Author: Gargi Raut

As the 44th Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly draws near, the excitement around cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics is starting to build. During a press conference, OCA President Randhir Singh shared some insightful perspectives on cricket’s return to the Asian Games and what this could mean for its future on the global stage. Randhir pointed out that despite cricket being a massive sport in many Asian countries, it wasn’t always taken seriously in multi-sport events. “No one was taking interest in cricket, even the federations and associations,” he explained. “They were taking it easy, sending only B-teams.”…

Morteza Mehrzadselakjani, known simply as Mehrzad, stands at an awe-inspiring 2.46 meters tall (8 ft 0.85 inches), making him the second tallest man in the world and the tallest athlete ever to compete in the Paralympics. As a two-time Paralympic champion for Iran’s sitting volleyball team, Mehrzad’s height has been a game-changer, forcing rival teams to rethink their strategies whenever they face him. Born with acromegaly, a rare condition caused by excessive growth hormone, Mehrzad’s extraordinary height has been both a blessing and a challenge. A bicycle accident during his teenage years further complicated his life, stunting the growth…

Avani Lekhara’s journey is a remarkable one, marked by resilience and a deep passion for sport. Born on November 8, 2001, in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Avani’s life changed dramatically when she was just 11 years old. In 2012, a car accident left her with complete paraplegia. While this could have been a moment of defeat, it instead became the turning point in her life. Her father, recognising the importance of keeping her engaged, encouraged her to explore sports. She initially tried archery, but it was in shooting that she found her true calling. She began training in shooting in 2015,…

Deepthi Jeevanji, born on September 27, 2003 in the small village of Kalleda in Telangana’s Warangal district, is on the brink of making history as the first Indian athlete with an intellectual impairment to compete at the Paralympics. Her journey from a modest upbringing to become a world champion is both inspiring and deeply emotional. Deepthi was raised in a humble household where her parents, Jeevanji Yadhagiri and Jeevanji Dhanalaxmi, worked tirelessly on their half-acre of farmland, supplementing their income as daily wage labourers on neighbouring farms. From an early age, Deepthi faced challenges not only because of her…

Nithya Sree Sivan’s journey into the world of para-badminton is a story of passion, resolve, and the power of a supportive community. Growing up in Tamil Nadu, Nithya initially picked up badminton racquet in 2016, playing alongside able-bodied athletes purely for the joy of the game. What began as a fun pastime soon became something much more meaningful. In 2019, she discovered the para-sports community, a revelation that shifted her focus to competitive badminton and changed the course of her life. Moving to Lucknow to train under the guidance of coach Gaurav Khanna, Nithya embarked on a rigorous journey…

Paris Olympics 2024 so far has been a melting pot of inspiring stories of women athletes. From USA Rugby Player Ilona Maher promoting body positivity with her sensational yet heartwarming social media content to Egyptian Fencer Nada Hafez revealing that she’s 7 months pregnant, to Simone Biles emphasising on mental health and taking on haters that doubted her team to Katie Ledecky breaking all records to Indian shooter Manu Bhaker stealing hearts with her ice cold composure and making history at just 22 years old. It is truly a great time to be a woman in sports. To think that…

In a spectacular display of skill and determination, the Indian women’s cricket team has advanced to the final of the Asia Cup, overpowering Bangladesh with a decisive 10-wicket victory in the semi-finals. The game began with Bangladesh winning the toss and choosing to bat first, a decision that quickly turned against them. They lost three crucial wickets early on, setting a difficult tone for their innings. Renuka Singh Thakur shone brightly with her exceptional bowling performance, delivering four consecutive overs and securing 3 wickets for just 10 runs. Her efforts set the stage for India’s commanding presence in the…

The Indian contingent is set to make a vibrant presence at the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, with 78 athletes and officials proudly representing 12 sports disciplines. Leading this enthusiastic group are Dr. PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and Chef-de-Mission Gagan Narang, who have worked tirelessly to ensure the athletes’ needs come first. They’ve made it a priority to include every athlete who was available, though some have chosen to focus on their upcoming competitions on Saturday—a decision that has been met with full respect and understanding from the IOA. Carrying the Indian flag high, PV…

Javier Mascherano, Argentine’s football coach at the Paris Olympics, labelled the scenes in Saint Etienne a ‘disgrace’ and a ‘circus’ after the players were forced off for nearly two hours by a crowd invasion. Once the dust settled, Mascherano, who won Olympic golds in Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008), was left to reflect on a 2-1 defeat to Morocco, which damaged Argentina’s hopes of progress from a group that also contains Iraq and Ukraine. “I have not been a coach for long, but never in my career as a player have I seen a situation like that,” said Mascherano,…

In the realm of Indian hockey, few names resonate as powerfully as P.R. Sreejesh. Known for his incredible reflexes, indomitable spirit, and unwavering determination, Sreejesh has carved a niche for himself as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the sport. His journey, from the small-town fields of Kerala to the grand arenas of international hockey, is a one in a million story of resilience, mental fortitude and an unyielding pursuit of excellence. The Unique Challenges of Goalkeeping Sreejesh’s career has been defined by the unique pressures of being a goalkeeper. “Pressure is there, but when I was starting…