Indian U-17 Football Team Qualifies for AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026

The Indian U-17 men's football team has successfully qualified for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026, marking their 10th appearance in the continental tournament. The "Blue Colts" secured their spot by defeating rivals Iran 2-1 in a thrilling final Group D qualifier held in Ahmedabad. After falling behind in the 19th minute, India equalized through captain Dallalmuon Gangte's penalty before Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam scored the decisive goal in the 52nd minute. The team then displayed resolute defending to hold off the aggressive Iranian side for over 40 minutes, ensuring their historic achievement.

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Retain Syed Modi International Women's Doubles Title

Indian badminton stars Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand successfully defended their women's doubles crown at the Syed Modi International 2025 in Lucknow. The duo overcame Japan's Kaho Osawa and Mai Tanabe in a hard-fought final, winning 17-21, 21-13, 21-15 after a 74-minute battle. Their resilience was evident as they staged a strong comeback after dropping the first game, showcasing exceptional skill and composure. This victory is a significant milestone, adding crucial world ranking points and highlighting India's growing strength in women's doubles badminton.

Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team Dominates World Cup Opener

The Indian junior women's hockey team commenced their FIH Hockey Junior World Cup 2025 campaign with an emphatic 13-0 victory over Namibia in Santiago, Chile. Kanika Siwach and Hina Bano both scored hat-tricks, while Sakshi Rana bagged a brace. Other contributors to the scoreline included Binima Dhan, Sonam, Sakshi Shukla, Ishika, and Manisha, each scoring a goal. The team's dominant performance in their Pool C opener sets a strong tone for their aspirations in the tournament.

Odisha AM/NS India HPC Athletes Clinch 20 Medals in International Gymnastics Event

India's presence in global gymnastics received a significant boost as athletes from the Odisha AM/NS India Gymnastics High-Performance Centre (GHPC) secured an impressive 20 medals at the International Continental Cup in Lisbon, Portugal, held from November 21–23, 2025. Competing against 18 elite gymnastics clubs worldwide, the GHPC contingent earned three gold, six silver, and eleven bronze medals across various events. This achievement underscores India's rising gymnastics excellence and the effectiveness of Odisha's high-performance sports development model.

Karnataka Announces Major Incentives for Olympic Medalists

In a move to encourage world-class sporting talent, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced substantial cash rewards and government employment for athletes from the state who achieve Olympic glory. Gold medalists will receive Rs 6 crore and government jobs in Grade 1 or 2, silver medalists Rs 4 crore, and bronze medalists Rs 3 crore. The announcement was made at an awards ceremony, where the Chief Minister also noted that 60 athletes have been identified to represent the state at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with annual training support of Rs 10 lakh provided to each.