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Carlos Sainz secured a stunning pole position for Ferrari at the Mexico City Grand Prix, outpacing defending champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull. Sainz's time of 1:15.946 was 0.225 seconds faster than Verstappen, who had his first lap in the top 10 shoot-out deleted.McLaren's Lando Norris qualified third, ahead of Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari and George Russell in the Williams. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton finished sixth for Mercedes.Sainz's pole was his sixth career pole and his third in the last three Mexican events. "I am very happy with that and to be on pole," said Sainz, who is set to leave Ferrari for Williams next year. "I had a great couple of laps and it is very difficult here with lots of sliding. My laps were almost identical and perfect. It is such a tricky circuit!"Verstappen, who had an engine change on his car following problems on Friday, said: "I felt under pressure and I was playing catch-up especially after losing my first lap time."Norris said he was satisfied with third. "Honestly, I'm pretty happy as I struggled to get more in my final two laps. Carlos was very quick all weekend, but I'm happy with third. Ferrari look very strong."Kevin Magnussen was seventh for Haas, the team's best qualifying result in Mexico, ahead of Alpine's Pierre Gasly, Williams' Alex Albon, and Nico Hulkenberg in the second Haas.Sergio Perez, the Mexican driver for Red Bull, had a disappointing qualifying session, finishing 18th. It was his worst starting slot in nine Mexican Grands Prix."It's very difficult with this car - I can't attack the corner into braking," said Perez.The Sauber drivers were first out as Q1 began in warmer conditions than those for final practice. Both Ferraris went top before Norris, and then Verstappen took control. Perez, struggling with his brakes, was 1.5 seconds adrift in 14th.As the track improved, the times tumbled with Stroll briefly fourth and Gasly second ahead of Hulkenberg. Switching to softs, in search of more pace and grip, Piastri, who was fastest for McLaren in FP3, fought to progress and slumped to 19th ahead of Red Bull's Perez with two minutes to go - while Norris leapt to the top of the times.In the final seconds, big improvements by others left Piastri and Perez in the drop zone - a surprise to many and a shock to the Mexicans' huge following at the circuit.Alex Albon led the way for Q2, with Verstappen setting the early pace before Norris took command as RB's Yuki Tsunoda locked up and crashed at Turn 12, bringing out red flags.This meant he and team-mate Liam Lawson were out along with Aston Martin's two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, in his 400th Grand Prix, and Lance Stroll and Sauber's Valtteri Bottas.Verstappen setting the pace in the top-10 final session with a sizzling early lap in 1:16.368, more than half a second quicker than Norris, but the Dutchman's lap was deleted for exceeding track limits.That left Ferrari to take control with Sainz on top in 1:16.055. Fortunately, Red Bull had another set of softs available for Verstappen's second run.In a frantic finale, Sainz improved his time to resist Verstappen's best effort with Norris lining up third, unable to break into the front row.

India's junior men's hockey team clinched a thrilling bronze medal at the Sultan of Johor Cup after a nail-biting 3-2 shootout victory over New Zealand on Saturday. The match ended in a 2-2 stalemate in regulation time, setting the stage for a tense penalty shootout.Goalkeeper Bikramjit Singh emerged as the hero for India, making three crucial saves in the shootout. Strikers Gurjot Singh, Manmeet Singh, and Sourabh Anand Kushwaha converted their penalties with precision, securing the victory for their team.Earlier in the match, India had taken an early lead through goals from Dilraj Singh and Manmeet Singh. However, New Zealand fought back in the final quarter with goals from Owen Brown and Jonty Elmes, forcing the match into a shootout.India started the match with a strong attacking display, creating several scoring opportunities. Dilraj Singh opened the scoring in the 11th minute, assisted by Mukesh Toppo. Manmeet Singh doubled India's lead in the 20th minute with a brilliant field goal, assisted by Anmol Ekka and Mukesh.New Zealand struggled to create scoring chances in the first half, but they came out with renewed determination in the fourth quarter. Brown scored in the 51st minute, assisted by Bradley Rothwell, and Elmes equalized in the 57th minute, setting up the dramatic shootout.In the shootout, Bikramjit Singh made three outstanding saves, denying New Zealand's attempts to score. Gurjot Singh, Manmeet Singh, and Kushwaha converted their penalties with confidence, securing the bronze medal for India.

India's young hockey team displayed remarkable resilience and composure to secure a thrilling 3-3 draw against New Zealand in their final round-robin match at the Sultan of Johor Cup on Friday. The result leaves India's fate in the hands of other teams as they await the outcome of Great Britain and Australia's matches against Japan and Malaysia, respectively.India started the match brightly, taking an early lead through Gurjot Singh's fine goal in the 6th minute. Gurjot's second attempt on goal, assisted by Sukhvinder, proved successful as he lofted the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net. India had a chance to extend their lead in the 8th minute with two back-to-back penalty corners, but the New Zealand goalkeeper produced outstanding saves to deny them.New Zealand gradually grew into the game and created an attacking formation that helped them make a successful foray into the striking circle. However, Rosan Kujur's sharp defense kept them from scoring. In the 17th minute, New Zealand's Jonty Elmes equalized with a fine field goal. India responded quickly, with Rohit striking from a penalty corner to regain the lead.Both teams played with frantic speed and intensity, with India creating a flurry of penalty corners towards the end of the second quarter. However, they were unable to find success. To their dismay, New Zealand began the third quarter with a fine penalty corner conversion by Elmes, who had struck for the second time. Elmes' fierce power in his drag-flick was a pain-point for Indian defense, as he completed a hat-trick of goals in the 45th minute to take New Zealand 3-2 ahead.India's problems with penalty corner conversion continued in the fourth quarter as they missed a chance in the 46th minute. New Zealand, on the other hand, came up with brilliant counter attacks in the following minutes, but Indian defense held sway. With 90 seconds left on the clock, India found a golden opportunity to equalize when they earned a penalty corner. This time, they found success with a splendid variation which was executed to perfection by Talem Priyobarta, ending the thrilling encounter with a 3-3 draw.

The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup, scheduled from January 13-19 at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Stadium, will witness a global spectacle of the traditional Indian sport. With 24 nations participating, the tournament promises to showcase the speed, strategy, and sporting excellence of Kho Kho.From the African continent, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda will showcase their talent. Asia will be represented by hosts India alongside Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea, and Sri Lanka. Europe will have participants like England, Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland. North America will be represented by Canada and the United States of America. South America will feature Brazil and Peru, while Australia and New Zealand will carry the banner for Oceania.The tournament structure will feature both men's and women's divisions, with 16 teams competing in each category. The men's category will feature a strong African presence with Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.The Kho Kho World Cup represents a significant milestone in the sport's history, transforming it from a beloved local sport to a global phenomenon. With India leading this sporting revolution, the 2025 World Cup promises to be the big step that will take Kho Kho to the next stage in the global sports ecosystem.KKFI president Sudhanshu Mittal expressed his excitement, saying, "This historic championship represents a massive leap for Kho Kho, transforming it from a beloved local sport to a global phenomenon. With India leading this sporting revolution, the 2025 World Cup promises to be the big step that will take Kho Kho to the next stage in the global sports ecosystem."KKFI General Secretary MS Tyagi added, "The participation of 24 nations is a testament to Kho Kho's growing international appeal. Our vision is to make this traditional Indian sport a truly global game, and this World Cup will serve as a milestone in achieving that goal."

The Ministry of Sports has announced significant changes to the national sports awards system, discontinuing the Dhyan Chand Award for lifetime achievement and introducing the Arjuna Award Lifetime in its place. This move aims to streamline and rationalize the various sporting honors bestowed in India.The Dhyan Chand Lifetime Award, established in 2002 and named after the legendary hockey player, recognized individuals for their exceptional contributions to sports disciplines featured in major international events such as the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. In 2023, the award was presented to former badminton player Manjusha Kanwar, ex-hockey star Vineet Kumar, and kabaddi player Kavitha Selvaraj.To further recognize the efforts of coaches at the grassroots and development levels, the Dronacharya Award will now be open to them. Additionally, the Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy will be awarded to the university with the best overall performance in the Khelo India University Games, acknowledging the importance of the Khelo India scheme.The Arjuna Award Lifetime will be presented for outstanding lifetime contributions to sports development. The last date for submitting applications for the 2024 national sports awards is November 14.This rationalization of the awards system aims to ensure that all deserving individuals and organizations are recognized for their contributions to Indian sports. The changes will also help to streamline the process and make it more transparent and efficient.

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.

Rani Rampal, the former captain of the Indian women's hockey team, has announced her retirement after a remarkable 16-year career. The 29-year-old forward, who hails from a humble background in Haryana, has been an inspiration to countless young athletes.Rampal made her international debut in 2008 at the age of 14, and quickly established herself as a key player for India. She has represented the country in over 250 matches, scoring 205 goals. Rampal was instrumental in India's historic fourth-place finish at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the team's best-ever performance at the Games.In recognition of her achievements, Rampal was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2020, India's highest sporting honor. She was also conferred the Padma Shri, the country's fourth highest civilian award, in the same year.Beyond her on-field accomplishments, Rampal has been a vocal advocate for women's empowerment and gender equality. She has used her platform to inspire young girls to pursue their dreams and break down barriers.Rampal's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian women's hockey. She has been a role model for generations of players and has helped to raise the profile of the sport in India. Her legacy will continue to inspire young athletes for years to come.

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.