General Awareness

SPORTS - July 2018

Jul 2018

Dec 25, 2025

Jemimah Rodrigues named Delhi Capitals captain for WPL 2026

Delhi Capitals appointed Jemimah Rodrigues as captain ahead of the 2026 Women's Premier League season, replacing Meg Lanning who is not retained by the franchise. Rodrigues will lead the squad with a focus on leadership and team performance in a high-profile domestic women’s cricket competition. The decision signals continuity and trust in Rodrigues’s form and leadership style. DC aims to build a cohesive unit that can challenge for the title, leveraging Rodrigues’s experience in domestic and international cricket as the league expands and grows in popularity and competitiveness.

Jemimah Rodrigues named DC captain for WPL 2026.
Meg Lanning not retained by the franchise.
Leadership focus on sustained performance and team cohesion.
DC aims to compete for the title in a growing league.
Rodrigues’s experience seen as asset for the squad.

Media cricket event in Varanasi contrasts sport and culture

Varanasi hosts the 38th Kanishkadev Gorawala Memorial Media Cricket Competition from December 24 at Dr Sampurnanand Sports Complex, as part of the Anand Chandola Sports Festival. Six teams are divided into two groups: Group A includes Paradkar Ekadash, Vidya Bhaskar Ekadash and Ishwar Dev Mishra Ekadash; Group B features Garde Ekadash, Lalji Ekadash and Hriday Prakash Ekadash. The final is scheduled for December 31, with the top teams from each group competing for the title. The event promotes sportsmanship and public engagement while showcasing local media talent.

38th Kanishkadev Gorawala Memorial Media Cricket Competition underway in Varanasi.
Six teams divided into two groups; Group A and Group B listed.
Final scheduled for December 31 at Dr Sampurnanand Sports Complex.
Festival promotes sportsmanship and public engagement.
Event highlights local media talent in a cricket setting.

Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 schedule announced

The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 will run from December 24, 2025, to January 18, 2026. A total of 38 teams participate in this List A domestic championship, with 32 teams advancing to the main round after group-stage play. Teams will play seven group matches, then the top two from each group proceed to knockout rounds. The quarter-finals will be staged in Bengaluru on January 12–13, followed by semi-finals on January 15–16 and the final on January 18. The tournament showcases emerging talent and serves as a pathway to higher honours in Indian cricket.

Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 runs Dec 24 to Jan 18, 2026.
38 teams compete; 32 advance to the main round.
Group stage comprises seven matches per team.
Quarters in Bengaluru on Jan 12–13; semis Jan 15–16; final Jan 18.
Tournament highlights future India internationals and List A form.

Dec 24, 2025

Kiran Ankush Jadhav wins gold at National Shooting Championship

Navy shooter Kiran Ankush Jadhav secured gold in the 10m Air Rifle men final at the 68th National Shooting Championship in Bhopal, with a score of 252.1. He edged Olympian Arjun Babuta, who took silver with 251.4, while reigning national champion Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar ended on the podium with 229.8. In the junior event, Mohammed Murtaza Vania of Gujarat won gold with 254.3. Abhinav Shaw (West Bengal) took silver and Onkar Vikas Waghamare (Karnataka) bronze. The championship showcased rising talents in Indian rifle shooting.

Kiran Ankush Jadhav wins gold in 10m Air Rifle (men).
Final score 252.1; Arjun Babuta silver (251.4).
Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar bronze (229.8).
Junior gold: Mohammed Murtaza Vania (254.3).
Event held during the 68th National Shooting Championship.

India tops WADA doping list for third straight year

India has topped World Anti-Doping Agency’s global doping offenders list for the third consecutive year, with 260 positive dopings reported in 2024. The finding underscores concerns about integrity in Indian sport and has potential implications for hosting future events, including the 2036 Olympic bid. Sports bodies and policymakers emphasize the need for stronger anti-doping education, enhanced testing, and stricter governance to restore credibility and ensure fair competition. The data highlights ongoing challenges in sport governance and the importance of robust, transparent dope-control systems.

India leads WADA doping list for 2024 (260 cases).
Third consecutive year atop global offenders list.
Raises concerns about integrity of Indian sport.
Implications for 2036 Olympic bid considerations.
Calls for stronger anti-doping education and testing.

SG Pipers win Global Chess League 2025 in Mumbai

SG Pipers clinched the Global Chess League title in its third edition, defeating Continental Kings in the Mumbai final held at the Royal Opera House. The Pipers advanced past Ganges Grandmasters by a narrow margin to claim the crown. The event showcased top players competing across rapid and blitz formats, with strategic plays and intense pressure in the dramatic finale. The victory adds to India’s growing prominence in global team chess and highlights the league’s role in promoting the sport at both professional and popular levels.

SG Pipers win 2025 Global Chess League in Mumbai.
Final victory over Continental Kings; Close contest.
Event held at the Royal Opera House, Mumbai.
Highlights India’s rising prominence in team chess.
GCL supports growth of chess at national and international levels.

Dec 23, 2025

Pro Wrestling League Unveils New Logo Ahead of 2026 Season

The Pro Wrestling League (PWL), backed by the Wrestling Federation of India, unveiled a new official logo ahead of its 2026 season. The refreshed emblem signals a revival after a seven-year hiatus and coincides with a broader restructuring under new ownership. The league plans to resume in January 2026, featuring top Indian and international wrestlers. The updated branding reflects a modern, dynamic identity inspired by traditional wrestling elements, aiming to attract sponsors, fans, and broadcasters while aligning with contemporary sports marketing standards.

PWL unveils new logo ahead of 2026 season.
League set to resume in January 2026 after hiatus.
New branding aligns with modern sports marketing.

East Bengal FC Clinches SAFF Women’s Club Title in Kathmandu

East Bengal FC claimed the inaugural SAFF Women’s Club Championship title with a 3–0 victory over Nepal’s APF in the final at Dasarath Stadium, Kathmandu. The triumph makes East Bengal the first Indian women’s club side to win an international competition, marking a landmark moment in South Asian women’s football. The SAFF Women’s Club Championship, newly introduced by the South Asian Football Federation, aims to elevate regional women’s club football and provide high-level exposure for participant clubs. East Bengal’s performance showcased tactical discipline and attacking efficiency on a difficult stage.

East Bengal FC wins inaugural SAFF Women’s Club Championship.
Final score: East Bengal 3–0 APF (Nepal).
First Indian women’s club to win an international title.

Smriti Mandhana Becomes First Indian Woman to Cross 4,000 T20I Runs

Indian women’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana achieved a historic milestone by surpassing 4,000 runs in Twenty20 International cricket, during the first WT20I against Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam. Mandhana, a stylish left-handed batter, joined New Zealand great Suzie Bates in the elite 4,000-run club. The achievement underscores her consistency and longevity across formats, contributing to India’s competitive standing in women’s cricket. As one of India’s leading batters, Mandhana’s form provides a benchmark for young players and amplifies visibility for the women’s game on domestic and international stages.

Mandhana crosses 4,000 WT20I runs; first Indian woman to do so.
Achieved in the WT20I against Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam.
Joins Suzie Bates as the 4,000-run club member.
Highlights Mandhana’s consistency and impact on India’s batting lineup.

Dec 22, 2025

Sukhman Singh Wins IGU 124th Amateur Championship

Noida golfer Sukhman Singh won the IGU 124th Amateur Championship of India at the Tollygunge Club, Kolkata. He defeated Harman Sachdeva of Haryana in a 36-hole final after leading 7 up with 29 holes to play. The IGU’s championship is the world’s longest-running amateur match play event, organized by the Indian Golf Union. The win adds to India’s growing success in domestic amateur golf and showcases emerging talent from the region.

Sukhman Singh wins IGU 124th Amateur Championship
Final against Harman Sachdeva
36-hole final; 7-up lead after 29 holes
IGU’s oldest amateur match play event

Pakistan U19 Defeats India U19 in Asia Cup Final by 191 Runs

Pakistan’s Under-19 team defeated India’s U-19 side by 191 runs in the final of the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai. Pakistan posted 347/8 in 50 overs, led by opener Sameer Minhas who scored 172 off 113 balls, including a century in 71 balls. India was bowled out for 156. It was Pakistan’s second U-19 Asia Cup title and the first since 2012, marking a notable moment in junior cricket history.

Pakistan U19 beat India U19 by 191 runs
Sameer Minhas 172 off 113 balls
Pakistan 347/8 in 50 overs
India all out for 156

Rankireddy and Shetty Bronze at BWF World Tour Finals 2025

Indian pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won bronze at the BWF World Tour Finals 2025 in Hangzhou, China. They lost in the semi-finals to Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang. The gold went to Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae of Korea. This marks only the second BWF World Tour Finals medal for Indian shuttlers, following P. V. Sindhu’s 2018 gold. The duo continues to perform strongly on the world stage, contributing to India’s growing dominance in badminton.

Rankireddy/Shetty win bronze at BWF World Tour Finals 2025
Lost semi-final to Korean pair
Gold won by Kim Won-ho/Seo Seung-jae
Second BWF World Tour Finals medal for India

Tien Becker Wins Next Gen ATP Finals in Saudi Arabia

American player Tien Becker defeated Alexander Blockx 4-3(4) 4-2 4-1 to win the Next Gen ATP Finals in Saudi Arabia. The year-end event features the eight top players aged 20 and under, using a modified scoring format designed for dynamic play. Becker claimed the title after a competitive week, highlighting the rise of young talents in men’s tennis and the shifting landscape of junior pro competition.

Tien Becker wins 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals
Defeated Blockx in straight sets
Modified scoring format used in event
Highlights rising stars in tennis

Dec 21, 2025

The 5th National Finswimming Championship

The Underwater Sports Federation of India (USFI), in association with the Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI) and the Karnataka Finswimming Association, has organised the 5th National Finswimming Championship 2025 at the Yemmekere International Swimming Pool, from December 19 to 22.
Dronacharya awardee swimming coach Tapan Panigrahi said that the 2025 edition witnessed record participation, with more than 1,400 swimmers registered from over 400 districts across 30 states, making it one of the largest national finswimming events in the country. The championship features 144 competitive events, with 458 medal positions contested across all age categories and both genders, during the four-day competition.

Raipur Makes History with National Transgender Sports Meet

A decade after India last witnessed a major national sporting platform for transgender athletes, Raipur, Chhattisgarh scripted a new chapter in inclusion and equality. The national transgender sports meet 2025, themed 'Samta Ka Mahotsav', took place on December 19–20, bringing together participants Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh for two days of competition, culture and dialogue.
Organised by Chhattisgarh Mitwa Sankalp Samiti- a community for transgenders and LGBTQ, with support from the department of social welfare, the event was hailed as one of the most significant national initiatives for the transgender community in recent years.
The sports festival aimed to give transgender athletes a stage to demonstrate their strength, discipline and sporting excellence—transforming sports from a field of competition into a platform of dignity and identity.

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