Sports

India has officially secured the hosting rights for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with Ahmedabad chosen as the venue. The decision was ratified on 26 November 2025 during the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow, marking the centenary edition of the Games.

Delegates from 74 Commonwealth nations approved India’s bid, which builds on plans laid for Glasgow 2026. The announcement ceremony featured a cultural performance showcasing Gujarat’s heritage.

Commonwealth Sport President Dr. Donald Rukare described this as a new chapter for the Commonwealth movement, highlighting India’s scale, cultural strength, and enthusiasm for sports. PT Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India, emphasized the responsibility and opportunity to strengthen global sporting collaboration.

The tentative sports list includes 15–17 disciplines, featuring Athletics, Swimming, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, Gymnastics, Netball, Boxing, and their Para events. India may propose up to two additional sports, with options under consideration including Cricket (T20), Badminton, Hockey, Wrestling, Shooting, and others.

The Commonwealth Games began in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada, and the last edition in 2022 (Birmingham) was topped by Australia, followed by England, Canada, India, and New Zealand.

Q. Where will the 2030 Commonwealth Games be hosted?
A. New Delhi
B. Bengaluru
C. Ahmedabad
D. Chennai

Answer: ✅ C. Ahmedabad

The ICC has released the schedule for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will start on 7 February 2026. India and Sri Lanka will co-host the tournament for the second time.
A major highlight is the India vs Pakistan match, scheduled for 15 February at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. All of Pakistan’s matches will be played in Sri Lanka.

Former T20 World Cup–winning captain Rohit Sharma has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the tournament.

A total of 20 teams will compete, divided into four groups of five each.
India is placed in Group A along with Pakistan, Netherlands, Namibia and the USA.

On 24 November 2025, the Indian Women’s Kabaddi Team won the Kabaddi World Cup 2025 by defeating Chinese Taipei in the final with a score of 35–28 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

With this win, India claimed its second consecutive World Cup title and remained undefeated throughout the tournament, marking a significant achievement in women’s sports.

On 23 November 2025, India’s Lakshya Sen clinched the Australian Open 2025 (BWF Super 500) Men’s Singles title in Sydney, defeating Japan’s Yushi Tanaka 21-15, 21-11 in just 38 minutes. This is his first BWF World Tour title of the year and his first Super 500 win since 2023, marking a strong comeback season.

Key Highlights

• Event: Sathio Australian Open 2025, BWF Super 500, Sydney
• Final Result: Lakshya Sen (World Rank 14) beat Yushi Tanaka (World Rank 26)
• Score: 21-15, 21-11 | Duration: 38 minutes
• Career Milestone: 6th BWF World Tour title

India finished their debut World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 campaign in Greater Noida with an impressive nine gold medals on the final day (20 Nov 2025).

Indian women boxers dominated with a historic sweep of seven gold medals.

• Jaismine Lamboria (57 kg) defeated Wu Shih Yi (Taipei).
• Nikhat Zareen (51 kg) beat Xuan Yi Guo (Taipei).
• Parveen Hooda (60 kg) defeated Ayaka Taguchi (Japan).
• Arundhati Choudhary (70 kg) beat Aziza Zokirova (Uzbekistan).
• Preeti Pawar (54 kg) beat Sirine Charaabi (Italy).
• Minakshi Hooda (48 kg) beat Farzona Fozilova (Uzbekistan).
• Nupur Sheoran (80+ kg) beat Oltinoy Sotimboeva (Uzbekistan).

In the men’s section, Sachin Siwach (60 kg) and Hitesh Gulia (70 kg) won gold medals, defeating opponents from Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan respectively.

Indian men also secured four silver medals through Ankush Panghal (80 kg), Abhinash Jamwal (65 kg), Pawan Bartwal (55 kg), and Jadumani Singh (50 kg).

Curaçao, a Caribbean island nation with a population of just 156,000, made history by becoming the smallest country ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup on 18 November 2025.

• The team secured its spot in the 2026 World Cup after a 0–0 draw against Jamaica in the final round of the CONCACAF qualifiers.
• Coached by Dick Advocaat, Curaçao topped its group with an unbeaten record.
• This marks Curaçao’s first-ever World Cup appearance, made possible under the expanded 48-team format.
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Indian archer Kushal Dalal won his first major indoor title by clinching the Men’s Compound gold at the GT Open Indoor World Series 2025 in Strassen, Luxembourg on November 16, 2025. The 20-year-old delivered a standout performance, defeating World Champion Nicolas Gerard in the semifinals and edging past former world No. 1 Stephan Hansen in a dramatic double shoot-off final.

His victory adds to a strong year that already includes two Asia Cup golds. India also celebrated a bronze medal by Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru in the U-21 event, underscoring the nation’s growing strength in compound archery. Dalal’s triumph boosts his world ranking and positions him as a rising star on the global archery stage.

The World Boxing Cup Finals 2025, held from November 16–20 in Greater Noida, India, brought together over 130 top-ranked boxers from 18 countries for the season’s grand finale. India fielded a strong 20-member team, featuring world champions and Olympians, and made an impressive start with all four boxers on Day 1 winning their quarterfinals to secure at least bronze medals.

The event included athletes from powerhouse nations like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Cuba, and featured three Olympic medallists. A vibrant opening ceremony, global broadcasts, and smooth organization highlighted India’s capability as a major international sports host. The successful 2025 edition set a promising benchmark for future World Boxing Cup seasons.

India marked a century of hockey excellence in November 2025 with nationwide celebrations honoring the sport’s legendary players and rich legacy. The grand centenary gala at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi, attended by top dignitaries and FIH President Dato Tayyab Ikram, featured cultural performances, felicitation of hockey greats, and an exhibition match.

The event celebrated India’s journey from its 1925 beginnings to an era of eight Olympic golds, led by icons like Dhyan Chand, and recent successes such as the Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze.

Hockey India organized 1,400 matches across 550 districts, engaging over 36,000 players, symbolizing unity and revival. The centenary underscored India’s renewed commitment to hockey through investment, infrastructure, and youth participation — a step toward reclaiming its global dominance.

Q. The centenary celebration marking 100 years of Indian hockey was held in which year?
A) 2024
B) 2025
C) 2026
D) 2027
Answer: B) 2025

India created history by winning their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, on 2 November 2025.

Batting first after a rain delay, India scored 298/7, powered by Shafali Verma’s 87 and Deepti Sharma’s 58. Despite being on course for a 350+ total, disciplined bowling from Ayabonga Khaka (3/58) restricted them under 300.

In reply, South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt led with a valiant 101, but her dismissal in the 42nd over ended their hopes as they were bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs.

Deepti Sharma starred with the ball too, taking 5 wickets for 39 runs, completing a superb all-round performance.