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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.

Shooting League of India: NRAI Announces First-Ever Franchise-Based LeagueThe National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has unveiled plans for the "Shooting League of India," the country's first-ever franchise-based league for the sport. The proposal, spearheaded by NRAI president Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, has been approved by the federation's governing body.The league's inaugural edition is scheduled for March, pending approval from the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). Deo expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating that the recent success of Indian shooters at the Paris Olympics has fueled its popularity."We believe that this is the right moment to launch a league," Deo said. "Franchise leagues have proven successful in popularizing sports, attracting new audiences, and generating revenue for athletes."The league aims to enhance the sport's self-sustainability and provide a platform for athletes to showcase their skills. At the Paris Olympics, Indian shooters made history by winning three medals in a single sport for the first time.Deo acknowledged the challenges of adapting shooting for television, but expressed confidence in the league's format. "We have deliberated extensively and feel that we have arrived at a winning formula," he said.The league's launch is expected to further elevate the profile of shooting in India and provide a boost to the sport's development. It will also offer a unique opportunity for fans to engage with the sport and its athletes.

Babita Phogat, the former Indian wrestler whose life story inspired the blockbuster Bollywood film "Dangal," has made a startling revelation about the movie's financial details. Despite the film's massive success, Phogat's family received a mere INR 1 crore from its earnings."Out of Rs 2,000 crore made from Dangal, the Phogat family received only Rs 1 crore?" Phogat was asked during an interview with News 24. The wrestler-turned-politician confirmed the figure, stating, "Yes."Phogat emphasized that her family's primary motivation was not financial gain but rather to earn respect and love. "My father always said that we should seek people's love and respect," she explained."Dangal," released in 2016, chronicled the journey of Phogat, her sister Geeta Phogat, and their father, Mahavir Phogat. The film depicted how Mahavir Phogat transformed his daughters into world-class wrestlers, earning numerous accolades for India.Babita Phogat herself has achieved significant success in wrestling. She won a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and a bronze medal at the 2012 World Wrestling Championships. She also represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympics.After retiring from wrestling in 2019, Phogat entered politics. She is currently a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has been vocal about her desire to empower women and promote sports in India.Phogat's revelation about the financial details of "Dangal" has sparked discussions about the distribution of profits in the film industry. It also highlights the importance of fair compensation for those whose stories inspire successful films.

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.

India's junior men's hockey team continued their impressive run at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia, defeating hosts Malaysia 4-2 on Tuesday. The victory propelled India to the top of the standings with nine points, while New Zealand and Australia followed with five and four points, respectively.Malaysia started the match aggressively, scoring two quick goals through Muhammad Danish Aiman and Harris Osman in the eighth and ninth minutes. However, India responded swiftly, with Sharda Nand Tiwari converting a penalty corner in the 11th minute and Arshdeep Singh scoring a field goal two minutes later.The second quarter remained scoreless, but India regained the lead in the third quarter. Talem Priyobarta scored from the edge of the circle in the 39th minute, and Rohit extended India's advantage with a penalty corner strike a minute later.Malaysia earned a penalty corner in the fourth quarter but failed to convert. Both teams had several more penalty corner opportunities, but neither could capitalize. India held on to their 4-2 lead until the final whistle, securing their third consecutive victory in the tournament.India's victory was a testament to their resilience and determination. Despite conceding two early goals, they fought back to take control of the match. Their defense held firm in the final quarter, preventing Malaysia from mounting a comeback.

India's Chess Veteran Tania Sachdev Urges State Governments to Support Young PlayersIndia's chess veteran Tania Sachdev has emphasized the crucial role of state governments in fostering a pipeline of young players and maintaining the country's dominance in the sport. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit, Sachdev, who was part of India's historic double gold campaign at the 45th Chess Olympiad 2024, highlighted the importance of state support in inspiring and nurturing young talent.Sachdev, who hails from Delhi, pointed out that she was the sole chess representative from the capital for nearly 16 years until the emergence of Vantika Agrawal. She stressed that state governments play a vital role in providing opportunities and recognition to young players, which is essential for their development and success."There's a reason why we see so many Grandmasters from Tamil Nadu. Why does every girl want to play badminton? Because she's seen a PV Sindhu," said Sachdev. "Unless the state governments recognize the effort of its own players, how are you going to inspire the youth of a profession seriously?"Sachdev's comments come in the wake of India's remarkable achievement at the 45th Chess Olympiad, where both the men's and women's teams won gold. For Sachdev, who has been a part of India's chess team at the Olympiad since 2008, the gold medal was the culmination of a 16-year journey. Her teammate D Harika had to wait 20 years for the same honor."It is something that we worked towards not one or two years, but 16 years for me and even longer for her (Harika)," said Sachdev. "Having got the job done, we all felt more emotional than we ever have. It went far beyond winning the gold, it was a lifetime journey for a lot of us."Vantika Agrawal also revealed that the chess team had planned special celebrations once they knew that they had both won gold. The team's success is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and support that they have received over the years.

Vinesh Phogat, a renowned Indian wrestler, has refuted allegations made by fellow wrestler Sakshi Malik that the protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was compromised by "greed."In her recently released book "Witness," Malik claimed that individuals close to Phogat and Bajrang Punia, another prominent wrestler, influenced them to seek exemption from Asian Games trials, tarnishing the image of the protests.Phogat vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that she and her fellow wrestlers fought for a just cause. She stated, "No one gave me anything in writing, nor can I assume someone's intentions. The good thing is that we fought for a good cause. If playing in the Olympics and winning a medal for our country is greed, then yes, I will carry that 'greed' till my last breath."Phogat further emphasized the importance of advocating for athletes' rights, saying, "If, as an athlete, speaking up for fellow athletes and standing by my sisters is greed, then I consider it a good kind of greed. The desire to play for the country should always remain."Malik, who was one of the key figures in the protests, alleged that the pursuit of personal interests had overshadowed the collective cause. She wrote in her book, "The old way of thinking selfishly was taking over once again. The people close to Bajrang and Vinesh had started filling their minds with greed. Now they were talking about this exemption from trials for the Games."Malik's claims have sparked controversy within the wrestling community. However, Phogat remains steadfast in her belief that the protests were driven by a genuine desire for change. She said, "What exactly is greed? If, as an athlete, speaking up for fellow athletes and standing by my sisters is greed, then I consider it a good kind of greed."The allegations and counter-allegations have cast a shadow over the wrestling community, raising questions about the integrity of the sport's governing body and the motivations of its athletes. As the dust settles, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the future of Indian wrestling.

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.