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The quarterfinal matches of the Hockey India-14th Senior National men's championship witnessed thrilling contests and unexpected upsets. After eight days of largely one-sided matches in the Group stage, the last-eight ties at the SDAT-Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium turned out to be nail-biting affairs.In the biggest upset of the tournament, Manipur, a North-Eastern state, stunned defending champion Punjab via a penalty shoot-out (3-3 in regulation time and 4-3 in shoot-out). Manipur's experienced players, including Olympians Nilakanta Sharma, Kothajit Singh, and Chinglensana Singh, played a crucial role in the victory.Another major upset occurred when Odisha entered its first semifinals with a hard-fought victory over Karnataka in a shoot-out (3-1). Odisha's Mangal Lohar, Shilanand Lakra, and Pratap Lakra scored the goals in the shoot-out.Haryana, the two-time champion and last year's finalist, staged a remarkable comeback to script a 5-1 win over Maharashtra. Trailing 0-1 till the third quarter, Haryana scored all its five goals in the fourth quarter, with Rohit scoring a hat-trick.The host team, Uttar Pradesh, defeated Tamil Nadu 3-1 to secure a place in the semifinals. Chandan Singh, Rajkumar Pal, and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay scored for UP.The semifinals will be played on Friday, with UP taking on Haryana and Manipur clashing with Odisha. The final is scheduled for Saturday.

Magnus Carlsen, the undisputed world chess champion for over a decade, has expressed his belief that chess ratings today are somewhat "deflated" compared to the past. However, he remains unfazed by the possibility of someone surpassing him.Carlsen, who held the world title from 2013 to 2023, chose not to defend his crown, citing lack of motivation. Despite stepping back from classical tournaments, Carlsen's reign at the top is one of the longest and most dominant in chess history."I don't play a lot of classical chess, so whenever somebody is going to pass me, I wouldn't particularly mind," the 33-year-old Norwegian said. "I think a lot of people had the chance to surpass me, but we'll see when it happens. I think it sort of depends on others."Carlsen also suggested that chess ratings may not carry the same weight they did a decade ago. "There's definitely been deflation in chess ratings, so a level of ELO 2830 would probably correspond to 2850 about 10 years ago, and not a lot of people have reached that," noted Carlsen, who currently has a FIDE rating of 2831.Having held the world number 1 spot almost continuously since July 1, 2011, Carlsen first achieved the top ranking in January 2010 at the age of 19, becoming the youngest player to reach that position. After briefly losing it in mid 2011, he reclaimed the top spot and has dominated it ever since.Throughout his career, Carlsen has set multiple records, including the highest FIDE rating ever recorded at 2882 in May 2014. Since opting out of the World Championship in 2023, Carlsen has "picked and chosen" tournaments with formats and opponents he finds exciting, focusing on rapid, blitz, and other flexible events that align with his evolving interests.Reflecting on the younger generation of players, Carlsen conveyed his respect for their progress while noting that they don't always measure up to his level, a statement more reflective of his confidence than arrogance. "I'm looking forward to testing myself against the younger generation. I'm always curious to see how much they've improved since the last time. It turns out they have improved, but not always enough."Carlsen has won the World Rapid Chess Championship four times (2014, 2015, 2019, and 2022) and the World Blitz Chess Championship five times (2009, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019), making him one of the most versatile and dominant world champions across different formats.On the younger generation of chess players, Carlsen said: "It's very interesting to see a different brand of chess. A lot of the older players of my generation are not going to surprise you in a major way in terms of where they stand, but with the younger generation, it's interesting to try and understand."India has come a long wayCarlsen began his reign after defeating Viswanathan Anand in the World Championship in Chennai in 2013 and he feels the country has come a long way. "I came to Chennai in August (2013), to look at the facilities and so on. I was told that I'm going to meet some of the better kids in the area to play, and it feels like half of the kids are now either GMs or some of them are even playing in top tournaments.""That's what has changed. Those kids back then are now the core of the Olympiad-winning team. Indian chess has come a long way since then, much thanks to Anand and what he did for Indian chess," he said.Carlsen was also impressed with three-year-old chess prodigy from the city Anish Sarkar, who recently became the youngest FIDE-rated chess player in the world with a rating of 1555. "First of all, it's amazing to see the level he's at. My nephew is turning 4, he's a bright young child, but I don't see him getting a rating of 1500 anytime soon," he said."It's very impressive. Most of all, try to enjoy as much as you can. Don't think about ratings, results, titles, and so on. They will come automatically; just do what you love," he signed off, while posing for a photo with the kid.

Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh is poised to make history as he prepares to face Chinese grandmaster Liren Ding in the upcoming FIDE World Championship contest in Singapore. Experts believe that Gukesh's exceptional talent and unwavering determination will lead him to victory by the 12th round.Gukesh, at just 18 years old, has already achieved remarkable feats. He became the youngest champion in the history of the Candidates Tournament and played a pivotal role in India's gold medal triumph at the 45th Chess Olympiad. His exceptional accuracy and ability to avoid mistakes have earned him comparisons to the legendary Russian grandmaster Anatoly Karpov.Grandmasters Pravin Thipsay and Abhijit Kunte are confident in Gukesh's abilities. Thipsay believes that Gukesh's maturity and strength of character will prevail over Ding's experience. He notes that Gukesh's style resembles Karpov's, who was known for his patience and strategic brilliance.Kunte praises Gukesh's unwavering dedication to chess. He observes that everything Gukesh does is geared towards improving his game. This commitment, coupled with the support of his parents and coaches, has created an environment for him to excel.While Ding is a formidable opponent, Kunte believes that he is not the same player he once was due to his battle with depression. Gukesh, on the other hand, is in peak form and is the clear favorite.The upcoming contest is expected to be a battle of wits and endurance. Thipsay predicts that there will be no book novelties or extensive preparation, but rather an over-the-board battle where original moves and strategic thinking will prevail.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his heartfelt congratulations to legendary billiards player Pankaj Advani for his remarkable achievement of securing the 2024 World Billiards Championship. This triumph marks Advani's 28th world title, solidifying his status as one of the most decorated cueists in the sport's history.Advani's victory came at the IBSG World Billiards Championship held in Doha, Qatar, where he faced off against England's Robert Hall in the final. With his exceptional skills and unwavering determination, Advani emerged victorious with a 4-2 scoreline. This win also marks his seventh consecutive world title in billiards, a testament to his unparalleled dominance in the sport.In a tweet, PM Modi lauded Advani's "dedication, passion, and commitment," highlighting his unwavering pursuit of excellence. He further stated that Advani's success serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes, encouraging them to strive for greatness.Advani's achievements extend beyond the World Billiards Championship. He has also secured two prestigious Asian Games gold medals in singles competition, at the 2006 Doha and 2010 Guangzhou editions of the event. His remarkable career has been marked by numerous accolades and recognition, including the Arjuna Award in 2004 and the Padma Shri in 2009.The International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) announced Advani's victory on November 9, 2024. In a statement, the IBSF praised Advani's exceptional performance, noting that he had defeated Robert Hall in a thrilling final. Singapore's Peter Gilchrist and India's Sourav Kothari shared the joint bronze medal in the championship.Advani's triumph is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the sport and his relentless pursuit of excellence. His achievements have not only brought glory to India but have also inspired countless young athletes to follow in his footsteps.

Leh, Ladakh, is set to become the home of the world's first high-altitude para sports center, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at nurturing and training para-athletes for international competitions, including the 2028 Paralympics.The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) and the Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish this state-of-the-art facility. The center will provide inclusive, world-class training to para-athletes from India and around the globe, leveraging the unique advantages of high-altitude training environments."This center will not only tap into the region's potential but also contribute significantly to India's goal of being among the top 10 countries in the next Paralympics," said Advocate Tashi Gyalson, Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of Ladakh (LAHDC).The center will offer training in a wide range of para sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, blind football, boccia, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, goalball, judo, powerlifting, rowing, shooting, volleyball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair tennis.During the interim phase, AMF officials will identify and train Children with Special Needs (CwSN) from the Leh-Ladakh region at AMF's Infinity Parasports Academy and Rehabilitation Centre in Hyderabad. This will lay the foundation for aspiring athletes from Ladakh.The CEC has formed a dedicated committee to oversee the center's development and has directed officials to begin land identification for the facility.The establishment of this high-altitude para sports center is a testament to India's commitment to promoting inclusivity and empowering para-athletes. It will provide a platform for these athletes to hone their skills, compete at the highest level, and represent India with pride on the global stage.

Amidst the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy standoff between India and Pakistan, the sporting rivalry between the two nations has extended to other events. The Indian High Commission has denied visas to a majority of Pakistani players for the upcoming Asia Cup Youth Scrabble Championship and Delhi Cup.The Pakistan Scrabble Association (PSA) has expressed dismay over the decision, stating that half of the team, including previous winners in India, have been denied visas without explanation. The affected players had submitted their applications two months in advance, but the matter remained unresolved.PSA Director Tariq Pervez lamented the setback, emphasizing that Pakistan's absence as reigning World Youth Champions and defending Asian Youth titleholders would diminish the tournament's prestige. He also noted that the players had traveled to Lahore in anticipation of receiving visas, only to be disappointed.The visa denial has further strained sporting relations between India and Pakistan, which have been marred by the debate over the Indian cricket team's participation in next year's ICC Champions Trophy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the ICC and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of its decision not to send the ODI team to Pakistan for the tournament.While the PCB remains determined to host the entire event at home, the BCCI has proposed a hybrid format. However, the PCB has yet to make a decision on the matter, as it holds the hosting rights for the tournament.The visa denial for Pakistani scrabble players is a reflection of the broader tensions between India and Pakistan, which have impacted various aspects of bilateral relations, including sports. The outcome of the Champions Trophy standoff remains uncertain, and it remains to be seen whether the two countries can find a compromise that allows for the tournament to proceed as planned.

88 Pictures, the renowned Indian animation and VFX studio, has ventured into the gaming industry with the launch of its new division, 88Games. This move marks a significant step for the studio, which has established itself as a creative force in international markets with its award-winning work on projects like "Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia" and "Gremlins: Secret of Mogwai."88Games aims to bring a fresh perspective to gaming by blending high-quality visuals with storytelling rooted in India's rich history and culture. The studio's multicultural and diverse team, led by industry veterans Milind D. Shinde and Shiben Bhattacharjee, is dedicated to developing games that capture India's cultural heritage in captivating ways."88 Games represents the next step in our journey at 88 Pictures," said Milind D. Shinde, Founder & CEO of 88 Games. "Our team is dedicated to producing premium games that are not only visually stunning but also deeply rooted in our cultural identity."88Games plans to introduce titles that will give global gamers a unique glimpse into India's folklore and history. Through intricately crafted art styles and immersive sound design, each game will present an authentic, engaging experience, drawing from classic Indian tales, legends, and mythological characters."At 88 Games, we see storytelling as a powerful bridge between cultures," stated Shiben Bhattacharjee, Game Director at 88 Games. "Our mission is to create games that entertain while connecting players to India's rich history and mythology."88Games currently has three games in the pipeline. The first game, slated to be launched on Xbox and PlayStation, is scheduled to be revealed at the upcoming India Game Developers Conference (IGDC) 2024.The launch of 88Games comes at a time when India's gaming market is rapidly expanding. According to the recently released 'Levelling Up: State of India Interactive Media & Gaming Research FY'24' report by Lumikai, India is a key producer of global Animation/VFX services, with the industry valued at $1.6 billion in FY 24. The report also states that the nation's gaming market added 23 million new gamers, bringing the total to 590 million gamers in FY 24. It is expected to surpass $9.2 billion by FY 29, growing at a 20% 5-year CAGR.88 Pictures, with its expertise in Animation and VFX, is well-positioned to capitalize on India's growing influence in the global AVGC-XR sector. With the launch of 88Games, the studio is set to further elevate India's presence in the global gaming landscape.

Defending champions India commenced their campaign at the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Rajgir with a resounding 4-0 victory over Malaysia on Monday, November 11, 2024. The Indian team showcased their dominance throughout the match, scoring goals at crucial moments to secure the win.Sangita Kumari opened the scoring for India in the 8th minute, giving her team an early lead. The Malaysian defense struggled to contain the Indian attack, and Preeti Dubey extended India's advantage in the 43rd minute. Udita followed suit just a minute later, making it 3-0 for India. Sangita Kumari sealed the victory with her second goal in the 55th minute, completing a comprehensive performance by the Indian team.In other matches of the day, Japan and Korea played out a thrilling 2-2 draw, while Olympic silver medallist China displayed their prowess with a dominant 15-0 victory over Thailand. The tournament promises to be an exciting affair, with several top teams vying for the title.India will next face South Korea on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, in their second match of the tournament. The Indian team will be aiming to continue their winning streak and strengthen their position at the top of the standings.

Suma Shirur, the legendary Olympian and former chief coach of the Indian Shooting team, has been bestowed with the prestigious Coach of the Year (Female) award at the Indian Sports Honours 2024. This accolade recognizes her exceptional contributions to Indian shooting and her unwavering commitment to promoting gender equality in sports.As the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic final, Shirur has played a pivotal role in guiding the Indian shooting team to unprecedented success at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. Under her mentorship, India's shooters have claimed three Olympic medals, including a historic gold medal for Avani Lekhara in the Women's 10m event at the Paralympics.Shirur's coaching philosophy emphasizes resilience, focus, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. She has created a nurturing environment where athletes can thrive and reach their full potential. Her dedication to developing young talent is evident through her Lakshya Shooting Club, which has mentored over 200 national-level shooters.Beyond her coaching achievements, Shirur is a passionate advocate for gender parity in sports. She believes that every athlete, regardless of gender, deserves equal opportunities to excel. Her efforts have inspired countless young girls and women to pursue their dreams in shooting and other sports.The Indian Sports Honours is a prestigious event that celebrates the extraordinary achievements of Indian athletes, coaches, and teams. The esteemed jury panel, led by Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medalist, carefully selected Shirur for this award based on her exceptional contributions to Indian shooting.In accepting the award, Shirur expressed her gratitude and emphasized her commitment to fostering a culture of excellence in Indian sports. She said, "This honor is not just mine but belongs to every athlete and team member who worked alongside me. Our journey was defined by dedication, and this award reinforces our shared goal of lifting Indian shooting to new heights."Suma Shirur's achievements and unwavering dedication to Indian shooting and gender equality serve as an inspiration to athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts alike. Her legacy will continue to shape the future of Indian sports for generations to come.