General Awareness

SPORTS - July 2023

Jul 2023

Apr 29, 2026

P. V. Sindhu joins BWF Council as voting member

Olympic medallist P. V. Sindhu has joined the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Council as a voting member after serving as Chair of the Athletes Commission. Sindhu’s election: late 2025, first appearance at the BWF Annual General Meeting in Horsens. This gives her a direct voice in top governance decisions affecting global badminton policy and development. The move underscores India’s growing influence in international badminton and the emphasis on athlete representation in global sport governance. Sindhu will participate in policy discussions and advocate for players worldwide.

P. V. Sindhu becomes voting member of BWF Council
Previously Chair of BWF Athletes Commission
First appearance at BWF AGM in Horsens
Gives active players a direct governance voice
Highlights India’s role in global badminton

NRAI marks 75th anniversary with athlete app and grassroots drive

The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) marked its 75th anniversary with a national programme to promote shooting, including a new Athlete App and a grassroots drive to reach 7.5 lakh youth. The initiative uses a practical “10‑shot experience” to introduce students to shooting, identify talent, and build a pipeline ahead of the 2028 Olympics. A commemorative NRAI logo was unveiled, and officials signalled the creation of the Shooting League of India to boost professional opportunities. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya described the efforts as central to modernising Indian shooting and expanding participation.

NRAI 75th anniversary celebrations
Launch of NRAI Athlete App and grassroots drive
Target: 7.5 lakh youth across states and districts
"10‑shot experience" program introduced
Shooting League of India announced
Focus on talent identification and participation

Virat Kohli becomes first IPL player to reach 9,000 runs

Cricket superstar Virat Kohli became the first player in Indian Premier League history to reach 9,000 runs. He achieved the milestone in his 275th IPL match, scoring a single in the sixth over against Delhi Capitals (RCB vs DC) to join a historic club. The feat reinforces Kohli’s reputation as one of the league’s most consistent performers across seasons. Analysts note his prolific scoring, longevity and ability to perform under pressure, cementing his status among IPL greats. Kohli’s milestone adds another chapter to the evolving narrative of franchise cricket in India.

Kohli reaches 9,000 IPL runs
Achieved in 275th IPL match
Scored milestone with a single off Axar Patel
Opponent: Delhi Capitals (RCB vs DC)
Cements Kohli as a top IPL run-scorer
Highlights durability and consistency in IPL

PM Modi inaugurates six BCCI indoor cricket academies in Northeast

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated six state‑of‑the‑art indoor cricket academies across Northeast India, including Nagaland, on 28 April 2026. The facilities, built by the BCCI, are located in Rangpo (Sikkim), Doimukh (Arunachal Pradesh), Imphal (Manipur), Madankurklang (Meghalaya), Aizawl (Mizoram) and Dimapur (Nagaland). The inauguration happened from Gangtok, with regional officials joining online. Officials say the new academies will provide year‑round training, nurture local talent and raise prospects for national and international competition. Sport bodies see this as a major step in expanding cricket infrastructure and youth development in the Northeast.

PM Modi unveils six BCCI indoor academies
Locations: Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland
Inaugurated from Gangtok on 28 April 2026
Aimed at year‑round training and talent development
Seen as a boost to Northeast cricket infrastructure

Apr 28, 2026

Sabastian Sawe breaks sub-2-hour barrier at London Marathon 2026

Sabastian Sawe of Kenya achieved a historic milestone at the London Marathon 2026, finishing in 1 hour 59 minutes 30 seconds. He became the first athlete to officially run a marathon under two hours. The performance earned him first place ahead of Yomif Kejelcha, who finished 11 seconds behind. In the women’s race, Tigst Assefa successfully defended her title. Sawe’s feat has sparked global debate about human endurance limits and is likened to breakthroughs in other sports. Analysts highlighted the extraordinary pace and consistency required to sustain derivative speeds over the 42.195 kilometres.

Sabastian Sawe finished London Marathon 2026 in 1:59:30; sub-2 hours officially achieved.
Challenged by Yomif Kejelcha, 11 seconds behind in second place.
Women’s race: Tigst Assefa defended her title.

Apr 26, 2026

Pakistan withdraws from SAFF Women’s Championship 2026; six teams compete in Goa

Pakistan has withdrawn from the 2026 SAFF Women’s Championship to be staged in Goa, India, leaving six teams in the competition. The Pakistan Football Federation confirmed the decision on 23 April 2026, reducing the field from seven to six countries. The tournament runs from 25 May to 6 June at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa. Group allocations were reshuffled: Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan form Group A; India, Bangladesh and Maldives form Group B. Pakistan’s withdrawal reduces the number of competing teams but SAFF remains a key regional event for women’s football in South Asia.

Pakistan withdraws from SAFF Women’s Championship 2026
Event to be held in Goa, 25 May–6 June 2026
Six teams remain; Group A: Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan
Group B: India, Bangladesh, Maldives
Pakistan’s withdrawal noted the event’s regional importance
Competition remains a platform for growth in South Asian women’s football

Apr 23, 2026

Kenya’s John Korir and Sharon Lokedi win Boston Marathon on record-breaking day

John Korir of Kenya won the Boston Marathon in a record pace, finishing in 2 hours 1 minute 52 seconds, the fastest time in the race’s 130-year history. Sharon Lokedi, also from Kenya, captured the women’s title in a competitive field. Korir led from the 40-kilometre mark, finishing with a margin that surpassed Geoffrey Mutai’s 2011 course record by 70 seconds. He later said he did not check the clock until the finish, when Boston Athletic Association president Jack Fleming informed him of the record. Lokedi celebrated with teammates on Boylston Street.

Korir won in 2:01:52, fastest Boston Marathon time.
Lokedi won the women’s title.
Record beat Mutai’s 2011 course mark by 70 seconds.
Korir learned of the record from BAA president Fleming at the finish.
Lokedi celebrated on Boylston Street.

Abhishek Sharma sets IPL record with rapid IPL centuries

Abhishek Sharma delivered a historic IPL performance, scoring 135 not out off 47 balls for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Delhi Capitals. The innings included 10 fours and 10 sixes, maintaining a strike rate above 200 and powering SRH to victory. Sharma’s century against Delhi Capitals is the fastest by an Indian to reach a hundred in the IPL against this opponent, and he became one of the few players to record multiple IPL centuries in under 50 balls. He had earlier struck a 40-ball century in IPL 2025. The performance underscored his consistency and high-impact batting in India’s premier T20 league.

135 not out off 47 balls vs Delhi Capitals
10 fours and 10 sixes in the innings
Strike rate above 200
Fastest IPL century against Delhi Capitals by an Indian
First Indian with multiple IPL centuries under 50 balls
Earlier 40-ball century in IPL 2025

Apr 22, 2026

IIT Madras Unveils OmegaBall, India’s First Three-Team Football Format

IIT Madras has introduced OmegaBall, a new three-team football format that marks the institute's first major entry into competitive team sports in India. The format invites three teams to play in a single match, emphasizing speed, passing and tactical coordination among rivals. The institute also proposed a national-level OmegaBall Club to promote and expand the sport across India. To mark the milestone, IIT Madras organized an inter-college OmegaBall tournament on 17 April 2026 on the campus football field with teams from Loyola College, Guru Nanak College, Dr. Ambedkar Law University, The New College, Saveetha University, YMCA College of Physical Education, and IIT Madras itself. This initiative highlights innovation beyond traditional academics.

OmegaBall is a three-team football format
IIT Madras launches India’s first OmegaBall Club plan
Inter-college tournament held on 17 April 2026
Participants included multiple Chennai institutions
Showcases innovation beyond traditional academics

ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 Opens in Cairo with Strong Indian Participation

The ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 began in Cairo, Egypt, kicking off the international shooting season for young athletes. The competition is hosted at the Egypt International Olympic City and runs across rifle, pistol, and shotgun events. India has fielded a large 71-member contingent, including top junior shooters such as Anushka Thokur, Manyata Singh, Aneesha Sharma, Anvii Rathod, and Panaah Bhugra. The opening day features 25m pistol events for men and women, followed by skeet shotgun events with 75 targets. The Indian team combines experienced youth and rising talent, signaling strong future potential for India on the world stage. Support staff accompany the athletes.

ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 started in Cairo
India fields 71-member contingent
Opening day includes 25m pistol events
Skeet events feature 75 targets
Young Indian shooters cited as future prospects

India to Compete at 2026 Asian Beach Games in Sanya

India will compete at the 2026 Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, from 22 to 30 April 2026. The event gathers athletes across Asia in beach sports such as volleyball, athletics and swimming. Indian delegations are led by national teams across disciplines and include promising youth athletes. The Games offer a chance to build experience ahead of other multi-sport events and provide exposure for Indian sports programs. Participants will aim to win medals and gain ranking points, with events scheduled at multiple venues across Sanya. Success here could boost domestic sports funding and youth participation nationwide.

Dates: 22–30 April 2026
Location: Sanya, China
Events include beach volleyball, athletics, swimming
India fields youth and senior teams
Potential impact on funding and participation

Laureus World Sports Awards 2026: Alcaraz and Sabalenka Lead Winners in Madrid

The Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 were held in Madrid, Spain, recognizing the calendar year 2025 season. The ceremony gathered leading athletes and teams from around the world to celebrate sporting excellence. Tennis stars dominated the night, with Carlos Alcaraz named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year after reclaiming the world number one ranking and winning multiple Grand Slam titles. Aryna Sabalenka took the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award for her consistent top results, including a US Open victory. Paris Saint-Germain was named Team of the Year for their remarkable season, while Lando Norris was also recognized for his performances in motorsport. The awards highlighted achievements across sports.

Carlos Alcaraz named Sportsman of the Year
Aryna Sabalenka named Sportswoman of the Year
Paris Saint-Germain named Team of the Year
Event held in Madrid recognizing 2025 performances
Awards cover achievements across multiple sports

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