Page 19 - Sports

Best thing about Budget is Rs 45 cr boost for sports ministry: Gagan Narang

The ministry's flagship programme, Khelo India, was allotted Rs 900 crore, an increase of Rs 20 crore from the previous budget

Sports ministry's Budget allocation up by Rs 45 crore at Rs 3,442 crore

The Sports Ministry was on Thursday allocated Rs 3,442.32 crore, a hike of Rs 45.36 crore as compared to last year, in the interim Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. In the previous budget, the Sports Ministry had got a revised allocation of Rs 3,396.96 crore. The Olympic Games in Paris, to be held from July 26 to August 11, will be the country's main focus during the 2024-25 financial year. The ministry's flagship programme, Khelo India, was allotted Rs 900 crore, an increase of Rs 20 crore from the previous budget. The Sports Authority of India (SAI), which organises national camps, provides infrastructure and equipment to athletes, appoints coaches among others, saw Rs 26.83 crore increase in its budgetary allocation from the previous year's revised expenditure of Rs 795.77 crore. The National Sports Federations (NSFs) will receive Rs 15 crore more this time, as compared to the 2023-24 revised budget of Rs 325 crore. The National Anti-Doping Agency

PGA Tour strikes $3 billion deal with Fenway-led investment group

The deal was unanimously approved by the PGA Tour board, which includes six players - Tiger Woods, Patrick Cantlay, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, Webb Simpson and Peter Malnati

Chess player Divya Deshmukh recalls facing sexism at international event

Divya Deshmukh, 18, detailed her unpleasant experience in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands and spoke about how women players are taken for granted by the spectators

Around 700 wrestlers to compete in senior nationals in Pune: WFI President

Around 700 grapplers, representing all affiliated state units except Punjab and Odisha, will participate in the Senior National Championship in Pune from Monday, the suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) said on Saturday. The national body was suspended by the Sports Ministry on December 24, just three days after it held its election for violating its own constitution after it announced to host the 2023 age group nationals in Gonda, UP in last week of December. The Sports Ministry had said that the Nationals organised by WFI will not recognised. However, WFI remains defiant. "The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is organising its 2023 Senior National Wrestling Championship in Free Style, Greco Roman & Women Wrestling. The Championship is being organised by the Maharashtra Rajya Kushtigiri Sangh at Pune from 29th to 31st January 2024," said WFI president Sanjay Singh in a statement. "Around 700 Wrestlers across the country are participating in this mega event. All ...

Tennis star Bopanna, squash player Chinappa shortlisted for Padma Shri

Padma Shri is fourth highest civilian honour after Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan which is conferred to achievers for their distinguished service in any field

Australian Open 2024: Defending champ Sabalenka beats Gauff to reach final

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka avenged a US Open final loss to Coco Gauff and became the first woman since Serena Williams to reach back-to-back finals at the Australian Open on Thursday. Sabalenka attacked Gauff's serve throughout a 7-6 (2), 6-4 semi-final win. She will meet Zheng Qinwen or Dayana Yastremska in Saturday's championship decider. Zheng and No. 93-ranked Yastremska were playing their first-ever Grand Slam semi-final. Sabalenka is on a 13-match roll at Melbourne Park, where she made her Grand Slam breakthrough last year. Williams reached consecutive finals here in 2015, '16 and '17. Gauff went into the semifinals unbeaten in 2024 after winning a title in Auckland, New Zealand. The 19-year-old American was on a 12-match winning streak in majors and attempting to be the first player since Naomi Osaka in 2020-21 to win the US Open and Australian Open titles back to back. She'd worked out how to beat Sabalenka in New York last September to win her first major title b

'This is not true': Pugilist Mary Kom rubbishes reports of retirement

Mary Kom retirement: The boxer said that even if she cannot participate in the Olympics anymore, she will still carry on with the sport

Prez Murmu confers 'bal puraskars', urges kids to play sports for wellbeing

Cautioning youngsters against excessive use of electronic devices, President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said it is leading to an increase in various health issues and urged them take up at least one sports. Murmu was addressing a gathering at the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar function here. The award was given to 19 children -- nine boys and 10 girls -- from 18 states and Union Territories for exceptional bravery, artistic prowess, innovative thinking and selfless service. She also stressed on the importance of responsible use of technology. While commending the use of technology by children for educational and personal development, the president cautioned against its misuse, citing concerns such as deep-fakes, financial frauds and child exploitation. "Social media, while a powerful tool for communication and awareness, is also misused for spreading rumours. Therefore, it is essential to stay vigilant and avoid such activities as a wrong step can jeopardise your future," Murm

ICC Awards 2023: Surya named captain, 4 Indians in T20I team of the year

This was the second time in a row that Suryakumar found a place in the team of the year. Other Indians in this team include Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi and Yashasvi Jaiswal

Ad-hoc committee of WFI announces U20, U15 championships in Gwalior

The Ad-Hoc Committee for Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) announced on Saturday that U20 and U15 freestyle, greco-roman and women's national wrestling championships will be held in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh from February 11-17 this year. Around 1,200 wrestlers will be participating in the championships."The event is scheduled to take place at the prestigious Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education on Racecourse Road, LNUPE Campus, Shakti Nagar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474002. The championships will run from the 11th to the 17th of February 2024. Around 1200 Wrestlers & 300 Officials will part in the competitions," said a statement from the ad-hoc committee, which was formed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on instructions from the Union Minitry of Youth Affairs and Sports.This marquee event is set to showcase the incredible talent and prowess of young wrestling enthusiasts from across the nation. Athletes in the Under-20 (U20) and Under-15 (U15) age ...

Tata Group bags five-year IPL title sponsorship rights for $300 million

Backed by celebrity franchise owners and featuring the best players in international cricket, IPL has become the world's richest T20 tournament with an estimated brand value of $8.4 billion

Govt working to host 2036 Olympic Games: PM Modi at Khelo India Youth Games

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the government is striving to host the 2036 Olympic Games, provide international exposure to sports persons and making India the hub of global sports ecosystem. Inaugurating the Khelo India Youth Games 2023, Modi said in the last 10 years, his government has ended the 'games in sports' alluding to allegations of corruption and irregularities related to sports, during the UPA regime. Many were surprised about had happened after 2014 and Indian athletes have improved their performance. India achieved its best performance in Tokyo and paralympics, created history in Asian games and Asian para games. In the last 10 years, the "government brought reforms, sportspersons performed and the entire sports scene transformed," he said. Never was there any shortage in sporting talent and passion but in the last 10 years they have got new self-confidence, government support in every step, he added. So many sportspersons from Tamil Nadu are 'doing won

Jordan Henderson eyes move to Dutch club Ajax, blow to Saudi soccer league

England soccer international Jordan Henderson arrived in Amsterdam on Thursday amid reports he was about to sign a deal with struggling Dutch powerhouse Ajax to end his troubled six-month spell in the Saudi Pro League. Henderson was pictured in the Dutch city by British broadcaster Sky Sports, which said he met with Ajax representatives and would be signing a 2 1/2-year contract after taking a medical examination. The 33-year-old Henderson's transfer is seen as a move to consolidate his place in the England squad ahead of the European Championship in Germany starting in June. But it also is a blow for the Saudi league, whose cashed-up clubs have signed a slew of big-name stars, most notably Cristiano Ronaldo. Henderson signed in July for Al-Ettifaq where he joined another former Liverpool captain in Steven Gerrard, who manages the team. The move sparked a fierce backlash from the LGBTQ+ community. Amnesty International cautions that in Saudi Arabia, members of the LGBT community, .

India Open 2024: Upsets galore as world champ, All-England winner crash out

Kunlavut Vitidsar, Li Shi Feng and Jonathan Christie lost their matches against lower-ranked opponents in the men's singles draw of the India Open 2024

India Open 2024: Satwik-Chirag want to change strategy after opening win

Satwik and Chirag were the only Indians to win on Day 2 of the India Open 2024 as the number two seed moved to the Round of 16 in the men's doubles competition

WFI chaos: Singh refutes Lochab's claims of being unaware of panel meet

The suspended faction of the WFI on Tuesday held a meeting to discuss the suspension which was imposed by the Union Sports Ministry

India Open: Excited to face Prannoy Bhaiya, Rajawat has Paris-sized dreams

Priyanshu Rajawat beat Lakshya Sen in the first round of the India Open 2024. He will face HS Prannoy next with whom he has trained and calls him Bhaiya. He has eyes on a Paris Olympics berth as well

PKL 2024: Pro Kabaddi felicitate legends of the league in 1000th match

Five legends of the league Anup Kumar, Dharmaraj Cheralathan, Ajay Thakur, Manjeet Chhillar and Rishank Devadiga were facilitated for their amazing contribution to the growth of the brand PKL

India Open Badminton 2024: Live match timing, streaming and venue details

India Open is the premier badminton tournament in the country, placed in the Super 750 category. It will begin on January 16 with Round of 32 and will be live-streamed on Jiocinema