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.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar visited Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district to support the 'Maidan Cup' initiative, aimed at transforming the Maoist-affected region into a sports hub. The initiative has developed around 50 school playgrounds and benefits over 5,000 children, promoting sports like kabaddi, kho-kho, athletics, and volleyball.
Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has initiated the 'PV Sindhu Centre for Sports Excellence' in Visakhapatnam, with Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh performing the groundbreaking. This integrated sports and education ecosystem aims to provide world-class coaching, sports science, and academic support across seven disciplines, establishing Visakhapatnam as a national sports hub.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar participated in an event in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district as part of a grassroots sports initiative aimed at transforming the once Maoist hotbed into a thriving sports hub and opening new avenues for the youth.
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.
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 All India Tennis Association (AITA) has launched a new digital platform in partnership with World Tennis Number, creating a unified ecosystem for Indian tennis. This platform will streamline registrations, tournament entries, and provide access to rankings, aiming to modernise the sport's administration and player experience.
Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar announced India's ambitious plan to rank among the top 10 sporting nations by 2036 and top five by 2047. He highlighted the central government's commitment to sports development through initiatives like Khelo India, increased budget allocation, and a special fund for sports equipment and technology, emphasising sports as a tool for nation-building and youth empowerment.
Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar announced India's ambitious plan to rank among the top 10 sporting nations by 2036 and top five by 2047. He highlighted the central government's commitment to sports development through initiatives like Khelo India, increased budget allocation, and a special fund for sports equipment and technology, emphasising sports as a tool for nation-building and youth empowerment.
The Sports Authority of India's Training Centre in Dimapur, Nagaland, will be upgraded to a National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) following an MoU with the state government. This multi-phase development will transform the 64-acre Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex, providing enhanced facilities for athletes in various disciplines.
Jaspal Rana, a legendary Indian shooter and influential coach, has passed away at 49 after battling cardiac issues. He was a pioneer who brought shooting into the national spotlight with his fearless performances and later shaped the careers of many world-class athletes, including Manu Bhaker, leaving an indelible mark on Indian sports.
In a Rajasthan village, over 100 girls are embracing football, transforming a barren field into a vibrant playground and chasing dreams once considered unattainable.
Ladakh has inaugurated its first international-level artificial ice hockey rink, a state-of-the-art facility costing Rs 42 crore. Equipped with a 24x7 chilling system, it allows year-round training, overcoming the previous limitation of a short natural ice season. This development is expected to boost winter sports, nurture local talent, and promote sports tourism in the region.
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 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.
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.
Chhote Lal Yadav, the recipient of the prestigious Dronacharya Award, has been instrumental in extending the career of boxing legend MC Mary Kom and transforming Jaismine Lamboria into a world champion, attributing his success to a personalised coaching philosophy.
Kapil Dev's efforts to attract sponsors and increase prize money in Indian golf are creating better opportunities for players to qualify for the Olympics and compete globally, according to DP World PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl.
FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina says the World Cup's new anti-time-wasting rules have been a major success, speeding up play, reducing injuries and improving discipline while defending VAR's controversial decisions.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlights the transformative role of sports in shaping young minds and fostering community spirit at a documentary screening.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new target of creating six crore 'Lakhpati Didis' to empower women and transform the rural economy. He highlighted the success of the existing initiative and the growing contribution of women in various sectors, from defence to technology.
Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin discusses fellow world champion D Gukesh's recent performance slump, attributing it to a lack of confidence rather than a decline in skill. Sarin expresses hope that the upcoming Chess Olympiad will help Gukesh regain his form. He also shares his views on the increasing role of AI in chess, the evolution towards faster formats, and potential improvements in the chess ecosystem.
Four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen has signed a contract extension with Red Bull Racing until the end of 2030, ending speculation about his future. Despite recent performance clauses and links to other teams, Verstappen expressed his commitment to Red Bull, citing the team as a "second family."
Vidarsa K Vinod, a 27-year-old rifle shooter from Kozhikode, has secured a spot in the Indian squad for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Her path from an NCC introduction to elite competition was marked by financial struggles, training with borrowed equipment, and overcoming setbacks like the COVID-19 pandemic. With crucial support from her family, husband, and the National Centre of Excellence, she now aims to become the World No. 1 in her sport.
Former Australian hockey legend Jamie Dwyer believes the Indian team possesses the talent and infrastructure to become a dominant force in world hockey but stresses that 'they need to maintain consistency as a team' to realise their true potential.
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.
Akshaye Khanna makes a striking Telugu cinema debut as the formidable Shukracharya in the newly unveiled glimpse of Mahakali.
Suryakumar Yadav has been named as the brand ambassador for the Pro Govinda League (PGL) -- India's first professional human-pyramid league.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya affirmed India's commitment to hosting the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, promising an exceptional event and a lasting institutional legacy. He highlighted India's support for governance reforms, anti-doping measures, and initiatives like Khelo India, while also advocating for a stronger, member-driven framework for Commonwealth sports.
The Maharashtra government has signed an MoU with the Kolhapur District Cricket Association to build an international-standard cricket stadium and multi-sports hub in Kolhapur, featuring a 35,000-capacity stadium and facilities for various sports.
Indian triple jumper Selva Prabhu, a World U20 silver medallist and NCAA champion, is set to make his senior Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow. He attributes his transformation into a more complete athlete to his experience competing in the NCAA circuit in the United States, highlighting the high-quality coaching and world-class competition. Prabhu is focused on consistency, speed, and technique, aiming to deliver his best performance and make India proud. He also acknowledges the crucial support from the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in his development.
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has seen its revenue grow by over 9 per cent to 7,064 crore, driven by the strong performance of SonyLIV, Sony SAB, and Sony Entertainment Television (SET), said Gaurav Banerjee, head of SPNI.
"Excited to bring world's biggest sporting spectacles to Indian audiences": Zee CEO Punit Goenka after securing FIFA broadcasting rights till 2034
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Soman Rana has highlighted the critical need for increased corporate support and permanent jobs for Indian para-athletes. He stressed that financial security is vital for athletes to focus on training and achieve consistent international success, including at events like the Paralympics and Para Asian Games. His views were echoed by PCI president Devendra Jhajharia and M3M Foundation chairperson Payal Kanodia, who noted the growing recognition and support for the Paralympic movement in India.
Vidarsa K Vinod, a 27-year-old shooter from Kerala, has secured a spot in India's Asian Games squad for the 10m Air Rifle and 50m Rifle 3 Positions events, overcoming significant financial hurdles and training setbacks through resilience and family support.
The Jammu Marathon, featuring international runners, symbolises the transformation of Jammu and Kashmir since 2019, highlighting peace, prosperity, and its emergence as a destination for world-class events.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya emphasised the importance of executing the country's 10-year roadmap to become a global sporting powerhouse during the Chintan Shivir held in Srinagar. The event saw participation from state sports ministers and eminent sports personalities, focusing on active implementation and grassroots development.
Praveen Kumar, a para-athlete who overcame physical limitations to excel in high jump, will be awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian para sport. He is a Paralympic champion and Arjuna Award recipient.
The Jammu and Kashmir government announced that the PGTI golf tournament, J&K Open, will become an annual event, with plans to establish a world-class golf academy and position the union territory as India's golfing capital.
Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has voiced significant reservations regarding a proposal by World Chess and FIDE to convert online rapid and blitz ratings into official FIDE ratings. He highlights fundamental integrity issues, such as mouse slips and the lack of physical supervision in home-based online play, making it difficult to ensure fair play. Erigaisi also commented on World Champion D Gukesh's recent form and dismissed the idea that AI diminishes creativity in chess.
Young Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty is actively working to transform his 'natural laid-back approach' into a more aggressive playing style as he prepares for his World Championship debut, where he faces current world No. 1 Shi Yuqi of China in his opening match.
