Order barring use of India or Indian selective action: DCCI
New Delhi, March 2: In a strongly-worded response to the Sports Ministry’s directive barring it from using ‘India’ or ‘Indian’ in its name and activities, the Differently-Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) has said that the order appears to be a “selective and targeted action” rather than a uniform policy. The ministry issued the direction on Friday, saying that since the BCCI-backed DCCI is not a recognised National Sports Federation (NSF), usage of India or Indian by the body is unauthorised. The DCCI, in its response, said several others are doing the same but in its case, it at least has the backing of Indian cricket’s parent body, the BCCI, which is not a recognised NSF either. “We express our profound concern regarding the communication issued by your office dated 26.02.2026. This directive, which challenges our use of the word “India,” appears to be a selective and targeted action rather than a reflection of a uniform, department-wide policy,” stated the response signed by Ravikant Chauhan, the DCCI’s general secretary. “The issuance of such a communication exclusively to the DCCI, while ignoring numerous other entities, creates a perception of inequity and bias that is fundamentally contrary to the principles of natural justice and fair administrative action,” it added, referring to bodies like Taekwondo Federation of India, Karate Association of India and Modern Pentathlon Federation of India. None of them have the ministry’s approval with the Taekwondo federation’s recognition withdrawn recently for failing to meet the ministry’s criteria. “Furthermore, organizations such as the Divyang Cricket Control Board of India and the All India Cricket Association for the Physically Challenged have reportedly been granted NOCs despite being unrecognized and utilising “India” in their titles,” it alleged. (PTI)
Atiqa shines in Europe, becomes first Indian to secure podium
Valencia, March 2: Racing prodigy Atiqa Mir has created history by becoming the first Indian to secure a podium finish in the highly-competitive European leg of the COTFA karting series. The 11-year-old finished third in the final of the opening round in the Champions of the Future Academy (COTFA) series. The result over the weekend was also Atiqa’s biggest success since moving from the mini to the OKNJ (junior) category. Atiqa is the first Indian to be supported by the F1 Academy, a testament to her special talent. Throughout the weekend, Atiqa was in top form and also recorded the fastest lap in the final. She was on course to get pole position but encountered a slow driver in the last corner on her flying lap, pushing her down to ninth on the grid. Determined to get back to the front, Atiqa stormed to P3 in Race 1 and P2 in Race 2, setting her up for a third place start in the Final Race. The 15-lap race in the final was a true test of strength and stamina on the super fast Lucas Guerrero Circuit. Atiqa held second place at the start and had a long battle with the leading pack. On the final lap, Atiqa made an audacious move on the second-placed driver around the outside of the infamous chicane at the last corner. She held off the challenge to secure a second place on track, a record finish for an Indian in the Europe leg of the series. A post-race penalty dropped her to the third spot on the podium. In Race 1, on day two of the weekend, Atiqa was pushed off the circuit before recovering to finish 9th. In Race 2, she zoomed to a special victory, only to be denied by a post race penalty for contact with another driver. (PTI)
Anush Agarwalla impresses at Belgium Dressage Events
New DelhI, March 2: Indian equestrian Anush Agarwalla produced an impressive performance at the Belgium Dressage Events with Floriana as he begins his qualification journey toward the upcoming Asian Games. Competing against an accomplished international field, Agarwalla first entered the arena on Saturday with his 8-year-old straight horse, Floriana. Starting 14th in the order, he delivered a confident performance to secure an impressive 68.85%, finishing fourth overall. He returned on Sunday riding his 10-year-old gelding, Flynn, where he started fifth and delivered an even stronger performance, earning an individual score of 70.3%. The Belgium Dressage Events form a crucial part of Agarwalla’s Asian Games qualification campaign, with two more qualification opportunities remaining in the lead-up to the continental showpiece. (PTI)
New Delhi to host SJFI National Convention
New Delhi, March 2: The Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI) National Convention will be held from March 13 to 16, marking the return of the annual gathering to the national capital after 23 years. The National Convention, organised by the Delhi Sports Journalist Association (DSJA), will also celebrate the Golden Jubilee of SJFI, making it one of the most significant editions in its history. SJFI is recognised and affiliated with the world body of sports journalists, the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). The National Convention will bring together sports journalists from the North, East, West and South Zones, along with leading figures from Indian sport, administration and broadcasting. The four-day programme includes a Grand Sports Conclave featuring top administrators and Olympic icons, the JK Bose Inter-Zonal T20 Cricket Tournament, the AC Bali Table Tennis Tournament, multi-dimensional family and youth engagement activities like the Modern Pythian Games, and a grand Finals and Closing Ceremony. (PTI)
Modern Pythian Games to make debut at 1st Youth Delphic Games
New Delhi, March 2: The Modern Pythian Games will touch a historic milestone when India send its first national delegation of youth artists to the first Youth Delphic Games of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Member Nations in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The 65-member Indian delegation will depart on March 22 for Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, which currently holds the Chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). This marks the first occasion that an Indian team of artists will represent the country as an officially structured national delegation, on the lines of international sporting events. The Indian contingent comprises 41 young artists – 21 from Delhi, 10 from Himachal Pradesh, four from Karnataka, and one each from UP, Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttarakhand and Haryana. The participants will compete across disciplines including folk music, dance, singing, pop music, DJ arts, visual arts, arts and crafts, and piano. The Games draw inspiration from the ancient Pythian Games, which celebrated excellence in arts and creativity. (PTI)
