Current Affairs - Sports

Sue Redfern from England is set to become the first ICC-appointed female neutral umpire, marking a significant stride toward gender inclusivity in cricket officiating. This historic moment is scheduled to take place during the upcoming WT20I between Australia and South Africa.

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, the 18-year-old chess prodigy from Chennai, secured a monumental victory by outplaying World Champion Ding Liren in Wijk aan Zee during the 2024 Tata Steel Chess Tournament. This remarkable feat elevated Praggnanandhaa to the position of India's top-ranked chess player, surpassing the legendary Viswanathan Anand.

The ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 is scheduled to be held in South Africa. The tournament, starting on January 19, 2024, and concluding on February 11, 2024, will see 16 teams participating in 48 matches. Various cities and stadiums across South Africa will host the matches, offering diverse playing conditions and atmospheres.

Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, inaugurated the 5th Meghalaya Games in Tura, emphasizing the North East's vast potential for sports and athlete development. The event, accommodating nearly 3000 athletes across 23 disciplines, holds historical significance as it marks the first instance of the President inaugurating the games and introducing traditional indigenous games into its lineup.

Madhya Pradesh emerged as the overall champion at the first-ever Diu Beach Games 2024. The landlocked state showcased remarkable talent with a total of 18 medals, including 7 golds, in a competition that featured 1404 young athletes from 28 states and Union Territories. This victory underscores Madhya Pradesh's prowess in sports and its ability to excel even in beach games despite being a landlocked state.