Page 6 - Sports News

Asian Games 2026: OCA sets safeguarding rules; violators face suspension

Inappropriate relationships where "power imbalance or dependency" exists, use of degrading language or being a bystander to instances of harassment have been strictly prohibited in the Olympic Council of Asia's Safeguarding Code of Conduct for athletes and officials at the Asian Games with violations punishable by suspension from the mega-event. The code of conduct has been circulated to all athletes and officials bound for the Games beginning September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan and participants are required to sign and adhere to it. Softball Association of India President Neetal Narang would be India's Safeguarding Officer during the Games, which is a mandatory requirement in the contingent staff as per the OCA. The use of social media has also been addressed in the code of conduct with the OCA making it clear that content should be "respectful, and appropriate" and must not "compromise the dignity or safety of others." "Breaches of this Code may result in removal of accreditation

HI Executive Board meet: Infighting and Governing Council for HIL on agenda

The controversy-mired Hockey India has called an emergent Executive Board meeting on September 18 here to resolve the differences among its top officials and restructure the struggling Hockey India League to create an independent Governing Council. HI President Dilip Tirkey and secretary Bhola Nath Singh have not been on the same page for a while following the controversy surrounding the change of Indian teams' jersey colour from blue to saffron before the recently-concluded FIH World Cup. Tirkey said the jersey change was done without his knowledge and without the consent of the HI Executive Board. Subsequently, he sent a show-cause notice to HI Director General, Cdr R K Srivastava and stripped him of all his powers with immediate effect, listing eight charges, with jersey change being the most prominent. The turn of events has prompted secretary Bhola Nath Singh to call an emergent Executive Board Meeting. The notice issued by Tirkey gave Srivastava four weeks' time to submit his

Asian Games 2026: Wrestler Nisha puts setbacks behind, eyes glory

For years, Nisha Dahia would have this lingering thought after every injury: Why me? Why did the body give up just when everything seemed to be falling into place? Why did another promising campaign end in disappointment? She no longer asks those questions? Nisha has learnt to take setbacks in her stride, stopped cribbing about the injuries that have repeatedly interrupted her career, and, most importantly, accepted that an athlete can control the work but not always the outcome. That change in mindset could prove as important as any technical improvement when Nisha steps on the mat at the Asian Games in the women's 68kg category, carrying the hopes of finally converting her considerable potential into a major medal. "I used to feel that God was being unfair on me. I used to think, why is this happening to me again and again? But now I don't think like that," Nisha told PTI in an interview. "I will get what is written in my fate. I will do my job, work hard and wrestle well. I wi

Asian Games 2026: From cricket bat to shotgun, Mairaj's sporting journey

There was a time when Mairaj Ahmad Khan dreamed of making it big with a cricket bat. More than three decades later, the 50-year-old is still chasing sporting glory -- only now with a shotgun firmly in his grip. From Khurja in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr district to shooting ranges around the world, Mairaj's journey has taken him places he could never have imagined when he first stepped into the world of sport. At the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, he will be the second-oldest member of the Indian contingent, behind equestrian Shruti Vora, and will compete at his fourth continental games. Yet, shooting was never supposed to be his destiny. "I was playing cricket when it all started in 1994," Mairaj recalls. A left-handed top-order batter who usually came in at No. 3, he represented Uttar Pradesh in the CK Nayudu and Vinoo Mankad Trophy competitions before joining Jamia Millia Islamia in 1996. He played inter-university cricket and also featured in the Vizzy Trophy. Among his university

Punjab CM Mann confirms Pakistan's participation in Asian Champions Trophy

Pakistan will be among the six countries that would compete in next month's Men's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament here, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said on Monday, citing the union government's policy which allows the arch-foes to play on Indian soil during multi-lateral engagements. The Asian Champions Trophy, to be held from October 27 to November 5, will feature India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Korea and will be played at Jalandhar and Mohali's hockey stadiums. Two reserve teams -- Oman and Bangladesh -- have also been named for the tournament in case of pullouts. The event, which is held under the aegis of the Asian Hockey Federation, is an annual competition but was not held last year. India enter the competition as defending champions, having won the title in 2023 (Chennai) and 2024 (Hulunbuir, China). "There is no problem in multi-national tournaments. May be individual series (India and Pakistan) cannot take place," Mann said when asked about ..

Nishu wins 53kg trial, sets up final showdown with Antim Panghal

Talented wrestler Nishu set up a final showdown with Asian Games-bound Antim Panghal after emerging victorious in the 53kg category at the national selection trials for the Senior World Wrestling Championships here on Monday. Nishu prevailed in a fiercely contested field, beating Thishka at the Indira Gandhi Stadium. The final trial between Nishu and Antim will determine India's representative in the 53kg category at the Senior World Championships to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from October 24-November 1. Under the WFI's selection policy, Monday's trial winners have earned the right to challenge the Asian Games-bound wrestlers in a final trial for the Senior World Championships berths. The final trial will be held at a later date. The trials in four non-Olympic weight classes will also be held later. Two-time U20 World Champion Kajal continued her impressive run, finishing on top in the 76kg category after defeating Siksha in the final. Simran produced a composed performance t

Sports Minister Mandaviya seeks roadmap for Hockey India League revival

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday asked Hockey India and Hockey India League franchise owners to work out a comprehensive roadmap to ensure financial viability and sustainability of the cash-strapped league and set up a five-member panel for that. Ministry sources told PTI that Mandaviya held a meeting with Hockey India officials and representatives of HIL franchises and was apprised of the concerns surrounding the competition. "Sports minister met all the stakeholders and was apprised on the concerns around HIL. He directed the HI officials to work on a plan to ensure financial viability and sustainability of the league,"said the source. "The minister also told HI that a committee of five-member should be formed to chart out comprehensive plan on reviving the HIL. The committee will comprise two representatives each from Hockey India and the franchises, besides a senior Sports Ministry official." the source further said. "The minister directed the stakeholders to work on

No rest for Ben Shelton after US Open final as Davis Cup, Laver Cup await

Ben Shelton isn't taking much time off after his run to the U.S. Open final. Shelton was confirmed on Monday for the U.S. Davis Cup team that will play the Czech Republic in Prague this week. Then he'll join Team World for the Laver Cup in London the following weekend. Shelton lost to Alexander Zverev in his first Grand Slam final on Sunday. He moved up to a career-high No. 4 in the rankings on Monday. Zverev is on Germany's Davis Cup team that will host Croatia in Halle; and he will be on Team Europe for the Laver Cup. Also named to the U.S. team for the second round of qualifying against the Czechs were Learner Tien, Martin Damm, Christian Harrison and Austin Krajicek. Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul withdrew from the team. It will mark Shelton's second Davis Cup appearance and first since the 2024 finals. Tien and Damm received their first Davis Cup nomination. The 20-year-old Tien reached the fourth round of the U.S. Open, while the 22-year-old Damm pushed eventual semifinalist

Varun ruled out of T20Is vs Afghanistan, Asian Games trip too in jeopardy

India spinner Varun Chakaravarthy was on Monday ruled out of the ongoing T20 series against Afghanistan due to a side strain, making him doubtful for the upcoming Asian Games. Chakaravarthy had recently recovered from a hamstring injury that he suffered on the tour of England in July. He picked up a wicket in the series opener against Afghanistan that India won comfortably, conceding just 16 runs in his four overs. "It is a fresh injury. MRI has revealed that it is a side strain. He is out of the series and looks unlikely for Asian Games," said a BCCI source. The injury management at the Centre of Excellence has come under scanner of late with players getting injured frequently. Chakaravarthy is another example of that trend. The fresh injury makes Chakaravarthy highly doubtful for the Asian Games beginning on September 19. India will also play a historic T20 against Japan on September 22 before beginning their Asian Games in Nisshin, Japan, on September 28. Ahead of the series, I

Pakistan lose 11 WTC points, fined 50 per cent match fee for slow over-rate

Pakistan were on Monday fined 50 per cent of the match fess of their third and final Test against England at Birmingham, along with a deduction of 11 World Test Championship points for maintaining slow over-rate. The ICC said on their website that Pakistan, who were crushed 0-3 in the Test series by hosts England, were found to be 11 overs short of the target "after time allowances were taken into consideration". Pakistan had lost the series opener at Leeds by an innings and 103 runs, the second Test at Lord's by 194 runs and the third Test at Edgbaston by 8 wickets. "Pakistan have been hit with a pair of sanctions for maintaining a slow over-rate during the third and final ICC World Test Championship contest against England in Birmingham," the ICC said. The sanctions were imposed by ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle, on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Chris Gaffaney, third umpire Allahudien Palekar and fourth umpire Russell Warren. "It means Pakistan lose ground at the bottom of

How to stop India's batters? Don't bowl spin, Varun Chakravarthy explains

Varun Chakravarthy highlights India's intent against spin after Abhishek Sharma's explosive knock against Afghanistan, while explaining his own focus on length and execution

AFG vs IND: Pybus puts batting at heart of Afghanistan's fightback hopes

Richard Pybus wants Afghanistan to build partnerships against India's spinners and give their bowlers more support as the hosts seek a stronger response in Tuesday's second T20I

BCCI explains why India women did not accept Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi

We cannot accept a trophy from the hands of a representative of that country (Pakistan) who works against our country, says BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia

Asia Cup 2026: India women follow men's lead, refuse trophy from Mohsin Naqvi

Sri Lanka collected their souvenirs and runners-up cheque from Naqvi, but the ceremony ended abruptly, with no Indian players present for the trophy presentation.

IND vs SL: India match high standards to reclaim Women's Asia Cup title

India post 183/5 after Smriti (59) and Shafali (68) powered a 129-run stand. Gunaratne's injury adds to Sri Lanka's challenge. Asia Cup final live on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV.

IND vs AFG: Arshdeep, Abhishek power India to 7-wicket win over Afghanistan

The 157-run chase turned into a walk in the park as Abhishek smashed seven sixes in his 32-ball 84, with India completing the chase in just 13.4 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

In a first, Vande Mataram played before national anthem at India T20I match

All six stanzas of Vande Mataram (3 min 10 sec) and the national anthem (52 sec) were played at Arun Jaitley Stadium following a Union Home Ministry directive, taking 4 minutes and 2 seconds in total.

"I can deliver under pressure": Kamaljeet ready for maiden Asiad challenge

An injury ended Kamaljeet's athletics journey, but his passion for sport led him to shooting in 2019, setting him on a path to becoming a leading 50m pistol shooter

Asian Games: Asmita sharpens ground game to counter formidable Japan

Inspired by the Japanese but equally wary of the challenge they will pose, India's Commonwealth Games gold-winning judoka Asmita Dey says she is trying to sharpen her holds, pins and submission techniques to present a strong challenge at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Dey said she has spent considerable time trying to ace the three aspects of ground fighting as the Asian Games will be a significantly tougher test than the CWG in Glasgow, where she became the first Indian judoka to win a gold. "The Asian Games, as compared to the Commonwealth Games, will be very tough for me because at the Asian Games we have some of the world's best from rankings 7-14 competing there," the 23-year-old Dey told PTI Videos as she looked forward to her maiden appearance at the Asian Games beginning September 19. "Our master in Judo is Japan, so Japanese judokas are also there, so it is tough for me. I need to work on my Ne-Waza because if I am in the final, my opponent will most likely be Japanese.

Vinicius Jr, Raphinha lead Brazil's squad for historic clash against India

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, Barcelona winger Raphinha and Paris Saint-Germain veteran Marquinhos headline Brazil's 26-member squad for their historic first-ever meeting with India on October 3. The Selecao will face India at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata at 7.30 pm local time, in what will be a landmark fixture for Indian football. The match is scheduled after Brazil's two-game Australia tour, with Carlo Ancelotti's side facing the hosts in Townsville on September 25 and Brisbane on September 29. Ancelotti named his first squad since the 2026 World Cup at the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday before addressing the media. Vinicius, Raphinha and Marquinhos form the experienced core of the squad, with Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes and Bruno Guimaraes also retaining their places. The much-anticipated game promises to be a grand spectacle for football-crazy Kolkata, with Brazil bringing three 2026 Ballon d'Or nominees in