Current Affairs - Sports

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is the bronze sponsor for the 38th National Games, which will be hosted in Uttarakhand for the first time. The event features "Mouli," the mascot inspired by the Monal, Uttarakhand's state bird, and the tagline "Sankalp Se Shikhar Tak," symbolizing a journey from resolution to achievement. The sponsorship highlights Indian Oil's commitment to promoting sports and national events in India.

The 5th Khelo India Winter Games commenced in Ladakh at Leh’s NDS Ice Hockey Stadium. This event saw participation from over 400 athletes across India in sports such as ice hockey and ice skating. The opening ceremony featured cultural performances, including Jabro by the changpas, and even foreign visitors participated in the celebrations.

Karnataka clinched their fifth Vijay Hazare Trophy title by defeating Vidarbha by 36 runs in the final held on January 19, 2025, at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. Anchored by key contributions from Ravichandran Smaran, who scored 101 runs, and a match-winning cameo by Abhinav Manohar with 79 runs, Karnataka posted a formidable total of 348/6. This victory adds to their previous titles in 2013-14, 2014-15, 2017-18, and 2019-20, cementing their status as one of the most successful teams in domestic cricket.

The men’s elite race at the 20th Mumbai Marathon 2025 was won by Berhane Tesfay, representing Eritrea. This marathon, held at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and flagged off by Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, showcased exceptional talent. Alongside Eritrea's victory in the men’s category, Kenya’s Joyce Chepkemoi Tele triumphed in the women’s elite race. The event included categories for differently-abled individuals and senior citizens and also served as a qualifier for the World Athletics Championships, highlighting its global relevance.

India emerged victorious in the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025, with both the men’s and women’s teams winning their respective titles. The tournament took place at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. The women’s team defeated Nepal 78–40, and the men’s team triumphed 54–36. This success was attributed to excellent teamwork and strategies, as highlighted by Captain Priyanka Ingle and coach Sumit Bhatia.