FIFA President calls for peace and invites all FIFA World Cup™ participants to compete in a spirit of fair play and mutual respect. FIFA’s steadfast commitment to peace and unity was at the core of the online FIFA Council meeting held at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland, at which FIFA President Gianni Infantino called for peace and reiterated the key role of football to bring people together in times of continuous geopolitical turmoil. “FIFA can’t solve geopolitical conflicts, but we are committed to using the power of football and the FIFA World Cup to build bridges and promote…
Author: Digital Desk
Calling for stronger athlete-centric governance in Indian sport, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha on Sunday said the future of the country’s sporting ecosystem must be guided by policies that place athletes at the centre of decision-making. Speaking on Day 3 of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of a National Convention at the India Habitat Centre, Usha said ensuring the preparation, welfare and development of athletes must remain the highest priority for administrators and sporting bodies. “Athlete-first governance must guide the future of Indian sport. Their preparation, welfare and development must remain our highest priority,” Usha said while addressing members…
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) headquarters to review India’s preparations for the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4. Senior officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, SAI, and other stakeholders briefed Dr. Mandaviya on the country’s readiness ahead of the event, ensuring that athletes receive every possible support to excel at the continental showpiece. A 15-member committee constituted for Asian Games 2026 preparation review, which includes Shri Hari Ranjan Rao,…
Today marks 100 Days to Go until the FIFA World Cup 2026™, which will see Canada, Mexico and the United States welcome the world for the greatest show on earth. This year’s tournament will unfold across a record 104 matches, kicking off at Mexico City Stadium on 11 June and making its way to New York New Jersey Stadium for the final on 19 July. To mark 100 Days to Go, the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Tournament Poster makes its debut, celebrating the true spirit, excitement and unity of the global showpiece event. The poster features a collage-style composition with a player at its centre,…
Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy jointly conducted four successful in-flight release trials of the indigenous Air Droppable Container ‘ADC-150’ from the P8I aircraft off the coast of Goa between February 21 to March 1, 2026, at different extreme release conditions. Indigenously designed and developed to deliver 150 kg payload, the Air Droppable Container enhances the naval operational logistics capabilities for providing quick response to naval vessels under distress, needing critical stores/equipment, medical assistance etc. at blue sea deployed far from the coast. The Naval Science & Technological Laboratory, Visakhapatnam is the nodal laboratory for the…
-Pratyusha Mukherjee As a Bengali, I feel proud of the role and sacrifice of the Bengali community throughout the world, more particularly Bangladesh, in snatching the recognition of their Mother Language through a series of historic movements in the past. Language movement in erstwhile East Pakistan in 1952 and Silchar in Assam in 1961 deserve special mention. I am also proud of their success in getting the 21st February recognised as the International Mother Language Day, but I am equally disheartened to see the negative role of the interim Government of Bangladesh in the recent past over observance of this…
The UK Government launched its fully digital UK eVisa, for visa nationals from 25 February 2026. This transition marks a major step in the digital transformation of the UK’s border and immigration system, making travel to the UK more convenient and secure—benefiting visitors globally, including from India. The eVisa replaces the traditional visa vignette placed in physical passports. Visitors will now receive a secure digital record on their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account linked to their passport, making it easier to apply, store, manage and present visa information online. The introduction of eVisas for visitors will enable UK-bound visitors…
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports,today virtually laid the foundation stones for six major sports infrastructure projects and inaugurated two athlete support facilities, involving a total investment of ₹120 crore. The initiatives mark a significant step in strengthening India’s sports ecosystem and reaffirming Union Government’s commitment to developing a world-class, athlete-centric infrastructure across the country. The six foundation stone projects, with a cumulative cost of ₹82 crore, are being implemented under the Khelo India Scheme, with additional support from Sports Authority of India (SAI). These projects are geographically distributed across the country, including the North-Eastern and…
India witnessed a rare and powerful sight on Republic Day 2026 as animals of the Indian Army marched proudly along Kartavya Path, symbolising endurance, sacrifice and India’s unique high-altitude military capability. For the first time, a carefully curated animal contingent of the Remount & Veterinary Corps (RVC) of the Indian Army showcased and highlighted the critical role played by animals in safeguarding the nation’s most challenging frontiers. The contingent featured two Bactrian camels, four Zanskar ponies, four raptors, ten Indian breed Army dogs along with six conventional military dogs already in service. Together, they represented a blend of tradition, innovation…
-Pratyusha Mukherjee In a massive setback for the Bangladesh Cricket Board, the ICC has overwhelmingly rejected BCB’s demand to move its matches out of India for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The vote inside the ICC boardroom was a crushing 14–2, sending a clear message that the global body will not bend to unilateral pressure or last-minute ultimatums. With the schedule locked and hosts unchanged, the ICC has made it clear that participation is non-negotiable. If Bangladesh refuses to travel, the board is prepared to replace them with Scotland, a move that would mark one of the most dramatic exits…