Para-shooters protesting alleged corruption in the selection process for the Aichi-Nagoya Para Asian Games met Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. They accused the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) of relaxing norms to include unqualified shooters and sought an inquiry into financial irregularities. The Minister is deliberating a resolution.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is scheduled to meet para-shooters protesting alleged corruption and manipulation in the selection process for the upcoming Para Asian Games. The athletes claim "illicit monetary extortion" and violations of Sports Ministry guidelines by the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and its Shooting Technical Committee. The PCI denies the charges, stating selections were merit-based. Separately, para-cyclists also protested their omission from the contingent.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya addressed the Indian contingent for the upcoming Asian Games, urging them to perform under pressure and continue the nation's impressive medal growth. He highlighted India's significant increase in medal tally from 2014 to 2023, attributing it to an improved sports ecosystem, and expressed confidence in the 503-member squad's potential.
The Sports Ministry has formed a five-member committee to address the financial viability and sustainability of the Hockey India League (HIL). Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met with Hockey India officials and franchise representatives, directing them to develop a comprehensive plan for the league's revival, which has faced challenges since its return last year.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated para-powerlifter Jhandu Kumar with a Rs 10 lakh cash prize for his bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met with Indian men's and women's hockey teams and officials to review their recent World Cup performance. He urged them to move past the disappointment, identify shortcomings, and focus on the upcoming Asian Games to secure qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics. The minister also discussed the future of the Hockey India League.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya led a cycling rally in Glasgow, engaging the Indian community to promote healthy living and encourage support for the 'Cheer for Bharat' initiative at the Commonwealth Games. He urged participation in the Fit India Movement and highlighted cycling's benefits for health and environment, as India prepared to compete in a scaled-down CWG focusing on boxing, weightlifting, and athletics.
Eleven-year-old Indian racer Atiqa Mir, fresh from her success in Greece, met Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who pledged full support for her journey to Formula 1. Atiqa, the first Indian supported by F1 Academy, recently swept Round 2.2 of the Champions of the Future Academy championship.
BRICS Sports Ministers adopted a Joint Declaration in Visakhapatnam, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen sports cooperation through dialogue and mutual respect. The meeting, held under India's 2026 Chairship, saw Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya call for a BRICS Sporting Partnership and introduce three key initiatives: a Working Group on Sports Technology, a Sports Manufacturing Conclave in Udaipur, and Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games in Ahmedabad in 2026.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will chair a two-day meeting of BRICS Sports and Youth Ministers in Visakhapatnam, aiming to strengthen cooperation in youth affairs and sports, with a focus on sports manufacturing, indigenous disciplines, and youth development.
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has pledged support for promoting sporting talent and improving infrastructure in Mizoram, particularly for boxers. This assurance came during a meeting with BJP youth wing leaders who highlighted the state's sporting potential and the need for modern facilities, including a boxing hall, especially with India's 2036 Olympic bid in mind.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Demonstration Games 2026 in Ahmedabad on Monday. Organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Gujarat government, the event on 12 October 2026, under India's BRICS Chairmanship, will feature traditional sports like Mallakhamb, Yogasana, and Kalaripayattu from India. The non-competitive Games aim to foster cultural exchange and knowledge-sharing among BRICS and partner countries including Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Africa, and the UAE.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games, emphasising India's commitment to placing sport at the core of nation-building through significant investment in infrastructure and grassroots development. He highlighted India's indigenous sports like Mallakhamb, Yogasana, and Kalaripayattu, and discussed the country's ambition to host major international events, including the 2036 Olympic Games.
The Sports Ministry conducted a review of India's Asian Games performance, scrutinising the lower-than-expected medal haul in athletics and badminton. Chaired by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the meeting addressed issues like injured athletes and future planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with a strong emphasis on federations delivering results and nurturing young talent.
The Sports Ministry has revised its Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF), significantly increasing financial support for organising international events in India, with up to Rs 50 crore available. The new guidelines also maintain funding for National Championships, introduce assistance for National Games, and outline plans for Olympic Training Centres, aligning with India's 2036 Olympic bid and 2030 Commonwealth Games aspirations.
Bangladesh's Sports Minister Aminul Haque plans to consult with the ICC regarding alleged irregularities in the Bangladesh Cricket Board elections and will appoint a committee to investigate the country's failure to participate in the T20 World Cup.
Nagaland United Sports Club (NUSC) is poised to make history by becoming the first club from Nagaland to compete in the Indian Football League (IFL), with its debut scheduled for the 2026-27 season starting October 30. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio lauded the club's entry, highlighting its potential to inspire youth and provide a platform for local football talent. NUSC's formation in 2024 and its arrangement with Aizawl FC underscore a significant step for football in the Northeast region.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday inaugurated a high-performance sports science centre in Shillong, aiming to provide scientific training, injury prevention, and recovery support to athletes ahead of the National Games. Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra praised the state's investment in athlete development, highlighting the importance of supporting athletes before they achieve recognition. The centre, operational since September, is part of Meghalaya's long-term strategy to strengthen its sporting ecosystem and promote wider youth participation.
The Sports Ministry, led by Mansukh Mandaviya, has formed a five-member committee to develop a comprehensive roadmap for the financial viability and sustainability of the cash-strapped Hockey India League (HIL). This initiative follows concerns about the league's long-term future, which was revived last year after a seven-year hiatus. The committee will include representatives from Hockey India, franchises, and the Sports Ministry, tasked with presenting a report on governance, financial models, and league structure.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India's Asian Games medal-winners, including the gold-winning cricket teams, on Thursday. He praised their achievements, highlighting India's growing strength in sports and its ambition to become a credible host for major international events, including a bid for the 2036 Olympics. Modi also emphasised the government's support for athletes and urged medallists to mentor the next generation.
ISL, I-League clubs to meet Sports Minister after talks with AIFF chief Chaubey fail to end deadlock
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026 in Ahmedabad, emphasising the role of traditional sports in reflecting cultural identity and fostering international cooperation. The one-day event, hosted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, brought together delegations from BRICS and partner countries to showcase indigenous sporting practices like Mallakhamb, Yogasana, and Kalaripayattu from India, alongside Wushu from China and Sambo from Russia. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also highlighted India's rich sporting heritage and proposed initiatives for global promotion and preservation of traditional sports.
Arunachal Pradesh Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Kento Jini announced the state's ambition to become the leading sporting state in the Northeast, highlighting its current second-place ranking after Manipur and the participation of two athletes in the upcoming Asian Games. The state celebrated National Sports Day by felicitating over 102 athletes and coaches with Rs 50 lakh in incentives, while officials and a renowned mountaineer encouraged continued sports participation.
The Sports Ministry is closely monitoring the internal dispute within Hockey India between President Dilip Tirkey and Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh, stemming from a controversial jersey colour change. The Ministry prefers the factions resolve their differences amicably before considering intervention.
The Indian Sports Ministry has sought assistance from the Indian diaspora in Nagoya to help with athlete accommodation at the Asian Games, as several Indian and other athletes have faced delays and issues with their designated lodging due to a lack of a dedicated athletes' village.
The Sports Ministry has removed para-shooting coach Jai Prakash Nautiyal from India's Para Asian Games contingent following allegations of kickbacks and protests from athletes. The contingent of 166 athletes and 109 support staff is set to compete in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, starting October 18, with several prominent Paralympians included despite selection controversies.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a new skating track in Dhuri, Sangrur, aiming to develop the district into a skating hub. He highlighted the government's commitment to sports with a Rs 1,790 crore allocation and ongoing initiatives like 'Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan' to nurture young talent and promote a healthy lifestyle.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accepted Aroop Biswas's resignation as the sports minister in the wake of the controversy over the mismanagement of football icon Lionel Messi's event last week, a senior leader of the ruling Trinamool Congress said.
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration has endorsed India's proposals for a Working Group on Sports Technology and a Sports Goods Manufacturing Conclave, aiming to enhance cooperation and innovation among member nations in the sports sector.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is pushing for a Formula 1 race in India in 2027 by addressing tax hurdles that led to the event's departure in 2013.
India is determined to host the 2036 Olympics as part of a broader strategy to become a global sporting superpower, despite challenges like limited multi-sport event experience and a poor doping record, according to Indian Olympic Association CEO Raghuram Iyer.
The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, met with the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) co-founder and ambassador, Yuvraj Singh and CEO Uttam Mundy at his office and praised the efforts being made to promote the sport across India.
Union Minister Suresh Gopi announced that the Centre and the Sports Ministry are fully supporting Indian long jumper Murali Sreeshankar's urgent surgery in London. Sreeshankar, who won a silver at the Asian Games, sustained an injury and will undergo ligament reconstruction on October 13, with the Centre covering all costs for his treatment and rehabilitation.
Union Minister Suresh Gopi announced that the Centre and Union Sports Ministry are fully supporting Indian long jumper Murali Sreeshankar's urgent surgery in London. Sreeshankar, who won a silver at the Asian Games but sustained an injury, will undergo ligament reconstruction on October 13, with the Centre covering all costs to ensure his return to competition and preparation for the Olympics. The athlete had previously expressed disappointment over the lack of support from the Kerala state government.
The BRICS Youth Ministers' Meeting, organised by India's Sports Ministry, successfully concluded in Visakhapatnam. Presided over by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the meeting built upon previous youth engagements, focusing on developing young leaders and promoting youth cooperation among BRICS nations.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Indian Oil Corporation have signed an MoU for Rs 40 crore over two years to bolster boxing in India. This partnership, leveraging CSR funds and SAI's expertise, aims to enhance talent identification, athlete development, coaching, and international exposure for boxers, aligning with the revamped Khelo India Scheme.
Haryana's athletes, who secured an impressive 32 medals including 14 gold at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, received a warm welcome from Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam. The minister and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini lauded their performance, highlighting the state's significant contribution to India's overall medal tally and its strong sporting culture.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced initiatives to promote sports as an instrument of social change, including distributing sporting kits in Maoist-affected villages and unveiling the slogan "Kheliba Odisha, Jitiba Odisha". He highlighted the state's growing world-class sports infrastructure, including new stadiums and regional hubs, and its upcoming role as host for the 2028 Asian and World Athletics Indoor Championships. Awards were also conferred on various sports personalities.
Chhattisgarh is rapidly emerging as a significant sports destination in India, driven by state government initiatives to host major events and develop infrastructure. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai highlighted the state's commitment to sports, exemplified by the DP World PGTI Nava Raipur Open 2026 golf championship, inaugurated with cricket legend Kapil Dev. These efforts aim to foster talent, promote sports tourism, and transform the state's image, including positive changes in regions like Bastar.
Keralam Sports Minister O J Janeesh's vehicle was allegedly attacked by DYFI workers in Kannur and Kasaragod, sparking a major political confrontation between the ruling UDF and the CPI(M). Chief Minister VD Satheesan condemned the incident, alleging CPI(M) involvement, while the CPI(M) denied the claims, stating it was a peaceful protest. Police have registered a case, and the incident follows earlier clashes between SFI and Youth Congress workers.