‘It’s a rare occasion for sports tournaments to sustain for 10 seasons,’ says Bollywood Star Tiger Shroff on Pro Kabaddi League
Bollywood Star Tiger Shroff graced his presence at the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 in Mumbai on Monday. He cheered on the U Mumba side, which took on Dabang Delhi K.C. at DOME by NSCI. Speaking about his favourite PKL player, Tiger Shroff said, “My favourite player is Pawan Sehrawat. I can relate to him because he’s a high flyer. And my favourite move is the Dubki. I really like how the raiders evade a chain of defenders through explosive power.” Shroff, who trained in kabaddi for his film Student of the Year 2 in 2019, spoke about his experience of practicing the sport, “One of the main sports was kabaddi in Student of the Year 2. I trained a lot in kabaddi for the movie to get the body language correct. It was quite challenging for me. I learnt how to carry out raids and tackles. I also tried different moves such as Dubki.” The Bollywood star further added, “Kabaddi is a really physical sport. It requires a lot of athleticism, strength and agility. I am really impressed by how the athletes perform in the Pro Kabaddi League.” When asked about his thoughts on the Pro Kabaddi League, Shroff said, “This is the tenth season of the Pro Kabaddi League and it is a rare occasion for sports tournaments to sustain for so many seasons. I am very happy to be associated with the Pro Kabaddi League and it’s really heartening to see the youth take interest in kabaddi.” The Sportz Planet Desk
Aim is to retain ILT20 Trophy for Adani Sportsline-owned Gulf Giants, says young star all-rounder Aayan Khan
One of the players to watch out for in the upcoming International League T20 is young bowling all-rounder Aayan Khan, who will turn out for the Adani Sportsline-owned Gulf Giants for a second season running. Aayan, who made history in the T20 World Cup 2022 by becoming the youngest player to play at the tournament at the age of just 16, was also a part of the Gulf Giants team that won the trophy the first time around. The youngster is ready to help the Adani Sportsline-owned side retain the ILT20 Trophy. “It feels great to be playing for the Gulf Giants in the second season of the ILT20, especially after winning the first season of the tournament. Having already won the trophy, retaining it is the main objective for season 2 of the mega cricket extravaganza. This team plays like a family. Hence, the first season was a remarkable one. We enjoyed every moment,” he told the media in an interaction. In a squad with multiple international talents, one player whom the spinner is keen on working with is Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman. “One player I am very excited to be playing with is the Afghanistan spinner, Mujeeb Ur Rahman. He is a great spinner. I expect to learn a lot from him, especially if he is in form.” At the same time, he also looks forward to sharing the dressing room with some of the biggest names in Caribbean cricket as well. “There are two players from the West Indies — Dominic Drakes and Carlos Braithwaite — I have played with them in other leagues as well. So, the bond that I have with these players is very good. I have learnt a lot from these players while sharing the dressing room with them. In T20s, they have a very good name and I am excited to be playing another season with them,” shared an excited Aayan. Concluding his conversation, the spinner wants to translate his form in the last few months and take his team to the next level. He also credited the improvement of the UAE side and sees a bright future for the sport in the country. “I want to give my 100% in every match and make a name for myself. This is my aim with both the national team and with the Adani Sportsline owned Gulf Giants. I have been playing very well for the last year and I hope to continue this form heading into season two of the ILT20.” “The future of cricket in the UAE is very bright. The grounds and training facilities have improved massively, and we can see many young players coming out of UAE in the future. Earlier, as you can see we reached the U19 Asia Cup final, which itself is a sign of the bright future of the sport in the country,” he added. The Sportz Planet Desk
Bengal Warriors bank on sublime defence as High 5s from Vaibhav and Shubham take them past Telugu Titans
Bengal Warriors snapped their 4-game winless streak as they produced a splendid defensive performance to defeat Telugu Titans 46-26 in the Pro Kabaddi League match at the DOME by NSCI in Mumbai on Tuesday. Warriors’ defender Vaibhav Garje was the star player of the game as he scored a stunning 9 tackle points, while Titans captain Pawan Sehrawat bagged yet another Super 10. Bengal Warriors were without their captain and ace raider Maninder Singh, but that offered a chance to Nitin Kumar to grab the spotlight. He troubled the Telugu Titans’ defence with his mercurial raids, while the Warriors’ defensive duo of captain Shubham and Vaibhav were brilliant on the evening. The Warriors needed all of 7 minutes to grab the first ALL OUT and take a 10-4 lead. Titans’ skipper Pawan was off-colour and their raiding unit was unable to fire on all cylinders as the Warriors’ defence reigned supreme. Vaibhav trapped Pawan in a perfect tackle to bring up his 6th tackle point within the opening half itself and the Warriors wrapped up the second ALL OUT at the cusp of half-time. The former champions led by 17 points as the scorecard read 27-10. The second half saw the Titans put their best foot forward and fight towards a comeback. They struck back through a quick series of points and their relentless efforts paid off in the 33rd minute when Pawan powered past Shubham and Aditya Shinde to inflict an ALL OUT. That very move cut down the Warriors’ lead to 9 points at 33-24. Nitin, however, denied the Titans any chance of a comeback as he escaped the clutches of Sandeep Dhull and Mohit in a clean-up act and inflicted a 3rd ALL OUT on the Titans. With less than 2 minutes to go, the scoreline read 42-24 in the Warriors’ favour. Shubham ended the game with tackles on Pawan and Robin Chaudhary to bring up his High 5 and his team’s 4 victory of the season. The Sportz Planet Desk
Parteek Dahiya Says Adani Sportsline Owned Gujarat Giants Have Only PKL Title in Mind
One of the brightest spots in the Adani Sportsline-owned Gujarat Giants squad this season has been the young Parteek Dahiya, who has been in fine form for his side, which is captained by Fazel Atrachali and coached by Ram Mehar Singh. Parteek, who is in his second season in the PKL, came through the New Young Players’ programme in Season 9, and has been one of the standout performers for the Gujarat Giants, since joining the squad. The ace raider has scored 44 points in the last 4 games, with the Giants having won 7 out of their 11 games. In fact, against the Bengal Warriors in Noida, Parteek raised the bar and how, scoring 22 raid points and 3 tackle points to put in a power packed performance for the Adani Sportsline owned Gujarat Giants.Looking back, Parteek explained, “I started the season a little slowly but now that has changed and I am fully fit right now, and that is showing as I am playing longer durations in the game. What I do is, I keep myself focused on the strategy we have as a team, and look to perform my tasks accordingly, so that it benefits the team.” Parteek likes to keep things simple – he is well aware of his responsibilities for the team, and is keen to perform as best as he can to help the Gujarat Giants in their hunt for the coveted title. When comparing his first season to the ongoing one, Parteek noted that hard work has been the key to his progress. “I have been working hard with the coaches and they have been continuously helping me improve in my raiding and even my defensive performances. One of the things I have also worked on has been picking up more bonus points for the team. Ram Mehar Sir is always talking to me about my performances after games, and keeps motivating me a lot, and I think he expects me to do better in the future.” While Ram Mehar is a stalwart in the sport of Kabaddi, Parteek, who hails from a sporting family where his uncle is the former India kabaddi captain Deepak Niwas Hooda and his sister is Asian Boxing Championships bronze medallist Preeti Dahiya, is also delighted to be playing alongside the champion Fazel Atrachali. “Fazel’s presence is immense for our team as he makes our defensive unit solid and then also is motivating all of us at all points, no matter what. He is a very positive character in the team, and he is very good person to have on your team.” Parteek, who says that his uncle has been a big influence on his career and dreams of a successful stint in the India colours, has his target set for the season. “We have to win the PKL title in Season 10. We as the Gujarat Giants have only one target, and that’s the trophy. We have all the support we need from the team owners and the management, the Adani Sportsline team, has always done everything to back us fully in every aspect, and we could not be happier about that. It helps us be focused and play better eventually,” he signed off. The Adani Sportsline owned Gujarat Giants will now move to Jaipur, where they will face the Puneri Paltan on 12th January. The Sportz Planet Desk
Transitioning from F2 Success to F1 Testing with BWT Alpine, Kush Maini all-set to create history in 2024
Kush Maini, the 23-year-old racer from Bengaluru, is poised to assume the role of testing the BWT Alpine F1 car in the forthcoming 2024 season. In the recent F2 season with Campos’s, he has demonstrated his prowess with multiple top 5 qualifying positions and a podium finish in Melbourne, signaling his potential for the world of Formula1. As a newly recruited development driver for the BWT Alpine F1 Team, Kush has an opportunity to showcase his abilities as a driver while working towards F1. He will work on the simulator, compare data with drivers like Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, and also test the actual car. Speaking on the development, Kush Maini said, “It’s been a dream for me since my childhood, every day of my life has been towards testing a Formula 1 car and ultimately Racing in one.” “When I signed the contract, I could not believe it, and it’s truly amazing,” expressed Kush at the Inside Line Club fan meet and greet event in Bengaluru. There were over 130 fans in attendance. While Kush will still be competing in F2 with Invicta Racing, he added that he was looking forward to development as an F1 driver. “When you move into F1 you need to be ready to make that transition. With Alpine, all my training modules and schedule will be similar to that of Gasly and Ocon. This means that I will be assessed at the highest level, and it is a chance for me to prove myself in an F1 car.” Further elaborating on what F1 testing preparation entails, Kush opined, “Obviously a team like Alpine will have data on different circuits and conventional metrics like Lap time. But I also think things like a driver’s consistency and how well you work with a team are equally important.” The year 2023 was memorable for Kush as it also paved way for him to closely work with two-time World Champion Mika Hakkinen. Kush remarked that the relationship has helped him evolve as a driver. “Mika is a great mentor. He’s helped bring a lot of structure to my approach, so essentially, I can focus on my driving and not get caught up in the other variables. He believes that I belong in F1 and having someone like Mika in your corner, gives immense confidence,” he said. The Sportz Planet Desk
Sony Pictures Networks India extends exclusive broadcast rights for UFC in the Indian Subcontinent
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), the leading sports broadcaster in the Indian subcontinent, has announced the extension of the exclusive broadcast rights for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka for five years. The terms of the agreement include exclusive television and digital media rights for a wide range of UFC events through 2028. The premier promotion for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) worldwide, UFC caters to a massive global audience. UFC is renowned for its top-class fights along with talented fighters and is a dream platform for fighters across the world to showcase their MMA skills. UFC features many of the world’s greatest fighters, including Israel Adesanya, Leon Edwards, Jon Jones, Islam Makhachev, Sean O’Malley, Alex Pereira, and Alexander Volkanovski. Some of the best up-and-coming fighters in UFC are coming out of Eurasia, which has a rapidly expanding fan base for the sport. And with the UFC roster inclusion of Anshul Jubli, the first fighter from India to receive win a UFC contract via winning the tournament for Asia’s best MMA prospects, ROAD TO UFC, and Puja Tomar, the first India-born female fighter, the timing could not have been better to make headway in the Indian subcontinent. Effective January 1, 2024, the agreement solidifies SPNI’s commitment to delivering premium UFC content to fans across the region on Sony Sports Network and SonyLiv. The comprehensive rights package includes exclusive coverage of 42 UFC LIVE events, encompassing 12 Pay-Per-View (PPV) and 30 Fight Night events each year featuring both Main Card and Preliminary bouts, along with additional content that includes UFC Countdown, UFC Connected, a variety of archive content, and Dana White’s Contender Series, a 10-episode live fight series which features up-and-coming talent trying to secure a contract with UFC . In addition to live events, Sony Sports Network will continue to broadcast live in Asia prime time the ground-breaking “win and advance” tournament for Asia’s top MMA prospects, ROAD TO UFC. Sony Sports Network will also have access to archive content that will further enable them to engage audiences with the rich history of the sport. Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer – Distribution & International Business and Head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India said, “We are delighted to extend our partnership with UFC for five more years. Sony Sports Network is the go-to destination for MMA fans in the Indian subcontinent. We have also seen the inclusion of ‘The King of Lions’ aka Anshul Jubli along with Puja Tomar in 2023 has raised interest for UFC in India. Our partnership extension with UFC allows us to continue the exclusive coverage of live UFC events in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu along with an expansive portfolio programming to engage our viewers.” Kevin Chang, SVP and Head of Asia, UFC also added, “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Sony Sports Network, which will remain the home for UFC in India. Sony Sports Network has been a valuable and trusted partner, helping to expand the UFC brand in many ways, from their ‘Ultimate Guide to UFC’ show, to their media and social promotions. We’re excited to extend our partnership and ushering in the next generation of Indian talent.” The Sportz Planet Desk
President Droupadi Murmu confers the Arjuna Award to Indian Blind Cricket Team Captain Ajay Kumar Reddy
On January 9th, 2024, Indian Blind Cricket Team Captain Ajay Kumar Reddy was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award. This award was given to Reddy by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The 33-year-old was one of the 26 athletes to receive this special recognition from the Government of India. Moments before Reddy could receive this honour, Dr. Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, Chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India wrote a LinkedIn post. Dr. Mahantesh wrote, “Honoring Excellence in Sports! Illuri Ajay Kumar Reddy, Captain of the Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind, is set to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award. He stands on the threshold of this remarkable achievement at the doors of Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi!” Born on January 3rd, 1990, Ajay Kumar Reddy lost his vision as a child due to an accident. However, Reddy did not let this incident hamper his dream and made a name for himself in Blind Cricket. After debuting for the national team in 2010, the 33-year-old performed well in guiding India to the Blind T20 World Cup in 2012 and the Blind Cricket World Cup in 2014. Due to his extraordinary performances on the field, Ajay Kumar Reddy was appointed the captain of the Indian Blind Cricket team in 2016. Since then, Reddy has led India to win the Blind T20 Asia Cup, the 2017 Blind T20 World Cup(x3), and the 2018 Blind Cricket World Cup. He was also the captain of the Indian Blind Cricket Team, which received a silver medal at the IBBSA World Games 2023. Ajay Kumar Reddy winning the Arjuna Award is a significant moment for Indian sports, as his story will inspire athletes and citizens across the nation. It is also an achievement for the Indian Blind Cricket Team, which has performed well over the years. Complete list of athletes who won the Arjuna Award: Ojas Pravin Deotale(Archery), Parul Chaudhary(Athletics), Aditi Gopichand Swami(Archery), Mohammad Hussamuddin(Boxing), R Vaishali(Chess), Mohammed Shami(Cricket), Anush Agarwalla(Equestrian), Divyakriti Singh(Equestrian Dressage), Diksha Dagar(Golf), Krishan Bahadur Pathak(Hockey), Sushila Chanu(Hockey), Pawan Kumar(Kabaddi), Ritu Negi(Kabaddi), Nasreen(Kho-Kho), Pinki(Lawn Bowls), Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar(Shooting), Esha Singh(Shooting), Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu(Squash), Ayhika Mukherjee(Table Tennis), Sunil Kumar(Wrestling), Antim Panghal(Wrestling), Naorem Roshibina Devi(Wushu), Sheetal Devi(Para Archery), Illuri Ajay Kumar Reddy(Blind Cricket), Prachi Yadav(Para Canoeing), Murali Sreeshankar(Athletics) Varun Anand Bhat | The Sportz Planet
If Opponents Stop Arjun Deshwal, Others Will Step Up, Says Jaipur Pink Panthers’ Captain Sunil Malik
The Jaipur Pink Panthers, who are the defending champions, have been on a six-match unbeaten streak, and closed out the first week of the new year, with a resounding win against U Mumba, in the presence of the Bachchan family, in Mumbai during Pro Kabaddi League Season 10. The Jaipur Pink Panthers defeated U Mumba 41-31, in another instalment of one of the most storied rivalries in the Pro Kabaddi League. A ten-point win against the mighty U Mumba, in their own backyard meant that the Jaipur Pink Panthers’ leadership group was mighty pleased. Skipper Sunil Malik was all praise for Arjun Deshwal after the match, saying, “Arjun was in fine form against U Mumba, scoring important raid points for us. Along with him, the likes of V Ajith and Bhavani Rajput also put in a fine performance in the raiding department. We played as a complete team.” For the Jaipur Pink Panthers, Arjun Deshwal stood out yet again, scoring a total of 17 points, of which 16 were raid points. He had 15 successful raids out of 20. However, the Sunil Malik is not perturbed about the fact that other teams might target him. He said, “If the opposition teams try to slow down Arjun in any game, we have the likes of Ajith, Bhavani, Rahul Chaudhari, along with some young talented players in the squad, who can step up when needed. We have enough time before our next game to sort out such things.” The Jaipur Pink Panthers were aware that they would not have it easy against U Mumba, and had made plans accordingly. Opening up further on how they worked out their plans, the captain said, “We had made our plans for the opposition players and were keen to execute them properly. The U Mumba raiders are good, but we were clear on not allowing the likes of Guman Singh any bonus points during the game. Amirmohammad Zafardanesh was also someone we didn’t want to concede bonus points too, as those points can be difficult to cover up at times.” Up next for the Jaipur Pink Panthers will be a very important phase, as they play their home leg in Jaipur (12-17 January). The Season 9 champions will face the Telugu Titans in their opening game in Jaipur and aren’t taking them lightly. “We can’t take any team lightly during the Pro Kabaddi League. All the 12 teams involved are good squads and we will go in with solid preparations and hope to do well on the mat.” The Sportz Planet Desk
Kalinga Super Cup 2024 Set to Thrill Football Fans in Odisha
In yet another significant development for sports in Odisha, the state is all set to host the 2024 edition of the Super Cup, now branded as the Kalinga Super Cup with Odisha supporting this tournament. The marquee tournament will commence on 9 January with the final scheduled to be held on January 28, with matches taking place at the Kalinga Sports Complex in Bhubaneswar. The tournament will see 16 teams (12 from the Indian Super League and four from the I-League) divided into four groups of four teams each. Speaking ahead of the tournament, Secretary, Sports & Youth Services Department, Shri Vineel Krishna said, “We are looking forward to hosting the finest football clubs from all over the country. Football is growing rapidly in Odisha and hosting back-to-back football events strengthens our ecosystem. Today, we have the best of sports infrastructure and facilities including five FIFA standard pitches where the teams will be able to train without any clash in schedule. All arrangements are being made in association with All India Football Federation and Football Association of Odisha to ensure the clubs and the fans have the best of experience in Odisha. I would like to take this opportunity to extend our best wishes to all the participating clubs.” The Kalinga Super Cup will follow a similar structure to the previous editions, where the highest-ranked team from each group will advance to the semi-finals. The champion of the final will secure a spot in the 2024-25 AFC Champions League 2. Notably, Odisha FC holds the title as the defending champions, having triumphed over Bengaluru FC in the 2023 final held in Kozhikode. Noteworthy to mention, Odisha has a deep connection with football. It used to host the Kalinga Cup, one of India’s oldest all-India football tournaments, which was held at the historic Barbati Stadium in Odisha. It was instituted by Odisha’s legendary statesman and former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik in 1962. This annual event was organised by Football Association of Odisha and the Sports & Youth Services Department, Govt of Odisha, and saw participation from some of the leading sports clubs of the country and was a significant football event in the country. It not only offered exposure but also played a crucial role in producing talented footballers from the state. The competition follows a series of initiatives deployed by the government of Odisha towards the promotion and development of football. Recently, Hon Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy in Bhubaneswar in the presence of Arsene Wenger, chief of global football development at FIFA. Furthermore, Odisha also hosted the India vs. Qatar match in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 joint qualifier. Additionally, Bhubaneswar serves as the home base for the India U16 and U19 teams, frequently hosting their training camps. Odisha has also forged a partnership with ISL club, Odisha FC to strengthen grassroots efforts, providing the club with the prestigious Kalinga Stadium as their home ground. The Sportz Planet Desk
‘The pair of Jaideep and Mohit is the backbone of the Haryana Steelers,’ says Head Coach Manpreet Singh
The Haryana Steelers bounced back into form with a 41-35 victory over Bengal Warriors in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 on Sunday. Speaking about the match Haryana Steelers’ Head Coach Manpreet Singh said, “The pair of Jaideep and Mohit is the backbone of the Haryana Steelers. Mohit was very confident that he could take on Maninder since he has got him out many times. It feels really good to see a player showcase high confidence. I wouldn’t have minded even if we lost against Bengal Warriors because the players gave their best on the mat.” The Steelers triumphed in the game, but Warriors’ Shrikant Jadhav scored a Super 10 in the game. When asked if the team could’ve performed better against Jadhav, the Head Coach said, “The defence unit couldn’t coordinate well while tackling Shrikant Jadhav, however, we also pulled off Super Tackles against him. We could’ve certainly defended better against him, but the players will make mistakes in every game.” Manpreet Singh also spoke about Chandran Ranjit’s performance in the game. The raider scored 7 raid points in the match. He said, “Ranjit isn’t completely fit at the moment. I substituted him when I noticed that he started to lose energy on the mat. However, he gave his 100 percent on every raid. He’ll regain full fitness in the upcoming matches.” The Haryana Steelers will be taking on U Mumba in their next match on 10 January 2023 in Mumbai. When asked about taking on the home side, Manpreet Singh said, “I have grown up in Mumbai and therefore my team gets a lot of love here. The fans in Mumbai will not only come to support U Mumba. They come to the stadium to support kabaddi. U Mumba has a great team balance and it’ll be difficult to defeat them.” The Haryana Steelers are currently in the sixth position on the points table with 6 wins from 10 matches. The Sportz Planet Desk