Cuttack. The knockout stages of the 71st Senior National Kabaddi Championships kicked off with four compelling Round of 16 clashes at Cuttack’s Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, setting up two mouth-watering quarter-final encounters.

Defending champions Haryana, who were guided by star PKL players like defender Yogesh Kathuniya and raider Ashu Malik were pushed hard by Tamil Nadu in what proved to be the most competitive fixture of the day. Despite Tamil Nadu’s spirited resistance, Haryana’s superior raiding unit helped them secure a 48-41 victory in a high-scoring encounter.

The Naveen Kumar-led Services demonstrated why they remain one of the tournament favorites with a clinical dismantling of Madhya Pradesh. The servicemen’s disciplined defense and aggressive raiding combination proved too much for Madhya Pradesh to handle, resulting in a commanding 57-22 scoreline.

Punjab, another kabaddi powerhouse, made light work of Bihar with a dominant 47-18 victory. Their experienced squad controlled the proceedings from start to finish, barely allowing Bihar any momentum throughout the match.

Host state Odisha’s campaign came to an end as they fell to Maharashtra 43-26. Despite vocal home support, Maharashtra had guidance from the likes of Akash Shinde, Ajit Chouhan and Pankaj Mohite, and showed through as they steadily built their lead to secure a comfortable win.

The results have set up two intriguing quarter-final matchups. Haryana will face Services in what promises to be a tactical battle between two disciplined units, while Maharashtra will look to continue their impressive form against Punjab.

Cuttack, February 21, 2025: The second day of the Senior National Kabaddi Championships witnessed more high-intensity battles across different pools, with Services – led by Pro Kabaddi League’s very own Naveen Kumar – delivering the most commanding performance of the day in their 70-33 victory over Chhattisgarh.

Goa managed to edge past Jammu & Kashmir 38-35 in a closely fought encounter, while Rajasthan showcased their prowess in a convincing 61-43 win against Jharkhand.

Karnataka demonstrated their talent with a clinical 46-26 victory over Uttarakhand, while Punjab dominated their match against Bengal, securing a 49-24 win. Uttar Pradesh controlled their game against Assam, winning 35-19, and Tamil Nadu proved too strong for Pondicherry with a 47-35 victory.

Defending champions Haryana – which has Ashu Malik at the fore – continued their winning streak, defeating Delhi 39-19 in a Pool A encounter. Railways, maintaining their momentum from day one, overcame Bihar 45-27, while Maharashtra added another win to their tally by defeating Himachal Pradesh 37-24.

In Pool D’s matches, Chandigarh continued their impressive form with a convincing 51-32 win over Madhya Pradesh. The day’s most thrilling encounter saw Andhra Pradesh stage a remarkable comeback to edge past Gujarat 40-39, providing a fitting finale to an action-packed day.

Also boasting the likes of Devank Dalal, the Services’ dominant performance against Chhattisgarh was particularly noteworthy, with their raiders and defenders working in perfect sync to build up what would become the highest score of the tournament so far.

The results from Day Two’s first half have started to shape the qualification picture across all pools, with teams like Services, Karnataka, Punjab, and Haryana emerging as strong contenders for the knockout stages. As the tournament progresses, the competition is expected to intensify further, with teams fighting for crucial points to secure their passage to the next round.

The three-year partnership coincides with the launch of Highland’s flagship residential project in Mohali, which exemplifies their commitment to bespoke living experiences ~

Chandigarh, February 20: Leading real estate developer Highland and Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings today announced a three-year partnership, with Highland coming on board as an ‘Official Partner’ starting IPL 2025.

The partnership coincides with the launch of Highland’s flagship residential project in Mohali, HIGHLAND MAYFIELDS, which exemplifies their commitment to bespoke living experiences. As a leading developer in Punjab, Highland boasts a diverse portfolio, including pioneering developments such as the first Red Zone-marking industrial city, world-class hospitality experiences with 5-star hotels, and Redefining Acre Living—An Exclusive 50+ Acre Luxury Community for the Select Few.

“We are incredibly excited to partner with Punjab Kings, a team that embodies the same spirit of excellence that drives Highland,” said Mr. Vishal Goyal, MD of Highland. “This partnership goes beyond a mere collaboration; it’s a testament to our shared commitment to enhancing the lives of Punjab’s people. We aim to deliver unparalleled experiences, and this association with Punjab Kings allows us to connect with a vibrant community and cohesively work towards showcasing Punjab’s culture into the world.”

Punjab Kings are set to enter the upcoming IPL season with a revamped squad and a renewed vision, led by Head Coach Ricky Ponting and new captain Shreyas Iyer. This dynamic partnership, aligned with the team’s fresh direction on the field, aims to bring new energy and a modern edge to the team’s identity.

Speaking on the partnership, Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon said, “At the Punjab Kings, we always strive to build deeper, lasting relationships with our partners. We are delighted to welcome Highland and look forward to strengthening our partnership over the next three years. We believe this collaboration will inspire and benefit current and future generations of fans.”

Focusing on innovation and promoting Punjab’s vibrant spirit globally, both brands are geared up for shared growth and success in the upcoming IPL season.

Chandigarh. Punjab Kings have secured a major boost for their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign by signing FREEMANS Tools as their ‘Official Tools Partner’ for the upcoming season. This partnership marks FREEMANS’ commitment to sporting excellence in the region while strengthening Punjab Kings’ preparations for the upcoming IPL season.

Commenting on the partnership, Sahil Nayar, Executive Director at FMI Limited (FREEMANS), said, “We are proud to be the Official Tools Partner of Punjab Kings for the IPL 2025 season. This partnership reflects our deep-rooted commitment to our home state, Punjab, where we introduced our first FREEMANS Measuring Tape in 1950. For us, the moment marks 75 years of manufacturing FREEMANS Tools, with our roots firmly planted where we began. Together, we look forward to an exciting and action-packed season of cricket, celebrating precision, performance, and the spirit of the game!”

Satish Menon, Punjab Kings CEO, added, “On behalf of the entire Punjab Kings family, I welcome on board FREEMANS Tools as our partners for IPL 2025. We look forward to having a great partnership with them that runs for a long time and is accompanied with success and trust.”

FMI Limited is the pioneer and the largest manufacturer of Measuring Tools in the Indian subcontinent. Its product portfolio is marketed under the brand FREEMANS and includes an extensive selection of Hand Tools and Power Tools. Founded in Ludhiana, Punjab in 1950, FREEMANS celebrates its 75th anniversary in the manufacturing sector this year. The company also has a history of successful sports sponsorships across various disciplines.

Punjab Kings have strengthened their squad for IPL 2025, roping in World Cup-winning former Australian captain Ricky Ponting as Head Coach and Shreyas Iyer as the new captain. The team’s core includes IPL’s highest wicket-taker Yuzvendra Chahal, international stars such as Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, etc. and a talented group of young Indian players, positioning the franchise as strong contenders for the trophy.

New Delhi. The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Trophy Tour with DP World continued its scintillating journey across the globe with a stop in India. The prestigious trophy made unforgettable appearances at several iconic locations in Mumbai and Bengaluru, captivating cricket fans and adding a sense of anticipation ahead of the tournament.

The Trophy Tour has covered all eight participating nations during its global journey and, with the conclusion of India leg, it will now travel to its final stop in Pakistan. The tournament is set to take place in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates from February 19 to March 9 and the excitement is already building across the globe.

The Trophy Tour began with a bang in Mumbai, where the trophy visited the city’s most popular spots, including the Wankhede Stadium, Shivaji Park, the Gateway of India, Carter Road, historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Bandstand, and other renowned locations. Fans were treated to the sight of the coveted silverware as it travelled through the vibrant streets of Mumbai, with many eager fans capturing the moment through photos and selfies.

A highlight of the Mumbai leg was the trophy’s presence at the Wankhede Stadium’s 50th anniversary celebration on January 19. The event saw India captain Rohit Sharma posing with the trophy alongside former India captains Dilip Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri, Ajinkya Rahane and ICC Hall of Famers Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and Diana Edulji. 

The Trophy Tour then moved to Bengaluru, where the Nexus Shantiniketan Mall hosted the Trophy Carnival, drawing cricket enthusiasts from across the city.

The trophy continued its journey around the city, visiting some of Bengaluru’s most beloved landmarks, including Bengaluru Palace, Freedom Park, KR Market, Town Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica, M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Church Street, and Vidyarthi Bhavan. Fans in Bengaluru had the opportunity to witness the trophy up close, fuelling excitement for the upcoming tournament.

February 3, 2025: Punjab Kings’ new addition to the squad, Kuldeep Sen, who joined the franchise in the IPL 2025 auction, is excited by the challenge and wants to make the season memorable for himself and the team. 

Sen, a cricket enthusiast since childhood, started playing the sport at the young age of 15. His commitment and grit helped him make his ODI debut for India in 2022. However, during the initial training days, no one in his family except his mother knew he played cricket since his father never liked the sport. 

“No one in my family knew much about cricket. Since I come from a very middle-class family, they did not know much about playing cricket, where one should train, etc. Everybody liked watching cricket, but my father didn’t like it at all. He started watching cricket only after I started playing; otherwise, he wouldn’t be a fan. When I started playing cricket, no one in my family knew about it except my mother,” revealed the right-arm fast bowler. 

Financial constraints only added to Kuldeep’s struggles in the early years; his selection in the Madhya Pradesh team for domestic cricket in 2019 not only garnered his father’s support but also helped him with finances. Since then, he has also made his international debut for India in 2022 against Bangladesh.

Recalling his India call-up moment, Sen said, “I was in NCA when my call for India came. I didn’t know that I was going to be selected. My friend at Rajasthan Royals called me and told me I was selected. I was sleeping at that time and was unaware of my call-up. I couldn’t sleep the night before my match against Bangladesh was scheduled…I was also very excited to play the match. Playing for the country is still the best thing that has happened to me, and I will never forget it.”

Sen is now all set to represent PBKS in IPL this year and revealed that it is even more special since back in 2018, his first-ever IPL trial was for the Kings.

“I was training in Bangalore and was sitting with my friends. I had this gut feeling, even before the auction started, that I would be acquired by Punjab Kings. I told my friends about this as well. I gave my first IPL trial for Punjab Kings only in 2018. So, it was an inside feeling that this year, I would be selected by Punjab. I was excited that I am going to a great team and will have a new experience with the new team,” Kuldeep said while recalling his IPL auction moment. 

Kuldeep will also be reuniting with his Rajasthan Royals teammate Yuzvendra Chahal. He revealed how fun-loving the latter is and will be looking forward to learning from him. 

“I have been with Yuzi bhai for three years. He is a fun and humorous person and makes everybody laugh on the ground and in the hotel. He is a very pure-hearted person. You can talk to him any time, and you get to learn a lot of things. But whenever one meets him, he will try to irritate you for fun,” said Kuldeep.

The 38th edition of the National Games is set to showcase thrilling basketball action in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, as teams from across the country prepare to battle it out on the courts. This year’s tournament promises to deliver intense action, showcasing the finest basketball talent from both the men’s and women’s divisions. 

The Men’s teams have been split into two groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals. Group A consists of a team from the Services and the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand, while Group B consists of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan. 

As for the Women’s draw, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh have been placed in Group A, while Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka will make up for Group B. 

As per the tournament format, each group will follow a round-robin structure. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semifinals, with the ultimate showdown on February 3rd, 2025. 

It will also be to see if if Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi, who emerged as the top three teams in the men’s tournament, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu who dominated the podium in the women’s competition, can repeat glory or will we see new challengers rise to the occasion.

As for the rules, the basketball 5×5 competition will be governed by a set of standard regulations designed to ensure fair play and competitive balance. Each game will be played over four quarters, each lasting 10 minutes, with the clock stopping during timeouts, fouls, and breaks. 

With the final match scheduled for February 1st, the anticipation is building for what promises to be a thrilling competition.

The league is scheduled to take place from February 5-8, at the Nesco Center,  Mumbai

Mumbai. The World Padel League today announced Sohail Khan Entertainment, one of India’s leading entertainment, events and film production & distribution houses as the owner of Team Panthers, ahead of its highly anticipated India debut. Scheduled to take place from February 5-8 at the Nesco Center, Mumbai, the World Padel League will bring together top global padel players together for the first time in India.

Sohail Khan Entertainment boasts of 14 movies under its banner and is known for delivering hits such as ‘Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya’, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?’, ‘Jai Ho’, ‘Freaky Ali’, ‘Partner’ amongst others. The company is also widely known for organising over 1000+ large-scale on-ground events like ‘Filmfare’ and ‘Zee Cine Awards’ in the past. Owners of the ‘Da-Bangg Tour’ with more than 50 shows so far, they are also the part-owners of the Celebrity Cricket League, as also the owners of Team Mumbai Heroes. As part of the World Padel League, the company has further expanded its footprint into the world of sports as they become a part of the rapidly growing affinity for padel in India.

Meteora Developers, Dubai World Padel League, owned by ID Info Business Serviced Ltd. and powered by Maisour, promises to bring world-class padel action to India, at par with global standards. Featuring 32 elite players across 4 teams, the league is poised to raise the bar and set new benchmarks for the sport in India, making WPL ‘The Greatest Show on Court!’.

Talking about WPL, Sohail Khan said, “The growth of padel in India is quite impressive, with several of our industry peers also playing the sport regularly. It’s a sport that fosters a sense of community, and with the World Padel League making its debut in India, it will undoubtedly elevate the sport to a whole new level. Team Panthers has got some exciting talent from across the globe and we are looking forward to a successful edition ahead!”

Extending a welcome to Sohail Khan Entertainment, Hemali Sharma, Director, World Padel League expressed, “It’s a pleasure to have Sohail and team as part of World Padel League’s India debut. His association with the league is a testament to the growing popularity of padel, and we look forward to elevating the sport to new heights in India. We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration presents and can’t wait to bring power-packed courtside action starting February 5!”

World Padel League will follow a single round-robin format, with each team playing against every other team, during the three league stage days. The top two teams will advance to the finals, to be held on February 8.

Tickets for the highly-anticipated World Padel League are now live on District by Zomato.

New Delhi. India’s challenge at the Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2025 came to an end with the men’s doubles combination of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty went down against world no. 2 Nur Izzuddin and Goh Sze Fei of Malaysia in the semifinals of the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 750 event at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall here on Saturday.

The Indian combination, making a comeback of sorts on the BWF circuit following an injury to Satwik, made a strong start against the Malaysian but struggled to counter the game plan of their opponent at the back end of both games and lost 21-18, 21-14 in 37 minutes.

The third seeds will now face Malaysia Open champions Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae of Korea, who defeated fifth seeds Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia 22-20, 21-19.

On Sunday, Olympic champion An Se Young of South Korea will take on Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong in the women’s singles final while the French combination of Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue will aim to clinch their first Super 750 crown against second seeds Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin of China.

The women’s doubles final will be played between eighth seeds Kim Hye Jeong and Kong Hee Yong of South Korea and Japan’s Arisa Igarashi and Ayako Sakuramoto.

The KD Jadhav Indoor Hall was packed to the brim in anticipation of another strong showing by Satwik and Chirag. The world no. 9 combination, who had reached the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open Super 1000 last week, started strong and it looked like they were in control of the opening game as they led 15-12. But Goh and Izzuddin began pressing the home favourites at the net and errors started to creep in.

Goh and Izzuddin clinched seven straight points from there on and a smash error from Satwik handed the Malaysians the first game.

In the second game, the Indians lost eight of the first 10 points before a series of five consecutive points brought them back in the match. However, Goh and Izzuddin were quick in attacking the Indians’ serve and scored quite a few quick points to put them under pressure and ensured that the 2022 Asian Games gold medallists could not make a comeback by relying on their big smashes.

“I think we should have closed down in the first game but credit to them they were really good in the service situations, which we didn’t really expect because probably we didn’t prepare for it. Having said that, we should have been little more calmer,” said Chirag.

Earlier, in the women’s singles semi-final, Pornpawee Chocuwong came back from the brink to beat Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki of Japan 11-21, 24-22, 21-19 while top seed An Se Young was made to work hard for her 21-19, 21-16.

Chochuwong looked down and out while trailing 14-19 in the second game, having lost the opener rather tamely. But she kept pushing herself to retrieve every attacking stroke Miyazaki played to close the gap within a point. She then saved three match points, forcing the Japanese to commit errors at the end of long rallies to force a decider.

In the decider, the Thailand shuttler was the more composed competitor among the two. She was patient on crucial points and that made the ultimate difference in a match that lasted an hour and 13 minutes.

Results:

Men’s doubles:
Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae (Kor) bt 5-Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik (Mas) 22-20, 21-19; 3-Nur Izzuddin/Goh Sze Fei (Mas) bt 7-Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty (Ind) 21-18, 21-14

Women’s singles:
8-Pornpawee Chochuwong (Tha) bt 6-Tomoka Miyazaki (Jpn) 11-21, 24-22, 21-19; 1-An Se Young (Kor) bt 4-Gregoria Mariska Tunjung 21-19, 21-16

Women’s doubles:
8-Kim Hye Jeong/ Kong Hee Yong (Kor) bt 3-Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan (Mas) 21-18, 21-18; Arisa Igarashi/ Ayako Sakuramoto (Jpn) bt 4-Li Yi Jing/Luo Xu Min (Chn) 18-21, 21-13, 21-17

Mixed doubles:
Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue (Fra) bt 3-Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei (Mas) 21-17, 21-15; 2-Jiang Zhen Bang/ Wei Ya Xin (Chn) bt 4-Goh Soon Haut/Lai Shevon Jemie (Mas) 18-21, 21-19, 21-9

नई दिल्ली. भारतीय महिला खो खो टीम ने शनिवार को इंदिरा गांधी इंडोर स्टेडियम में पहले खो खो विश्व कप 2025 के सेमीफाइनल में दक्षिण अफ्रीका को 66-16 से हराकर एक बार फिर अपनी सामरिक क्षमता का परिचय दिया। ब्लू में महिलाओं ने अटैक और डिफेंस दोनों में शानदार प्रदर्शन किया, जिससे नेपाल के साथ रोमांचक फाइनल मुकाबला तय हो गया।

ब्लू जर्सी में महिलाओं ने चैथरा बी के ड्रीम रन के साथ शानदार शुरुआत की, जो नाजिया बीबी और निर्मला भाटी के डिफेंडरों द्वारा पकड़े जाने के बाद भी जारी रही। उन्होंने दक्षिण अफ्रीका की सिनेथेम्बा मोसिया द्वारा बाहर किए जाने से पहले अकेले ही 5 अंक बनाए। यह उन्हें टर्न 1 के अंत में दक्षिण अफ्रीका के 8 अंकों के करीब ले जाने के लिए पर्याप्त था, जिससे उन्हें मैच की शानदार शुरुआत मिली।

टर्न 2 में रेशमा ने पूरे फॉर्म में खेल दिखाया। भारतीय महिलाओं ने दक्षिण अफ्रीकी खिलाड़ियों को कई बैचों में आउट किया और महत्वपूर्ण अंक अर्जित किए। यह टीम के लिए महत्वपूर्ण साबित हुआ, क्योंकि स्कोर ब्लू जर्सी में भारतीय महिलाओं के पक्ष में 33-10 था।

भारतीय महिला टीम के लिए अपने दूसरे मैच में ड्रीम रन टर्न 3 के अंत में आया। इस दौरान वैष्णवी पोवार, नसरीन शेख और भीलरदेवी ने 5 मिनट तक अच्छा खेल दिखाया। उनके 5 अंक तीसरे टर्न के प्रतीक थे, क्योंकि स्कोर 38-16 था, जिससे उन्हें सेमीफाइनल मुकाबले के अंतिम 7 मिनट में एक मजबूत मंच मिला।

टर्न 4 में दक्षिण अफ्रीकी खिलाड़ियों के लिए सबसे लंबा बैच सिर्फ 1 मिनट और 45 सेकंड तक चला, जिससे भारतीयों ने फाइनल में अपनी जगह पक्की कर ली। नसरीन शेख और रेशमा राठौड़ ने टीम को जीत दिलाई और अंतिम स्कोर 66-16 रहा।

भारतीय टीम रविवार 19 जनवरी को इंदिरा गांधी इंडोर स्टेडियम में फाइनल में नेपाल से भिड़ेगी।

इससे पहले नेपाल की महिलाओं ने सेमीफाइनल मुकाबले में युगांडा को 89-18 से हराकर खो-खो विश्व कप 2025 के महिला वर्ग के फाइनल के लिए क्वालीफाई कर लिया।

मैच पुरस्कार

मैच का सर्वश्रेष्ठ अटैकर: सिनेथेम्बा मोसिया (टीम साउथ अफ्रीका)

मैच का सर्वश्रेष्ठ डिफेंडर: निर्मला भाटी (टीम इंडिया)

मैच का सर्वश्रेष्ठ खिलाड़ी: वैष्णवी पवार (टीम इंडिया)