Tag: SportsIndia

Sports

Goa to Host 14th Acrobatic Gymnastics Asian Championships 2025 – India’s First

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa is set to make history as it hosts the 14th Acrobatic Gymnastics Asian Championships 2025 from October 31 to November 2 at the Peddem Indoor Stadium, Mapusa. For the first time in India, this prestigious international sporting event will bring together the finest acrobatic gymnasts from across Asia, showcasing their artistry, strength, and teamwork over three days of thrilling competition.

The championship will be inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, alongside senior officials including Shri Santosh Sukhadeve, IAS, Secretary (Sports), Government of Goa; Dr. Ajay R. Gaude, Director of Sports & Youth Affairs, Goa and Executive Director, Sports Authority of Goa; Ms. Aigul Dukenbayeva, AGU Technical President; Shri Sudhir Mital, President of the Gymnastics Federation of India; and Shri Dr. C. Prabhakar, Vice President, Gymnastics Federation of India, along with top international officials, coaches, and athletes. The event has received support from the Honorable Sports Minister of Goa Shri Ramesh Tawadkar.

The championship promises an electrifying display of balance, coordination, and creativity, with athletes performing complex routines that require precision, power, and artistry. It also provides a platform for cultural exchange and collaboration among the gymnastics community across Asia.

Ms. Aigul Dukenbayeva, AGU Technical President, expressed her excitement, stating that the championships symbolize unity, artistry, and athletic excellence, and praised India and Goa for hosting the event. Shri Sudhir Mital, President of the Gymnastics Federation of India, described the event as a proud milestone that reinforces India’s commitment to nurturing gymnastics talent. Shri Dr. C. Prabhakar highlighted that the championship celebrates discipline, teamwork, and dedication, leaving a lasting legacy for young gymnasts in India.

The 14th Acrobatic Gymnastics Asian Championships 2025 marks a significant milestone for India in the international gymnastics arena. Goa, with its vibrant sporting culture and world-class infrastructure, is ready to welcome athletes, officials, and fans from across Asia for a truly unforgettable sporting spectacle.

Sports

India Seal Historic Double Gold in Kabaddi at Asian Youth Games 2025 After Thrilling Final Against Iran

Tanisha Cardozo

The win completed a historic double for Indian kabaddi, with both the boys’ and girls’ teams clinching gold at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain. For a sport deeply rooted in Indian soil, this triumph reaffirmed the nation’s unmatched dominance on the mat and its unbreakable connection with kabaddi’s spirit.

From the opening whistle, both teams showcased defensive steel and tactical aggression. Led by captain Ishant, the Indian boys started brightly, forcing early do-or-die situations against Iran and converting them through smart raiding rotations. But midway through the second half, the match turned heated when Iran refused to restart play, accusing Ishant of using oily substances on his legs to evade tackles — an allegation that delayed play and drew loud reactions from a partisan crowd. After a long referee discussion, the claims were dismissed, and India resumed play with renewed fire.

Their defenders — notably the right corner and cover combination — produced back-to-back tackles to shift momentum, though Iran fought back with a string of super tackles and bonus points, narrowing the scoreline to just two points in the closing minutes.

Tension reached a peak when Iran called for a referral over whether an Indian raider had crossed the baulk line before contact. After a lengthy review, the decision went India’s way. Iran’s bench erupted in protest, leading to another brief halt in play. Yet, through all the chaos, the young Indian side showed remarkable composure. Ishant, at the heart of the controversy, delivered when it mattered — scoring vital raid points and organizing the defence in the dying seconds. As the final whistle blew, the Indian team erupted in joy, waving the tricolour and embracing their coaches as chants of “India! India!” filled the arena.

The final scoreline — India 35–32 Iran — captured the drama of a contest that demanded skill, nerve, and unity.

India’s journey to gold had been nothing short of dominant. In the group stages, the boys crushed Bangladesh (83–19), Sri Lanka (89–16), Pakistan (81–26), and Thailand (86–30). Even in their earlier encounter with Iran, a 46–29 victory had foreshadowed their superiority. But the final tested their mental strength and discipline, qualities that define true champions.

Earlier, the Indian girls’ team had dismantled Iran 75–21 in a one-sided final — the largest margin in Youth Games kabaddi history. Raider Neha Patel shone with 28 points, while Riya Singh led a rock-solid defence. Across five matches, the girls’ squad scored 312 points and conceded just 89, underlining total dominance.

Together, these triumphs mark a new era for India’s youth kabaddi. The performances displayed not only talent but also maturity beyond years — a reflection of the sport’s strong grassroots structure and the guidance of initiatives like Khelo India.

For the young players, this victory was more than just a medal — it was a statement of pride, resilience, and legacy. The sight of the tricolour waving over the mat in Bahrain symbolized India’s enduring supremacy in a sport it gave to the world.

Final Score: 🇮🇳 India 35–32 Iran 🇮🇷
Result: India win Gold in Boys’ Kabaddi at Asian Youth Games 2025
Double Gold for India! 🥇🇮🇳
— Boys defeat Iran 35–32 in a thriller
— Girls defeat Iran 75–21 in the final

India’s young kabaddi stars didn’t just win medals — they wrote a new chapter in India’s sporting story, one defined by passion, precision, and pride.

Sports

LA 2028 Countdown: Time to Walk the Talk on Indian Sports

allycaralgoa

Exactly three years from now, the world will gather in Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Olympics. While social media will likely be filled with countdowns and patriotic posts, this milestone should be more than just a reminder on our timelines. It’s a wake-up call to act, not just admire.

India’s Olympic aspirations have always been fueled by talent, but not always matched by systemic support. While cricket dominates headlines, countless promising athletes in disciplines like wrestling, swimming, athletics, gymnastics, shooting, and boxing continue to struggle for visibility and funding.

This is the perfect time to:

  • Invest in grassroots programs and sports education in schools.
  • Upgrade infrastructure in every state—not just metros.
  • Provide mental health and diet support for athletes year-round.
  • Promote gender inclusivity and empower more women athletes.
  • Celebrate regional sporting events as seriously as global ones.

From Tokyo to Paris and now on to LA 2028, each Olympic cycle should not just be about medals—but about building a sports culture. It’s not just the job of athletes or federations. Parents, schools, media, corporates, and citizens—everyone plays a role in shaping the sporting future of India.

So instead of cheering only when the medals are won, let’s start cheering when training begins.

🎯 Let LA 2028 be the year India arrives, not just competes.