From the electrifying victory of the Indian cricket team in the recent T20 series to the rising star power of young badminton sensations, India's sporting landscape is ablaze with action! This week alone saw record-breaking performances in the Pro Kabaddi League, showcasing the nation's unwavering passion for indigenous sports. The upcoming Asian Games are generating immense anticipation, with athletes across disciplines sharpening their skills and aiming for glory on the international stage. We delve into the crucial role of sports sponsorships in nurturing talent and boosting India's sporting infrastructure. Furthermore, debates rage on about the future of cricket's dominance in India's sporting ecosystem, with other sports like hockey and football vying for increased attention and investment. Stay updated on all the latest scores, match analyses, and exclusive interviews with your favorite athletes. Explore the dynamic world of Indian sports—from the bustling stadiums to the quiet dedication of rising stars—right here. Discover the stories that shape the nation’s sporting spirit and witness the unfolding drama of the sporting year.
New Delhi [India], September 14 (ANI): The Indian men's futsal team were defeated 2-7 by Lebanon in the first of two friendlies in Beirut as part of the preparations for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, scheduled for later this month.The match was played at the Al Sadaka Sporting Complex in the Lebanese capital. Both Indian goals were scored by debutants Seaon D'Souza and Mahip Adhikari, as per the official website of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).Up against a side ranked 81 places above them in the FIFA Men's Futsal Rankings, India, still looking for their first-ever international victory, were off to a difficult start, finding themselves 0-4 down at half-time. Mario Abou Jaoude (5'), Hassan Maatouk (11'), Steve Koukezian (14'), and Majd Hamouch (17') scored the first-half goals for Lebanon.Koukezian (27') and Maatouk (29') added two more after the break, before Seaon D'souza pulled one back for India in the 31st minute. Mohamad Osman (36') wrapped up the scoring for the hosts. Mahip Adhikari netted India's second consolation goal in the 38th minute.India, coached by Iranian Reza Kordi, will play Lebanon in another friendly on September 15 at the same venue. After the second game, the Futsal Tigers will travel from Lebanon to Kuwait for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, where they will face the hosts on September 20, Australia on September 22, and Mongolia on September 24, in Group A. (ANI)
Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman on Saturday asserted that Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will visit the state as announced by the government earlier, and that the sponsor has paid the match fee for the event. He said the World Cup winner is likely to come in October or November this year, and they would be treated as state guests. The government would meet their security, accommodation and other facilities. The news would come as a fresh ray of hope for football fans in one of India's surviving football hubs. Earlier, several media reports had claimed that Argentina's scheduled visit ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 6 (PTI) The All India Football Federation on Sunday announced a reward of USD 50,000 for the senior Indian women's team following their historic qualification for the AFC Women's Asian Cup for the first time through the qualifiers. The Blue Tigresses delivered a flawless campaign, winning all four matches convincingly to seal their spot at the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026. Also Read | Did Akash Deep Clean Bowled Joe Root on No-Ball During IND vs ENG 2nd Test 2025? Here's All You Need To Know About MCC Law's Regarding Controversial Dismissal. India's last appearance at ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 7 (ANI): The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced a reward of USD 50,000 for the Senior Indian Women's National Team following their outstanding performance in the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers held in Thailand on Sunday, according to a release from AIFF. The Blue Tigresses delivered a flawless campaign, convincingly winning all four matches. India recorded emphatic victories over Mongolia (13-0), Timor-Leste (4-0), and Iraq (5-0) before clinching the group stage with a crucial 2-1 win against the higher-ranked hosts, Thailand. While the results may have ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) FC Goa have confirmed that former India head coach Manolo Marquez will continue to lead the Gaurs in the 2025/26 season through a social media post. The Spaniard was working on a dual role with FC Goa after being appointed the national team head coach in 2024, on a two-year-deal, before season after parting ways with the All India Football Federation. "I was very happy during the previous two seasons, where the team showed consistent improvement each year. The level of organisation that the club operates with is not commonly observed in Indian club footbal ...Read More >
New Delhi, Oct 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) As Lionel Messi's much-anticipated visit to India as part of the "GOAT Tour of India 2025 is confirmed, with the three-city tour set to kick off on December 13, the Argentine star recalled his last visit to the country 14 years ago and said he has "good memories of a very special country". The three-day tour from December 13 to 15 will feature Messi's appearances in Kolkata, Mumbai, and New Delhi, with a fourth city to be announced, tour's event manager said. This will be the Argentine great's first trip to India since 2011 when he visited the country with h ...Read More >
Kolkata: Lionel Messi on Thursday confirmed his participation in the much-anticipated GOAT Tour of India 2025, calling it an "honour" to revisit the "passionate football nation" country where he last played 14 years ago. "It is such an honour for me to make this trip. India is a very special country, and I have good memories from my time there 14 years ago -- the fans were fantastic. "India is a passionate football nation, and I look forward to meeting a new generation of fans while sharing the ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) The All India Football Federation have mutually parted ways with national team head coach Manolo Marquez after his tenure saw India fall down to 127 in FIFA rankings. The AIFF executive committee met on Wednesday and approved the decision as per reports. His exit follows after AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey had confirmed that Marquez's tenure will be under review at the said meeting. Despite a poor run of results, concerns finally arose after India's poor start to the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers as the men in blue played out a draw against Bangladesh in the ope ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has suggested prioritising women in allocation of deceased donor organs.In a letter to the states/UTs, the apex authority for regulating organ donations and transplants in the country, has said a provision should be made to mark additional points for women recipients of donor organs, to address gender disparity. Studies have shown that while women make up a large percentage of donors, they receive fewer organs than men. "Women are equally vulnerable when it comes to end-stage organ failure due to illness, and it is import ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], September 14 (ANI): The Indian men's futsal team were defeated 2-7 by Lebanon in the first of two friendlies in Beirut as part of the preparations for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, scheduled for later this month. The match was played at the Al Sadaka Sporting Complex in the Lebanese capital. Both Indian goals were scored by debutants Seaon D'Souza and Mahip Adhikari, as per the official website of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Also Read | Asia Cup 2025: Bangladesh Batter Jaker Ali Admits Top-Order Batting Failure Led To Defeat Against Sri Lanka, Say ...Read More >
New Delhi, Oct 14 (PTI) Justice (retd) Nageswara Rao has left it to the Supreme Court to take "a suitable view" on the two contentious articles of the draft constitution of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in his report submitted to the apex court. On October 9, the AIFF had approached the SC, seeking a clarification on the two articles -- Article 23.3, and Article 25.3 (b) and (c) -- in view of the objections raised by world football governing body FIFA. The next day, an SC bench asked Justice Rao, a former judge of the apex court, to submit a report after hearing the stakeholders. ...Read More >
Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], April 1 (ANI): The India U23 men's national team went down 0-1 against Tajikistan in the deciding fixture of the U23 Tri-Nation Championship 2026 at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh, on Tuesday, according to All India Football Federation (AIFF). A first-half goal by Tajikistan midfielder Khaitov Azizbek (9') proved to be the difference as the Blue Colts, despite creating a number of chances and applying sustained pressure, were unable to find the equaliser. Also Read | Brazil vs Croatia Live Streaming Online and Free Telecast of Internat ...Read More >
Kowloon (Hong Kong), June 8 (UNI) India and Hong Kong, China's meeting on Matchday 2 of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round on June 10 is billed as the highest-stakes clash of Group C as they are the top two ranked sides in the four-team group, and are aiming for the first win of their campaign. Placed in Pot 1 for the qualifiers, India, ranked 127th, got off to a slow start with a draw against Bangladesh in March. Meanwhile, Pot 2 side Hong Kong, ranked 153, could also only manage a point in Singapore, meaning there is still nothing to separate the four sides after th ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) About 10 lakh footballs will be distributed to schools across the country to boost participation in football and nurture a strong sporting culture among students, Union Education Minister Dharemndra Pradhan has said. The minister announced this on Sunday at the PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, Fort William in Kolkata, where he flagged off the distribution of FIFA footballs as part of the Football for Schools (F4S). "Approximately 10 lakh footballs will be distributed to schools across the country, aiming to boost participation in football and nurture a strong sporting cult ...Read More >
All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey believes it is a matter of pride that an Indian becomes a coach for India's national team, reflecting on Khalid Jamil's appointment as head coach for the Indian Senior Men's National Team. AIFF earlier this month confirmed the signing of Khalid Jamil for a two-year contract, with an option to extend for another year, as the head coach of the Indian Senior Men's National Team. Jamil took charge of the national team on a full-time basis ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 23 (PTI) The Lionel Messi-led Argentina team will most likely face Australia in the eagerly-awaited friendly match in Kerala come November, official sources in the state's sports department said on Tuesday. No date has been fixed for the game, but it will take place in Kochi on any day between November 12 and November 18, the sources said. They added that Australia will most likely be the opponent of the South American giants. Another source said that a member of the Argentine support staff is expected to land in Kochi on Wednesday "for venue inspection." There were ...Read More >
Shillong, Oct 17 (UNI) When Shillong was chosen for the friendly between India and Maldives earlier this year it was often said that this would be the city's first international football match. Devoted fans of the game knew that this was not entirely accurate, however, as it was only the first men's international because Shillong had already played host to the women's football events at the South Asian Games in 2016. On February 15, 2016 India won the final and the gold medal by beating Nepal 4-0 at the JN Stadium here in front of a packed crowd of 20,000-plus fans. Nine and a half years on, ...Read More >
It was a tough night for the Indian women's football team in Shillong, as they fell 0-2 to Iran in their opening match of the Tri-Nation Women's International Friendlies. Two second-half goals from substitute Sara Didar sealed the deal for Iran and left India chasing shadows for much of the match. This game marked India's first outing since their historic AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification campaign earlier this year -- but instead of building on that momentum, the Blue Tigresses looked rusty a ...Read More >
Indian Football: Manolo Marquez has stepped down as head coach of the Indian men's football team, ending his tenure with the national side by mutual agreement with the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The decision was made official on Wednesday following an AIFF Executive Committee meeting held in New Delhi. Although Marquez still had a year left on his contract, he had expressed his desire to exit the role, prompting the federation to accept his request. "The AIFF and Manolo decided to mutually part ways without any financial implications to any of the two parties. So, he is relieved f ...Read More >
Kohima, Aug 1 (PTI) Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday announced a series of initiatives aimed at promoting football and other sporting disciplines across the state. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 24th Dr T Ao Inter-District Football Tournament at Indira Gandhi Stadium here, Rio said that astroturf football grounds are being developed in all districts, with six already completed in Dimapur, Phek, Mon, Mokokchung, Tuensang, and Chümoukedima. He also said that 28 futsal courts and 31 multipurpose sports buildings are under construction across the state, with more projects ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 13: The All India Football Federation has confirmed that Khalid Jamil has signed a two-year contract, with an option to extend for another year, as the head coach of the Indian Senior Men's National Team. With previous head coach Manolo Marquez having taken a dual role with the national team and FC Goa, many questioned whether Jamil will take a similar role with his commitment to Jamshedpur FC. Jamil will exclusively take charge of the national team on a full-time basis and will begin his first training camp on August 15 at the Dravid-Padukone Centre for Sports Excellence in B ...Read More >
New Delhi: Traffic in central Delhi will be affected on Thursday as the traffic police has issued an advisory due to the Janmashtami and Tazia processions.According to police, the traffic movement in Paharganj is likely to be affected from 1.30pm in view of the shobha yatra for Janmashtami and the Tazia procession.The Janmashtami procession will start from Mandir Shri Banke Bihari Ji in Paharganj's Sangatrasan Bazar and pass through Desh Bandhu Gupta Road, Chuna Mandi, Main Bazar, Munja Chowk and Arakashan Road. The Tazia procession will start from Ajmeri Gate and proceed through Pul Paharganj ...Read More >
Bengaluru: For millions of people, the sudden, sharp pain of tooth due to sensitivity can turn a sip of cold water into a jolt. Now, researchers at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in collaboration with Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup Theranautilus, have engineered "CalBots" - magnetic nanobots that can seal the problem at its source.As per IISc, CalBots are 400-nanometre particles loaded with a calcium silicate-based bioceramic formula, designed to travel 500 micrometres deep inside dentinal tubules, the tiny tunnels in the tooth that lead to nerve endings. Guided by an external magnetic ...Read More >
Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will not travel to India next month as reported by Sportstar. The match was originally set for November 17 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. But Anto Augustine, general director of Reporter Broadcasting Company, the friendly's sponsor, announced on social media that the game will now take place during FIFA's upcoming international match window. There was a delay in obtaining FIFA's approval for the match, Anto stated on Facebook. He said that a meeting wit ...Read More >
Messi landed in Kolkata at 01:30 local time. Thousands lined the roads and congregated outside his hotel to catch a glimpse of him. The day began with the meet-and-greet ticket holders first up from 09:00 to 10:30. Then the day took a strange twist. A 70ft statue of Messi lifting the World Cup was unveiled by the former Barcelona icon. But he was not present - it was a virtual unveiling. He was on a video screen and pressed a button on a remote control. At this point a blue sheet dropped to r ...Read More >
Kolkata: Ryan Williams waited two years and five months for the night to happen. And four minutes to make it memorable. No Indian has scored sooner on debut. It was the first of many firsts in Kochi. First win of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying campaign, first for Khalid Jamil as head coach and a first goal for Akash Mishra whose 50th minute volley made the 2-1 result against Hong Kong possible. This was India's first win in seven matches since March 19, 2025 when they beat Maldives 3-0 in a frien ...Read More >
New Delhi, Apr 7 (PTI) Crispin Chettri, who returned as the head coach of the Indian women's football team, has named a 22-member squad for the FIFA Series 2026 tournament in Kenya. On Saturday, the Technical Committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had recommended Chhetri to succeed Costa Rican Amelia Valverde whose brief tenure ended recently. "Crispin Chettri has been re-appointed as the head coach of the Indian women's national team. Chettri has named a 22-member squad for the friendly tournament," the AIFF said in a release. Chettri was at the helm of affairs during the na ...Read More >
Chandigarh: Punjab chief ministerBhagwant Mann on Thursday said the government will table a bill in the assembly on Friday to introduce harsher punishment for religious sacrilege. However, the law will not be enacted immediately, as the government plans to hold consultations with stakeholders before finalising the legislation.Mann said the decision was taken in a meeting of the cabinet earlier in the day. After the legislation is tabled, Punjab govt will gather suggestions on the law from stakeholders, including religious organisations and people, he added.Sources said said the new legislation ...Read More >
IMAGE: Khalid Jamil signed the contract after parting ways with ISL team Jamshedpur FC. Photograph: AIFF/X The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Wednesday said Khalid Jamil has taken charge of the senior men's team on a full-time basis for a period of two years with an option to extend his contract by one year depending on results. The AIFF said Jamil has signed the contract after parting ways with ISL team Jamshedpur FC. Jamil will begin his first training camp on August 15 at the Dravi ...Read More >
New Delhi, Mar 30 (PTI) Indian U20 women's team head coach Joakim Alexandersson on Monday named a 23-member squad for the AFC U20 Asian Cup Thailand 2026. India, who qualified for the tournament after 20 years, will begin their campaign with a match against Japan on April 2 at the Thammasat Stadium, followed by matches against Australia on April 5 and Chinese Taipei on April 8. The top two teams in the group and the two best third-placed teams among all three groups will make it to the quarter-finals. Further, the four quarter-final winners will qualify for the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup Po ...Read More >
New Delhi, March 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Joakim Alexandersson, head coach of the Indian U20 women's team, has announced the 23-player squad for the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup to be played in Thailand. India, who qualified for the tournament after 20 years, will start their campaign against Japan on April 2 at 18:30 IST at the Thammasat Stadium. They will then face Australia on April 5 at 14:30 IST at the Pathum Thani Stadium, followed by Chinese Taipei on April 8 at 14:30 IST at the same venue. The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams across all groups, will a ...Read More >