Rediff

Over 500 people, including NCC personnel, participated in the 97th 'Fit India - Sundays on Cycle' event in Ahmedabad, celebrating National Unity Day. Organised by SAI, Fit India Movement, and MY Bharat, the event promoted an active lifestyle, national unity, and sustainable practices through cycling, sports, and traditional games.

14-year-old Jensi Kanabar, a wildcard entry, made a significant impact at the WTA 250 Chennai Open, pushing a higher-ranked opponent to three sets. Her inspiring journey is largely due to the unwavering dedication of her father, Dipakbhai Kanabar, who sacrificed his career to support her tennis dreams, building a network of support and even arranging practice facilities. Her achievements have been recognised in her hometown, with a tennis court named in her honour.

Goa successfully hosted the sixth edition of Ironman 70.3, attracting over 2,000 triathletes from 30 countries. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant flagged off the event, reiterating the state's commitment to promoting sports tourism and positioning Goa as a premier destination for such international events.

The third and final edition of the Chennai Open WTA 250 tournament begins, offering Indian wild card entrants Vaishnavi Adkar, Sahaja Yamalapalli, and Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi a crucial last opportunity to earn ranking points on home soil. The tournament marks India's exit from the WTA main Tour calendar, making it a significant event for the local players to test their skills against an international field, despite a depleted draw due to withdrawals.

Indian weightlifter Usha secured the top spot in Group D of the women's 61kg category at the IWF World Championships in Ningbo, China. She lifted a total of 212kg, comprising 93kg in snatch and 119kg in clean and jerk. Her final overall standing will be determined after Group A's competition. The World Championships serve as a crucial Olympic qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Barcelona secured an emphatic 6-1 home win over Alaves in LaLiga, with goals from Raphinha, Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal, and Anthony Gordon, as they responded strongly to recent losses against Real Madrid and Paris St Germain. The victory puts Barca at the top of LaLiga with 30 points.

Lewis Hamilton secured his first pole position for Ferrari at the Mexico City Grand Prix, a feat that brought back memories of Michael Schumacher's dominant years with the Italian team. At 41, Hamilton also became the oldest pole-sitter since Mario Andretti in 1982, expressing his joy at rewarding Ferrari and reflecting on his enduring passion for the sport.

Manisha Bhanwala, India's first female senior world champion wrestler, secured a gold medal in the women's 59kg freestyle category at the World Wrestling Championships. She revealed that her earlier disappointment at the Asian Games motivated her historic win. Bhanwala overcame a 0-6 deficit in the final and plans to shift to the 57kg category for Olympic aspirations, leveraging her experience against 57kg wrestlers in the 59kg division.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant secured a 2-1 comeback victory against Punjab FC in the Indian Super League, temporarily moving to the top of the standings. After conceding an early goal to Alfred Planas Moya, Mohun Bagan equalised through Lee Erwin and took the lead with Dejan Drazic's goal before half-time. The hosts defended well in the second half to secure three points, handing Punjab their first defeat of the season.

Fourteen-year-old Indian wild card Jensi Kanabar displayed a strong performance against fifth seed Weronika Falkowska of Poland in the Chennai Open qualifying round, eventually losing in three sets. Other Indian players also exited the qualifiers. The article also details the main draw ceremony, top seeds, and Indian wild card entries for the main event.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha and several Olympic medallists are among 27 former athletes contesting for eight Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs) positions. These elected SOMs will become members of the IOA General Assembly and will be eligible to vote in the December 5 polls for the new Executive Council. The virtual election for SOMs is scheduled for November 9, with scrutiny of nominations on November 3 and the final list of candidates on November 7.

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 7-6(2) to reach his maiden Vienna Open final, extending his ATP 500 winning streak to 25 matches and ending Medvedev's seven-match run.

India secured the women's title at the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad, defeating Uganda 35-15. Sakshi led India's scoring with nine raid points, contributing to India's dominant performance throughout the match and the tournament.

Gokulam Kerala FC secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over debutants Samaleswari SC in their Indian Football League opener, with Crislan Da Silva scoring twice, including the winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time. Samaleswari fought back from a two-goal deficit to level the score before Crislan's late header sealed the win for the two-time champions.

Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters FC played out a goalless draw in their Indian Super League match at the Marina Arena. Adrian Luna missed a penalty for Chennaiyin, hitting the woodwork, while Kerala Blasters' Irfan Yadwad also struck the crossbar. Kerala Blasters goalkeeper Amrinder Singh made several crucial saves to secure a point for his team, with both sides ending the match with ten men after late red cards.

Manchester United slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea for their ninth straight game without a win, leaving Michael Carrick under mounting pressure and the club near relegation danger.

The Buddh International Circuit (BIC) recently hosted FIA-level racing for the first time in 13 years, sparking discussions about the potential return of Formula 1 to India. While drivers praised the circuit's current condition, organisers suggest 30-40% of the track needs revamping. The return hinges on confirmation from Formula 1 and FIA, alongside addressing financial and governmental support challenges, including tax rebates and significant hosting fees.

Himachal Pradesh honoured 419 outstanding sportspersons with the Him Ratna 2026 Awards, distributing Rs. 17.85 crore in prize money. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presented cheques to athletes excelling in national and international events, including Asian Games medalists and Indian women's kabaddi team members. The state government also announced increased award money, incentives for coaches, and a new 'Khelo Himachal Campaign' to combat drug abuse and promote sports.

Shillong Lajong FC secured a 1-0 victory over Mohammedan SC in their Indian Football League opener at Kalyani Stadium on Saturday. Substitute Nelson Rymbai scored the decisive goal in the 90th minute, following a dominant performance by Shillong Lajong who created numerous opportunities throughout the match.

Double Olympic medallist P V Sindhu secured her spot in the Hylo Open Super 500 final, defeating compatriot Anmol Kharb in straight games. Sindhu's dominant performance, marked by her attacking game and experience, led to a 21-13, 21-16 victory in the semifinals. This marks Sindhu's second consecutive final appearance in as many weeks, following her runner-up finish at the French Open.

Pope Leo XIV welcomed his alma mater Villanova and rivals Notre Dame at the Vatican, joking about divided college loyalties ahead of their basketball clashes in Rome on Sunday.

Indian golfer Pranavi Urs experienced a difficult third round at the Wistron Ladies Open in Chinese Taipei, carding a 1-over 73. This performance caused her to slip to tied 23rd position at 5-under 211. Home favourite Ching Huang took a one-shot lead after an impressive 7-under 65, while Urs struggled with windy conditions but managed to limit damage with late birdies.

New Zealander Zack Swanwick has taken a two-stroke lead in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship after a second consecutive four-under 67 in Saturday's third round. Swanwick is now seven under par, ahead of defending champion Fifa Laopakdee and fellow Kiwi Cooper Moore. Indian golfers Anshul Mishra, Arkesh Bhatia, and Ribhav Verma missed the cut. Swanwick, a University of Florida junior, expressed confidence heading into the final round, aiming to become the first New Zealander to win the event.

Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh stated that the controversy over the national team's jersey colour change to saffron before the World Cup was unnecessary. He claimed that federation president Dilip Tirkey was aware of the decision, contradicting Tirkey's earlier denial. Bhola Nath asserted the change was based on player and team management preference and criticised the timing of the dispute.

India's top-ranked player Vaishnavi Adkar and Sahaja Yamalapalli are set to compete in the WTA 250 Chennai Open, facing tough international opponents in the first round. Seventeen-year-old Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi also has a challenging draw. This marks the final edition of the Chennai Open as the WTA 250 slot moves to Manila next year. Meanwhile, all four Indian players in the qualifying rounds were eliminated.

The WTA 250 Chennai Open will conclude this year as India lost its slot to the Philippines. Indian tennis legend Vijay Amritraj revealed that the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association is now aiming to host three to four WTA 125 events in January-February 2028 to provide more opportunities for Indian players. The move was influenced by Chennai's monsoon season and the rise of a Filipino tennis star.

The Indian Olympic Association has released a Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming Athletes' Commission and Sportspersons of Merit elections. The code prohibits criticism of private lives, bans all forms of publicity including social media, and mandates neutrality from IOA and NSF office-bearers, aiming for fair and ethical campaigning.

East Bengal Women's Football Club is set to make history as they kick off their AFC Women's Champions League Group B campaign in Kolkata on Sunday. The 'Moshal Girls' aim to become the first Indian club to reach the quarter-finals, building on a successful season and an unbeaten international run. They face tough competition from Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City, South Korea's Hwacheon KSPO WFC, and North Korea's 4.25 SC.

India's top shooters are set to compete in the ISSF World Championship in Doha, aiming to overcome their recent Asian Games disappointment and secure crucial qualification spots for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The championship offers 36 quota places, making it a vital event for India's Olympic aspirations and a test for its high-performance coaching programme.

India, already in the semifinals of the Asian Champions Trophy hockey, will play Malaysia in their fourth round robin match on Sunday.

Indian wrestler Manisha Bhanwala, fresh off her historic senior World Championships gold, is now focused on winning a medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She attributes her strength and determination to the enduring memory and guidance of her late father, who introduced her to wrestling.

Nonagenarian Japanese bodybuilder Toshisuke Kanazawa, 90, competed in Spain's Costa del Maresme, showcasing his dedication to physical fitness and inspiring older generations to remain active. He attributes his robust health to a strict Japanese diet and aims for one more competition at 93.

Indian para badminton coach Gaurav Khanna has responded to allegations that his social media post deflated players' morale at the Asian Para Games. Khanna claims the accusations are a misleading public narrative designed to discredit him for highlighting documented irregularities in player selection. He questions the timing of the complaints, suggesting they are a diversion from his concerns about deserving players being excluded from the squad.

India's men's and women's kabaddi teams have reached the finals of the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad. The men's team will face Sri Lanka after defeating Bangladesh, while the women's team will play Uganda following their victory over Sri Lanka. Both Indian teams displayed dominant performances in their respective semifinals, setting up exciting title clashes.

Manisha Bhanwala became India's first woman wrestling world champion, dedicating her historic gold medal victory to her late father, Suresh, whose dream it was for her to achieve this feat. Her journey was marked by personal tragedy and immense resilience, culminating in a powerful display of dedication.

Manisha Bhanwala has made history by becoming India's first woman World Champion in wrestling, securing a gold medal in the women's 59kg final at the World Championships. She achieved a remarkable comeback, overcoming a six-point deficit against American Abigail Nette to win 8-6 on Friday. This triumph marks a significant milestone for Indian wrestling, following only legendary Sushil Kumar's feat in 2010.

Bengaluru FC secured a dramatic 1-1 draw against NorthEast United FC in their Indian Super League encounter. Substitute Vinith Venkatesh scored in the 93rd minute to cancel out Jithin MS's earlier goal for NorthEast. Both teams had multiple chances, with goalkeepers Gurmeet Singh and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu making crucial saves throughout the match.

Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh highlighted patience and composure as crucial factors in their 4-1 victory against Japan in the Asian Champions Trophy. Despite a tough first half, India dominated the final quarter, scoring three goals. Coach Craig Fulton also praised the team's patience and Harmanpreet's world-class performance.

Five-time champions India secured their third consecutive win at the men's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament, defeating Japan 4-1. Striker Abhishek Nain scored two field goals, while captain Harmanpreet Singh and Vishnukant Singh also found the net. Japan's lone goal came from Shota Yamada via a penalty stroke. India will next face Malaysia on Sunday.

Debutants Nagaland United SC made a strong start to their Indian Football League campaign, defeating Real Kashmir FC 3-1 in the season opener. Goals from JH Remlala and a brace from Vanlalhriatzuala K secured the historic victory for the visitors.

Indian badminton stars P V Sindhu, Anmol Kharb, and Lakshya Sen have all reached the semifinals of the Hylo Open Super 500 tournament in Germany. Sindhu and Kharb will face each other in an all-Indian women's singles semifinal, guaranteeing an Indian finalist, while Sen will compete in the men's singles last four.

Four Indian boxers, including Commonwealth Games gold medallist Arundhati Choudhary, advanced to the semifinals of the 46th International Tammer tournament in Tampere, Finland, on the opening day. Aarti Dhariyal, Ankushita Boro, and Hussam Uddin Mohammed also secured wins, while World Champion Jaismine and Hitesh are scheduled to compete later on Friday.

The Indian golf trio of Anshul Mishra, Arkesh Bhatia, and Ribhav Verma failed to make the 36-hole cut at the Asia-Pacific Amateur golf tournament in New Zealand. Defending champion Fifa Laopakdee of Thailand maintained his lead despite windy conditions, positioning himself well for the weekend.

India has announced a 28-member U23 squad for the upcoming SAFF Championships in Dhaka, led by coach Naushad Moosa. The defending champions are sending a second-string team due to international friendlies for the main squad and ISL club reluctance to release players. India aims for its 10th title in the tournament, which runs from November 5 to 17.

India's U15 football team concluded their FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival campaign with a 6-4 victory over Cuba. The Blue Colts finished 87th among 189 nations, securing five wins, four defeats, and one draw in the tournament.

Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has expressed confidence in his ability to continue racing into the 2030s, potentially participating in the sport's return to Africa, citing his sustained reaction times and commitment to performance.

Dinesh Arora has resigned as treasurer of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) Interim Executive Committee on ethical grounds. This follows his resignation from the Punjab Lawn Tennis Association (PLTA) amid allegations of financial irregularities, which are currently unestablished. AITA is set to hold elections on November 27.

Indian wrestlers faced a challenging day at the World Wrestling Championships in Astana, with most failing to advance past the pre-quarterfinal stage. Despite some promising starts, including a strong comeback by Nikhil, key athletes were eliminated, though Manisha Bhanwala is set to compete for gold later.

Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra is set to resume training and rehabilitation after his ankle injury, which forced him to miss the Asian Games, has significantly improved. He also commented on the new Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme and wished luck to Youth Olympic Games participants.

India is sending a 35-member contingent, including 17 athletes, to the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, starting on Saturday. Former shot-putter Om Prakash Karhana will serve as the chef-de-mission. The team features promising young talents like table tennis player Syndrela Das and swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu, aiming to build on India's previous best performance of 13 medals in 2018.