Current Affairs - Sports

India finished second in the medal tally at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 with a total of 24 medals, including eight gold, 10 silver, and six bronze. Despite the strong performance and setting of new national records by athletes Animesh Kujur and Parul Chaudhary, India was surpassed by China, which topped the standings. This achievement highlights India’s competitive presence in Asian athletics and showcases the country’s growing talent in track and field events.

The 26th edition of the Asian Athletics Championships in 2025 took place in Gumi, a city in South Korea. This event saw remarkable achievements from Indian athletes, including Avinash Sable, who won gold in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase with a season-best time, and Jyothi Yarraji, who secured her second straight gold in the women’s 100-meter hurdles. Hosting such a major athletic event highlights South Korea’s infrastructure and commitment to international sports, while also providing a competitive platform for Asia’s top track and field athletes to showcase their talents.

Ahmedabad has been selected to host the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships from April 1 to 10. Although Gandhinagar was the initial choice, the venue was shifted to Ahmedabad due to its superior sports infrastructure and growing prominence as a sports destination. The event will be notable as the first Asian Weightlifting Championship to implement the new weight categories introduced by the International Weightlifting Federation. Ahmedabad will also host the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in August 2026, which is central to India’s ambitions of hosting major global events like the 2036 Olympics and the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) unanimously declared 25th May as World Football Day on 7 May 2024. This declaration commemorates the 100th anniversary of football’s inclusive global representation at the 1924 Paris Summer Olympics. Proposed by Libya’s ambassador Taher El-Sonni and supported by over 160 member nations, the resolution recognizes football’s immense cultural, social, and unifying influence worldwide. The UN’s acknowledgement highlights football’s role in promoting peace, development, health, and education globally, reinforcing its position as the world’s most popular and unifying sport.

Paraguay emerged as the champions of the inaugural FIFA Youth Series, securing a commanding 3-0 victory over New Zealand in the final match. The tournament, which was a pilot under-16 youth competition, took place at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich from 18 to 22 May as part of World Football Week. It featured six participating nations: Guatemala, Malaysia, New Zealand, Paraguay, Switzerland, and Tunisia. Paraguay's win not only highlights the country's growing investment in youth football but also sets a high benchmark for future editions of the tournament, aligning with the theme ‘Together, We Are Stronger’.