INDIAN FOOTBALL
The top three teams of the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL), India’s premier under-21 youth football league, will go on an international exposure tour to Japan.
The U-21 teams of Bengaluru FC, FC Goa and Punjab FC have earned the opportunity to compete against top Japanese opposition as part of the Foundation’s continued investments in youth development.
The tour, which will take place from July 11 to 23 in Fukuoka, will see the three Indian clubs compete against leading Japanese youth sides Avispa Fukuoka U-18, Sagan Tosu U-18, Giravanz Kitakyushu U-18 and FC Baleine Shimonoseki U-21.
Recognizing that player development goes hand in hand with coach development, the program also includes a special three-day coach training module for six coaches from Avispa Fukuoka’s participating clubs. The curriculum includes sessions on individual development plans, player progression and high-quality environments, in addition to interactions with FC Football Director Machida Zelvia, whose club has risen from the J2 League to the AFC Champions League Elite Final in just three years.
In addition to football, the delegation will participate in cultural visits to the Nagasaki Peace Stadium, Atomic Bomb Museum and Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, reflecting the Reliance Foundation’s holistic approach to player and coach development.
– Team Sportstar
SQUASH
Amarya Bajaj takes the Dutch Junior Open U-13 title
India’s rising squash player Amarya Bajaj produced a sensational performance to clinch the Dutch Junior Open 2026 Under-13 Boys title, beating a host of world-class opponents including England’s Daniel Stevenson 3-1 in the final.
Amarya’s toughest challenge came in the semi-finals, where he defeated European No. 1 Alex Kosztyu of Hungary in a high-quality match to book his place in the final. | Photo credit: special arrangement
Amarya’s toughest challenge came in the semi-finals, where he defeated European No. 1 Alex Kosztyu of Hungary in a high-quality match to book his place in the final. | Photo credit: special arrangement
Amarya started his campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over an Egyptian opponent in the opening round before overcoming a strong challenge from England’s Arlo Smith (3-0) in the second round. In the pre-quarter-final, he stunned No. 1 Kaelen Low of Singapore 3-0, followed by another impressive victory over Egypt’s Badr Hassan, 3-1 in the quarter-final.
His toughest challenge came in the semi-finals, where he defeated European No. 1 Alex Kosztyu of Hungary in a high-quality match to book his place in the final. There, Amarya once again delivered an exceptional performance by beating the best-seeded English player to win the prestigious Dutch Junior Open title.
– Team Sportstar
Esports
Benjamin Bok beats Vidit Gujrathi during ‘India Rising: Road to EWC’ and secures 2026 World Cup spot
Dutch grandmaster Benjamin Bok secured qualification for the Esports World Cup 2026 Chess competition after defeating Indian GM Vidit Gujrathi 2-1 in sets at the India Rising: Road to EWC, held at the Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai.
The event is a unique gaming and youth culture festival, launched by JioBLAST and the Esports Foundation (EF), where, in addition to the competitive action, outstanding achievements in the Indian gaming ecosystem were recognized through the inaugural Gaming Honours, celebrating creators, players and organizations shaping the growth of the industry.
Winners of the Gaming Honors 2026
Content group of the year: S8UL
PC Maker of the Year: GamerFleet
Male Creator of the Year: JokerKiHaveli
Regional Creator of the Year: Shreeman Legend
Female Creator of the Year: Xyaa
Esports Player of the Year: Jonathan Gaming
Outstanding contribution to Indian esports: Mortal & 8Bit Thug
James Cunningham, head of strategy at the Esports Foundation, said: «India has established itself as one of the world’s most exciting gaming markets, and India Rising: Road to EWC showcased both the size of its community and the quality of its competitive talent. Together with JioBLAST, we are proud to have created a meaningful qualification pathway that connects Indian audiences and players to the global Esports World Cup ecosystem.»
-Team Sportstar
GOLF
Aditi scores third; Diksha placed 7th at Hulencourt Women’s Open
Indian golfer Aditi Ashok finished a creditable third, while Diksha Dagar tied for seventh at the Hulencourt Women’s Open.
Aditi shot a two-under 70 in the final round on Sunday to finish at nine-under 279, three shots behind Spain’s Carolina Lopez Chacarra, who closed with a four-under 68 to claim the title at 12-under 276.
Leader Kelsey Bennett of Australia faltered overnight with a one-over 73 to finish second at nine under.
Aditi and Diksha had entered the final round tied for third at five under, five shots behind Bennett.
However, Diksha struggled to a three-over 75 and slipped to seventh at two-under 286 alongside Finland’s Noora Komulainen (70), American Brianna Navarrosa (69), Australia’s Kirsten Rudgeley (69) and South Africa’s Nadia van der Westhuizen (69).
Pranavi Urs produced one of the rounds of the day, firing a six-under 66 to move into a tie for 18th on an even par 288.
Youngster Avani Prashanth signed off with a one-under 71 and finished tied for 42nd with six-over 294.
-PTI
Published on July 6, 2026
