Current Affairs - Sports

Roorkee served as the venue for the virtual inauguration of the National Paralympic Powerlifting Championship in January 2026 by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The event highlighted India’s growing achievements in para-sports and celebrated the contributions of divyang athletes on the global stage. During the inauguration, the past decade was described as a golden chapter for Indian sports, reflecting significant progress and international success. India’s medal achievements at major events such as the Paris 2024 Paralympics and the Asian Youth Para Games 2025 further underscore the country’s commitment to inclusive sports development and excellence.

The 6th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games was in Leh and Ladakh, highlighting the region’s growing importance as a hub for winter sports in India. The Games were conducted across three venues—NDS Stadium, Guphuks Pond, and the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre—providing world-class facilities for ice sports. More than 1,000 participants from over 21 states and Union Territories took part, including 472 athletes. A major highlight of this edition was the introduction of Olympic figure skating for the first time, alongside events such as speed skating, short track skating, and ice hockey.

Aaryan Varshney, a 21-year-old chess player from Delhi, became India’s 92nd Grandmaster after securing his final GM norm at the Andranik Margaryan Memorial Tournament in Armenia. He achieved the milestone with a round to spare, demonstrating remarkable consistency and composure against international competition. This achievement marks him as the eighth Grandmaster from Delhi and reflects the city’s growing contribution to Indian chess. Varshney’s success highlights India’s expanding presence in global chess, supported by structured training, grassroots programs, and international tournament exposure that develop young players into elite-level Grandmasters.

The India Open Badminton Super 750 tournament commenced at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, a major sporting venue located in New Delhi. The event marked an important return for several Indian shuttlers, including PV Sindhu, who led the national campaign after recovering from injury. Alongside her, emerging players and experienced athletes competed across singles and doubles categories. The tournament also served as crucial preparation for the upcoming BWF World Championships, which are scheduled to be held at the same venue, making New Delhi a central hub for international badminton during this period.

Alyssa Healy announced her decision to retire from all formats of international cricket following the home series against India scheduled for February–March 2026. One of the most influential wicketkeeper-batters in women’s cricket, she enjoyed a distinguished career marked by aggressive batting, record-breaking dismissals, and leadership success. Healy captained Australia after Meg Lanning’s retirement and led the team through several major tournaments. Her career includes multiple ICC World Cup victories across ODI and T20 formats, individual awards, and a lasting impact on redefining the role of a wicketkeeper-batter in modern women’s cricket.