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PKL Stars Inspire Young Kabaddi Players in HyderabadThe Hyderabad leg of the Sports For All (SFA) championships 2024-25 witnessed a special appearance by Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) stars, igniting excitement and inspiration among aspiring kabaddi players. Tamil Thalaivas' raiding duo of Narender Kandola and Sachin Tanwar, along with Bengaluru Bulls' Ajinkya Pawar, graced the Shri Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy Stadium to witness the Under-14 boys and girls' finals on Saturday.Their presence underscored the growing significance of grassroots development in kabaddi. Reflecting on the sport's evolution, Sachin Tanwar remarked, "This is a significant movement from the beginning. When I was in school, we used to play in such tournaments too. Initially, only 200-250 people would come to watch, but now the popularity of kabaddi has grown tremendously, encouraging more participation. The scope of the game has expanded significantly, and this is evident now."Ajinkya Pawar emphasized the importance of balancing academics with sports. "The most important thing is that these young players need to maintain a balance - they should focus on both their studies and sports. Education remains equally important as sports," he advised the aspiring athletes.Drawing from personal experience, Narender Kandola highlighted the crucial role of school-level competitions. "Kabaddi's growth starts from the grassroots level, and school games play a crucial role in developing the sport. My own journey is testament to this - I started with casual games in my village, moved on to school competitions, and eventually made my way to the world stage. This is where it all begins," he said, hoping to inspire the kabaddi winners of the ongoing SFA Championships.The PKL stars' visit not only motivated the young players but also emphasized the importance of grassroots development in kabaddi. Their presence served as a reminder that the future of the sport lies in nurturing young talent and providing them with opportunities to showcase their skills.

Indian Sports: Post-Tokyo Blues Linger as Paris 2024 LoomsThe Indian sporting landscape has been grappling with a sense of disappointment following the Tokyo Olympics. The nation's medal count, which had witnessed a surge in recent years, has plateaued, leaving many questioning the progress made.At the 2020 Tokyo Games, India secured seven medals, including one gold, two silvers, and four bronzes. While this represented a significant improvement over previous Olympic performances, it fell short of the expectations raised by the country's recent sporting successes.The lack of a significant medal haul in Paris 2024 has raised concerns about the state of Indian sports. Critics argue that the post-Tokyo lull is a sign of complacency and a lack of investment in grassroots development.One area of particular concern is the absence of a clear medal contender in the upcoming Olympics. While India has traditionally excelled in shooting, wrestling, and badminton, there are no obvious favorites in these disciplines for Paris 2024.The Indian government has acknowledged the need to address these challenges. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has announced plans to increase funding for sports infrastructure and training programs. However, experts believe that more needs to be done to create a sustainable sporting ecosystem.The lack of a robust grassroots system has been identified as a major impediment to India's sporting progress. Many talented athletes from rural areas lack access to proper coaching and facilities, limiting their potential.Furthermore, the focus on a few select sports has led to the neglect of other disciplines. India has a rich sporting heritage in traditional games such as kabaddi and kho-kho, but these sports have received little attention from the government and sports federations.As Paris 2024 approaches, Indian sports administrators face a daunting task. They must address the systemic issues that have hindered the country's sporting progress and create a comprehensive plan to ensure future success.

Indian chess is experiencing a surge of excitement and optimism. With a 17-year-old Grandmaster poised to challenge for the world championship and a new leadership team at the All India Chess Federation (AICF), the future looks bright.AICF President Nitin Narang has unveiled an ambitious ₹65 crore action plan, outlining measures to support players, enhance infrastructure, and promote the game at the grassroots level. The plan includes cash rewards for top players, contracts for age-group players, and the establishment of 20 online academies to provide coaching to promising young talents.Narang emphasizes the importance of sustainability and transparency in the federation's operations. He has secured funding commitments from several partners and plans to increase revenue through initiatives such as a national rating system and a unified registration process.The AICF is also exploring the possibility of hosting the Gukesh vs Ding Liren World Chess Championship in India later this year. Narang acknowledges the challenges involved but remains optimistic about securing the bid.To address the need for qualified coaches, the AICF will implement a "Train the Trainers" program. The federation also plans to incentivize chess content creators to promote the game and inspire aspiring players.Narang recognizes the importance of supporting women in chess and has introduced several initiatives, including increased representation in arbitration and expanded events under the "Smart Girl" program.The AICF's focus on grassroots development includes the establishment of district-level academies and a robust policy framework to ensure the proper training and support of young players.Narang emphasizes the need for an active and responsive federation that listens to stakeholders and addresses their concerns. He encourages feedback and ideas to enhance the action plan and build a sustainable and thriving chess ecosystem in India.

The All India Chess Federation (AICF) has unveiled an ambitious ₹65 crore budget and blueprint to revolutionize chess in India. This comprehensive plan aims to provide financial and institutional support to players at all levels, from grassroots to the elite, and to popularize the game across the nation.The initiative comes on the heels of India's historic success in the Candidates Tournament, where 17-year-old D Gukesh became the first-ever teen winner and qualified for the World Championship. The tournament also witnessed an unprecedented Indian representation, with five players competing in both the Open and Women sections.The AICF's plan addresses key challenges, including integrating chess into school curricula, introducing chess e-learning, identifying and nurturing talent, strengthening grassroots academies, and ensuring the sustainability of the federation.Key Initiatives:* National Player Contracts: AICF will introduce two-year contracts for national-level players from U-7 to U-19 age groups, providing financial support ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000. These players will promote chess through grassroots initiatives like 'Meet the Champions' in educational institutions.* Cash Rewards for Top Players: Cash rewards will be allocated to the top 10 male and female Indian players based on their Fide rankings. The top five players will receive ₹25 lakhs, while those ranked between 6th and 10th will be rewarded ₹12.50 lakhs.* Supporting State Associations: AICF will provide financial assistance to state associations over three years, with funds allocated for prize money, chess development activities, and establishing offices. Quarterly seminars will be conducted for capacity building.* Women In Chess: The Smart Girl Program will be expanded with a minimum of 50 annual events, each supported by a ₹100,000 grant. Additionally, a 33% reservation for women will be implemented in key areas like coach and arbiter certification, participation in AICF-recognized events, and the Campus Ambassador Program.* Incentivising Chess Content Creators: AICF will collaborate with Youtubers, influencers, and streamers to foster a thriving community of chess content creators. Mentorship from established creators will be provided to nurture new talent.* National Chess Awards and Development Conference: Exceptional coaches and players will be honored, and industry leaders and universities will come together to advance chess through strategic workshops and discussions.* Corporate Chess League: Corporates will be allowed to host AICF-rated tournaments by becoming members. A minimum prize money will be set for AICF-rated events. Bilateral competitions with other nations will be organized to enhance chess diplomacy.* Chess Development Fund: This fund will support initiatives such as trainer training programs, coach certification, outreach efforts, and integrating chess into school curriculums.* Corporate Partnerships: A management board will be established to collaborate with strategic partners and finance programs and initiatives, aiming for governance excellence and long-term sustainability.

Saurav Ghosal, India's most successful male squash player, has announced his retirement from the professional tour after a remarkable career spanning over two decades. The 37-year-old, who broke into the top 10 in 2019 and achieved his highest ranking of world No. 5 in 2021, has decided to step away from the grueling demands of the professional circuit.Ghosal's decision stems from a sense of physical and mental exhaustion after last year's Asian Games, where he led India to a team gold and an individual silver. He believes that a break from the tour will allow him to recharge and potentially rekindle his passion for the sport.Despite his retirement from the professional tour, Ghosal remains committed to squash. He hopes to continue representing India in international competitions and contribute to the growth of the sport at the grassroots level. He plans to mentor young Indian players, introduce squash to primary schools, and enhance the knowledge of coaches across the country.Reflecting on his career, Ghosal acknowledges that he peaked in the latter stages, attributing it to a deeper understanding of his game and improved ball control. He expresses some regret that this peak didn't occur earlier, but he is grateful for the achievements he has made.Ghosal's future plans include targeting the 2026 Asian Games and the 2028 Olympics, although he recognizes that his route through the rankings may be closed. He remains optimistic about securing a regional quota if necessary.Ghosal's legacy extends beyond his individual accomplishments. He hopes to leave a lasting impact on Indian squash by fostering a wider player base, elevating the skills of coaches, and ultimately propelling the sport to greater heights.