Indian shooter Manu Bhaker has been in the spotlight for her omission from the list of nominees for the Khel Ratna award. Amid the ongoing controversy, she took to social media to clarify her stance, stating that as an athlete, her priority is to play and perform for her country. She also emphasized that awards are not her ultimate goal, and despite the disappointment, she remains motivated to win more medals for India. The criticism from her coach and father highlights the frustration and disappointment with the sports ministry and selection committee, who overlooked her record-breaking achievements at the Olympics.
The controversy surrounding champion shooter Manu Bhaker's exclusion from the list of nominated athletes for the Khel Ratna award continues as her coach Jaspal Rana criticizes the Sports Ministry, SAI, and NRAI for 'ignoring' her credentials. This comes after Manu herself addressed the issue, stating there might have been a lapse on her part while applying for the award. However, her coach believes that her name should have automatically been considered due to her historic achievements at the Tokyo Olympics where she became the first Indian to win two medals.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah's appeal to Naxals during the Bastar Olympics marks a significant move towards ending a long-standing insurgency. His call for militants to reintegrate into society with government-backed support highlights the government's commitment to conflict resolution and regional development. This ambitious aim aims to eliminate the Maoist presence by March 2026 and foster a more harmonious national environment.
Jay Shah, the recently elected chairman of the ICC, has arrived in Brisbane for a meeting related to the Olympics and to attend the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The timing of his visit is significant, as the ICC is currently grappling with the issue of the Champions Trophy, and Cricket Australia has been a strong supporter of the BCCI's position. Despite now holding an independent position, Shah's influence over the BCCI cannot be overlooked, especially with BCCI joint secretary Devajit Saikia also accompanying him on the trip. This visit may also have implications for Shah's previous invitation to the Sydney Test in 2025.
From winning junior world championships to claiming silver at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Jutta Leedram has cemented her status as an all-around star in the speed skating world. With a robust career and partnership with fellow athlete Jake Paul, Leedram's prowess on the ice continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
In a strategic move to target Indian viewership, the 2028 LA Olympics is considering moving the cricket event to New York, which is closer to the Indian time zone compared to Los Angeles. This plan was announced by Casey Wasserman, chairman of the 2028 LA Games organizing committee, who emphasized the importance of catering to South Asian audiences for better broadcast deals. Talks are in place to host the matches at the Marine Park in Brooklyn, and the move could also alleviate concerns around the total number of athletes and support staff at the Games.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has officially submitted a 'Letter of Intent' to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, putting them in the race alongside over ten other competing countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Indonesia. With advanced sports facilities and recent experience in hosting major international events, these countries pose a strong challenge to India's bid. IOC President Thomas Bach notes that India has now moved from the 'Informal Dialogue' to the 'Continuous Dialogue' stage of the host selection process, where a feasibility study will be conducted to evaluate India's preparations and potential for hosting the Games.
India has taken a major step towards its goal of becoming a premier sports hub as the Indian Olympic Association has sent a Letter of Intent to the International Olympic Committee expressing its interest to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This move has been welcomed and seen as a significant step towards PM Modi's vision of placing India at the forefront of the global sports scene. The potential benefits of hosting the Games in India, such as economic growth, social progress and youth empowerment, cannot be understated and this opportunity could truly be monumental for the country.
After facing criticism for his coaching decisions during Team USA's gold medal run at the Paris Summer Olympics, Steve Kerr found himself in the spotlight once again as his former player Jayson Tatum had a record-breaking performance on the opening night of the NBA season. Fans took to social media to sarcastically thank Kerr for fueling Tatum's game, and potentially, the success of the Boston Celtics this season. Despite the controversy, Tatum chose to take the high road and let his performance on the court speak for itself.
In a significant decision, cricket will not be a part of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasglow, Scotland. Only 10 sports have been chosen for the event, leading to the exclusion of cricket, which was previously included in the 2022 edition. No specific reason was given for this decision, but Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Katie Sadleir hinted that the 2026 Games will pave the way for a more sustainable and inclusive model for future events. However, cricket will still have a chance to shine at the LA28 Olympics, after a 128-year hiatus, and was also included in the recent Asian Games.