Author: WebDesk

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Wednesday gave its formal nod to the country’s bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games during a Special General Meeting (SGM) in New Delhi. An Expression of Interest has already been submitted, naming Ahmedabad as the proposed host city. The final bid documents, however, must be sent in before the August 31 deadline. With Canada withdrawing from contention, India’s prospects of securing the hosting rights have improved significantly. A delegation from Commonwealth Sport, led by Director of Games Darren Hall, recently toured Ahmedabad to review facilities and meet with Gujarat government officials. A larger team…

The Lok Sabha on Monday approved the long-pending National Sports Governance Bill, which Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya hailed as the “biggest reform in Indian sports since independence,” even as opposition parties staged protests over the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. The House also passed the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after resuming its sitting at 2 pm following an early adjournment due to opposition disruptions. Calling the sports governance bill a watershed moment, Mandaviya told the House (as per PTI): “It will ensure accountability, justice, and best governance in sports federations… It will have massive significance in India’s sports…

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is pleased to announce a reward of USD 25,000 for the U20 Women’s National Team following their outstanding performance, which secured India’s qualification for the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup for the first time in two decades. The last time India qualified for the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup was back in 2006. The India U20 women produced some fine performances, remaining undefeated in their Group D qualification campaign, where they played Indonesia (0-0), and Turkmenistan (7-0), before defeating hosts Myanmar (1-0) in front of a capacity crowd at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon,…

Eleven Indian Super League (ISL) clubs except Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC have formally urged the All India Football Federation to seek urgent intervention from the Supreme Court, with a warning that they will take independent legal action if the Federation fails to act. The clubs’ joint letter, sent to AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, highlights the “irreversible damage” being caused by the legal impasse that has frozen key decisions for the 2025-26 season. This move follows a meeting on August 7 between the AIFF, club representatives and Football Sports Development Ltd. (FSDL), which failed to resolve the core…

The Indian women’s football team has jumped seven places to 63rd in the latest FIFA rankings, thanks to a historic win over Thailand that also secured them a spot in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. This marks the first time the Blue Tigresses have qualified for the tournament based on performance. This is India’s best ranking in nearly two years, last reaching 61st in August 2023. The 2-1 victory over Thailand—ranked higher—sealed their qualification and capped off a dominant qualifying campaign. India began their qualifiers with a thumping 13-0 win against Mongolia—their biggest win in recent times—followed by convincing 4-0…

Hosts India have been drawn with Islamic Republic of Iran, Palestine, Chinese Taipei and Lebanon in Group D of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers, following the draw conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday, August 7, 2025. Ahmedabad’s The Arena will host Group D of the Qualifiers from November 22 to 30, 2025. India will begin the Qualifiers with a clash against Palestine (November 22) before taking on Chinese Taipei (November 26), Lebanon (November 28) and Islamic Republic of Iran (November 30). The draw saw 38 teams divided into seven groups —…

The India U17 women’s team have been drawn with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyz Republic in Group G of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026 Qualifiers, following the draw conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday, August 7, 2025. The draw saw 27 teams divided into eight groups — three of four teams each, and five of three. They will contest the Qualifiers in a single round-robin centralised league format from October 13 to 17, 2025. India will face Kyrgyz Republic on October 13 and Uzbekistan on October 17 in Bishkek. The eight group winners will…

India’s campaign to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games has taken a major step forward with an official inspection visit by a Commonwealth Sport delegation to Ahmedabad. The team, led by Darren Hall, Director of Games for the global governing body, will assess the city’s preparedness from August 5 to 7. Their itinerary includes in-depth venue inspections and strategic discussions with top Gujarat government representatives—an essential stage in India’s bid process. The delegation touched down in New Delhi on Sunday, where they also met with representatives from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). With Canada recently exiting the race, India has emerged…

The Durand Cup reaches a crucial juncture on Wednesday (August 6th, 2025) with two pivotal Group A and Group D encounters that could shape the knockout stage picture. In what promises to be a footballing spectacular, I-League side Namdhari FC will lock horns with Emami East Bengal FC tomorrow here at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in a potential Group A decider, while Punjab FC take on Durand Cup debutants ITBP FT at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar, as both teams aim to consolidate their positions in Group D. Potential Group A decider in Kolkata The evening clash in Kolkata pits…

Bengaluru FC, one of the most consistent performers in Indian football, have announced an indefinite suspension of salaries for its first team players and staff, citing growing uncertainty over the future of the Indian Super League. In an official statement, the club said it was a “very difficult decision,” but one made necessary by the lack of clarity surrounding the upcoming ISL campaign. “Running and sustaining a football club in India has always been an uphill climb,” the club noted. “However, the current impasse leaves us with no choice.” The decision, however, does not impact BFC’s youth teams — both…