Rediff

Cristiano Ronaldo offered a heartfelt message of support to Lionel Messi following the death of Messi's father, Jorge Messi. Despite their long-standing on-field rivalry, Ronaldo's gesture highlighted the mutual respect between the two football legends during a difficult time for Messi, who had expressed profound grief over his father's passing.

The Income Tax Department in Mumbai has inducted 97 accomplished sportspersons under its sports quota, including cricketer Tejal Hasabnis and para shooter Akash, to strengthen its commitment to recognising sporting excellence and nurturing talent in public service.

Lionel Messi has shared a deeply personal and emotional tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi, on Instagram, expressing his profound grief and recalling his father's encouragement to play in one final World Cup.

Former India hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has advised the current national team to manage World Cup pressure by trusting their preparation and enjoying the occasion. He expressed optimism about India's chances, aiming for a top-four finish in the upcoming FIH World Cup.

NEROCA FC defeated nine-man FC Raengdai 3-1 in the IndianOil Durand Cup, coming from behind with late goals after Raengdai had two players sent off. This win concluded NEROCA's Group D campaign, while Raengdai, despite the loss, had already qualified for the quarterfinals.

Delhi golfer Kshitij Naveed Kaul secured a one-shot clubhouse lead with a four-under 66 in the second round of the Coal India Open at Tollygunge Club before heavy rain forced the suspension of play. Akshay Sharma is in second, with Om Prakash Chouhan and Saptak Talwar tied for third.

Ashish Yadav, a 19-year-old javelin thrower, won a silver medal at the World Under-20 championships, becoming the second Indian after Neeraj Chopra to achieve this feat. Despite his sporting success and significant improvement in performance through systematic training in Hisar, Yadav continues to search for a job to support his family, highlighting the financial challenges faced by many aspiring athletes.

Pakistan's Olympic gold-medallist javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem will skip the upcoming Diamond League meet in Lausanne to concentrate on his preparation for the Asian Games and another international event. He will undergo a training camp in South Africa under coach Terseus Liebenberg, aiming to improve his performance after recent struggles.

Ridhima Dilawari shot a superb 5-under 67 to take a three-shot lead in the opening round of Leg 12 of the Women's Pro Golf Tour. Three players are tied for second, while several other experienced golfers are further behind.

The Asian Junior Chess Championships will host 157 players from 10 countries in Mumbai from August 16-26. The tournament, featuring Classical, Rapid, and Blitz formats, offers Grandmaster and International Master norms to winners and showcases top U20 talent, including leading Indian and international players.

Durgapur's Aaleina Sen, an Under-11 karateka, won a gold medal in Kumite and a bronze in Kata at the 20th All India Independence Cup Karate Championship.

Sagnik Roy and Sayantan Kushari, fresh from their gold medal win at the World Youth Transnational Championships, will lead a strong field at the fifth East Zone Open Bridge Championship in Kolkata. The three-day event, organised by the West Bengal Bridge Association, features a Rs 6 lakh prize fund and will host top bridge players from the Eastern Zone and beyond.

Tripura's Asmita Dey, the first Indian judoka to win a Commonwealth Games gold, was grandly felicitated by the state government. She received a Rs 10 lakh cheque and a plot of land in Agartala, with Chief Minister Manik Saha highlighting her inspiring journey and urging her to focus on the upcoming Asian Games.

The Sports Ministry has suspended the recognition of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) due to significant governance deficiencies, including delayed elections and failure to ensure athlete welfare. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has been directed to form an ad-hoc committee to manage the sport until a proper governance structure is re-established.

Former fighter pilot Andy Green has set a new world land speed record for a hydrogen-powered car at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, achieving a combined speed of 406.320 mph (653.909 kph) in the JCB Hydromax.

The Indian fencing team achieved remarkable success on the third day of the Commonwealth Championship in Lagos, Nigeria, securing three gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in senior individual events. This impressive performance boosted India's overall medal tally to 29, including 8 gold, 7 silver, and 14 bronze, showcasing the nation's growing dominance in the sport.

Seventeen-year-old Janmoni Konwar from Assam won a gold medal at the National Karate Championship in Delhi, a remarkable achievement given her family lost their home and livelihood to devastating floods just weeks before the competition.

Ben Shelton, Learner Tien, Brandon Nakashima, and Rafael Jodar have all secured their spots in the Canadian Open semi-finals, showcasing strong performances and building momentum ahead of the US Open.

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa secured his first victory at the Sinquefield Cup, defeating Javokhir Sindarov in a 95-move game.

Veteran Indian wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat and her husband Vivek Suhag have welcomed their second child, a baby girl, on the auspicious occasion of Shivratri.

Elena Rybakina mounted a stunning comeback from a set and a break down to defeat Naomi Osaka in a hard-fought Canadian Open quarter-final, setting up a semi-final clash with Coco Gauff.

Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has married his longtime girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez in a private civil ceremony in Cascais, Portugal.

Nongkseh SS and CC concluded their Durand Cup campaign with a resounding 7-0 victory over Mumbay FC in a Group E fixture.

AIFF Super Cup winners FC Goa are set to face Turkmenistan's dominant FC Arkadag in a single-leg qualifying match for the AFC Champions League Two group stage. This crucial encounter marks former India defender Gouramangi Singh's debut as head coach for FC Goa, who enter the playoff with a depleted squad. The winner advances to the group stage, while the loser drops to the AFC Challenge League.

The Kerala Sports Department has submitted its confidential inquiry report regarding the controversy surrounding the proposed visit of football legend Lionel Messi and the Argentina team to the state during the previous government's tenure.

The upcoming LaLiga season promises an intense battle as Barcelona defends its title against a revamped Real Madrid, led by returning manager Jose Mourinho, and a turbulent Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid has made significant signings and brought back Mourinho after two trophyless seasons, while Barcelona relies on continuity and its World Cup-winning core. Atletico Madrid faces pressure on manager Diego Simeone and a potential transfer saga involving Julian Alvarez, setting the stage for a dramati

Om Prakash Chouhan has taken the opening-round lead at the Rs 1 crore Coal India Open in Kolkata, delivering a spectacular eight-under 62. His impressive performance included a hole-in-one and an eagle, giving him a one-shot advantage over former Asian Tour winner Ajeetesh Sandhu.

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi has launched the 'Shaktidoot 2.0' statewide sports scheme, significantly increasing financial assistance for athletes up to Rs 50 lakh. The initiative also focuses on identifying grassroots talent, supporting differently-abled players, and inaugurating sports complexes and libraries worth over Rs 388 crore. The scheme introduces a transparent, performance-based selection process and immediate aid for exceptional non-scheme players.

Sneha Singh, after a recent victory, enters the 12th leg of the Women's Pro Golf Tour with high hopes. She faces strong competition from players like Vani Kapoor, Ridhima Dilawari, and Amandeep Drall, aiming to maintain her form and consistency in the Rs. 17 lakh prize purse event.

Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has reportedly suspended his professional career indefinitely following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, at 68 after a prolonged illness.

Indian fencers continued their strong performance at the U-23 Commonwealth Fencing Championship in Lagos, Nigeria, securing seven additional medals on the second day. This haul included one gold, two silver, and four bronze, bringing India's total medal count to 24. Notable winners include Tanishka Khatri (gold in Women's Epee), Aakhari (silver in Women's Sabre), and Tejas Patil (bronze in Men's Foil).

Indian skeet shooter Maheshwari Chauhan, who narrowly missed a medal at the Paris Olympics, is now leveraging that experience to prepare for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan. She finished fourth in the mixed team skeet event and is currently part of a national preparatory camp.

Eleven-year-old Indian karting sensation Atiqa Mir has achieved impressive top-10 finishes in Round 4 of the FIA European Championship, becoming the youngest Indian to do so. She secured ninth and J10th place in heat races, qualifying P11 just 0.13 seconds off the fastest time. Her father, Asif Mir, believes she exceeded expectations and is poised for a full championship challenge next year.

The Delhi High Court has refused to grant bail to Olympian Sushil Kumar in the alleged murder case of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar. The court cited concerns over influencing witnesses, the gravity of the offence, and Kumar's conduct, echoing reasons previously given by the Supreme Court when it cancelled his earlier bail.

Former India drag-flicker Jugraj Singh has lauded current captain Harmanpreet Singh as a 'trump card' for the upcoming FIH World Cup, citing his aggressive playing style and consistent performance in crucial moments. Jugraj, who sees his own reflection in Harmanpreet's game, rates him among the world's top three drag-flickers and believes the team is well-prepared to end India's long wait for a World Cup medal.

The 16th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2026 is set to begin in Pune, featuring 30 teams across three divisions. The tournament, running until August 23, will determine national champions and facilitate promotion and relegation between divisions, offering a crucial platform for young talent.

Indian women's hockey captain Salima Tete believes the team's recent FIH Nations Cup triumph has instilled the confidence needed to compete for the top prize at the FIH Women's World Cup 2026, despite facing a challenging pool.

Liverpool have secured Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo from Spanish champions Barcelona on a season-long loan, with an option to buy for approximately 47 million, as the Premier League club seeks to reinforce its injury-plagued defence.

CONMEBOL has postponed two continental club matches following a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake in western Colombia that killed at least 164 people, with revised dates and venues to be announced later.

UEFA has introduced 'Clear Line', a new platform designed to provide clear guidelines on when and how the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system should intervene, aiming to reduce controversy and increase understanding among all football stakeholders.

Reigning Indian Super League champions East Bengal are set to face Kuwaiti league runners-up Al Arabi SC in a critical AFC Champions League Two preliminary-stage knockout fixture. The single-leg qualifier will determine a spot in the group stage, with East Bengal navigating squad challenges under new coach Antonio Lopez Habas.

Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medallist, reflected on the 18th anniversary of his historic win at the Beijing Olympics, stating, 'Life since has taught me that the spaces between the peaks matter just as much.'

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa secured an easy draw against American Samuel Sevian in the first round of the Sinquefield Cup, while top seed Fabiano Caruana emerged as the early leader with a victory over Jorden Van Foreest.

US President Donald Trump has publicly backed FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stating that replacing him would be a 'terrible mistake' and that the sport would 'never be as successful or profitable' without him, despite Infantino facing significant backlash and a battle to retain his position ahead of next year's presidential elections.

Russian Athletics has filed a new claim with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), challenging sanctions imposed by World Athletics that prevent Russian athletes from participating in international competitions.

Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff will not be participating in Mumbay FC's Durand Cup match against Nongkseh SS and CC due to a last-minute work commitment.

Organisers of the upcoming Badminton World Championships in New Delhi are employing an unusual method to prevent monkey intrusions: hiring professional mimics to imitate langur calls.

Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has lauded the performance of Indian junior athletes at the World Athletics U20 Championships in the USA, where they secured two silver and one bronze medal. Chopra encouraged them to continue their momentum and highlighted the valuable international exposure gained.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant secured a dominant 6-0 victory over CISF Protectors in the 135th Durand Cup, with Sahal Abdul Samad scoring a first-half hat-trick.

India's top paddler Manush Shah believes the Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) campaign has significantly boosted team chemistry and momentum, providing a 'perfect platform' for the upcoming Asian Games.