BOXING
Asian U-15 and U-17 Boxing Championships 2026: Indian Girls U-17 confirm 12 medals
The Indian Under-17 girls continued their dominant performance at the 2026 U-15 and U-17 Asian Boxing Championships with twelve confirmed medals, underscoring their strong presence on the continental stage in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Rakhi (46kg) led the charge and delivered a composed performance to secure a 5:0 win over Chinese Taipei, while Khushi (48kg) demonstrated her aggressive intentions with an RSC first-round win against Korea. Mamta (52kg) added to the tally with a strong RSC win in Round 2 against Jordan.
Among other standout performances, Laxmi (54kg) recorded an RSC third-round victory over Mongolia, while Navya (57kg) outshone her Chinese opponent with a dominant 5:0 win. Ishika (60kg) continued the winning momentum to seal an RSC victory in Round 2 against Mongolia.
The Indian contingent also witnessed a series of emphatic finishes in the later periods. Harnoor (66kg) and Himanshi (70kg) both recorded RSC first-round wins against Chinese Taipei, while Jyoti (75kg) advanced after a disqualification win against Turkmenistan. Gurseerat (80+kg) rounded out the wins with a solid 4:0 victory over Kazakhstan.
In the only setback of the day, Ovi (50kg) was involved in a hard-fought battle, but narrowly fell behind 2:3 against Uzbekistan.
In the boys’ category, Narendra Kumar Nella (44-46kg) impressed with an impressive RSC win, adding to India’s strong performance across all divisions.
– Team Sportstar
FOOTBALL
AIFF condoles the death of former Indian midfielder Mohan Singh
The All India Football Federation condoled the death of former Indian midfielder Mohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday.
A skilled midfielder of his generation, Mohan represented India at international level in the early 1970s. He made his senior national team debut against Burma on March 22, 1972 in Rangoon during the Pre-Olympic Tournament. Mohan went on to earn three caps for the national team, all during the 1972 pre-Olympic campaign.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey said, «Mohan Singh was a gifted midfielder who served Indian football with distinction during his playing days. His performances for both the national team and some of the country’s most iconic clubs reflected his passion and dedication to the sport. On behalf of the Indian football fraternity, I extend my sincere condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace.»
At the domestic level, Mohan represented Bengal in the Santosh Trophy in 1972 and played a key role in the team’s successful campaign, scoring two goals as Bengal clinched the title.
At club level, Mohan enjoyed successful spells with East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.
With East Bengal, which he represented in 1972 and 1975, Mohan scored 11 goals in competitions including strikes in the Calcutta Football League, IFA Shield, Bordoloi Trophy, Durand Cup and Rovers Cup. During his time with the Red and Gold Brigade he won the Calcutta Football League (1972, 1975), IFA Shield (1972, 1975), Durand Cup (1972), Rovers Cup (1972, 1975) and the Bordoloi Trophy (1972).
He later played for Mohun Bagan in 1973 and 1974, scoring three goals and winning the Durand Cup in 1974. Mohan Singh also represented Mohammedan Sporting Club in 1976, continuing an impressive career in Indian club football.
– Team Sportstar
HOCKEY
Hockey India announces squads for the U-18 series against Australia in Bhopal
Hockey India on Thursday announced the 24-member Indian U-18 men’s and women’s squads for the upcoming series against Australia, to be held at the Udhav Das Mehta SAI Central Center in Bhopal from May 15 to 20.
The four-match series is an important part of the teams’ preparations for the Men’s and Women’s U-18 Asia Cup Kakamigahara 2026 in Japan, which will be held from May 29 to June 6.
The final squads were selected after a week-long evaluation during the national coaching camp, where the initial group of 42 players was narrowed down based on match fitness and tactical adaptability.
Striker Ketan Kushwaha has been named captain of the Indian U-18 men’s team, while Sweety Kujur will lead the women’s team.
The sub-junior men’s team is coached by former India captain Sardar Singh and Rajnish Mishra.
Speaking about the upcoming series, Sardar said: “After a productive week in the camp, we have identified the 24 players we believe are ready for international stardom.
«These matches against Australia are not just friendlies; they are a vital test of our match temperament and tactical discipline. Ketan is a natural leader on the pitch and I am looking forward to seeing how this group copes with the pace and pressure of the Australian style before we head to the U-18 Asia Cup in Japan.»
The women’s team continues to train under former India captain Rani.
Speaking about the squad selection, Rani said, “We have narrowed down the squad to 24 players who have shown the utmost consistency and growth during the camp.
“Sweety has the experience and vision required to effectively lead this young side. Playing four matches against a top side like Australia in Bhopal will give us a clear idea of our strengths and the areas that need adjustment.
“This series is the ultimate dress rehearsal for the girls for the Asia Cup.”
Indian U-18 Men’s Squad:
Goalkeepers: Sawan Kumar, Ayush Rajak, Vishal Bada
Defenders: Ansh Bahutra, Ashish Tani Purti, Arman Soreng, Deepakprakash Toppo, Karan Gautam, Karan Dhanuk
Midfielders: Premchand Soja, Rahul Yadav, Varinder Singh, Romit Pal, Arjandeep Singh, Gursimranpreet Singh, Arshdip Singh, Avi Manikpuri
Come on: Akash Deep, Ketan Kushwaha (captain), Shahrukh Ali, Gazee Khan, Prahalad Rajbhar, Siddharth Ben, Jaysan Kandulna
Indian U-18 Women’s Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mahak Parihar, Harry, Khili Kumari
Defenders: Sugan Sanga, Nilam Topno, Rubina Baxla, Kiran Ekka, Divya Yadav, Sulochani
Midfielders: Shruti Kumari, Diya, Harshita, Rashmeen Kaur, Laminganbi Akoijam, Nancy Saroha, Tongbram Lanchenbi Devi, Sneha Davde
Forward: Nousheen Naz, Sweety Kujur (captain), Priyanka Minz, Sandeepa Kumari, Nammi Geetashree, Princess Priya Ekka, Pushpa Manjhi
– Team Sportstar
TENNIS
Top seeds sail through to the quarters at ITF W35 Tumakuru Open
The stage is set for a thrilling finish at the Tumakuru Open ITF W35 as all the top seeds stormed into the singles quarter-finals after a gripping day of action on Thursday.
Top seed Justina Mikulskyte survived a dramatic start against Poland’s Zuzanna Kolonus before bouncing back strongly to record a 0-6, 6-3, 6-1 win. The Lithuanian, one of the tournament favourites, bounced back impressively after suffering an opening set defeat and now looks firmly back on track heading into the business end of the tournament.
Second seed Zuzanna Pawlikowska also continued her steady run with a straight-sets victory over India’s Sonal Patil, while third seed Vaidehee Chaudhari and fourth seed Zeel Desai provided strong Indian representation in the last eight with impressive wins.
Vaidehee looked in complete control during her 6-2, 6-2 victory over compatriot Madhurima Sawant, showing aggressive basic play and consistency throughout the match.
Zeel, meanwhile, produced one of her cleanest performances of the week, beating Jennifer Luikham 6-2, 6-3.
Fourth seed Zeel showed admirable composure to recover from a slow start to beat compatriot Jennifer Luikham 6-2, 6-3 to storm into the quarter-finals.
In doubles, Indian duo Sravya Shivani Chilakalapudi and Zeel advanced to the semi-finals with a straight-sets win over Indian pair Laxmisiri Dandu and ChevikaReddy Sama.
Indo-Japanese duo Akanksha Dileep Nitture and Michika Ozeki fought back brilliantly after losing the first set to defeat Indian Diva Bhatia and Jennifer Luikham in a thrilling match tiebreak.
Top seeds Vaidehee and Zuzanna Pawlikowska also entered the semi-finals with a convincing win over Indian duo Soha Sadiq and Madhurima Sawant, while Ksenia Laskutova and Elina Nepliy completed the semi-final line-up with a comfortable win over India’s Aishwarya Jadhav and Aakruti Narayan Sonkusare.
– PTI
GOLF
IGPL’s Pukhraj Gill leads the ADT event in Malaysia by one
India’s Pukhraj Singh Gill endured a marathon day of 25 holes but produced excellent golf and emerged as a strong contender for his maiden Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the ADT Players Championship in Malaysia.
After completing seven holes of the first round, the 29-year-old, who won the Order of Merit on the IGPL Tour in India, has the 36-hole clubhouse lead at 11-under-par 133.
Resuming his first round, he moved from 4-under to 6-under as the co-leader of the first round, which was cut short by Wednesday’s two-and-a-half-hour thunderstorm delay.
After an opening six-under-par 66 on Saujana’s highly rated Palm Course, Gill picked up where he left off, shooting a second-round 67 with seven birdies against two bogeys. He is one shot ahead of Thai rookie Thanawin Lee, who drew a pair of 67s.
Also in the Top 10 is teenager Kartik Singh, who after 5-under first round is 1-over through 12 holes in the second and tied for 7th.
Khalin (71 and 1-under through nine) is 2-under and T-21st. Aman Raj (72 and 1-over to 9) is T-52 and on the cutline at 1-over, while Aryan Roopa Anand, who recently won at the IGPL, will miss the cut after 74-75, as will Varun Parikh (77-73).
– PTI
Published on May 7, 2026

:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/man-in-airplane-5726-760bcbe9c2dc4ed992c691ae060dfe45.jpg?w=238&resize=238,178&ssl=1)



:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/man-in-airplane-5726-760bcbe9c2dc4ed992c691ae060dfe45.jpg?w=100&resize=100,75&ssl=1)


