Current Affairs - Sports

Pakistan, Russia, and Congo were excluded from the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to various issues such as administrative failures, geopolitical sanctions, and third-party interference. Pakistan's suspension was specifically related to its failure to implement a revised constitution for fair elections in its football federation. The 2026 World Cup will include 48 teams, but these nations will not be part of the competition due to ongoing controversies affecting their participation. This decision highlights the importance of governance and international relations in global sporting events.

The Special Olympics World Winter Games in 2025 will take place in Turin, Italy, from March 7 to 17. The event will feature athletes competing in multiple winter sports such as Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, and Snowboarding, among others. Italy was chosen as the host country for this prestigious event, which will showcase the largest Indian contingent ever. The venue, Turin, has a rich history of hosting international sporting events, further elevating the significance of this competition.

Vidarbha won their third Ranji Trophy title by defeating Kerala in a dominant victory at VCA Stadium, Nagpur. Captain Akshay Wadkar lifted the trophy after a strong first-innings lead and resilient batting performance. Key contributions from Darshan Nalkande, who scored a half-century, and Akshay Karnewar played a significant role in securing the win, making it a memorable achievement for Vidarbha in the prestigious tournament.

Services won the 71st Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship by defeating Railways in the final, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack. In the semifinals, Services triumphed with an impressive 43-35 victory over Punjab, while Railways secured their spot in the final by defeating Uttar Pradesh 42-34. This victory marked another milestone in the successful history of the Services team in Indian Kabaddi.

The 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament is being held in Shenzhen, China. This event features athletes from various countries, with India's men's team led by Sharath Kamal and the women's team featuring Olympian Sreeja Akula. The top four semi-finalists in both singles events will secure a spot for the ITTF World Cup 2025 in April.