News for 'Spark Sport'

Historic India T20I match can transform cricket in Japan, says JCA chief Curr

Historic India T20I match can transform cricket in Japan, says JCA chief Curr

Rediff.com21 Sep 2026

The Japan Cricket Association (JCA) is set to host its first-ever T20I against reigning world champions India, a landmark event expected to significantly elevate cricket's profile and drive its long-term growth in Japan, according to JCA COO Alan Curr.

Asian Games Snub: Wushu Player Divyanshi Choudhary Alleges Harassment

Asian Games Snub: Wushu Player Divyanshi Choudhary Alleges Harassment

Rediff.com12 Sep 2026

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.

Football Friendly: Thapa Scores But India Suffer Heavy Defeat Against Uruguay

Football Friendly: Thapa Scores But India Suffer Heavy Defeat Against Uruguay

Rediff.com6 Oct 2026

India's national football team suffered a 6-1 defeat against two-time former world champions Uruguay in an international friendly in Kolkata.

'We have to be careful': Jamil's Uruguay warning

'We have to be careful': Jamil's Uruguay warning

Rediff.com5 Oct 2026

India's head coach Khalid Jamil and left-back Akash Mishra discuss the team's short recovery time and the significant challenge posed by two-time world champions Uruguay, following their 0-4 defeat to Brazil. Despite the demanding schedule, the team remains focused on performing well in the upcoming friendly, with players acknowledging the importance of competitive football.

Olympic Gold Medallist Arshad Nadeem Faces NOC Controversy

Olympic Gold Medallist Arshad Nadeem Faces NOC Controversy

Rediff.com26 Aug 2026

Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem is embroiled in a controversy with the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for travelling to South Africa for training without obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC). This unapproved travel could impact his participation in upcoming international competitions like the World Ultimate Athletics Championship and the Asian Games.

Tears to Laddoos: Sreeshankar's Family Celebrates Silver After Injury Scare

Tears to Laddoos: Sreeshankar's Family Celebrates Silver After Injury Scare

Rediff.com28 Sep 2026

Sreeshankar's injury left his mother in tears, but his silver medal soon sparked celebrations at home with laddoos and family joy.

Can India end 44-year wait for women's hockey gold?

Can India end 44-year wait for women's hockey gold?

Rediff.com29 Sep 2026

The Indian women's hockey team, unbeaten in the Asian Games, is set to face South Korea in the semifinal, aiming to end a 44-year wait for a gold medal. With a strong performance in the pool stage and a superior world ranking, India enters the match as favourites, relying on key players like Deepika and Navneet Kaur, and solid goalkeeping.

India-Pakistan Handshake Stirs Debate

India-Pakistan Handshake Stirs Debate

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

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.

PIX: Spain capitalise on England errors in Nations League thriller

PIX: Spain capitalise on England errors in Nations League thriller

Rediff.com27 Sep 2026

World champions Spain defeated England 3-2 in a thrilling Nations League opener at Wembley, capitalising on two significant defensive errors. Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winner after England had briefly mounted a comeback. The article also covers Croatia's 2-1 win over the Czech Republic and Scotland's 0-0 draw with Slovenia.

South Africa's former World boxing champion Tete shot dead outside his home

South Africa's former World boxing champion Tete shot dead outside his home

Rediff.com22 Aug 2026

Former world boxing champion Zolani "Last Born" Tete was tragically shot dead outside his home in South Africa's Eastern Cape province.

MCC Head of Cricket Fraser Stewart addresses player exodus to T20 leagues, pink ball trials

MCC Head of Cricket Fraser Stewart addresses player exodus to T20 leagues, pink ball trials

Rediff.com6 Oct 2026

Fraser Stewart, Head of Cricket at MCC, expressed concern over cricketers retiring early from Tests for franchise T20 leagues but acknowledged players' desire for higher earnings with less play. He also welcomed the ICC's decision to trial pink balls in day-time Tests to mitigate fading light issues and boost spectator interest.

Hyrox amends rules after athlete soils herself mid-race

Hyrox amends rules after athlete soils herself mid-race

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

Global indoor fitness race organisation Hyrox has changed its rules after women's World record holder Joanna Wietrzyk soiled herself during an event in Beijing but was allowed to continue and win the race, prompting an apology from co-founder Moritz Fuerste.

Driver arrested from Rajasthan in Gurugram biker hit-and-run case

Driver arrested from Rajasthan in Gurugram biker hit-and-run case

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

Gurugram police have escalated charges to attempt to murder against Kalyan Bainsla after woman biker Shivani Chauhan (Sia) released a new video alleging deliberate targeting in a hit-and-run incident, raising serious road safety concerns.

Suchika Tariyal says 'weird weight rules robbed her of deserving MMA gold'

Suchika Tariyal says 'weird weight rules robbed her of deserving MMA gold'

Rediff.com24 Sep 2026

India's first-ever Mixed Martial Arts medallist, Suchika Tariyal, has alleged that "weird weight rules" at the Asian Games robbed her of a deserving gold medal. She claims she was clearly winning her semifinal bout but the outcome was declared a draw, leading to her bronze medal instead of a potential gold.

Asia Cup: Pakistan Players And The Virat Kohli Link

Asia Cup: Pakistan Players And The Virat Kohli Link

Rediff.com9 Sep 2026

Pakistan's women cricketers found themselves in an unexpected Virat Kohli connection during the Women's Asia Cup. Several players were spotted wearing footwear from the Indian star's sportswear brand, sparking plenty of chatter on social media.

Ugandan footballer David Owori dies after assault in Kampala

Ugandan footballer David Owori dies after assault in Kampala

Rediff.com6 Aug 2026

David Owori, the 28-year-old captain of Ugandan football club SC Villa and an international player, has died after being critically injured in an assault by unidentified assailants in Kampala.

Argentina Players Display Political Banner After World Cup Victory, Spark Row

Argentina Players Display Political Banner After World Cup Victory, Spark Row

Rediff.com17 Jul 2026

Argentina's football players displayed a political banner claiming "The Falklands are Argentine" after their World Cup semi-final win against England, potentially violating FIFA's code of conduct.

Organisational Chaos Greets Indian Chess Champions At Samarkand Olympiad

Organisational Chaos Greets Indian Chess Champions At Samarkand Olympiad

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

Defending champions India faced significant organisational issues upon arrival in Samarkand for the Chess Olympiad, experiencing a five-hour delay in hotel room allotment. Players and coaches, including Grandmasters Srinath Narayanan and Vidit Gujrathi, expressed frustration over the poor arrangements for the prestigious FIDE tournament.

Haaland Stuns with Bold New Buzz Cut

Haaland Stuns with Bold New Buzz Cut

Rediff.com24 Aug 2026

Erling Haaland stunned fans by replacing his trademark flowing blonde locks with a buzz cut, sparking playful reactions from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Pep Guardiola before Manchester City's opener.

Sports Alphabet Booklets Released in 21 Languages to Promote Sports Culture

Sports Alphabet Booklets Released in 21 Languages to Promote Sports Culture

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

India has launched a unique multilingual initiative, 'Sports Alphabet Booklets,' in 21 languages to integrate sports with early education and foster a sports culture among children.

Hardik Pandya visits Tirumala Temple with Mahieka Sharma, sports tonsured head

Hardik Pandya visits Tirumala Temple with Mahieka Sharma, sports tonsured head

Rediff.com2 Aug 2026

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, currently recovering from injury, visited the revered Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala with his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma, sporting a tonsured head that has sparked speculation among fans.

Jemima Goldsmith Ties The Knot With Financier Cameron O'Reilly

Jemima Goldsmith Ties The Knot With Financier Cameron O'Reilly

Rediff.com14 Sep 2026

Jemima Goldsmith, filmmaker and former wife of Pakistan's ex-prime minister Imran Khan, has married multi-millionaire financier Cameron O'Reilly. The news was confirmed by her family, with the couple reportedly exchanging vows over the weekend. Goldsmith continues to advocate for her sons and ex-husband amidst his incarceration.

'Trying to kill him': Imran Khan's sons raise alarm

'Trying to kill him': Imran Khan's sons raise alarm

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

Imran Khan's sons, Suleiman and Kasim Khan, alleged in a Sky Sports interview that there is a "blatant" attempt to kill their father in prison, describing his conditions as severely worsened and isolating.

Infantino's Grip on FIFA Weakens as World Cup Rights Row Sparks Power Struggle

Infantino's Grip on FIFA Weakens as World Cup Rights Row Sparks Power Struggle

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

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.

Lakers set to break record with $12.5 billion sale

Lakers set to break record with $12.5 billion sale

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

The Los Angeles Lakers NBA team is reportedly being sold to businessmen Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for an unprecedented $12.5 billion, a deal that would make it the most expensive sports team ever sold.

EPL: Manchester City dig deep as Gvardiol delivers stoppage-time winner vs Bournemouth

EPL: Manchester City dig deep as Gvardiol delivers stoppage-time winner vs Bournemouth

Rediff.com23 Aug 2026

Manchester City began the post-Pep Guardiola era with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Bournemouth, sealed by Josko Gvardiol's stoppage-time VAR-approved winner.

Gurugram biker hit-and-run: Accused says 'lost control of the car'

Gurugram biker hit-and-run: Accused says 'lost control of the car'

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

A woman biker was hit by a speeding car on Golf Course Road in Gurugram, an incident captured on video and shared widely on social media. The accused driver, Kalyan Bainsla, admitted fault for the collision but claimed he fled fearing an attack from a group of bikers. Gurugram Police have taken suo motu cognizance, registered a case, and formed teams to apprehend the driver, while the victim plans to file a formal complaint.

Former India Hockey Captain Pargat Singh criticises saffron jersey, alleges BJP's 'petty mindset'

Former India Hockey Captain Pargat Singh criticises saffron jersey, alleges BJP's 'petty mindset'

Rediff.com30 Jul 2026

Congress MLA and former India Hockey Captain Pargat Singh has criticised the change in the Indian hockey team's national jersey colour from blue to saffron, alleging it reflects the BJP's mindset of 'giving everything a particular colour' and urging a focus on sports development instead.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Lionel Messi's birthday sparks celebrations across Argentina

FIFA World Cup 2026: Lionel Messi's birthday sparks celebrations across Argentina

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

Moved by Lionel Messi's record-breaking form at the World Cup, Argentines have taken to the streets and social media to sing "Happy Birthday" to their favourite footballer who turned 39 on Wednesday.

Asian Games Tennis: India's Top Women's Singles Players Dropped from Squad

Asian Games Tennis: India's Top Women's Singles Players Dropped from Squad

Rediff.com23 Aug 2026

India's top women's singles players, including Sahaja Yamalapalli, Vaishnavi Adkar, and Vaidehee Chaudhari, have been excluded from the Asian Games tennis squad after the Sports Ministry pruned the list, leaving the national challenge without its leading singles contenders.

Big call on India's openers ahead of Afghanistan T20I

Big call on India's openers ahead of Afghanistan T20I

Rediff.com12 Sep 2026

Former India cricketer Vivek Razdan has shared his preferred batting lineup for India's first T20I against Afghanistan, advocating for Shreyas Iyer to retain his number four spot and Sanju Samson to open the innings. Razdan emphasized performance over the left-right batting combination, highlighting Samson's recent T20 form. The series opener will also see a selection dilemma with multiple openers available and marks Iyer's first home series as captain.

Bihar Molestation: Two Main Accused Arrested After Encounter, Political Blame Game Intensifies

Bihar Molestation: Two Main Accused Arrested After Encounter, Political Blame Game Intensifies

Rediff.com22 Sep 2026

Police in Jamui, Bihar, have arrested two main accused in the molestation of a minor girl, bringing the total arrests to five. The arrests followed an encounter where the accused were injured. The incident, captured in a viral video, has ignited a fierce political debate between the ruling NDA and opposition parties over law and order in the state.

PM Modi, President Murmu congratulate Indian women's team on Asia Cup triumph

PM Modi, President Murmu congratulate Indian women's team on Asia Cup triumph

Rediff.com14 Sep 2026

The Indian women's cricket team secured their eighth Women's Asia Cup title, defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final, a triumph that has garnered widespread congratulations from top Indian leaders.

Matthew McConaughey watches Ben Shelton end 149-year Grand Slam streak

Matthew McConaughey watches Ben Shelton end 149-year Grand Slam streak

Rediff.com7 Sep 2026

Ben Shelton's victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas at the US Open quarter-finals marked the first time in 149 years that no male player with a one-handed backhand reached a Grand Slam semi-final, highlighting the decline of the elegant stroke in modern tennis.

Ignacio Buse Follows Grandfather's Footsteps With Maiden US Open Win

Ignacio Buse Follows Grandfather's Footsteps With Maiden US Open Win

Rediff.com3 Sep 2026

Peruvian tennis player Ignacio Buse secured his maiden US Open victory, defeating Marcos Giron in a five-setter.

Linda Noskova ousts Marta Kostyuk on sixth match-point to enter US Open quarters

Linda Noskova ousts Marta Kostyuk on sixth match-point to enter US Open quarters

Rediff.com7 Sep 2026

Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova defeated Marta Kostyuk in a hard-fought three-set match at the U.S. Open, securing her spot in the quarter-finals. Noskova, the sixth seed, overcame a mid-match fightback from Kostyuk, eventually winning 7-5 5-7 6-4 after saving two match points in the second set. She will now face world number one Aryna Sabalenka.

Trump intervention sparks storm as FIFA clears Balogun to face Belgium

Trump intervention sparks storm as FIFA clears Balogun to face Belgium

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

The United States' World Cup campaign took an extraordinary turn on Sunday when FIFA made the unprecedented decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's automatic red-card ban, clearing the striker to face Belgium in Monday's last-16 clash after US President Donald Trump personally urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the case.

New Coach Dave Cousins Sparks Indian Compound Archers' Revival

New Coach Dave Cousins Sparks Indian Compound Archers' Revival

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

India's compound archers, under new coach Dave Cousins, have shown a significant turnaround at the Archery World Cup Stage 4 in Madrid. The women's team has advanced to the gold medal match, while the men's team narrowly missed out on a bronze. This performance marks a strong return to form after a challenging season.

Ronaldo substituted, Portugal win: Martinez's gamble sparks debate

Ronaldo substituted, Portugal win: Martinez's gamble sparks debate

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest scorer in a FIFA World Cup knockout match, but Portugal coach Roberto Martinez's bold decision to substitute his captain paid off as Goncalo Ramos scored a dramatic late winner against Croatia.

Star Strikers Mbappe And Haaland Shine As Champions League Kicks Off

Star Strikers Mbappe And Haaland Shine As Champions League Kicks Off

Rediff.com9 Sep 2026

The new Champions League season kicked off with star performances from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, securing wins for Real Madrid and Manchester City, respectively. Jose Mourinho's Madrid overcame Inter Milan, while City defeated Porto. Other matches saw Borussia Dortmund, Real Betis, Aston Villa, and AEK Athens also claim victories.