Cricket

Ashwin Krishnan, the head of sports marketing for Oakley India, is a true sports enthusiast. With a decade of experience in the industry, he has played a pivotal role in establishing Oakley as the preferred eyewear brand for Indian athletes.At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Krishnan's primary responsibility is to provide Indian athletes with the perfect sunglasses for their needs. He has been instrumental in forging partnerships with renowned cricketers such as Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, ensuring that they exclusively wear Oakley eyewear.Krishnan's passion for sports extends beyond cricket. He has played and worked in golf, and even provides commentary for racquet sports. His love for the game is evident in his close involvement with the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he assists in planning and operating matches.Krishnan's journey in the Olympics began in London in 2012. Since then, he has witnessed the evolution of Indian sports and the growing importance of eyewear in enhancing performance. He believes that the right sunglasses can provide athletes with an edge by reducing glare, improving visibility, and protecting their eyes from harmful UV rays.In addition to his work with athletes, Krishnan is also dedicated to promoting sports at the grassroots level. He believes that sports have the power to transform lives and foster a sense of community. Through his involvement in various initiatives, he aims to make sports accessible to all.

Rahul Dravid, the former head coach of the Indian cricket team, will grace the inaugural India House at the Paris Olympics. The event will feature a panel discussion titled "Cricket at the Olympics: Dawn of a New Era," celebrating the inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.The panel discussion will take place on the evening of July 28 at India House, located at Parc de Lavillette. India House, the country's first-ever dedicated space at the Olympics, is a collaborative effort between Reliance Foundation and the Indian Olympic Association.Joining Dravid on the panel will be Geoff Allardice, CEO of the International Cricket Council, and Harsh Jain, CEO & Co-founder of Dream Sports.Dravid, who recently led India to victory in the T20 World Cup as their coach, is widely regarded as one of the most respected and admired figures in the cricketing world.Geoff Allardice said, as per a release by Dream Sports, "We continue to focus on the development of cricket across the world, bringing in more fans to the game, opportunities for players to compete at the highest level and now taking cricket to the Olympic stakeholders. The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics marks an important step and we look forward to Paris 2024, as an added impetus to the journey."Speaking about the event, Harsh Jain said, "We are very excited to have the world's second-largest spectator sport finally included in the next Olympics. This is sure to take the Olympics' global viewership to an all-time high and encourage more countries to develop cricket programs, promoting the sport's growth and diversity."The upcoming moderated panel discussion will feature distinguished panellists who will share their insights on various aspects of cricket's inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympics programme. The panellists will explore the potential for cricket's growth and the opportunities it presents in both established and emerging markets.Additionally, the discussion will focus on strategies to capitalize on the global enthusiasm of cricket fans. Cricket will be making its long-awaited return to the Olympics at the Los Angeles edition in 2028. Notably, the sport has only been featured in the Olympics once before, back in 1900.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his confidence in the Indian contingent for the upcoming Paris Olympics, stating that the team will showcase its strength on the global stage. India's participation in the Summer Games has witnessed a steady increase over the years, with the Tokyo Olympics marking a significant milestone with the largest contingent of 124 athletes. This contingent brought home seven medals, the highest tally for India in a single edition of the Summer Games.As of Sunday, 82 Indian athletes have qualified for the Paris edition, according to Olympics.com. With over two weeks remaining, India hopes to see more athletes secure their spots for the Games, which commence on July 26.PM Modi's unwavering support for the Indian contingent reflects his belief in their abilities. He emphasized that the team will demonstrate its strength and determination. "India is sending a great team to the Paris Olympics. You will see how the entire team and athletes will show their strength. This self-confidence of the youth is the real capital of India, and this youth power shows the biggest potential to take India to new heights in the 21st century," PM Modi said while addressing the Indian community in Moscow.PM Modi also lauded the Indian players for their exceptional performance in the T20 World Cup. India's dominance throughout the tournament, culminating in a thrilling victory over South Africa, showcased the team's resilience and commitment."You too must have celebrated the victory in the recent T20 World Cup. The real story of winning the World Cup is also the journey of victory. Today's youth of India does not accept defeat till the last ball and the last moment. Victory belongs to those who are not ready to accept defeat," PM Modi said, commending the players' unwavering spirit.Earlier on Monday, PM Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for an informal meeting. The Russian Foreign Ministry shared a video on Twitter capturing the warm greeting between the two leaders.PM Modi's visit to Moscow underscores the strong diplomatic ties between India and Russia. He was received by Denis Manturov, the first Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, at the Vnukovo-II airport and accorded a ceremonial welcome. The Indian community in Moscow also extended a warm reception to PM Modi.