Badminton: Satwik-Chirag Eye Semis at BWF World Tour Finals
India's premier men's doubles duo, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, continued their strong performance at the BWF World Tour Finals 2025 in Hangzhou, China. On Thursday, they secured their second consecutive win by defeating Indonesia's Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in a thrilling three-game match (21-11, 16-21, 21-11). This victory strengthens their position for a semi-final berth in the prestigious season-ending tournament. They had previously opened their campaign with a decisive win against China's Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang.
Chess: Gukesh and Anand Feature in Global Chess League; Anand to Return to Tata Steel Chess India
The Global Chess League (GCL) 2025 witnessed exciting clashes, with World Chess Champion Dommaraju Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi leading Alaskan Knights to their first victory of the season. In a notable encounter, five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand defeated reigning World Champion D Gukesh in the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2025, contributing to Ganges Grandmasters joining a four-way tie for the lead. Furthermore, Viswanathan Anand is set to make his competitive return after a six-year hiatus at the Tata Steel Chess India 2025, scheduled from January 7 to 11 in Kolkata. This event will mark the first time Anand will compete against D Gukesh in an individual capacity on Indian soil.
Football: Mohun Bagan Banned by AFC; India's First Transgender Football League Kicks Off
In a significant development for Indian football, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has banned Mohun Bagan Super Giant from continental football competitions until the 2027-28 season. The ban and a fine of $50,000 were imposed due to the club's refusal to travel to Iran for an Asian Champions League Two fixture in September. Meanwhile, a historic initiative for inclusion in Indian sports saw the launch of India's first transgender football league in Jamshedpur. Kicking off on December 7, 2025, under the Jamshedpur Super League (JSL) umbrella, the league features seven teams and 70 transgender athletes. The city of Raipur will also host the National Transgender Sports Meet 2025 on December 19 and 20.
Tennis: World Tennis League Debuts in Bengaluru
The World Tennis League (WTL) made its India debut in Bengaluru, showcasing high-octane tennis action with a mix of international stars and promising Indian talents. The event, which commenced on Wednesday, December 18, featured prominent players like former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, Nick Kyrgios, Gael Monfils, and Elina Svitolina, alongside Indian players such as Rohan Bopanna, Sumit Nagal, Maaya Rajeswaran Revathi, and Dhakshineswar Suresh. Matches on the opening days saw competitive play, with VB Realty Hawks and AOS Eagles securing narrow victories. An ITF Women's (W35) Tennis Tournament is also underway in New Delhi from December 15-21, 2025.
Hockey: Junior World Cup Heroes Look to Hockey India League
Following their bronze medal win at the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2025, young Indian hockey players are now setting their sights on the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL) 2026. Junior World Cup hero Prince Deep Singh, for instance, expressed his eagerness to learn from legendary Irish goalkeeper David Harte in the league. The league is seen as a crucial platform for these junior stars to impress national selectors for a spot in the senior team.
Olympic Bid: India Aims for 2036 Games
India has officially announced its decision to bid for hosting the 2036 Olympic Games. Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated that efforts are being made to address existing gaps in sports infrastructure and develop world-class facilities across the country to prepare for international events of such magnitude.