Sports

Indian chess player Grand Master Koneru Humpy secured the silver medal in the women’s division of the FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship 2023, which took place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on December 30, 2023.

Humpy concluded the tournament with an impressive 12.5 points, trailing only by half a point behind the champion, Bibisara Balabayeva of Kazakhstan.

Q: Who won the silver medal in the women’s section of the FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship 2023?

a. Bibisara Balabayeva
b. Koneru Humpy
c. Susan Polgar
d. Vaishali Rameshbabu

Ans : b. Koneru Humpy

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has formed an Ad Hoc committee on December 27, 2023 to observe and supervise the operations of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

• Bhupinder Singh Bajwa is appointed as the Chairman of the committee, with MM Somaya and Manjusha Kanwar as Members.
• It will handle tasks such as athlete selection and submitting entries for athletes to participate in international events.
• The IOA’s decision to form the committee stems from its findings that the recently appointed President and officials of WFI made arbitrary decisions violating constitutional provisions.
• The IOA accuses WFI officials of overturning rulings made by the IOA-appointed ad hoc committee without following due process.
• The IOA asserts that this situation not only indicates a governance gap within the Federation but also represents a noticeable departure from established norms.

Q: Why did the IOA form the Ad Hoc committee for the Wrestling Federation of India?

• a) To organize the Olympics
• b) Due to arbitrary decisions by WFI officials
• c) To handle marketing tasks
• d) To appoint new athletes

Ans : b) Due to arbitrary decisions by WFI officials

• The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) faces suspension by the Sports Ministry for multiple violations.
• Newly elected WFI President, Sanjay Singh, suspended after hastily announcing U-15 and U-20 nationals in Uttar Pradesh.
• Ministry criticizes the decision for lack of notice to wrestlers and non-compliance with WFI constitution.
• Accusation that the new body is influenced by former office bearers, violating the Sports Code.
• Operations allegedly run from premises linked to previous sexual harassment allegations, currently in court.
• WFI instructed to suspend all activities pending further orders from the Ministry.

Question: Why was the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) suspended by the Sports Ministry?
a. Lack of funding
b. Multiple violations
c. Administrative efficiency
d. Athlete doping issues

Answer: b. Multiple violations

Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announced National Sports Awards 2023 on December 20, 2023. The awards will be presented at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 9, 2024, by the President of India.

• Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2023 recipients are Shri Chirag Chandrashekhar Shetty and Shri Rankireddy Satwik Sai Raj in Badminton.
• Arjuna Awards for outstanding performance include athletes from various disciplines such as Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Cricket, Chess, Equestrian, Golf, Hockey, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Lawn Bowls, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, Wrestling, Wushu, Para Archery, Blind Cricket, and Para Canoeing.
• Dronacharya Awards for outstanding coaches in 2023 are awarded in both Regular and Lifetime categories covering disciplines like Wrestling, Chess, Para Athletics, Hockey, Mallakhamb, Golf, Kabaddi, and Table Tennis.
• Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime achievement recipients include sportspersons Ms Manjusha Kanwar, Shri Vineet Kumar Sharma, and Ms Kavitha Selvaraj.
• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2023 awarded to Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (Overall winner university), Lovely Professional University, Punjab (1st runner up), and Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra (2nd runner up).
• National Sports Awards are given annually to recognize and reward excellence in sports across various categories.
• Criteria for each award category, including Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, and Dhyan Chand Award, are specified based on outstanding performance, leadership, sportsmanship, and a sense of discipline.

Q: Who are the recipients of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2023 ?

a) Shri Chirag Chandrashekhar Shetty and Shri Rankireddy Satwik Sai Raj
b) Shri Manish Kaushik and Ms. P.V. Sindhu
c) Shri Saurabh Chaudhary and Ms. Vinesh Phogat
d) Shri Bajrang Punia and Ms. Mary Kom

Ans : a) Shri Chirag Chandrashekhar Shetty and Shri Rankireddy Satwik Sai Raj

Q: Which university was awarded the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2023 as the overall winner university?

• A) Lovely Professional University, Punjab
• B) Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
• C) Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra
• D) Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi

Ans : B) Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar

• The inaugural Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) concluded in New Delhi, with Haryana emerging as the champions, securing a total of 105 medals.
• Haryana’s medal tally includes 40 gold, 39 silver, and 26 bronze medals.
• KIPG 2023 commenced on December 10 and featured the active participation of approximately 1,450 para-athletes from all corners of the country.
• Uttar Pradesh secured the second position with a total of 62 medals, comprising 25 gold, 23 silver, and 14 bronze.
• Tamil Nadu claimed the third spot with 20 gold, eight silver, and 14 bronze medals.
• Athletes from 32 states and Union Territories showcased their talents and competed in various events throughout the Games.
• Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Anurag Thakur, addressing the closing ceremony, praised the Khelo India Para Games as a historic celebration of human passion and spirit.
• Thakur emphasized that the Games signify a monumental chapter in India’s sports history, where participation holds equal importance to victory.
• The Minister expressed gratitude to all para-athletes, coaches, support staff, and stakeholders for their contributions in making this edition of KIPG significant.

Which state emerged as the champion in the Khelo India Para Games (KIPG)?

A) Uttar Pradesh
B) Haryana
C) Tamil Nadu
D) New Delhi

Correct Answer: B) Haryana

• FIFA announces a revamped 32-team Club World Cup set for June 15 to July 13, 2025, to be hosted in the United States.
• The new tournament is part of FIFA’s broader expansion plans and follows the unanimous decision to appoint the United States as the inaugural host.
• A newly introduced annual Intercontinental Cup is scheduled to debut in 2024, featuring UEFA Champions League winners against teams from intercontinental playoffs.
• The Intercontinental Cup playoffs are slated for December 14, 2024, with the final scheduled for December 18.
• The 2025 Club World Cup will adopt a World Cup-style format with eight groups of four, advancing top two teams to the knockout stages.
• The existing seven-team Club World Cup, held annually, will be discontinued after the ongoing tournament in Saudi Arabia.
• Criticism arises from global players’ union FIFPro and the World Leagues Forum, representing 44 professional leagues, citing concerns about player health, workload, and the impact on national leagues.
• Premier League chief Richard Masters expresses dissatisfaction with FIFA’s decision-making process, citing overlooked stakeholders and potential disruptions to player availability and well-being.
• The June-July schedule raises concerns about European teams’ limited rest time between the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, impacting the traditional football calendar.
• FIFPro emphasizes a lack of consideration for players’ physical and mental health, highlighting potential exhaustion, injuries, mental health issues, and risks to career longevity.

Question: What is the key feature of the 2025 Club World Cup format according to the announcement?

A) Single-elimination knockout rounds
B) Group stage with eight groups of four teams
C) Round-robin format with seven participating teams
D) Two-legged semi-finals and finals

Answer: B) Group stage with eight groups of four teams

• Khelo India Games are set to take place in Tamil Nadu from January 19th to 31st, 2024, across cities including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Trichy.
• The State Government announced the hosting of the event.
• Anticipated participation includes over 5,500 athletes and 1,600 coaches.
• The sporting extravaganza will involve more than 1,000 referees and 1,200 volunteers.
• A total of 27 sports will be featured, with squash making its debut in the Khelo India Games.

Q: How many sports will be featured in the Khelo India Games in Tamil Nadu?

A) 15 sports
B) 20 sports
C) 25 sports
D) 27 sports

Correct Answer: D) 27 sports

Germany beats India 4-1 in the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup semifinal in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 14 December 2023.

• India’s 12 missed penalty corners prove decisive.
• Germany scores early and defends stoutly.
• India’s attack fails to convert chances.
• Germany advances to the final, India plays for bronze.

Q: Indian team lost to which country in the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup semifinal in Kuala Lumpur?

a. Germany
b. Netherlands
c. Australia
d. Argentina

a. Germany

India won the quarter-finals of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2023, beating the Netherlands 4-3 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1. Goal Scorers for India: Aditya Arjun Lalage, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, and Captain Uttam Singh.
2. Goal Scorers for the Netherlands: Timo Boers, Pepijn van der Heijden, and Olivier Hortensius.
3. The match took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 12 December 2023.
4. India will play Germany in the semi-final on 14 December 2023.

Q: FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2023 is conducted at which city and country?

• a) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• b) New Delhi, India
• c) Amsterdam, Netherlands
• d) Berlin, Germany

Ans : a) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The first-ever Khelo India Para Games start on December 10, 2023, in New Delhi. 8-day event featuring para athletics, para shooting, para archery, para football, para badminton, para table tennis, and para weightlifting.

• Over 1,400 participants from 32 states, Union Territories, and the Services Sports Control Board.
• Goal is to provide opportunities for para athletes to showcase skills and develop careers.
• Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry assures comprehensive medical coverage for participants.
• Medical coverage includes emergency services, on-site medical teams, and access to necessary healthcare facilities.

Q: Where do the first-ever Khelo India Para Games commence in December 2023?

• A. Mumbai
• B. Kolkata
• C. New Delhi
• D. Chennai

Ans : C. New Delhi

The BCCI announced the squad for the Indian cricket team’s tour of South Africa starting on December 10, 2023.

• Rohit Sharma will lead the team in the Test series, while K L Rahul will captain the team during the ODI leg, and Suryakumar Yadav will lead the T20I side.
• The tour consists of three T20Is, three ODIs, and a two-match Test series.
• The Men’s Selection Committee met in New Delhi to finalize the squad for the South Africa tour.
• The Test squad includes players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and others.
• The T20I squad includes players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and captain Suryakumar Yadav.
• The ODI squad features players like KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Sanju Samson.
• The squads include both experienced players like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja and promising talents like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma.

Q: Who will lead the Indian cricket team in the Test series during their tour of South Africa?

a. K L Rahul
b. Suryakumar Yadav
c. Rohit Sharma
d. Virat Kohli

Ans : c. Rohit Sharma

Q: Who is named as the captain for the T20I side in the upcoming South Africa tour?

a. Rohit Sharma
b. K L Rahul
c. Virat Kohli
d. Suryakumar Yadav

Ans : d. Suryakumar Yadav

Q: Who will lead the Indian cricket team in the ODIs during the South Africa tour?

a. Rohit Sharma
b. Virat Kohli
c. K L Rahul
d. Suryakumar Yadav

Ans : c. K L Rahul