent actions including life bans.
Amrit Mathur, Commissioner of PGTI's 72 The League, lauded the Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar as the world's most stunning and spectacular.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has provided financial assistance for India's participation in the IBSF World Men's Billiards Championship in Ireland, supporting players like Sourav Kothari and Pankaj Advani.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has provided financial assistance for India's participation in the IBSF World Men's Billiards Championship in Ireland, supporting players like Sourav Kothari and Pankaj Advani.
Indian athlete Praveen Chithravel secured a silver medal in the men's triple jump at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, bringing immense pride to his agricultural daily wage worker father and their village in Tamil Nadu.
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.
The Odisha Gymnastics Association is under investigation for allegedly using the name of its deceased president to secure funds from the state government. A complaint questions the association's governance and financial practices, including the sanctioning of funds from multiple agencies for the same event.
The inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) commenced in Chhattisgarh, providing a national stage for tribal athletes to showcase their abilities. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the event's significance in promoting sports culture and identifying talent from remote areas.
Businesses across sectors are positioning themselves to capitalise on the expected surge in demand.
Olympic silver medallist wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya and Paralympic bronze medallist high jumper Sharad Kumar have obtained interim relief from the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in their petitions for regularisation of their ad-hoc services with the Delhi government. Both athletes, who resigned from previous stable positions, have been serving in temporary roles within the Directorate of Education for several years without regularisation.
Mumbai is set to host a friendly cricket match between GST, Customs officers, and actors to promote fitness and sportsmanship, organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Bangladeshi cricket legend Shakib Al Hasan, an ally of ousted PM Sheikh Hasina, is willing to return from exile in the US to face charges, including murder, if the government guarantees his safety. He hopes to play a farewell series and represent Bangladesh in the 2027 World Cup, highlighting the challenges faced by Hasina's allies after her government's fall.
Olympian and World Cup gold medallist archer Jayanta Talukdar and his one-month-old twin babies were rescued from their flood-hit apartment in Guwahati's Rukmininagar on Friday.
Harmanpreet Kaur shared an emotional note after receiving the Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, calling it a 'very big moment' in her life.
The government's flagship Khelo India programme received an allocation of Rs 924.35 crore.
