Current Affairs - Education - Discussion

IIT Madras launched Phiball, an innovative three-team variant of basketball, on August 29, 2026, coinciding with the eve of National Sports Day. Designed by Prof. Sathyanarayana N. Gummadi, Dean of Students at IIT Madras, Phiball combines elements of basketball and netball and is played on a circular 26-metre-diameter court with three goal posts. The game has unique rules, including a 24-second shot clock, a maximum of three dribbles per possession, and a restricted no-offence zone beneath the rim. The name Phiball is inspired by the Golden Ratio, approximately 1.618. The sport is also designed to be affordable and accessible for grassroots participation.