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Running, a vital aspect of life, was celebrated in Delhi today with the launch of the new Race Day Tee (RDT) for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (VDHM) by PUMA India. The event featured Indian cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Olympic bronze medallist Sarabjot Singh, who led a colourful march through Lodhi Colony.The RDT, designed exclusively by PUMA India, reflects the spirit of #AaRangDeDilli with its vibrant colour stories: pink and orange for men, and purple and red for women. The launch event showcased the tees in a spectacular manner, with drones unfurling them and a giant version carried by the contingent.Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director of PUMA India, highlighted the company's commitment to running and its partnership with VDHM. He expressed confidence that the high-performance tees would enhance the experience and performance of runners.Harmanpreet Kaur, a PUMA ambassador, emphasized the importance of running in her sporting career, stating that it has built both her physical endurance and mental resilience. Sarabjot Singh, a PUMA athlete, shared his excitement about being part of the VDHM journey and looked forward to seeing the streets of Delhi come alive with runners on race day.VDHM, promoted by Procam International, has witnessed a steady growth in participation over the years, attracting over 5,30,000 runners from across the country and the globe. Anil Singh, Managing Director of Procam International, acknowledged the growing popularity of running and the effectiveness of experiential platforms for brands.The launch of the RDT serves as a reminder of the energy and excitement that VDHM brings to Delhi each year. As the countdown to the main race day begins, the event promises to be a spirited celebration of running and a testament to the power of sports in uniting people.

Sohail Khan, the "Golden Boy of Madhya Pradesh," has made history by becoming the first Indian to represent the country in the Men's -250 PI category at the prestigious Eurasian Cup 2024 in Armenia. This tournament is a pinnacle event in the global Kudo calendar, and Sohail's selection has ignited immense excitement and anticipation across India.Hailing from a humble background in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, Sohail's journey to the top has been marked by unwavering determination and hard work. With an impressive record of 19 national gold medals and the title of 2017 Junior World Champion, he is a proven force in the sport. His performance at the 2023 Senior World Championship, where he narrowly missed a medal after reaching the quarterfinals, further cemented his status as a formidable contender.Despite India's lack of success in the senior men's division at international Kudo tournaments, Sohail's selection for the Eurasian Cup presents a historic opportunity for the country. However, his path to this point has not been without challenges. Growing up in a modest household, he juggled part-time work teaching martial arts with his training to cover tournament expenses.Recently, Sohail secured a position in the Income Tax Department through the Sports Quota (Mumbai), reflecting his dedication to both his sport and his country. His achievements have also earned him recognition from Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, who invited him to discuss the future of Kudo in India.Despite these accolades, Sohail continues to face financial hurdles. The costs associated with competing at the highest level, including travel, training, and equipment, are substantial. Securing sponsorships remains a challenge for him, as it does for many athletes in sports outside of cricket in India.The Selection Trials for the Eurasian Kudo Cup 2024 were fiercely competitive, with over 100 athletes vying for a spot on the national team. Sohail's exceptional performance secured his place in the Men's -250 PI category, solidifying his position as India's best hope for a medal in this major international event.As India eagerly awaits Sohail's performance in Armenia, there is a collective hope that his efforts will bring home the country's first international victory in senior Kudo. His journey is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in the face of adversity.

Danny Jansen, a Major League Baseball catcher, has made history by becoming the first player to play for both teams in the same game. The unprecedented feat occurred when Jansen, who was initially playing for the Toronto Blue Jays, was traded to the Boston Red Sox in July.The saga began on June 26, when Jansen was batting for the Blue Jays against the Red Sox in a game that was suspended due to rain. A month later, Jansen was traded to the Red Sox, setting the stage for a bizarre twist of fate.On Monday, August 26, the rain-suspended game resumed, and Jansen found himself in the unusual position of playing against his former team. Despite not featuring in many games for the Red Sox since his move, Jansen was included in the lineup for the historic occasion."I don't even know how this works," Jansen said to The Athletic after being traded to Boston. "I've heard about it a couple times. That'd be funky."Jansen's unique situation became even more remarkable when he was announced as part of the Blue Jays' lineup for the rescheduled game. "I'm just going to put my head down and play," Jansen said before the game resumed. "It's definitely a cool thing."After the game, Jansen expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to make history. "Honestly, when I heard about it, I didn't think I would be the first," he said. "The game has been around for so long. It's one of those oddities that happen in this sport. It's extremely rare and cool."Jansen's historic performance has drawn widespread attention, with the Toronto Blue Jays tweeting, "The first player in @MLB HISTORY to play for both teams in the same game: Danny Jansen."Throughout his career, Jansen has played in 13 games for the Red Sox, batting .257 with a .794 OPS, two home runs, and five RBI. While playing for the Blue Jays, he appeared in 61 games, compiling a .212 batting average, .671 OPS, 13 doubles, six home runs, and 18 RBI.Jansen has announced that he will donate a jersey and the lineup card from the Blue Jays-Red Sox game to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, ensuring that his historic achievement is preserved for posterity.

The Paris Paralympics, set to commence on Wednesday, will witness a spectacular opening ceremony in the heart of Paris, following the city's successful hosting of the Olympics. A new generation of Paralympians will join seasoned veterans in competing at many of the same venues that hosted Olympic events.Eighteen of the 35 Olympic venues will be utilized for the Paralympics, including the Grand Palais, which received high praise for hosting fencing and taekwondo under its ornate roof. The La Defense Arena will once again host the 141 gold-medal events in para-swimming, while the Stade de France will be the stage for track and field competitions.The Games will commence with a ceremony in Place de la Concorde, the central square of Paris where skateboarding and other urban sports were featured during the Olympics. This marks the first time a Paralympics opening ceremony will take place outside the main stadium.The Paralympic flame was ignited at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England, the birthplace of the Games, and transported to France via the Channel Tunnel. Theatre director Thomas Jolly, who also oversaw the Olympics opening ceremony, emphasized the symbolism of holding the Paralympics ceremony in the heart of Paris, a city whose Metro system remains largely inaccessible to wheelchair users."Placing Paralympic athletes in the heart of the city is a political statement, as the city is not sufficiently adapted to every handicapped person," Jolly said.Organizers have addressed accessibility concerns by ensuring that Paris buses are wheelchair-friendly and providing 1,000 specially adapted taxis. Ticket sales, which were initially sluggish, have picked up since the Olympics, with over 1.9 million tickets sold to date.Every Paralympics introduces new stars, and this edition will be no exception. American above-the-knee amputee sprinter/high jumper Ezra Frech, at just 19 years old, has already garnered significant attention for his journey to Paris. Familiar faces will also return, such as British amputee sprinter Jonnie Peacock, who made a comeback last year in his bid to win a medal at his fourth consecutive Paralympics.Beyond the track, Iranian sitting volleyball legend Morteza Mehrzad, standing at an impressive 8ft 1in (2.46m) tall, will aim to defend his gold medal. The Paralympics, however, extend beyond sports, serving as a platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities.International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons expressed his hope that the Paris edition will bring the issues facing disabled people back to the forefront of global priorities. He believes the Games "will have a big impact in how people with disability are perceived around the world.""This is one of the key expectations we have around Paris 2024; we believe that we need people with disability to be put back on the global agenda," Parsons said.Paralympic powerhouse China is expected to send a strong squad, having dominated the medals table at the Tokyo Games with 96 golds. Britain, with 41 golds, will be aiming to improve its performance. Host nation France, riding the wave of its Olympic team's success, will be targeting a significant increase from the 11 golds it won in 2021.Ukraine, traditionally a top medal-winning nation at the Paralympics, will send a team of 140 athletes despite the challenges they face in preparing amidst the ongoing war. Athletes from Russia and Belarus will compete under a neutral banner but are barred from the opening and closing ceremonies.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President, Sanjay Singh, has expressed optimism about India's potential to win multiple medals in women's wrestling at the 2028 Olympic Games. However, he emphasized the need for certain institutions to cease interfering in the federation's operations.Despite the International Wrestling Federation (UWW) lifting its suspension of WFI in February, the Indian Sports Ministry continues to keep the federation suspended. The suspension was imposed in December 2022 following the announcement of U-15 and U-20 Nationals hours after the election of Sanjay Singh as President.Singh believes that if WFI is allowed to function independently, India can achieve significant success in women's wrestling. He pointed to the recent triumph of India's U17 women's team at the World Championships, where five wrestlers emerged as world champions.Singh also urged Vinesh Phogat to reconsider her retirement decision. Phogat announced her retirement after failing to medal at the Paris Olympics due to a weight disqualification. Singh believes that Phogat's experience and inspiration would be invaluable to the next generation of wrestlers.Reflecting on the wrestlers' movement in 2023, Singh acknowledged that it has taught WFI a valuable lesson. He believes that the movement, which was sparked by allegations of sexual harassment against the then WFI president, was politically motivated and hindered India's Olympic performance.Singh emphasized the importance of separating wrestling from politics and announced plans to establish a wrestling academy in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. He is optimistic that the academy will foster the development of young wrestlers and contribute to India's future success in the sport.

Haider Ali, Pakistan's sole para-athlete bound for the Paris Paralympics, embarked on his journey to the French capital on Monday, accompanied by his coach Akbar Ali. The Games, scheduled to commence on August 28 with an opening ceremony, will follow the successful conclusion of the Olympics earlier this month.Hailing from Gujranwala, Haider will represent Pakistan in the F37 category of the discus throw event on September 6. This will mark his fifth appearance at the quadrennial event, where he has consistently showcased his exceptional abilities. In the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Haider clinched a gold medal in the discus throw with an impressive throw of 55.26 meters.Prior to his triumph in Tokyo, Haider had secured a silver medal in the long jump at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and a bronze in the same event at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Unfortunately, an injury prevented him from competing in the 2012 London Paralympics.Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Director General Yasir Pirzada expressed confidence in Haider's abilities, stating, "We are honored to send Haider Ali to the Paralympics once again. His exceptional talent and dedication make him a top contender for another medal, and we are confident that he will make Pakistan proud again."The Paris Paralympics will witness the participation of over 4,000 athletes from 170 countries, showcasing the remarkable abilities of athletes with various physical disabilities. In the recently concluded Paris Olympics, Pakistan's javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem made history by clinching a gold medal with an Olympic record throw of 92.97m, opening Pakistan's medal tally.Haider Ali's journey to the Paralympics is a testament to his unwavering determination and the indomitable spirit of Pakistani athletes. His achievements have not only brought glory to Pakistan but have also inspired countless individuals with disabilities to pursue their dreams.

Rudransh Khandelwal, a 17-year-old pistol marksman, is determined to bring glory to India at the upcoming Paris Paralympics. Despite losing his left leg in a freak accident at the age of eight, Rudransh has overcome adversity to become the world No. 1 in 50m pistol (SH1).To ensure his success, Rudransh leaves nothing to chance. He carries a spare pistol and a tool-kit for his prosthetic leg, anticipating any potential malfunctions or setbacks. This meticulous preparation stems from witnessing ace shooter Manu Bhaker's pistol malfunction during the Tokyo Olympics."I prepare myself for every eventuality in competition, including a delayed match, a shot getting canceled, or any other eventuality," said Rudransh. "So, if at all an adverse situation arises, I will be ready to handle it."Another lesson Rudransh learned was the importance of being prepared for prosthetic leg issues. Just 15 minutes before a domestic competition, his prosthetic leg broke. "Now I keep a tool-kit to quickly repair it," he said.Rudransh's journey to the top has been marked by perseverance and support. After his accident, his mother sought ways to prevent him from falling into depression. She introduced him to shooting, and with the guidance of his coach, Sumit Rathi, Rudransh gradually increased his training time from 2-3 hours to 7-8 hours.Despite initial setbacks, Rudransh's determination paid off. In 2022, he switched to 50m pistol and achieved remarkable success. He won four gold medals with three world records at his second World Cup, followed by a Paralympic Games quota at the World Championship and two silver medals at the Asian Para Games.As he prepares for the Paralympics, Rudransh remains confident in his abilities. "There is no pressure on me as I have full confidence in the process and I know that I will do our best," he said.

S8UL Esports, India's leading esports and gaming content organization, has once again proven its global dominance by winning the prestigious 'Content Group of the Year' award for the third consecutive year at the Esports Awards 2024. This unprecedented achievement solidifies S8UL's position as a global leader in gaming content creation.Founded by industry veterans Naman Mathur ('Mortal'), Animesh Agarwal ('8Bit Thug'), and Lokesh Jain ('Goldy'), S8UL Esports has made history by winning this award three times in a row. This year, they faced stiff competition from global gaming content powerhouses like OfflineTV, G2 Esports, Karmine Corp, Sentinels, Fnatic, and T1 Esports.In his acceptance speech, Animesh Agarwal emphasized the significance of this win, stating, "The first time could have been lucky, the second time was a charm, and the third time firmly means that the best content group of India is the best in the world."S8UL Esports also received the 'Fan Engagement' badge in the 'Ones to Watch Class of 2024' category, further cementing its reputation as one of the most popular content organizations globally. This badge recognizes S8UL's exceptional efforts in building a strong, loyal, and interactive community.Since its inception, S8UL has been a trailblazer in the Indian gaming landscape. By bringing together some of the nation's most talented content creators, S8UL has consistently delivered top-notch content and provided a platform for brands to connect with the youth audience.Lokesh Jain, Co-Founder of S8UL, expressed his excitement, saying, "We are beyond thrilled to receive this award for the third time. It is a testament to our entire team's hard work, dedication, and passion. We have collaborated with around 560 brands and are close to closing deals with over 120 brands this financial year alone."Naman 'Mortal' Mathur, Co-Founder of S8UL and widely regarded as the 'Face of Indian Gaming and Esports,' was also nominated for the 'Esports Personality of the Year' category for the third consecutive time. Mortal's fifth straight nomination highlights his global influence and contribution to the esports community.Reflecting on the journey, Mortal said, "Being nominated alongside the world's top esports personalities is an honor. Our focus at S8UL has always been on pushing the boundaries of what gaming content can be. We strive to deliver messaging that resonates with our audiences, and this award is the perfect recognition of that effort."The Esports Awards are a prestigious annual event that celebrates and honors the best of esports worldwide. This year's edition witnessed a peak viewership of 92.3K, with 8bit Goldy's live watchalong with S8UL members drawing the highest individual viewership at 43.2K PV.

Ultimate Table Tennis 2024: U Mumba TT and Ahmedabad SG Pipers Eye Second WinU Mumba TT and Ahmedabad SG Pipers will clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium on Tuesday, both aiming to secure their second victory in the ongoing Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) 2024 season.Both teams have mirrored results in their opening two matches. U Mumba TT defeated Dabang Delhi TTC 9-6 in their first tie but fell to Jaipur Patriots by the same margin in their second. Ahmedabad SG Pipers, on the other hand, lost their UTT debut to Puneri Paltan Table Tennis 10-5 but bounced back to beat reigning champions Athlead Goa Challengers by the same score.The franchise-based league, promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani under the TTFI, is being broadcast live on Sports18 Khel on TV and JioCinema in India, and Facebook Live outside India. Tickets are available online through BookMyShow and offline at the stadium box office.U Mumba TT is led by Indian ace Manav Thakkar, who displayed his resilience in the loss to Jaipur Patriots. He could potentially face off against Ahmedabad SG Pipers' captain Manush Shah, promising an exciting encounter for table tennis enthusiasts.Ahmedabad SG Pipers' victory over Athlead Goa Challengers marked the first triumphs of UTT 2024 for their foreign stars Bernadette Szocs and Lilian Bardet. U Mumba TT will hope their upcoming clash does the same for their duo Quadri Aruna and Maria Xiao, who have yet to win a match despite showing glimpses of their prowess.The tie between U Mumba TT and Ahmedabad SG Pipers could also feature a rematch between Sutirtha Mukherjee and Reeth Rishya in the women's singles. In the previous season's final, Sutirtha won the match, but Reeth claimed a game, helping Athlead Goa Challengers to an 8-7 victory.