The Korean national hockey team has arrived in Pakistan for a historic four-match series, marking their first visit in 20 years. This series is crucial for Pakistan's preparation for the upcoming World Cup, especially after their poor performance in the recent FIH Pro League.
For the first time since 1998, no Indian umpire or technical official will be present at the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, a situation that has left former international officials disappointed and calling for a structured pathway to develop and support Indian officiating talent.
India's chief badminton coach Pullela Gopichand believes the sport's upcoming shift to a 15x3 scoring system will lead to some players being 'wiped off' due to the increased premium on speed, power, and mental strength.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has rebranded as World Tennis, announcing an ambitious vision to increase global participation by 30% to 140 million players by 2035. The organisation, which governs the sport and runs major competitions, plans to reinvest 85% of its income annually for the next decade to achieve its strategic goals, including powering future stars and elevating national competitions. The name change aims to enhance recognition and foster greater collaboration within the sport.
'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.'
The Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) has strongly denied reports of violating land lease conditions for the R K Khanna Tennis Complex, asserting that all facilities comply with government norms. The association suggested that the allegations are "mala fide" and strategically timed to influence the upcoming All India Tennis Association (AITA) elections. DLTA also defended its commercial subletting practices, stating they are approved by the L&DO and are essential for generating revenue as it receives no government funding for maintenance.
Indian judoka Arun Kumar has been withdrawn from the upcoming Glasgow Commonwealth Games after failing an out-of-competition dope test. He tested positive for an anabolic steroid and has been provisionally suspended by NADA, reducing India's judo contingent.
Gurindervir Singh set a new national record in the men's 100m, clocking 10.09 seconds, while Vishal TK became the first Indian to run the 400m in under 45 seconds at the National Senior Federation Competition.
The Prime Volleyball League (PVL) has been officially recognised by the FIVB as India's first division professional volleyball league, marking a significant milestone for the sport in the country. This recognition allows PVL clubs to compete in international tournaments and aligns the league with global standards. The fifth season of PVL is scheduled to begin on November 30, with a players' auction on August 17 in Goa. This development is expected to further strengthen Indian volleyball's performance on the international stage.
Leading African football administrators have publicly expressed their support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, offering him crucial backing ahead of next March's presidential election, despite his recent decision to abandon a controversial plan to sell a stake in future World Cup revenue.
From supporting young talents financially to earning global recognition, Indian chess is making its presence felt like never before.
Pakistan's top table tennis players are dismayed after the national federation asked them to arrange their own funds for participating in the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, citing a lack of grants from the Pakistan Sports Board.
The All India Football Federation's decision to field two separate teams for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup and an international friendly against Brazil has sparked controversy.
FIDE's decision to shortlist the All India Chess Federation for a prestigious FIDE Excellence Award has ignited a fierce debate within the Indian chess community.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) will conduct SRY Gene Tests in national-level competitions to ensure fair competition in the women's category. They will also conduct DNA testing of upcoming athletes for research and development purposes.
Neeraj Chopra will compete in the Asian Games in Japan in September-October in his bid to defend the title.
Ariha Pangambam has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in the senior women's individual event at the Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships. She secured the top spot with a score of 19.100, marking India's maiden gold in this event.
Pakistan's chief selector Samiullah Khan believes a draw against arch-rivals India will be crucial for the national hockey team to advance past the group stage in the upcoming World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands. Pakistan, participating after an eight-year hiatus, has announced a 20-member squad, with foreign coaches assisting the team.
India's Yamini Mourya had to settle for the women's 57kg judo silver medal after a valiant fight against England's vastly experienced Acelya Toprak, ending India's bid for a third gold in the discipline at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Friday.
Iran has banned national and club sports teams from travelling to countries it considers hostile, citing concerns over the safety of its athletes.
The inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games will be held in Chhattisgarh, featuring seven medal sports and aiming to empower tribal athletes and promote grassroots inclusion.
Zinedine Zidane, the 1998 World Cup hero and former Real Madrid manager, has been appointed to lead the France national team, with the primary goal of converting recent near-misses into major trophies, starting with the 2028 European Championship.
Andrea Pirlo's potential appointment as Italy's head coach is facing significant political opposition due to his commercial ties as a global ambassador for Russian betting company Fonbet, with Italian parliamentarians and football federation figures expressing concerns.
The inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games will be held in Chhattisgarh, featuring seven medal sports and aiming to empower tribal athletes and promote grassroots inclusion.
Almost five decades after Pele ignited Kolkata's romance with Brazilian football, the iconic yellow jersey is set to return to the City of Joy, with the record five-time World Cup champions Brazil scheduled to face India in a landmark international friendly at the Salt Lake Stadium on October 3.
Curacao and Cape Verde, two of the smallest nations globally, have achieved an unprecedented feat by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has acknowledged the possibility of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams, a move that could significantly alter the sport's economics and logistics, despite opposition from major confederations like UEFA and AFC.
Former Manchester City and Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has turned down the opportunity to coach the Italy national team, a source familiar with the discussions said on Friday, confirming media reports.
Pakistan hockey legend Samiullah Khan has advised his team to focus on a strong defence and avoid conceding penalty corners in their crucial FIH World Cup pool match against India. He also highlighted the need for a long-term vision in Pakistan hockey, similar to India's transformation, and lamented the fading intensity of the historic rivalry, urging both teams to bring back skill and artistry to attract fans.
Former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund boss Juergen Klopp has been appointed as the head coach of the German national football team on a four-year contract, following Julian Nagelsmann's departure and a series of disappointing World Cup performances.
The recent Hockey Jharkhand elections have been embroiled in controversy following allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation made by former India women's captain Asunta Lakra against Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh. The Sports Ministry has directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an inquiry panel to investigate these serious claims, while Bhola Nath Singh denies all allegations.
The Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI) National Convention will be held in Delhi from March 13 to 16, marking its return to the city after 23 years and celebrating the Golden Jubilee of SJFI.
As the National Sports Governance Bill is set to become a law, the country's national federations and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P T Usha on Tuesday welcomed the landmark policy, calling it a step in the right direction as India gears up to bid for the 2036 Olympics.
Sports Bill will end stagnation; bring in transparency: PT Usha in Rajya Sabha
'India should hold several high-level chess tournaments that would attract the world's top players so that the country will have a say in the game.'
Six-time world champion and Olympic bronze-medallist M C Mary Kom believes Indian pugilists will secure a 'reasonably good medal haul' at the Commonwealth Games, though gold might be elusive, while expressing less certainty for the Asian Games. She also criticised the Boxing Federation of India's functioning and selection policies.
India's first Olympic boxing medallist, Vijender Singh, expresses deep concern over the future of male pugilists, citing a lack of competitions and a selection system he claims promotes 'sycophancy'. He argues that women boxers are currently outperforming men and are brighter medal prospects for the 2028 Olympics. Singh is highly critical of the new grading system, advocating for a return to the traditional trials-based selection process.
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.
'Being World No. 2 will give us good confidence when we compete at the Asian Games.'
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing a deepening crisis after his proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup was abandoned, leading to public distancing from influential executives and calls for his removal from office.
