Punjab FC Retains AIFF Elite Youth League Title with 3-0 Win
Punjab FC defended the AIFF Elite Youth League title with a 3-0 victory over Zinc Football Academy. After a goalless first half, Punjab FC surged in the second period: at 69 minutes Karish Soram struck from the left, 70 minutes saw captain Vishal Yadav double the lead, and 79 minutes brought a third through Thongram Rishikanta Singh. The team dominated the first half, with chances from Vishal Yadav and Sameer saved by Smarnik Thapa, and a header from Satnam Singh that hit the crossbar. The win reinforces Punjab FC’s reputation as a top pathway for Indian football talent.
Punjab FC wins AIFF Elite Youth League 3-0
69' Soram opens scoring, 70' Yadav doubles lead
79' Singh adds third; solid second half performance
Earlier chances thwarted by Zinc FA's keeper
Reinforces Punjab FC as a strong youth pipeline
India Finishes with Four Golds Across Youth and Junior Categories
India sealed four gold medals across youth and junior divisions at the Commonwealth Championships in Apia, contributing to a sustained growth in weightlifting talents. Sunil Singh topped the men’s 65 kg with a combined lift of 271 kg (snatch 126, clean and jerk 145). In the women’s 58 kg, Aisangfa Gogoi clinched gold with 185 kg total (snatch 79, clean and jerk 106). Abhinob Gogoi won the men’s 71 kg event with 284 kg (129 snatch, 155 clean and jerk). Charu Pesi won the Universal Cup men’s 65 kg with 289 kg (127 snatch, 162 clean and jerk). The quartet’s success boosts India’s status in youth and junior weightlifting.
India earned four golds across youth and junior divisions
Sunil Singh: 271 kg total in 65 kg
Aisangfa Gogoi: 185 kg total in 58 kg
Abhinob Gogoi: 284 kg total in 71 kg
Charu Pesi: 289 kg total in Universal Cup 65 kg
Signals strong development path for Indian weightlifting
India Clinches Four Golds at Commonwealth Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships
India delivered a strong showing at the Commonwealth Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Apia, securing four gold medals across youth and junior divisions, alongside the senior Universal Cup. In the men’s 65 kg, Sunil Singh posted a total of 271 kg (snatch 126 kg, clean and jerk 145 kg). In the women’s 58 kg, Aisangfa Gogoi totaled 185 kg (snatch 79 kg, clean and jerk 106 kg). Abhinob Gogoi won the men’s 71 kg event with 284 kg (129 snatch, 155 clean and jerk). Charu Pesi won in the Universal Cup men’s 65 kg with 289 kg (127 snatch, 162 clean and jerk). The results underline India’s rising strength in youth weightlifting.
India won four gold medals across youth and junior divisions
Sunil Singh: 271 kg total in men’s 65 kg (126 snatch, 145 CJ)
Aisangfa Gogoi: 185 kg total in women’s 58 kg (79 snatch, 106 CJ)
Abhinob Gogoi: 284 kg total in men’s 71 kg (129 snatch, 155 CJ)
Charu Pesi: 289 kg total in Universal Cup men’s 65 kg (127 snatch, 162 CJ)
Event highlights India’s growing talent pool
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.
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