Current Affairs - Sports

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.

Indian shooter Khushi secured a bronze medal in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) event at the ISSF Junior World Championship in Lima, Peru. Khushi's achievement contributed to India's impressive medal tally of 15, comprising 10 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronze medals. Her score of 447.3 placed her behind Norway's Caroline Lund and Synnoeve Berg, who took silver and gold, respectively. This victory underscores India's growing presence in international shooting competitions and highlights Khushi's potential for future success.

Divanshi achieved remarkable success at the ISSF Junior Championship by winning the gold medal in the women’s 25m pistol event, defeating Italy’s Cristina Magnani. In addition to her individual triumph, Divanshi also contributed to securing the team gold alongside her teammates Tejaswini and Vibhuti Bhatia. Her performance highlights India's strength in shooting sports at the junior level, further complemented by Mukesh Nelavalli's two gold medals in the junior men's events and the overall achievements of the Indian shooting team in various categories.