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Glasgow, the vibrant Scottish capital, is poised to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, a scaled-down version of the multi-sport event that was originally scheduled for Victoria, Australia. The Australian state withdrew in 2023 due to soaring costs, leaving the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) scrambling for a new host.Glasgow, which successfully hosted the Games in 2014, has stepped forward with a proposal to host a more modest event, featuring fewer sports and utilizing existing venues. The Scottish government is close to finalizing a deal with Glasgow, which would see the city host the Games for an estimated cost of £130-150 million (USD 170 million).The Australian authorities have pledged a "multi-million pound investment" to support Glasgow's bid, which will likely cover additional policing and security expenses. The number of sports in the 2026 Games will be reduced to between 10-13, with a focus on core sports.UK Health Secretary Neil Gray emphasized that the 2026 Games will differ from the highly successful 2014 edition. He acknowledged the challenge of matching the previous event's legacy but expressed optimism that Glasgow could deliver a positive experience with a smaller-scale approach.CGF President Chris Jenkins praised Scotland's innovative and sustainable concept for the 2026 Games. He believes that Glasgow's experience in hosting major sporting events makes it well-equipped to deliver a world-class event in a short timeframe.Jenkins also emphasized the need for a new model for multi-sports events, one that is more sustainable and accessible to a wider range of host cities. He believes that Glasgow 2026 will be a step towards resetting and reframing the Commonwealth Games as a flexible and sustainable model.

Pakistani wrestler Ali Asad has been stripped of his bronze medal from the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. The Pakistan Wrestling Federation confirmed the four-year ban and medal revocation following an investigation by the International Testing Agency (ITA).Asad's positive test was confirmed by the ITA, prompting the ruling this week. The wrestler waived his right to a hearing and failed to respond to the allegations within the stipulated deadline.This incident adds to a growing list of doping bans faced by Pakistani athletes in recent years. In May 2023, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) imposed four-year bans on four Pakistani weightlifters for anti-doping violations. Abdur Rehman, Sharjeel Butt, Ghulam Mustafa, and Farhan Amjad were suspended for refusing to provide samples to the ITA in November 2021.Despite appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), the suspensions were upheld. Top weightlifters Olympian Talha Talib and Abu Bakar Ghani also received two-year bans for using banned substances. Talib, who placed fifth in the Tokyo Olympics, remains banned until February 2025.The Pakistan Wrestling Federation and the IWF have expressed concern over the increasing number of doping cases involving Pakistani athletes. They have emphasized the importance of adhering to anti-doping regulations and promoting clean sport.The use of performance-enhancing drugs not only violates the principles of fair play but also poses significant health risks to athletes. The authorities are committed to combating doping and ensuring the integrity of sports competitions.

Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan's Commonwealth Games champion javelin thrower, is a testament to the adage that it takes a village to raise a champion. Despite Pakistan's limited investment in sports beyond cricket, Nadeem's achievements have been remarkable.Nadeem's journey began in the village of Khanewal, Punjab, where his fellow villagers and relatives pooled their resources to support his training and travel expenses. His father, Muhammad Ashraf, recalls how the community rallied around their young athlete, donating money to enable him to compete in distant cities.Nadeem's rise to prominence has been marked by both triumph and adversity. He became the first Pakistani athlete since 1962 to win gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, with a massive throw of 90.18m. He also secured a silver medal at the World Championships last year.However, Nadeem's career has not been without challenges. He has faced elbow, knee, and back problems, requiring knee surgery last year. Despite these setbacks, he has persevered, becoming a beacon of hope for Pakistani sports enthusiasts.Nadeem's rivalry and camaraderie with India's Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion, is well-documented. In the Tokyo Olympics, Chopra won gold while Nadeem finished fifth. However, Chopra has publicly supported Nadeem's efforts to secure a new javelin for training.On Thursday, Nadeem will face a formidable task in the javelin throw finals at the Olympics. No Pakistani athlete has ever won an Olympic gold medal in an individual competition, let alone track and field. Yet, Nadeem's determination and the unwavering support of his village and nation give him a fighting chance to make history.

Archery, a sport of precision and minute margins, witnessed a heart-wrenching defeat for India's Dhiraj Bommadevara in the Round of 32 at the ongoing Commonwealth Games. In a nail-biting shoot-off against Canada's Eric Peters, both archers hit a perfect 10. However, Peters' arrow landed a mere 2.4 cm closer to the center (X), resulting in Dhiraj's elimination.The target face in archery measures 122 cm in diameter, with the 10-ring spanning 12.2 cm. Archers stand a staggering 70m away from the target, making the distance equivalent to approximately 3/4ths of a football field."The bow and release must align perfectly with the X, with a precision of at least 2 mm," explains Sanjeeva Singh, an archery Dronacharya awardee. "Even a 0.01 percent error in finger release can result in the arrow missing the X."In contrast to Dhiraj's misfortune, India's Deepika Kumari experienced a stroke of luck in the Round of 64. She won a shoot-off with an 8, despite her Estonian opponent Reena Parnat also shooting an 8. Deepika's arrow was closer to the center (123.3mm) than Parnat's (146.7mm).Deepika's luck continued in the next round when her Dutch opponent Quinty Roeffen shot a zero, her arrow landing outside the 10 concentric circles. This rare occurrence propelled Deepika to the Round of 16 in the individual competition.Despite hitting only three 10s in 12 arrows against Roeffen, Deepika's performance was sufficient to advance. She joins Bhajan Kaur as the second Indian female archer to reach the quarterfinals. Deepika's next challenge will be against world No. 13 Michelle Kroppen, a formidable opponent who will test her limits.

Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain has commenced her quest for a second consecutive Games medal with a confident victory in her opening bout at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The Indian boxer outpunched Norway's Sunniva Hofstad 5-0 in the 75kg category, moving one step closer to adding to her Tokyo bronze, which she claimed in the 69kg category.Borgohain's path to the podium is not without challenges. She will face top-seeded Chinese boxer Li Qian in the quarterfinals on August 4. A victory in this bout would guarantee her at least a bronze medal.In her opening bout, Borgohain displayed composure and precision, keeping her distance and landing clean blows on counter-attack. Despite Hofstad's attempts to engage in a slugfest, Borgohain maintained her composure and avoided falling into her opponent's trap.Borgohain's performance is a testament to her resilience and ability to overcome adversity. In Tokyo, she defeated world champion Chen Nien-Chin in the quarterfinals to secure her bronze medal.Her opponent in the quarterfinals, Li Qian, is a formidable opponent. She won a silver medal in the 75kg category at the Tokyo Games and a bronze in the 2016 Rio Games. She also claimed a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.The Indian boxing campaign at the Commonwealth Games has been mixed so far. Three of the six boxers in contention have already been eliminated, including former Asian Games champion Amit Panghal (51kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), and Jaismine Lamboria (57kg).Apart from Borgohain, the Indian boxing contingent still in contention includes world champion Nikhat Zareen (women's 50kg) and Nishant Dev (men's 71kg).

Nikhat Zareen, the reigning World Champion and Commonwealth Games Gold medalist, recently shared her inspiring journey and aspirations for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics in an interview with Dinesh Karthik on JioCinema's 'Get Set Gold.'Zareen's path to success has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. In 2019, she faced disappointment when she was denied a trial for the World Championships in the 51kg division. Undeterred, she raised her voice and demanded a fair chance, eventually securing a trial and proving her worth.Despite losing that bout, Zareen remained determined and focused on her goal of representing India at the Olympics. Her hard work and dedication paid off in 2022 when she became the World Champion in the Flyweight category. She further cemented her status as a global force by winning the Light Flyweight division in 2023.Zareen's journey is a testament to her resilience and unwavering belief in herself. She has overcome obstacles and used setbacks as motivation to push herself to greater heights. As she prepares for her Olympic debut in Paris, she is excited about the opportunity to represent her country on the world's biggest sporting stage."This is my first Olympics. Of course, I'm very excited about the Olympics, and there will be a lot of expectations from me," Zareen said. "But I'll take that expectation as a motivation, and I'll push myself inside the ring. This expectation is not a burden, I've always dreamt of representing India at the Olympics and I'll take that as a blessing."Zareen's achievements have not only brought glory to India but have also inspired countless young athletes. Her story is a reminder that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible. As she embarks on her Olympic journey, Zareen is poised to make history and leave an indelible mark on the world of boxing.

The Commonwealth Games trials proved to be a turning point for 20-year-old wrestler Aman Sehrawat. Facing Olympic silver medalist Ravi Dahiya, Aman suffered a humiliating 10-0 defeat. However, this setback ignited a fire within him, as he realized the need to overcome the mental pressure that had hindered his performance.Inspired by Dahiya, Aman had always looked up to him as a mentor and guide. But to achieve his Olympic dream, he knew he had to break free from the reverence he held for his idol. Since the trials, Aman has meticulously studied the replay of that match, identifying his weaknesses and vowing to avoid repeating the same mistakes."I realized I was not competing with a free mind," Aman said. "I was playing with the pressure of competing against an Olympic medalist. He was dictating the pace, and I was simply getting drawn into his gameplan."To prepare for the Olympic qualifiers, Aman stopped sparring with Dahiya and focused on improving his technique and mental fortitude. He drew inspiration from Dahiya's journey, knowing that if his mentor could overcome adversity to win an Olympic medal, so could he."Beating him in the trials was not easy," Aman admitted. "I have not gone a single day without watching the replay of the CWG trials, including today. I worked on my weaknesses and stopped sparring with him. We were training with different partners."Their similar wrestling styles resulted in a thrilling high-scoring bout in the Olympic qualifier trials, where Aman emerged victorious with a narrow 14-13 margin. Despite his triumph, Aman acknowledged Dahiya's struggles after returning from injury."You know it is not easy when you have surgery and do not compete enough," Aman said. "Ravi gained weight after injury, and it has taken him time to return to the mat."Aman is now determined to secure an Olympic quota and continue the legacy of his weight class, which has produced renowned wrestlers like Yogeshwar Dutt and Ravi Dahiya.Similarly, 22-year-old Sujeet Kalkal carries the weight of representing India in the 65kg category, previously dominated by Bajrang Punia. Despite not facing Punia in the trials, Sujeet displayed composure and defeated Rohit by superiority in the final."I have been working on this trial for a long time," Sujeet said. "I won titles in National Games and National Championships. So, I kept giving myself small goals and prepared along the way for the trials."Sujeet's technical prowess and international experience, including victories over world-class wrestlers, give him confidence in his ability to succeed on the international stage."This is a weight class where you need speed, stamina, strength, everything," Sujeet said. "I am young and still developing my strength and improving day by day. My game is technical like most international competitors."