‘A huge moment for Indian sports,’ says Sports Minister Dr Mandaviya as Ahmedabad recommended to host 2030 CWG

New Delhi, May 26 (IANS) Indian archers Olympian Dhiraj Bommedevara and Asian Games gold medallist Jyothi Surekha Vennam praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sports schemes and reforms, which led to a seismic shift in the country’s sporting ecosystem, noting that athletes and federations no longer have to beg the system for world-class equipment, foreign exposure, or monetary support.

Dhiraj, who will represent India at the Asian Games 2026 in the recurve category, has received overall support of approximately Rs 66.28 lakh so far in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle through TOPS. Jyoth, who is part of the TOPS core group, has meanwhile received close to Rs 24.56 lakh in support so far.

During the press conference facilitated by the Sports Authority of India, both archers were asked about their views on PM Modi completing 12 years in office and the changes brought to Indian sports during his tenure.

To this, Dhiraj told IANS, “I honestly feel that the government’s support is increasing. The biggest change I have seen is that earlier, whether it was the athletes or the federation, we had to approach the system and say, ‘If we want to be at the top of the world, we need this.’ But now, the system comes to us and asks, ‘What do you need to be at the top?”

Earlier this year, a foreign training camp in Mexico was organised from March 26 to April 5 ahead of the Archery World Cup Stage 1 under NTPC CSR support at a total cost of Rs 57.42 lakh. The exposure camp featured several top Indian archers, including Dhiraj, Jyothi, Deepika Kumari, and Atanu Das, giving the squad valuable international training exposure before the competitive season.

“Secondly, this support has never stagnated. Since 2017, I have watched it improve every single year, and the backing from SAI and the federations has also scaled up. We now have a free hand with no obstacles in our way. Being asked directly what we need is the ultimate game-changer, and we are fortunate to have that backing. Now, we have been given a free hand; there are no hurdles holding us back. We are asked directly, ‘What do you want?’ That is the biggest shift I’ve honestly witnessed, and we are incredibly lucky for that.”

The preparations are also continuing through an ongoing Senior National Archery Coaching Camp at the SAI National Centre of Excellence in Sonipat from May 20 to June 7. The camp has brought together 16 elite archers across recurve and compound categories, supported by coaches and sports science staff, with a clear focus on building combinations, consistency, and medal readiness for the Asian Games and upcoming World Cup stages.

To further hone the skills of the archers ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya games, the Asiad-bound archers will go through an exposure camp in Japan from September 5 to 18. The Asian Games 2026 are scheduled for September 19 to October 4.

Sharing her thoughts on the same, Jyothi, who is set to represent India in her fourth consecutive Asian Games in Japan, told IANS, “A lot has changed in terms of opportunities and infrastructure. We now have world-class facilities in India. There is substantial funding to improve sports, covering exposure, equipment upgrades, foreign coaches, and international tournaments.”

“We also have new schemes like Khelo India to identify talent at the grassroots level and bring athletes to elite centres where they receive proper coaching, guidance, and a chance to hone their skills. This has been highly beneficial, as reflected in our rising medal tallies at multi-sport events. It is all due to the support we receive from the central government, sports associations, SAI (Sports Authority of India), and private organisations.”

–IANS

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Dubai, Jan 28 (IANS) As the ILT20 Season 3 enters the exciting final phase of the competition, former India cricketer and legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh has been impressed with the level of competition and the exciting performances on display.

Reflecting on the ongoing season, Harbhajan shared his thoughts on the tournament’s dynamics. “The tournament is going great, and we’ve seen some excellent cricket. The good thing about this tournament is that all the teams have shown quality, which means they still have a chance to make a comeback.”

He further added, “Across the three venues all pitches are different which makes it more competitive and interesting.”

Among the standout performers from the UAE this season, Harbhajan highlighted the exceptional talent of Gulf Giants’ Aayan Afzal Khan. “Aayan Afzal Khan is doing a great job. I have been following him and speaking to him since the first season. I think Aayan could win the Blue Belt award as the most valuable UAE player. As the wickets dry up over the course of the competition, spinners will be key, and it’s going to be a lot of fun to watch.”

Turning his focus to the Desert Vipers, who became the first team to qualify for the playoffs, Harbhajan had high praise for their all-round strength. “From the games I’ve seen or worked on during my time here, I think the Desert Vipers look like a really strong team. They have a brilliant bowling lineup with the likes of Mohammed Amir and Lockie Ferguson, and their batting features some serious firepower. They are real contenders for the championship,” the off-spinner from Punjab said.

Looking ahead, Harbhajan shared his predictions for the highest run-scorer (Green Belt) and wicket-taker (White Belt) of the season. “I think Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mohammed Amir have been in phenomenal form with the ball, taking wickets in every game. I think one of them could finish at the top of the ladder. So far, Shai Hope and Tom Banton have scored a lot of runs, but the second part of the tournament has just started. I want to see more players performing, scoring runs, and climbing up the ladder,” said the Turbanator.

On the future of the league, Harbhajan said, “This league is very important for UAE cricket. At the moment they have two players from the UAE in each team, maybe that number will go up to three or four in the next few seasons as the UAE players are getting better.”

Cricket fans can watch this action-packed tournament on ZEE’s most widely distributed and viewed 15 linear TV channels.

The third season of the DP World ILT20 will end on February 9, 2025. All 34 matches will be played across three venues – Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 11 (IANS) The India ‘A’ men’s hockey team is off to a flying start, registering back-to-back wins – 6-1 and 6-0 – against Ireland to open their eight-match European tour. Among the standout performers is forward Venkatesh Kenche, a rising talent known for his blistering ball speed and relentless attacking mindset, who is determined to make the most of this opportunity.

After earlier stints at the Junior National Camp in 2016 and 2018, Kenche has made a spirited return to the India setup. He credits this breakthrough to consistent performances on the domestic circuit.

“I have been training and practicing very hard. It has been my goal to play for India,” he said. “I focused a lot on my basics and fitness, and that has really helped my game. The domestic circuit is very competitive, with many strong teams, which has pushed all of us to improve.”

Kenche played a key role in Hockey Maharashtra’s bronze medal win at the National Games and their quarter-final finish at the Senior National Championship.

On making his debut for India ‘A’, an emotional Kenche said, “It has been a dream come true to represent India. I am very proud – and so is my family. They’ve always supported and encouraged me, and never put any pressure on me. I am really grateful to them.”

Reflecting on the differences between domestic and international hockey, Kenche acknowledged the shift in tempo and tactical depth.

“The game plan is very different here, and the intensity is much higher,” he explained. “The coaches focus a lot more on planning, and it’s important to listen carefully to perform well.”

On wearing the India jersey for the first time, the 24-year-old admitted to some initial nerves. “Initially, I was a bit nervous, but I soon settled in, started feeling good, and now I feel like I truly belong here. The team is very supportive, and we don’t single out players for mistakes – that really helped boost my confidence.”

Kenche is also aware of the areas he wants to improve. “I think my speed with the ball is one of my strengths – it comes naturally, but I’ve also worked on it a lot,” he said. “Going forward, I really want to improve my goal-scoring ability.”

Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about the team’s momentum. “The team is playing well, and we are all confident that the tour will go well.”

India ‘A’ and Venkatesh Kenche will next face France on Saturday.

–IANS

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