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The Indian junior men's hockey team faced a narrow 2-3 defeat against Germany in a thrilling encounter that went down to the wire on their ongoing Europe tour. The match, played in Breda, Netherlands, showcased the resilience and determination of both teams.The first quarter witnessed a flurry of action, with both sides creating opportunities through penalty corners. However, neither team managed to break the deadlock, leaving the score at 0-0.The second quarter saw Germany take the lead with a well-executed field goal five minutes in. Undeterred, India responded with a penalty corner goal from defender Yogember Rawat, leveling the score at 1-1.India continued to press forward in the third quarter, earning another penalty corner. Forward Gurjot Singh made no mistake, putting India ahead 2-1. However, Germany refused to give up and equalized just minutes later with a penalty corner of their own.The final quarter was a tense affair, with both teams desperate for the winning goal. India had a chance to regain the lead early on but failed to convert a penalty corner. As the clock ticked down, Germany was awarded a penalty corner in the dying moments. They capitalized on the opportunity, scoring the winning goal and sealing a 3-2 victory.Despite the defeat, the Indian junior men's hockey team displayed commendable spirit and determination throughout the match. They will look to end their Europe tour on a high when they face Germany once again in their final match on Wednesday.

India is poised to submit a bid to host the prestigious World Chess Championship later this year, with Delhi's state-of-the-art India International Convention and Expo Centre, 'Yashobhoomi,' as the proposed venue. The bid is being spearheaded by the All India Chess Federation, which has secured a No Objection Certificate from the government.The World Chess Championship, scheduled for November 20 to December 15, will feature reigning world champion Ding Liren of China and 18-year-old Indian challenger D Gukesh. The match will be a best-of-14-game affair, with the first player to reach 7.5 points declared the winner.India has previously hosted the World Chess Championship once, in 2013, when Viswanathan Anand faced Magnus Carlsen in Chennai. The match was organized at a cost of ₹29 crores.The India International Convention and Expo Centre, 'Yashobhoomi,' is a sprawling complex that covers an area of 1.07 lakh sq.m. and boasts 15 convention rooms, including a main auditorium, grand ballroom, and 13 meeting rooms. It can accommodate up to 11,000 delegates.The International Chess Federation (Fide) has set a minimum total budget of $8.5 million for the hosting of the championship, including a prize fund of at least $2.5 million and a Fide fee of $1.1 million. The remaining $4.9 million is allocated for anti-cheating measures, broadcast, and technological upgrades.Singapore has also expressed interest in hosting the match, citing its neutral status and the presence of both Chinese and Indian cultures in its society. However, the country has acknowledged that the hosting costs may be prohibitive.The last date for bid submission to Fide is May 31, and the decision on the host is expected to be made in June.

Ahead of the crucial preparatory phase for the Paris Olympics, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has been actively addressing concerns raised by shooters regarding the involvement of personal coaches and participation in the upcoming ISSF Munich World Cup.Personal Coach Involvement:NRAI has held discussions with shooters to resolve issues related to the role of personal coaches in training plans. The association has emphasized the importance of personal coaches in providing moral and technical support, but has also stressed the need for a common training schedule to ensure proper monitoring of Olympic shooters.To address this, NRAI has proposed a collaborative approach where personal coaches, national coaches, the High Performance Director (HPD), and shooters work together to develop a mutually agreed-upon training program. This program will be followed in all training camps leading up to the Olympics.Munich World Cup Participation:Some shooters have expressed concerns about fatigue after the month-long Olympic trials and have requested to skip the Munich World Cup. NRAI has granted flexibility to shooters, allowing them to choose the events they wish to compete in or even participate only in the ranking round.However, NRAI has emphasized the importance of the Munich World Cup as it provides an opportunity to experience the Olympic format and environment without the pressure. The competition will also serve as a valuable benchmark for the Olympic squad, which is yet to be announced.Guidelines for Personal Coaches:NRAI has issued guidelines for personal coaches, outlining their roles and responsibilities during the training phase leading up to the Paris Olympics. These guidelines include restrictions on direct communication with shooters during events and entry into certain areas.While some personal coaches have objected to these guidelines, NRAI has invited them to attend NRAI camps to discuss the matter further. The association aims to be flexible and consider each case individually, but emphasizes the need for understanding and collaboration between coaches and shooters.

Sandeep Singh's journey to the cusp of Olympic glory is a testament to his unwavering determination and natural talent. Hailing from a humble background in Punjab, Sandeep's childhood was marked by financial struggles and hard labor. However, his dream of an army career kept him motivated.Fate intervened when Sandeep first held an INSAS rifle at the Indian army's training ground in Fatehgarh. His exceptional marksmanship, producing a 2mm grouping at 300 meters, astounded instructors who recognized his innate ability. Thus began his career as a sports shooter.Despite a stop-start career, Sandeep's recent triumph at the Olympic Selection Trials (OST) has brought him within reach of his Olympic dream. His stunning scores in the 10m air rifle event propelled him to the top of the standings, edging out Olympic quota winners Arjun Babuta and Rudrankksh Patil.Sandeep's success has sparked controversy among his fellow shooters, who argue that his relative inexperience at the international level should disqualify him from Olympic selection. However, Sandeep remains confident in his abilities, citing his maturity and experience in pressure situations.His time spent guarding India's borders at the inhospitable Siachen Glacier has instilled in him a resilience that translates to his shooting performance. The challenges of breathing at high altitudes and the absence of enemy action forced him to focus on his inner strength.Despite a doping suspension and dismissal from the Army Marksmanship Unit, Sandeep's determination remained unwavering. With the support of his Commanding Officer, he resumed training and honed his skills. His consistent scores and match simulations in the lead-up to the OSTs paid off handsomely.Sandeep's Olympic aspirations extend beyond personal glory. He hopes to bring honor to his country and provide a better life for his family. His father, a laborer, has endured years of hardship, and Sandeep is eager to give him a comfortable retirement.

Indian men's hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has revealed that he dabbled in various sports, including shot-put, before settling on hockey as his primary pursuit. In an interview with cricketer Dinesh Karthik on JioCinema's 'Get Set Gold,' Sreejesh shared his reasons for choosing the goalkeeper position: to avoid the strenuous running required of forwards and defenders."Hockey was not easy because you need to bend, you need to play. That was tough for me. And over that, you need to run. I was an overweight guy. I didn't like running at all," Sreejesh explained. "So, I have seen these goalkeepers in full kit, standing in a corner and kicking the ball. I thought that was pretty funny because they're not doing anything. They're not running. They're just wearing the pad and kicking the ball. So, I thought this was the right position for me because you don't need to run. You're a part of the hockey team and you'll get grace marks."However, Sreejesh emphasized that being a hockey goalkeeper requires a certain level of "craziness" to perform at the highest level. "The goalkeeper has to be a crazy person. Crazy, because you just need to have the guts to stand in front of that ball. The second thing is aggression, you need to be an aggressive person, and those reflexes have to be there. You don't get much time to just think, 'Save.' No, you just need to save it. Then you realize, 'Okay, I made that save,'" he said.Sreejesh's journey to hockey began with shot-put in his school days due to his overweight and shorter stature. He then tried football and volleyball but found his calling in hockey. Despite initially choosing the goalkeeper position to avoid running, he has since become one of the most decorated players in Indian hockey history.Sreejesh is the only Indian men's player to win the World Games Athlete of the Year award (2021). He has also won 16 international medals, including an Olympic Bronze (2020), two Asian Games Gold medals (2014, 2022), two Commonwealth Games Silver medals (2014, 2022), and four Asian Champions Trophy Gold medals (2011, 2016, 2018, 2023).Sreejesh is expected to represent India in men's field hockey at the Paris 2024 Olympics. India has been seeded with Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland in Group B of the tournament.

The inaugural Indian round of the MotoGP championship, held in September 2023, faced uncertainty due to reports of unpaid dues to rights holders Dorna. However, after a meeting involving all stakeholders, it has been decided to postpone the second edition to March 2025.The decision was made due to concerns over the weather conditions in September, which were deemed unsuitable for the race. The inaugural event witnessed high temperatures and humidity, making it challenging for riders and marshals.Fairstreet Sports CEO Pushkar Nath Srivastava emphasized that the postponement was not related to unpaid dues. He stated that all payments were being made and any outstanding balance would be cleared by the following month.The organizers considered holding the race in November, but this would have resulted in four consecutive races, which would have been demanding for teams and riders. Instead, they opted for March, which is expected to offer more favorable weather conditions.The 2023 MotoGP round in India attracted over 50,000 fans, filling half of the Buddh International Circuit. The organizers anticipate a larger turnout in March due to the improved weather.The current MotoGP season commenced in Doha on March 10, and the India round could potentially be slotted in the following week. Dorna and local promoters have signed a seven-year agreement to host the race in India.The Uttar Pradesh government, which was a sponsor in 2023, has now become a co-promoter, indicating a long-term commitment to the event. The 2023 MotoGP round in India, won by Marco Bezzecchi, was the most significant motorsports event held in the country since the last Formula 1 race in 2013.

India's Nishant Dev delivered a stunning performance at the second Boxing World Olympic Qualifiers in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday, securing a resounding victory over Mongolia's Otgonbaatar Byamba-Erdeneto in the 71kg pre-quarterfinals.Dev's dominance was evident from the outset, as he unleashed a barrage of punches that forced a standing count within the first minute. His relentless attack continued, with a combination of a jab and cross hook leading to another standing count. With just 58 seconds remaining in the opening round, the referee halted the contest, awarding Dev a Referee Stopped the Contest (RSC) victory.In contrast, Abhinash Jamwal faced an unfortunate setback in the 63.5kg category. Despite a spirited comeback in the second round, Jamwal ultimately fell short against Colombia's Jose Manuel Viafara Fory. The bout ended in a tie on points, but the judges ultimately ruled in Fory's favor after a lengthy deliberation.Earlier in the tournament, Dev had also secured a dominant 5-0 win over Armando Bighafa of Guinea-Bissau in the 71kg category. His impressive performance showcased his technical prowess and unwavering determination.Meanwhile, Sachin Siwach will represent India in the 57kg round of 32 bout later in the day, facing Frederik Jensen of Denmark.

Antim Panghal, India's 53kg wrestling sensation, is set to make her long-awaited return to competition at the International Ranking Series in Budapest from June 6. The world championships bronze medalist has been absent from the mat since October 2022, raising questions about her form and fitness ahead of the Paris Olympics.With no national camp being held, Antim has been training at her base in Hisar. Her coach, Bhagat Singh, insists that she is fully fit and eager to prove herself in Budapest. However, her rivals have demanded selection trials to assess her readiness for the Olympics.The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has decided not to hold trials, instead sending quota winners directly to Paris. This decision has drawn criticism from some wrestlers and coaches, who believe that trials are essential to ensure the best possible team is selected.Antim's return to competition will be closely watched, as she aims to silence her critics and demonstrate her fitness for the Olympics. She will face stiff competition in Budapest, with several top wrestlers vying for ranking points.Meanwhile, other Indian wrestlers, including Ravi Dahiya, Sarita Mor, and Shivanee Pawar, have requested WFI to send their entries for the Budapest ranking series. These wrestlers, who had hoped to challenge the quota winners for an Olympic berth, are keen to prove their form in an international event.The Budapest ranking series will provide a crucial opportunity for Indian wrestlers to assess their progress and prepare for the Paris Olympics. Antim Panghal's performance will be particularly scrutinized, as she seeks to prove that she is ready to represent India on the world's biggest stage.

Charles Leclerc's emotional victory at the Monaco Grand Prix marked a historic moment for the principality and a significant shift in the Formula 1 championship order. Leclerc became the first Monegasque to win on home soil since 1931, breaking a 93-year "curse."The Monaco Grand Prix is renowned for its challenging street circuit, where driver skill often trumps car performance. Leclerc's triumph showcased his exceptional talent and the importance of chassis and downforce optimization.However, Leclerc's victory also signaled a change in the championship dynamics. For the first time this season, Max Verstappen's Red Bull did not appear to be the fastest car on the grid. Verstappen's sixth-place finish in Monaco was his worst result since the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix.The shift in the championship order began with Lando Norris' maiden F1 victory in Miami. Norris' McLaren proved to be competitive, even on a circuit where overtaking is relatively easy. Verstappen's inability to catch Norris raised questions about Red Bull's dominance.At Imola, Verstappen narrowly defeated Norris, who finished just seven tenths of a second behind. Norris expressed confidence that he could have overtaken Verstappen with a few more laps.In Monaco, McLaren and Ferrari dominated the top four positions, reminiscent of the 1990s and 2000s when these teams were the sport's powerhouses. Sergio Perez's poor results in Miami, Imola, and Monaco further indicate that Red Bull's car is no longer the fastest.Leclerc's victory has brought him within 31 points of Verstappen in the championship standings. McLaren's consistent podium finishes have positioned them as a potential title contender. The constructors' championship is also closely contested, with Red Bull leading Ferrari by just 24 points.With 16 races remaining in the longest season in F1 history, there is ample time for McLaren and Ferrari to catch up and challenge Red Bull. The 2024 season could potentially feature a three-horse race for the championship, with Verstappen, Leclerc, and Norris vying for the crown.