Latest news with #Virtus
Mint
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Mint
Volkswagen India launches Monsoon Service Camp for vehicle owners nationwide
Volkswagen India has launched its annual Monsoon Service Camp to help vehicle owners prepare for the rainy season, available at all authorised service centres across India. The camp is now live nationwide for a limited time. Customers can contact their local service centres for details about the benefits. In addition to service offers, Volkswagen provides basic monsoon car care tips through its network to keep drivers informed about seasonal vehicle maintenance. Customers can avail a free 40-point vehicle check-up, covering critical components like brakes, tyres, wipers, and lighting systems- key areas impacted by monsoon conditions. Volkswagen is offering discounts on its Service Value Packages (SVPs) during the camp. These include fixed service costs, genuine parts, certified technicians, nationwide coverage, and transferable ownership options. Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen India, stated, 'At Volkswagen, our priority is to ensure our customers feel confident and safe on the road, especially during the challenging monsoon season. The Monsoon Service Camp reflects our commitment to delivering value, trust, and expert care.' Recently, the company also announced the 2025 Volkswagen Autofest, which offers exchange and loyalty rewards. Customers receive special finance options, free vehicle evaluations and test drives, plus exclusive service and maintenance benefits. Total benefits amount to up to ₹ 2.5 lakh on the Taigun and ₹ 1.5 lakh on the Virtus. The event welcomes both existing and new Volkswagen owners, backed by strong ownership programs experience.
Euronews
6 days ago
- Sport
- Euronews
Kazakhstan hosts historic Virtus World Basketball Championships
In Astana, Kazakhstan, a crowd erupted as Australia's men's team sealed gold in the 5x5 final at the 2025 Virtus World Basketball Championships. But for athletes with intellectual disabilities, this moment was about more than winning. It was about visibility, recognition and a renewed call for inclusion on the world stage. The Virtus World Basketball Championships, held for the first time in Asia, brought together athletes from 11 countries, including France, Australia, Poland, Japan, Portugal, Spain, Venezuela, Italy, the United States and Kazakhstan. Teams competed across two formats: the traditional 5x5 and the 3x3, which is rapidly gaining popularity. Australia dominated in both formats. In the men's 5x5, Australia won gold, Portugal took silver, and Japan claimed bronze. In the women's 5x5, Australia also secured gold, with Spain taking silver and Japan earning bronze. Australia's women's team additionally won gold in the 3x3 competition. For Zach Jordin, point guard for the Australian team, the experience was unforgettable. 'It feels amazing to win. It's been a long week and it feels great to get it done in the end,' he said. 'It's a massive honour to represent my country and I think this will show what people with intellectual disabilities can do and prove that we can play this sport,' Jordin said. He now has his sights set on Brisbane 2032. The championships were jointly organised by the National Basketball Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Virtus, the global federation for athletes with intellectual disabilities, including those with Down syndrome and autism. Founded in 1986, Virtus supports elite competition in more than a dozen sports and oversees eligibility and classification systems designed to ensure fair play. Athletes compete in three classification groups: II1 (Intellectual Impairment) for those with intellectual disability, II2 for athletes with more complex impairments such as Down syndrome or cerebral palsy, and II3 for autistic athletes without intellectual disability. This championship had athletes competing in the II1. The fight to return to the Paralympics Athletes with intellectual disabilities were removed from the Paralympics following a cheating scandal in basketball at the 2000 Sydney Games. They were reinstated in 2012, but only in athletics, swimming, and table tennis. Basketball has not returned to the Paralympic program. Barry Holman, Secretary General of Virtus and a board member of the Virtus International Basketball Federation (VIBF), said that exclusion continues to hold athletes back. 'There was a team, a country, that wasn't honest about all of its players. That caused a lot of problems and challenges for all athletes with intellectual disability. They were all removed from the Paralympics. We think unfairly,' Holman said. 'We should punish people who don't use fair play in sport, but the whole class of people were removed,' he added. The VIBF is now pushing for the inclusion of 3x3 basketball in the Paralympic programme, with the aim of having both men's and women's teams compete by the 2032 Games in Brisbane. This championship is seen as a crucial first step towards that goal. Holman noted that the championship represents more than just a competition. It gave athletes the chance to demonstrate their skill and dedication to basketball, and to be recognised as experts in something they love. 'When they show how they can dribble, pass, shoot, and score, it also shows that they can be successful in life, have jobs, families, and do all the things we all want to do,' Holman shared. Portugal's results in Astana reflected years of investment. Winning two medals, a bronze medal in the 3x3 championships and a silver in the 5x5 tournament. Portugal previously competed in eight finals, winning five of them and becoming vice champions the other three times. Jose Costa Pereira, team leader of Portugal and member of the Virtus Federation, noted that the country's program extends far beyond basketball. 'Yesterday, our Down Syndrome futsal team won a gold medal in Ferrara, Italy. Three medals in less than a week.' Pereira attributes Portugal's success to its structure as they organise more than 300 events a year. 'We are part of the Portuguese Sports Federation for all disability groups. We are responsible for intellectual impairment that includes intellectual disability, Down syndrome, and autism,' he said. The host country used the event as a launchpad to expand its own efforts. Dina Temirgaliyeva, President of the Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities in Kazakhstan, said the event sent a clear message to society. 'Two years ago, we submitted an application on behalf of our federation and our country. We have been doing a lot of work to bring the World Championship to Kazakhstan,' she said. Kazakhstan laying the groundwork for change In 2025, Kazakhstan hosted two major Virtus events for athletes with intellectual disabilities: The World Tennis Championship and The World Basketball Championship. 'This is an important step because the public can see the professionalism and training of athletes with intellectual disabilities. Parents must believe in their children. They need to believe that they can be in society through sport.' Temirgaliyeva explained that Kazakhstan has now officially included intellectual disability athletes in its national Spartakiad. 'Previously, the Spartakiad was only for athletes with musculoskeletal disorders, hearing and vision [Impairment]. And now finally all this has been officially included,' she said. The country is also preparing athletes for upcoming Virtus events in swimming, athletics, and table tennis. Abay Alpamyssov, President of the Kazakhstan Basketball Federation, reflected on the long road to inclusion. 'Thirty years ago, we didn't even have a way to diagnose disabilities. So we've come a long way since then, and it was crucial for us to support and host this event,' he said. He added that this event carries a deep social significance besides sports. It also marks the formation of Kazakhstan's first basketball team for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Looking ahead, Temirgaliyeva emphasised that these developments are just the beginning. They aim to create a pathway for athletes from Kazakhstan and across Central Asia to take part in the 2026 Para-Asian Games and ultimately qualify for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
No anthems or special balls - but Champions League starts now
In some ways the purest form of the Champions League starts this is only 38 days since Paris St-Germain demolished Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in front of the eyes of the world - but the vibe is very different as the new campaign kicks first qualifying round begins on Tuesday at 16:00 BST in Kuopio, Finland, with 28 teams - all of them champions of their country - in action this may be no Champions League anthem before games and clubs just use their own balls but it is the Champions League still - including Virtus, from San Marino, who are eight games away from the league Liechtenstein, who do not have a league, and Russia, who remain banned because of the war with Ukraine, do not get at least one Champions League is a long road to the 2026 final in Budapest in 326 days' time, although it is likely every club kicking off this week will be footnotes by Sport has a look at some of the stories, teams and ties involved this week. Could someone go all the way? Only 10 teams managed to go all the way through from the first round of Champions League qualifying to the group or league phase - including Slovan Bratislava last got past Struga, Celje, Apoel and Midtjylland... before losing all eight league games. But just getting there meant they earned more than £15m. And their 16 matches played were only one fewer than champions a team went all the way through to the final they could end up playing 25 Champions League games (a path that requires them featuring in the the knockout phase play-offs).Only one team have reached the knockout stages after starting in the very first round - Liverpool in Reds were Champions League winners in 2005, but finished fifth in the Premier League - and back then the holders did not automatically qualify. Uefa gave them special dispensation, but they had to start in the first round of got through three rounds of qualifying (as it was back then) - beating TNS, FBK Kaunas and CSKA Sofia - and won their group before a last-16 exit. The 552nd best team Virtus, champions of San Marino, are the lowest-ranked team in the draw by some distance. All of their players and staff have other 10-year club coefficients ranks them 552nd (out of 554 teams), a list that only includes teams who have played in Europe over that period of season was their debut in Europe, as they lost 11-1 to Romanian side FCSB in this round.A second consecutive league title has them competing again - this time against Bosnian champions Zrinjski the club accept they have very little chance of advancing and see it as a privilege to be involved. For one thing no Sammarinese team have ever won a Champions League they are confident of competing well in the Conference League third qualifying round, which the losers of this game will drop president Pier Domenico Giulianelli said: "This is our second time in the Champions League, and we're sure that the experience last year will be useful. "We know these will be two very tough matches, but I'm confident the boys will give their all on the pitch."The club are expecting about 1,000 fans at the San Marino Stadium in Serravalle, with about three-quarters of them coming from Bosnia. They usually get 50-100 people at their home only San Marino international is Alessandro Golinucci, who captained the country to their famous win over Liechtenstein last September which ended a 20-year run without a victory. The new boys The only Champions League debutants in the first round of qualifying are Armenian side FC season they went through every round of Conference League qualifying before reaching the league phase, where they lost one game 8-0 at Yerevan side, who were only formed eight years ago and named after the religious figure Noah, are a team trying to get places quickly under owner Vardges signed 16 players last summer and a new manager in Rui Mota. They went on to win the league and cup Mota left for Ludogorets (more on them in a bit) this summer, with 41-year-old Croatian Sandro Perkovic taking his place. Club development director Anna Ohanyan told BBC Sport: "Taking part in the Champions League qualifiers is a historic moment for FC Noah. "Just two seasons after the new management stepped in, we managed to qualify for the league phase of a European competition, became champions of Armenia, won the Armenian Cup - and now here we are in the first qualifying round of the Champions League. This is only the beginning."We fought hard to win the Armenian championship because we have bigger ambitions for ourselves and for Armenian football. This qualification gives us a chance to show that ambition to the whole of Europe."They play Montenegrin side Buducnost side Pafos FC, who enter at the second-round stage - where they play Maccabi Tel Aviv - are also in the competition for the first time. The regulars Bulgarian champions Ludogorets are in the first round of qualifying for the eighth consecutive six years before that they entered in the second qualifying round - under an old system where the first round only involved a handful of their 14 consecutive league titles have meant 14 years of Champions League qualifying. Twice they reached the groups: in 2014-15, where they earned a 2-2 draw with Liverpool, and 2009 they were an amateur third-tier team, who had never been in the top following year pharmaceutical multi-millionaire Kiril Domuschiev took them over, they won immediate promotion and have won the title in each and every top-flight season they have ever played year they take on Belarusian side Dinamo Minsk. The derbies There are two derbies between teams from neighbouring countries in the first qualifying side Shelbourne and Belfast club Linfield meet in a rematch of the 2005 Setanta Sports Cup, the old competition between the champions of the Republic of Ireland and Northern was also the last year Shels were in the Champions League until now - with a young Wes Hoolahan in the go into the game with a new manager in former West Ham defender Joey O'Brien after the surprise resignation of Damien as 57-time champions of Northern Ireland, are regulars at this stage. They are also managed by an ex-Premier League player, with former Leeds, Preston and Sunderland striker David Healy at the respective grounds are less than a two-hour drive apart - which for Shelbourne is a shorter journey than some league games. However, they have to stay in Belfast the night before the game because of pre-match media legs of that tie will be live on the BBC Sport website and other derby is between Levadia Tallinn of Estonia and Latvian side RFS (which once stood for Riga Football School but is now their name).They could meet again later this year if the irregularly held Livonian Cup - between the champions of Estonia and Latvia is played again. Paulius Jakelis, head of marketing and communications at RFS, told BBC Sport: "From a travel perspective, it's ideal - just a four-hour bus ride and we're there. "It means minimal travel costs, simpler planning and logistics, and much easier access for our fans." How about the British teams? Perennial Welsh champions TNS, who play their home games in England, play Shkendija of North Macedonia. Neutrals will hope it is half as dramatic as when they met at this stage in 2018 with Shkendija winning 5-4 on aggregate. The Macedonians won 5-0 at home, with TNS falling just short in the second leg in Oswestry's Park Hall with a 4-0 Red Imps, champions of British Overseas Territory Gibraltar - the second lowest-ranked league - face Faroese side their squad is 43-year-old Lee Casciaro, who has been with the club since 1998, and scored against Celtic in a shock first-leg win in of Glasgow teams, Rangers enter the Champions League at the second qualifying round against Panathinaikos. Celtic start off at the play-off six representatives - Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle and Tottenham - go straight into the league phase. What next for the losers? The teams who lose this round are not out of Europe entirely - dropping into the Conference League would go into the second round of the Conference League but a random draw picked two ties whose losers would go into the third round. San Marino club Virtus and Gibraltar's Lincoln Red Imps are involved in those two games - meaning they would be only two rounds away from the Conference League group who lose in the second round of Champions League qualifying would go into the third qualifying round of the Europa League by the way, and not the Conference League. Starting in the league phase, watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 BST on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday nights. Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.
Hindustan Times
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Volkswagen India reintroduces Autofest 2025 with exclusive offers across product line
Volkswagen India has officially announced the return of Autofest 2025, its annual customer engagement campaign, designed to offer a comprehensive suite of benefits to both existing and prospective buyers. As part of this initiative, the brand has launched a nationwide exchange carnival featuring promotional offers on vehicle exchange, flexible financing solutions, and enhanced service packages. Volkswagen India has introduced the Autofest exchange program again for multiple products. The campaign covers Volkswagen's current India portfolio, which includes the domestically manufactured Taigun SUV and Virtus sedan, along with fully imported models such as the Tiguan R-Line and Golf GTI. The aim is to deliver a compelling ownership proposition that aligns with customer expectations ahead of the upcoming festive season. (Also check out: Upcoming cars in India) Benefits under Autofest 2025 Autofest 2025 brings a wide range of incentives aimed at enhancing the car-buying and ownership experience. Customers can avail themselves of attractive exchange and loyalty bonuses, personalised finance schemes, complimentary vehicle evaluation, and test drives. The campaign also includes special service and maintenance benefits. Total customer benefits are valued at up to ₹2.5 lakh on the Volkswagen Taigun and up to ₹1.5 lakh on the Virtus sedan, depending on the offer structure and model configuration. (Also read: Volkswagen India has brand advantage, not cost advantage, says country head Ashish Gupta) These benefits are available throughout the month of July and can be availed at all authorised Volkswagen dealerships across India. The initiative is expected to provide a timely sales boost for the brand as the industry enters one of its most active periods of the year. (Also read: Volkswagen Golf GTI gets a limited-run anniversary edition with more power) Volkswagen India's product lineup begins with the Virtus, which carries a starting ex-showroom price of ₹11.56 lakh. The Taigun follows at ₹11.80 lakh. The premium Tiguan R-Line, available in a fully loaded single variant, is priced at ₹49 lakh, while the high-performance Golf GTI, also offered in a fully equipped version, is priced at ₹53 lakh.
Mint
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
Volkswagen India brings back Autofest 2025 with exclusive offers
Volkswagen India has officially brought back 'Autofest 2025', its yearly customer-focused campaign featuring a range of special offers. As part of this nationwide exchange carnival, the carmaker is offering deals on vehicle exchange, attractive financing plans, and value-added service packages. Volkswagen's current portfolio in India includes the locally manufactured Taigun SUV and Virtus sedan, alongside fully imported models like the Tiguan R-Line and Golf GTI. This year's Volkswagen Autofest includes exchange bonuses and loyalty benefits for both existing and new customers. In addition, buyers can take advantage of low-interest finance options, free vehicle evaluation, test drives, and savings on service and maintenance. Customers stand to receive benefits of up to ₹ 2.5 lakh on the Taigun and up to ₹ 1.5 lakh on the Virtus, depending on the variant and location. Timed to precede the upcoming festive period, the Autofest campaign is expected to drive footfall to Volkswagen dealerships throughout July. These offers are valid across all authorised Volkswagen outlets in the country. As for the brand's lineup, the Virtus starts at ₹ 11.56 lakh, followed by the Taigun at ₹ 11.80 lakh (ex-showroom). At the higher end, the premium Tiguan R-Line is priced at ₹ 49 lakh, while the Golf GTI comes in at ₹ 53 lakh, both fully loaded imports. Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen India, commented on the newly introduced exchange fest, 'Volkswagen Autofest is more than just a sales event—it's a celebration of our commitment to offering Indian customers premium mobility solutions with added value. Whether it's the elegant Virtus, the striking Taigun, or the Beyond betteR Tiguan R-Line, Autofest gives customers the perfect gateway to upgrade their driving experience with unmatched benefits,' he said.
