India drawn with Thailand, Kuwait, Lebanon in AFC Beach Soccer 2025

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Kuala Lumpur, Dec 19 (IANS) India were drawn against hosts Thailand, Kuwait and Lebanon in Group A of the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2025. The draw, which saw 16 teams divided into four groups of four, was held at the AFC House here on Thursday.

India will participate in the tournament after 18 years, having last featured at the 2007 Asian Beach Soccer Championship in the UAE. The Indian national beach soccer team will be active for the first time since the 2008 Asian Beach Games in Indonesia.

Set to be hosted by Thailand for a third time, the 11th edition of the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup will take place at Jomtien Beach in Pattaya from March 20 to 30, 2025.

The 16 teams were seeded into four pots based on their final ranking from the 2023 tournament, where applicable, with Thailand seeded first as the host association.

Thailand and Kuwait were quarterfinalists in the 2023 edition, while Lebanon were eliminated in the group stage.

The top two finishers from each group will move into the quarterfinals. Qualification to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup is also on offer – the top three teams will fill the three berths allocated to the AFC for the 2025 edition in the Seychelles.

AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2025 Draw Result

Group A: Thailand, Kuwait, Lebanon, India

Group B: Japan, China PR, Saudi Arabia, Iraq

Group C: Iran, UAE, Afghanistan, Indonesia

Group D: Oman, Bahrain, Malaysia, Vietnam

–IANS

hs/bc

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Gukesh etches India’s name in golden letters in chess history: AICF

New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) The All India Chess Federation (AICF) president Nitin Narang lauded D. Gukesh on becoming the youngest World Chess Champion and said it is not just a personal milestone but the feat has also etched India’s name in golden letters in the history of chess.

Gukesh scripted history on Thursday after beating Ding Liren of China in the 14-game World Chess Championship final in Singapore. The 18-year-old from Chennai capitalised on a blunder by Ding in the winner-takes-all 14th game to dethrone the reigning champion, winning the match 7.5 to 6.5 to become only the second Indian, after five-time champion Viswanathan Anand, to win the World Chess Championship.

Congratulating Gukesh over his historic performance, AICF president Nitin Narang said, “Gukesh’s victory is not just a milestone in his career but also etches India’s name in golden letters in the history of chess. Throughout the tournament, he displayed remarkable focus and patience, which is truly inspiring. Gukesh has emerged as a role model for today’s youth.”

Narang further said that Gukesh deserves to be called the Crown Prince of Chess.

“Gukesh’s victory has established beyond a shadow of doubt that India is the king of chess. I congratulate Gukesh, his coaches, his family, and everyone else who stood by his side during his journey from a chess prodigy to a world champion,” he said.

At 18, Gukesh has shattered barriers and surpassed Garry Kasparov’s record to become the youngest-ever World Chess Champion.

AICF Secretary Dev A Patel said Gukesh has emerged as a symbol of hope and aspiration for millions of youngsters who are drawn to the game of chess.

“Gukesh’s victory will help the AICF in taking chess to tens of thousands of schools across the country. The AICF already has a ‘chess in school’ program in motion where hundreds of coaches have been roped in to popularise the game among the young generation,” he added.

AICF treasurer Dharmendra Kumar pointed out that AICF is continuously bolstering and building chess and its ecosystem in India, which is evident from the success Indian players have secured in international competitions.

Gukesh will wear the world crown 11 years after Vishwanathan Anand was dethroned in the 2013 World Chess Championship. Incidentally, Gukesh’s triumph was bolstered by the mentorship of GM Anand and his WestBridge Anand Chess Academy.

–IANS

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