Author: WebDesk

As the Indian football team gears up for an international friendly against Thailand on Wednesday and a crucial AFC Asian Cup Qualifier against Hong Kong next week, a cloud of financial discontent has emerged over the national camp. According to a report, some senior Indian players have raised concerns over non-payment of pending dues, including allowances, match fees, and performance bonuses, dating back to 2023—a year where India lifted three trophies under former head coach Igor Stimac. An email highlighting the issue was sent to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on behalf of the players on May 26. As…

-Jonathan Manley ‘To be the world’s best player!’ said Gukesh when asked about his ambitions after becoming world champion. How better to declare your intent than by beating the world’s top four players? This is exactly what he has done at Norway Chess. Nakamura and Carlsen went down in classical games, and Caruana in a speed tiebreak. Today it was Arjun Erigaisi’s turn. Gukesh had never taken a classical game from his countryman, and had lost six. Surprised by the Pirc Defence, Gukesh chose an inferior line to avoid Erigaisi’s preparation and soon drifted into an ugly position. But he…

Mumbai, June 2, 2025: Mumbai City are delighted to announce that Spanish centre-back José Luis Espinosa Arroyo (Tiri) has signed a contract extension, keeping him with the Islanders until 31st May, 2026. The upcoming season will mark the 33-year-old’s tenth in the Indian Super League – the most for any foreign player. Tiri initially joined Mumbai City in the 2023–24 season and has since gone on to register 49 appearances for the club. Most recently, he featured in 21 matches during the 2024–25 Indian Super League campaign, contributing to nine clean sheets, 33 interceptions and 84 recoveries, serving as a…

-Jonathan Manley ‘I am shaken from that game … Time scrambles can get out of control.’ So said a relieved World Champion Gukesh, trying to make sense of a game he had long given up as lost. The clock and cool calculation had gifted him a most unlikely victory, his first classical win over the World No.1. The confessional booth has been one of the greatest innovations in chess coverage. At any time during the game, a player can relay his/her thoughts to the viewing audience. As if the viewer is peering into the player’s mind. Carlsen’s feelings just out…

Guwahati, 1 June 2025: NorthEast United FC is delighted to announce the signing of talented Indian striker Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia on a long-term deal. Lalrinzuala, 23, joins the Highlanders from Aizawl FC after his contract with them expired at the end of the 2024-25 season and has committed his future to the Highlanders till the end of the 2027 season. Lalrinzuala, one of the most exciting forwards in Indian football, impressed with his goal-scoring prowess in the I-League and now takes the next step in his career with NorthEast United FC. Known for his intelligent movement, sharp finishing, and high work…

Jonathan Manley Rest days in Stavanger are always fun. Yesterday’s theme was the Wild West, and the players seemed to enjoy the sharpshooting shenanigans. If any game was likely to continue the gunslinging today, it was ‘Arjun Erigaisi versus Hikaru Nakamura. True to form, Erigaisi tried to complicate the position just out of the opening. ‘Arjun never backs down, never retreats!’ said Chess.com’s David Howell. But he miscalculated and needed to call on all his resources to simplify and draw the ending. Fortune smiled on the Indian in the Armageddon tiebreak when an overconfident Nakamura, with Black, blundered his queen…

Mumbai City confirms the departure of Bipin Singh after his contract expires on 31 May 2025. In recognition of his immense contribution to the club, Mumbai City will retire his jersey number 29. The winger from Manipur joined the Islanders in 2018 following stints with Shillong Lajong and ATK and went on to become one of the most crucial figures in the club’s history. During his time with Mumbai City, Bipin won two Indian Super League Cups and two Indian Super League Shields, playing a pivotal role for the club over the years gone by. He was a key member…

Paris Olympians and Skeet shooters Raiza Dhillon and Anantjeet Singh Naruka, are back in the Indian team, as the selection committee of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) proposed a 12-member Shotgun squad, for the year’s fourth and final International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) world cup stage scheduled between July 4-14, 2025, in Lonato Del Garda, Italy. One would recall Raiza, after winning silver in the Junior World Cup in Suhl last week, saying, “My sights currently are on the Lonato World Cup in July and I hope to take confidence from my good performances this year to Italy.”…

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has invited former India bowling coach Bharat Arun to lead a specialised 14-day training program aimed at elevating the standards of fast bowling across the island nation’s senior and junior ranks. The program, set to begin on June 2, will see Arun work extensively with the Sri Lanka National Men’s and Women’s Teams, the Women’s ‘A’ Team, the U19 Men’s Team, as well as coaches from the High Performance Center, clubs, provinces, and coach educators. Bharat Arun, who was India’s bowling coach from 2014 to 2021, played a pivotal role in shaping one of the world’s…

The India U23 men’s national team, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, have been drawn in Group H of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, after the draw ceremony was conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Drawn alongside India in Group H are Qatar, Bahrain, and Brunei Darussalam. Qatar, the highest-seeded team among the four, will host Group H, with the matches slated to be played between September 1 to 9, 2025. A total of 44 teams were divided into 11 groups of four each. The group winners and the four best runners-up, alongside hosts Saudi Arabia, will…