Sports

India’s Sharvari Somnath Shende Strikes Gold at World Youth Archery Championships in Canada


India continues to shine on the global sports stage as Sharvari Somnath Shende clinched the U18 Women’s Individual Recurve Gold Medal at the prestigious World Youth Archery Championships held in Winnipeg, Canada.

Sharvari showcased remarkable precision, focus, and determination to secure the top podium finish, outclassing her international competitors. Her victory has brought immense pride to the nation and is a milestone moment in her sporting journey.

The World Youth Archery Championships is one of the most competitive platforms for young athletes, and Sharvari’s achievement highlights India’s growing strength in the sport. Experts believe her success will inspire a new generation of young archers in the country.

This golden triumph not only adds to India’s medal tally but also reaffirms the country’s potential to excel in archery on the world stage.

👏 Congratulations to Sharvari Somnath Shende for her outstanding achievement — a true golden moment for India!

Sports

Khalid Jamil Appointed Head Coach of Indian Men’s Football Team


August 1, 2025 | New Delhi — The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has appointed Khalid Jamil as the head coach of the Indian men’s national football team, a historic move that ends a 13-year gap since an Indian last held the post.

Jamil, 48, becomes the first Indian head coach since Savio Medeira (2011–2012) and was selected by the AIFF Executive Committee from a strong three-man shortlist. The final candidates included former India coach Stephen Constantine and Slovakia’s ex-manager Stefan Tarkovic.

A Proven Track Record

Jamil rose to national prominence after leading Aizawl FC to an I-League title in 2017 — one of the greatest underdog stories in Indian sports. He is currently the head coach of Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), where he has earned praise for his tactical acumen and leadership.

The selection was based on recommendations by the AIFF Technical Committee headed by football legend IM Vijayan, who emphasized the importance of understanding Indian football’s cultural and developmental context.

What’s Next?

Jamil takes over from Spaniard Manolo Marquez, who parted ways with AIFF following India’s disappointing performances in recent international fixtures.

His first assignment as head coach will be the CAFA Nations Cup, to be held from August 29, 2025, across Tajikistan and Uzbekistan — a crucial platform for rebuilding team confidence and performance.

“It’s an honor to be given this responsibility. I believe in our players, our system, and what we can achieve together,” Jamil stated.

Football fans and stakeholders alike see this as a bold and hopeful step toward developing homegrown coaching talent and nurturing a distinct Indian football identity on the global stage.

Sports

Sumit and Anil Mor Medal at UWW Ranking Series in Budapest, Boosting India’s Greco-Roman Wrestling Glory


Budapest | July 2025 — Indian wrestlers continue to shine on the global stage with an impressive performance at the UWW Ranking Series held in Budapest. Two of India’s most promising Greco-Roman wrestlers, Sumit and Anil Mor, made the nation proud by clinching silver and bronze medals respectively.

Sumit demonstrated remarkable strength and technique, powering his way through the competition to reach the finals, ultimately finishing with a silver medal in his weight category. His agility and control over the mat showcased India’s rising capabilities in Greco-Roman wrestling, traditionally dominated by European nations.

Meanwhile, Anil Mor fought valiantly through the bronze medal bouts and emerged victorious, adding a bronze medal to India’s tally. His performance was marked by fierce determination, strategic movement, and a commanding presence that earned accolades from wrestling enthusiasts and experts alike.

These victories further solidify India’s standing in international wrestling circuits and reflect the consistent progress and support being extended to athletes in less-highlighted formats like Greco-Roman.

With wrestling being a part of India’s rich sporting heritage, performances like these ignite hopes for even greater success in future international competitions including the Asian Games and Olympics.

The Wrestling Federation of India and fans across the nation have lauded the athletes and their coaches for their efforts, dedication, and for flying the Indian flag high in Budapest.

Sports

Vedant Madhavan Clinches Five Golds for India at Malaysia Invitational Swim Meet


Vedant Madhavan, the rising Indian swimming sensation and son of celebrated actor R. Madhavan, delivered a phenomenal performance at the 58th MILO/MAS Malaysia Invitational Age Group Swimming Championship, bringing home five gold medals in a single tournament.

Held in Kuala Lumpur, the championship featured elite age-group swimmers from across Asia. Vedant, representing India, stood out in the freestyle category by winning the 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, and 1500m races — showcasing not just speed but endurance and technical mastery.

His victory has once again placed India in the spotlight in global aquatic sports. R. Madhavan shared the news on social media, posting touching pictures of Vedant with the tricolor and his five gold medals, calling it one of the most emotional moments of their lives.

This isn’t Vedant’s first brush with international success. In 2022, he famously won gold in the 800m freestyle event at the Danish Open in Copenhagen, surpassing local swimmers on their home turf.

Vedant’s achievements reflect years of training, relentless focus, and a burning desire to elevate Indian swimming. His journey from national circuits to international podiums is not only inspirational but a clarion call for more support toward grassroots sports in India.

As he continues to rise, Vedant Madhavan stands tall as a beacon of youthful excellence — one stroke at a time.

Sports

One Step to Go: Nitish Belurkar Inches Closer to Grandmaster Title


Written by Tanisha Cardozo

Goa’s rising chess talent Nitish Belurkar has achieved his second Grandmaster (GM) norm at the 5th International Festival of La Plagne Soleil Masters held in France — marking a major milestone in his journey to becoming a GM.

🎯 What’s the big achievement?

Nitish scored an unbeaten 7 points in 9 rounds, finishing third in a competitive field of 171 players from 23 countries, and earned a performance rating of 2624. With this, he not only secured his second GM norm but also gained 19 Elo points, bringing his live rating to 2472.

Now, he’s just one norm and 28 Elo points away from achieving the title of Grandmaster — the highest honour in the world of chess.

👏 Highlights of the Tournament

  • Win over top seed GM Jules Moussard (2591)
  • ✅ Held strong draws with GMs Iniyan Pa, Christian Bauer, Yuri Solodovnichenko, and Joseph Girrel
  • ✅ Wins against Van Volsem Merlijn, FM Hald Falkesggard Jeppe, Damien Riberie, and FM Fantin Ludwig
  • Third-place finish, behind champion GM Yuri Solodovnichenko (7.5 points)

This performance follows Nitish’s first GM norm, which he had achieved earlier at the Vezerkepzo GM tournament in Hungary.

💬 A Goan Star in the Making

Nitish Belurkar’s success story is not just about individual brilliance — it reflects the growing strength of Indian and Goan chess on the global stage. His composure, consistency, and tenacity have made him one of the most watched young players in the country.

As the chess world turns its attention to his next tournaments, Nitish carries with him the hopes of becoming Goa’s next Grandmaster.