Current Affairs - Sports

The Asian Table Tennis Championships 2024 took place in Astana, Kazakhstan, marking a significant milestone for Indian table tennis. Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee secured a historic bronze medal in the Women's Doubles category, achieving India's first-ever medal in the event. The Indian duo lost to Japan's Miwa Harimoto and Miyuu Kihara in the semi-finals. Kazakhstan hosted the prestigious championships, providing a platform for top Asian players to compete. The event showcased exceptional talent and determination in the sport.

The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) has recognized India's growing influence and infrastructure in shooting sports by awarding the country the hosting rights for the 2025 Junior World Cup. This prestigious event underscores India's rising prominence in the international shooting community. With a strong team of 23 shooters, India is poised to make a significant impact in the Junior World Cup Final. Hosting the event will further boost India's reputation as a hub for shooting sports, providing opportunities for young talent to shine on the global stage.

Mumbai has been chosen to host the World Pickleball Championship Series, marking India's debut in hosting this prestigious event. The championship, organized by the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), will bring together approximately 650 players from 6-7 countries, including Australia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Poland, and Singapore. The event will take place from November 12-17, 2024, and is expected to promote pickleball's growing popularity in India. AIPA President Arvind Prabhoo and Pickleball Global's founder Jan Papi are key figures behind this initiative.

The 12th Sultan of Johor Cup is taking place in Malaysia, where the 18-member Indian junior men's hockey team, led by Amir Ali, will compete under the guidance of newly appointed head coach PR Sreejesh. This tournament is significant as it serves as a preparatory event for the team ahead of the Men’s Junior Asia Cup in Muscat. The Indian team will face various opponents, including Japan, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and the host nation, Malaysia, as they aim to secure a spot in the finals scheduled for October 26.

Mumbai has clinched the Irani Cup title after a 27-year wait, marking a significant achievement for the team. Led by Ajinkya Rahane, the reigning Ranji champions drew the match against the Rest of India after taking a first-innings lead. Despite early challenges in their innings, a remarkable double century from Sarfaraz Khan helped Mumbai to a total of 537 runs. In response, the Rest of India scored 416 runs, with Abhimanyu Easwaran's impressive knock of 191. The final innings saw Mumbai score 329 runs before the match ended in a draw, securing the title based on the first-innings lead.