Current Affairs - Sports

India finished 71st in the medal tally at the Paris Olympics 2024, marking a decline from its 48th place in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Despite winning six medals, including one silver and five bronze, the nation faced numerous challenges and near misses. This drop has led to discussions about improving sports infrastructure and talent identification in India, emphasizing the need for systemic changes to enhance the performance of Indian athletes on the global stage.

PR Sreejesh, who recently led India to a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indian junior men's hockey team. His transition from being a key player to a coach is significant, especially after his crucial saves helped India secure victory against Spain. Hockey India celebrated this move, acknowledging Sreejesh's inspiring journey from playing to coaching, which is expected to have a positive impact on the young athletes under his guidance.

Odisha Naval Tata Hockey HPC emerged victorious in the Hockey India Junior Academy Women's title, winning the final against Roundglass Punjab in a penalty shootout with a score of 5-3 after a 2-2 draw. The match was intense, with key goals from Prabhjot Kaur and Surekha Bahala securing the title for Odisha. The team's victory highlights their skill and determination in the tournament, making them the champions of this prestigious event.

The first-ever Global Women’s Kabaddi League, officially named the Global Pravasi Women’s Kabaddi League (GPKL), is set to commence in September in Haryana. This tournament is a significant initiative to promote women's kabaddi on an international level, featuring athletes from over 15 countries. Organized by the Holistic International Pravasi Sports Association (HIPSA) in collaboration with World Kabaddi, the event also supports broader efforts to include kabaddi in the Olympic Games and strengthens India's bid to host the 2036 Olympics.

The Indian men's hockey team won the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics by defeating Spain 2-1 in the third-place match. This achievement is notable as it marks India's first back-to-back Olympic medals in hockey since the 1972 Munich Games. The decisive moments included a crucial goal by Harmanpreet Singh and exceptional goalkeeping by P.R. Sreejesh, which secured the victory despite a late challenge from Spain. This victory represents a significant milestone for Indian hockey on the global stage.