Former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Akhil Kumar believes India's women pugilists are a stronger bet for an Olympic medal than their male counterparts and should be prioritised in the overall planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, following their record-shattering Commonwealth Games performance.
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.
Sadhguru's Isha Gramotsavam, a rural sports festival, is expanding its 18th edition into North India, covering 10 states and one Union Territory. This year's event will engage over 80,000 players from 40,000 villages in men's volleyball and women's throwball, offering a prize pool exceeding Rs 1 crore, with the aim of social transformation through sport.
Indian table tennis star Manika Batra has threatened legal action against the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) if she is not provided a 'factual explanation' for her omission from the Asian Games squad.
'Let the world know that India's Gen Z has now moved out of their social media world and is ready to face the lathis, the tear gas shells or the spiked-dandas of cops.'
Gurindervir Singh, India's fastest man, has set an ambitious goal to run the 100m dash in under 10 seconds, a milestone yet to be achieved by any Indian. Fresh off breaking the national record with a time of 10.09 seconds, Singh shared his aspirations and pride in meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a youth convention, affirming his focus despite newfound recognition.
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.
A team of yoga athletes from the United States is heading to India to participate in the maiden World Yogasana Championship to be held in Ahmedabad from June 4 to 8.
National para archery coach Kuldeep Vedwan has been sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually harassing a minor athlete. The Fast Track Special Court in Sonipat convicted Vedwan under the POCSO Act, following allegations dating back to April 2023.
Tamil Nadu's Baranica Elangovan has shattered the national pole vault record, clearing 4.22m in Bhubaneswar, marking an extraordinary return to form after undergoing ACL surgery in 2020.
The 75th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle drew massive participation across more than 8,000 locations nationwide as the initiative commemorated Commonwealth Games Day and built momentum towards the historic 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya led the FIT India Cyclothon in Mumbai, advocating for cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation. The event, attended by Narsingh Yadav and Jackie Shroff, highlighted the importance of cycling for personal health, environmental sustainability, and energy conservation, especially amidst global fuel supply concerns.
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya joined a cycling event in Ahmedabad to mark the 75th edition of 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' and Commonwealth Games Day, encouraging citizens to embrace cycling for fitness and short commutes. The event saw participation from athletes, celebrities, and citizens across 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 73rd edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle saw participation from defence forces and citizens at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
Facing escalating threats from the US, Iran is mobilizing its citizens to form 'human chains' around power plants as a defensive measure against potential airstrikes, raising concerns about international law and civilian safety.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence to promote winter sports in Jammu and Kashmir and the expansion of the Khelo India Winter Games into a 15-day event.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya released the Srinagar Khel Sankalp document, outlining a national vision to strengthen sports culture through cooperative federalism, focusing on athlete-centric development and infrastructure expansion.
Indian junior women's hockey team head coach Tim White has lauded the growing talent pool in the country's age-group national pathway during his scouting visit to the ongoing India-Australia U-18 exposure series in Bhopal. White emphasised the importance of building a strong connection between the youth tiers and the senior national team, aiming to develop players ready for world-class performance.
Unified high-performance training camps in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Guwahati played a crucial role in India's bronze medal win at the Thomas Cup, with top shuttlers benefiting from the focused preparation.
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.
India has appointed Frederic Soyez as the chief coach of the national junior men's hockey team, replacing PR Sreejesh. Soyez brings extensive international coaching experience, including multiple Olympic Games and World Cups.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha emphasised the importance of harnessing sports as a force for social transformation at a national 'Chintan Shivir' in Srinagar. He highlighted the need for collaboration between schools, communities, and families to create ecosystems where young athletes can discover their potential, and urged for greater support and resources for physical education teachers in schools.
The Indian men's football team, participating in the Unity Cup in the UK, was warmly welcomed at India House in London ahead of their match against Zimbabwe. The team interacted with fans and shared insights during a reception hosted by the High Commission of India.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced that the Khelo India Tribal Games will be held annually in the state following the success of the inaugural edition. The event aims to provide a platform for tribal athletes to showcase their talent and gain national recognition.
Imtiaz Ali's new film Main Vaapas Aaunga is set to delve into the enduring trauma of the 1947 Partition, continuing Bollywood's complex cinematic journey of depicting one of history's most violent and impactful events.
The inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games are set to begin in Chhattisgarh, featuring around 3,800 athletes competing in nine sports. The event aims to boost the state's sports infrastructure and provide exposure to national-level competition.
The Arunachal Olympic Association (AOA) has submitted a proposal to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to host the 4th North East Games in 2026, aiming to boost sports development in the region.
The West Bengal government is set to investigate the chaotic scenes that marred Lionel Messi's visit to Kolkata last year, with concerns raised over ticket sales, security, and administrative lapses.
Ranjana Yadav clinched a silver medal in the girl's 5000m walk at the Asian Youth Games at the Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain, on Thursday.
The Gujarat government has announced a significant investment in sports infrastructure, with the goal of transforming the state into a sports hub and positioning Ahmedabad as a potential host city for the 2036 Olympic Games.
Anika Dubey from Pune, Akanksha Gupta from Thane, and Vasundhara Nangare from Kalamb -- three girls from different corners of Maharashtra have cleared the SRFI Selection Round for the 33rd Asian Junior Individual Squash Championships to be held in China.
Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited (MFRL) has named Shreyas Iyer as the brand ambassador for its Formula 1 programme in India.
India win four medals in athletics, hold on to fifth spot at Asian Youth Games
Defending champion Sarah Chelangat and Harbert Kibet aim for Ugandan victories in the TCS World 10K, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race. Chelangat is fit and seeks to improve her time, while Kibet's impressive form makes him a favourite. Challengers include Brenda Jepchirchir and Fantaye Belayneh in the women's race, and Rodrigue Kwizera and Gemechu Dida in the men's race.
Commonwealth Championships gold medalist Sairaj Pardeshi has been provisionally suspended by NADA after testing positive for a banned substance. The weightlifter alleges a conspiracy to sabotage his career.
West Bengal defeated Tamil Nadu 3-1 in the Under-19 girls' team final at the 87th UTT Inter-State Junior and Youth National Table Tennis Championships.
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.
Kolkata Knight Riders, owned by the Shah Rukh Khan family and Mehta Group, emerged as the most valuable franchise.
Nitin Gupta narrowly missed out on a gold medal after an early celebration cost him the top spot in the 5000m race walk at the Asian Under-18 Athletics Championships.
