Category sports

Agra, Uttar Pradesh/9th January 2025: The Badminton Association of Agra is proud to host the UP-State Veterans Badminton Championship 2025, a celebration of skill, determination, and the enduring love for badminton. Scheduled from 10th January to 12th January 2025, the tournament will take place at the Prakhar Agarwal Memorial Academy, Agra, and is dedicated to the memory of the late Shri Vijay Sharma Ji, whose legacy continues to inspire the sporting community.

This championship brings together over 300 veteran players from across Uttar Pradesh, competing in age categories ranging from 35+ to 70, for both men and women. It’s not just a competition; it’s a stage where seasoned players come to relive their passion for the sport, connect with their peers, and inspire the next generation of athletes.

The UP-State Veterans Badminton Championship 2025 will kick off with an Opening Ceremony on 10th January 2025, at 11:30 AM at the Prakhar Agarwal Memorial Academy, Agra, graced by Smt. Anupam Kulshreshth, IPS, Additional Director General, Agra Zone, as the Chief Guest. The tournament will conclude with a Closing Ceremony on 12th January 2025, at 3:00 PM at the same venue, with Shri S. P. Singh Baghel, Minister of State, Government of India, honoring the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The championship will also welcome some of the most distinguished names in Indian badminton, including Arjuna awardees and renowned national players, whose presence will serve as a beacon of inspiration for both participants and spectators.

A Message from the President

Speaking about the event, Dr. Beena Lawania, President of the Badminton Association Agra, shared: This championship is more than just a tournament. It is a tribute to resilience, a platform for veterans to showcase their talent, and an opportunity to rekindle the camaraderie that sports bring to life. Hosting this event in memory of Shri Vijay Sharma Ji is our way of honoring his immense contribution to the sport and to our community. We invite everyone to be a part of this remarkable journey and cheer on these exceptional athletes.”

Join Us

The UP-State Veterans Badminton Championship 2025 is not only a competition but also a testament to the timeless spirit of sportsmanship. We warmly invite media personnel to cover this inspiring event, as we celebrate the unwavering dedication of these remarkable players and shine a spotlight on their extraordinary stories.

December 11th, 2024: PVR INOX Limited, India’s largest and most premium cinema exhibitor, in collaboration with Star Sports, is excited to announce the screening of one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the Premier League season—Manchester United vs. Manchester City. On Sunday, December 15th, 2024, at 09:30 PM, football fans across India can witness the intensity of this iconic Manchester derby on the big screen in select theatres across major cities.

Bookings for this electrifying match are open now and can be made through PVR INOX’s newly launched WhatsApp Chatbot, Movie Jockey. Fans can enjoy an unforgettable experience with state-of-the-art sound, superior visuals, and the buzz of a live crowd cheering for their teams.

This screening is part of the Star Sports Select Screenings initiative, following the success of previous events such as the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Fans in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Kochi, Bengaluru, Pune, and other cities will be able to experience this football classic like never before.

Mr. Gautam Dutta, CEO – Revenue & Operations, PVR INOX Limited, commented, “We’re thrilled to bring the excitement of the Manchester derby to the big screen. This is more than just a match; it’s a clash of two football giants, and we can’t wait for fans to experience it in a fully immersive environment.”

December 11, 2024: Hyderabad, India – Rajesh Vetcha, the founder of Hyderabad Runners and Race Director of the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon, has been elected as a Board Member of the prestigious Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) for a period of 4 years. The election took place during the 24th AIMS World Congress, marking a significant milestone for India in the global distance running community.

He achieves the rare distinction of becoming the first individual from the running community and the second from India to be elected to the AIMS board since its inception in 1982. This distinction underscores India’s growing influence in global distance running.

His election is of significance to India in general and Telangana in particular. This is the global recognition accorded to the endurance and road running community in Hyderabad. What his elections mean to the running community is access to information, expertise, and support to local long-distance races and runners who want to qualify to participate in international marathons and also continue to raise the stature of the marathons in India to a global level.

As a board member, his work would be to,

To foster and promote distance running throughout the world,
To work with the World Athletics on all international road racing matters and
To exchange information, knowledge and expertise among the members of the Association.

This achievement highlights the growing recognition of Indian marathons on the global stage and the impact of our collective efforts in promoting running and fitness.

Rajesh Vetcha has been a trailblazer in the Indian running movement, founding Hyderabad Runners in 2007. Under his leadership as President from 2011 to 2018, Hyderabad Runners transformed into one of the largest running organizations in India. The group institutionalized the running community with a focus on Advocacy, Training, and Events, promoting active lifestyles across the country.

Currently serving as Race Director for the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon, a World Athletics Basic Label event and the second-largest marathon in India, Rajesh has also played a pivotal role in mentoring and establishing running groups and marathon events nationwide, including in Chennai, Kochi, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Bhopal, Raipur, and Visakhapatnam.

An accomplished long-distance runner himself, Rajesh has participated in nearly 165 events, including marathons, half-marathons, and ultra-marathons. He views running as a way to connect with people, explore cultures, and promote community fitness as an enjoyable and accessible lifestyle choice.

Rajesh’s election to the AIMS Board highlights his significant contributions to the global running community. AIMS, with over 448 members across 113 countries, works to foster distance running worldwide and promote the exchange of expertise among its members.

Expressing his gratitude, Rajesh said, “It is an honor to be elected to the AIMS Board. This is not just a personal achievement but a recognition of the growing prominence of Indian marathons on the global stage. I look forward to furthering the cause of India’s vibrant running ecosystem with insights from the experiences of the races overseas and making the voice of India heard on the global distance running space.

With over three decades of professional experience across the Corporate, Infrastructure, and Sports sectors, Rajesh continues to demonstrate exemplary leadership in sports management, policy development, and advocacy. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. at NALSAR University, Hyderabad, his focus on regulatory frameworks enhances his deep understanding of governance and stakeholder engagement.

His appointment to the Board of AIMS is another step toward his vision of making running a preferred fitness activity worldwide.

Hyderabad, December 10, 2024.: Aashirwad Saxena from Telangana wins bronze medal at the just concluded National Cycling Championship 2024 held at Puri Orissa. The Cycling Federation of India organised the championship.

Aashirward Saxena is the most promising professional bicyclist from Hyderabad and won many championships at various levels in the past

The Road Nationals were held for Elite, Junior, Sub-Junior and Youth categories for male and female cyclists. Road racing cyclists who are selected by the State Trials got a chance to represent their states at the Nationals. The Events comprise of mass start road race, individual time trials, team time trials and criteriums.

If there is any cyclist out there, who would like to race these nationals, get in touch with your state representative and you will be instructed on how to apply for a CFI racing licence. And also informed of the dates for when the state championships will be held.

December 9, 2024: India overcame Singapore with a commanding 35-22 win on Sunday at the Asian Women’s Handball Championship (AWHC) 2024 in New Delhi, opening up the opportunity for their best-ever finish at the tournament. India, who have never finished above sixth in the competition, will face China on December 10 in the 5th/6th place playoff match.

Charged by the backing of their fans, India opened the placement match against Singapore with high energy, leading 9-6 midway through the first half, thanks to Menika and Bhawana Sharma’s consistent scoring. At the other end, captain Diksha Kumari and goalkeeper Nina Shil–who also saved a penalty and was adjudged Player of the Match–made key saves to keep Singapore at bay. The hosts maintained their overall dominance on the other side of the interval, securing a comprehensive win.

Presented by the World Handball League (WHL) and organised by the Asian Handball Federation, the AWHC has already witnessed this relatively young Indian contingent playing fearlessly against Asia’s best teams, showcasing resilience and grit. In the group stage, India beat Hong Kong-CHN 31-28 in their opening match, lost by two points to the previous edition’s semi-finalists Iran, and recorded the most goals in the group against Japan.

Speaking on her team’s display in the tournament so far, captain Diksha Kumari said: “Our team has shown incredible spirit and resilience throughout this tournament, whether against Hong Kong, Singapore, Iran, and even Japan. Every match has been a learning experience for us and we have pushed ourselves to compete with some of the best teams in Asia at our home. Scoring consistently and staying strong defensively has been our focus, and we’re proud of how we’ve come together as a unit. This journey inspires us to aim higher.”

While the Indian team’s performance at the Championships has shown many positives, it also highlighted the possibilities that can accelerate the national team’s journey and progress, ensuring a pivotal shift from just being underdogs to establishing itself as a strong opponent to reckon with in Asia.

Earlier in the day, China ensured their place opposite India in the 5th/6th place playoff by beating Hong Kong-CHN with a resounding 38-14 scoreline. In the top bracket, meanwhile, South Korea booked their berth in the final–scheduled to be played on December 10, Tuesday–by outclassing Iran 33-20. South Korea will play the victor of the match between Japan and Kazakhstan for the title.

Mumbai, December 4, 2024: Chennai Smashers made their mark with a sensational Victory in the Tennis Premier League Season 6 over Bengaluru SG Pipers in their opening match.

With Hugo Gaston leading the charge, backed by the sharp play of Conny Perrin and the determination of Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli, Chennai Smashers put on an electrifying display of teamwork and talent that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very end of the match. What a magnificent win!

Match Results
Women’s Singles – Conny Perrin vs Gabriela Knutson (13 – 12)
Men’s Single – Hugo Gaston vs Bernabe Zapata Miralles (13 – 12)
Mixed Doubles – Conny & Rithvik vs Gabriela & Anirudh (17 – 8)
Men’s Doubles – Hugo & Rithvik vs Bernabe & Anirudh (11 – 14)
Over All Score – Chennai Smashers 54 – Bengaluru SG Pipers (54 – 46)

The atmosphere here in Mumbai is great with the new setup. We have a fantastic team around us, along with great people and strong support,” said Conny Perrin after winning Player of the Match.

Chennai Smashers will have a face off against Hyderabad Strikers on December 4th at 7:00 PM. Fans can catch all the live action on Sports 18 and JioCinema, as the Smashers look to continue their winning streak.