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Skillhub Online Games Federation Partners with International Esports Federation to Elevate Esports in IndiaThe Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF) has announced a strategic partnership with the International Esports Federation (IESF) to foster the growth of esports in India. This collaboration aims to bring world-class tournaments to the country and establish a robust esports ecosystem.India has emerged as a significant market for esports, with its inclusion in the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Recognizing this potential, SOGF plans to organize International Esports Championships in the near future. The partnership with IESF is a crucial step towards achieving this goal.Representatives from SOGF and IESF General Secretary Boban Totovski recently met with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to discuss the development of esports in India. The minister expressed support for SOGF's efforts to regulate esports and create a structured skill-based gaming ecosystem."We are grateful to the government and IESF for their support in advancing esports in India," said SOGF President Shankar Aggarwal. "This collaboration has the potential to transform the esports landscape in our country."Totovski emphasized IESF's commitment to supporting esports communities worldwide. "We are thrilled to launch our new pro-series in India," he said. "This partnership will provide a platform for Indian esports athletes to showcase their skills on a global stage."SOGF is a leading organization dedicated to promoting and developing esports and skilled online gaming in India. Through this partnership with IESF, SOGF aims to establish India as a hub for esports excellence, attracting top players and tournaments from around the world.

India's hockey team fought back from a goal down to defeat world champions Germany 5-3 in the second Test at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday. However, the hosts lost the two-match series via shoot-out, with Germany winning 3-1.Skipper Harmanpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh scored a brace each for India, while Abhishek contributed with a goal. For Germany, Elian Mazkour scored twice, and Henrik Mertgens added another.Germany took an early lead through Mazkour's reverse shot in the seventh minute. India responded well and created several chances but failed to find the equalizer.The Indians finally broke through in the third quarter, with Harmanpreet converting two penalty corners in quick succession. Abhishek then extended India's lead to 4-1 with a fierce shot from the right corner.Sukhjeet scored India's fifth goal in the fourth quarter, receiving a long pass and beating the German goalkeeper with a diving reverse hit.Germany fought back with two late goals from Mazkour and Mertgens, but it was not enough to prevent India from winning the match.In the shoot-out, India missed three of their four attempts, while Germany converted three of their four.Despite the loss in the shoot-out, India's performance in the second Test was a significant improvement from their 2-0 defeat in the first Test. The team showed great resilience and determination to come back from a goal down and win the match.

New Delhi: The Indian men's hockey team's homecoming to the national capital was a disappointing one as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Germany in the first of two bilateral matches on Wednesday. The Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, hosting an international game after a decade, witnessed a crowd of nearly 10,000 on a weekday afternoon, eager to witness a competitive clash between two Paris Olympics medal contenders. However, the Indian team's performance left much to be desired.The hosts started brightly but ominous signs were evident from the outset. A visible lack of energy and intent plagued the Indian team, while the Germans, with their characteristic efficiency, capitalized on a defensive lapse in the 4th minute. Henrik Mertgens, one of three debutants in the German side, scored the opening goal off a counter-attack.Germany could have doubled their lead four minutes later, but a penalty corner was overturned after a referral, resulting in a penalty corner for India instead. However, Varun Kumar failed to keep his balance, and Sukhjit hit the rebound wide. Just 14 seconds before halftime, Germany earned their first penalty corner, and captain Lucas Windfeder made no mistake, slotting it past Suraj Karkera to extend the lead to 2-0.India had ample opportunities but failed to capitalize. Seven penalty corners, a penalty stroke, and several half-chances went begging. Varun, Amit Rohidas, and Sanjay were experimented with during penalty corners, suggesting that coach Craig Fulton is looking to develop a battery of drag-flickers instead of relying solely on Harmanpreet Singh. The captain himself had an off day. A penalty stroke, awarded after Germany appealed against Dilpreet Singh's opportunistic tap-in in the 27th minute, saw Harmanpreet's weak push saved by Joshua Nnaji Onyekwue, despite the German Junior World Cup winner diving to the wrong side.Onyekwue was impressive throughout, making several saves to keep the Indian attack at bay. The second half followed a similar pattern, with Germany maintaining their defensive dominance and preventing India from scoring.

India's Olympic Bronze-Winning Hockey Team Falls to Germany in First TestIndia's Olympic bronze-winning hockey team suffered a disappointing 0-2 defeat to world champions Germany in the first Test of their two-match series on Wednesday. The match, held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, marked the first international hockey match at the venue since 2014.Germany, who are the reigning Olympic silver medalists, fielded a young team for the series. However, the young Germans proved their mettle, with Henrik Mertgens scoring the opening goal in the 4th minute. Captain Lukas Windfeder doubled Germany's lead in the 30th minute, giving the visitors a comfortable 2-0 advantage.Despite the loss, India showed glimpses of their potential, particularly in the second half. The hosts created several scoring opportunities but were unable to convert them. Germany's defense, led by goalkeeper Alexander Stadler, stood firm and denied India any chance of a comeback.The second Test of the series will be played on Thursday, and India will be eager to level the series. The match will be a crucial test for the Indian team as they prepare for the upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League and the 2023 FIH Hockey World Cup.

The Indian men's hockey team is set to host reigning world champion Germany in a two-match bilateral series at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. The matches, scheduled for October 23 and 24, mark the return of international hockey to the capital after a decade.India, now a two-time Olympic medalist and ranked fifth in the world, will face a formidable challenge in Germany, who finished second at the recent World Cup in Paris and are ranked second in the global standings. The series promises to be a close contest, with both teams boasting talented and experienced players.Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh will lead the charge, with Vivek Sagar Prasad serving as his deputy. Youngsters Rajinder Singh and Aditya Lalage are set to make their international debuts, while defender and drag-flicker Varun Kumar returns to national duty after a long break.Coach Craig Fulton expressed his excitement about the upcoming matches, noting the significance of playing at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, where Indian hockey experienced a resurgence 14 years ago. He acknowledged the team's injury concerns but emphasized the opportunity for young players to prove themselves."It's unfortunate to have injuries, but it's also an exciting chance to test against the No. 2 in the world," Fulton said. "From now till the World Cup and then on to LA28, the selections will again open up chances for the guys to prove themselves."Germany, meanwhile, will field a mix of experienced and up-and-coming players. While some members of their World Cup squad are absent, the team includes several players from their Under-21 World Championship-winning side.The series is expected to provide valuable preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. India will be eager to continue their recent success, while Germany will aim to prove their status as one of the world's top hockey nations.

International hockey returns to New Delhi after a decade-long hiatus as India, the Olympic bronze medalists, face off against world champions Germany in a two-Test bilateral series starting Wednesday. The matches, to be held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, mark a significant revival for the sport in the capital.The last international match played at the stadium was the 2014 Hero World League Final, leaving a void in the city's hockey scene. The upcoming Tests against Germany, ranked second in the world and silver medalists at the Paris Olympics, promise to reignite the passion for hockey in Delhi.Over 12,000 fans have already registered for free tickets, indicating the immense anticipation for the event. The series holds great importance for Indian hockey, which has witnessed an upswing with consecutive Olympic bronze medals.In Paris, India narrowly lost 2-3 to Germany in a thrilling semifinal. The Tests provide an opportunity for revenge and a chance to test new faces. However, Germany remains a formidable opponent, having displayed their resilience in Paris, losing only in a shootout to the Netherlands in the gold medal match.Despite Germany's higher ranking, India has an edge in recent encounters, winning three of the last five matches. The Indian team boasts a mix of youth and experience, with notable inclusions like defender and drag-flicker Varun Kumar, who returns after a sabbatical.Star drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh will lead the Indian charge, while Vivek Sagar Prasad will serve as his deputy. Mid-field mainstay Hardik Singh remains absent due to injury. Newcomers Rajinder Singh and Aditya Arjun Lgale will make their international debuts.Striker Mandeep Singh, rested for the Asian Champions Trophy, will aim to impress alongside Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, and Dilpreet Singh. Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera will guard the Indian goal, having proven their worth in the ACT after PR Sreejesh's retirement.The two matches offer a platform for newcomers and returning players to showcase their abilities and stake their claim for future selection. The series promises to be a thrilling spectacle, rekindling the spirit of hockey in Delhi and providing valuable experience for the Indian team as they prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Commonwealth Games 2026: Key Sports Dropped, Dealing Blow to India's Medal HopesIn a significant setback for India's aspirations at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, host city Glasgow has announced a revised roster of 10 disciplines, excluding key sports such as hockey, badminton, wrestling, cricket, and shooting. This decision has raised concerns about the impact on India's medal tally, as these sports have historically contributed a substantial number of medals.The move is part of Glasgow's efforts to keep the event budget-friendly and streamline logistics. The Games will be held across four venues, with a total of nine fewer events compared to the 2022 Birmingham edition. The pruned roster includes Athletics and Para Athletics, Swimming and Para Swimming, Artistic Gymnastics, Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling, Netball, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, Boxing, Judo, Bowls and Para Bowls, and 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball.The exclusion of hockey, badminton, wrestling, cricket, and shooting is a major blow to India's medal prospects. Hockey has been a consistent medal-winner for India, with the men's team claiming three silver and two bronze medals, while the women's team has also shone, clinching three medals, including a historic gold in 2002. Badminton has been another strong suit for India, with an impressive 31 medals to its name, including 10 gold, eight silver, and 13 bronze.Wrestling has also been a fruitful sport for India, yielding 114 medals, including 49 gold, 39 silver, and 26 bronzes. Cricket's reintroduction in 2022 saw the Indian women's team claim a silver medal. Shooting was a stronghold for India, with a staggering 135 medals, including 63 gold, 44 silver, and 28 bronze.The absence of these sports will significantly reduce India's chances of achieving a high medal count. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has acknowledged the setback, stating that the roster is a "massive setback to India's medal prospects."Despite the disappointment, the CGF has emphasized that the Games will deliver over 100 million pounds of "inward investment into the city" and is expected to support add an economic value of over 150 million pounds for the region. The body asserted that all this would be possible thanks to a model "that has been specially designed to not require public funding for the delivery of the Games."

At the recently concluded Chess Olympiad in Budapest, the highly anticipated clash between India and China on the top board did not materialize. China opted to rest Ding Liren, the world's second-ranked player, against India's rising star, D. Gukesh.Gukesh, 18, expressed no disappointment over the missed opportunity. "We thought it was likely Ding would play, but there was a chance he might not because he had lost the previous round," said Gukesh. "I was ready for both scenarios."Despite the absence of Ding, Gukesh's performance at the Olympiad was exceptional. He won the individual gold medal for the second consecutive time, playing a pivotal role in India's dominant victory."It was a very special performance for me," said Gukesh. "I'm glad with how I played and handled different situations."Gukesh's confidence has soared ahead of his upcoming World Championship match against Ding, scheduled to begin on November 23 in Singapore. However, he remains unfazed by the pressure."The pressure is about just playing in the World Championship," said Gukesh. "For me, it's just a match against a very strong player. I'm sure Ding will come to the match with the right spirit and give it his best. My approach is to treat every game with the utmost respect and energy."Gukesh's exceptional performance at the Olympiad has not only boosted his confidence but also raised expectations for his World Championship match. As he prepares for the biggest challenge of his career, Gukesh remains focused and determined to give it his all.

India concluded their campaign at the Asian Table Tennis Championships with a historic haul of three medals, including a bronze in the women's doubles. The bronze medalists, Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee, had previously stunned the reigning world champions from China at the Asian Games last year. However, in the semifinals, they faced a tough challenge from Japan's Miwa Harimoto and Miyuu Kihara, losing 4-11, 9-11, 8-11.Prior to their semifinal loss, the Indian duo had defeated South Korea's Kim Nayeong and Lee Eunhye in the quarterfinals, securing India's first-ever women's doubles medal at the Asian meet.The Indian women's team had earlier made history by winning a bronze medal in the team event. The trio of Manika Batra, Ayhika Mukherjee, and Sutirtha Mukherjee secured the country's first-ever medal in the women's team category since the competition began in 1972. However, they eventually lost 1-3 to Japan in the semifinals.In the men's category, India secured another bronze, their third straight in the tournament, after the team of Achanta Sharath Kamal, Manav Thakkar, and Harmeet Desai fell 0-3 to Chinese Taipei in the semifinals.In men's singles, Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah bowed out in the pre-quarterfinals. World No. 60 Thakkar, who had earlier shocked world No. 14 Jang Woojin of South Korea, was defeated by Hong Kong's Baldwin Chan, 4-11 4-11 8-11. Meanwhile, Manush put up a tough fight against Lin Yun-Ju of Chinese Taipei and took two games before narrowly losing 8-11 5-11 11-7 11-6 12-14.