Current Affairs - Sports

The 42nd IndianOil SERVO Surjit Hockey Tournament is taking place in Jalandhar at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium. This prestigious tournament, conducted in a league-cum-knockout format, spans 10 days and features 12 competitive teams, including IndianOil Mumbai, Indian Navy Mumbai, and RCF Kapurthala. Played under floodlights, the event not only highlights the sporting culture of Jalandhar but also provides a platform for emerging and seasoned hockey players to showcase their skills. Known for its strong hockey heritage, Jalandhar continues to be a significant hub for field hockey tournaments and talent development in India.

Morocco achieved a historic milestone by winning the Under-20 FIFA World Cup in Chile, defeating Argentina 2-0 in the final. This victory marked Morocco’s first-ever World Cup title at any level and made them the first African nation since Ghana in 2009 to lift the U-20 trophy. Yassir Zabiri played a crucial role in the triumph, scoring both goals in the first half and leading Morocco to an unforgettable victory that will be remembered as a defining moment in African football history.

The Sultan of Johor Cup 2025 was held in Malaysia, where India clinched the silver medal after a narrow 2-1 defeat to Australia in the final. This marked India’s fifth runners-up finish in the tournament, following bronze medals in the previous two editions. The event highlighted competitive international youth hockey, with Australia breaking their three-final losing streak by avenging their 2022 defeat to India. Hosting such tournaments in Malaysia emphasises the country’s growing role in promoting field hockey and providing a platform for emerging talent in the sport across Asia.

Joby Mathew, an accomplished Indian para powerlifter, won the bronze medal in the 65kg Legend (Masters) category at the 2025 Para Powerlifting World Championships held in Cairo, Egypt. He achieved a total lift of 300kg, with successful attempts of 148kg and 152kg, surpassing his previous personal best of 150kg. This remarkable performance earned him his second World Championship medal, following his earlier bronze in Dubai in 2023. Mathew’s consistent achievements highlight his exceptional strength, perseverance, and contribution to India’s growing prominence in international para sports.

The fifth Khelo India University Games (KIUG) will be held across seven cities in Rajasthan—Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, and Bharatpur. Spanning 12 days, the event will feature 23 medal sports and one demonstration sport, Kho-Kho, with participation from over 5,000 university athletes nationwide. New disciplines such as beach volleyball, canoeing and kayaking, and cycling have been introduced this year. Hosting the KIUG highlights Rajasthan’s growing importance as a center for sporting excellence and its commitment to promoting youth sports development across multiple cities in the state.