Current Affairs - Sports

East Bengal FC created history by winning the inaugural SAFF Women’s Club Championship 2025, becoming the first Indian women’s club to secure an international football title. The final was held at Dasrath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal, where East Bengal delivered a dominant performance to defeat the host team APF by 3–0. The team showcased strong tactical discipline, effective teamwork, and defensive solidity throughout the match. This landmark victory marks a significant milestone for Indian women’s football, enhancing the country’s reputation in South Asia and encouraging greater participation, investment, and development in the women’s game.

Sukhman Singh, a golfer from Noida, emerged as the champion of the IGU 124th Amateur Championship of India, one of the most prestigious events in amateur golf. He secured the title at the historic Tollygunge Club by defeating Haryana’s Harman Sachdeva in the 36-hole final. Singh dominated the match and built an unassailable 7UP lead after 29 holes, sealing a comfortable victory. The championship is recognised as the world’s longest-running amateur matchplay tournament and is organised by the Indian Golf Union, making this win a significant milestone in Singh’s golfing career.

Pakistan emerged as the champions of the U19 Asia Cup 2025 after registering a dominant 191-run victory over India U19 in the final held in Dubai. This emphatic win marked Pakistan’s second U19 Asia Cup title and their first triumph in the tournament since 2012. Batting first, Pakistan posted a massive total of 347 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 50 overs, setting an imposing target. Opener Sameer Minhas played a starring role with a brilliant knock of 172 runs off just 113 balls, laying the foundation for Pakistan’s historic victory.

The 2025–26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final marked a historic achievement in Indian domestic cricket, as a new champion emerged for the first time in several seasons. Jharkhand delivered a dominant performance in the final, posting the highest-ever total in a T20 tournament final and securing a convincing victory. The triumph was powered by outstanding batting displays from key players, reflecting the team’s aggressive approach and consistent form throughout the tournament. This maiden title win placed Jharkhand among the select teams to have claimed the prestigious domestic T20 crown.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Report 2024 highlights India’s concerning performance in global anti-doping compliance. India recorded 260 Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs), resulting in a positivity rate of 3.6%, which is the highest among all tested countries. This marked the third consecutive year that India ranked as the worst doping offender worldwide. In comparison, other major sporting nations reported significantly lower positivity rates, such as China at 0.2%, France at 0.8%, Russia at 0.7%, and the United States at 1.1%, underscoring the severity of India’s situation.