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World Cup-winning former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev has taken over as the new President of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), marking a significant chapter in his illustrious career. The 65-year-old, who was already a member of the PGTI Board as its Vice President, was unanimously chosen to succeed H.R. Srinivasan, whose tenure has come to an end.Kapil Dev, known for his exceptional cricketing skills, is also an avid golfer with a handicap that once approached scratch level. His passion for golf has led him to become a close friend of many top Indian golfers, including Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal, Jyoti Randhawa, and Shiv Kapur.Upon assuming the presidency, Kapil Dev expressed his honor and enthusiasm for the role. He emphasized the importance of the PGTI as a players' body and his commitment to supporting their interests. He also highlighted his long-standing passion for golf, which has been a source of relaxation and enjoyment for him.Kapil Dev's appointment is expected to bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy to the PGTI. He has been instrumental in attracting new sponsors and organizing lucrative events, such as the Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational at the DLF Golf and Country Club, which boasts a purse of Rs 2 crore (approx. USD 240,000).Over the years, Kapil Dev's celebrity status and passion for golf have earned him invitations to major events like the Dunhill Links, where he has played alongside other global celebrities. He believes that golf is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and is an excellent way to unwind.Kapil Dev's appointment as PGTI President is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the sport of golf. His experience, leadership skills, and passion for the game are expected to contribute significantly to the growth and development of the PGTI in the years to come.

Tulika Maan has become the first Indian judoka to secure a quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 25-year-old achieved this feat by securing a continental quota in the women's +78kg division, as per the latest rankings released by the International Judo Federation (IJF).Maan, who hails from Bhopal, has been a consistent performer at the national and international levels. She has participated in the 2017 World Championships in Budapest and the 2017 Tokyo World Judo Championship. She also clinched a silver medal at the Asian Open in Kuwait in 2023.During the qualification period from June 22, 2022, to June 23, 2024, Maan accumulated 1345 ranking points. This placed her 36th in the standings, securing a continental quota for India.The National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have the exclusive authority to select athletes to represent their countries at the Olympic Games. NOCs must confirm their use of quota places by July 2.Judo was first introduced to the Olympic program at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Despite being dropped from the 1968 Mexico City Games, it has been a regular fixture since the 1972 Munich Olympics.Avtar Singh (men's 90kg) was the last Indian to compete in judo at the Olympics, in Rio 2016. India is yet to win an Olympic medal in judo.The judo competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympics will be held at the Champ-de-Mars Arena from July 27 to August 3. A total of 372 judokas, 186 each in men's and women's events, will compete for Olympic glory.

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has once again suspended Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia for refusing to provide a urine sample for a dope test. This is the second time NADA has suspended Punia, after revoking his initial suspension on May 31st due to a lack of a "notice of charge."On April 23rd, NADA suspended Punia for refusing to give a urine sample during the selection trials held in Sonepat on March 10th. The World Governing body UWW also suspended him. Punia appealed the provisional suspension, and NADA's Anti-Disciplinary Doping panel (ADDP) revoked it on May 31st until NADA issued the notice of charge.On Sunday, NADA served the notice to Punia, stating that he is being charged with violating Article 2.3 of the National Anti-Doping Rules, 2021. Punia has until July 11th to request a hearing or accept the charge.Punia has maintained that he never refused to give a sample but only demanded to know NADA's response to his email where he sought an answer to why expired kits were sent to take his samples in December 2023.NADA explained that the chaperone/DCO had approached Punia and informed him that he was required to provide a urine sample. Despite several requests, Punia refused, stating that he would not provide the sample unless NADA replied to his email regarding the expired kits.NADA made it clear that if the Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) is upheld, it will seek "disqualification of results in the event during which the ADRV occurred, commission of the ADRV with all resulting consequences including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes." NADA may also recover financial costs associated with the ADRV or impose a fine.

McLaren's Lando Norris stunned the field with a breathtaking final lap to snatch pole position from Max Verstappen at the Spanish Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday. The Briton's blistering time of 1:18.750 denied Verstappen by a mere two hundredths of a second, marking Norris' second career pole.Verstappen, the reigning world champion, had appeared poised to start from the front of the grid for the fourth consecutive race. However, Norris' late surge shattered his hopes, leaving the Red Bull driver to settle for second.Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will start on the second row for Mercedes, while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will occupy fifth place.Norris, who claimed his maiden Grand Prix victory in Miami earlier this season, expressed his delight at securing pole. "Today was the perfect lap," he said. "Max seemed a bit stronger, but we made some changes. I'm super happy to be on pole, it's going to be tough but we're here to win!"Verstappen, who holds a commanding 56-point lead in the championship standings, acknowledged Norris' impressive performance. "Lando did a great lap," he said. "We were very close, but he deserved it today."The Spanish Grand Prix marks the 10th round of the 24-race season and the first of a triple header, with races in Austria and Silverstone scheduled over the next two weekends. Verstappen, who won his maiden Grand Prix in Barcelona in 2016, will be aiming to extend his winning streak at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.Norris' pole position is a significant boost for McLaren, who have struggled for consistency this season. The team will be hoping to capitalize on their strong qualifying performance and challenge for a podium finish on Sunday.

World Athletics and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee (LA28) have announced a groundbreaking shift in the competition schedule. In a historic move, athletics will now take center stage during the first week of the Olympic Games at the iconic LA Memorial Coliseum. This unprecedented change marks the first time a stadium will host events at three Olympic Games.The decision to prioritize athletics in the opening week is a testament to the sport's global appeal and its ability to captivate audiences. By showcasing the world's greatest track and field athletes at the outset of the Games, LA28 aims to create an electrifying atmosphere and set the tone for an unforgettable Olympic experience."We are thrilled to support this visionary timetable change for LA28," said Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics. "This move underscores our commitment to innovation in athletics and elevating the global profile of our athletes. By prioritizing athletics in the first week, the Games will witness the most thrilling of starts, captivating audiences worldwide and setting the stage for an unforgettable Olympic journey for global audiences."The schedule adjustment, which sees swimming events move to the second week, is expected to unlock unparalleled opportunities for athletics in pre-Games promotion and Games-time viewership. The first-week scheduling positions athletics at the forefront of the Games, ensuring a strong start and sustained excitement throughout the event.The historic marathon events will remain over the last weekend, with medals presented during the closing ceremony – a tradition that befits an event that has been part of the programme since the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.The swap allows athletics, for the first time in memory, to benefit from the high level of interest and excitement provided by the opening ceremony. And not just any opening ceremony, but one crafted in the storytelling and creative capital of the world in Los Angeles."Over the past months, LA28 has worked closely with World Athletics, World Aquatics, the IOC, and OBS to assess the opportunities around this competition schedule swap," said Janet Evans, Chief Athlete Officer of LA28. "We believe the positive effects of this change will extend beyond the two sports involved, strengthening the LA28 Games as a whole and ultimately benefiting all sports in the LA28 sport programme."The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will be held from 14-30 July 2028, featuring over 10,000 athletes from more than 200 nations competing in 35 sports currently in the LA28 sport programme. This marks the third time Los Angeles will host the Olympics, following the 1932 and 1984 Games.

The Indian compound women's archery team continued their dominance this season, securing a hattrick of World Cup gold medals with a victory over Estonia in the third stage of the event on Saturday. The trio of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Swami, and Parneet Kaur, who had qualified as the top seed, defeated Estonia's Lisell Jaatma, Meeri-Marita Paas, and Maris Tetsmann, 232-229 in a one-sided final.This victory marks the third consecutive World Cup gold medal for the Indian women's compound team, having previously won the Stage 1 and Stage 2 gold medals in Shanghai and Yecheon in April and May respectively. Their consistent performance has solidified their position as one of the top teams in the world.In addition to the women's team's success, Indian male compound archer Priyansh is also in contention for a bronze medal later in the day. In the recurve section, Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara are also in the hunt for two medals, having advanced to their respective individual semifinals.The Indian archery team's impressive performance at the World Cup is a testament to their hard work and dedication. Their success is a source of pride for the nation and inspires young archers to strive for excellence.

The Odisha government has extended its sponsorship of the Indian hockey team for another three years, until 2036. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Mohan Majhi, who stated that the sponsorship is part of the state's "Vision Odisha: 2036" plan.The extension of the sponsorship is a testament to Odisha's commitment to the development of hockey in India. The state has been a major supporter of the sport since 2018, when it became the principal sponsor of the Indian hockey teams."In 2036, Odisha will complete 100 years of formation. The year will also see a probability of Gujarat hosting the Olympics. Odisha's role in the rise of hockey has been instrumental and this extension of sponsorship could prove to be a game changer for the state in sports," said Majhi.The previous Naveen Patnaik government had extended the sponsorship of both the men's and women's national teams (senior and junior) till 2033 for ₹434.12 crores in April last year.Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey expressed his gratitude to the Odisha government for its continued support. "We had a productive meeting with the Hon'ble CM. We are thankful to the Odisha Government for their support and commitment to Indian hockey. As an Odia and a former hockey player, I am immensely proud. Odisha has set another remarkable example for the nation," said Tirkey.The extension of the sponsorship is expected to provide a significant boost to Indian hockey. The funds will be used to support the development of infrastructure, coaching, and training programs for the national teams.

India's ambitious bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games is gaining momentum, with sports administrators preparing to lobby hard during the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024. The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) of the Sports Authority of India has submitted a detailed report to Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, outlining the measures necessary for a successful bid.The report identifies six disciplines for potential inclusion in the 2036 Olympics if India's bid is successful: yoga, kho kho, kabaddi, chess, T20 cricket, and squash. These indigenous sports would not only enhance India's medal chances but also showcase the country's rich sporting heritage.However, the road ahead is not without challenges. India will need to extend support to other nations to ensure that these sports have a global presence. The proposed events will first need to be introduced as demonstration events in the 2032 Brisbane Games before receiving final approval.The MOC has also identified the need to address doping, increase accountability in national federations, and attract private investment in sports. India will face stiff competition from countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and China for the hosting rights.Despite the challenges, the MOC is confident in India's ability to prepare for the bid. The inclusion of indigenous sports would not only boost India's medal tally but also promote the country's cultural identity on a global stage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Srinagar marked a significant milestone in Jammu and Kashmir's journey towards statehood. Amid tight security, Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over ₹1,500 crore.In a symbolic gesture, Modi pledged to "teach a lesson to the enemies of J&K," referring to recent terror attacks. He also launched the Competitiveness Improvement in Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project worth ₹1,800 crore and handed over appointment letters to 200 fresh government recruits.Meanwhile, in Delhi, a Delhi court granted bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi Excise policy. The bail order was dictated by the judge in an open court on June 20 evening.In the realm of education, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced the formation of a reform committee to improve the working of the National Testing Agency (NTA). The committee will consist of technocrats, bureaucrats, and scientists and will suggest improvements to the NTA's operations.In a setback for press freedom, a second French journalist, working in India since 2011, was forced to leave the country after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) denied the renewal of his work permit without providing any reason.The Election Commission of India (ECI) has received 11 requests for memory verification of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) from the recently concluded Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. This is the first time such requests have been received since the Supreme Court order of April 24 allowing verification on the request of the runners-up in any election.In a bid to safeguard students' interests, the UGC-NET exam was canceled after Education Ministry officials received inputs that raised concerns about the integrity of the exam. The details of these inputs have not been disclosed as the matter has been referred to the CBI and is currently under investigation.India has declined China's request to resume direct passenger flights after a four-year halt, citing ongoing border tensions. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) apologized to a couple who found a cockroach in their meal while traveling on the Vande Bharat Express from Bhopal to Agra.External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Colombo and discussed progress on key energy sector initiatives that India and Sri Lanka have agreed to jointly undertake. He also commissioned a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and handed over new homes built with Indian assistance.The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has imposed a fine of up to ₹1.2 lakh on eight students who performed a play that allegedly mocked Lord Ram and portrayed the 'Ramayana' in a bad light.The Madras High Court agreed to hear a public interest litigation petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy that has claimed over 30 lives.AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh sought the INDIA bloc's support in the party's fight to get Delhi's share of water from Haryana.Heatwave conditions have abated over large parts of North India, but this is expected to be short-lived as dry conditions are expected to resurface over the weekend or early next week.A diplomat in Saudi Arabia confirmed that 68 Indian nationals died during the haj pilgrimage this year, bringing the overall tally to more than 600.In the world of cricket, India had no trouble adapting to conditions in the West Indies. The team crushed Afghanistan by 47 runs in its first Super 8 game on Thursday. Led by Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, India passed the pitch test with flying colors to make a commanding 181 for eight. With ball in hand, Jasprit Bumrah (3/7) and the three spinners put the stranglehold on the Afghans.