Sports

Gujarat: Kosambia Excels at the 38th National Games

Published

1 year ago

February 13, 2025

Kosambia, a Gujarat-based athlete and Tax Assistant with the Income Tax Department, made a remarkable mark at the 38th National Games held in Uttarakhand.

He earned a gold medal in the Aerobic Gymnastics event, a silver in Group Aerobic Gymnastics, and a bronze in the Trio Gymnastics event, significantly contributing to Gujarat’s medal tally.

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Satish Sharma, the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax in Gujarat, congratulated Kosambia, saying: “Dear Meet, heartiest congratulations on winning three medals, including a gold. You have made us all proud. The Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes has also applauded your achievements. Keep up the great work.”

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Kosambia is one of the 59 athletes recently hired by the Income Tax Department of Gujarat as part of the Meritorious Sports Quota recruitment initiative.

The ongoing 38th National Games, organized by the Indian Olympic Association, have seen participation from 28 states, eight union territories, and the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB).

Competitions are being held across 36 sports disciplines, scheduled from January 28 to February 14, 2025. The department’s commitment to sports is paying off.

In addition, the Income Tax Department’s Kabaddi teams performed admirably in the All India Civil Services Tournament, with the men’s team claiming victory. The 38th National Games, taking place from January 28 to February 14, 2025, in Uttarakhand, proudly displayed the country’s athletic talent across 35 sports disciplines.

The games are taking place in several cities, including Dehradun, Haridwar, Shivpuri, New Tehri, Nainital, Haldwani, and Rudrapur, with the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun serving as the main venue.

Over 10,000 athletes from 37 teams participated, representing various states and union territories. The event featured both traditional and modern sports, with 32 competitive events and four demonstration sports: Kalarippayattu, Yogasana, Mallakhamb, and Rafting.

The official mascot, “Mauli,” a Himalayan monal, was unveiled in December 2024, representing Uttarakhand’s rich biodiversity.

The games highlighted the importance of sustainability, setting a benchmark as “Green Games,” with a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility. In the medal standings, the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) topped the list with 97 medals, including 54 gold, followed by Maharashtra with 146 medals (41 gold), and Karnataka in third place with 62 medals (31 gold).

The 38th National Games not only celebrated athletic excellence but also underscored India’s dedication to environmental sustainability and cultural heritage.

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Sports

Spain Beat France 2-0 to Reach FIFA World Cup 2026 Final

Published

4 days ago

July 15, 2026

Namma Kudla

Sports: Spain defeated France 2-0 in the first semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to book their place in the final. The defeat ended France’s title hopes under captain Kylian Mbappe.

Spain took the lead in the 20th minute. Young star Lamine Yamal was fouled by France’s Lucas Digne inside the penalty area. Spain was awarded a penalty, and Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted the spot kick to make it 1-0.

The goal was Oyarzabal’s fifth of the tournament. He equalled David Villa’s record for the most goals scored by a Spanish player in a single FIFA World Cup.

Spain doubled its lead in the 58th minute. Right-back Pedro Porro scored after receiving a fine pass from Dani Olmo. The goal gave Spain complete control of the match.

France suffered an early setback when central defender William Saliba left the field with an injury in the first half. Despite having stars like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, France failed to score. It was the team’s first match of the tournament without a goal.

Spain also created history in the World Cup semi-finals. It became the first team to start two teenagers, 19-year-olds Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, in a World Cup semi-final.

The victory sent Spain into the FIFA World Cup final for the second time and for the first time since 2010.

Spain will face the winner of the second semi-final between England and Argentina in Sunday’s final.

France, meanwhile, missed the chance to reach a third straight World Cup final. The defeat also marked the end of coach Didier Deschamps’ long and successful journey with the national team.

Sports

Passenger Turns Flight into FIFA Watch Party during Match

Published

7 days ago

July 12, 2026

Namma Kudla

FIFA World cup: A football fan turned a regular flight into a memorable FIFA World Cup watch party by streaming the Argentina vs Egypt match for fellow passengers.

The fan paid for the airplane’s WiFi and stood at the front of the cabin with his laptop. He streamed the live match so that everyone on board could watch it.

The flight had 187 passengers. Many leaned into the aisle, while some stood up to get a better view of the screen. The passengers watched the exciting match together and cheered for the teams.

Argentina made a stunning comeback after trailing 2-0. Led by Lionel Messi, the team fought back to defeat Egypt 3-2 in a thrilling contest.

A video of the moment was shared on X and quickly went viral. Social media users praised the fan for bringing strangers together and creating a special experience during the flight.

The match also ended with a controversial VAR decision. Egypt believed they had scored a second goal after taking a 1-0 lead. However, the goal was disallowed after a VAR review.

Match officials ruled that an Egyptian player had fouled Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez before the goal was scored. As a result, the goal was cancelled, leaving Egypt’s players and many fans disappointed.

Sports

Yuvraj Singh Set to Begin Coaching Career with Delhi Capitals

Published

4 weeks ago

June 20, 2026

Namma Kudla

Sports: Former India all-rounder and cricket legend Yuvraj Singh is set to begin his coaching career in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from the 2027 season, according to reports.

Sources say that Yuvraj Singh is likely to join the Delhi Capitals coaching staff for the 20th edition of the IPL. He is expected to take up the role of batting coach for the franchise.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly is also expected to return to the Delhi Capitals setup. Reports suggest that Ganguly wants Yuvraj Singh to be part of the team’s support staff.

The Delhi Capitals franchise is jointly owned by GMR Group and JSW Group. The two groups manage the team on a rotational basis for two-year periods. GMR Group was in charge during the 2025 and 2026 seasons. From 2027, JSW Group will take control of the franchise for the next two years.

Reports indicate that major changes are being planned within the team. Yuvraj Singh’s appointment is believed to be one of those changes.

During the previous JSW management period, Sourav Ganguly served as the Director of Cricket for Delhi Capitals. Recently, under Ganguly’s guidance, the Pretoria Capitals reached the final of the SA20 league. This success has increased the possibility of his return to a key role with Delhi Capitals.

Delhi Capitals had disappointing campaigns in IPL 2025 and IPL 2026. Despite having several star players, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs in both seasons under captain Axar Patel.

Hemang Badani is currently the head coach of the team. However, reports suggest that his position could be under pressure after two unsuccessful seasons.

Fans are now eager to see whether the experience of Sourav Ganguly and the aggressive cricketing approach of Yuvraj Singh can help Delhi Capitals achieve better results in IPL 2027.