Cricket at LA Olympics to begin on July 12, medal matches on July 20 and 29
Cricket's Olympic history is notably brief - the sport was played only once, during the 1900 Paris Olympics, where just two teams, Great Britain and France, faced off in a two-day match. Great Britain claimed the gold in what became a footnote in Olympic lore - until now.The resurgence of cricket on the Olympic stage coincides with the sport's expanding global footprint. The recent 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies, featured matches at U.S. venues such as Grand Prairie (Texas), Lauderhill (Florida), and New York, offering a clear glimpse into cricket's growing American presence.Cricket is one of five new sports approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for LA28, alongside baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash - all selected for their broad appeal and youth engagement.Commenting on the Games' vision, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said,"When the world comes here for these Games, we will highlight every neighbourhood as we host a Games for all and work to ensure it leaves a monumental legacy.We are already delivering that legacy as we announce there have been more than one million enrollments in PlayLA. I want to thank LA28 and the International Olympic Committee for making these programs possible and for their continued work to host the greatest Games yet."Cricket's Olympic return is not just a nod to tradition but a bold step toward the future - showcasing a sport that blends heritage with modern flair, now poised to capture the imagination of a global audience once again.- EndsYou May Also Like
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Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Decoded: Khelo Bharat Niti & its vision to reshape Indian sports ecosystem
After 25 years, we are finally getting a dedicated national policy for sports, the 'Khelo Bharat Niti,' said Union Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse after felicitating the victorious Special Olympics Bharat football team in New Delhi on Monday. 'The 'Khelo Bharat Niti' will strengthen the sporting ecosystem and infrastructure in the country and pave the way towards realising our dream of hosting the 2036 Olympics,' she added. VIDEO | Here's what MoS Sports Raksha Khadse (@khadseraksha) said on the National Sports Governance Bill: "It is a proud moment for all of us indeed, as after 25 years, we are finally getting a sports-related policy that will be known as the 'Khelo Bharat Niti'...this will boost… — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 21, 2025 During her speech at the event, Khadse highlighted how platforms like the Gothia Cup reflect the transformative role of sports in fostering health, education, and leadership. She noted that this vision resonates with India's national priorities of improving sports infrastructure, expanding inclusive training, and building platforms that support athletes from all backgrounds. "Central to this push is the 'Khelo Bharat Niti 2025,' a government initiative aimed at strengthening sports at the grassroots level and ensuring nationwide talent identification and development," Khadse further said. What is Khelo Bharat Niti 2025? Launched on July 1, the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 represents the most ambitious restructuring of India's sporting landscape to date. Replacing the National Sports Policy of 2001, the new framework aims not only to produce elite athletes but also to use sports as an instrument for economic development, social inclusion, and national progress. For decades, sport in India received limited attention and investment, often viewed as secondary to academic achievements. However, government schemes like Khelo India helped shift this mindset by introducing youth leagues, sports scholarships, and training centres. Now, the Khelo Bharat Niti builds upon these efforts and positions sport as a legitimate profession and an essential tool for development. The policy aligns with the government's 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision and underscores India's intent to host the Olympic Games in 2036, marking its emergence as a global sporting contender. The 'Five Core Pillars' The Khelo Bharat Niti is structured around five strategic focus areas: Global Sporting Excellence: Early talent spotting, elite coaching frameworks, and integration of sports science and technology form the foundation of this pillar, aiming to make Indian athletes internationally competitive. Sport as an Economic Engine: The policy acknowledges the financial potential of the sports sector. It promotes sports-related tourism, startup innovation, and global event hosting, supported by public-private partnerships and CSR initiatives. Social impact through sport: By promoting participation among women, tribal communities, underrepresented groups, and persons with disabilities, the policy seeks to make sports a vehicle for social inclusion and empowerment. Mass participation and fitness: Khelo Bharat Niti envisions turning sports into a nationwide movement. This includes grassroots programmes, local access to facilities, and fitness benchmarks in schools and colleges to encourage healthier lifestyles. Linking with NEP 2020: In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the policy emphasises structured physical education in schools and improved training for physical education teachers to nurture young talent early. Budget and infrastructure push For the 2025–26 financial year, the government has allocated ₹3,794 crore to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports — a significant increase from previous years. Of this, ₹1,000 crore has been dedicated to the Khelo India programme, signalling strong commitment to infrastructure and talent development. Notable achievements under Khelo India include: 326 sports infrastructure projects worth ₹3,124 crore 1,045 Khelo India Centres and 34 State Centres of Excellence Support for 2,845 athletes with coaching, equipment, and financial aid Over 50,000 participants across 17 editions of flagship events like the Youth, University, Para, and Winter Games Aiming for the 2036 Olympics A key target of the Khelo Bharat Niti is India's preparation to host the 2036 Olympic Games. The inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Olympics — albeit with limited slots — has highlighted the importance of strategic planning and athlete readiness for the global stage. Partnering with the Diaspora and Industry The policy adopts a forward-looking approach by encouraging: Engagement with the Indian diaspora to enhance international branding and athlete support Greater private sector participation through corporate funding and sports-focused start-ups Alternative financing models such as CSR support and public-private collaborations A Vision for India's Youth With more than 65 per cent of India's population under the age of 35, the policy taps into the country's demographic advantage. It seeks to create an environment where young people can pursue sports not just for recreation but as a viable career path. By supporting holistic development and expanding access across the country, the Khelo Bharat Niti marks a generational shift in how sport is valued — from a pastime to a national priority.
Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
Six Indians miss out on World University Games medal due to alleged gaffe by officials
India have won one medal, bronze, at the ongoing World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, but it is tinged with controversy. The medal came in mixed team badminton, with India losing to Chinese Taipei in the semifinals. Twelve players had been chosen to represent India but only six could play and stand on the podium. Alisha Khan, one of the players who were left out, wrote on her Instagram handle that half of the squad couldn't play because officials from the Indian team made a gaffe while submitting their names. 'They only submitted 6, forgetting the rest,' she wrote. 'As per FISU rules, 12 players are allowed—we were all eligible. We traveled, we trained, we sacrificed, and yet we were denied the chance to even participate.' Alisha further wrote that this was 'career sabotage' and not just mismanagement. 'We demand answers, accountability, and that our voices be heard. We didn't lose a match – we lost our right to even participate,' she wrote Alisha. Association of Indian University secretary Dr. Pankaj Mittal told PTI that the matter is being investigated but declined from making any further comments. 'We have been informed about this and the matter is being investigated,' he is quoted as saying by the news agency, which further reports that this wasn't just an error but stemmed from systematic irregularities. Saneeth Dayanand, Sathish Kumar Karunakaran, Devika Sihag, Tasnim Mir, Varshini Viswanath Sri, and Vaishnavi Khadkekar were the six who competed in the mixed team event. India defeated Macau but lost to Hong Kong in the group stage, then beat the USA in the round of 16 and Malaysia in the quarterfinals before losing to Chinese Taipei in the semifinals. Rohan Kumar, Darshan Pujari, Aditi Bhatt, Abhinash Mohanty, Viraj Kuvale, and Alisha Khan were part of the 12-member squad but did not get to play. Pujari has written to the Badminton Association of India (BAI), demanding a thorough investigation. 'This level of mismanagement has caused significant emotional distress to the affected athletes, especially when Team India went on to win a historic medal at the Games. The players who were left out of the nomination list have been unfairly denied the chance to contribute on the field and be acknowledged as part of this achievement,' he wrote in his email, according to PTI. 'To date, there has been no accountability or concrete explanation provided by the managers. A mere apology cannot suffice at this level of international representation, where the careers, dreams, and morale of athletes are at stake. Through this email, I respectfully urge the concerned authorities to take this matter seriously, conduct a thorough review, and ensure that such avoidable and damaging incidents are never repeated in the future.'
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Six Indian badminton players barred from World University Games over alleged administrative lapse
The Indian badminton squad that won the mixed team bronze medal at the ongoing World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany has been hit by a controversy over selection after six of the 12 chosen players were barred from participating due to an alleged administrative lapse. Twelve players were selected and sent to represent India, but only six were allowed to compete as officials failed to submit all names correctly during the managers' meeting on July 16. "This is not just mismanagement – it's career sabotage. We demand answers, accountability, and that our voices be heard. We didn't lose a match — we lost our right to even participate," wrote Alisha Khan, one of the players left out, on Instagram. "This isn't just a mistake. It's career sabotage by AIU and our team officials. We demand justice." According to sources, BV Rao and Ajit Mohan were the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) officials who attended the meeting. The AIU, which is the nodal body for university-level sports in the country, acknowledged the incident. "We have been informed about this and the matter is being investigated," AIU Secretary Dr Pankaj Mittal told PTI while refusing to comment any further. According to a source, the issue was not just an error but stemmed from "systematic irregularities" starting from the selection trials held at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar. "During the managers' meeting, officials were given a letter listing all 12 players from India. It was their responsibility to read it carefully, check for missing or injured players, and confirm or adjust the names accordingly. However, they took it lightly," the source said. "The names of players who hadn't attended trials were there. They came here only to enjoy. In the meeting, they also made a basic mistake. They were supposed to declare which player would play singles, doubles, and mixed, but didn't process it properly." Saneeth Dayanand, Sathish Kumar Karunakaran, Devika Sihag, Tasnim Mir, Varshini Viswanath Sri, and Vaishnavi Khadkekar were the six who competed in the mixed team event. India defeated Macau but lost to Hong Kong in the group stage, then beat the USA in the round of 16 and Malaysia in the quarterfinals before losing to Chinese Taipei in the semifinals. Rohan Kumar, Darshan Pujari, Aditi Bhatt, Abhinash Mohanty, Viraj Kuvale, and Alisha Khan were part of the 12-member squad but did not get to play. Pujari has written to the Badminton Association of India (BAI), demanding a thorough investigation. 'This level of mismanagement has caused significant emotional distress to the affected athletes, especially when Team India went on to win a historic medal at the Games. The players who were left out of the nomination list have been unfairly denied the chance to contribute on the field and be acknowledged as part of this achievement,' he wrote in his email. 'To date, there has been no accountability or concrete explanation provided by the managers. A mere apology cannot suffice at this level of international representation, where the careers, dreams, and morale of athletes are at stake. 'Through this email, I respectfully urge the concerned authorities to take this matter seriously, conduct a thorough review, and ensure that such avoidable and damaging incidents are never repeated in the future.' Expressing frustration over the incident and apathy of the Indian officials, a player said, "It's a historic achievement that our team won a bronze with just six players, but that certificate and medal will change their lives, not ours, when we were supposed to be there as a team. 'The frustrating thing is the officials don't even admit their mistakes or show any remorse," he said on condition of anonymity. 'The AIU can at least issue certificates acknowledging all 12 as team members to protect our career prospects and rights.' The selection trials were held in April at KIIT, Bhubaneswar, with over 210 players, including top-tier national and international university athletes, participating. However, the source alleged that the players who actually topped the trials were left out of the mixed team event despite being part of the squad. 'The team manager made the blunder. The officials didn't focus during the meeting, and after the trials they didn't follow the proper process. They just submitted six names, so the other six were not allowed by FISU,' the source said. 'I don't know whether to call it a technical error or sheer misfortune. Entries were mailed, confirmations received, the team travelled all the way, and yet in the manager's meeting they missed out names. I don't know how it is possible to overlook such a basic responsibility. 'Players have been misled throughout. Now that they couldn't stand on the podium, officials are giving them false hopes about participation and medals in the individual events. The players worked really hard, and if they are robbed of their chance like this, it is unacceptable.' A player also alleged that officials goofed up the team jerseys, leading to a fine, an issue highlighted by Pujari in his letter as well. 'They printed full names instead of surnames, and the jerseys didn't carry the country name properly. The team was fined 1000 euros per match for incorrect jerseys. Only from the semifinals onwards did we get proper jerseys sent from India,' the player said. 'There wasn't even a proper coach. Players were sitting court-side, coaching each other during matches.'
