HOCKEY
On Day 2 of the final phase of the National Women’s Hockey League 2024-2025, Hockey Association of Odisha, Manipur Hockey and Hockey Haryana secured wins in the respective games.
In the first match, Odisha defeated Maharashtra 1-0 in Pool A. Dipika Barwa (57’) scored again in the second consecutive game for Odisha to take the game away from Maharashtra.
In the next game, Manipur defeated Madhya Pradesh 2-0 in Pool A. Puja Ramchhuria (41’) and Babyarani Devi Sandam (56’) scored one goal each for Manipur to secure its first win in the tournament.
In the third match of the day, Haryana defeated Mizoram 2-1 in Pool A. Saavi (44’) and Shashi Khasa (59’) scored for Haryana. In response, Vanlalrinhlui (57’) scored the consolation goal for Mizoram. This is Hockey Haryana’s second win in the tournament out of the two matches it has played.
-Team Sportstar
ATHLETICS
Svayam joins forces with Sports Authority of India for Khelo India Para Games
Svayam has joined forces with the Sports Authority of India as the Accessibility partner for the Khelo India Para Games.
The Founder Chair-person of Svayam, Sminu Jindal, launched the official logo of the Khelo India Para Games along with the President of PCI, Devendra Jhajaria, in the presence of the Union Sports Ministers Dr Mansukh Mandaviya and Raksha Khadse in the Capital.
“True inclusion happens when accessibility becomes standard practice, not an added feature. Our continued association with Khelo India Para Games reinforces our dedication to creating spaces where para-athletes can focus on excellence without unnecessary struggles. Thoughtful mobility solutions, trained personnel and well-equipped venues contribute to an environment where every player can compete without constraints,” said Sminu.
With the collaboration, Svayam hosted sensitisation workshops, training about 500 volunteers and event personnel to provide the best support for participants. The training was aimed at equipping the personnel with the skills and awareness necessary to foster a respectful, inclusive environment for the athletes, with a focus on educating them about accessibility needs, communication practices and dealing with the requirements of athletes during competition.
“I applaud Svayam for the continuous support to Khelo India Para Games. They have taken great care to ensure that technical inputs are included at Games venues to make them totally accessible for our athletes,” said Sports Minister Mandaviya.
Svayam will operate a fleet of specially designed buses and mini-vans to ensure smooth and dignified travel for about 1200 athletes, coaches and officials during the Para Games, apart from providing wheelchairs for the 10-day event.
-Kamesh Srinivasan
TENNIS
Bharath beats Chirag in first round of ITF men’s tennis tournament
Qualifier Bharath Kumaran beat Chirag Duhan 7-6(5), 6-2 in the first round of the $15,000 ITF men’s tennis tournament at the Gujarat University Tennis Academy on Wednesday.
In the pre-quarterfinals, Bharath will challenge the eighth seed Sidharth Rawat.
The results:
Singles (first round): Jay Clarke (GBR) bt Kriish Tyagi 6-3, 6-2; Ishaque Eqbal bt Rishi Reddy 6-3, 6-1; Nitin Kumar Sinha bt Keerthivassan Suresh 6-3, 6-2; Daniil Sarksian (Arm) bt Dev Javia 7-5 (retired); Ajay Malik bt Dharmil Shah 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2; Prajwal Dev bt Pranav Karthik 6-4, 6-2; Vishnu Vardhan bt Stefan Vujic (Aus) 7-6(3), 6-4; Woobin Shin (Kor) bt Digvijay Pratap Singh 6-4, 6-4; Bharath Kumaran bt Chirag Duhan 7-6(5), 6-2.
Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Lohithaksha Bathrinath & Abhinav Sanjeev Shanmugam bt Leonardo Borrelli (Ita) & Yash Yadav 6-1, -3; Maan Kesharwani & Rishi Reddy bt Suraj Dhal & Saurish Modi 6-1, 6-3; Digvijay Pratap Singh & Jagmeet Singh bt Lawrence Bataljin (Aus) & Raghav Jaisinghani 6-4, 6-4; Aryan Shah & Dharmil Shah bt Parth Aggarwal & Bharath Kumaran 6-2, 4-6, [10-8].
-Kamesh Srinivasan
