Others

The Indian Sports Honours (ISH) is set to return for its fifth edition, recognizing the exceptional achievements of Indian athletes from October 2023 to September 2024. Conceptualized by Cornerstone Sport, the ISH celebrates excellence across a wide range of sports, including Olympic and Paralympic sports, the Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games, Cricket, Squash, and Chess.The selection process for the ISH is rigorous and transparent, with nominations being shortlisted for ten prestigious Jury Honours and four Popular Choice Honours. The Jury Honours include categories such as Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, and Team of the Year, while the Popular Choice Honours allow fans to vote for their favorite athletes through online polls on Twitter.The esteemed jury for the ISH features a distinguished panel of sports icons, led by Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic medalist and a member of the IOC. Other jury members include legendary athlete P.T. Usha, former World Number One shooter Anjali Bhagwat, and Sanjog Gupta, Head of Sports at Disney+ Star.In addition to the established categories, the ISH will also present a Lifetime Achievement Honour and a new Grassroots Initiative of the Year Honour. The Grassroots Initiative of the Year Honour aims to recognize organizations and individuals making significant contributions to the development of sports at the grassroots level.Bunty Sajdeh, CEO of Cornerstone Sport, expressed his excitement about the upcoming ISH: "We're thrilled to return with the fifth edition of Indian Sports Honours. This platform allows us to celebrate India's finest sporting talent and share their journeys with a larger audience. Their journeys, combined with the support from fans, inspires us to make the event bigger and better every year."The Indian Sports Honours is a prestigious event that brings together India's sports community and entertainment icons to celebrate the nation's athletes. It is a powerful convergence of sportsmanship and entertainment that shines a spotlight on the dedication, talent, and spirit of Indian athletes.

Australian breakdancer Rachael "Raygun" Gunn has announced her retirement from competition following a barrage of criticism and mockery after her performance at the Paris Olympics. Gunn's unconventional routine, which included kangaroo hops and sprinkler imitations, drew widespread ridicule and became a subject of late-night talk show jokes.The 37-year-old Gunn, a university lecturer, faced intense scrutiny and conspiracy theories questioning her qualification for the Australian Olympic team. The backlash, she said, had been "really upsetting" and prompted her decision to end her competitive career."I'm not going to compete anymore," Gunn told Australian radio station 2DayFM. "I was going to keep competing for sure, but that seems like a really difficult thing for me to do now. The level of scrutiny that's going to be there... it's just not going to be the same experience."Gunn had previously condemned the "pretty devastating" hatred directed at her after the Olympics. "I went out there and I had fun. I did take it very seriously. I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics and I gave my all," she said in a video message.Despite the mockery, Gunn received support from fellow Australian Olympians and even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. She emphasized that she would continue to dance, albeit not in competition. "I still dance, and I still break. But, you know, that's like in my living room with my partner," she said."Dancing is so much fun, and it makes you feel good. I don't think people should feel crap about the way that they dance. If you get out there, and you have fun on the dance floor then just own it."Ironically, Gunn briefly topped the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) rankings in September after winning the Oceania Championship. The sport of breaking made its Olympic debut in Paris but will not be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who made history by winning Olympic gold despite a controversy over her gender eligibility, is now taking legal action against media outlets that have published leaked medical records. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed Khelif's legal actions on Wednesday, stating that she has filed a complaint in France for online harassment and is preparing a lawsuit in response to the latest reporting.The gender controversy surrounding Khelif erupted during the Paris Games in August when she defeated Angela Carini in just 46 seconds in her opening bout. Carini, visibly distressed, abandoned the fight after suffering a severe nose injury. The incident sparked a heated debate, with politicians and celebrities, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and "Harry Potter" author JK Rowling, weighing in on the matter.According to reports published in France this week, Khelif has XY, or male, chromosomes. However, the IOC emphasized that Khelif has competed in the women's category in international competitions for many years, including at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and at the International Boxing Association (IBA) world championships and IBA-sanctioned tournaments.The IOC expressed its concern over the abuse that Khelif has been subjected to, stating that it "will not comment while legal action is ongoing, or on media reports about unverified documents whose origin cannot be confirmed."Khelif, who was hailed as a hero upon her return to Algeria after her Olympic triumph, has previously faced online harassment. She has now taken legal action to protect her privacy and reputation.The ongoing legal proceedings highlight the complex and sensitive nature of gender eligibility in sports. The IOC has established guidelines for determining an athlete's eligibility based on their sex, but these guidelines have been challenged in recent years as the understanding of gender identity and biology has evolved.

Eugenie Bouchard, the former Wimbledon runner-up, has made a bold career shift from the WTA to the ATP—but not the ATP you might think. Bouchard has traded in her tennis racket for a pickleball paddle, becoming one of the most talked-about athletes in the rapidly growing sport.Bouchard's decision to pursue pickleball stemmed from a desire for a new challenge and to be part of a burgeoning sport. Despite her impressive tennis resume, she has embraced the learning curve in pickleball, acknowledging that she has "a long way to go."Her progress has been evident in recent tournaments. In October, she reached her first professional pickleball semifinal at the Rate Championships in Las Vegas. This week, at the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships in Dallas, Bouchard showcased her skills with an impressive "Around the Post" (ATP) shot, a tactic that requires exceptional agility and precision.The ATP shot, which involves hitting the ball outside the net post while being taken off the court, has earned Bouchard recognition and a place in the Top 10 on ESPN's SportsCenter. She has advanced to the round of 16 at the World Championships, further solidifying her status as a rising star in pickleball.Sam Querrey, another tennis player who has transitioned to pickleball, has praised Bouchard's talent, calling her the most underrated player in the sport. Bouchard's success in pickleball is a testament to her athleticism, adaptability, and determination to excel in a new arena.

Neeraj Chopra, India's star javelin thrower, bid an emotional farewell to his German coach Klaus Bartonietz, who ended their five-year partnership due to family commitments. Bartonietz, 75, guided Chopra to a historic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, a silver at the Paris Games, and several other medals.Chopra expressed his gratitude in a heartfelt tribute, acknowledging Bartonietz's profound impact on his growth as an athlete and a person. "You are more than just a mentor to me," Chopra wrote. "Everything you taught has helped me grow both as an athlete and person."Bartonietz's quiet yet impactful presence was highlighted by Chopra. "You were one of the quietest in the stands, but your words to me rang the loudest in my ears when I threw," he said. "I will miss the pranks and the laughs we shared, but more than anything, I will miss US as a team."Indian athletics chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair confirmed that Bartonietz's contract expired after the Paris Olympics and a new coach will be appointed before the end of the year. "The AFI and Neeraj will together look for a coach for him," Nair said.Bartonietz initially joined as a biomechanics expert but later became Chopra's coach after Uwe Hohn's departure. Under Bartonietz's guidance, Chopra achieved remarkable success, including the Tokyo Olympics gold, Paris Games silver, world championship title, Diamond League championship, and Asian Games gold medal.Chopra's emotional farewell underscores the deep bond he shared with Bartonietz, who played a pivotal role in shaping his career. The search for a new coach will be crucial as Chopra aims to continue his dominance in javelin throwing.

Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has strong ties to tennis, with many professional pickleball players transitioning from the tennis court. Connor Garnett, currently ranked No. 3 in pickleball singles, is a prime example of this crossover.Garnett's tennis career began at Division I Santa Clara University. After graduating, he pursued a career in investment banking while also serving as Novak Djokovic's hitting partner. He also coached Simona Halep and other top tennis players.In 2022, Garnett made the switch to pickleball, quickly establishing himself as a top player. He earned silver in both singles and doubles in his first pro tournament and has since climbed to the top of the rankings.Garnett's success in pickleball is attributed to his exceptional athleticism and tennis background. His strong serve, quick reflexes, and court coverage skills have translated well to the pickleball court.The connection between pickleball and tennis is evident in the techniques and strategies used by players. Both sports require quick reflexes, precise shot placement, and a keen understanding of court positioning.As pickleball continues to gain popularity, it is likely that more tennis players will make the transition to the sport. The similarities between the two games make it an easy and rewarding switch for those with a tennis background.

Sakshi Malik, the renowned Indian wrestler, has raised serious concerns about the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) in a recent video message. She has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Sports Minister to intervene and protect the future of wrestling in the country.Malik's video highlights the ongoing issues within the WFI, which she claims has continued to operate despite a court order suspending its activities. She alleges that she has been threatened with corruption charges, adding to her distress."Respected Prime Minister and Sports Minister, I greet you. Last year, after the Wrestling Federation elections, everyone witnessed Brij Bhushan Singh's dominance and bullying, which deeply troubled me and forced me to step away from wrestling. Following this, the government suspended the federation. However, the federation resumed its activities," Malik said.She further explained, "The court questioned how the federation could continue its work after the government had imposed a ban. The High Court put a stay on it, but the WFI did not comply with any orders. When the court reprimanded them again, the federation put the young athletes forward. I understand the difficult position these young athletes are in; their careers depend on the federation. Prime Minister, if you believe the future of these girls is safe under the federation dominated by Brij Bhushan, then you should lift the suspension. Otherwise, a permanent solution needs to be found."Malik's plea highlights the urgent need for government intervention to ensure a safe and fair environment for wrestlers in India. In 2023, wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat were part of a protest against Brij Bhushan, who was accused of sexual harassment of female wrestlers.The WFI has been under scrutiny for its alleged mismanagement and lack of transparency. Malik's allegations have further raised concerns about the federation's ability to govern the sport effectively.The government has yet to respond to Malik's appeal, but it is expected to take action to address the issues raised by her and other wrestlers. The future of wrestling in India hangs in the balance, and it remains to be seen whether the government will intervene to ensure a fair and transparent environment for athletes.

Indian women's hockey team captain Salima Tete has identified fitness and mental toughness as key areas where the team needs to improve after a disappointing period following their historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics.Since their success in Tokyo, the team has failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics and has performed poorly in the FIH Pro League. Tete believes that a lack of fitness and mental resilience has contributed to these setbacks."We had to start from the beginning, from scratch," said Tete. "Fitness was an area that Harendra sir [chief coach Harendra Singh] had pointed out and which needs a lot of work."Tete acknowledged that the team had neglected fitness in the past, but under Singh's guidance, they have made significant progress. "We do work on our strength. I also noticed that we were not able to lift so much weight. The girls are now squatting more than 100kgs. This shows that we are working on our fitness."Mental toughness is another area where the team has focused on improving. They underwent an intensive mental strengthening and team building camp at the Indian Naval Academy in Kerala earlier this year."We didn't have mental experience," said Tete. "So, it [the camp] was very good. We didn't know how it was going to be. It was very hard but we handled it."Tete believes that the team has learned valuable lessons from their recent setbacks and is determined to bounce back. "We have learned that we won't get anything if we don't work hard. We won't be able to keep up."The team's focus is now on qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and finishing on the podium. "A new season has started for Indian women's hockey," said Tete. "The aim is to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics and finish on the podium there."India will enter the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy as the defending champions, and Tete is confident that the team can retain their title. "We want to win this championship," she said. "We don't think about results, we just want to play our game."

Special Olympics Bharat (SOB), the National Sports Federation for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is organizing a unique "RUN FOR INCLUSION" on November 9, 2024. This event will serve as a prelude to the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce and Bowling Competition, scheduled to take place in New Delhi from November 18-23, 2024.The "RUN FOR INCLUSION" aims to create a movement that celebrates the power of inclusion through sports. It will commence from Central Civil Service Ground, Nehru Park in Chanakyapuri, and is expected to attract 10,000 participants from across Delhi NCR. Over 1000 special athletes from around 100 schools and colleges will also participate in the 3 km run.The event's core motto, "Each One, Reach One," emphasizes the importance of inclusivity. Participants are encouraged to not only participate in the run but also reach out to special athletes. The initiative has received support from Shri Harsh Malhotra, Hon'ble Minister of State for the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways, who will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest.Mallika Nadda, President of SO Bharat, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, stating, "Through the RUN FOR INCLUSION, we celebrate not just the spirit of sports but the unwavering power of inclusion. This initiative stands as a testament to our commitment to creating a world where every individual, regardless of ability, can participate, excel and inspire."The Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce and Bowling Competition is the first of its kind on a global scale to be held in India. It will focus on older athletes with IDD aged 22 and above. More than 100 athletes from 12 countries will participate in the competition, representing East Asia, Europe Eurasia, and Asia Pacific. The event also marks a historic first for SOB as it introduces bowling as a competitive sport for special athletes in association with the Tenpin Federation of India.Special Olympics Bharat is a National Sports Federation accredited by Special Olympics Inc. USA. It conducts sports and development programs throughout India to promote inclusion and empower people with IDD. The organization is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, as a National Sports Federation for the development of Sports for Persons with Intellectual and Development Disabilities (IDD).