Cristiano Ronaldo says his goalscoring record is not valued enough as the Al Nassr star closes in on 1,000 career goals, with 981 for club and country.
The ceremonial torch for the Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, was handed over by FIDE Interim President Viswanathan Anand and AICF president Nitin Narang to Uzbek player Javokhir Sindarov. This event marks the official countdown to the prestigious team competition, continuing a tradition started by FIDE in 2022 to build excitement for the global chess event.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed confidence that Indian fencers will secure medals at the upcoming Asian Games and qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He emphasized the need to popularize fencing in India, highlighting its potential to capture the youth's imagination and its significant medal opportunities at the Olympics. Rijiju also commented on the government's non-interference policy regarding sports federations' internal affairs, specifically addressing the Manika Batra selection issue.
The Ministry has invited only e-mail applications this year due to the pandemic.
Suchika Tariyal, a 36-year-old Indian athlete, has secured India's first medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games by reaching the semifinals of the women's Traditional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) 60kg event. Her journey began at age 12, driven by a desire for self-defence, leading her through successful careers in judo and jiu-jitsu before transitioning to MMA. She aims to convert her assured bronze into a gold medal.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is evaluating commercial rights bids for its flagship competitions, including the Indian Super League and the Indian Women's League. The Executive Committee is also discussing the implementation of the National Sports Governance Act.
Indian high jumper Sarvesh Kushare, fresh off a silver medal win at Aichi-Nagoya, credited support from SAI and the Athletics Federation of India for his success at the 2026 Asian Games.
Veteran wushu player Roshibina Devi on Thursday said she would ignore the accusations of mental harassment made against her by fellow player Divyanshi Choudhary in the selection controversy just ahead of the Asian Games.
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.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is undertaking a significant restructuring of its national hockey programme following a dismal performance in the FIH Pro League, where the team failed to win any matches, including two losses to India. The PHF plans to hire foreign coaches and trainers from countries like Australia, Netherlands, or Germany to develop players at all levels and modernise the sport in Pakistan.
Satnam Singh and Salman Khan secured India's first-ever men's double sculls bronze medal at the Asian Games, a significant achievement amidst an otherwise challenging performance by the Indian rowing team. The medal comes despite pre-competition controversy regarding team selections, with the duo forming their partnership just five days before the event.
The Delhi High Court has urged the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to establish clear guidelines and timelines for female athletes returning to competitive sports after maternity leave. The court's observations came during a hearing for grappler Vinesh Phogat, who is seeking permission to participate in selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Championships after her maternity break. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma highlighted the unfairness faced by women athletes post-childbirth and criticised the WFI's current policies, hinting at the need for a balanced framework.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is facilitating discounted tickets for members of Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan Sporting for India's upcoming FIFA tier-1 friendlies against Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay. These high-profile matches will be held in Bengaluru and Kolkata, with the AIFF also planning Fan Parks across districts to promote grassroots football and allow wider viewership. The matches are seen as a significant opportunity for the Indian national team to test itself against top-ranked opponents.
The Russian T10 League has been launched, marking a significant step towards reviving and developing cricket in Russia with the long-term goal of establishing the country as a credible cricketing nation. The inaugural season will feature four franchises competing in seven matches at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, on September 19 and 20, 2026.
Sawan Barwal ran a stunning marathon race to hand India an unexpected silver medal in the Asian Games -- shattering his own national record in the process in Nagoya on Saturday.
Satnam Singh and Salman Khan secured India's first-ever men's double sculls bronze medal at the Asian Games in Nagoya, a significant achievement amidst a backdrop of internal team controversy regarding last-minute crew changes. The performance, however, highlighted one of India's worst rowing showings in Asian Games history, equalling previous low tallies.
India continues to lead the Athletics Integrity Unit's (AIU) global list of dope offenders with 162 names, highlighting a significant problem in the country's sports. The nation has been re-categorised to 'Category A' by the AIU, indicating an "extremely high" doping risk and requiring more stringent anti-doping measures.
Gianni Infantino faces mounting scrutiny after apologising over the abandoned FIFA commercialisation proposal, with England and Germany demanding transparency and reform while African officials continue backing his leadership.
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.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will attend the India-Brazil international football friendly in Kolkata on October 3. The city is preparing for the historic match, with Brazil's five-time world champions having arrived and security measures stepped up.
Satnam Singh and Salman Khan secured India's first-ever men's double sculls bronze medal at the Asian Games, a significant achievement amidst an otherwise disappointing performance by the Indian rowing team. The team faced internal controversy regarding last-minute crew changes, which some rowers found disturbing. Despite the challenges, Satnam and Salman's bronze was lauded by the Prime Minister, and their individual journeys highlight their dedication to the sport.
The Commonwealth Chess Association (CCA) has announced a partnership with digital platform Chessveda to significantly expand online chess activities and opportunities for players across Commonwealth nations, leveraging digital platforms for wider participation.
The US Supreme Court is poised to rule on the legality of state laws in West Virginia and Idaho that ban transgender student athletes from female sports teams. This contentious issue, deeply embedded in the nation's culture wars, challenges federal anti-discrimination laws and the Constitution's equal protection clause.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has dismissed concerns about organisational chaos at the Asian Games, attributing criticisms to attempts to "politicise" the event. Despite widespread issues like accommodation scarcity, lengthy check-ins, and athlete complaints, OCA officials insist challenges are normal and are being handled effectively. They also addressed a diplomatic complaint from South Korea regarding a historical figure at a welcome ceremony and defended cost-saving measures like container-style accommodation.
The Indian Olympic Association has formed a four-member independent inquiry committee, led by retired High Court judge Deepa Sharma, to investigate sexual harassment allegations against Hockey India secretary Bhola Nath Singh.
The Sports Ministry has issued a fresh deadline to all National Sports Federations, which have not amended their constitution in accordance with the sports code, to make their position clear by February 28, failing which their government recognition could be "impacted".
The 4th National Armwrestling and Para Armwrestling Championship was inaugurated at the Rashtriya Raksha University in Gandhinagar, with over 2,000 players from 27 states and Union territories participating.
Vikash Dhorasoo, the first Indian-origin player in a FIFA World Cup, expresses strong belief in India's potential to reach football's biggest stage. Visiting India for a friendly match against Brazil, Dhorasoo highlights the importance of method, clear objectives, and leveraging players of Indian origin to elevate the national team's level. He also offers his coaching expertise to help develop young talent in India.
Former France midfielder and Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as the new head coach of the French national football team, succeeding Didier Deschamps.
The Supreme Court allowed Olympian Vinesh Phogat to compete in the 2026 Asian Games selection trials while cautioning against excessive judicial interference in sporting matters during the hearing of WFI's plea challenging the Delhi High Court order.
Indian hockey umpire Gurinder Singh Sangha has been sent back from the Asian Games in Japan following multiple complaints of alleged sexual misconduct.
The process to pick this year's national sports awards has been delayed because of the nation-wide lockdown to combat the coronavirus pandemic and the applications will be invited next month, a Sports Ministry official said. The ministry generally invites the nominations for the awards in April while the ceremony to confer them is held on August 29 on the occasion of National Sports Day celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain secured her first Asian Games gold medal in the women's 75kg category on her 29th birthday, defeating China's Bao Ziyi 5-0. Her father expressed immense joy, highlighting her tireless efforts to upgrade her previous silver medal. Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh praised Lovlina's resolve and mental strength, calling her a role model and her victory the best birthday gift.
Indian rowers Satnam Singh and Salman Khan secured a historic bronze medal in the men's double sculls at the Asian Games, marking India's first-ever medal in this event. Despite the achievement, both athletes expressed mixed feelings due to last-minute crew changes that they believe affected their performance. The bronze was a saving grace for the Indian team, which otherwise delivered one of its worst Asian Games rowing performances, equalling previous low tallies. The controversy surrounding team selections and the impact of weather disruptions on the competition schedule were also highlighted.
The Indian Olympic Association has established a four-member independent inquiry committee, led by retired High Court judge Deepa Sharma, to investigate allegations of harassment and intimidation against Hockey India secretary Bhola Nath Singh. These accusations were made by former women's team captain Asunta Lakra, who claims she was threatened after raising concerns about alleged sexual harassment of girls in Jharkhand. The Sports Ministry directed the formation of this panel, while Hockey India faces a separate inquiry against Lakra for allegedly threatening a young player.
A football friendly match between India and Brazil, featuring star player Vinicius Jr, saw a surprisingly low attendance at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium. High ticket prices and the ongoing Durga Puja festival are cited as the primary reasons for the subdued response, contrasting sharply with the usual fan frenzy for local derbies and past international events.
Indian shooter Neeru Dhanda secured a historic gold medal in the women's trap event at the Asian Games, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve this feat. Her victory came despite a severe illness that hospitalised her just 10 days before the competition, and challenging weather conditions during the final. Coach Peter Wilson praised her dedication and focus, highlighting her ability to overcome adversity.
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.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has stated that the national team is yet to receive government clearance to participate in the men's Asian Champions Trophy in India, refuting claims of confirmed participation.
India and New Zealand are set to strengthen their sports collaboration through joint training camps, coaching exchanges, and knowledge sharing in sports science, analytics, and athlete performance systems, marking 100 years of sporting ties in 2026.
