Sports

New Delhi, April 3 (IANS) Punjab FC came from behind with two quick goals early in the second half to defeat Mohammedan Sporting Club 2-1 in the Indian Super League 2025-26 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Friday. The victory saw Punjab FC climb to fifth in the standings with 11 points, while Mohammedan remain pointless at the bottom. The Shers captain, Dani Ramírez, was named the Player of the Match.

Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis made two changes to his side, bringing in Bede Amarachi Osuji and Suresh Meitei. Mohammedan SC head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo made six changes following their previous outing, introducing Yash Chickro, Makan Winkle Chothe, Zodingliana, Hira Mondal, Lalremsanga Fanai, and Israfil Dewan.

Punjab made a positive start at home, creating early chances. Striker Nsungusi Jr struck the crossbar in the seventh minute, while left back Muhammed Uvais headed narrowly over soon after from winger Manglenthang Kipgen's delivery.

Despite the early pressure from the hosts, Mohammedan took the lead against the run of play in the 29th minute. A long through ball from right back Hira Mondal released Lalremsanga Fanai, who finished calmly from the right side of the box into the far post to put the visitors 1-0 ahead.

The Shers continued to push for an equaliser before the break, with Dani Ramírez and Nsungusi Jr both going close. Center back Suresh Meitei came closest in the 45th minute with a powerful long-range effort that rattled the crossbar before bouncing on the line, as the hosts went into halftime trailing by a goal.

Dilmperis made two changes at the start of the second half, introducing Muhammad Suhail and Pramveer, and the impact was immediate.

Just two minutes after the restart, Pramveer switched play brilliantly to Ramírez, whose cross into the box was controlled by Samir Zeljković before being laid off to Nsungusi Jr. The striker finished calmly with his left foot to bring Punjab level at 1-1.

The hosts completed the turnaround in the 52nd minute. Ricky Shabong delivered a long ball into the box for Osuji, who squared it across goal for arriving Ramírez to finish first time into an empty net and give Punjab a 2-1 lead.

Punjab looked to extend their advantage, with Nsungusi Jr and Ramírez both threatening in the final third. Nsungusi Jr forced a save from Mohammedan keeper Padam Chettri in the 85th minute, while Ramírez fired narrowly over soon after.

Mohammedan pushed forward in the closing stages in search of an equaliser but lacked the cutting edge in the final third. The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 victory for Punjab FC, as they secured all three points with a strong second-half comeback.

--IANS

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Raipur (Chhattisgarh), April 3 (IANS) Karnataka were crowned the overall champions, claiming 23 gold, along with 8 silver and 7 bronze medals, as the inaugural edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 concluded in Raipur on Friday.

Odisha finished second with 21 gold, 15 silver, and 21 bronze medals. Odisha were the only contingent to cross a half century of medals, finishing with 57 medals. Jharkhand were third with 16 gold, 8 silver, and 11 bronze.

Chhattisgarh finished ninth on the medals tally with 3 gold, 10 silver, and 6 bronze medals.

Praising Chhattisgarh players for their impressive performance in the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG), Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced cash prizes for all the medallists and even promised a financial windfall for anyone making it to the Olympics.

“The individual gold medallists will receive a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh each, Rs 1.5 lakh for silver, and Rs 1 lakh for bronze. The medallists in the team championships will get Rs 1 lakh, Rs 75,000, and Rs 50,000 for gold, silver, and bronze respectively,” the Chief Minister announced at the colourful closing ceremony of KITG at the Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay auditorium here on Friday.

Siddharth Nagesh (men’s shot put), Nikita (weightlifting), and the women’s football team clinched the gold medal for the hosts, with their men’s football team signing off the campaign with a silver after losing the final 0-1 against West Bengal on Friday.

In all, 30 States and Union Territories participated in the inaugural edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) that witnessed close to 3800 participants compete in nine sports disciplines. A whopping 106 gold medals were on offer across archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling, while traditional sports like mallakhamb and kabaddi were demonstration sports.

Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, who also holds the Sports Ministry portfolio, lauded the Sports Authority of India and the state sports department for the successful conduct of the Games and insisted that the next edition would be held on a much bigger scale.

“This is the first time that Games of this stature were held in Chhattisgarh, and I must congratulate SAI, the sports department, and everyone associated with conducting these Games for their hard work and commitment to making these Games a grand success. I also promise that the next edition of the Games will be organised on a much bigger scale and Chhattisgarh will set a benchmark for everyone to follow,” he added.

The 10-day sporting extravaganza was held across three cities in Chhattisgarh, and overall champions Karnataka led the medals tally from the opening day as they dominated the swimming events, winning 15 gold, 5 silver, and 3 bronze medals. They added 5 gold in athletics and three tin wrestling to ensure that neither Odisha nor Jharkhand could catch up with them.

Karnataka’s Manikanta L was the most successful athlete of the Games with eight gold medals and one silver, while his teammate Dhoneesh N. bagged five gold and a silver for his effort in the swimming competition. Among the women’s competitors, Odisha swimmer Anjali Munda clinched five gold medals while Meghanjali of Karnataka finished with four gold and two bronze medals.

Odisha were the only contingent to have won at least one gold medal in all six sports disciplines, including eight in athletics and seven in swimming. Jharkhand, on the other hand, bagged nine gold medals in athletics, four in wrestling, and three in archery, apart from winning at least one medal in the other three disciplines.

Apart from football, there were four gold medals on offer in archery on the final day, and it was clear that Odisha, which was three behind Karnataka on the gold medal count after the penultimate day’s action, had no chance of catching up, as they could have won not more than two gold medals on the archery field.

Arjun Khara bagged one of them in recurve men’s individual beating statemate Somanatha Hembram in the final, but the men’s team went down against Jharkhand 4-6 in the final.

Komalika Bari then added another gold to Jharkhand’s tally when she defeated Gujarat’s Bhargavi Bhagora in the individual final. Nagaland took home the women’s team gold, beating Jharkhand to finish in 14th position with 2 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals.

A total of 25 states and Union Territories found a place on the medals tally, with 20 of them winning at least one gold medal, highlighting the broad talent pool across the country. Maharashtra finished fourth with 6 gold, 10 silver, and 4 bronze, while Arunachal Pradesh completed the top five with 6 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronze medals.

RESULTS

ARCHERY

Women

Recurve Individual: Gold – Komalika Bari (Jharkhand); Silver – Bhargavi Bhagora (Gujarat); Bronze – Ruovinuo Theunuo (Nagaland)

Recurve Team: Gold – Nagaland; Silver – Jharkhand; Bronze – Madhya Pradesh

Men

Recurve Individual: Gold – Arjun Khara (Odisha); Silver – Somanath Hembram (Odisha); Bronze – Pavan Parmar (Madhya Pradesh)

Recurve Team: Gold – Jharkhand; Silver – Odisha; Bronze – Meghalaya

FOOTBALL

Men: Gold – West Bengal; Silver – Chhattisgarh; Bronze – Arunachal Pradesh, Goa

--IANS

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Patna, April 3 (IANS) A thrilling and historic contest unfolded at the grand ‘Mahadangal’ wrestling tournament held in Nadwa village under Barh, at the ancestral residence of Mokama MLA Anant Kumar Singh on Friday.​

The event drew a massive crowd and turned into a celebration of traditional wrestling with an international touch.​

The highlight of the tournament was an electrifying bout between India and Iran.​

Delhi-based wrestler Jonty Gurjar took on Iran’s renowned wrestler Halal in a high-intensity contest that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.​

From the very beginning, both wrestlers displayed immense strength and skill, engaging in a closely fought contest.​

However, Jonty Gurjar’s agility, technique, and tactical superiority ultimately proved decisive, as he pinned his Iranian opponent to the ground and secured a decisive victory.​

The triumph was celebrated not just as a personal win but as a moment of pride for the nation, with the crowd cheering loudly as the Indian wrestler brought glory to the Tricolour.​

At the conclusion of the event, Anant Kumar Singh and Karmveer Singh honoured the winner by presenting him with the Winner’s Cup.​

Addressing the gathering, Anant Singh emphasised the importance of promoting rural sports and nurturing talent at the grassroots level.​

The Iranian wrestler was also appreciated for his sportsmanship, reflecting the spirit of international competition.​

Adding a cultural flair to the event, Anant Singh entertained the crowd by waving his traditional gamcha to the beat of a song by renowned Bhojpuri singer Gunjan Singh, drawing cheers and applause.​

The Mahadangal not only showcased sporting excellence but also highlighted the vibrant rural sporting culture of Bihar, inspiring youth and reinforcing the importance of traditional games.​

Anant Singh was recently released on bail in a Duralchand Yadav murder case. His bail was granted by the Patna High Court.​

The court has also directed Anant Singh to cooperate with the investigating officers in the case and to appear before the court at every hearing.​

--IANS

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Mumbai, April 3 (IANS) Cameron Green's unavailability to bowl for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) because of workload management imposed by Cricket Australia is blowing up into a big controversy in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, with many former India players commenting on this issue.

After KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane and former India opener Wasim Jaffer, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on the issue, advising KKR to consider bringing in another specialist to make up for the imbalance in the squad.

Green, who was signed for Rs 25.20 crore for his all-round capabilities, has yet to bowl in the tournament, including in the opening clash against the Mumbai Indians (MI), where his side conceded a hefty 221 runs, and their second match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where they conceded 226 runs. His limited role has sparked debate over team balance and utilisation.

Speaking on Star Sports’ ‘Amul Cricket Live’, JioStar experts Sunil Gavaskar discussed Green’s role in the team and said they should consider recruiting a specialist to make up for the loss.

“KKR will need to think about their combination if Cameron Green is not going to bowl. If he isn’t contributing with the ball, then they might have to consider bringing in another specialist batter. We know he has scored a hundred in the IPL and that he can bat well, but his form hasn’t been great recently.

"Yes, he scored a hundred in a red-ball game in Australia not long ago, but this is where the team needs to look closely at the numbers. Green at No. 4 is fine, but the bigger concern seems to be the No. 5 and No. 6 positions, where they appear to be struggling a bit,” said Gavaskar.

Jaffer took to X to voice his opinion on the matter, stressing that franchises should have full control over how players are used once they are part of a privately run competition.

“Cam Green not bowling is unfair for KKR. Once you’re playing in a private league, it shouldn’t be your country that decides what you can and cannot do during that league. If that’s the case, you might as well not play. Teams pay huge amounts to acquire players with certain skill sets, and not using one of the skill sets, not because of injury, but because of workload management, is unfair to the franchise,” he wrote.

Earlier, speaking after the Mumbai match, captain Ajinkya Rahane suggested that decisions regarding Green’s bowling were influenced by Cricket Australia, indicating that the matter was not entirely in the team’s hands.

Cricket Australia later confirmed that Green’s workload is being carefully managed due to a lower back concern, with the franchise reportedly informed about the restriction ahead of the tournament.

Despite not bowling in matches so far, Green has been seen bowling during practice sessions, hinting at a possible return to full all-round duties as his recovery progresses.

Green's outing with the bat has also not been up to the mark in the ongoing season. He scored just 18 runs in KKR's first match against Mumbai and got run out at a crucial time against SRH after scoring only two runs. Due to his poor batting, KKR has lost both matches and currently sit in ninth position in the points table.

--IANS

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Chennai, April 3 (IANS) Youngster Ayush Mhatre played a sensational knock of 73 off 43 deliveries while Sarfaraz Khan (32 off 12) and Shivam Dube (45 off 27*) played late cameos to guide Chennai Super Kings to 209/5 in 20 overs against Punjab Kings in the seventh match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday.

Chennai Super Kings’ innings started with a mix of early troubles and bold counterattacks. Ayush Mhatre stepped up to boost the score, even as the team lost key wickets during the Power-play. The atmosphere on the ground became tense when Sanju Samson (7), one of CSK’s star players, went out cheaply once more. Fans expected him to deliver strong starts, but he continued to struggle against the moving ball this season. Xavier Bartlett delivered a challenging outswinger that caught a thick outside edge, which the wicketkeeper easily caught. Samson has usually succeeded by standing tall and hitting through the line when the ball comes straight at him. However, even slight lateral movement has revealed a weakness, leading to yet another single-digit score.

At the opposite end of the wicket, Ayush showed his commitment to shifting the momentum; he had spent a great deal of time hitting the pull shot before the game and clearly displayed that he was confident against the short balls that he received early on in his innings. Not only were his early boundaries a result of instinct, but they were all well-constructed plans; even after Mhatre hit his first boundary off a full-length delivery over mid-on, he was able to force the bowlers to adjust their lengths and then used a controlled swivel pull shot to punish the opponent's efforts. That tactical awareness helped him race to 29 off 19, capitalising on pace while the field was up.

Mhatre’s promotion from the IPL to CSK has been well documented. His ability with 22 deliveries before this match gives him a limited amount of experience against spinners. He continued his aggressive batting through the first nine overs, posting 59 runs from 32 balls with four boundaries and five sixes. Many of his runs came from boundaries, while he smashed several sixes off pace bowlers.

While Mhatre produced these great runs, Ruturaj Gaikwad struggled to match his pace. His 28 runs from 22 balls of play were produced at a time when the game needed to speed up, and when he was dismissed, he had no choice but to either push on with his innings or get dismissed. Ruturaj finished the game with only 8 runs off his last 5 balls while batting in an important area of the innings.

Mhatre continued to control the game after the Power-play. He utilised the wide yorker strategy to his advantage. As Vyshak targeted his wide line, Mhatre quickly produced solutions — first with a single on the wide line before expertly placing the second wide delivery for a boundary through the backward point. Mhatre demonstrated excellent batting and adjusted his game in the moment.

With Shivam Dube walking in to loud chants and CSK reaching 94 for 1 after nine overs, the platform was set.

Ayush Mhatre’s dismissal was a major turning point in CSK’s innings. It showed how much scoring responsibility he had taken on. When he left the field, Mhatre had scored 73 runs out of the team's total of 123, which was almost 60% of the runs. In comparison, the rest of the batting lineup struggled. They managed just 38 runs off 32 balls, while 12 runs came from extras. Losing Mhatre not only halted their momentum but also revealed CSK’s heavy dependence on a single batter to lead the innings.

In between the 12th and 14th overs, there was a remarkable run of events that allowed Punjab Kings to claw their way back in the match. They took wickets consistently while giving up many extras and having very few scoring shots, thereby weakening the run-scoring and reversing the momentum.

Sarfaraz Khan provided a much-needed spark with an impressive performance. He showed his unique talent with a series of skilful dabs and bold ramps, particularly against Arshdeep Singh. While Shivam Dube struggled to find his rhythm at the other end, Sarfaraz kept the score moving, hitting 32 runs off just 12 balls at a strike rate of 266. His swift innings, filled with smart improvisation against both short balls and yorkers, temporarily boosted CSK until Vyshak ended his innings in the 17th over.

Dube provided the brief, late came playing a fiery knock of 45 off 27 deliveries as CSK reached 209/5 in their respective 20 overs. The total also marked a significant return to high-scoring ways at Chepauk, with CSK crossing the 200 mark at home for the first time since April 2024 against SRH, taking their tally to 15 such totals at the venue. However, with Punjab Kings boasting a long and dangerous batting line-up and a proven record in chasing big targets, the contest remains finely poised.

For PBKS, Vyshak Vijaykumar took two wickets as Chahal, Bartlett, and Jansen picked a wicket each.

Brief scores:

Chennai Super Kings 209/5 in 20 overs (Ayush Mhatre 73, Shivam Dube 45 not out; Vyshak Vijaykumar 2-38, Yuzvendra Chahal1-21) against Punjab Kings

--IANS

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Raipur, April 3 (IANS) Six-time World Championship medallist Mary Kom and former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia underlined the importance of grassroots investment and structured development pathways while addressing reporters at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Raipur on Friday.

For creating future champions, both the legendary sportspersons maintained that Indian families need to discourage children from indulging in more screen time and rather send them to playgrounds to experience various sports.

Bhutia, one of Indian football’s most iconic figures, stressed that while initiatives like Khelo India Tribal Games (KIBG) are a strong starting point, long-term success hinges on strengthening the foundation of sport in the country. Reflecting on his own journey, he pointed to the role played by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in nurturing young athletes at a time when sporting infrastructure was still evolving.

“I have been a SAI product since the first batch of SAI products in 1986. Investing in the grassroots level is the need, but we tend to overlook that and only focus on the top level,” Bhutia said, emphasising the need for sustained attention at the base of the sporting pyramid.

He pointed out that talent exists in abundance, particularly in tribal regions, but requires the right ecosystem to flourish.

“Tribal communities naturally have immense sporting talent, and we've seen this very clearly, particularly from the Northeast, where so many athletes have represented India brilliantly and brought us to the world stage. Giving young people a platform is very important. I feel that in the future, many more people from tribal communities will come through, and this is just the beginning. In the years to come, we will see a lot more talent emerging from tribal backgrounds,” he said.

Bhutia also reflected on how environment and access play a defining role in shaping athletes, recalling his own early days.

“See, when I talk about where I come from, I always say this everywhere, when you're from the Northeast, you do two things: football or music. That was my environment. Growing up, no other sport was played by the other kids around me. Football was the culture in Sikkim, in every village, every town.”

Echoing his views, Mary Kom praised the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) as a transformative initiative that can bridge long-standing gaps in access and awareness.

“First of all, I want to congratulate the Chhattisgarh Government. The Khelo India Tribal Games began here in Chhattisgarh, and I'm very happy about it. I was invited to support this initiative, and I do so wholeheartedly because our tribal communities have enormous potential. In earlier times, they didn't get platforms like this, and there wasn't enough awareness either. That's perhaps why many talented children couldn't advance further,” the 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist boxer said.

The star boxer from Manipur also highlighted how government-backed programmes have begun to change the landscape. “But today, thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji's Khelo India and Fit India programmes, children are slowly taking the initiative, participating, and representing the country. This is a tremendous thing for India's sporting future,” she said.

Mary Kom reiterated that while opportunities have improved, discipline and perseverance remain key to success, urging young athletes to maximise the support now available.

--IANS

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Mumbai, April 3 (IANS) Shriram Mhasane surged into the sole lead with an impressive 6.5 points after Round 7 of the All India Chess Masters (Season 3), underway at the Mumbai Chess Centre, Pedder Road in Mumbai on Friday. Mhasane’s crucial victory over Arjun Singh helped him break away from the chasing pack, giving him a clear edge heading into the final round of the tournament.

On the top board, Rajveer Nahar held Shreyansh Somaiya to a draw in a tightly contested encounter, with both players moving to 5.5 points and remaining within striking distance of the leader.

In other key results, Deepak R. Soni scored an important win over Amogh Bhatavadekar, while Nikhil Shelar defeated Pankaj Borse, and Mohsin Yunus Shaikh overcame Prisha Margaj to stay in contention.

Tanuj Dayal drew with Aashrita Balaji Guttula, while Palaash Mapara bounced back strongly with a win against Ekaansh Sharma, keeping his chances alive going into the final round.

With one round remaining, Mhasane holds a slender but significant lead, while a strong chasing pack ensures that the title race is still wide open and promises a thrilling finish.

Overnight sole leader Palaash Mapara (5 points) saw his winning run come to a grinding halt as he suffered a defeat against Shreyansh Somaiya (5.5 points) in a Round-6 match of the All India Chess Masters (Season 3) Mumbai FIDE Classical Tournament 2026. Playing on the top board with white pieces, Palaash was unable to counter Shreyansh's clever tactical manoeuvres and suffered his first loss at the Mumbai Chess Centre, Pedder Road, on Thursday.

Results – Round 7 (Top Boards):

Shreyansh Somaiya (5½) drew with Rajveer Nahar (5½) — ½-½

Shriram Mhasane (6½) beat Arjun Singh (5) — 1-0

Tanuj Dayal (5) drew with Aashrita Balaji Guttula (5) — ½-½

Deepak R Soni (5) beat Amogh Bhatavadekar (5) — 1-0

Pankaj Borse (5) lost to Nikhil Shelar (5) — 0-1

Prisha Margaj (5) lost to Mohsin Yunus Shaikh (5) — 0-1

Ekaansh Sharma (5) lost to Palaash Mapara (5) — 0-1

AFM Sohum Pawar (4½) beat Ishan Hemant Jathan (4½) — 1-0

AFM Omkar Gaikwad (4½) drew with Pratik Yadnik (4½) — ½-½

Ivaan Patel (4½) drew with Anay Banka (4½) — ½-½

--IANS

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Jagdalpur, April 3 (IANS) Less than 48 hours after writing her Class 12 board examinations, the 17-year-old Alish Ekka found herself on the podium with a silver medal around her neck at the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 in Chhattisgarh. For the teenager from a nondescript Santoshpur village in Odisha’s Sundargarh district, the feat was a fitting tribute to her mother’s sacrifices and a reward for a bold decision to switch from hockey to race walking less than two years ago.

Born to a former hockey player, Pramila Ekka, who once played at the state level before giving it up because of financial constraints and family responsibilities, Alish grew up chasing a dream to represent India as a striker.

However, limited opportunities in team sports made her rethink her sporting journey. After speaking with coaches at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium, located about 15 kilometres from her village, Alish decided to switch to race walking.

Over the past two years, Alish has balanced intense training with her studies, often travelling long distances to train while preparing for her board exams. On Wednesday, her hard work eventually paid off when she clocked 1:04.59 to win the silver medal in the women’s 10,000 metres race walk at the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 in Jagdalpur.

“Initially, it was very difficult because I had never done a race walk before. But my coach told me that if I worked hard, I could do well in this event. I trusted him and decided to give it my best,” the 17-year-old Alish told SAI Media.

The timing of the achievement made it even more special. Alish had completed her Class 12 board examinations just a day before leaving for the Games. Within the next 48 hours, she was celebrating her first national-level medal. “I didn’t have much time to prepare for the KITG. I finished my exams and came here thinking I would just give my best. When I crossed the finish line and realised I had won a medal, it felt unbelievable,” she said with a smile.

Behind that quiet smile lies the story of her mother’s sacrifices. Pramila is the sole breadwinner of the family of four and works at a jewellery store, earning about Rs 5,000 a month. Despite the modest income, she carefully manages the household while making sure that Alish and her younger brother, who studies in Class 3, get the support they need.

“My mother gave up her sporting dreams due to many problems, mostly financial. Growing up, I have seen how hard she works to run the family. Recently, she had some issues with her vision and needed a new pair of glasses, but she hesitated spending on a new pair of glasses, as it could hamper the monthly budget.

“She never complains and only encourages me to do well in whatever sport I play. This medal is a reflection of her sacrifices,” added an emotional Alish.

--IANS

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Raipur, April 3 (IANS) The maiden, inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, hosted by Chhattisgarh, concluded on Friday on a high note with Karnataka emerging as the overall champion.​

The multi-sport event, aimed at unearthing hidden talent from tribal and remote areas of the country, witnessed enthusiastic participation and several outstanding performances.​

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, while congratulating the participating athletes, made a significant announcement to boost sports in the state. ​

He declared that from the next edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games, the Chhattisgarh government will award cash prizes to gold (Rs 2 lakh), silver (Rs 1.50 lakh), and bronze (Rs 1 lakh) medal winners in the individual category, while teams will be given Rs 1 lakh for gold, Rs 75,000 for silver, and Rs 50,000 for bronze medal winners. ​

This move is expected to further motivate tribal youth to pursue sports seriously and bring more laurels to the state.​

Karnataka dominated the medal tally with a commanding performance. At the time of the latest updates, the top positions were as follows:​

Karnataka: 21 Gold, 6 Silver, 5 Bronze (Leading the table); Odisha: 9 Gold, 4 Silver, 10 Bronze (Second position); Arunachal Pradesh: Strong showing with multiple golds.​

Chhattisgarh (Host): Secured its best-ever performance with 3 Gold, 9 Silver, and 6 Bronze (Total 18 medals), finishing in the top 10.​

Notable highlights for the host state included: Weightlifter Nikita winning Chhattisgarh’s first gold in the women’s 77kg category; Swimmer Anushka Bhagat consistently winning multiple silver medals.​

The women’s football team defeated Jharkhand 1-0 to claim gold; Bronze medals in men’s hockey and several athletics and swimming events.​

The Games featured disciplines such as athletics, swimming, weightlifting, wrestling, archery, football, and hockey. ​

Thousands of tribal athletes from across India competed, making the event a grand celebration of tribal sports talent.​

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the successful hosting of the Games has put Chhattisgarh on the national sports map.​

He praised the athletes for their dedication and assured full government support for sports infrastructure and talent nurturing in the state.​

The announcement of cash incentives from the next edition has been widely welcomed by sports enthusiasts and is seen as a major boost for tribal sports development in Chhattisgarh.​

--IANS

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Bengaluru, April 3 (IANS) The Blues will look to continue their winning run when they travel to Fatorda to take on an unbeaten FC Goa side in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday.

When both teams met here during the league stage, the hosts handed the Blues their first defeat of the 24/25 season. This time around, the Gaurs, after being the only undefeated side in this truncated season so far, sit one place below the visitors on the table in sixth.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC, who have been on a solid run of three wins in a row, will look to extend their performance, with forwards Ryan Williams and Ashique Kuruniyan in top form after performing brilliantly in the international break for the Senior Men’s Team, who beat Hong Kong 2-1 in Kochi on Tuesday, as the former opened his account for the Blue Tigers on debut.

The Blues will have their task cut out on Sunday as they come up against a very robust backline with Sandesh Jhingan and Pol Moreno holding things down the middle at the back, while Aakash Sangwan and Boris Singh Thangjam take care of defences down the flanks. FC Goa, along with Mohun Bagan Super Giant, are the only two teams to have conceded the least number of goals so far (3) this season.

“Ryan and Ashique have been solid for us so far. Ryan’s just had a great debut with India, and Ashique has played and won the League with MBSG. The staff and the players here have pushed to bring the best out of him,” said Renedy Singh, the BFC Head Coach.

The hosts, on the other hand, will look to build upon their spotless record so far this season and carry forward their momentum going into the second half of the League. Their star player of the season, Dejan Drazic, will have to be alert and on his guard as he looks to navigate this stubborn Bengaluru defence led by Rahul Bheke. The Blues have conceded only five times this season so far.

This one’s going to be a tussle in the beach city on Saturday, as both teams have prepared well over the break to be in good shape for a match that could define the season for both teams going forward.

“The coach has actually given me a lot of freedom, which I think is very important for a player like me, to not feel a lot of nerves and to be able to express myself on the pitch. It has been very helpful, and I can play with confidence,” said midfielder Soham Varshneya when asked about his role in the squad.

--IANS

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