NRAI announces preparatory camps ahead of the Asian Games
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) announced the schedule for the final preparatory camps ahead of the highly anticipated Asian Games.
The camps will be divided across two premier training centres: the MP State Shooting Academy in Bhopal and the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi.
Camp schedule and locations
Rifle and Pistol: 5th to 14th September in Bhopal
Shotgun (Skeet): 4th to 14th September in New Delhi
Shotgun (Trap): 10th to 18th September in New Delhi
– Team Sportstar
GOLF
Sharma shoots bogey-free 64, placed second in Switzerland
Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma opened with his best round of the season, a blemish-free six-under 64, to share the second spot at the Omega European Masters in Crans Montana, Switzerland.
The 30-year-old was one shot behind China’s Wu Ashun (63). It was Sharma’s best score of the season and came ahead of next month’s marquee event at home — the USD four million DP World India Championship.
Sharma, who regained his tour card for this season through the Qualifying School, is without a top 20 finish to his name on the DP World Tour.
He is 179th on the Race to Dubai Rankings, needing a very strong finish to his season to come close to the top 100 and retain his playing privileges for the 2027 season.
“I played really well today. Just found the groove after a long time, and the weather was amazing, which really helped. I’m just tired of the rain; it’s just been raining a lot for the last couple of weeks, and it was nice to have some sunshine. It was quite a smooth round,” Sharma said.
– PTI
KABADDI
Hyderabad Conclave brings 35-40 aspirant kabaddi nations under IKF fold
The International Kabaddi Federation is set to nearly double its membership to around 80 nations, with representatives from 35-40 aspiring kabaddi countries gathering in Hyderabad for a landmark two-day conclave.
National bodies from Africa, Europe and other regions will be formally affiliated with the IKF at a Special Annual General Meeting on Friday.
The African contingent includes representatives from 20 countries, led by African Kabaddi Federation president Osama Said, while 16 European nations are represented under the leadership of European Kabaddi chief Dalbir Sandhu.
IKF Executive Director Kasani Gyaneshwar said the expansion was aimed not merely at increasing membership but at creating a well-governed pathway for the sport’s global growth through technical assistance, capacity building and stronger continental programmes.
“In one shot this will double the IKF membership to about 80 members,” Kasani said.
– PTI
TENNIS
Shreeniti eyes double, Tejas ousted at KSLTA World Tennis Tour J30 Bengaluru
Local player Shreeniti Chowdhury is in line for a double at the KSLTA World Tennis Tour Junior J30 Bengaluru after reaching both the singles and doubles finals at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium.
The fourth-seeded Shreeniti produced a superb comeback in singles, overcoming sixth seed Vasundra Balajee 3-6, 6-1, 6-1, and then returned to the court to combine with Riddhi Shinde and book their place in the girls’ doubles final.
In the singles title clash, the 15-year-old Shreeniti will meet another local girl Aahida Singh who brushed aside the challenge of Zoha Qureshi with a straight-set 6-2, 6-0 victory.
In the boys’ section, Niyanth Badrinarayanan of the USA ended top seed and home favourite Tejas Ravi’s campaign in straights sets 7-6, 6-4, while Fazal Ali Meer edged Vivaan Mirdha 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 in a thrilling three-setter to enter the final.
RESULTS (ALL INDIANS UNLESS MENTIONED IN BRACKETS)
BOYS SINGLES (SEMIFINALS)
3-Niyanth Badrinarayanan (USA) bt 1-Tejas Ravi 7-6 (6), 6-4;
6-Fazal Ali Meer bt 4-Vivaan Mirdha 6-4, 1-6, 7-5.
BOYS DOUBLES (SEMIFINALS)
Neel Kelkar/Mahijeet Pradhan bt Chukka Lakshya Vardhan/Parthiv Nallagundla 6-1, 6-2;
Nithinbarath KS /Abhivadya Misra bt 2-Niyanth Badrinarayanan (USA)/Aarush Kote (USA) 7-5, 7-6 (3).
GIRLS SINGLES (SEMIFINALS)
4-Shreeniti Chowdhury bt 6-Vasundra Balajee 3-6, 6-1, 6-1;
5-Aahida Singh bt Zoha Qureshi 6-2, 6-0
GIRLS DOUBLES (SEMIFINALS)
1-Shreeniti Chowdhury/Riddhi Shinde Vs. 3-Tejaswi Manneni/Aditi Paturi (USA) 6-4, 6-4;
Zoha Qureshi/Deepthi Venkatesan bt Prachi Malik/Riya Gangamma Pudiyokkada 6-4, 6-3
– Team Sportstar
CRICKET
Shivam Dube launches Super Kings Academy’s 50th center
Chennai Super Kings and India cricketer Shivam Dube launched Super Kings Academy’s 50th center at the Vaishnav Sports Academy in Arumbakkam, Chennai.
Anand Balakrishnan, Head – Sports Development, Vaishnav Sports Academy; Dr. Archana Prasad, Principal, MOP Vaishnav College for Women; Sanjay Natarajan, the Logistics Manager of Chennai Super Kings; Palani Amarnath, the Zonal Head Coach of Super Kings Academy and Sai Rupesh, the Head Coach of SKA, Vaishnav Sports Academy were the other guests of honour.
“I have always loved coming to Chennai, and I congratulate the Super Kings Academy for completing 50 centers across the globe. I hope and wish that with these wonderful facilities many of you guys go on to become players like MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson and some of you become like myself as well. All the best once again,” Dube said.