In a gesture celebrating excellence and national pride, the Maharashtra Government has announced ₹2.25 crore each for Indian cricketers Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Radha Yadav, following India’s sensational victory in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
The trio played pivotal roles in scripting one of India’s greatest sporting triumphs — a win that united the nation and showcased the rising dominance of Indian women’s cricket on the global stage.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde praised the players for their performance, calling them “icons of inspiration for the youth of India.” The felicitation ceremony will soon be held in Mumbai to honour the players’ achievements.
The announcement comes as a significant boost to women’s sports, emphasizing the government’s commitment to recognizing female athletes who have brought international glory to the country.
As the celebrations continue across the nation, this recognition from Maharashtra underscores the impact of India’s World Cup heroes — both on and off the field. 🇮🇳
Goa hosted the National Judo Black Belt Camp and NDIC Examination (West Zone) at the Peddem Sports Complex, Mapusa, marking a major event in the state’s sporting calendar. The camp began with an inspiring inauguration ceremony graced by Dr. Ajay Gaude, Executive Director of the Sports Authority of Goa, as the Chief Guest. The event was attended by top coaches and dignitaries, including Dronacharya Awardee Mr. Jiwan Sharma, Mr. Shailesh Tilak, Mr. Satish Pahade, Mr. Virender Vashist, and Mr. Rajan C.S.
A total of 110 participants from across India reported for the camp, which focuses on enhancing technical expertise and evaluating the performance standards of judokas under expert supervision. In his address, Dr. Gaude praised Judo for its discipline and moral strength, describing it as one of the most disciplined sports he personally admires. He encouraged Goan judokas to train harder and compete with the best talent in the nation. Dr. Gaude also highlighted the forthcoming Khelo Goa Scheme, aimed at empowering athletes and boosting Goa’s sports infrastructure.
Mr. Jiwan Sharma reflected on Judo’s global prominence, noting its inclusion in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and commending India’s growing achievements on the world stage. He cited Linthoi Chanambam’s historic world bronze medal as an inspiration for India’s next generation of judokas.
The ceremony was compered by Mrs. Leena Porob. Mr. Girish Pednekar, President of the Goa Judo Association, welcomed the attendees, while Mr. Kripesh Vengurlekar, General Secretary, delivered the vote of thanks. The camp reflects Goa’s commitment to promoting martial arts and nurturing future champions through technical excellence and national-level collaboration.
Olympic gold medalist and India’s javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra was officially appointed as an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army during a grand ceremony held in Delhi. The event was graced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who conferred the prestigious rank upon Neeraj in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contribution to the nation’s sporting glory.
Neeraj Chopra has been a symbol of national pride ever since he clinched India’s first Olympic gold medal in athletics. His journey from a small town to global stardom has inspired millions across the country. The honorary rank is not only a recognition of his sportsmanship but also reflects the Indian Army’s commitment to honoring exceptional talent representing the country on international platforms.
The ceremony was made even more special with the presence of Neeraj’s parents, who have stood by him throughout his journey. The conferment of this honorary military rank marks a significant milestone in Neeraj’s career, symbolizing the bond between Indian sports and the armed forces.
Neeraj Chopra now joins a distinguished list of athletes who have been honored with honorary ranks by the Indian military, celebrating their role as ambassadors of India’s sporting excellence and patriotism.
A 35-member strong team of athletes from the Modern Pentathlon Association of Goa (MPAG) is all set to represent the state at the 14th Modern Pentathlon Biathle & Triathle National Championship, scheduled to take place in Indore, Madhya Pradesh from October 4 to 7, 2025. The contingent includes participants from various age categories who have been rigorously training under experienced coaches to compete at the national level.
To mark the occasion, a formal farewell ceremony was held today at the DSYA office in Panaji. The event was graced by key officials including Shri. Sanjiv Gadkar (IAS), Secretary, Government of Goa, Dr. Ajay Gaude, Director of Sports & Executive Director of SAG, Smt. Sandhya Paliekar, Secretary, MPAG, Shri. Virendra Majik, Convenor, MPAG, and coaching staff Shri. Kirtan Vaiz, Shri. Alok Kothambikar, and Coach Nikita Naik. Managers Ishita Paliekar and Filda Eldro will accompany the team to the national event.
The event saw dignitaries offering their best wishes to the athletes, encouraging them to showcase their dedication, sportsmanship, and team spirit. They lauded the efforts of MPAG in nurturing young talent and promoting the modern pentathlon disciplines—particularly biathle and triathle, which combine swimming, running, and shooting in a dynamic sporting format.
The participation in this national championship is a significant opportunity for Goan athletes to shine on the national stage, gain exposure, and further develop their skills. It also reflects the growing prominence of modern pentathlon as a competitive sport in Goa and the efforts being made at grassroots and state levels to support and grow this discipline.
Team Goa departs with the support and blessings of the state’s sports leadership, carrying the hopes of a proud sporting community.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has unveiled the official selection criteria for the participation of individuals and teams in the Asian Games 2026 and other multi-sports events. This new framework aims to create a transparent and equitable process to ensure that only athletes with a genuine chance of winning medals are considered for selection, thereby enhancing India’s competitive edge in international sports.
The criteria cover both measurable and non-measurable sports events, providing clear benchmarks for athlete and team eligibility. For measurable individual sports and events, athletes must have matched or bettered the performance of the 6th place finisher from the last Asian Games at recognized international competitions held within 12 months before the upcoming Games. If a sport or event was not part of the last Asian Games, the standards will refer to the Senior Asian Championships held within the same timeframe.
For non-measurable individual sports, athletes must have achieved a top-6 finish in the most recent Senior Asian Championships or hold a world ranking within the top 6 among Asian nations in their event. In cases where no recent championships or rankings exist, equivalent international competitions will be considered.
Team sports and team events will be eligible for selection if the team has secured a top-8 finish in the last Senior Asian Championships or is ranked within the top 8 in Asian countries based on international rankings. If such rankings or championships are unavailable, performance in equivalent international competitions will be used as a benchmark.
The Ministry has also included a relaxation clause, which allows for discretion in selecting individuals or teams when justified by expert opinions or recommendations from the Sports Authority of India (SAI). However, participation solely for the sake of presence without aiming for excellence will not be approved. The Ministry also cautions against irregular scheduling of qualifying competitions to circumvent the rules and will not approve participation if such practices compromise competitive standards.
Additionally, the selection criteria specify that only those sportspersons, coaches, and support staff who are cleared at government cost will be included in the contingent. No additional members will be added, even if they do not incur government expenditure.
This rigorous selection framework is intended to focus resources on high-performing athletes and teams, promoting excellence and better medal prospects for India at the Asian Games 2026 and other major multi-sport events. It reflects the Ministry’s commitment to supporting a merit-based system and enhancing India’s stature in international sports.
