by Abhishek Shukla

NFL and FedEx Announce Candidates for the 21st-Annual FedEx Air & Ground® NFL Players of the Year

NEW YORK –– Jan. 11, 2024 –– The National Football League and FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) announced today quarterbacks Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys), Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers) and Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) are the finalists for the 2023 FedEx Air NFL Player of the Year honors, while running backs Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers), Raheem Mostert (Miami Dolphins) and Kyren Williams (Los Angeles Rams) are the finalists for the 2023 FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Year.

In the weeks leading up to Super Bowl LVIII, fans have the chance to cast their vote for the one quarterback and one running back they feel had the season’s best Air & Ground performances. Today through Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. ET, fans can cast their vote for each category at nfl.com/fedex, via an X poll on the @NFL official handle, Instagram stories on Jan.11, Jan. 16 and Jan. 23 on the @NFL official handle, or the NFL Mobile App.

For 21 years, FedEx has recognized the NFL quarterbacks and running backs voted by fans each week to be delivering the best performances for their fans and teammates each season. You can help celebrate these standout performances by voting for the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year.

During the 2023-24 NFL regular season, FedEx worked with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the largest organization exclusively representing the Black College community, to identify Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country to receive donations to support needs-based scholarships through the 2024-25 school year. Each week of the regular season, a $2,000 donation was made in the name of the winning quarterback and running back (for a total of $4,000). This season, the six (6) nominees for the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year Awards have already raised a combined $26,000.

To celebrate the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year, FedEx will donate $20,000 each to the HBCU colleges selected by the winning quarterback and running back. Similar to the regular season donations, the $40,000 donation will help support needs-based scholarships for students attending one of TMCF’s 47 publicly-supported HBCUs. For the year, more than $100,000 will be granted among these select HBCUs to support student scholarships.

FedEx will announce the 2023 FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year winners at NFL Honors presented by Invisalign, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on Thursday, Feb. 8 from 9-11 p.m. ET (6-8 p.m. PT) on CBS and NFL Network from Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas, Nev.

For more information, visit nfl.com/fedex or follow the conversation on X at @NFL. Learn how FedEx is creating opportunities with HBCUs throughout the U.S. at fedexcares.com.

A closer look at the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Year finalists:

  • Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott finished the season leading the league in touchdown passes (36), ranked second with passer rating (105.9) and completion percentage (69.5), and third in passing yards (4,516). Prescott had 10 games with at least 250 passing yards and multiple touchdown passes and six games with at least three touchdown passes, both the most in the NFL this season. He became the first quarterback in NFL history with four games in a season with a completion percentage of 80-or-higher (minimum 30 attempts in each game). 
  • San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy led the NFL in passer rating (113.0), ranked third in touchdown passes (31), fourth in completion percentage (69.4) and fifth in passing yards (4,280), despite only playing 16 games this season. Purdy had eight games with a passer rating of 120-or-higher this season and became the fifth player ever to record a passer rating of 120-or-higher in eight-or-more games in a season. He also had six games with a passer rating of 130-or-higher this season, tied for the most such games in a season in NFL history. 
  • Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa led the league in passing yards (4,624), becoming the second player in franchise history with 4,500 passing yards in a season. Tagovailoa had five games with at least 300 passing yards, tied for the third-most this season, and four games with at least three touchdown passes, the fourth-most in the NFL this season. He was also one of four quarterbacks to have multiple receivers with at least 1,000 receiving yards this season.

A closer look at the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Year finalists:

  • San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey led the league with a career-high 1,459 rushing yards while ranking second among running backs with 14 rushing touchdowns. McCaffrey recorded seven games with at least 100 rushing yards, a career- and league-best this season. He became the third player in NFL history to record at least 2,000 scrimmage yards in a season for two franchises after totaling 2,023 yards this season and 2,392 yards in 2019 with Carolina.
  • Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert finished the season leading the league with a career-high and franchise record 18 rushing touchdowns. Mostert had six games with multiple rushing touchdowns this season, the most in the NFL. His 21 scrimmage touchdowns were the third-most by an undrafted player in a season since 1967.
  • Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams ranked third with 1,144 rushing yards and tied for fifth among running backs with 12 rushing touchdowns in the NFL, despite only playing 12 games this season. He recorded six games with at least 100 rushing yards, the second-most this season, and had four games with at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, tied for the second-most. In Week 12, Williams recorded 143 rushing yards, 61 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions and became the fourth player in NFL history with at least 140 rushing yards, 60 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions in a game.
by Abhishek Shukla

Results from the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2024 on January 11, 2024

The results from the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2024 on January 11, 2024, at the Axiata Arena are as follows:

Court 1

  1. WS: YEO Jia Min bt HAN Yue [8] – 16-21, 21-19, 22-20 (1:04)
  2. WD: CHEN Qing Chen [1] / JIA Yi Fan bt Maiken FRUERGAARD / Sara THYGESEN – 21-13, 22-20 (0:46)
  3. XD: Dechapol PUAVARANUKROH [6] / Sapsiree TAERATTANACHAI bt GOH Soon Huat / LAI Shevon Jemie – 21-15, 21-12 (0:39)
  4. MS: SHI Yu Qi [7] bt Toma Junior POPOV – 21-13, 21-5 (0:38)
  5. WS: Gregoria Mariska TUNJUNG [7] bt GOH Jin Wei – 21-15, 24-22 (0:39)
  6. XD: Hiroki MIDORIKAWA / Natsu SAITO bt CHEN Tang Jie [8] / TOH Ee Wei – 24-22, 21-14 (0:42)
  7. MS: Anders ANTONSEN bt Koki WATANABE – 21-14, 21-17 (0:54)
  8. MD: ONG Yew Sin / TEO Ee Yi bt Kim ASTRUP [4] / Anders Skaarup RASMUSSEN – 21-10, 11-21, 24-22 (1:01)
  9. MS: Viktor AXELSEN [1] bt LEE Cheuk Yiu – 21-17, 20-22, 21-17 (1:14)
  10. MD: KANG Min Hyuk / SEO Seung Jae bt LEE Jhe-Huei [7] / YANG Po-Hsuan – 21-13, 21-14 (0:34)
  11. MD: Aaron CHIA [3] / SOH Wooi Yik bt GOH Sze Fei / Nur IZZUDDIN – 21-15, 21-16 (0:37)
  12. WD: ZHANG Shu Xian / ZHENG Yu bt Annie XU / Kerry XU – 21-14, 21-8 (0:32)
  13. MD: LIANG Wei Keng [1] / WANG Chang bt Keiichiro MATSUI [7] / Yoshinori TAKEUCHI – 21-14, 21-14 (0:32)
  14. WD: Rena MIYAURA / Ayako SAKURAMOTO bt Nami MATSUYAMA / Chiharu SHIDA – 21-11, 13-21, 21-18 (1:03)

Court 2

  1. WD: Rin IWANAGA / Kie NAKANISHI bt KIM So Yeong [3] / KONG Hee Yong – 21-16, 21-16 (0:49)
  2. WS: CHEN Yu Fei [2] bt Ratchanok INTANON – 21-15, 21-18 (0:43)
  3. XD: Yuta WATANABE [2] / Arisa HIGASHINO bt Mathias THYRRI / Amalie MAGELUND – 21-15, 21-11 (0:38)
  4. WS: TAI Tzu Ying [4] bt Busanan ONGBAMRUNGPHAN – 21-7, 21-11 (0:34)
  5. MS: LU Guang Zu bt Anthony Sinisuka GINTING [4] – 23-21, 25-23 (1:07)
  6. MD: HE Ji Ting / REN Xiang Yu bt Mohammad AHSAN / Hendra SETIAWAN – 21-17, 15-7 Retired (0:30)
  7. MS: NG Ka Long Angus bt KIDAMBI Srikanth – 21-13, 21-17 (0:38)
  8. MD: Satwiksairaj RANKIREDDY / Chirag SHETTY bt Lucas CORVEE / Ronan LABAR – 21-11, 21-18 (0:39)
  9. MS: Kodai NARAOKA [2] bt Brian YANG – 22-20, 20-22, 21-16 (1:34)
  10. MD: Takuro HOKI [7] / Yugo KOBAYASHI bt Alexander DUNN / Adam HALL – 21-11, 21-13 (0:30)
  11. WD: LI Wen Mei / LIU Xuan Xuan bt Jongkolphan KITITHARAKUL / Rawinda PRAJONGJAI – 19-21, 22-20, 21-14 (1:15)
  12. WD: BAEK Ha Na [8] / LEE So Hee bt YEUNG Nga Ting / YEUNG Pui Lam – 21-13, 22-20 (0:47)
  13. MD: Fajar ALFIAN [5] / Muhammad Rian ARDIANTO bt Fang-Chih LEE / Fang-Jen LEE – 21-13, 21-12 (0:38)

Court 3

  1. XD: ZHENG Si Wei [1] / HUANG Ya Qiong bt Rehan Naufal KUSHARJANTO / Lisa Ayu KUSUMAWATI – 21-18, 21-17 (0:42)
  2. WD: Tanisha CRASTO / Ashwini PONNAPPA bt Mayu MATSUMOTO / Wakana NAGAHARA – 21-19, 13-21, 21-15 (1:02)
  3. XD: SEO Seung Jae [3] / CHAE Yu Jung bt Dejan FERDINANSYAH / Gloria Emanuelle WIDJAJA – 21-12, 21-16 (0:34)
  4. XD: KIM Won Ho [7] / JEONG Na Eun bt Kyohei YAMASHITA / Naru SHINOYA – 11-21, 21-17, 21-18 (1:00)
  5. WS: AN Se Young [1] bt Yvonne LI – 21-13, 21-8 (0:35)
  6. WD: LIU Sheng Shu / TAN Ning bt LI Yi Jing / LUO Xu Min – 21-19, 21-10 (0:43)
  7. XD: JIANG Zhen Bang [5] / WEI Ya Xin bt CHAN Peng Soon / CHEAH Yee See – 21-14, 21-14 (0:33)
  8. XD: HEE Yong Kai Terry / TAN Wei Han Jessica bt Supak JOMKOH / Supissara PAEWSAMPRAN – 21-14, 23-21 (0:41)
  9. WS: HE Bing Jiao [6] bt WANG Zhi Yi – 16-21, 21-19, 21-11 (1:17)
  10. MS: LIN Chun-Yi bt Kunlavut VITIDSARN [5] – 21-18, 21-16 (0:50)
  11. WS: Akane YAMAGUCHI [3] bt Kirsty GILMOUR – 21-9, 21-14 (0:30)
  12. WS: ZHANG Yi Man bt Wen Chi HSU – 21-8, 21-10 (0:28)
  13. MS: LI Shi Feng [3] bt WENG Hong Yang – 13-21, 21-16, 21-18 (1:22)

These results showcase the skill and intensity of the competitors, with several closely contested matches and impressive performances.

by Abhishek Shukla

Raptors’ Coach Darko Rajaković Penalized for Criticism of Game Officials

NEW YORK, January 12, 2024 — The NBA has imposed a $25,000 fine on Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković following his public comments criticizing the officials after a closely contested game. The league’s decision was announced by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

The fine comes in the wake of Rajaković’s remarks to the media after the Raptors’ narrow 132-131 defeat against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on January 9. The coach’s comments were a direct violation of the NBA’s policy against public criticism of officiating, which mandates maintaining a respectful approach towards referees’ decisions, both on and off the court.

The NBA’s action underscores the league’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the game and the professionalism expected from team representatives. The penalty serves as a reminder that while the heat of the moment can spark passionate responses, the league expects coaches to address such concerns through appropriate channels rather than through the media.

The Raptors’ organization has not released a statement regarding the fine at this time. Coach Rajaković’s comments and the subsequent fine have become a talking point among fans and analysts, with debates arising about the nature of officiating and the freedom of speech within the competitive sports environment.

The incident may serve as a catalyst for further discussions within the NBA about the relationship between teams and officials, and how best to balance candid communication with the respect for the governing rules of the sport.

by Abhishek Shukla

Dynamic Performers Clinch December and January Honors in Football’s Monthly Accolades

The final stretch of the football season saw a burst of exceptional performances, with the league acknowledging the standout players for December and January. In a dazzling showcase of talent and skill, the league’s best have been named Players of the Month in various categories.

In the AFC, Baltimore’s quarterback Lamar Jackson claimed the Offensive Player of the Month accolade, adding yet another feather to his cap in what has been a season of high-octane performances. His agility and precision on the field have been pivotal in leading his team through crucial games.

The defensive honors in the AFC were scooped up by Houston’s cornerback Derek Stingley, who has been nothing short of a revelation this season. His knack for shutting down receivers and making key interceptions has turned him into one of the most feared defenders in the league.

Special Teams in the AFC saw Buffalo’s punter Sam Martin recognized for his contributions. Martin’s ability to control the field position with his booming and strategic punting has been instrumental in his team’s successes.

On the NFC side, the Offensive Player of the Month title was awarded to San Francisco’s running back Christian McCaffrey. His versatile play-making abilities, whether it’s slicing through defenses or catching passes out of the backfield, have made him a cornerstone of the offense.

The NFC Defensive Player of the Month was awarded to Tampa Bay’s safety Antoine Winfield Jr. His hawk-like vigilance and hard-hitting tackles have bolstered his team’s defense, making it a daunting task for opponents to put points on the board.

Chicago’s placekicker Cairo Santos earned the Special Teams Player of the Month for the NFC, thanks to his consistent performance in clutch situations, nailing field goals and extra points that have often made the difference in close encounters.

The rookies have also shone brightly, with Los Angeles Rams’ wide receiver Puka Nacua and nose tackle Kobie Turner being named the Rookies of the Month in the NFC, showcasing the bright future ahead for these young stars.

The monthly accolades not only highlight the individual brilliance of the players but also reflect the strategic brilliance and depth of the teams that have fostered such talent. As the season progresses, these players will be looked upon to maintain their high standards and lead their teams to glory.

by Abhishek Shukla

Major League Soccer Launches Pioneering MLS Innovation Lab

NEW YORK (Thursday, January 11, 2024) – Major League Soccer (MLS) today announced the launch of MLS Innovation Lab, a program designed to shape the future of sports through the identification of cutting-edge startups and advanced technologiesto help develop the next generation of athletes, enhance the fan experience and drive continued growth for the League and its Clubs. MLS Innovation Lab is the latest initiative from Major League Soccer, which has been recognized as a global leader in innovation.

MLS recently became the first major sports league with a global digital streaming agreement when it formed an unprecedented ten-year partnership with Apple that reimagined how soccer fans consumed games – with no blackouts and all matches on a single platform. MLS Season Pass delivered new enhanced live match broadcasts all in 1080p as well as thousands of hours of premium content to a young, digital savvy, global audience. The 2023 season also saw the start of Leagues Cup, a partnership with Liga MX and Concacaf, the first in-season tournament by a major professional league in North America. MLS is also creating the next generation of live enhanced data feeds with industry leader Sportec to power MLS Season Pass. In recent years, MLS has been at the forefront of video review in soccer – with the MLS Video Review program later mirrored by other leagues around the world – and MLS was the first major men’s league in North America to return to play during the COVID-19 pandemic when it hosted the MLS is Back tournament in 2020.

This forward-thinking approach by MLS is the driver behind the creation of MLS Innovation Lab. MLS Innovation Lab gives companies the chance to test their products in real-world environments throughout the MLS ecosystem including MLS NEXT Fest, Generation adidas Cup, MLS NEXT Cup and the MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate, among others.

With thousands of matches per year, MLS NEXT Pro, MLS NEXT and MLS GO offer an unparalleled breadth of testing opportunities for participating companies and each year, a group of high-potential companies will be invited to immerse themselves in this unique testing environment, fostering rapid development of novel products and technologies. MLS will provide direct access to its expertise, and network, ensuring accelerated development for participants.

Following a rigorous evaluation process which vetted hundreds of companies, six companies from across the globe were chosen to be included in the program’s inaugural cohort. MLS Innovation Lab officially kicked off in December at MLS NEXT Fest in Arizona, where each of the six companies began their journeys by testing and showcasing their respective products and capabilities in a live setting.

  • A-Champs: Cognitive and technical training system for athletes of all skill levels (Barcelona, Spain).
  • CAMB.AI: AI dubbing platform that instantaneously translates content into any language, all while maintaining the native speakers voice and tone, bringing any type of content, any game alive, in any language.
  • Fabric: Gamified mixed reality fan experiences at live events that drives fan loyalty through rewards (US).
  • Fitogether: A FIFA Preferred Provider for Wearable Player Tracking, validated as the most accurate solution with centimeter-level data accuracy. The technology utilizes GPS to track on-field performance through a video hybrid system, catering to professional and academy levels. (South Korea)
  • Reeplayer: Premium AI camera empowering teams and organizations to automatically record, live stream, share, and monetize soccer footage.
  • STAIDIUM U.S.: AI-powered and 5G-enabled camera with an OTT platform that delivers live broadcasts, highlights, and advanced game and player analytics (U.S.).

“Major League Soccer strives to be the front porch of innovation for the sports industry,” said Gary Stevenson, Deputy Commissioner of MLS and President of Soccer United Marketing. “In that spirit, MLS Innovation Lab provides a truly unique offering in global sports. Our 2024 cohort places a spotlight on some of the most exciting tech startups from around the world, and we eagerly anticipate their impact on the sport in the years to come.”

Following the conclusion of all testing opportunities, companies will be selected to present to MLS executives and owners with the promising companies having the potential to earn long-term strategic partnerships and investment opportunities from the League. 

For more information on MLS Innovation Lab, or to be considered for the program in the future, visit MLSsoccer.com/InnovationLab. 

by Abhishek Shukla

Kalinga Super Cup: Chennaiyin FC strike late to play out 1-1 draw with Punjab FC

Bhubaneswar, January 11, 2024: Jordan Murray pounced on a perfect cross from Connor Shields to score a goal late in the second half as Chennaiyin FC played out a 1-1 draw with Punjab FC in their first Group C match of the ongoing Kalinga Super Cup 2024 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on Thursday.

Murray netted the equaliser for Chennaiyin in the 81st minute, while Wilmar Jordan scored the lone goal for Punjab FC early in the first half of the match. 

Chennaiyin had a slow start to the match and conceded an early goal in the fourth minute when Jordan put the ball in the back of the net following a fine pass from Madih Talal from the right side of the post. 

Seven minutes later, Shields found Murray with an exquisite through ball, however, the striker’s effort at goal was saved by Punjab’s goalkeeper Kiran.  

Akash Sangwan made an attempt at goal from inside the box in the 33rd minute of the match and Punjab’s defenders cleared the ball successfully for a corner to keep the team in the lead. Punjab faced a big setback just before halftime when midfielder Amarjit Singh Kiyam saw a red card for a foul on Ninthoinganba Meetei. 

The injury forced Chennaiyin’s head coach Owen Coyle to make changes as he brought Rahim Ali in place of Meetei, while Vincy Barretto replaced Farukh Choudhary on the field. 

Chennaiyin FC made a frantic start to the second half, having a one-man advantage on the field. They showed high intensity with quick attacks and Shields found himself in the centre of action with a header in the 52nd minute that went over the bar. 

Murray had a great opportunity from the right side of the post in the 68th minute but his attempt to the far post went wide before Shields failed to beat the goalkeeper despite a powerful shot. Chennaiyin faced a heavy blow in the 69th as Rafael Crivellaro saw a red card and left the team with 10 men on the field.

Shields got the ball on the right flank in the 81st minute and found Murray in the box, who made no mistake in scoring the equaliser with a header for Chennaiyin. Three minutes later, Shields found himself with the ball in the centre of the box but couldn’t beat the goalkeeper.

Chennaiyin’s goalkeeper Samik Mitra was called into action in added time and made a fine save on a shot off Abhishek Singh to keep the score level.

The Marina Machans will now face Gokulam Kerala FC on January 16 before taking on Mumbai City FC in their last Group C match on January 21.

by Abhishek Shukla

Apple TV+ kicks off first-ever, all-access Major League Soccer docuseries

NEW YORK (Thursday, January 11, 2024) – Today Apple TV+ and Major League Soccer (MLS) announced a first-of-its-kind, all-access docuseries exploring the spectacular and unpredictable world of soccer in North America, produced in partnership with acclaimed, award-winning filmmakers Box to Box Films (Apple’s “Make or Break,” “Formula 1: Drive to Survive”).  

The new eight-part, panoramic documentary event, currently in production, offers both dedicated fans and new audiences a definitive, never-before-seen insider’s view into the league, while spotlighting all of the biggest moments of the 2024 season. With unprecedented access to players, coaches and teams, the series takes fans through the most compelling storylines, adrenaline-pumping moments and captivating personalities of the 2024 MLS season, from preseason all the way to the 2024 MLS Cup final. 

The series is produced for Apple by Box to Box Films in partnership with Major League Soccer. Executive producers are Academy Award and BAFTA Award winner James Gay-Rees (“Senna,” “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” “Amy”), Emmy Award winner Paul Martin (“Make or Break,” “Formula 1: Drive to Survive”) and Warren Smith (“Make or Break,” “Full Swing”).  

In 2023, Apple and MLS began a landmark 10-year partnership and launched MLS Season Pass, the game-changing subscription service available on the Apple TV app that allows fans in more than 100 countries and regions to watch every MLS match in one convenient place with no blackouts, exclusive content and deeper coverage than ever before. This new Apple TV+ docuseries, produced with the dynamic sports storytellers Box to Box Films, will deliver an in-depth look at MLS to viewers around the world and celebrate the unrivaled energy of the league.

The currently untitled Major League Soccer docuseries joins Apple’s “Messi Meets America,” a six-part documentary event also produced in association with Major League Soccer, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Lionel Messi as he made his highly anticipated debut in Leagues Cup and Major League Soccer in 2023; and, the upcoming “Messi’s World Cup: The Rise of a Legend,” the first official and definitive account of Messi’s sensational career with the Argentina national team and his five FIFA World Cup appearances. 

Apple’s expanding offering of non-fiction programming featuring the biggest stories in sports also includes “Make or Break,” the high stakes documentary from Box To Box Films following the world’s best surfers; “The Dynasty: New England Patriots,” the upcoming documentary event series about the New England Patriots, from Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Documentaries; the currently untitled film on the groundbreaking life and career of seven-time Formula One world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton; “Underrated,” featuring NBA legend Stephen Curry; and,  the acclaimed Emmy Award nominated four-part documentary event series “They Call Me Magic,” chronicling the life and career of two-time NBA Hall of Famer and cultural icon Earvin “Magic” Johnson, among others. 

Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all your favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have earned 638 wins and 1,836 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and historic Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”

by Abhishek Shukla

UKK: Chennai Quick Guns to take on Gujarat Giants in Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 final

Cuttack, January 11 2024: Chennai Quick Guns reached the final of Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 with a 31-29 victory over Telugu Yoddhas in the second semifinal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Cuttack on Thursday. They will take on Gujarat Giants, who beat defending champions Odisha Juggernauts in the first semifinal.

Despite Telugu Yoddhas seizing an early advantage, Chennai Quick Guns clawed their way back into the match with an impressive attacking performance in the final turn.

Ultimate Kho Kho, promoted by Amit Burman in collaboration with the Kho Kho Federation of India, became the first Indian sports league to secure Series A funding, courtesy the UK-based BNP Group. The semifinals featured a number of guests, including Shri VK Pandian, chairman of 5T and Nabin Odisha, Shri Vineel Krishna, Sports Secretary, Odisha and Nasreen, the Arjuna Award-winning Indian Kho Kho team captain.  

“Odisha is at the forefront of promotion and development of sports including indigenous sports like Kho Kho. Apart from having a franchise in Ultimate Kho Kho, it is also setting up a high performance centre for Kho Kho with AM/NS India,” said Shri VK Pandian on the occasion.

All eyes were on the in-form Ramji Kashyap going into Turn 1, but it was another big name player who grabbed all the attention. Telugu Yoddhas skipper Pratik Waikar was in regal form, scoring a whopping ten points for his team in turn. Chennai Quick Guns’ first batch — Ramji, Vijay Shinde and Madan — earned the customary couple of dream run points. But that was all that the Telugu Yoddhas attackers led by Waikar allowed their opponents. At the end of the turn, Telugu Yoddhas had a 14-2 advantage.

Telugu Yoddhas consolidated the advantage in Turn 2 with their first batch of Waikar, Aditya Ganpule and Avdhut Patil staying on the mat for four minutes and seven seconds, and getting three dream run points. The first innings ended with the score at 17-14 in favour of Telugu Yoddhas.

Waikar continued his superb show in Turn 3, taking just four seconds to send back his first victim. The first Chennai Quick Guns batch lasted just two minutes and 11 seconds. That allowed Chennai Quick Guns’ prime batch of Ramji, Shinde and Madan to come on the mat. They did their job, spending four minutes and 18 seconds on the mat and earning three dream run points. Telugu Yoddhas held a 29-17 lead going into the final turn.

The Chennai Quick Guns attackers however came to the party in Turn 4, sending back the first two Telugu Yoddhas batches in quick time and levelling the scores. And with Laxman Gawas sending back Avdhut Patil, the Chennai Quick Guns had the points they needed.

Earlier, Gujarat Giants marched into the final, overcoming defending champions Odisha Juggernauts 29-27 in the first semifinal.

Gujarat Giants dominated the first innings as their opponents seemingly switched off. Odisha Juggernauts put in an improved show in the second half, but the nine-point advantage they conceded in the first proved too much to overcome. Suyash Gargate and Sanket Kadam were the pick of the attackers for Gujarat Giants with six points each.

Odisha Juggernauts made a nightmare start to the match. They not only lost their review for the first innings within a matter of minutes but conceded five dream run points to the first Gujarat Giants batch of Suyash Gargate, Deepak Madhav and Shubham Thorat. With one member of the next batch staying unconquered, Odisha Juggernauts led 10-5 after the first turn.

Things went from bad to worse for them in Turn 2. The Gujarat Giants attackers were rampant, not letting their opponents have a single dream run point. At the end of the first innings, their team had a nine-point advantage with the scores standing at 19-10 in their favour.

Odisha Juggernauts, though, came back strongly in Turn 3. They sent back the first two Gujarat Giants batches in just over four minutes. The likes of Dipesh More and Avinash Desai suddenly seemed infused with energy. That seemed too little too late though as, despite an impressive comeback, Odisha Juggernauts went into the final turn with a slender five-point lead. The Gujarat Giants attackers overcame that with ease in the final turn.

The exciting action of Ultimate Kho Kho will be telecast on Sony Sports Network’s channels and SonyLiv with live coverage of two matches starting at 7.30pm IST.

by Abhishek Shukla

Bad Homburg Open Elevated to WTA 500 Status for 2024 Season

January 11, 2024

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has announced that the Bad Homburg Open, powered by Solarwatt, will be staged as a WTA 500 tournament for the 2024 season. This elevation in status marks a significant milestone in the tournament’s history, reflecting its growing prestige in the tennis world.

Key Changes and Highlights

  • Prize Money Increase: The prize money for the Bad Homburg Open will nearly triple to almost $1 million, with a clear pathway to equal prize money by 2027.
  • Enhanced Ranking Points: The winner will now receive twice as many WTA Ranking points (500) compared to previous years.
  • Stronger Player Field: The revised WTA calendar will focus on delivering top talent each week in a consistent and clear manner.
  • Expanded Media Coverage: The tournament is guaranteed an increase in worldwide TV broadcast in up to 168 markets, enhancing its international visibility.
  • Participation of Top Stars: Three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber, who won the tournament in 2021, has already announced her participation for 2024.

The Bad Homburg Open’s upgrade to a WTA 500 event reflects its success and the quality of the event, which has been well-supported by capacity crowds and praised by players since its inception in 2021. The tournament is integral to providing world-class players with the best preparation for Wimbledon.

by Abhishek Shukla

FIFA launches digital tool offering overview of current registration bans

In line with its continued efforts to promote transparency and maintain full disclosure in relation to the activities of the FIFA judicial bodies, FIFA has launched a digital tool that lists the clubs subject to registration bans.

Based on FIFA’s legal framework, a registration ban is one of the potential disciplinary measures that may be imposed on clubs by the FIFA judicial bodies or by the Football Tribunal. Once a registration ban has been imposed, the club in question will be prevented from registering new players, either nationally or internationally and whether as amateurs or as professionals, for the full duration of the measure. The club will therefore only be able to register new players again after serving the ban in its entirety or in the event that the ban is lifted by the FIFA administration (usually upon the completion of one or more specific actions by the club).

The primary objective of this new tool is to provide stakeholders, including players and clubs, as well as the general public, with an overview of all clubs currently prevented from registering new players.

The digital tool, which can be accessed here and on legal.fifa.com, will be regularly updated in order to reflect the situation of the clubs subject to registration bans imposed by FIFA.

by Abhishek Shukla

Tender process opens in France for media rights to the FIFA World Cup 26™ and FIFA World Cup 2030™

FIFA has launched an invitation to tender (ITT) for the media rights to the FIFA World Cup 26™ and FIFA World Cup 2030™ in France, Monaco, Andorra and the French overseas territories.

The FIFA World Cup 26™ will be the 23rd edition of the competition and will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA. With a record 48 teams, 16 Host Cities and three Host Countries, the tournament will feature an unprecedented 104 matches, uniting the globe through football in June and July 2026.

In France, the memorable FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ final between France and Argentina generated the highest television audience on record, with an average of 25 million viewers across free-to-air and pay. France’s national team has performed incredibly well over the last two editions of the tournament, being crowned world champions in 2018 and reaching the final again in 2022. The current squad has high audience appeal, with a mix of global stars such as Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann playing alongside a bright new generation of players including Eduardo Camavinga and Warren Zaïre-Emery. Like the 2026 edition, the FIFA World Cup 2030™ will generate enormous excitement across the globe. Subject to the completion of a successful bidding process and subsequent approval of the FIFA Congress in 2024, the sole candidacy for FIFA World Cup 2030™ will be the combined bid of Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. Additionally, last year the FIFA Council agreed to host three FIFA World Cup 2030™ matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay as part of a unique centenary celebration ceremony to mark one hundred years since the first ever FIFA World Cup™ took place.

The tender process will allow FIFA to select the entity, or entities, which are best placed to secure the required transmission and programming commitments to achieve FIFA’s objective of reaching the widest possible audience whilst providing a high-quality viewing experience for fans.

Entities wishing to participate in the tender processes can request the ITTs by emailing france-media-rights@fifa.org.

The bid submission deadline is 10:00am (CET) on Tuesday 13 February 2024.

Through the sale of media rights for its football tournaments, FIFA generates income which is essential to support and develop football around the world, including through the FIFA Forward Development Programme.

by Abhishek Shukla

Chicago Cubs Sign Left-Handed Pitcher Shōta Imanaga

January 10, 2024

The Chicago Cubs have officially agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Shōta Imanaga on a four-year major league contract. The deal, which is a significant move for the Cubs, adds a strong arm to their rotation. However, the terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Imanaga, aged 30, joins the Cubs after eight seasons with the Yokohama Bay Stars of the Japan Central League. He boasts an impressive record of 64-50, including 13 complete games and seven shutouts, with a solid 3.18 ERA in 165 games. His performance is further highlighted by his 1,021 strikeouts against 280 walks, contributing to a 1.12 WHIP.

In his last three seasons since 2021, Imanaga has held a 23-13 record. Notably, he was a pivotal figure in last year’s World Baseball Classic, earning a win for Japan in the final against the United States.

The signing of Imanaga is seen as a replacement for Marcus Stroman, who became a free agent after opting out of his contract with the Cubs. The team’s roster now includes lefty Justin Steele and right-handers Kyle Hendricks and Jameson Taillon, with Imanaga expected to play a significant role in the rotation.

The Cubs, under the leadership of newly hired manager Craig Counsell, narrowly missed the playoffs in the 2023 campaign. With Imanaga’s addition, the team looks set to bolster its pitching lineup and improve its chances in the upcoming season.

While specific financial details of the contract remain undisclosed, it is expected to be substantial, reflecting Imanaga’s standing as a prominent pitcher. The deal reportedly includes player/team options and escalators that could increase its value significantly.

Shōta Imanaga’s signing with the Chicago Cubs is a major development for the team, as they aim to strengthen their pitching staff and make a more substantial impact in the upcoming MLB season. His experience and proven track record in Japan’s Central League and international competitions like the World Baseball Classic make him a valuable addition to the Cubs.

by Abhishek Shukla

The first steps to big dreams: A history of ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cups

The 15th edition of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup is around the corner, with emerging talents from 16 teams gearing up to compete for the coveted title in South Africa.

The tournament began in 1988, and has seen seven different winners in the 14 editions so far. India lead the way with five titles to their name, followed by Australia (3), Pakistan (2), Bangladesh, South Africa, West Indies and England (1 each).

And over the years, the tournament has gone through many iterations, providing a foundational stage for many of the game’s superstars.

It’s part of the magic of the U19 Cricket World Cup. It has always served as a platform for catapulting budding cricketers into the limelight, paving the way for some of the sport’s most prominent names.

As we approach the 2024 edition, let’s reflect on the rich history of each of the 14 preceding tournaments.

1988 (Winners: Australia)

The inaugural edition of the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, then known as the Youth World Cup, was hosted to celebrate Australia’s Bicentenary in the land Down Under.

The tournament featured seven Test-playing nations alongside a composite team comprising ICC’s Associate Members.

Hosts Australia defeated Pakistan by 5 wickets in the Final to win the inaugural edition of the tournament.

Notable international stars from the Class of 1988: Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, Chris Cairns, Mushtaq Ahmed, Sanath Jayasuriya, Brian Lara.

1998 (Winners: England)

It took another 10 years before another edition of the U19 World Cup was played and it was South Africa who were hosting an ICC tournament for the very first time.

The number of teams doubled from the first edition, with 16 teams participating in the tournament.

In this edition, the charismatic ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle left his mark, emerging as the highest run-scorer. 

Meanwhile, his West Indian teammate, Ramnaresh Sarwan, who later became one of the most reliable batters for the West Indies, shared the distinction of being the leading wicket-taker (16) with Zimbabwe’s Mluleki Nkala.

England triumphed over New Zealand in the finale by seven wickets at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, their maiden and only U19 World Cup win to date.

Notable international stars from the Class of 1998: Graeme Swann, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Collins Obuya, Kyle Mills, Imran Tahir, Shoaib Malik, Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan.

2000 (Winners: India)

Sri Lanka hosted the third edition of the tournament, where neighbours India got their hands on the trophy for the first time – a feat they went on to achieve four more times – after defeating the hosts by six wickets in the Final.

Yuvraj Singh was named the Player of the Tournament, a feat he famously repeated 11 years later at the highest level as India lifted the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. South Africa’s Graeme Smith finished as the leading run-getter.

Notable international stars from the Class of 2000: Michael Clarke, Mitchell Johnson, Shane Watson, Ian Bell, Yuvraj Singh, Niall O’Brien, Brendon McCullum, Graeme Smith, Jonathan Trott, Tatenda Taibu.

2002 (Winners: Australia)

Australia were crowned two-time Champions in a tournament hosted by their Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand for the very first time.

Demonstrating their dominance, Australia maintained an undefeated record throughout the competition and sealed their triumph with a seven-wicket win over South Africa in the final.

Tatenda Taibu took home the Player of the Tournament while Australia captain Cameron White led by example, finishing as the highest run-getter.

Notable international stars from the Class of 2002: Cameron White, George Bailey, Mashrafe Mortaza, Suresh Raina, Ross Taylor, Umar Gul, Kyle Coetzer, Hashim Amla, Upul Tharanga, Dwayne Bravo, Daren Sammy.

2004 (Winners: Pakistan)

The fifth edition of the U19 World Cup, hosted by Bangladesh, marked the debut of Uganda in the tournament.

A new winner was guaranteed after two first-time finalists emerged. Pakistan got their hands on the trophy for the first time, clinching the title after beating West Indies in the final in Dhaka.

India’s Shikhar Dhawan finished as the highest run-getter and was named the Player of the Tournament.

Notable international stars from the Class of 2004: Alastair Cook, Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik, Eoin Morgan, Wahab Riaz, Vernon Philander, Angelo Mathews, Craig Ervine.

2006 (Winners: Pakistan)

In a historic achievement, Pakistan became the first team to successfully defend their U19 Cricket World Cup title by defeating arch-rivals India in the final held in Colombo.

Pakistan were given no chance after they set India a target of just 110 in the finale. However, they delivered a remarkable bowling performance, dismantling the Indian batting lineup with the first six wickets falling for a mere nine runs. 

India were ultimately bowled out for 71, securing Pakistan’s back-to-back titles and cementing their place in history.

Cheteshwar Pujara was the leading run-scorer and the Player of the Tournament.

Notable international stars from the Class of 2006: Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Moeen Ali, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Tim Southee, Sarfraz Ahmed, Dean Elgar, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard.

2008 (Winners: India)

India’s misery in 2006 turned to glory in 2008 when they got their hands on the trophy for the second time under the leadership of the flamboyant Virat Kohli.

India remained undefeated in the tournament, beating South Africa by 12 runs in a rain-truncated game decided by DLS.

The 2008 U19 World Cup is widely remembered for catapulting three of the modern-day ‘Fab Four’ into the limelight. Kane Williamson was the opposite number to Virat Kohli in the semi-final while Steve Smith, then known more for his all-round ability, made an impact with the bat and ball throughout the tournament.

Notable international stars from the Class of 2008: Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith, Chris Woakes, Virat Kohli, Paul Stirling, Kane Williamson, Shan Masood, Kusal Perera, Darren Bravo.

2010 (Winners: Australia)

In a repeat of what happened in 2002, Australia won the U19 World Cup hosted by neighbours New Zealand.

It was a low-scoring affair in the final, with Josh Hazlewood’s four-wicket haul helping Australia, led by Mitchell Marsh, defend a target of 208 against Pakistan.

The tournament also marked the debut of Afghanistan at the U19 level.

Notable international stars from the Class of 2010: Hashmatullah Shahidi, Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, KL Rahul, Mitchell Marsh, Adam Zampa, Tom Latham, Babar Azam, Jason Holder

2012 (Winners: India)

The U19 Cricket World Cup returned to Australia for the first time since its inaugural edition. 

In the final held in Queensland, India secured a six-wicket victory over the host country, Australia, marking their third U19 World Cup triumph and matching their feat from the inaugural edition.

Notable international stars from the Class of 2012: Travis Head, Imam-ul-Haq, Ish Sodhi, Akeal Hosein, Ryan Burl, Litton Das, Taskin Ahmed, Gerhard Erasmus.

2014 (Winners: South Africa)

South Africa enjoyed an unbeaten run en route to their maiden U19 Cricket World Cup title. They defeated Pakistan by six wickets in Dubai to get their hands on the trophy.

Aiden Markram played a pivotal role in the final, leading by example with a score of 66* and earning the additional honour of being named the Player of the Tournament.

The tournament is also remembered for the emergence of Kagiso Rabada as a bowler of high calibre, his 6/25 in the semifinal dismantling Australia.

Notable international stars from the Class of 2014: Shreyas Iyer, Kuldeep Yadav, Mustafizur Rahman, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Nicholas Pooran, Kyle Jamieson, Kusal Mendis, Shimron Hetmyer.

2016 (Winners: West Indies)

The 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup returned to Bangladesh for the first time since the 2004 edition.

Defending champions South Africa faced an unexpected exit in the group stages, succumbing to surprise defeats against Bangladesh and Namibia. 

The final showdown featured West Indies and India, with the West Indies securing their first U19 World Cup title with a five-wicket victory in Dhaka after a gritty display by their batters.

Notable international stars from the Class of 2016: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rashid Khan, Shadab Khan, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sam Curran, Alzarri Joseph, Rishabh Pant, Josh Little, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra.

2018 (Winners: India)

New Zealand became the first country to host the U19 World Cup thrice, having previously held the tournament in 2002 and 2010. 

For the second year in a row, the defending champions, this time West Indies, crashed out of the group stages. 

In the final, India beat Australia by eight wickets to become four-time champions, the most by any side. 

Notable international stars from the Class of 2018: Gerald Coetzee, Alick Athanaze, Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, Towhid Hridoy, Harry Brook, Naveen-ul-Haq, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Harry Tector, Shaheen Afridi.

2020 (Winners: Bangladesh)  

The 2020 U19 World Cup witnessed Bangladesh securing their first-ever victory in an ICC event at any level. 

Finalists India showcased their supremacy throughout the tournament under the leadership of Priyam Garg. Breaking records became a routine for his team as they overwhelmed Japan, securing victory with a remarkable 271 balls to spare — the second-highest record in Youth ODIs to date.

Additionally, India achieved the distinction of being the first and only team, to date, to surpass 200 victories at the U19 level during the course of the tournament.

However, on the day of the final, Bangladesh triumphed over powerhouse India in a tense, low-scoring clash, with a three-wicket win by the DLS method. 

The tournament saw the debut of two teams, Nigeria and Japan, who qualified through regional qualifiers.

Notable international stars from the Class of 2020: Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Tanveer Sangha, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammad Wasim, Matheesha Pathirana, Jayden Seales.

2022 (Winners: India)  

West Indies hosted the U19 Cricket World Cup for the first time in history. 

One of the biggest highlights of the tournament was the performance of Afghanistan, who made it past the group stage and went into the semi-final for the very first time, beating Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka along the way.

In the semi-final clash against England, Afghanistan displayed resilience, coming close to a victory but ultimately falling short.

Having faltered in the previous edition on the last step, India redeemed themselves by securing the title against England in the final, marking their fifth U19 World Cup triumph.

The event unfolded amid the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to New Zealand’s withdrawal due to stringent quarantine restrictions. Scotland stepped in as a replacement in the tournament.

Notable international stars from the Class of 2022: Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rehan Ahmed, Dunith Wellalage, Dewald Brevis. 

by Abhishek Shukla

ONE Championship Announces Return to the U.S. with ONE Fight Night Events in Denver and Atlanta

January 10, 2024 – Singapore: ONE Championship, the world’s largest martial arts organization, today announced that the promotion will return to the U.S. with live events at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado for ONE Fight Night 26 on September 6 and State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia for ONE Fight Night 28 on November 8.  
 
Coming off a successful U.S. debut last May with ONE Fight Night 10 at the sold-out 1stBank Center in Colorado, ONE will look to carry that momentum into 2024, with all monthly ONE Fight Night events continuing to air live on Prime Video in the U.S. and Canada.  

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “We’re thrilled to return to the U.S. to showcase the greatest World Champion martial artists in the country’s best cities and sports arenas. America remains a high-priority market for us as we continue our global expansion, and we can’t wait to get back on-ground to entertain our passionate fanbase in the region with quarterly U.S. events in September 2024 and beyond.” 
 

Details on the fight card and ticket on-sale will be announced at a later date, but you can register here for the latest ticket pre-sale information for these events. 
 

Stage Front VIP, the exclusive U.S. VIP experience partner of ONE, will continue to provide fans with unrivaled access through immersive VIP experiences that include premier seating, premium hospitality offerings, athlete meet-and-greets, event collectibles and more. 

The complete 2024 ONE Fight Night event schedule on Prime Video will be as follows: 

  • Friday, January 12 – ONE Fight Night 18 on Prime Video 
  • Friday, February 16 – ONE Fight Night 19 on Prime Video 
  • Friday, March 8 – ONE Fight Night 20 on Prime Video 
  • Friday, April 5 – ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video 
  • Friday, May 3 – ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video 
  • Friday, June 7 – ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video 
  • Friday, July 5 – ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video 
  • Friday, August 2 – ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video 
  • Friday, September 6 – ONE Fight Night 26 on Prime Video 
  • Friday, October 4 – ONE Fight Night 27 on Prime Video 
  • Friday, November 8 – ONE Fight Night 28 on Prime Video 
  • Friday, December 6 – ONE Fight Night 29 on Prime Video
by Abhishek Shukla

Tylenol® and the National Hockey League Announce Canadian Partnership

NEW YORK (Jan. 11, 2024) – The National Hockey League (NHL®) today announced a new Canadian partnership, naming Tylenol® the Official Pain, Cold & Flu Symptom Relief Partner of the NHL.  

The new partnership provides Tylenol®, a Kenvue brand, with an array of exclusive marketing rights and designations that will connect the brand with the NHL and its fans through the NHL’s vast marketing, digital, and social media channels.

The partnership will be visible in various ways at the 2024 Hyundai NHL Fan Fair™ and 2024 Rogers (Canada) / Honda (U.S.) NHL All Star Game in Toronto, with on-site, TV and digital activations to engage fans, and visible during the Stanley Cup® Playoffs. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Tylenol®, an iconic global brand to the NHL family, so we can work together on building creative programs to engage fans and consumers in Canada,” said Chris Falkiner, NHL Vice President, Business Development Solutions. “We look forward to launching our efforts together and developing new and unique content that deepens NHL fans’ affinity to Tylenol®.”

“We know that watching, playing and enjoying sport is an integral part of Canadian culture, and many Canadians find themselves unable to engage in exercise or physical activity because of pain or cold and flu symptoms,” says Andrew Kalmuk, Vice President, Consumer Demand Generation, Kenvue. “Having Tylenol® as the Official Pain, Cold & Flu Symptom Relief Partner of the NHL is a way to show Canadians that there are fast, effective and trusted solutions to relieve your symptoms and help you get back to the sport you love.”

To further engage fans and consumers, the Tylenol® “Score Against Pain” NHL brand campaign will be featured on in-store retail displays across Canada and on NHL digital platforms.

by Abhishek Shukla

San Jose Earthquakes Extend Midfielder Jack Skahan’s Contract Through 2025

January 10, 2024

The San Jose Earthquakes have solidified their midfield lineup by re-signing Jack Skahan, with the contract extending through the 2025 Major League Soccer season and an option for 2026. This move underscores the club’s confidence in Skahan’s abilities and potential contribution to the team in the coming seasons.

Jack Skahan, 25, joined the San Jose Earthquakes as the No. 27 overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, following a notable stint at the University of North Carolina. Since his debut, Skahan has made a total of 29 MLS appearances, including six starts. He has contributed significantly to the team’s performance, scoring two goals and recording one assist.

In the upcoming season, Skahan is projected to serve primarily as a midfield depth piece. His versatility and skill set are expected to be vital for the Earthquakes as they continue to develop under head coach Luchi Gonzalez. Skahan’s ability to adapt and perform in various midfield roles makes him a valuable asset to the squad.

Under the guidance of head coach Luchi Gonzalez, San Jose Earthquakes have shown promising signs of growth and competitiveness. Last season, they made it to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs as the Western Conference’s No. 9 seed. The re-signing of Skahan is part of Gonzalez’s strategy to build a balanced and dynamic team capable of achieving greater successes.

San Jose Earthquakes are set to start their 2024 campaign on February 24 at FC Dallas. The match, scheduled for 8:30 pm ET, will be available on MLS Season Pass, offering fans an opportunity to witness the team’s efforts to build on the previous season’s accomplishments.

The extension of Jack Skahan’s contract with the San Jose Earthquakes reflects the club’s commitment to maintaining a core group of players and enhancing the team’s overall strength. Skahan’s continued presence in the midfield will be crucial as the Earthquakes aim for higher achievements in the MLS.

by Abhishek Shukla

Professional Fighters League Bolsters Global Executive Team, Announcing Jerome Mazet as GM of PFL Mena

NEW YORK (January 11, 2024): The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest-growing and most innovative sports league, has today announced Jerome Mazet as General Manager of PFL MENA, which when launched in 2024, will become the preeminent MMA league in the Middle East. He will be based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The appointment follows a historic investment agreement with SRJ Sports Investments (“SRJ”) to accelerate PFL’s ascension in the MENA region and beyond, bringing more opportunities and experiences to PFL’s athletes and sports fans alike. Leading a transformative period of growth for the sport as it creates the Champions League of MMA, PFL MENA is the brand’s second international expansion league outside of the United States. The disruptive model will provide top fighters from across the Middle East and North Africa with the opportunity to earn their way to the Global Regular Season. The successful launch of PFL Europe in 2023 captured the attention of the European sports landscape and showcased the rise of the next wave of MMA superstars, including PFL Europe Champion, Dakota Ditcheva.

Mazet joins PFL from the Etihad Arena, one of the Middle East’s premier entertainment venues, where he led commercial and marketing operations and negotiated all partnership agreements. Previously, he served as Head of Sponsorship for Flash Entertainment, leading efforts around the FIFA Club World Cup and AFC Asian Cup. Mazet also served as Global Marketing Director for Trina Solar, a Fortune Fast 100 company, and founded Mandaray, a sports and entertainment agency in China. He holds an MBA from Boston College and a master’s degree in marketing from Kedge Business School.

“There is an incredible demand for a premium MMA product in the Middle East and PFL MENA will become a game-changer for fighters, fans and partners across the region,” Mazet said. “I’m excited to be joining the industry co-leader as we work to revolutionize and professionalize the sport across the globe.”

“We welcome Jerome Mazet as General Manager of PFL MENA as we prepare to launch our second international expansion league in 2024,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “The Middle East is now the fight capital of the world and we’re excited about the opportunity to lead the professionalization of the sport of MMA across the region.”

PFL is the only organization in MMA with a sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in a regular season, playoffs, and championship each. The combined roster of PFL and Bellator boasts 30% of its fighters independently world-ranked in the top 25 of their respective weight class, the same percentage as UFC. PFL has an expansive global vision for the sport and is building the “Champions League of MMA” with PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and more international leagues in development. PFL leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage, powering fight analytics, real-time betting, AI scoring, and a next-generation viewing experience. PFL is primetime on ESPN/ESPN+ in the U.S. and is broadcast and streamed in 150 countries with 20 premium media distribution partners.

SRJ Sports Investments’ in PFL was driven by the strategic importance of mixed martial arts in growing markets. The incoming PFL MENA League remains at the forefront of this, with major events being brought to Saudi Arabia and the wider region as part of the investment agreement.

by Abhishek Shukla

240 players from 12 states to participate in Yuva Kabaddi Series Winter Edition 2023

New Delhi, January 11, 2024: Budding Kabaddi talents are ready to showcase their high-flying moves in the seventh edition of the revolutionary Yuva Kabaddi Series 2023 with the Winter Edition scheduled to take place from January 12 to February 7 at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Pondicherry.

Chola Veerans will take on Palani Tuskers on Friday in the first match of the winter edition of the tournament that was launched in 2022 and has been providing a highly competitive environment for India’s budding Kabaddi players to make them stars in their sport.

“The Yuva Kabaddi Series has been instrumental in shaping the future of Indian Kabaddi with over 65 players currently showcasing their skills in the ongoing Pro Kabaddi League Season 10. We are committed to nurturing young talent for the sport through the Yuva Kabaddi Series and our aim is to take the sport to every corner of the country. A total of 12 teams with players from 12 different states will participate in the winter edition of the tournament and we are expecting high-intensity clashes between all the teams,” commented the CEO, Yuva Kabaddi Series, Mr Vikas Gautam.

The next-gen players (Below 80 kgs) get a chance to showcase their talent in the tournament and it grooms them for the biggest stage in Kabaddi as well. Till date, over 1400 youth players have engaged in 751 matches involving 85 coaches, and overseen by 183 officials in the Yuva Kabaddi Series.

In addition to establishing a feasible career route in sports, the series aims to develop a broader set of skills in players by providing assistance in financial literacy, media training, and nutrition throughout their participation in the Yuva Kabaddi Series.

Honourable LT. Governor UT of Puducherry & Governor Telangana, Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan will inaugurate the tournament on Friday. The opening ceremony will also be preceded by the grand finale of the 50th Jubilee Pondicherry State Kabaddi Championship 2024.

The upcoming winter edition will witness a total of 120 high-intensity matches with 240 players from 12 different states participating in the tournament. The fans can catch all the thrilling action Live on FanCode.

The participating teams are:

Aravalli Arrows, Palani Tuskers, Chola Verrans, Sindh Sonics, Himalayan Tahrs, Murthal Magnets, Periyar Panthers, Tadoba Tigers, Vijayanagara Veers, Hampi Heroes, Panchala Pride, Maurya Mavericks

by Abhishek Shukla

Qatar’s Al Haydos seeks title defence; Maatouk eyes history with Lebanon

Doha: Hassan Al Haydos is targeting a successful defence when reigning champions Qatar kick off their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ campaign against Lebanon in Group A on Friday.

As for his opposite number Hassan Maatouk, Qatar 2023 represents an opportunity to create history for Lebanese football – a place in the knockout stage for the first time in their history.

Al Haydos played an integral role in leading Qatar to their first AFC Asian Cup in 2019, and the skipper said they are not ready to relinquish their hold on the trophy.

“It is a relatively good group where all the teams have very similar levels and tomorrow we are starting a new challenge for us,” said Al Haydos.

“For us as players, we need the fans more than ever from the first minute to the end of the game, and I hope that we can get as many points as possible to get to the next round.

“I think the 2019 generation raised our levels and ambitions. We are always required to win in any game and championship we partake in. 

“But challenges are part of football and I hope we can deal with this stress and pressure in a positive manner.

“We are playing the Asian Cup as title holders and in our own home, so we have to perform and show to the fans that we mean business.”

Lebanon were also grouped with Qatar in 2019, with the latter picking up a 2-0 win.

Captain Maatouk sees the return of Miodrag Radulovic as head coach a huge positive and is counting on the Montenegrin’s familiarity with the players to give Lebanon an edge in the tournament.

The 36-year-old, admitting that this could be his last AFC Asian Cup, wants to take Lebanon into the knockout stage for the first time. 

“Our preparations have gone very well with the coach even though he hasn’t been with the team long,” said Maatouk. “But he has worked with us before for four years and we are almost the same squad of players. 

“We are focused and we are not going to spare any effort despite being in a difficult group. Our game against Qatar is the most important game for us because they are a big team and we will try to produce the best result possible.

“When we met in the last Asian Cup, it was difficult. Scoring won’t be easy but we have to try. We have to close down spaces because we know the individual abilities of the players. 

“Playing at Lusail (Stadium) will be a great experience and we have to embrace that, it gives us great motivation to do well as we are truly considering qualifying for the next round which will be a first for Lebanon.”

by Abhishek Shukla

With 50 days to go, Glasgow set to become the city ‘Where Gallus Meets Greatness’

With only 50 days to go until the start of the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24, a new championships time creative has been unveiled for this prestigious world event, with the launch of a new strapline alongside athlete pictograms and city landmark sketches to bring a uniquely Scottish look and feel to the competition.

With WICGlasgow24 taking place from 1-3 March, the countdown to the event is now well underway with less than two months until the world’s best athletes descend on Glasgow for a feast of top-class athletics, in front of a sell-out crowd.

More than 700 athletes are expected to compete in Glasgow. With the championships falling within the qualification period for the Paris 2024 Olympics, this gives the event extra significance as competitors go for gold in front of the knowledgeable Glasgow crowd, who will get close up to the action in the intimate setting of the Emirates Arena.

As this is the first time the World Athletics Indoor Championships has been hosted in Scotland, a fresh look has been created for the event, incorporating the saltire flag, elements of Glasgow’s skyline and the Scots language in order to evoke a sense of place and promote Scotland’s unique cultural identity to the world.

Using Scots language, the event strapline ‘Where Gallus Meets Greatness’ signifies Scotland’s ambition as the perfect stage for events. The phrase combines ‘Gallus’ the local vernacular for ‘daring and bold’ with greatness, a word commonly associated with major sporting champions.

With athletes and fans hoping to be part of moments of greatness during the three days of intense and thrilling competition, the strapline loosely translates to ‘Who Dares Wins’. 

The brand development is both unique and specific to Scotland and Glasgow, incorporating the event’s thistle logo and brand colours in addition to the saltire, Scotland’s national flag and a nod to contemporary tartan. 

The pictograms feature several Glasgow landmarks including the iconic Duke of Wellington Statue, the Clyde Arc Bridge and the event venue, the Emirates Arena, whilst the athletes pose in the style of the sport’s three disciplines: running, jumping, and throwing. Eagle eyed individuals will also spot the event logo incorporated into the clothing of the athletes in a fun and playful way. 

Championships Director, Stuart Campbell said: “I am delighted to unveil our new event look and strapline to mark 50 days to go until the World Athletics Indoor Championships get underway.

“With the world coming to Glasgow, it has always been a very important part of our mission to highlight Scotland’s unique cultural identity and I believe we have managed this, taking our thistle logo to the next level and reimagining it in the form of athlete pictograms.

“We were also very keen to incorporate the Scots’ language into our event strapline to give a sense of place and I believe we have managed this with the inclusion of the word ‘Gallus’ – a phrase that I’m sure will stir a passion embedded in Scots and Glaswegians alike.”

“I can’t wait to see the city and the venue come alive with our branding as we move closer to the starting blocks and welcome the world to Glasgow.”

With only 50 days to go, it’s almost time for the World Athletics Indoor Championships to arrive in Glasgow and we look forward to inviting the world into our city ‘‘Where Gallus Meets Greatness”.

by Abhishek Shukla

National Football League Announces Designated Teams for London and Munich 2024 International Games

NEW YORK — Jan. 11, 2024 — The National Football League today announced the designated teams set to play in London and Munich as part of the 2024 International Games.

The Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars will each play international games in London during the 2024 regular season, while the Carolina Panthers will head to Munich, Germany. Each team’s opponent, along with the dates and kickoff times will be announced when the 2024 schedule is revealed this spring.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — the only purpose-built NFL stadium outside of the U.S. — will host games featuring both the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings while the Jacksonville Jaguars will return to Wembley Stadium as part of their multi-year commitment to playing a game in the U.K, in what will be their 12th game in the capital.

Munich, Germany will again host a regular season game, with the Carolina Panthers set to play in Allianz Arena – home of FC Bayern Munich. The NFL’s first-ever regular season international game in Germany was played on November 13, 2022 at Allianz Arena when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Seattle Seahawks, 21-16.

Last month, the NFL announced it will play a regular season game in São Paulo, Brazil (Corinthians Arena) in 2024 – the first ever in South America. The designated team for this historic first game in Brazil will be named in the coming months ahead of the announcement of the 2024 NFL schedule.

“Taking our game to more fans around the world is a major priority for the league and its 32 teams, and we are delighted to be returning to London and Munich in 2024,” said Peter O’Reilly, executive vice president, club business, league events and international at the NFL. “Whether tackle or flag football, international passion for the game and the NFL continues to grow, and having our teams and their world-class athletes play games and engage with fans around the world is an important part of becoming a truly global sport.”

All four designated teams playing in the U.K. and Germany are part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program which awards international marketing rights to NFL teams in countries beyond the U.S. to build fandom, and realize brand and commercial opportunities. The Bears, Vikings and Jaguars have international marketing rights in the U.K., while the Panthers have those rights in Germany.

While there will be no international game in Mexico in 2024 due to Estadio Azteca renovations in Mexico City, the league has confirmed that future international games will return once they are complete.

With the expansion of the NFL schedule in 2021, up to four of the teams from the conference whose teams are eligible for a ninth regular-season home game are now designated to play a neutral-site international game each year.

Following a recent vote by NFL clubs to increase league-operated international game inventory from four (4) to up to eight (8) games a season, beginning in 2025 the NFL will have the right to schedule up to eight regular season games per season internationally. New markets and host cities/stadiums for future seasons will be announced at later dates.

“We certainly owe a debt of thanks to the thousands of fans in the U.K., Ireland and throughout Europe who have made the Jaguars their NFL team since our first London home game in 2013,” said Shad Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars. “We’ve now played 11 games in London, have forged deep relationships with fans and businesses, have introduced American football to young people that participate in our community programs throughout the U.K., and we’ve raised funds and supported causes that touch many lives.  In all, we’ve established a strong Jaguars tradition in London that our fans and followers celebrate every day of the year. That tradition continues next season when the Jaguars return to London, and we can’t wait to see everyone once again in Wembley Stadium, our home away from home.”

“Every game the Chicago Bears play is rich in tradition, culture and passion. And every year, game after game, we look forward to welcoming fans to experience that richness,” said George H. McCaskey, chairman of the Chicago Bears. “This year, we will take our storied franchise and tradition back to London and share internationally what our fans locally experience at every game. We are excited to join the many NFL teams who are expanding internationally to play a game in London during our 2024 season.”

“We are honored to once again represent the NFL in the continued effort to make the game of football more accessible globally,” said Mark Wilf, owner/president of the Minnesota Vikings. “We’ve seen tremendous international support of the Vikings with our previous three London games and with our successful bid to land the United Kingdom as a global market. Our focus will be on winning for the fourth consecutive time in London, along with replicating the incredible gameday environment we enjoy in Minnesota and creating a memorable experience for our partners and fans.”

“It’s an honor for the Carolina Panthers to play in Munich in 2024,” said David Tepper, owner of the Carolina Panthers. “This game represents more than playing internationally for us. With more than 200 German-owned companies in the Charlotte area, this opportunity offers a special connection for the Panthers and our community. We are excited to deepen our relationships with our German fans, engage with our partners and continue to grow our brand globally.”

Designated teams for Lond​on and Munich 2024 International Games:​

TeamLocationVenue
Chicago BearsLondon, U.K.Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Minnesota VikingsLondon, U.K.Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Jacksonville JaguarsLondon, U.K.Wembley Stadium (Regular Season Home Game)
Carolina PanthersMunich, GermanyAllianz Arena — Home of FC Bayern Munich

Fans can sign up for the latest news on the NFL’s 2024 International games and ticket information by visiting nfl.com/internationalgames.

by Abhishek Shukla

Yoshimi Yamashita to become first woman referee in AFC Asian Cup history

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed today that Japan’s Yoshimi Yamashita will take charge of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ fixture between Australia and India on 13 January 2024 (Saturday) – a landmark appointment that will make her the first woman ever to referee a match in the flagship tournament.

It is the latest feather in the cap of pioneering Yamashita, who is one of five trailblazing female match officials to be involved in the 18th edition of Asia’s crown jewel in Qatar. She will be ably supported in the Group B encounter at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium by assistant referees Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi – an iconic Japanese trio who made history as the first women officials to oversee matches in the AFC Cup™ (2019), AFC Champions League™ (2022) and J1 League (2023).

The first professional woman referee from Japan, Yamashita earned her FIFA badge in 2015 and has since gone on to smash multiple barriers. The Tokyo native was the first woman to manage a J1 League match in September 2022 and was notably one of six women match officials appointed for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – the first ever appointment of women match officials in the history of the global showpiece.

Yamashita was the main referee for the opening match of the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, where she went on to officiate two more games and served as fourth official for another two. It was her second FIFA Women’s World Cup, following her debut in 2019 in France. Having embarked on her refereeing journey with the support of fellow Tokyo Gakugei University alumna Bozono, Yamashita also has experience at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ (2018 and 2022) and the Olympic Games (2020).

The match between Australia and India is the second to take place at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ and kicks off at 2.30pm local time, with two more to follow on the same day – China PR against Tajikistan in Group A at 5.30pm at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium and Uzbekistan versus Syria in Group B at 8.30pm at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.

by Abhishek Shukla

85th Junior and Youth National TT-Day 6

Kolkata, January 11: West Bengal made a bold statement and sealed the Under-19 Boys top qualification spot in the team event of the 85th edition of the UTT Inter-State Youth and Junior National Table Tennis Championships at the Netaji Indoor Stadium today.

In their group A match, West Bengal thrashed Punjab 3-0 and followed it up with a similar verdict against Kerala. In achieving the first target, Ankur Bhattacharjee, Shankhadip Das, and Bodhisatwa Chaudhury helped each other to keep a clean slate. They have a third-round match in the evening against Arunachal Pradesh, and it should be a formality for the hosts’ boys.

Ankur led the charge, giving the hosts a flying start when he defeated Rajveer Bhatia 11-6, 11-8, 11-7. His pace, accuracy and excellent finish were too hard for Rajveer to cope with Shankhadip, in the second rubber, set the platform with a 2-0 lead against Harkunwar Singh, but the Punjab boy fought back to level the score 2-2. However, the Bengal boy completed the task with a fine finish and won 15-13, 11-9, 10-12, 9-11, 11-7. Bodhisatwa polished off Sonu Kumar, posting an 11-6, 11-9, 11-7 win.  

In their match against Kerala, Ankur beat Anokh G. Nair 11-8, 11-8, 11-7. Consolidating their position, Bodhisatwa downed Mohamed Naffil 11-8, 11-4, 11-7, while Shankhadip routed A Gourishankar 11-4, 11-7, 11-9.

The teams that booked their top position from their respective groups include Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat and the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE).

It also means that with a slot up for grabs in each of the eight groups, the third-round matches in the evening will decide which among them will qualify to make it to the pre-quarterfinals, which begin tomorrow morning.

Apart from the expected results, some matches kept the onlookers interested. For instance, Rajasthan (TTFI 1) beat Jharkhand 3-0 in the first round and Punjab thrashed Arunachal with an identical margin in the second round.

Interestingly, Jammu and Kashmir pulled off a triumph over Jharkhand in a thriller that went to the wire. Pratham Raini made the 3-2 win possible. He first beat Satrunjay Chakravarty 11-5, 13-11, 11-9 and then Aman Kumar Pal 11-5, 11-2, 11-4. In the second rubber, Sourav Sharma put it across Aman 12-10, 12-10, 11-6, which proved crucial for J and K. Animesh Kumar and Satrunjay won a rubber each, beating their rivals Akhilesh Khajuria and Sourav Sharma.

But Gujarat carved out a hard-fought second-round 3-2 win against Assam to occupy the top position in Group G. Gujarat would have finished behind Assam if not for this win. Assam banked on Priyanuj Bhattacharyya. He won his first and reverse singles against Arman Shaikh and Burhanuddin Malubhaiwala. But what contributed to Gujarat’s victory was the crucial third game, in which Aayush Tanna won 11-9, 12-10, 11-9 against Abheek Kashyap, and the other two players won a rubber each.  

 Team Results: U-19 Boys: 

(Rounds 1 and 2):

Group A:West Bengal bt Punjab 3-0, Kerala bt Arunachal Pradesh 3-0; West Bengal bt Kerala 3-0, Punjab bt Arunachal Pradesh 3-0.

Group B: Uttar Pradesh bt Jammu & Kashmir 3-0, Rajasthan (TTFI 1) bt Jharkhand 3-0; Uttar Pradesh bt Rajasthan (TTFI 1) 3-0; J and K bt Jharkhand 3-2.

Group C: Tamil Nadu bt Madhya Pradesh 3-0, Goa bt Himachal Pradesh 3-0; Tamil Nadu bt Himachal Pradesh 3-1, Goa bt Madhya Pradesh 3-1.

Group D: Karnataka bt Bihar 3-1, Telangana bt Mizoram 3-0; Karnataka bt Telangana 3-0, Bihar bt Mizoram 3-0.

Group E:  Maharashtra bt Andhra Pradesh 3-0, Haryana bt Meghalaya 3-0; Maharashtra bt Haryana 3-1, Andhra Pradesh bt Meghalaya 3-0.

Group F:  Delhi bt Uttarakhand 3-0, PSPB-A bt Daman & Diu 3-0; Delhi bt PSPBA 3-1, Uttarakhand bt Daman & Diu 3-0.

Group G:  Assam bt Chhattisgarh 3-0, Gujarat bt Rajasthan (TTFI 2) 3-0; Gujrat bt Assam 3-2, Chhattisgarh bt Rajasthan (TTFI 2) 3-0.

Group H:  NCOE bt Odisha 3-0, Manipur bt Chandigarh 3-0; NCOE bt Manipur 3-0, Chandigarh bt Odisha 3-2.

by Abhishek Shukla

Karnataka to face Odisha in finals of Women’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for Blind

Hubli (Karnataka) [India], January 11:Karnataka defeated Delhi by 7 wickets in the semi-finals of the ongoing Women’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2024 on Thursday and will now face Odisha in the ultimate showdown here at Karnataka Gymkhana Cricket Ground.

Karnataka and Odisha will lock horns in the finals of Women’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2024 on Friday on the occasion of National Youth Day, also known as Vivekananda Jayanti. Meanwhile, Odisha defeated Andhra Pradesh by 19 runs in the first semi-final on Thursday.

In the second semi-final, Karnataka won the toss and opted to bowl first. Delhi got off to a bad start and lost half of their side for 65 runs inside 10 overs. Manika and Deepmala Kumari, then stitched a 67-run stand and took Delhi’s total to 132/5 in 20 overs.

Chasing 133, Karnataka suffered early blows but Deepika TC smashed a fifty (63) while Laxmi P scored 29 off 25 balls to help side get over the line. Karnataka won the match with 36 balls to spare. Deepika was named as the Player of the Match.

In the first semi-final, Odisha chose to bat first, amassing a formidable total of 183/3 in their allotted 20 overs, propelled by the stellar performances of Jhili Birua and Muni Purty.

The Andhra Pradesh side, despite their best efforts, fell short, managing 164/6 in 20 overs. Jhili Birua, with her brilliant 82 runs off 55 balls was awarded the Player of the Match.

With Karnataka and Odisha securing their places in the finals, all eyes are set on the ultimate showdown scheduled for National Youth Day. Cricket fans anticipate a thrilling clash as the two teams brimming with talent gear up for the match.

by Abhishek Shukla

‘Feels great playing for Adani Sportsline-owned Gujarat Giants’, says Nilesh Jadhav as side reach playoffs with ease

Cuttack, 11th January 2023: Young all-rounder Nilesh Jadhav, who has been a key player for the Adani Sportsline-owned Gujarat Giants in the ongoing edition of the Ultimate Kho Kho League Season Two, credited the support of his team’s management and their progress over the season which has seen the side lose just two matches in the entirety of their campaign.  

Sharing his thoughts about the side who have qualified for the playoffs, Nilesh said, “It is a great feeling to be playing for the Gujarat Giants in season 2 of the Ultimate Kho Kho League. The coaching and the management, and their strategies heading into the season have been spot-on and it has been their guidance that has taken the team to the playoffs this season.” 

Nilesh has been a key member of the Adani Sportsline-owned side in the ongoing campaign, but he has been playing Kho Kho for more than a decade. The Kolhapur-born defensive all-rounder revealed the moment he decided his career lay in this sport. “I have been a Kho Kho player for more than a decade. I started playing the sport at the young age of 11 and since then I have wanted to pursue a career as a Kho Kho player. However, I knew I could make it to the big leagues when I was 14 and did well at the national level of the sport. “Under-14 Nationals was my big moment in the sport.” 

He added, “My father is a district-level Kabaddi player but when I was young, we moved to Kolhapur because of his job. The craze in Kolhapur for Kho Kho is very much alive, which encouraged me to take up this sport. A lot of people were not very convinced about me having a career in Kho Kho, especially when I was also playing the game and at the same time not getting a job as well. But when I was in sixth class we saw many Kho Kho playing and this inspired me to become a star of the game.” 

Nilesh also spoke about his aspirations as a Kho Kho, citing one specific laurel in his sights. “One of my biggest dreams as a Kho Kho player is to win the Eklavya award. This is one of the most prestigious awards that a sportsperson can get, and along with it, we get a cash reward which I want to use for the betterment of Kho Kho as a sport. I am grateful to the Adani Sportsline-owned Gujarat Giants, who have given me the perfect chance to win this award and make a name for myself in Kho Kho,” he shared.