Abhay Singh enters maiden PSA Gold-level quarters in Zurich
New Delhi, April 24: India’s Abhay Singh registered a notable win over Egyptian world No 13 Aly Abou Eleinen to enter his maiden PSA Gold-level event quarterfinals at the Grasshopper Cup squash in Zurich. World No. 24 Abhay trailed 5-8 in the opening game before recovering to beat the seventh seed 12-10, 11-9 in the second round. Singh had beaten Eleinen earlier this month at the El Gouna Open in Egypt. He will play Egyptian world No. 4 Karim Gawad next. In the opening round, Singh beat Swiss David Bernet 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, while compatriot Ramit Tandon lost to Egypt’s Fares Dessouky 6-11, 9-11. (PTI)
Shambhavi, Divyanshu bag mixed team gold with world record score
Cairo, April 24: Shooters Shambhavi Kshirsagar and Divyanshu Dewangan clinched the 10m air rifle mixed team gold with a world record score of 499.9 as India claimed its fourth gold in the ISSF Junior World Cup here on Friday. The pair had earlier topped the qualification round with a combined 632.0. Chinese Taipei’s Tsai Chieh-Ying and Chen You-An won silver with 498.3 while the French pairing of Tifenn Pomes and Gaspard Lesieur won bronze with 434.4. India now have 12 medals from the Cairo Junior World Cup and lead the medal tally with four gold, five silver and three bronze medals with two days of the competition left and six gold medals to be decided. (PTI)
Anush Agarwalla claims silver at CDI Hagen
New Delhi, April 24: Indian equestrian Anush Agarwalla delivered an outstanding performance at the CDI Hagen, one of Europe’s most esteemed international dressage competitions, securing a second-place finish with a score of 70.94 per cent aboard his accomplished mare, Floriana, in Hagen, Germany. The result marks another landmark achievement in the young Indian rider’s rapidly ascending international career. Agarwalla and Floriana produced a polished and expressive test that impressed the panel of international judges. The pair’s harmony, technical precision, and artistic presentation earned them a score of 70.94 per cent, placing them firmly on the podium in second position. (PTI)
National U-20 Athletics: Abhay, Nipam win 100m events
Tumkur (Karnataka), April 24: Abhay Singh of Reliance won the men’s 100m dash with a meet record timing of 10.41 seconds at the National Junior U-20 Athletics as a host of athletes successfully breached the Asian Junior Qualification mark here on Friday. His winning time was better than Asian junior qualification time of 10.46 seconds and meet record of 10.47 seconds set by Gurindervir Singh in 2018. Nipam of Uttar Pradesh won the gold medal in the women’s 100m clocking 11.53 seconds, bettering the previous junior national record of 11.54 seconds set by Abhinaya Rajarajan during the Kochi edition in 2025. On her way to gold, Nipam also improved the meet record of 11.63 seconds in the name of Dutee Chand set in 2014. Nipam has a bright prospect of competing in the World Athletics U20 in Eugene, USA. (PTI)
AFI announces selection criteria for World Athletics U-20 C’ships
New Delhi, April 24: The Athletics Federation of India on Friday announced selection criteria for 2026 World Athletics U-20 Championships scheduled for August 5-9 in Eugene, USA. Selection of the Indian squad for 2026 World Athletics U20 will be finalised based on their performance at three different domestic competitions. The Indian Athletics Series 9 in Ludhiana, Punjab on June 13 will be one of the platforms to select athletes for World U-20. The events are: 1500m, 3,000m, 5,000m, 3000m steeplechase, shot put, discus throw, hammer throw, javelin throw. Indian Athletics Series (10th leg) on June 14 in Trivandrum, Kerala will also be one of the qualification competitions. The events in Kerala are – 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 110mh,100mh, 400mh, high jump, pole vault, long jump and triple jump. The ongoing 24th National Junior Federation Competition in Tumkur, Karnataka will mainly act as a qualification event for decathlon/ heptathlon and race walk. Only one athlete per event will be automatically considered for selection based on the performance. Except for the relay. The second entry will be subject to the discretion of the AFI selection committee. Performance at the 22nd Asian U20 athletics Championships in Hong Kong from May 28 to 31 can be considered for selection provided the athletes have competed in final trials and maintained their performance. (PTI)
Special goalkeeping camp for Indian hockey team
Bengaluru, April 24: David Williamson, a highly seasoned coach from Northern Ireland, is conducting a special goalkeeping camp for the Indian women’s hockey team and chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne says such focussed effort is need of the hour. Williamson has been a part of the US Women’s National Team coaching staff for a significant period. He also served as an assistant coach for Odisha Warriors in the Women’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) in 2025, bringing extensive international experience in goalkeeping development. Savita, Bansari Solanki, Bichu Devi Kharibam and Madhuri Kindo are part of this special camp, which aims to further strengthen India’s goalkeeping unit ahead of a crucial international calendar. The camp will conclude on May 2. (PTI)
Sri Lanka President to meet Cricket chief amid sacking speculation
Colombo, April 24: Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will meet the country’s cricket chief Shammi Silva on Friday amid speculation over a possible change in the board’s leadership. A source close to Silva said the meeting has been scheduled for later in the day. The development comes against the backdrop of media reports suggesting that Silva could be removed, with the government considering appointing an interim administration to run the sport. Sri Lanka’s 1973 Sports Law empowers the Sports Minister to dissolve governing bodies. However, the provision is at variance with the rules of the International Cricket Council (ICC) for member boards. Media reports have also suggested that Dissanayake wants Silva to step down to facilitate the appointment of a new administration from May 1. (PTI)
