Sports

The Khelo India Para Games 2025 concluded on March 28 at JLN Stadium, New Delhi. Union Minister Raksha Nikhil Khadse praised the event for providing a platform for para-athletes, with 18 national records broken. She commended the strong participation from Northeastern states and launched a Handbook on Accessibility of Sports Facilities.

Over 1,300 para-athletes competed in six sports, winning more than 550 medals. Haryana led the medal tally with 34 gold, followed by Tamil Nadu with 28 gold, and Uttar Pradesh with 23 gold. The games highlighted the government’s commitment to inclusive sports development.

Manisha Bhanwala won India’s first gold medal since 2021 at the Asian Wrestling Championship 2025, defeating Korea’s Ok J Kim 8-7 in the women’s 62 kg category. Antim Panghal added to the tally with a bronze in the 53 kg category, securing victory over Taipei’s Meng H Hsieh by technical superiority without conceding a point.

Indian wrestlers concluded the tournament with an impressive medal count of one gold, one silver, and six bronze medals, including two from Greco-Roman wrestlers. Congratulations to the champions for their outstanding performance!

The Argentina national football team, led by Lionel Messi, will visit India in October 2025 for an international exhibition match. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced this major event on March, 26 .

This visit is part of Argentina’s global outreach efforts ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualification finals. AFA President Claudio Fabian Tapia described it as a significant milestone for Argentina’s international presence, emphasizing the association’s commitment to expanding opportunities in regions like India and Singapore.

Since 2021, the AFA has been building strong ties with India’s passionate football community. Leandro Petersen, AFA’s Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, highlighted the importance of fostering this connection.

“This is a new step in AFA’s global expansion. Our goal is to bring the best of Argentine football to fans and continue strengthening these relationships,” Petersen stated.

📍 A Special Return for Messi

Fans may recall Messi’s last visit to India in 2011 when Argentina played a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Argentina emerged victorious with a 1-0 win, making this return even more special.

The Indian Men’s Regu team has made history, winning gold at the 2025 Sepak Takraw World Cup! The championship, held in Patna, Bihar, saw India deliver a breathtaking performance to defeat Japan 2-1 in the final on 25 March 2025.

The journey wasn’t easy. After losing the first set 11-15, the Indian team found renewed strength with the roar of the home crowd behind them. They bounced back in style, winning the second set 15-11 and forcing a decisive third game.

In a nail-biting finale, both teams traded points in a tense showdown. But India held their nerve and emerged victorious with a 17-14 win, securing the coveted gold medal and bringing pride to the nation!

On March 23, 2025, India made history by winning both the Men’s and Women’s Kabaddi World Cup titles at Wolverhampton, England.

• The Indian Men’s Team secured a thrilling victory against England with a score of 44-41.
• The Indian Women’s Team dominated England with a commanding 57-34 win.

This tournament was special as it was the first Kabaddi World Cup held outside Asia, with matches across cities like Birmingham, Coventry, and Walsall.

With this remarkable double victory, India has once again showcased its kabaddi supremacy, following its previous wins in the 2019 World Cup in Malaysia.

The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) kicks off on 22nd March 2025 with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens at 7:30 PM IST.

The opening ceremony will feature dazzling performances by Disha Patani, Shreya Ghoshal, and Karan Aujla. With 10 teams competing in 74 matches until the final on 25th May, fans can expect non-stop cricketing action!

📌 Key Updates for IPL 2025:

• Saliva Ban Lifted: Bowlers can now shine the ball using saliva.
• Ball Change Rule: Teams can request a ball change after the 10th over due to dew.
• New Code of Conduct: A demerit points system with suspension risks will be enforced.
• Expanded DRS: Height-based no-ball and wide-ball reviews are now available.

India has officially submitted its expression of interest to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in 2030. This significant step marks India’s growing presence on the global sports stage.

🌟 Why Ahmedabad?

• The city has showcased its organizational capabilities through events like the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Final and major concerts.
• World-class infrastructure and vibrant local support make Ahmedabad a prime choice.

👤 Led by PT Usha

• Commonwealth Games Association of India President PT Usha confirmed the bid, which has been acknowledged by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

📈 Strengthening India’s Sports Ambitions

• Hosting the 2030 Games would bolster India’s position in global sports management.
• The bid also complements India’s larger vision of securing the 2036 Olympic Games.

🚀 With other potential hosts like Singapore and Malaysia stepping back, Ahmedabad is emerging as a strong contender.

On March 20, 2025, Japan became the first non-host nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 2-0 victory over Bahrain. Goals by Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo sealed the win, marking Japan’s eighth consecutive World Cup appearance since 1998.

With this win, Japan has claimed one of the two automatic qualification spots from Group C in the Asian qualifiers, with three matches still remaining. The expanded 48-team format will see the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) sending at least eight teams to the tournament, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Other Teams to Watch

• Australia is in a strong position in Group C.
• Iran leads Group A, followed by Uzbekistan and the UAE.
• South Korea tops Group B, with Iraq and Jordan trailing.

🚀 The qualification process continues until June 2025, leading to a fourth round and an inter-confederation play-off offering one more Asian nation a final shot at qualifying.

Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar inaugurated ISTAF “Sepak Takraw 2025” World Cup in Patna on March 20, 2025. The tournament, organized by the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF), is taking place at the Pataliputra Sports Complex Indoor Stadium in Kankarbagh. This six-day event, running from March 20 to March 25, 2025, has brought together teams from 20 countries, including India, Thailand, Singapore, and others.

Highlights of the Event

• 150 Matches: The tournament features a total of 150 matches across various categories, including quad, regular, doubles, and mixed doubles.
• India’s Performance: The Indian women’s team has already made a strong start, defeating China and Iran in the quad matches.
• Global Participation: Countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, and Brazil are showcasing their talent in this unique sport.

About Sepak Takraw

Sepak Takraw, often referred to as “kick volleyball,” is a dynamic sport with roots in Southeast Asia. Players use their feet, head, knees, and chest to hit a rattan or synthetic ball over a net. The game has gained international recognition, especially after being included in the Asian Games.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board has recommended the inclusion of boxing in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, ending uncertainty over the sport’s Olympic future. The recommendation will be voted on at an IOC session in Greece this week, with approval expected.

In 2023, the International Boxing Association (IBA) was stripped of IOC recognition due to governance and financial issues, leading to the creation of World Boxing, which now has over 80 national federations. The IOC has stated that only athletes from federations affiliated with World Boxing by the start of the 2028 qualification events will be eligible to compete.

The IOC had previously run boxing at Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 after suspending the IBA in 2019. The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) also remains banned due to its recognition of Russian-occupied Ukrainian regions. However, Russia may return to the Olympics if it complies with the Olympic Charter.

The Mumbai Indians have won their second Women’s Premier League title! In an exciting final, they beat the Delhi Capitals by 8 runs on 16 March 2025 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.

Key highlights:

• Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front with a scintillating 66 off 44 balls, anchoring Mumbai’s innings to a competitive 149/7.
• Nat Sciver-Brunt showcased her all-round brilliance, contributing 30 runs and taking 3 crucial wickets.
• Despite a valiant effort by Marizanne Kapp (40 off 26 balls), the Delhi Capitals fell short, finishing at 141/9.

The Kabaddi World Cup 2025 will begin on 17 March 2025 in England. The Indian Men’s team will start their campaign against Italy in Wolverhampton at 5:30 PM IST.

The tournament will last seven days, featuring over 60 matches in Birmingham, Coventry, Walsall, and Wolverhampton (West Midlands, UK).

• The Men’s competition has 10 teams, divided into Group A and Group B. India is in Group B with Italy, Scotland, Wales, and China.
• The Women’s competition has six teams, divided into Group D and Group E. India is in Group D with Wales and Poland.

This is the second edition of the World Kabaddi-hosted Kabaddi World Cup. In the 2019 inaugural edition (Malaysia), India won both the men’s and women’s titles.

This is also the first time the tournament is hosted outside Asia. Notably, this event is different from the IKF Kabaddi World Cup, which has always been held in India.

The World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 is set to be a landmark event in the world of para-athletics. Hosted at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, India, from March 11 to 13, this event marks India’s first major international para-athletics competition.

A total of 283 para-athletes from 20 countries will compete in 90 athletics events, making it one of the largest para-athletics events ever hosted by India. The Indian contingent, led by Paralympic gold medallists Praveen Kumar, Navdeep Singh, and Dharambir, will be looking to make a strong impression on home soil.

The Grand Prix serves as a preparatory tournament for the World Para Athletics Championships later this year, adding an extra layer of significance to the competition. Notable international athletes, including Australia’s three-time Paralympic champion Vanessa Low and Brazil’s speedsters Joeferson Marinho and Bartolomeu Chaves, will also be participating.

Team India created history by winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 for a record third time after defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 9 March 2025.

Chasing 252, India reached the target with an over to spare. Rohit Sharma (76) and Shubman Gill (31) provided a strong start with a 105-run partnership. Later contributions from Shreyas Iyer (48), Axar Patel (29), and Hardik Pandya (18) helped secure victory. Ravindra Jadeja hit the winning shot, while KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 34.

For New Zealand, Daryl Mitchell (63) and Michael Bracewell (51 not out off 39 balls) were key contributors as they posted 251/7 in 50 overs. Indian spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each, while Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja also chipped in.

Rohit Sharma was named Player of the Match, while Rachin Ravindra won Player of the Series. This victory marked India’s second ICC trophy in two years, following their T20 World Cup triumph in 2024.

Indian Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram clinched the Prague Masters 2025 Chess title on March 7, 2025. Chithambaram finished the tournament with six points.

He settled for a draw against Turkey’s Ediz Gurel in the final round. Chithambaram’s title win was confirmed after Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri defeated India’s R. Praggnanandhaa in the last round.

Chithambaram secured the championship and finished a full point ahead of the rest of the field. R. Praggnanandhaa ended his campaign with five points out of nine after his loss to Giri. With this victory, Grandmaster Arvind broke into the world’s top 15.

The chess world witnessed a historic moment on March 7, 2025, as 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster Pranav Venkatesh claimed the FIDE World Junior Championship 2025 title in Montenegro.

With this outstanding victory, Pranav became the fourth Indian player to win the prestigious World Junior title, following in the footsteps of Viswanathan Anand, Pentala Harikrishna, and Abhijeet Gupta.

The Khelo India Para Games 2025 is set to take place in New Delhi from March 20th to 27th. This prestigious event will witness the participation of approximately 1,230 para-athletes, including champions from the 2024 Paris Paralympics and the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China.

The second edition of the Khelo India Para Games will feature six sports: para archery, para athletics, para badminton, para powerlifting, para shooting, and para table tennis. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will host events for para athletics, para archery, and para powerlifting, while the Indira Gandhi Stadium complex will stage para badminton and para table tennis competitions. The Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range will be the venue for para shooting events.

Top para-athletes, including gold medalists Harvinder Singh (archery), Dharambir (club throw), and Praveen Kumar (high jump), will compete in the games. This event aims to provide a strong platform for para-athletes to showcase their talent and inspire millions with their resilience.