Current Affairs - Sports

Bangladesh emerged victorious in the U19 Asia Cup Final against India by 59 runs at the Dubai International Stadium. Despite India's historical success in the tournament, they fell short of the 199-run target set by Bangladesh, leading to the latter successfully defending their title. This win highlighted Bangladesh's strong performance in the competition.

India will host the $2 million International Golf Series opener at the DLF Golf and Country Club, Gurugram, from January 30 to February 2, 2025. This event marks the first of 10 tournaments on the 2025 schedule, featuring top players from the LIV Golf League and Asian Tour. Launched in 2022, the International Series provides a pathway for exceptional performers to qualify for the prestigious LIV Golf League. This tournament highlights India's growing presence in the global golfing arena.

India will debut in the FIFA World Cup 2024, held in Riyadh from December 9-12. The country will be represented by players across console and mobile formats, including Chinmay Sahoo, Ibrahim Gulrez, Saksham Rattan, and Danial Shakeel Patel. The tournament uses advanced gaming platforms such as eFootball 2025 on PC and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, marking a significant step for India's growing esports landscape.

India secured its fifth Men’s Junior Asia Cup title by defeating Pakistan 5-3 in the final held in Muscat, Oman. This victory marks India's third consecutive win in the tournament, following successes in 2015 and 2023. Star player Araijeet Singh Hundal contributed significantly by scoring two penalty corner goals. Recognizing the team's outstanding performance, Hockey India announced cash rewards for the players and support staff. This achievement reinforces India's dominance in junior hockey on the Asian stage.

The 2024 Asian Esports Games were held in Bangkok, where Pavan Kampelli made history by winning India’s first-ever bronze medal in eFootball. Known as 'Mr Tomboy,' he secured a 2-1 victory against Indonesia's Asgard Azizi, a previous eFootball World Finals Winner. Kampelli demonstrated exceptional resilience and skill, overcoming initial challenges to claim this significant achievement for India.