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Wheelchair basketball, a captivating sport that empowers physically challenged athletes, has gained immense popularity worldwide. With over 100 countries actively participating, it has become a staple in the Paralympic Games, showcasing the resilience and determination of these extraordinary individuals.The origins of wheelchair basketball can be traced back to the post-World War II era, where it emerged as a therapeutic tool for injured soldiers. As these athletes sought to continue their passion for basketball, they adapted the game to accommodate their wheelchairs, giving birth to the sport we know today.The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) governs the sport globally, recognizing its inception in 1945 between two hospitals in the United States. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) further acknowledges its origins in 1946, developed by former able-bodied players who refused to let their disabilities hinder their love for the game.Wheelchair basketball made its Paralympic debut in 1960 at the Rome Games, where the United States emerged victorious with two gold medals. Since then, it has become an integral part of the Paralympic program, inspiring countless athletes and captivating audiences worldwide.The sport has evolved significantly over the years, with advancements in wheelchair technology and rule modifications enhancing its accessibility and competitiveness. Players are classified based on their functional abilities, ensuring fair and equitable competition.Wheelchair basketball matches are played on a standard basketball court, with the same rules and objectives as the able-bodied version. However, certain adaptations are made to accommodate the unique challenges faced by wheelchair users. For instance, players are allowed to dribble the ball twice before taking a step, and the basket height is lowered to 10 feet.The sport demands exceptional athleticism, requiring players to possess strength, agility, and strategic thinking. They must navigate the court with precision, execute skillful passes, and shoot with accuracy while maneuvering their wheelchairs.Wheelchair basketball has not only provided a platform for physically challenged athletes to excel in sports but has also fostered a sense of community and empowerment. It has broken down barriers, challenged perceptions, and inspired countless individuals to embrace their abilities and pursue their dreams.

Andre Agassi to Inaugurate PWR DUPR Indian Tour and League, Boosting Pickleball in IndiaEight-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 tennis player Andre Agassi will grace India in January 2023 to launch the PWR DUPR Indian Tour and League. This significant event aims to ignite the passion for pickleball in the country.The PWR DUPR Indian Tour and League is an extension of the recently introduced rankings system by Pickleball World Rankings (PWR), along with the launch of the PWR World Tour and PWR World Series. Agassi, in a video message to Indian fans, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, "I'm thrilled to visit India and introduce the exhilarating sport of pickleball to its fans. I anticipate the PWR DUPR Indian Tour & League to be a resounding success."Agassi's illustrious tennis career boasts four Australian Open titles, a French Open and Wimbledon title each, and two US Open titles. He also secured a gold medal in men's singles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.Prior to the main event in January, the PWR DUPR India Masters, including the "Battle of the League: Stage 1," a PWR 700 event, will be held in New Delhi from October 24 to 27, 2022. The Battle of the Leagues is a unique team-based competition designed for amateur players. Event partners include Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR), Minor League Pickleball, Pickleball United, FansPlay, the Indian Pickleball Association, the Asian Pickleball Association, and the Global Pickleball Federation.Winning teams in each category of the Battle of the Leagues will qualify for the DUPR Nationals in the USA, with PWR covering travel and accommodation expenses. The tournament offers a substantial prize pool of USD 50,000.The launch of the PWR, PWR World Series (PWS), and PWR World Tour was recently held in Dubai, with the GCC region designated as the host for the inaugural PWR World Series in February 2025. All PWR DUPR events are sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association, the Asian Pickleball Association, and the Global Pickleball Federation.

Sakshi Malik, one of India's most celebrated women wrestlers, is set to release her highly anticipated memoir, "Witness," in October. Co-authored by Jonathan Selvaraj and published by Juggernaut Books, the book promises an "honest account" of Malik's life, both on and off the mat.From her humble beginnings in Rohtak to her historic bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Malik's memoir chronicles her journey with raw honesty. She delves into the challenges she faced as a woman wrestler in India, including body image issues, financial struggles, and the complexities of dating.Malik also sheds light on the inner workings of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), revealing the recent public battle that played out on the streets of New Delhi. Her insights into the world of women's wrestling in India are both fascinating and eye-opening."It's a really honest account of my life - the highs, lows, and everything in between," Malik says of her literary venture. "I gave this book my all and I hope readers like it."Chiki Sarkar, publisher of Juggernaut Books, describes "Witness" as "one of the great memoirs of our time." She adds, "Sakshi has written a no-holds barred book that not only talks about her struggles with the WFI but also brings vividly alive her childhood, the world of wrestling, and what it takes to be an Olympic medalist."Malik's memoir is a testament to her resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the world of sports, women's empowerment, and the human journey.

National Sports Day: A Tribute to the Legendary Dhyan ChandAugust 29th marks National Sports Day in India, a day dedicated to the memory of Major Dhyan Chand, the legendary hockey player whose exceptional skills and unwavering determination brought international acclaim to the nation.Born in Allahabad in 1905, Dhyan Chand's journey to becoming a global sports icon began in the late 1920s. His extraordinary stick work and unmatched agility on the hockey field earned him the title 'Wizard.'Chand's exceptional talent was first showcased at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, where he led the Indian hockey team to their first Olympic gold medal. This triumph marked the beginning of India's dominance in the sport, with Chand playing a pivotal role in the team's subsequent Olympic victories in 1932, 1936, and 1948.Beyond his Olympic achievements, Chand also captained the Indian hockey team to victory at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics and the 1936 Berlin Olympics. His exceptional skills and leadership qualities inspired generations of hockey players and sports enthusiasts alike.In recognition of his unparalleled contributions to Indian sports, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the highest sporting honor in India, was renamed the 'Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award' in 2012. This prestigious award serves as a testament to Chand's enduring legacy and the profound impact he had on Indian sports.Today, as we celebrate National Sports Day, we honor the memory of Major Dhyan Chand and his unwavering dedication to excellence. His exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and unwavering spirit continue to inspire athletes and sports enthusiasts across the nation.

India's Aruna Tanwar Suffers Heavy Defeat in Women's K 44-47kg Para Taekwondo at Paris ParalympicsIndian para taekwondo athlete Aruna Tanwar faced a crushing 0-19 defeat against Nurcihan Ekinci of Turkey in the round of 16 contest in the women's K 44-47kg category at the Paris Paralympics on Thursday.Tanwar proved to be no match for her Turkish opponent, who dominated the five-minute round, scoring points at will. Ekinci relentlessly executed body kicks, earning two points each for a total of 18 points. Tanwar also conceded a penalty point (gam-jeom) during the contest.The K44 category in para taekwondo is reserved for athletes with impairments in one arm above the elbow. Tanwar's defeat marks a disappointing end to her Paralympic campaign.Para taekwondo made its debut at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021 and has quickly gained popularity. Athletes compete in five separate weight categories for each gender.Unlike able-bodied taekwondo, para taekwondo matches consist of a single round lasting up to five minutes. Kicks to the head and punches are prohibited due to the varying abilities of athletes to block.Athletes wear protective gear and "sensor socks" that detect points scored when hitting the opponent's torso. Regular kicks earn two points, turning kicks three points, and spinning kicks four points.Fouls such as head kicks, grabbing, pushing, kicks below the belt, or stepping out of bounds result in a gam-jeom, awarding a point to the opponent.

Pakistan Hockey Players Banned for Life for Seeking AsylumThree Pakistani hockey players and a physiotherapist have been banned for life after attempting to seek asylum in Europe. The players, Murtaza Yaqoob, Ihtesham Aslam, and Abdur Rahman, along with physiotherapist Waqas, disappeared during the Nations Cup in the Netherlands and Poland last month.Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary-general Rana Mujahid confirmed the incident, stating that the players had informed the federation of their inability to attend a training camp due to domestic issues. However, it was later discovered that they had flown to the Netherlands again and sought political asylum.Mujahid expressed disappointment over the incident, noting that it would make it difficult for the PHF to obtain visas for international competitions in European countries. The PHF Congress has approved the lifetime ban and has requested the PHF president to work with the Pakistan consulate to bring the players back for disciplinary action.The PHF has also notified the interior and foreign ministries for further action. Mujahid acknowledged the financial challenges faced by the PHF, but emphasized that these issues did not justify abandoning the national team and damaging the country's reputation.The incident has raised concerns about the welfare of Pakistani athletes and the challenges they face in representing their country. The PHF is working to address these issues and ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.

Kush Maini, India's rising star in motorsport, has made significant strides in his Formula 1 aspirations with his second successful test with the Alpine F1 Team. The 21-year-old driver took to the iconic Imola circuit for a two-day test, showcasing his exceptional skills and potential.Maini, who is the sole Indian representative in the highly competitive Formula 2 series, impressed the Alpine team with his performance behind the wheel of the Alpine A522. The test provided him with valuable experience and feedback, as he completed 99 laps and covered close to 500 kilometers.This latest test follows Maini's impressive debut test with Red Bull Racing earlier this year. His consistent performances in Formula 2 and now two successful F1 tests have positioned him as a strong contender for a potential reserve driver role with Alpine for the 2025 season.Maini's performance at Imola was particularly noteworthy, as he demonstrated strong pace in both qualifying and race simulations. The team was impressed with his ability to adapt quickly to the car and provide valuable feedback.After the test, Maini expressed his gratitude to Alpine for the opportunity and his excitement for the future. "Can't thank Alpine enough for this opportunity. Very strong day, both qualification and race pace looked very good. Can't wait for the next one," he said.Maini's success at Imola comes at a crucial time, as the team's reserve driver spot recently became available. With his impressive performances, he has emerged as a strong candidate for the role.As the Formula 2 season resumes this weekend, Maini will return to action at Monza with renewed confidence. His recent F1 test experience will undoubtedly benefit him as he aims to continue his podium-winning streak.Maini's journey in motorsport has been marked by consistent progress and impressive performances. Within a span of three months, he has performed consistently at two F1 tests, represented Alpine at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and secured his first Formula 2 win at the Hungarian GP.As he continues to develop and showcase his talent, Kush Maini is poised to make a significant impact on the world of Formula 1. His determination, skill, and unwavering passion make him a rising star to watch in the years to come.

Manpreet Singh, the 32-year-old Indian hockey legend, is determined to continue his illustrious career despite the team's recent Olympic success. With two consecutive Olympic medals under his belt, Manpreet is hungry for more and believes the team could have achieved even greater heights in Paris."It feels great to win back-to-back medals, but the way we played all through in Paris, we know we could have gone all the way," Manpreet told The Hindu. "We were very close to the final, and we will always think about what we could have done differently in the semifinal."Since relinquishing the captaincy after the Tokyo Olympics, Manpreet has experienced a resurgence in his form and performance. He attributes this to a change in mindset and the freedom to play his natural game."Earlier, I always had high expectations from myself. During Graham's (Reid) time, I had started playing simple hockey — simple passes, no risks. When Craig (Fulton) took charge, he said you have full freedom to show your natural game and play the way you want — going up, dribbling, and dodging — but do it 100 percent, no half measures," Manpreet explained."Even if someone makes a mistake, we will cover it as a team, watch videos, see how it could be done better. And it's not just me, it's for everyone, we have the license to go anywhere if we see space. Plus, I have matured too!"With the Asian Champions Trophy approaching, Manpreet is eager to get back to the grind. He acknowledges the challenges of maintaining his fitness at his age but is determined to stay competitive."I want to get back to my fitness regime and get better because you cannot survive in modern hockey without it. But I also know that I have to be careful, it gets more difficult every year, and I need to be serious about it," Manpreet said."Yes, it is very difficult — when you compete with 18-19-year-olds, who are obviously fitter and stronger, you have to be mentally and physically tough enough and not give up, beat them, and prove yourself. I know I have to put in extra effort and be more careful even when not in camp – I know sweets or junk food will affect me more than the other guy, I will have to sweat out much more to burn it off. I love pizza, but I last had a bite several months ago. I haven't touched ice cream or sweets or aerated drinks for ages. But you do what you have to do."Manpreet's passion for hockey is evident in his unwavering commitment to the sport. He is driven by the desire to inspire his daughter and leave a lasting legacy in Indian hockey."It feels good to have her in the stands, you know someone is watching you all the time and cheering. A father is a role model for every kid, and I want to keep getting better for her so that when she grows up, she will know what her father did and be proud. I just want to do that for her," an emotional Manpreet said.

India's Sharuk Khan has etched his name in the annals of Indian athletics by shattering the national U20 record in the 3000m steeplechase at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia. The 18-year-old prodigy from Uttar Pradesh clocked an impressive 8 minutes 45.12 seconds to finish sixth in his heat race, securing a berth in the final scheduled for August 31.Khan's remarkable feat eclipses the previous national U20 record held by Rajesh of Rajasthan, who had clocked 8:50.12 seconds at the Federation Cup National Senior Championships in May. Khan's earlier personal best stood at 8:51.75 seconds, set at the Asian U20 Championships in Korea last year.The young athlete's exceptional performance is a testament to his unwavering determination and rigorous training. His qualification for the final places him among the world's elite U20 steeplechasers.In another notable achievement for India, Jay Kumar has qualified for the men's 400m final after finishing third in his semifinal heat race with a personal best time of 46.96 seconds. Kumar's impressive performance bodes well for India's medal hopes in the event.The World Athletics U20 Championships is a prestigious event that showcases the talents of the world's most promising young athletes. India's strong showing at the championships is a testament to the growing depth and quality of Indian athletics.