Author: Abhishek Shukla

Owner of Sports India Live.
by Abhishek Shukla

Yonex Sunrise Guwahati Masters: Sameer Verma upsets third seed Kiran George

December 6, Guwahati: Experienced campaigner Sameer Verma proved that he was getting closer to his best as he upset men’s singles third seed Kiran George in straight games while women’s singles fifth seed Aakarshi Kashyap saved a match point to beat Denmark’s Amalie Schulz to advance to the pre-quarterfinals of the Yonex Sunrise Guwahati Masters Super 100 badminton tournament here on Wednesday.

Verma, who has been struggling with injuries for the last few months, dominated the proceedings against the third seed Kiran through-out the 32-minute second round encounter, winning 21-13, 21-13.

While Kiran could not find a way past Verma, Kashyap kept her nerves after losing the opening game to beat Schulz 15-21, 21-17, 22-20 in a match that saw the Indian play catch-up in the business end of the third game after her opponent clinched four straight points from 13-16 to take a one-point lead.

Kashyap saved a match point at 19-20 and then bagged two consecutive points to set up a second round clash against Chinese Taipei’s Lin Sih yun.

Also advancing to the next round were women’s singles players Ira Sharma and Tanya Hemanth, who defeated their more illustrious Malaysian opponents. Ira came from a game down to beat Wong Ling Ching, ranked 63 placed above the Indian, 17-21, 21-17, 21-12 while Tanya got the better of top Malaysian star Kisona Selvaduray 21-16, 15-21, 21-16 to reach the Round of 16.

Ira will now face another Malaysian Karupathevan Letshanaa while Tanya takes on compatriot Malvika Bansod for a place in the quarterfinals. Malvika had earlier defeated Uganda’s Fadilah Rafi 21-10, 21-10 in the earlier round.

Men’s National champion Mithun Manjunath and junior world championships bronze medallist Ayush Shetty registered contrasting wins to advance to the next round. Mithun, seeded 7th, defeated compatriot Hemanth Gowda 21-14, 21-10 in the second round while Shetty got the better of Indonesia’s Jason Alexander 21-12, 14-21, 21-17.

Later in the day, women’s singles national champion Anupama Upadhyaya advanced to the pre-quarters with a 21-11, 21-16 win over Bilqis Prasista of Indonesia.

But the marquee match of the day was the clash was a face-off between two players from different generations and different style. And it was the 29-year-old Verma, who came on top with flying colours.

The former world no. 11, who has now slipped to 91 and is playing in only his ninth event in the last 12 months, was slow to get of the blocks and trailed Kiran 1-5 in the opening game. But he clawed his way back to level the score at 10-10 and won eight of the nine points players from 13-12 to draw first blood.

He was much more clinical in the second game, racing to an 8-3 lead. Though Kiran tried to fight back and won five consecutive points at one stage to close the gap at 15-11 but it was too little too late.

by Abhishek Shukla

Pro Kabaddi: I Can’T Believe I Hold Several Records In Pkl,’ Says Fazel Atrachali After His 100Th Match As Captain

Ahmedabad, 06th December 2023: The Gujarat Giants registered their third consecutive victory in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 after defeating U Mumba 39-37 at the  EKA Arena by TransStadia on Tuesday. Sonu led the charge for the Giants once again with 11 points in the game. 

Speaking about his performance, Giants’ Head Coach Ram Mehar Singh said, “Sonu gives it his all in every raid. He uses his height brilliantly. We have told him to play his game and decide his own strategies. He has played very well in all three games. And when he does well, the rest of the team also gets motivated to put up good performances.”

The Gujarat Giants’ Captain Fazel Atrachali also lauded Sonu’s performance, “He has been the hero for the Gujarat Giants this season. He’s our game-changer. Rakesh also played well for us against U Mumba. We have a lot of good players and our team is well-balanced.”

Furthermore, Atrachali, who plays as a specialist defender in the side, tried his hand at raiding in his team’s match against U Mumba. When asked about the same, he said, 

“I used to be a raider about ten years ago. I played as a raider for Iran in 2013. I was happy about how I effected my raid and I didn’t know that it was a Do-or-Die raid. I went in to carry out an empty raid, but I managed to clinch a raid point.”

The Iranian, who holds the records for the most tackle points (432) and most successful tackles (406) in the history of PKL, spoke about his journey in the world’s biggest kabaddi league, “My journey in the Pro Kabaddi League has not been easy. I was just looking for one chance when I entered PKL for the first time in Season 2. And now I am the most successful defender in PKL. It’s difficult for an Indian to become a star in PKL, so imagine how difficult it would be for a foreign player. Sometimes, I can’t believe I hold so many records in this competition.”

by Abhishek Shukla

Hosts Delhi Aim to Set The Benchmark In Inaugural Khelo India Para Games

New Delhi, 6th December 2023: As the countdown to the Khelo India Para Games reaches its final stages, Delhi State stands on the cusp of making history. The capital is not only prepared to host a world-class sporting event but is also eager to showcase its unwavering support for para athletes. As preparations are in full swing to host the inaugural Khelo India Para Games starting 10th December, athletes and enthusiasts alike are buzzing with excitement, ready to showcase the city’s commitment to promoting inclusiveness and excellence in sports for all.

Delhi has made significant strides in embracing para sports, dismantling barriers and challenging stereotypes that have long confined differently-abled athletes. The state’s proactive measures in providing accessible facilities, specialized training programs, and unwavering support for para athletes have laid the foundation for a flourishing para sports community.

“You always expect Delhi to be at fore-front of para games because there is more awareness about these sports in the country’s capital. If you just look around there is great infrastructure in every part of the city. There are coaches who have spent years training para sportspersons and know how to get the best of the athlete,” says Dr Satyapal Singh, a Dronacharya Awardee.

Till now, Delhi has confirmed a contingent of 98 para athletes and is confident to finish within the top 3 of the final medal tally.  

Delhi takes pride in its para athletes who have overcome adversity with determination and resilience. Sharad Kumar, Raman Jee, Narayan Thakur , Simran Sharma etc are some of the many exceptional para athletes that have excelled on the national stage but have also made a mark internationally.

Nidhi Mishra, a para athlete from Delhi, expresses her excitement ahead of the Games. “The Khelo India Para Games are a great platform for all para athletes. It’s not just about competition; it’s about celebrating our abilities and breaking down barriers. Delhi has been a pioneer in creating an inclusive sports environment, and hosting these Games is a testament to our commitment to para sports.”

For Delhi’s para athletes, the event holds a special significance. Performing on their home turf adds an extra layer of excitement as their family members and friends can witness their achievements first hand. Narayan Thakur, winner of 2 bronze medals at recently held 4th Asian Para Games, emphasizes, “For us, Delhi para athletes, it will be an exhilarating experience to perform in front of our families and friends. Their presence adds an emotional touch to the competition, and we are eager to make them proud on our home ground.”
 The excitement for the Khelo India Para Games is not confined to the city’s infrastructure but resonates deeply within the hearts of the para athletes themselves.

Yogita Bali, a budding para athlete, shares, “The Khelo India Para Games are not just a competition; they represent a dream realized for many of us. To compete in front of our fellow Delhiites, friends, and family is an opportunity of a lifetime. The support we feel from our community is truly empowering, and we are ready to give our best performances.”

 Delhi’s excitement for the Khelo India Para Games extends beyond the participants to their families and fans. The prospect of witnessing these extraordinary athletes perform on a grand stage has ignited a fervor among locals. The city eagerly anticipates cheering for its own, knowing that the Games will be a source of inspiration for future generations.

by Abhishek Shukla

Day 4 Results: 1st Hockey India Junior and Sub Junior Men Academy Championship 2023 – (Zone A)

New Delhi, 6th December, 2023: Day 4 of the 1st Hockey India Junior and Sub Junior Men Academy Championship 2023 – (Zone A) witnessed HAR Hockey Academy and Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy win their respective matches in the in the Sub Junior category while Army Boys Sports Company, Salute Hockey Academy, Markandeshwar Hockey Academy and Namdhari XI won their respective matches in the Junior category.    

HAR Hockey Academy records second straight win: 

In the first match of the Sub Junior Category, HAR Hockey Academy defeated Bhai Behlo Academy Bhagta 14-0. Sahil (7’, 20’, 22’, 27’, 43’) and Monu (12’, 28’, 30’, 48’) scored nine goals between them while Amarjeet (41’, 53’) scored a brace. Aman (18′), Ankit (21’) and Goyat Sourabh (51’) scored a goal each for HAR Hockey Academy.  

Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy wins two in a row: 

In the second match of the Sub Junior Category, Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy defeated Cheema Hockey Academy 18-1. Kunal (2’, 6’, 22’, 59’) and Phalswal Pankaj (29’, 49’, 52’, 60’) scored four goals each, Kataria Hitesh (4’, 15’, 38’) scored a hat-trick, Pryash (37’, 53’) scored a brace while Jatin (7’), Nishant (10’), Jay (45’), Kumar Mandeep (53’) and Yuvraj Singh (55’) scored a goal each for Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy. Goyalpreet Singh (23’) scored the lone goal for Cheema Hockey Academy.  

Army Boys Sports Company records comfortable win:  

In the first match of the Junior Category, Army Boys Sports Company defeated Bhai Behlo Academy Bhagta 10-0. Ashish (21’, 39’), Samir (28’, 35’) and Ankush (23’, 41’) scored braces while Nitesh Sharma (6’), Manjeet (14’), Raman (32’) and Kumar Sahil (43’) contributed a goal each for Army Boys Sports Academy as they continued their dominant run in the tournament.  

Salute Hockey Academy records first victory: 

In the second match of the Junior Category, Salute Hockey Academy defeated Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy 3-1. Vishwjeet (5’) scored the first goal for Salute Hockey Academy but Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy Captain Yuvraj Singh (34’) equalized in the third quarter. Goals from Yogesh (51’) and Jatin (60’) for Salute Hockey Academy in the final quarter to confirm their first win in the tournament.   

Markandeshwar Hockey Academy wins their first game: 

In the third match of the Junior Category, Markandeshwar Hockey Academy defeated Cheema Hockey Academy 4-2. Karambir Singh (29’, 47’) scored a brace while Kumar Parveen (50’) and Sahil (57’) scored a goal each for Markandeshwar Hockey Academy. Goals from Charanjit Singh (26’) and Divyanshu Sharma (48’) for Cheema Hockey Academy weren’t enough to overcome Markandeshwar Hockey Academy as they went on to notch up their first win of the competition.  

Namdhari XI wins second successive game: 

In the fourth match of the Junior Category, Namdhari XI defeated Raja Karan Hockey Academy 6-1. Namdhari XI Captain Navraj Singh (19’, 49’) led from the front with a brace and was well supported by Yash Budh (11’), Yuvraj Singh (24’), Pawel Singh (50’) and Rampal Sharma (57’) who scored a goal each. Raghav (51’) scored the only goal for Raja Karan Hockey Academy which came in the fourth quarter. 

by Abhishek Shukla

Mushfiqur Rahim First Bangladesh Batter Dismissed for Obstructing the Field in Test Cricket History

In a recent cricket match, Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim experienced an unusual dismissal against New Zealand. In the 41st over, Rahim was given out for obstructing the field. He had defended a ball and instinctively extended his right hand to keep the ball away, although it was far from the stumps. This action led to his dismissal, making him the first Bangladesh Men’s batter to be dismissed in this manner.

The decision was reviewed by the third umpire after New Zealand’s appeal, who confirmed that Rahim had deliberately stopped the ball. This falls under the “obstructing the field” rule in cricket. Since 2017, the handling of the ball has been considered part of this rule. Specifically, a batter is out for obstructing the field if they wilfully attempt to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action, or if the striker wilfully strikes the ball with a hand not holding the bat while the ball is in play. Rahim’s action of pushing the ball away led to his dismissal after he scored 35 off 83 balls. This was also the first instance of a batter being dismissed for obstructing the field in Tests since the rule update in 2017.

by Abhishek Shukla

Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships makes historic debut in Bengaluru  

Bengaluru, 5th December 2023: The IT city of Bengaluru is all-set to host the Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships 2023. This is the first time in the history of Indian volleyball, that an event of this repute featuring some of the global stars of the game is being held in the country.  

Ahead of the five-day volleyball extravaganza that begins tomorrow at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium, representatives of all six teams and key organizers addressed a press conference at the Renaissance Hotel in Bengaluru.  

Adding to this milestone moment for Indian volleyball is the participation of RuPay Prime Volleyball League Season 2 reigning champions Ahmedabad Defenders, with the Indian stars getting an opportunity to showcase their skills against the best of the world, as they vie for the coveted trophy.

Srajan Shetty, the Karnataka lad who will feature in the Ahmedabad Defenders campaign spoke on the importance of the Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships, “It is an immense privilege and matter of pride for us to participate in the Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships on home soil. This tournament not only provides us with a golden opportunity play with the best players in the world but also to showcase the true potential of Indian Volleyball.”

Apart from the Ahmedabad Defenders, the marquee competition that will be aired on Sony Sports Network, will feature reigning champions Sir Safety Susa Perugia from Italy, the formidable Brazilian club of Sada Cruzeiro Volei, who are four-time winners of the tournament, Minas Tênis Clube (Ittambe Minas) making their third appearance in the competition, following a fourth-place finish last year. Also debuting this year will be Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds Club, and Turkey’s Halkbank Spor Kulübü.

Sharing his thoughts on his team’s prospects in the tournament, Wilfredo Leon, captain of Sir Safety Susa Perugia, remarked, “We come here with a lot of expectations and a positive energy to retain the title. I have played this tournament many times and to win it again would be huge for our team, especially to win it in India. There are so many big stars at this tournament, and it is a great way to show volleyball is growing not just in Europe and USA but in India as well. I hope this is something future generation can aspire towards.”  

FIVB, Second Executive VP and CEV President, Mr Aleksandar Boricic expressed his delight in bringing the tournament to India, “We are extremely happy to be in India for this tournament. Despite India being such a big country, it has not enough exposure at the highest level of volleyball. I would like to take this opportunity to ask everybody to support this game and its growth in India.”

Tuhin Mishra, Managing Director & Co-Founder, Baseline Ventures also underscored the significance of the competition. He said, “I’d like to extend my gratitude to FIVB for giving us this opportunity. We are truly excited to host this landmark event in India. We will be hosting the title next year as well and this is a great opportunity for our Indian players to go up against the best players in the world and get the exposure they need. It’s a huge achievement for the entire RuPay Prime Volleyball League as well as we have all worked together to achieve this milestone.”

The tournament will commence on the 6th of December at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru. Ahmedabad Defenders will find themselves in Pool A, facing the defending champions, Sir Sicoma Perugia from Italy, and Brazil’s Minas Tênis Clube (Itambé Minas). In Pool B, Halkbank Spor Kulübü from Turkey, Sada Cruzeiro Volei from Brazil, and Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds are grouped.

The match tickets are live and can be purchased at BookMyShow.  

Where to Watch

The Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships 2023 will be telecast live in India on Sony Sports Network across Sony Ten 1 & Sony Ten 3 channels and the broadcast will be shown globally on Volleyball World. Fans in India can also stream the tournament online on FanCode.

Full Schedule

The schedule for the Men’s Club World Championship 2023:

6 December:

  • Halkbank Spor vs. Kuldīga at 17:00
  • Ahmedabad Defenders vs. Itambé Minas at 20:30

7 December:

  • Sada Cruzeiro Volei vs. Suntory Sunbirds at 17:00
  • Sir Sicoma Perugia vs. Itambé Minas at 20:30

8 December:

  • Halkbank Spor vs. Sada Cruzeiro Volei at 17:00
  • Ahmedabad Defenders vs Sir Sicoma Perugia at 20:30

9 December:

  • Semifinals – TBD vs. TBD at 17:00 and 20:30

10 December:

  • Final 3-4 – TBD vs. TBD at 17:00
  • Final 1-2 – TBD vs. TBD at 20:30

Please note that all times are IST

by Abhishek Shukla

NXT Results: High-Octane Action Unfolds on December 5, 2023

Nashville, TN: The latest WWE NXT event on December 5, 2023, featured a series of explosive matches, with athletes pushing their limits for glory and recognition.

  1. Fallon Henley Triumphs in Fatal 4-Way: In a high-stakes Last Chance Iron Survivor Qualifier Fatal 4-Way Match, Fallon Henley emerged victorious over Thea Hail, Roxanne Perez, and Kiana James. The match reached a fever pitch as James and Perez clashed intensely, culminating in a dramatic crash through the announce table. Henley seized the moment, defeating Hail with a Shining Wizard and securing her place at the NXT Deadline.
  2. Lola Vice Continues Her Dominance: Fresh off her victory in the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament, Lola Vice faced off against the enigmatic Tatum Paxley. In a display of her rising status, Vice overcame Paxley with a decisive kick, continuing her impressive winning streak.
  3. Alpha Academy’s Strategic Victory: The Six-Person Mixed Tag Team Match saw Chad Gable, Otis, and Maxxine Dupri of Alpha Academy outmaneuver The Meta-Four (Noam Dar, Oro Mensah, and Lash Legend). In a thrilling contest, Gable’s skillful counter of Dar’s Nova Roller into an Ankle Lock clinched the win for Alpha Academy.
  4. Unresolved High-Flying Clash: A highly anticipated match between two of NXT’s top aerialists, Nathan Frazer and the masked Axiom, ended abruptly. The bout was called off as the Women’s Iron Survivor competitors brawled into the ring, leaving the match without a conclusion.
  5. Tyler Bate Secures His Spot at NXT Deadline: In another Last Chance Iron Survivor Qualifier Fatal 4-Way Match, Tyler Bate emerged victorious against Carmelo Hayes, Joe Coffey, and Eddy Thorpe. Despite Thorpe’s injured ribs and the intense competition, Bate’s skillful execution of the Tyler Driver 97 on Coffey earned him a coveted spot at NXT Deadline.

The night was a testament to the athletes’ dedication and the enthralling nature of WWE NXT, setting the stage for future showdowns and rivalries.

by Abhishek Shukla

NBA Monthly Awards Highlight Exceptional Performances in October and November 2023

December 5, 2023:The NBA recently announced its awards for outstanding performances in October and November 2023. Denver Nuggets’ center Nikola Jokic and Boston Celtics’ forward Jayson Tatum received the Kia NBA Players of the Month honors. Jokic, representing the Western Conference, and Tatum, from the Eastern Conference, showcased exceptional skills and leadership on the court, contributing significantly to their respective teams’ successes.

In the rookies’ category, Oklahoma City Thunder’s forward-center Chet Holmgren and Miami Heat’s forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. were named the Kia NBA Rookies of the Month. Both players have made a remarkable impact in their debut season, demonstrating the potential to be future stars in the league.

Moreover, the NBA Coaches of the Month were awarded to Minnesota Timberwolves’ coach Chris Finch and Orlando Magic’s coach Jamahl Mosley. These coaches have led their teams to impressive records, displaying strategic brilliance and motivational leadership.

These awards underscore the talent and dedication prevalent in the NBA, as players and coaches strive for excellence in the highly competitive world of professional basketball.

by Abhishek Shukla

AFI HAS CHALKED OUT COMPREHENSIVE ROADMAP FOR THE PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES

The Athletics Federation of India has chalked out a comprehensive 2024 Paris Olympic Games plan to have a more successful innings than the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games held in 2021 in Japan. While AFI is aiming for more than one medal at the July 26 to August 11 Paris Olympic Games scheduled to be held next year in France, it has also set strict qualification criteria.

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games held in 2021 in Japan, India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian to win track and field gold.“We have had a discussion with the respective coaches this week to chalk out an international exposure tour for the core group of athletes in the buildup to the Paris Olympic Games,” Adille Sumariwalla, president, AFI said here on Saturday.

The members of the 4x400m men and women’s relay squad will go to Bahamas for a four weeks exposure tour ahead of the World Athletics Relays scheduled to be held on May 4-5 in Nassau. “Competition in the Bahamas will be one big opportunity for the Indian relay squad to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games,” Sumariwalla said on the sidelines of the AFI Annual General Meeting.

The top 14 teams at the World Athletics Relays meet in May will get an automatic berth for the Olympic Games, the AFI president added.

After a fifth-place finish with a sub-three minutes at the 2023 Budapest World Athletics Championships held in Hungary in August, the national 4x400m men’s relay team continued their good run by winning gold at the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games in China. “We are expecting good results from the men’s 4x400m relay team in the Bahamas and at the Paris Olympic Games,” Sumariwalla added.

However, it could be challenging for the women’s 4x400m and mixed 4x400m relay teams to win an automatic qualification berth for the Olympics in Bahamas. “The national camp has started and athletes have nearly five months to prepare and deliver the goods at the right time,” Sumariwalla said.

While the members of the relay team will go to Bahamas for an exposure tour, the race walker has plans to go to Turkey to achieve Paris Olympic qualification at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships, scheduled to be held in Antalya on April 21-22.

“Coaches in coordination with the athletes have prepared plans to peak at the right time,” the AFI president said.

The AFI has also set strict selection criteria for the Pais Olympic Games hopefuls.

Apart from achieving the Paris Olympic Games qualification standard set by the World Athletics during the qualification period, the athletes will have to perform at par with a 16th place finish in their respective events achieved at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games held in 2021, during the final selection trials in June next, Sumariwalla added.

The 63rd National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships scheduled to be held next year in Panchkula, Haryana from June 27 to 30 will be the last platform to achieve the qualification for the Olympic Games, the AFI president said. “We have set strict qualification criteria to ensure athletes repeat their home performance at the Paris Olympic Games,” Sumariwalla added.

by Abhishek Shukla

Yonex Sunrise Guwahati Masters: Ayush Shetty, Isharani Baruah qualify for main draw

December 5, Guwahati: Junior world championship bronze medallist Ayush Shetty came up with a confident showing to win both his qualifying round matches convincingly to book a main draw spot in the inaugural Guwahati Masters Super 100 badminton tournament on Tuesday.

Shetty first packed off 7th seed Kiran Kumar Mekala 21-12, 21-15 before beating Siddharth Pratap Singh 21-14, 22-21 in 41 minutes.

In the opening round, the lanky youngster will face compatriot Arunesh Hari.

Speaking about his performance in the qualifying rounds, Shetty said the drift did make things tough in the second game against Siddharth Pratap Singh but he was happy that he could control the rallies and finish the match in two games.

While all the eight men’s singles qualification slots went to the Indian shuttlers, Assam’s upcoming stars Isharani Baruah was the lone Indian qualifier in women’s singles.

Isharani, who had played an important role in helping the state clinch the women’s team gold in the recently concluded National Games in Goa, first defeated compatriot Shriyanshi Valishetty   21-15, 21-12 before getting the better of Indonesia’s Deswanti Nurtertiati 21-19, 21-16 to qualify.

She will now face third seed Sung Shuo Yun of Chinese Taipei in the opening round.

Isharani was happy to have reached the main draw of a Super 100 tournament and felt that the home support made a huge difference. “Both the matches were quite tough. But I am from Assam and it is the first time a Super 100 event is being held here and the support I got from my friends and well wishers was special today.”

by Abhishek Shukla

Indian Legend Tom Joseph Optimistic About India’s Volleyball Future as Ahmedabad Defenders Enter World Stage

Bengaluru, 5th December 2023: The IT city of Bengaluru is all-set to host the Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships 2023. This is the first time in the history of Indian volleyball, that an event of this repute featuring some of the global stars of the game is being held in the country.  

Ahead of the five-day volleyball extravaganza that begins tomorrow at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium, representatives of all six teams and key organizers addressed a press conference at the Renaissance Hotel in Bengaluru.  

Adding to this milestone moment for Indian volleyball is the participation of RuPay Prime Volleyball League Season 2 reigning champions Ahmedabad Defenders, with the Indian stars getting an opportunity to showcase their skills against the best of the world, as they vie for the coveted trophy.

Srajan Shetty, the Karnataka lad who will feature in the Ahmedabad Defenders campaign spoke on the importance of the Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships, “It is an immense privilege and matter of pride for us to participate in the Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships on home soil. This tournament not only provides us with a golden opportunity play with the best players in the world but also to showcase the true potential of Indian Volleyball.”

Apart from the Ahmedabad Defenders, the marquee competition that will be aired on Sony Sports Network, will feature reigning champions Sir Safety Susa Perugia from Italy, the formidable Brazilian club of Sada Cruzeiro Volei, who are four-time winners of the tournament, Minas Tênis Clube (Ittambe Minas) making their third appearance in the competition, following a fourth-place finish last year. Also debuting this year will be Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds Club, and Turkey’s Halkbank Spor Kulübü.

Sharing his thoughts on his team’s prospects in the tournament, Wilfredo Leon, captain of Sir Safety Susa Perugia, remarked, “We come here with a lot of expectations and a positive energy to retain the title. I have played this tournament many times and to win it again would be huge for our team, especially to win it in India. There are so many big stars at this tournament, and it is a great way to show volleyball is growing not just in Europe and USA but in India as well. I hope this is something future generation can aspire towards.”  

FIVB, Second Executive VP and CEV President, Mr Aleksandar Boricic expressed his delight in bringing the tournament to India, “We are extremely happy to be in India for this tournament. Despite India being such a big country, it has not enough exposure at the highest level of volleyball. I would like to take this opportunity to ask everybody to support this game and its growth in India.”

Tuhin Mishra, Managing Director & Co-Founder, Baseline Ventures also underscored the significance of the competition. He said, “I’d like to extend my gratitude to FIVB for giving us this opportunity. We are truly excited to host this landmark event in India. We will be hosting the title next year as well and this is a great opportunity for our Indian players to go up against the best players in the world and get the exposure they need. It’s a huge achievement for the entire RuPay Prime Volleyball League as well as we have all worked together to achieve this milestone.”

The tournament will commence on the 6th of December at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru. Ahmedabad Defenders will find themselves in Pool A, facing the defending champions, Sir Sicoma Perugia from Italy, and Brazil’s Minas Tênis Clube (Itambé Minas). In Pool B, Halkbank Spor Kulübü from Turkey, Sada Cruzeiro Volei from Brazil, and Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds are grouped.

The match tickets are live and can be purchased at BookMyShow.  

The Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships 2023 will be telecast live in India on Sony Sports Network across Sony Ten 1 & Sony Ten 3 channels and the broadcast will be shown globally on Volleyball World. Fans in India can also stream the tournament online on FanCode.

by Abhishek Shukla

FIH Junior World Cup 2023: Araijeet’s hat-trick helps India beat Korea 4-2 to start campaign on a high

Kuala Lumpur, 5th December 2023: Forward Araijeet Singh Hundal netted a hat-trick as the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team beat Asian rivals Korea in their opening match of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Malaysia 2023 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

Araijeet (11′, 16′, 41′) netted thrice, while Amandeep (30′) chipped in with a goal for India. Dohyun Lim (38′) and Minkwon Kim (45′) were the goalscorers for Korea.

It was a quiet start to the match, with both teams trying to create spaces in each other’s halves, but couldn’t cause much danger. With a slightly better ball possession, India came up with the first real attack, but Sudeep Chirmako’s reverse flick from the right flank went over the goalpost. 

India continued to make inroads inside Korea’s circle, and earned their first penalty corner of the match. It was Araijeet who broke the deadlock in the 11th minute during a jumbled penalty corner routine.

India rode on the momentum as they doubled their lead with a stunning field goal in the opening minute of the second quarter. Bobby made a sublime attacking run along the baseline, playing it to Araijeet who slotted the ball home with ease from the middle to make it 2-0.

India kept mounting pressure with attacking runs, but the Korean defence kept them at bay. They also managed to earn their first penalty corner in the 29th minute but missed out on converting it. India responded immediately and extended their lead to 3-0 through Amandeep, who found the back of the net from an open play in the last minute of the first half.

Korea came up with an improvised attack in the second half. They pulled a goal back through Dohyun’s penalty corner strike in the 38th minute. However, India regained their three-goal lead as Arajieet completed his hat-trick on a reverse flick in the 41st minute of the match.

With three minutes left in the third quarter, India were down to 9 players and Korea took advantage of it. They earned a penalty corner, which was duly converted by Minkwon Kim to make it 2-4 at the end of the third quarter.

The final quarter swung in both ways, with both teams making aggressive runs. Korea had a couple of penalty corners, but couldn’t take advantage of it. India too created various goalscoring opportunities, they also earned a penalty corner, but missed on finding their fifth goal, thus ending the match with a 4-2 win.
 

India will take on Spain in their second match of the tournament on Thursday, 7th December at 1730hrs IST.
 

The matches will be broadcast on Sports 18 – 3 and Sports 18 – 1 HD, as well as live-streamed on JioCinema.

by Abhishek Shukla

Day 3 Results: 1st Hockey India Junior and Sub Junior Men Academy Championship 2023 – (Zone A)  

New Delhi, 5th December 2023: Day 3 of the 1st Hockey India Junior and Sub Junior Men Academy Championship 2023 – (Zone A) witnessed Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy win in the in the Sub Junior category while HAR Hockey Academy, Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy and Namdhari XI won their respective matches in the Junior category.  

Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy records assertive win:
In the Sub Junior Category, Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy defeated Salute Hockey Academy 31-0. Amandeep (9’, 23’, 50’, 54’), Deepakpreet Singh (12’, 17’, 32’, 34’) and Sunny (28’, 52’, 59, 60’) scored four goals each, Jasmeet Singh (5’, 39’, 44’) scored a hat trick, Samuel (1’, 3’), Arjandeep Singh (24’, 27’), Inderjit Singh (26’, 49’) and Charanjeet Singh (29’, 48’) scored braces while Anurag Singh (6’), Aakash (8’), Gurjot Singh (20’), Arshpreet Singh (25’), Damanpreet Singh (42’), Rajbhar Sajan (45’), Captain Varinder Singh (46’) and Arshdip Singh (51’) contributed a goal each for Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy. 

HAR Hockey Academy record third consecutive victory:
In the first match of the Junior Category, HAR Hockey Academy defeated Salute Hockey Academy 4-2. Nitin (4’, 4’) scored a brace while Sandeep Singh (10’) and Ravinder (32’) scored a goal each for HAR Hockey Academy. Salute Hockey Academy found some respite with two goals in the final quarter from Yogesh (54’, 59’) but HAR Hockey Academy eventually won the game 4-2. 

Army Boys Sports Academy record comfortable win:

In the second match of the Junior Category, Army Boys Sports Academy defeated Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy 10-0. Captain Harpal (37’, 43’, 46’, 57’) led the goal scoring spree with four goals, Ashish (20’, 22’) scored a brace while Poovanna M H (8’), Samir (13’), Manjeet (16’) and Chhitij Bara (44’) scored a goal each for Army Boys Sports Academy. 

Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy wins three in a row:
In the third match of the Junior Category, Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy defeated Raja Karan Hockey Academy 13-0. Captain Gursewak Singh (17’, 18’, 48’) scored a hat trick, Bansal Himanshu (9’, 34’), Joban Singh (14’, 58’) and Lovenoor Singh (27’, 53’) scored braces and Prabhjot Singh (13’), Prince Kumar (46’), Suraj (51’) and Karan Singh (56’) scored a goal each for Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy as they notched up their third straight victory. 

Namdhari XI overpowers Markandeshwar Hockey Academy:
In the fourth match of the Junior Category, Namdhari XI defeated Markandeshwar Hockey Academy 6-0. Captain Navraj Singh (25’, 37’, 49’) led from the front for Namdhari XI with a hattrick while Pawel Singh (51’), Gurdayal Singh (54’) and Yuvraj Singh (56’) scored a goal each as they went on to record their first win in the tournament. 

by Abhishek Shukla

Junior World Boxing C’ships: Payal, Nisha and Akansha strike gold as India end impressive campaign with 17 medals

New Delhi, December 5,2023: Young boxers Payal, Nisha and Akansha put up dominating performances to emerge champions at the 2023 IBA Junior World Boxing Championships in Yerevan, Armenia as India concluded the impressive campaign with 17 medals.

Payal handed India its first gold at the prestigious championships when she outclassed the local favourite Petrosyan Heghine of Armenia by unanimous decision in the girls 48kg final.

Later, Asian youth champions Nisha and Akansha lived up to the expectations as they extended their dream runs to clinch gold medals in style. Nisha (52kg) and Akansha (70kg) thrashed Abdullaoeva Farinoz of Tajikistan and Taimazova Elizaveta of Russia respectively with an identical 5-0 margin.

Meanwhile, three other girls in action on the final day — Vini (57kg), Shrushti (63kg) and Megha (80kg) signed off with silver medals after suffering defeats in their respective gold medal matches.

In the boys’ section, Sahil (75kg) and Hemant (80+kg) added silver medals to the Indian tally after going down 0-5 in their respective finals. Jatin (54kg) also put up a strong fight against Tulebek Nurassyl of Kazakhstan before losing 1-4 in a thrilling match.

India was the dominant force in the prestigious competition as the 26-member squad secured 17 medals including three gold, nine silver and five bronze medals. Overall, 12 Indians qualified for the finals which was more than any other country in this edition.

The girls boxers’ gold medal tally of three was the joint second best with Kazakhstan, only behind Russia’s 4 gold medals.

India’s Medallists:

Girls:

(Gold) Payal (48kg), Nisha (52kg) and Akansha (70kg);

(Silver)  Amisha (54kg), Vini (57kg), Shrushti Sathe (63kg) Megha (80kg), Prachi Tokas (80+kg);

(Bronze) Neha Lunthi (46kg), Pari (50kg), Nidhi Dhull (66kg) and Kritika (75kg)

Boys:

(Silver) Jatin (54kg), Sahil (75kg), Hardik Panwar (80kg) Hemant Sangwan (80+kg);

(Bronze) Sikandar (48kg)

by Abhishek Shukla

GTA 6 Trailer Launch Ignites Excitement in India; bound to propel Indian Gaming Creators’ Economy

New Delhi, December 5, 2023: The highly anticipated trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) has officially been released today and has set the global gaming community abuzz with excitement. This development is poised to elevate the Indian gaming industry, where the GTA series has established a massive and dedicated player base.

GTA VI Trailer

As per Stream Hatchet’s data, GTA V’s viewership has witnessed an impressive growth trajectory, peaking at 874 million hours watched in Q2 2021. Notably, the rise of roleplay streams contributed significantly to this growth with more than 85 million hours being spent on watching these role-playing streams in the most recent quarter of Q2 2023 which captured 23.4% of the game’s market share on major platforms like Twitch, YouTube-Gaming, Facebook Live, and Kick.

Earlier this year, S8UL, winners of the ‘Content Creator of the Year’ award at the recently concluded global Esports Awards 2023 had joined forces with Velocity Gaming to leverage the game’s widespread viewership and to create a star-studded roleplay server in GTA V which further solidified the game’s influence in the Indian Esports scene.

Commenting on the rise of role-play viewership of the game and how the association between S8UL and Velocity Gaming fuelled the game’s growth in the country, Raj Varma aka Snax said, “The numbers of GTA V are a testament to its incredible popularity not just in India but all over the world, As streamers, it provides us a unique approach of connecting with our audience and offers a different dimension to the gaming experience through its roleplay mode. Our collaboration with Velocity Gaming this year not only added a fresh layer to the game’s narrative for fans but also contributed to the growth of its ecosystem in India. We are pumped for the arrival of GTA 6 and what it brings for the entire community.”

Real-world fashion brands such as Civilist and MISBHV have previously collaborated with GTA Online as part of The Cayo Perico Heist.

Data from Statista shows that the Games Live Streaming market in India is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2023-2028) of 5.49%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$233.00m by 2028. The popularity of live game streaming in India has skyrocketed, with millions of Indian gamers tuning in to watch their favorite streamers in action.

Given the immense influence of the GTA series over the gaming market and the meteoric rise of game streamers’ viewership, GTA 6 promises to further enhance the audience of gaming creators and offer a unique canvas for brands to collaborate with them through seamless brand integrations.

“The GTA series has been a game-changer for the Indian gaming landscape and it has helped build the careers of streamers within the country. The massive viewership numbers and engagement with GTA content make it an ideal space for brands to connect with a diverse and engaged audience. The global popularity of GTA 6 will act as a catalyst for gaming creators, providing them with a boost in viewership and also opening up new avenues for brand sponsorships and collaborations,” stated Saloni Kandalgaonkar aka Mili Kya Mili.

According to the recently published HP India Gaming Landscape Study 2023, when it comes to gaming devices, PCs emerge as the preferred choice with 67% of gamers favoring them over mobile phones. In the mobile-dominated gaming market of India, GTA 6 stands to attract a huge player base to PC and console gaming.

“GTA 6 will bring a big boost to the PC and console gaming communities in India. With a majority of the community being mobile gamers, the appeal of such a bigger and more immersive game will revitalize the ecosystems of these platforms. The game has the potential to bridge the gap between mobile and other platforms and drive a surge within the PC and console gaming sector,” said Gulrez Khan aka Joker Ki Haveli.

Since its launch in 2013, GTA V has sold over 190 million units worldwide as of November 2023, making it the second best-selling video game of all time as per data from Statista.

With the launch of the game’s trailer sparking a wave of excitement, it is clear that GTA 6 is set to offer unprecedented opportunities for growth of India’s gaming content creators to capitalize on.

by Abhishek Shukla

Yonex Sunrise Guwahati Masters: Unnati Hooda confident that good showing in tournament can catapult her into top-50 in the world

December 4, Guwahati: International badminton is returning to the Assamese capital after a gap of 17 years and rising badminton star Unnati Hooda, who has won all the BWF Super 100 tournaments played so far in India, hopes she can break into the top- 50 of the BWF rankings with a win here too. 

She had earlier set a modest target of breaking into the top-100 in the BWF World Ranking by the end of this year. But the 16-year-old has already surpassed that target with back-to-back titles in Abu Dhabi and Raipur and is hoping to get within touching distance of the top-50 spot with a strong showing at the Yonex Sunrise Guwahati Masters Super 100 tournament that begins here with the qualifying rounds on Tuesday.

Currently ranked 79th in the world, Hooda will open her campaign against Stephanie Widjaja of Indonesia in the inaugural edition of the competition that has attracted some top international stars including Thailand’s Kantaphon Wangcharoen and Supanida Katethong among others.

“Our target this year was to only break into the top-100 world ranking. But I managed to finish second in the Infosys Open in Bengaluru and won titles in Abu Dhabi and Chattisgarh and I was able to achieve that goal quickly. I have prepared well for this tournament and I am hoping that a good run here will inch me closer to the top-50 mark,” said Hooda, who also reached the second round of the Syed Modi Super 300 meet in Lucknow last week.

Speaking about the experience, Hooda said getting to play against a player of the calibre of former world champion Nozomi Okuhara was a fantastic experience for her and her aim was to find consistency in her play like these top stars.

“Some tournaments I play well but in some I don’t. I am continuing to find that balance between training and tournaments in consultation with my coaches to ensure that I become more consistent next year,” she added.

The city hosted the first India International Challenge back in 2007. The Super 100 event on the BWF Tour is one level above the Challenge event and will provide players like Hooda valuable ranking points if she does well here.

by Abhishek Shukla

Fourth National Ranking TT: Sahil and Riana hoist U-15 trophies

Vijayawada, December 4: Sahil Rawat of the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board Academy (PSPBA) defeated Soham Mukherjee of West Bengal 3-1 to win the Youth Boys Under-15 title in the final of the fourth UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championships at the Ramakotaiah Indoor Stadium today.

Riana Bhoota continued her form in the tournament and deservingly lifted the Youth Girls U-15 trophy. The Maharashtra girl did not have to labour much against M. Hansini of Tamil Nadu as the former won 3-0. But what was surprising was the Tamil Nadu paddler dropped the guard too early after matching her rival stroke for stroke, at least till the second game. She again ended her campaign with the runner-up trophy.

Soham had an easy passage up to the semifinal but found a tough nut in Sahil in the title round. Controlling the match from the start, Sahil led 2-0. He should have finished it 3-0 but missed five match points and allowed Soham to win his first game 17-15. Nevertheless, Sahil finished well in the next for the gold medal.

Soham Mukherjee was a game down but won the next consecutive games 12-10 with struggle. When it was time to close out his PSPBA opponent, Sarthak Arya, he met with resistance as Sarthak levelled the score. However, in the last game, Soham got a sizable lead and comfortably finished to enter the U-17 Youth Boys final.

In the second semifinal between two PSPPA players, Sahil followed the same path as Soham did in the first semifinal. After losing the first game to Ronald Sarkar, Sahil gained a 2-1 lead before dropping the next. Yet, it was not all that easy for him in the decider. In a needle finish, Sahil claimed the two critical points after his rival deuced.

Hansini, who finished runner-up in the U-15 Girls event at Vadodara, has a chance to redeem herself. The Tamil Nadu girl beat Ankolika Chakraborty 3-1 and will face Riana in the final. Riana defeated Ananya Muralidharan of Tamil Nadu in straight games.

Hansini began on a wrong note but steadied herself to wrap it up quickly. Ankolika had the measure of Hansini in the first game but disappointed herself with three successive poor games. Ananya, on the other hand, could not raise her game against the rampaging Maharashtra girl.

With the consent of the parents and coaches, the organisers of the championships have decided to complete the finals of the U-13 and U-11 events in both sections today itself, keeping in mind the rain threats in the city induced by Cyclone Michaung, and the holiday declared by the District Collector in Vijayawada as a precautionary measure.

Results:

Youth Boys U-15: Final: Sahil Rawat (PSPBA) bt Soham Mukherjee (WB) 12-10, 11-8, 15-17, 11-6.

Semifinals: Soham Mukherjee bt Sarthak Arya (PSPBA) 6-11, 12-10, 12-10, 8-11, 11-6; Sahil Rawat bt Ronald Sarkar (PSPBA) 14-16, 11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 12-10.

Quarterfinals:

Youth Girls U-15: Final: Riana Bhoota (Mah) bt M. Hansini (TN) 11-7, 11-8, 11-3.

Semifinals: M. Hansini bt Ankolika Chakraborty (WB) 5-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-5; Riana Bhoota bt Ananya Muralidharan (TN) 11-7, 11-6, 11-8.

by Abhishek Shukla

Tokyo Paralympics stars Bhavina Patel, Parul Parmar and Sonal Patel to headline for Gujarat at the first edition of Khelo India Para Games

New Delhi, 4th December, 2023: It was the year 2010 when the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi, changed the sporting ethos of the state by introducing a unique and first-of-its-kind campaign named “Khel Mahakumbh” with an aim to nurture a culture of sports in the state.

“Khel Mahakumb” was the concept behind introducing “Khelo India.” Nearly 13 years hence, the vision of one state would be pivotal at improving India’s sports culture at the grass-root level through organized talent identification, structured sporting competitions and infrastructure development. At the upcoming Khelo India Para Games, Gujarat will field a strong contingent of 95 para-athletes which will also include Tokyo Paralympics icons Bhavina Patel, Sonal Patel and Parul Parmar. Top names like Amrut Panchal, Rachana Patel and Bhavna Chaudhary will also participate in the upcoming prestigious event.
In Para Sports, it won’t be an exaggeration to say that Gujarat has been the pioneer.

Shri Kanubhai was one of the initial members who introduced the country to para sports. “In 1984, when we used to tell that physically challenged people can play sports too, people used to laugh. They thought that we were good for nothing and that God had punished us for bad deeds in our previous life,” says Kanubhai remembering the initial days of para sports in the country.

The baton in the state was successfully carried on by Shri Kantibhai Parmar, the current President of Para Association of Gujarat and slowly Gujarat started making its mark in the field of para sports in the country.
The state has become the hub for para-table tennis. In the first ever Khelo India Para Games nearly 30 players from Gujarat are participating in the discipline.

Lallan Doshi, the coach and the mentor of most these players, is the man behind the movement. “Bhavina (Patel) and Sonal (Patel) have been playing table tennis for quite some time but it is only after Bhavina’s silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Para Games, that other girls took it seriously. Today we have developed state-of-art facilities for the players and also focus on the rehabilitation and physical health,” says Doshi explaining the exponential growth of para table-tennis in the state.

Bhavina Patel, the silver medalist at Tokyo 2020 Para Games, is one of the icon players of the country today. “When I won the medal, it was clear message that sports-persons from Gujarat can also achieve great things at big sports events. First ever Khelo India Para Games is such a great platform for players who don’t get enough national level platforms to showcase their talent. There is so much optimism about these games,” says Bhavina.

The rise of para sports in the state is evident from the fact that three able-bodied women athletes were part of Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the same number of female athletes also qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

In the recently concluded Asian Games at Hangzhou, China, no able-body athlete from Gujarat was able to win a medal, but when it came to Para-Asian Games held at the same venue few days later, Gujarat won 7 medals.

Buoyed, by the development of para sports in the sports, Shri Kantibhai Parmar, President of Para Sports Association of Gujarat, sees a bright future for the state. “We are very confident that our athletes shall shine at the first ever Khelo India Para Games and state shall rise as a para-sports power. Though our normal-body athletes have under-achieved till date, but our para-athletes are ready to bring Gujarat on the sports map of the country.”

About 95 athletes have registered in the Khelo India Para Games which will commence from 10th of December, 2023. The list of participants is as follows:

SPORT ATHLETES
Athletics 35
Table Tennis 30
Power-Lifting 17
Archery 6
Badminton 5
Shooting 2

by Abhishek Shukla

Mohammedan Sporting cross Sreenidi hurdle to emerge table toppers

NAIHATI: Mohammedan Sporting beat Sreenidi Deccan 2-1 to take a commanding lead at the top of the table, in their I-League 2023-24 game at the Naihati Stadium on Sunday, December 3, 2023.

With 19 points from seven matches, the Black and White Brigade are now the lone leaders in the points table, while Sreenidi remain on 16 after eight outings.

As expected, Mohammedan started the game at breakneck speed on their home turf, constantly putting the Sreenidi defence under pressure, albeit without really creating much in terms of chances. They almost paid for it, when Sreendi capitalised on a break to create the first real chance of the game.

It came in the 15th minute, Lalromawia twisting and turning at the top of the box to feed David Castaneda who had drifted free of his marker. The Colombian collected and managed to get a shot away from a tight angle but it drifted just wide.

The game settled into a pattern quickly, Mohammedan’s midfield the superior of the two but also struggling to get past a defence brilliantly marshalled by Gurmukh Singh.

It was Gurmukh who, combined with Albino Gomes to deny Mohammedan what seemed a sure shot opener in the 34th minute. Alexis Gomez’s freekick from the top of the box took a massive deflection in the wall and looked to be heading into goal. Albino who had dived one way, stuck out a leg brilliantly to save, but the ball was still heading into the far corner, only for Gurmukh to clear off the line. It was a brilliant bit of keeping and goal-line defending.

Three minutes later though Mirjalol Kasimov made sure it didn’t matter. The Uzbek drifted in from the left, played a one-two with Gomez before dribbling to the top of the box and unleashing a perfectly targeted shot into the bottom corner. The crowd were in raptures and Mohammedan had the lead they had craved.

Eddie Hernandez doubled that lead on the hour mark with a brilliantly powered header after Remsanga and Vanlalzuidika’s interplay saw the latter put a lofted cross into the box. Mohammedan seemed to be cruising to a three-point lead over their rivals with a game in hand.

But it wasn’t as simple as that. Sreenidi Deccan’s William Alves converted a penalty for the visitors in the 84th minute after Lalbiakliana was hacked down inside the box by Mohamed Irshad. It led to a heated end to the game, Sreenidi pushing for an equaliser and Mohammedan desperate to hang on. The chance did fall, and it fell to Alves from an Abhishek Ambekar cross, deep in injury time. He headed it high. Mohammedan were relieved to take full points.