Current Affairs - Sports

Cheteshwar Pujara, India’s dependable No. 3 Test batsman, announced his retirement from all formats of cricket on August 24, 2025. Often called “India’s Modern Wall,” he carried forward the legacy of Rahul Dravid by playing long, patient innings and providing stability to the Indian batting lineup. With 103 Test matches, 7,195 runs, and 19 centuries, Pujara is India’s 8th highest run-scorer in Test history. His most memorable performance came during the 2018–19 Test series in Australia, where he scored 521 runs and played a pivotal role in India’s historic first-ever series win there. His retirement signifies the end of an era of classical Test batting.

Mohamed Salah made history by becoming the first footballer ever to win the PFA Player of the Year award three times. In the 2024–25 season, Salah not only secured this prestigious honour but also claimed the Premier League Player of the Season, the Golden Boot, and the Playmaker award. His tally of 29 goals and 18 assists was instrumental in Liverpool’s Premier League triumph, finishing 10 points clear of Arsenal. Salah had previously won the PFA award in 2018 and 2022, but his third triumph in 2025 established a new benchmark in English football excellence.

India will host the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy 2025, marking its debut in the field of winter sports. The event will take place from 20–23 August 2025 at Maharana Pratap Sports College in Raipur, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Organised by the Ice Skating Association of India (ISAI), the tournament will feature nine race categories, ranging from 222 meters to a 5000-meter relay. With the participation of over 11 Asian countries, this event is a significant milestone in India’s journey toward promoting winter sports and showcasing its capacity to organise international-level sporting competitions.

Real Madrid was ranked as the world’s most valuable football club in the Brand Finance Football 50–2025 report, with a brand value of €1.921 billion and an impressive brand strength score of 94.9. This marked the fourth consecutive year that the Spanish giants retained their top position, reflecting their dominance both on and off the field. The club’s success was driven by its record 15th UEFA Champions League title, massive global fanbase, merchandising strength, and strategic sponsorships. Real Madrid’s consistent brand growth highlights its unmatched influence in global football and its ability to maintain commercial and sporting excellence simultaneously.

The first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival is being hosted at the picturesque Dal Lake in Srinagar. The festival features a vibrant logo showcasing a Shikara against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains and pine trees, symbolizing the region’s natural beauty. Its mascot, the Himalayan Kingfisher, reflects the theme of water and nature. More than 400 athletes from 36 states and Union Territories are participating in events such as rowing, canoeing, and kayaking. Organised by the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs, this festival highlights Srinagar’s potential as a hub for water sports.