All posts tagged: Tournaments

What’s the secret of Bibiano Fernandes always getting Indian football team to qualify for elite Asian tournaments | Football News

What’s the secret of Bibiano Fernandes always getting Indian football team to qualify for elite Asian tournaments | Football News

Published by Webster

‘Simple’ is a word that crops up quite a few times when talking football with Bibiano Fernandes, head coach of the Indian men’s U17 football team. But what he will try to do over the next week or so can be called anything but simple. He takes his wards to the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, with India facing Australia in their first game on May 6, followed by Uzbekistan on May 10. The Indians were originally scheduled to face North Korea on May 13 before they pulled out of the tournament due to the conflict in West Asia. With the top two teams in each group sealing an automatic berth in the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar in November, the stakes are high, and one positive result can go a long way towards that destination. Fernandes says that his players are well aware of the situation but he has asked them to focus on the basics. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺.. 🇮🇳🌪️#AFCU17 in Jeddah awaits 🇸🇦🏜️#AsiaDream #BlueColts #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/RnDUahmv0O — Indian Football …

Afghan women’s refugee team can now play in FIFA tournaments | Football News

Afghan women’s refugee team can now play in FIFA tournaments | Football News

Published by Webster

3 min readApr 29, 2026 06:08 PM IST Afghanistan can now be represented in FIFA tournaments by the Afghan women’s refugee team — which plays under the name Afghan Women United — after it was granted eligibility to represent the nation at international competitions. This comes five years after members of the Afghan national women’s team fled the country after Taliban seized control. The Afghanistan women’s national football team last played a competitive match in 2018. When the Taliban wrested back control of the country in 2021, one of the first things it did was bring women’s sport to a halt. “For the last few years, we have played under many names — as refugees, as Afghan Women United, and as guests of other clubs — but in our hearts, we were always the national team,” Australia-based player Nazia Ali said. “To hopefully be able to wear our flag again officially is a feeling I cannot describe.”The decision to allow the refugee team to represent Afghanistan was made by the FIFA Council in their meeting …

Badminton to test synthetic shuttles at smaller grade and junior tournaments with sustainability aims

Badminton to test synthetic shuttles at smaller grade and junior tournaments with sustainability aims

Published by Webster

3 min readApr 8, 2026 03:07 PM IST Just last year, the falling popularity of duck meat had coincided with badminton shuttlecock manufacturers struggling for raw material to make shuttles. It had led to a twofold rise in prices of certain shuttle stocks. A year on, BWF has clearly brought forward its plans to introduce synthetic shuttles that mimic the look and feel of the feather ones.BWF approved use of synthetic shuttlecocks at selected tournaments. These include synthetics made by VICTOR and YONEX, and will be used at BWF Grade 3 tournaments and Junior International tournaments. The federation said this initiative was part of BWF’s long‑term approach to “evaluating synthetic feather shuttlecocks for potential use at the elite level.” The federation had been working equally with VICTOR, a Taiwanese sporting major and badminton equipment market leader YONEX to assess the quality and performance of synthetic shuttlecocks in higher‑level competitive settings, with a particular focus on ensuring that flight and playing characteristics align with current competition standards. BWF specified the approved products for use during this …

‘Was just the third time in this tournament’s 19-year history’

‘Was just the third time in this tournament’s 19-year history’

Published by Webster

2 min readApr 4, 2026 12:08 PM IST In the game against the Punjab Kings on Friday, the Chennai Super Kings picked only two overseas players, which has only happened the third time in the Indian Premier League’s history. However, the combination picked could not have come into question if Chennai had won the game, but they lost to Punjab. In the opening game against Rajasthan Royals, Chennai has played Matthew Short and Jamie Overton both of the game did not play yesterday. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra questioned CSK’s decision to play just two foreigners and said it’s hurting them. “It was just the third time in this tournament’s 19-year history that only two overseas players were fielded. Why would that have happened? We had asked yesterday whether the decisions Chennai took are hurting them. Exactly the same thing happened because they don’t have the confidence at all,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel. “You picked only two overseas batters, out of which one is injured and the second is not worthy of playing …

Government of Maharashtra and MSLTA announce 20 ITF tournaments in the state

Government of Maharashtra and MSLTA announce 20 ITF tournaments in the state

Published by Webster

After successfully hosting major international events such as the ATP Tour 250, WTA 125, and PMR Challenger tournaments for the past five consecutive years, the Directorate of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Maharashtra, along with the ATP Organising Committee, has decided to expand tennis development directly to the district level in collaboration with the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA). Present during the press conference were MSLTA President Mr. Prashant Sutar, Mr. Sunder Iyer, Hon Secretary MSLTA, Mr. Ashish Sharma (IAS), Chairman for the ITF Tournament Initiative and Mr. Shravan Hardikar (IAS), Managing Director, MMRDA and Secretary for the ITF tournament initiative. Under this new initiative, a total of 20 international tournaments sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) – offering prize money of USD 15,000 and USD 25,000 – will be organised across various districts in the state. This initiative is expected to significantly boost tennis at the grassroots and district levels while providing Indian players with greater opportunities to earn valuable world ranking points and shine on the global stage. Speaking on …

Mohsin Naqvi’s ‘advisors’ blamed for Pakistan’s T20 World Cup exit: ‘Team has failed to qualify in 4 consecutive tournaments’ | Cricket News

Mohsin Naqvi’s ‘advisors’ blamed for Pakistan’s T20 World Cup exit: ‘Team has failed to qualify in 4 consecutive tournaments’ | Cricket News

Published by Webster

3 min readMar 1, 2026 05:14 PM IST Pakistan failed to qualify for the semifinals of the 2026 T20 World Cup after being unable to restrict Sri Lanka to 148 or below in their last Super 8 encounter at Pallekele. This meant that Pakistan have been unable to qualify for semifinals in four consecutive big ICC tournaments, starting with the 2023 ODI World Cup, then the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy. Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has targeted Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi’s advisors and his team for the systematic failure in the board and the need to have right support around Naqvi to guide Pakistan cricket. “I have nothing against Mohsin Naqvi. From what I hear, he is a good person. He is one of the most powerful chairmen in Pakistan’s cricket history. He has influence, resources and authority. But if he cannot build a strong management structure, and the team has failed to qualify in four consecutive tournaments, then something is seriously wrong within the board. I understand that …

‘I’m not doing the year to just say goodbye in tournaments. It’s my last year…’ : Three-time grand slam winner Stan Wawrinka after his exit form Australian Open | Tennis News

‘I’m not doing the year to just say goodbye in tournaments. It’s my last year…’ : Three-time grand slam winner Stan Wawrinka after his exit form Australian Open | Tennis News

Published by Webster

A day after he became the oldest man to reach the third round of the Australian Open since Ken Rosewell achieved the feat in 1978, former world number three and 2014 Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka bowed out of his last Australian Open with a 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 loss against American Taylor Fritz in the third round of the Australian Open at the John Cain Arena. Wawrinka, who won the 2014 Australian Open with a win over Rafael Nadal, would spend time sharing a beer with tournament director Craig Tiley apart from sharing emotional words with the crowd. “My mindset was what I have been saying, I’m not doing the year to just say goodbye in tournaments. It’s my last year, so of course when I’m going to lose in a tournament, it’s going to be a goodbye for this tournament, but my mindset is still a competitor and I always want to push myself. I’m trying to find the balance between competitor, trying to win, but at the same time enjoying those moments …

Yuzvendra Chahal says he’s moved on from divorce with Dhanashree Verma, reveals he skipped major tournaments because of depression: ‘She’s happy in her life’ | Bollywood News

Yuzvendra Chahal says he’s moved on from divorce with Dhanashree Verma, reveals he skipped major tournaments because of depression: ‘She’s happy in her life’ | Bollywood News

Published by Webster

After taking subtle digs at his ex-wife and actor Dhanashree Verma, cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal now feels he’s moved on from the divorce, which was finalized in March last year. “It was a chapter in my life, which is over now. I’ve left that space now. I don’t want to remain stuck there,” said Yuzvendra, adding, “I’m happy in my life, she’s happy in hers. What is one going to get by making someone miserable?” Yuzvendra Chahal was asked by the court to pay a reported alimony of Rs 4 crore to Dhanashree Verma. Later, he was seen taking subtle digs at that amount, either by commenting on a Delhi High Court order on alimony (an Instagram Story he later deleted) or by referring to “Rs 4 crore” during a fun Instagram banter with fellow cricketer Shikhar Dhawan. Yuzvendra even wore a “Be your own sugar daddy” T-shirt during the court proceedings, prompting several of his fans to call Dhanashree a “gold-digger.” But in a new interview with Mashable India, Yuzvendra admits the chapter was closed …

2025: Her Year – Divya Deshmukh’s gamble to play Open tournaments will pay off in the long run | Chess News

2025: Her Year – Divya Deshmukh’s gamble to play Open tournaments will pay off in the long run | Chess News

Published by Webster

Sree Charani’s ice-cool control. Sheetal Devi’s relentless grit. Chess queen Divya Deshmukh unleashing gambits. In 2025, India’s young sportswomen didn’t just compete — they conquered. From Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma ushering in a new era in badminton to the rise of another ‘Phogat’ — Suruchi — this time on the shooting range, Ankita Bhagat rattling South Korea’s archery dynasty, Preeti Panwar’s clinical power in the ring, or Antim Panghal reminding she still owns the mat. Express Sports dives deep into ‘Gen She’ – the trailblazers who kept the Tricolour flying high. Divya Deshmukh has spent 2025 playing a rare brand of high-risk, high-reward chess. While the rest of the world is still gushing about her exploits from July in Georgia’s Batumi — where one by one she picked off World No.6 Zhu Jiner, veteran Harika Dronavalli, former women’s world champion Tan Zhongyi and, Indian chess legend Koneru Humpy, on her way to winning the FIDE Women’s World Cup title — those in the sport are still marveling at her decisions off the board that …

Neeraj Chopra Classic to Chess World Cup – Major international tournaments hosted by India in 2025

Neeraj Chopra Classic to Chess World Cup – Major international tournaments hosted by India in 2025

Published by Webster

Indian athletes were in for a rare home advantage as the country hosted a host of major international tournaments across sports, paving the way for some extraordinary performances that defined the year 2025. Hosting of events ensured the spotlight firmly remained on the Indian athletes and their achievements, and a host of international stars converged to make for a potential game-changer for Indian sport and its audience. From Harmanpreet Kaur’s girls lifting the ICC Women’s World Cup in Ahmedabad to Neeraj Chopra bringing home glory at the ‘javelin-only’ NC Chopra Classic in Bangalore, and India’s para-athletes chasing golden dreams on the freshly laid Mondo track at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the capital, Indian sport continued to make headlines on the global stage. Let’s take a look at some of the international tournaments hosted by India in 2025, events that showcased world-class competition and underlined the country’s growing stature on the international sporting map. ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup On November 2, 2025, the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai witnessed history in the making …