Sports - The Purbottar

12 Sep

Gukesh’s Title Defense in Trouble After Third Consecutive Defeat; Redemption Ride Starts vs Divya

editorSports

Gukesh has been held to a draw at Grand Swiss by 14-year-old Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, defeated by 16-year-old American GM Abhimanyu Mishra, and now lost to Ediz Gurel, another 16-year-old from Turkey. In chess circles, there's an informal club whose membership grows somewhat each year. The Mikhail Chigorin Club is named after the Soviet Union player who competed in two World Championship matches against Wilhelm Steinitz but lost both times. To acquire membership in the Mikhail Chigorin Club, defeat a reigning world champion in a classical chess game. Three players have already joined the club in the FIDE Grand Swiss…

08 Sep

Asia Cup hockey: How Harmanpreet Singh’s team conquered disarray and took charge to win the Asian championship again and earn a spot in the 2026 World Cup

editorSports

"Perfect hockey" doesn't exist, according to coach Craig Fulton. But since India won the Asia Cup back, this will be as close to ideal as they can get.In the context of Indian hockey, the following words are rarely used combined in a same sentence: a brutal, unafraid effort in a major championship game. We haven't seen Craig Fulton's side avatar in a long time. It may have been a few years since the Asian Games final when they last delivered this type of faultless performance, or wire-to-wire dominance, as Formula 1 refers to it.India, which stumbled to open their Asia…

05 Sep

India qualified to the third-place playoffs for the CAFA Nations Cup following a goalless draw with Afghanistan

editorSports

India's final CAFA Nations Cup group stage match ended in a goalless draw, continuing their three-year losing streak against Afghanistan. Khalid Jamil's team managed to secure second place in their group with four points thanks to the draw. Tajikistan, who had previously lost 1-2 to India, lost the head-to-head record but joined India on four points after drawing Iran 2-2. India will make a spectacular start for their new coach on September 8 when they play in the third-place playoff, defying the pre-tournament predictions of a group-stage exit.Before the game began, Jamil only addressed the cameras, "We are prepared for…

13 Aug

Mahesh Bhupathi says padel is one of the sports in India with the quickest rate of growth

Banasree SarkarSports

Indian tennis success has long been associated with Mahesh Bhupathi, solidifying the country's place on the world tennis scene. The 12-time Grand Slam doubles winner is now sharing his knowledge and insights with padel, another rapidly growing racket sport. Bhupathi thinks that the sport is about to make a big leap forward with the World Padel League (WPL). One of the sports with the quickest rate of growth in the nation is padel. Many tennis players have adopted it as a backup alternative, and its rise has been exponential over the past few years. However, he said, "I think we're…

28 Jul

Football fun kicks off in Kokrajhar with Durand Cup

Sonakshi SarkarSports

The 134th edition of the Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest football tournament and a proud symbol of sporting tradition, was inaugurated with great enthusiasm at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar, Assam, on Sunday, July 27. Marking its third consecutive edition hosted in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), the event reflects the region’s deepening bond with football and its rising prominence on India’s sporting map. The opening ceremony was nothing short of spectacular. Thousands of football fans, young and old, gathered to witness the grand celebration that blended sport with culture. The event began with vibrant traditional dances and performances that showcased…

11 Feb

Nepal Successfully Concludes 2024 SAFF Women’s Football Championship

editorNepal, Sports

The 2024 SAFF Women's Championship was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from October 17 to 30. The tournament featured seven South Asian teams competing for the coveted title. In a thrilling final, Bangladesh emerged victorious over Nepal with a 2–1 scoreline, securing their second SAFF Women's Championship title. The event highlighted the growing popularity and development of women's football in the region.

04 Feb

OG Anunoby’s Injury Poses Challenge for New York Knicks

editorSports

The New York Knicks are facing a potential setback after OG Anunoby injured his right foot during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Anunoby, a pivotal player for the Knicks, has a history of injuries that have previously sidelined him. The injury occurred during a shot attempt, leading to his early exit from the game. Initial X-rays were negative, but further evaluations are pending to determine the severity. Anunoby's absence could significantly impact the Knicks, who are aiming for their best regular season since the 1990s. The game also highlighted LeBron James's impressive performance, leading the Lakers to a…

01 Feb

NBA Officials Criticized for Erroneous Timeout Call

editorSports

NBA referees faced criticism after a significant error during the Memphis Grizzlies' 120-119 victory over the Houston Rockets. Officials mistakenly granted a timeout to Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins, despite him not requesting one, halting play during a clear fast-break opportunity for the Rockets' Jaylen Wells. Although the Grizzlies secured the win, the error drew sharp rebuke from commentators, including Charles Barkley, who labeled it a "blown call." Jenkins expressed frustration, clarifying that he had signaled his team to continue playing, not to call a timeout. This incident follows recent officiating controversies in the league, highlighting ongoing concerns about the quality…

31 Jan

Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy Exit German Masters Snooker Tournament

editorSports

Defending champion Judd Trump and Masters winner Shaun Murphy have been eliminated from the German Masters snooker tournament in Berlin. Trump suffered a surprising defeat to Neil Robertson, while Murphy was narrowly beaten 5-4 by Yuan Sijun. World champion Kyren Wilson advanced to the quarterfinals with a 5-3 victory over Jak Jones. The quarterfinal matches are scheduled for Friday and are anticipated to feature intense competition among the remaining players. The German Masters is a key event in the snooker calendar, attracting top talent from around the world. The early exits of prominent players like Trump and Murphy have added…

31 Jan

Rabbi Matondo Nears Exit from Rangers Amid Transfer Talks with Hannover 96

editorSports

Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo is reportedly close to departing the club, with German side Hannover 96 emerging as his likely destination. Matondo was spotted at the Courtyard Hotel adjacent to Hannover’s stadium, indicating that discussions are underway. Hannover 96, currently fifth in Germany's second division, is considering both loan and permanent transfer options for the 23-year-old Welsh international. Matondo joined Rangers from Schalke in 2022 for a fee of £2.5 million but has struggled to secure regular playing time, amassing only 27 minutes on the field this season due to injuries and competition for places. With the transfer window closing…