File image of Pankaj Advani© X (Twitter)

WWE Royal Rumble 2025 Match LIVE Updates© X/@WrestleSeek

The ambitious scheme has been allocated Rs 1,000 crore for the financial year 2025-26.© SAI

Pickleball, a game that has seen exponential growth in recent years, made its official league debut in India with the World Pickleball League. The league, a brainchild of Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar, came to life on January 24, 2025. The league is now in its final stage, with Priya and Atlee’s team, Bengaluru Jawans, emerging as one of the strongest contenders. The team boasts a healthy mix of young and experienced players, including 17-year-old Mauro Garcia and 51-year-old Marcello Jardim. One of the shining stars of the Bengaluru Jawans is 23-year-old Jack Foster, who already has extensive experience, having played over 300 pickleball games.

Jack Foster, who is part of the Bengaluru Jawans team, opened up about his experience in India as well as sharing the dressing room with Indian teammate Vrushali Thakare. “This is my first time in India and my first time playing internationally. It’s been such a fun experience seeing the sport grow here. The World Pickleball League has been one of my favorite tournaments. Everyone’s been so supportive, and my teammates and I get along really well, which I think has contributed to our success so far. Vrushali has a great backhand counter. I had never seen her play before, but she’s really impressive. I got to play a mixed match with her, and she did well. It was fun to team up with her,” he said.

Reflecting on his humble beginnings, Jack said, “I have been playing for six to seven years now. I started in high school gym class back in the U.S., and ever since then, I’ve seen pickleball grow so much. I started playing, and as I got better, I began looking for tournaments. In the past three to four years, a professional tour has started to emerge in the United States and is now expanding internationally.”

With Bengaluru Jawans sitting at the top of the table and having qualified for the semi-finals, Jack Foster opened up about his bond with his teammates and coach Oliver. “Oliver’s been amazing-really supportive, just encouraging us to believe in ourselves and each other. He reminds us to enjoy the experience and understand that it’s a privilege to be able to play here,” he added.

The Bengaluru Jawans have been in top form, winning 4 out of 5 ties and finishing the round-robin stage with 52 points, including a victory over the undefeated Mumbai Pickle Power. The Bengaluru Jawans will face the Hyderabad Superstars in Semi-final 1 and will look to secure a spot in the finals to be held on February 2nd.

Wrestler JD McDonagh was rushed to the hospital after his risky move went wrong during WWE Raw on Tuesday (IST). McDonagh, who was competing in a World Tag Championship alongside Dominik Mysterio, springboard moonsault flip on War Raiders’ Ivar. The move saw McDonagh make an awkward landing before whiplashing into the announcers desk. The “Irish Ace” was seen whiplashing into the commentary table as he landed on Ivar with his head snapping back after direct contact between the top of the signage fence and his neck.

Ay Dios mio. JD McDonagh ha caido con el cuello en la mesa de comentaristas#WWERAW pic.twitter.com/iGUwWqBzgC

— LuigiWrestling (@LuigiWrestling) January 28, 2025

McDonagh was in visible pain after the incident, with Ivar even breaking character to check on his opponent.

Commentator Michael Cole also urged for medical help, saying that McDonagh should be checked on to make sure he was ok.

“Somebody’s got to McDonagh after that. McDonagh’s lucky he doesn’t have a damn broken neck,” Cole was heard as saying on-air.

While McDonagh managed to carry on and complete the match, fans at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta spotted him collapsed on the ground backstage.

This came the War Raiders pinned Mysterio and McDonagh to retain the WWE World Tag Championship.

WWE later confirmed that he had broken several ribs and even punctured a lung in the process.

McDonagh himself took to social media and addressed the incident.

“First off, thanks to everyone for the messages and the concern. I’m good. I’ve got a couple of broken ribs and a punctured lung, so I’m going to be out for a couple months. All things considered, it could have been a lot worse, so I’m grateful for that. See ya in a bit,” McDonagh posted on X.

First off, thanks to everyone for the messages and the concern. I’m good.

I’ve got a couple of broken ribs and a punctured lung, so I’m going to be out for a couple months. All things considered, it could have been a lot worse, so I’m grateful for that.

See ya in a bit.

— JD McDonagh (@jd_mcdonagh) January 28, 2025

As a result, McDonagh will miss the upcoming Royal Rumble event on February 2 (IST).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi© X (Twitter)

A colourful opening ceremony showcasing Uttarakhand’s religious heritage and bio-diversity marked the start of the 38th National Games here on Tuesday as around 10,000 athletes geared up to compete for podium finishes across 32 disciplines. The Games will run till February 14 and events will be held across seven cities of the hill state with Dehradun being the main venue. Around 450 gold medals, and a similar number of silver and bronze medals are at stake. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at the stadium along with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and will inaugurate the Games in a short while. An estimated 25,000 spectators have packed the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium despite the chilly weather to catch the ceremony live.

The PM had also opened the last two editions of the Games in 2022 (Gujarat) and 2023 (Goa).

After taking a round of the stadium on a decked-up golf cart, Modi was presented a traditional cap, shawl and a memento containing replicas of Games mascot ‘Mauli’ and the medals.

Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh, Union Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse, and Uttarakhand Sports Minister Rekha Arya were the dignitaries present on the occasion.

Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha and Commonwealth Games Federation chief Chris Jenkins were also in attendance at the ceremony.

Hosting the National Game holds a special significance for Uttarakhand as the state is celebrating the 25th year of its creation.

‘Mauli’, inspired by Uttarakhand’s state bird ‘Monal’, is the Games mascot, symbolising the region’s unique natural beauty, diversity and cultural heritage.

Most of the established sporting stars of the country such as javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, shuttler PV Sindhu, shooter Manu Bhaker are giving it a miss, leaving the stage for other athletes to make a mark.

Among the prominent names who will turn up are Olympic medal-winning shooters Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh, world championships medallist shuttler Lakshya Sen and Tokyo Games bronze-winning boxer Lovlina Borgahain.

Four sports — kalarippayattu, yogasana, mallakhambh and rafting — will be demonstration (non-medal) sports.

With the theme of ‘Green Games’, the event aims to inspire individuals and organisations to adopt eco-friendly and sustainable practices.

In their second year as hosts, the Union Territory of Ladakh finished on top of the Khelo India Winter Games 2025, the first chapter of which ended at the NDS Stadium on Monday. Like always, the grand finale saw the mouth-watering men’s ice hockey final and the Indian Army squeezed past ITBP 2-1 to retain the KIWG crown. The second and final phase of KIWG 2025 will be held in J&K’s Gulmarg from February 22-25.

Ladakh won two of the four gold medals decided on Monday. Their mixed relay quartet, comprising Stanzin Jampal, Skarma Tsultim, Mohammed Saquaf Raza, and Padma Angmo, clocked 3:02.19 secs to strike gold. Maharashtra (3:03.78 secs) and Telangana (3:04.85 secs) won silver and bronze, respectively.

There was more joy for the local fans. In what was sweet revenge, Ladakh girls romped past fancied ITBP 4-0 to finish on top of the women’s round-robin league at a packed NDS Stadium complex. Women’s ice-hockey started only last year and interestingly, Ladakh had lost the final match to ITBP by a 4-0 scoreline. Himachal Pradesh won the bronze.

“It feels amazing and it’s a big moment for our team. Last year, we lost to ITBP but this year, we made a strong comeback. A huge thanks to our coach and the Khelo India administration for bringing this event to Ladakh and making this possible for us,” said Padma Chorol, a senior member of the UT Ladakh women’s ice hockey team.

Tamil Nadu showed why it is emerging as a centre for budding skaters. In the final skating event on Monday, the 500m women’s long track (at Gupuks), saw Yashashree winning Tamil Nadu’s third gold of KIWG 2025. She clocked 00:58.00 seconds. Riya Vilas Gayakwad of Maharashtra (1:04.31 secs) and Srija S. Rao of Karnataka (1:04.93 secs) won silver and bronze, respectively, in the tightest of finishes.

KIWG 2025 toppers Ladakh (7 medals, including four gold) were followed by Tamil Nadu (five medals including three gold). Maharashtra finished with the maximum number of medals (10) but only two gold medals meant they finished third. Maharashtra finished on top in KIWG 2024, winning 20 skating medals including six gold. Telangana (2 gold) finished fourth and Karnataka (1 gold) fifth in KIWG 2025.

Army defended their ice-hockey crown but only after surviving some close moments. Backed by their young and vociferous fans from Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre, who sang a popular Bollywood chartbuster from the movie Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, the Army team looked charged from the very first minute. Monday’s win was sweeter because Army had lost to ITBP 3-1 in a league match on Saturday.

In Monday’s final, there were no goals in the first two periods and all three goals came in the final 15 minutes of play. It was a pacy encounter between two workmanlike teams fielding several national-level players.

Army took the lead in the third minute of the final period. Rigzin Norboo capped a fine assist from national player Dorjay Angchok to give Army the lead with a clever finish at the far post. Army lost the lead after an unmarked Rigzin Norboo equalised for ITBP on an assist from Tashi Namgail in the 13th minute. Angchok once again played a key role as Padma Norboo kept his cool to make it 2-1 for the Army team with a minute left on the clock.

Army coach Rinchen Tundup told SAI Media: “Our team has been playing matches back-to-back, starting with the CEC Cup, then the LG Cup, and now Khelo India. We didn’t get much time to practice, but I’m glad the team performed well. We won all three Cups, and I’m happy with their performance. I also want to thank the ITBP team for giving us tough competition in today’s final.”

DAY 5 RESULTS (Jan 27)

ICE HOCKEY

Men’s final at NDS: Indian Army beat ITBP 2-1; Losing semi-finalists Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh got bronze.

Women’s final round-robin league at NDS: Ladakh beat ITBP 4-0 for gold; Himachal Pradesh won bronze.

ICE SKATING (all finals)

MIX relay (at NDS): 1. UT- Ladakh (Stanzin Jampal, Skarma Tsultim, Mohammed Saquaf Raza, Padma Angmo) 3:02.19 secs 2. Maharashtra (Ishan Darvekar, Vyom Sawant, Swaroopa Deshmukh, Anvayi Deshpande) 3:03.78 secs 3. Telangana (Pranav Madav, Vishnu, Nayana Sri, Geetika) 3:04.85 sec.

500m women long track (at Gupuks): 1. Yashashree (Tamil Nadu) 00:58.00 secs; 2. Riya Vilas Gayakwad (Maharashtra) 1:04.31 secs 3. Srija S Rao (Karnataka) 1:04.93 secs.

Gupuks has evolved significantly – from a natural pond where beginners first attempt skating to a standard ice rink hosting national-level events like the Khelo India Winter Games. In Ladakh, summers are flooded with tourists, however as temperatures begin to drop, most tourist-based establishments shut down, and the cold limits outdoor activities. And with most sports taking a backseat and schools also being shut down during the winter months, Gupuks becomes the playground for everyone.

One can find ice skate rentals in all sizes, food trucks, and a large expanse of frozen pond to test your skills. It attracts everyone, from young children to adults, eager to glide on ice. Parents bring children as young as three to be introduced to the joy of skating or simply enjoy watching others. During this time, Gupuks truly becomes the heart of Ladakh!

Gupuks is where amateurs become professionals. Different regional teams from Ladakh come here to practice for various tournaments and leagues, with the Indian Army also maintains a separate rink for their training. 

Over the years, Gupuks has played a key role in shaping the Indian national ice hockey team, with 97% of the men’s and 98% of the women’s players hailing from Ladakh. For these athletes, it’s here where they developed their skills and made their way to the top, making Gupuks a vital part of their success. During the winter months, it becomes the center of outdoor activity in Ladakh, where dreams are realized and players are made.

Set against the backdrop of Stok Kangri, Gupuks is arguably the most scenic natural rink in the region. The changing light on the surrounding mountains offers a beautiful view, making it a pleasant spot for players, photographers, and spectators alike. The rink is surrounded by marshland, which turns into lush greenery in the summer.

Located adjacent to the Indus River, this lower Indus belt, also including Phey and Spituk, is an excellent birdwatching area. Padma Gyalpo, noted birder from Ladakh, mentioned that rare birds like the Ibisbill and Mongolian Finch can be spotted here year-round, while the Eurasian Hobby is a rare summer visitor, and the Streaked Rosefinch and Solitary Snipe are rare winter visitors. And for tourists, this is a known viewpoint given its scenic location.

Winter is often romanticized with images of snowfall and cozy indoor moments, but the reality is much harsher. Early mornings in freezing temperatures can lead to frostbite and numbness, making outdoor work extremely challenging. While the pond freezes naturally, transforming it into a standard rink of 200 meters long track is no small feat. 

Hakim, the man in charge of the Gupuks rink from the Union Territory’s sports department, shares that they had just about 7-10 days to prepare the rink for the Khelo India Winter Games 2025. 

Hakim says, “The water from the nearby Indus River is pumped to level the surface. Extensive civil work was required in the surrounding area, including road maintenance, staging areas, and lighting, all being done simultaneously,” adding that “setting up live broadcast systems in an open environment was an extremely challenging task.”

Among the three venues for the Khelo India Winter Games-Gupuks, NDS Stadium, and LSRC Indian Army rink-Gupuks stands out as an open natural pond. Like last year, it is hosting the long-track skating event. The recent fresh snowfall, plummeting the temperatures further, has resulted in excellent ice formation.

Natural open rinks like Gupuks are rare, and with climate change and unpredictable weather patterns, these experiences have become even more precious. Ice skating and hockey are among the most visually captivating sports, and witnessing them in such a stunning setting is truly unforgettable. 

The fresh snowfall has made the surrounding mountains more spectacular than ever, creating the perfect backdrop for this year’s event. Gupuks is hosting a remarkable spectacle, seamlessly blending the beauty of sport with the splendour of nature. Don’t miss this incredible celebration of winter sports in Ladakh!

Pranav Madav Surapaneni won Telangana’s second gold in the Khelo India Winter Games’ ice-skating competition but all attention on Saturday was on the blockbuster ice-hockey league match between Indian Army and ITBP in which the latter prevailed. With about 10 minutes left on the clock, Stanzin Mingure scored twice in succession to script a dramatic 3-1 victory for ITBP as Army’s defence collapsed in the third and final period of the contest.

On the day all roads led to the 5000-capacity NDS sports complex for the Army versus ITBP ice-hockey match. Like always, the stands were full with Armymen, dressed in their olive green attire, backing their team in big numbers.

But it was Mohammed Ismail that struck first blood for ITBP in the second minute of a match that often got a bit physical.

Tsewang Dorjey drew level for Army with a lovely flick at the far post early in the second period, but Indian Army, the defending champions, lost control in the third period and suffered their first loss of the Games.

“The team’s strategy worked perfectly, bringing us closer to securing the victory today. I managed to score a goal for the team and I am happy with that. The Khelo India Winter Games are being professionally managed and such an open environment encourages us to perform better,” said ITBP’s centre forward Ismail in a chat with SAI Media.

Pranav win as Telangana lead standings

After Nayana Sri Talluri on Friday, Pranav Madav Surapaneni won Telangana’s second gold of the skating competition. It came in the 500m short track for men at NDS.

Maharashtra and hosts Ladakh also won their first skating gold medals on Saturday but it’s Telangana which lead the medal tally.

Ishaan Darvekar bagged Maharashtra’s first gold of the skating competition by winning the 1000m short track event at the NDS. In a rather one-sided race, Darvekar clocked 2:02.33 seconds ahead of teammate Vyom Sawant (2:04.90 secs) and Tiluck Keisam of Delhi, who timed 2:10.78.

At the end of day three of the competition, Maharashtra are third with a total haul of five skating medals (one gold, one silver and three bronze) while Karnataka are second with three medals (one gold and two silvers), all from ice skating.

Schoolboy Surapaneni clocked 56.86 seconds to win the 500m short track gold. It was quite a tight race as number two (Samrudh SD of Karnataka) and number three (Sumit Tapkir of Maharashtra) were separated by few seconds.

There was joy for hosts Ladakh at the Gupuks Pond. Shabana Zara (2:09.69 seconds) and Tasniya Shamim (2:13.95 seconds) made it a one-two for Ladakh in the 1000 metres long track for women.

For 14-year-old Shabana, it was her first gold at the Khelo India Winter Games, although she participated last year too. Tasniya tasted success in KIWG last year, winning a gold, silver and bronze under different categories.