President Droupadi Murmu engaged in a friendly badminton match with renowned shuttler Saina Nehwal at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President also unveiled the prestigious Durand Cup trophy, marking the start of the 133rd edition of the football tournament. President Murmu emphasized the importance of sportsmanship and healthy competition, urging football enthusiasts to contribute to elevating the sport in India.
Hockey Canada has announced the appointment of Trevor Murphy as their new Vice-President of Hockey Development. Murphy, a seasoned hockey executive with experience at various levels of the sport, will be responsible for leading the development of grassroots hockey across Canada. He will join Hockey Canada’s senior leadership team on Monday.
The United States Olympic team, boasting a record-breaking 592 athletes, including legends like Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky, is poised to dominate the Paris Games. With a roster filled with Olympic champions and a strong focus on diversity, the US team is determined to surpass their record-breaking medal haul from Tokyo.
Russia’s participation in the upcoming Paris Olympics has been significantly reduced as numerous athletes have refused to compete under the IOC’s stringent conditions, which include competing as neutrals without their national symbols. While 36 Russian athletes were initially cleared, only 16 remain on the official list due to the boycott. The athletes’ decision stems from their belief that the restrictions are discriminatory and undermine Russian national pride.
Badminton legend Prakash Padukone will join the Indian badminton team as a mentor for the upcoming Paris Olympics, providing guidance to the 15-member squad aiming for another successful medal run. This will be Padukone’s first Olympic experience as a mentor after retiring from playing in 1991, even as badminton was introduced to the Olympics in 1992. He will be working alongside a team of experienced coaches, including Pullela Gopichand, RMV Gurusaidutt, Agus Santosa, Vimal Kumar, and Mathias Boe, as India aims to continue its medal-winning streak in the sport.
India secured a 2-1 lead in the five-match T20 series against Zimbabwe after a thrilling 23-run victory in the third match. Shubman Gill’s 66 and a strong bowling performance, particularly from Washington Sundar, proved decisive for the visitors. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza lamented missed fielding opportunities, citing them as a key factor in their defeat.
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) will hold an election on July 23 to fill the president’s position left vacant by the passing of Amol Kale. Four candidates, including three incumbent officials and two political leaders, are vying for the position. The election is expected to be closely contested, with political backing playing a significant role.
India secured a convincing 23-run victory over Zimbabwe in the third T20, clinching the series with two matches to spare. Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad led the batting charge, while Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan shone with the ball. Despite a valiant effort from Dion Myers, Zimbabwe couldn’t chase down the target.
Kawhi Leonard has withdrawn from the US men’s basketball team competing in the Paris Games due to concerns about his right knee. The decision was made jointly by USA Basketball and the Los Angeles Clippers. Leonard had been training for the Olympics but will instead focus on preparing for the upcoming NBA season.
Following the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as India’s head coach, Abhishek Nayar is a strong contender for the assistant coach position. Nayar’s experience with Gambhir in the IPL and his close friendship with captain Rohit Sharma are seen as assets. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already initiated discussions with Nayar, while former Indian bowlers R. Vinay Kumar and L. Balaji are in the running for the bowling coach role.
