Saturday, March 21

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Meghalaya Games: A Launchpad for Tura and a Stepping Stone for Nationals
Sports

Meghalaya Games: A Launchpad for Tura and a Stepping Stone for Nationals

The recently concluded Meghalaya Games held in Tura, West Garo Hills district, were more than just a multi-sport event. They served as a crucial dress rehearsal for both the host district and the state as a whole, in preparation for the upcoming 40th National Games. Tura Steps Up to the Plate: Infrastructure and Logistics Tura, for the first time, shouldered the responsibility of hosting the Meghalaya Games. The district successfully managed the logistical challenges of accommodating and catering to athletes from across the state. Upgrading and developing sporting infrastructure played a key role. This included ensuring proper maintenance of existing facilities and potentially constructing new ones to meet specific needs. The smooth conduct of the Games demonstrates Tura's readi...
Lakshya Sen, Tanisha-Ashwini Shine at All England Championships
Badminton, Sports

Lakshya Sen, Tanisha-Ashwini Shine at All England Championships

The prestigious Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships are underway, and Indian shuttlers are making their presence felt! The tournament, considered one of the most important events in the badminton calendar, is witnessing a thrilling display of talent. On Wednesday, several Indian players put on impressive performances, setting the stage for exciting matches in the coming rounds. Here's a quick breakdown: Lakshya Sen Cruises into Round of 16 World Championship bronze medalist Lakshya Sen dominated his opening round match against Denmark's Magnus Johannesen. Sen secured a comfortable straight-game victory (21-14, 21-15) in just 40 minutes. He now faces another Danish challenger, the higher-seeded Anders Antonsen, in the round of 16. Tanisha-Ashwini Pair Upsets...
Ashwin reclaims top spot in ICC Test Bowling Rankings, Bumrah dethroned!
Cricket, Sports

Ashwin reclaims top spot in ICC Test Bowling Rankings, Bumrah dethroned!

Ravichandran Ashwin has cemented his place as a modern-day great by regaining the No. 1 ranking in the ICC Men's Test Bowling Rankings. This impressive feat comes after his stellar performance with a nine-wicket haul in his historic 100th Test match against England. Ashwin Enjoys Dominant Return to the Top Ashwin's fiery bowling spells (4/51 & 5/77) in the final Test against England propelled him past his compatriot Jasprit Bumrah to reclaim the top spot. This marks Ashwin's sixth stint at the pinnacle of the Test bowling rankings, with his first reign beginning in December 2015. Yadav's Meteoric Rise Kuldeep Yadav, who achieved the fastest fifty Test wickets for India in terms of balls bowled, also witnessed a significant rise. His seven-wicket haul in the Dh...
Can Odisha FC defy the odds against Central Coast Mariners in the AFC Cup?
Football, Sports

Can Odisha FC defy the odds against Central Coast Mariners in the AFC Cup?

The Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar is set to witness a tense battle in the AFC Cup 2023-24 Inter-zonal semifinal second leg. Odisha FC, trailing 0-4 on aggregate after a drubbing in the first leg away against Central Coast Mariners, faces an uphill task to stay alive in the competition. Lobera Seeks Inspiration from Kalinga Magic Head coach Sergio Lobera understands the daunting challenge ahead. He acknowledges the Mariners' quality, calling them "one of the best teams in Australia." However, Lobera, known for his tactical acumen, refuses to give up. He emphasizes belief and the unique home advantage the Kalinga Stadium provides. "They need to play here, and it's not easy to play in Kalinga," said Lobera. "In football, everything is possible, and we need to believe in the end...
Shreyas Iyer’s Back Pain Raises Concerns in Ranji Trophy Final
Cricket, Sports

Shreyas Iyer’s Back Pain Raises Concerns in Ranji Trophy Final

The ongoing Ranji Trophy final between Mumbai and Vidarbha has witnessed a development that has cast a shadow over Mumbai's batting strength. Shreyas Iyer, the captain of the team, sat out the entirety of Day 4 due to back pain. Team Management Assures Fitness for Final Day While Mumbai team manager Bhushan Patil confirmed that Iyer's back pain is a minor issue and he should be fit to play on the last day, the episode has reignited concerns about the batsman's ongoing battle with back injuries. Back Issues Plague Iyer's Recent Career This isn't the first time back pain has disrupted Iyer's cricketing journey. He was reportedly experiencing discomfort during the England tour, which contributed to his mid-series omission from the Indian squad. This setback also resulted in h...
Palak Kohli Gears Up for Paris Paralympics After Overcoming Surgery and COVID
Sports, Sports Stars

Palak Kohli Gears Up for Paris Paralympics After Overcoming Surgery and COVID

Palak Kohli and her journey in para-badminton is a testament to her unwavering determination. The 21-year-old shuttler recently claimed a World Championship bronze medal in Thailand, marking a remarkable comeback after major surgery and a COVID setback. From School Discouragement to Paralympic Debut Born with an underdeveloped left arm, Kohli's passion for badminton faced discouragement during her school days. However, a chance meeting with national coach Gaurav Khanna in 2016 opened doors to para-badminton. At the young age of 18, she represented India in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles at the Tokyo Paralympics. Surgery and Doubts, But Not Defeat A bone tumor surgery a year later forced Kohli to take a break from the sport. Even her coach advised her to prioritize hea...
Vidarbha Dig Deep to Extend Ranji Trophy Final Against Mumbai
Cricket, Sports

Vidarbha Dig Deep to Extend Ranji Trophy Final Against Mumbai

The Ranji Trophy final between Vidarbha and Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium has taken a dramatic turn. Chasing a mammoth target of 538, Vidarbha displayed exceptional grit and determination to bat through Day Four and extend the match into the final day. Karun Nair, Akshay Wadkar Lead Vidarbha Fightback Veteran batsman Karun Nair led the fightback for Vidarbha with a defiant knock of 74 runs. He batted for nearly five hours, anchoring the innings on a pitch that offered slow turn. Wicketkeeper-batsman Akshay Wadkar provided crucial support with a fluent unbeaten 56, his uppercut off Tushar Deshpande being the shot of the day. Early Setbacks Overcome by Crucial Innings in Ranji Trophy Final Vidarbha lost their openers cheaply but a dropped catch by Hardik Tamore on Karun Nai...
Sports

Sadiku Brace Powers Mohun Bagan to Dramatic Win Over Kerala Blasters

The Indian Super League (ISL) witnessed a thrilling encounter on Wednesday as Mohun Bagan Super Giant edged past Kerala Blasters 4-3 at the Nehru Stadium. Albanian forward Armando Sadiku emerged as the hero for the visitors, scoring a crucial brace. Sadiku Steals the Show with Clinical Finishing for Mohun Bagan Despite playing a short turnaround fixture, Mohun Bagan displayed grit and determination. Sadiku opened the scoring with a clever run and finish, leaving the Blasters' defense in disarray. He added another goal later in the match, further solidifying Bagan's lead. Blasters Fight Back Through Diamantakos Double Kerala Blasters refused to surrender without a fight. Vibin Mohanan opened their account with a well-placed strike, followed by a brace from Dimitrios Diamant...
Delhi Capitals Dominate Gujarat Giants, Seal Final Berth in WPL 2024
Cricket, Sports

Delhi Capitals Dominate Gujarat Giants, Seal Final Berth in WPL 2024

The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 witnessed a lopsided encounter in its final league stage match. While the result itself held no bearing on the standings, Delhi Capitals displayed their dominance yet again, thrashing Gujarat Giants by a convincing seven-wicket margin. Giants Flounder Despite Late Fightback Opting to bat first, Gujarat Giants got off to a disastrous start. Openers Beth Mooney and Jess Jonassen fell cheaply to Marizanne Kapp and D. Hemalatha respectively. Laura Wolvaardt followed soon after, caught by Shafali Verma off Kapp's bowling. Ashleigh Gardner and Phoebe Litchfield offered brief flickers of hope but were dismissed by Minnu Mani and Shikha Pandey respectively. The saving grace for Giants came in the form of a 68-run partnership between Bharti Fulmal...
Why we need Fitness in Schools!
Sports

Why we need Fitness in Schools!

Childhood obesity is on the rise in India. A recent study found that over 8.4% of Indian children are obese, while 12.4% are overweight. This alarming statistic points to a critical need for increased physical activity in young lives. One key solution lies in prioritizing fitness programs within Indian schools. Let's explore the reasons why incorporating mandatory physical activity can benefit not only children's health, but also their academic performance and potential for future sporting success. The Alarming Rise of Childhood Inactivity Technology and busy lifestyles have significantly reduced the amount of physical activity children engage in. Screen time dominates leisure hours, and traditional outdoor play has become less common. This lack of movement has serious conseq...