The Sports Ministry is set to commence the nomination process for the National Sports Awards next month, following a delayed announcement of the 2025 awards. The delay was due to a re-evaluation process aimed at preserving the integrity of the honours, which resulted in no Khel Ratna awardee for 2025 and fewer Arjuna awardees than recommended. The article also details the criteria for these prestigious awards and highlights some of the notable Arjuna awardees for 2025.
Indian tennis icon Leander Paes is poised to contest the presidency of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), backed by the Bengal Tennis Association. This sets up a potential three-way battle against current Davis Cup captain Rohit Rajpal and interim president Chintan Parikh, pending Paes's success in the Sportsperson of Outstanding Merit (SOM) election.
Indian javelin ace Neeraj Chopra is set to renew his rivalry with Sri Lankan star Rumesh Pathirage at the Lausanne Diamond League, with both athletes vying for a spot in the prestigious DL grand finale in Brussels.
The Indian athletics team for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan has undergone significant changes, with Commonwealth Games medallist Yashvir Singh replacing an injured Neeraj Chopra.
A Chinese humanoid robot, Tiangong Ultra, achieved a remarkable feat by running the 100 metres in 8.64 seconds, surpassing Usain Bolt's human world record. This achievement occurred at the second World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, showcasing significant advancements in robot mobility and embodied artificial intelligence. The event highlighted the rapid progress in robotics, with spectators noting improved capabilities and developers seeing it as a crucial test bed for future applications.
Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the BWF World Championships via a walkover. Mixed doubles pair Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila also progressed, while other top Indian shuttlers like PV Sindhu are set to compete.
The Sports Ministry has approved a 492-member contingent of athletes, including 265 men and 227 women, for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan. The squad features prominent athletes like Neeraj Chopra, PV Sindhu, and Lovlina Borgohain across various disciplines, with athletics having the largest representation.
China's Zheng Qinwen achieved a remarkable comeback victory against American Madison Keys in the U.S. Open third round, recovering from a 5-0 deficit in the deciding set. This win marks a significant moment for Zheng, who has been battling a chronic right elbow injury and underwent surgery last year, forcing her to go through qualifying.
Indian javelin thrower Rohit Yadav is determined to secure a podium finish at the upcoming Asian Games, stepping in after Neeraj Chopra's withdrawal due to injury. Yadav, who recently achieved a personal best of 87.68m, is focused on his rhythm and mindset to deliver his best performance and make the nation proud.
Wushu player Divyanshi Choudhary has alleged physical and mental harassment by the national federation after being dropped from the Asian Games squad on medical grounds. Choudhary claims she was replaced despite doctor's clearance, while the Wushu Association of India maintains she had an ACL tear. The athlete, who defeated her replacement in trials, expressed distress and even threatened self-harm in a video.
The Indian men's hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, is determined to end a 51-year World Cup drought, beginning their campaign against Wales with genuine optimism following recent Olympic bronze medals and an Asia Cup title.
Brazil has announced a 26-member squad, featuring stars like Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Marquinhos, for their historic first-ever football match against India on October 3 in Kolkata. Coach Carlo Ancelotti is overseeing a significant rebuild, integrating young talent with experienced players, with an eye on future tournaments like the 2028 Olympics and 2030 World Cup. The squad includes several debutants and a focus on current form, marking a new strategic direction for the Selecao.
Indian esports athletes are rigorously training for the Asian Games in Nagoya, aiming for medals and challenging the traditional perception of gaming as merely a leisure activity. With professional support and coaching, players are balancing academics and intense practice, hoping to elevate esports to mainstream sporting status in India.
The Delhi High Court has refused to grant wrestler Vinesh Phogat an interim exemption to participate in the women's selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Championships. The court stated that eligibility criteria apply uniformly to all athletes and granting an interim relief to Phogat, who recently returned from maternity leave, would lead to unequal treatment without a full adjudication of the policy's validity. Phogat had sought to challenge the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) circular on eligibility, arguing it unfairly excludes athletes returning from maternity.
Naib Subedar Kedarling Balakrishna Uchaganve, a 27-year-old from a farming village in Karnataka, is set to represent India at the Asian Games in shooting, a sport he discovered only after joining the Indian Army in 2018 with no prior sporting ambition.
The Delhi High Court is set to examine the complex issue of balancing motherhood and a sporting career, following a petition by wrestler Vinesh Phogat. Phogat, who became a mother, sought to participate in selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Championships but was denied interim relief. The court acknowledged the larger question of whether athletes should choose between motherhood and their careers, stating that the eligibility criteria cannot be relaxed for one athlete without a full adjudication of the policy.
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.
The Indian women's hockey team suffered a 2-0 defeat against the formidable Netherlands in their FIH World Cup Pool E encounter, with goals from Yibbi Jansen and Frederique Matla, both from penalty corners. This loss puts India in a precarious position, requiring a victory against Australia to keep their semi-final aspirations alive.
The Indian sporting fraternity mourns the death of veteran administrator and former shooter Randhir Singh, with tributes pouring in from prominent figures like Abhinav Bindra and various sports organisations.
Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 season due to an ankle ligament tear, forcing him to miss the upcoming Asian Games.
India's shooting legend Jaspal Rana was laid to rest in Varanasi with full state honours, two days after his passing due to cardiac complications. Tributes poured in from across the nation, including from his mentee Manu Bhaker and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, highlighting his immense contribution to Indian shooting as both an athlete and a coach.
India's Women's Hockey team, buoyed by a draw against China, is set to face South Africa in their second World Cup match. A win is crucial for their qualification hopes for the second round. Coach Sjoerd Marijne acknowledges areas for improvement, particularly in ball possession, despite strong performances from key players like Deepika and Navneet Kaur.
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.
Wednesday's India-Pakistan World Cup match in Amstelveen saw players exchange handshakes, a gesture that has become contentious in India-Pakistan sporting encounters, particularly in cricket. While the Indian team dominated on the field, winning 5-3, the post-match handshakes led to mixed reactions online, highlighting the differing approaches to rivalry in hockey versus cricket.
Suryakumar Yadav revealed he was "completely shocked" by India's captaincy axe after leading the team to Asia Cup and T20 World Cup triumphs without losing a series.
Kashmir witnessed its first-ever underwater Tiranga rally, as water sports athletes carried the national flag beneath Pokribal lake ahead of Independence Day.
The Indian athletics team for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan has undergone significant changes. Commonwealth Games medallist Yashvir Singh replaces an injured Neeraj Chopra, while long-distance runner Abhishek Pal has been dropped due to an alleged doping offence. Tejas Shirse is also out due to injury. The final team comprises 77 members, with six new additions. The Athletics Federation of India is aiming for 25-30 medals.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra is set to compete in the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21.
Tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams played what was likely their final U.S. Open doubles match, losing to Maya Joint and Chan Hao-ching in a thrilling three-set encounter. Despite the defeat, the match was a celebration of their illustrious careers, drawing 23,000 adoring fans to Arthur Ashe Stadium who cheered every point of the iconic sisters.
Top Indian javelin thrower Sachin Yadav has undergone elbow surgery, forcing him to miss the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, despite being in a qualifying spot. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation and hopes to return next season.
Yogasana, the ancient Indian practice, is aiming to become a global sport and secure a place in the 2036 Olympics, with India hoping to host the Games in Ahmedabad. The sport has already been included in this year's Asian Games as a demonstration sport and is eyeing the 2030 Commonwealth Games. World Yogasana is working to meet the IOC's requirements for recognition, focusing on expanding its global reach and adhering to anti-doping standards.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu commenced her campaign at the BWF World Championships with a dominant victory over Ireland's Sophia Noble. Sindhu, a five-time World Championships medallist, is aiming for a historic sixth medal at the event. Other Indian pairs, including Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand and Hariharan Amsakarunan-MR Arjun, also advanced.
Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem has expressed his disappointment over social media criticism following his poor performance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He attributed his ninth-place finish to the extremely cold weather affecting his javelin throws and affirmed his commitment to return to winning form, stressing his grounded nature despite fame.
Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated Malaysia's Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong in a three-game thriller to reach their third China Masters final. The world No. 5 pair showcased tactical brilliance and resilience, overcoming a second-game lapse to secure their spot in the summit clash, where they aim for their second title of the season.
The Indian athletics team will undergo an acclimatisation camp at the University of Tsukuba near Tokyo before the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. This follows an MoU between SAI and the University. Athletes are also returning from Czech Republic for a training stint and an event in Bhubaneswar, though Neeraj Chopra will not participate. The Athletics Federation of India has already submitted a list of over 72 athletes for the Games to the Indian Olympic Association.
Ahead of their crucial Hockey World Cup 2026 clash, the traditional India-Pakistan hockey rivalry faces an unusual question: will the teams shake hands? This comes after a similar debate in cricket. While the historical record is close, India has dominated recent encounters, winning decisively in the 2023 Asian Games and Pro League.
Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty clinched the China Masters Super 750 title, overcoming a strong Chinese pair in a thrilling comeback. This victory, their second of the 2026 season, provides a significant confidence boost ahead of the Asian Games, where they plan to play "all guns blazing." The duo attributed their success to a "mindfully aggressive" strategy and improved service.
Tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams made their return to doubles action at the Cincinnati Open, their first match together since 2022.
Vinesh Phogat, despite losing in the Asian Games selection trials, asserts her return to wrestling after motherhood as a victory, aiming for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics while criticising the wrestling administration for alleged discrimination and harassment.
Italian swimmer Sara Curtis, 19, has broken her own 50m women's backstroke world record for the second consecutive day, winning gold in 26.56 seconds at the European Championships in Paris.
