IPL Owners And Tech Giants Bid For Hundred Franchises
A couple of IPL franchises and a couple of renowned tech industry owners have shown interest in taking the ownership roles in The Hundred. IPL Franchises Show Interest In The Hundred A few IPL franchise owners are among the shortlisted investors: Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants, and Delhi Capitals co-owners GMR Group. A consortium of global tech giants with leaders from Google, Microsoft, and Adobe also remains in contention. IPL And Tech Giants In The Spotlight The bid for The Hundred franchises is in its decisive phase, as investors compete to win equity stakes for all eight franchises. Mumbai Indians and the tech consortium, led by Nikesh Arora of Palo Alto Networks, heavily target the London-based teams, particularly Oval Invincibles and London Spirit. The consortium includes some of Silicon Valley’s biggest names, such as Sundar Pichai (Google CEO) and Satya Nadella (Microsoft CEO), among others. IPL franchise owners, including RPSG Group, are also targeting multiple teams in the competition. Interest In Manchester And London Teams The most sought-after teams are London clubs, Oval Invincibles and London Spirit, which investors are interested in tapping into the commercial potential of the city. Manchester Originals, hosted by Lancashire, is another highly sought-after team, largely because of the city’s connection to famous football clubs and its young, vibrant population. IPL owners are attracted to the possibility of working with Lancashire in managing cricket operations, making Manchester a strong contender for their investments. Apart from the London-based teams, there are others in the regional franchises, including Trent Rockets, Northern Superchargers and Welsh Fire that have generated much interest. The Sun Group that owns Sunrisers franchises of both IPL and SA20 has shown much interest in these teams while global fund manager CVC Capital Partners has taken a keen interest in Birmingham Phoenix, focusing on them. A Profitable Future For The Hundred Interest for both the IPL teams and global investors is strong towards the ECB decision of privatizing The Hundred by selling 49% stakes in franchises. Bids are expected to exceed £350 million, thereby shaping the new structure of the competition from 2026 onwards under the new ownerships. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Odisha Warriors Lift The Women’s HIL
The Odisha Warriors won the very first Women’s Hockey India League (HIL) with a 2-1 victory over JSW Soorma Hockey Club on Sunday, January 26, 2025. Odisha Warriors’ Star Performer A sensational performance from Rutuja Pisal took the Odisha Warriors over the line. The win is both gold and redemption for head coach Janneke Schopman of Odisha, who suffered a bitter loss in the very same venue several years ago as the then-coach for India. Odisha Warriors’ Slow Start, Stunning Finish The match, played on a charged evening, had a slow start with little action in the opening quarter. However, brilliant field goals from Rutuja Pisal in the second quarter broke the deadlock and set the tone for the game. A high ball from Victoria Sauze looked to go out but Pisal expertly guided it over Soorma’s goalkeeper Savita Punia putting Odisha ahead. Soorma’s Counter And The Equalizer Soorma, who had won the league stage, put up pressure, which paid off as Penny Squib scored from a penalty corner in the second quarter to tie the game 1-1. The PC conversion was a turning point in the game, as Soorma had gone through the entire tournament without capitalizing on any PC. Odisha’s Counter-Attack Seals The Deal However, it was Odisha’s field play that sealed the win. Though they defended valiantly against Soorma’s frenetic onslaught in the final few minutes, Neha Goyal inspired a devastating countering attack that saw Pisal run past defenders to clip an exceptional finish past Savita and send Odisha ahead for good. Final Defensive Stand Holds Off Soorma Soorma would move ahead but in the end, Odisha had defended their defense quite tight with the last-tackle saves that would ensure their win. A tough contest where the Odisha team had relied heavily on drag flicker Yibi Janssen finally won the match with incredible field goals and clinched the title. Odisha Warriors Siege Victory Odisha Warriors win their first Women’s HIL, with their perseverance, timely finishing, and superb team play, thus giving them a testament that the first-ever champions of what would surely be a thrilling inaugural season of the Women’s HIL. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Uttarakhand To Host The 38th National Games From Jan 28 to Feb 14, 2025
The 38th National Games of India are to take place from 28 January 2025 till 14 February 2025 in Uttarakhand. 38th National Games The 38th National Games is expected to include 32 disciplines and four demonstration events intended to unite over 10,000 athletes, officials and coaches coming from the remotest regions of the nation. 38th National Games To Showcase India’s Best Talent The National Games is one of India’s premier sporting events in an Olympic format, wherein athletes from different states and Union Territories vie to bag top honours. It will be conducted across a few cities in Uttarakhand for the very first time that the state will be hosting National Games. It would be a really big affair, as it not only shows the best talent that the country could boast of but also growing sports infrastructure. 38th National Games 2025 To Have 38 Sports There will be 38 sports in the 2025 National Games. The participants will represent their states and institutional teams like Services. In the last National Games, which took place in Goa in 2023, Maharashtra was at the top of the medal tally, having won 228 medals of which 80 were gold medals. The National Games had a comeback after 2015. Services emerged victorious with 128 medals, out of which 61 were gold medals, in the 2022 Gujarat edition. Infrastructure At 38th National Games Uttarakhand is geared up to host the National Games 2025 with all its infrastructure in place at various sports complexes. It has also received the permission to host the National Winter Games next year that will make it the hub of sports in India. History Of The National Games The National Games have a great history. The first time it was held in Lahore in 1924 and then named the Indian Olympic Games. With time, the name again was changed to National Games with the eighth edition in 1938. It was then conducted every year since then from different cities in India. This effort was perceived by the growing sports talents in India that have shown participation and efforts towards the Olympic movement. National Games Building A Strong Future For India This will be the third successive National Games of this series, as earlier editions had taken place in Guwahati, Ranchi, Kerala and Goa with growing sports infrastructure in India. The National Games would be ideal occasions to identify and train future athletes representing India at the international level, such as in the Olympic Games. What To Expect At 38th National Games? The 38th National Games are definitely going to create another great milestone of the country’s sports journey. Expectations from sportspersons and spectators for this event are indeed very high with the promise to be an exciting revelry of skills, teamwork and sporting achievement. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Union Minister Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse applauds World Cup-winning kho kho teams
New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse met and congratulated both the men’s and women’s kho kho teams, who recently clinched the World Cup, here on Friday. The honourable Union Minister of State applauded the dominating manner in which both the teams clinched the glittering World Cup trophies. “It is such a momentous occasion for the country that both our men’s and women’s teams clinched the first-ever World Cup in kho kho, especially the dominating fashion in which we won gives me immense pride. This is our indigenous sport, the sport of our soil, our villages. Entire country celebrated the victory, even in distant parts. I want to congratulate Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) president (Sudhanshu) Mittal ji and his entire team for putting a lot of effort to help the game earn the much-required fame and create ripples internationally,” Smt. Khadse told the World Cup-winning team members. Pratik Waikar-led Indian men’s team defeated Nepal in the title clash while women’s team that was captained by Priyanka Ingle also clinched a win against the same opposition in the finale. The first-ever Kho Kho World Cup saw 23 countries across 6 continents featuring in the week-long tournament with 20 men’s and 19 women’s teams being a part of it. “Not only Maharashtra, where the sport originated, but other states also performed very well, which is very heartening to see. I would urge all the players to promote the sport in their states/districts/cities etc. You need to tell people in your region about your achievements so that more children get inspired to take up the sport. I would like to extend my best wishes to each player present here for more success in the future,” she said. Sports Authority of India (SAI) supported KKFI to organize a month-long national camp from December 10, 2024 to January 11, 2025 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at no cost. 60 men and 60 women from 27 states trained at the facility. KKFI president Sudhanshu Mittal praised the government for extending all kinds of support for the successful staging of the World Cup at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. “The Indian government has been very supportive towards indigenous sports like kho kho. Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and MoS Smt. Raksha Khadse supported us in every way possible that led to successful staging of the World Cup. We have already announced the staging of next World Cup in Birmingham after 4 years and would like to conduct the World Championship here in India, if the government allows us,” Mittal said. To this, Smt. Khadse assured the KKFI president that she will discuss the matter with the Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. “I will discuss the idea given by Mittal ji with our honourable Sports Minister and we will surely extend all possible help to popularise and promote kho kho further,” she said. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government approved cash rewards of Rs 2.25 crore to each player from the state who participated in the Kho Kho World Cup along with a Class 1 job in the state government after persuasion from Smt. Khadse.
Union Sports Minister felicitates Indian PD Cricket Team, assures full Government support for ‘Divyang’ athletes
Jan 24, New Delhi : Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya honoured the Indian Physical Disability (PD) Cricket Team today on winning the PD Champions Trophy 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The team defeated England in the tournament final, demonstrating exceptional skill and resilience. The Indian PD Cricket Team, supported by the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) and accessibility organization Svayam, was felicitated at the Sports Authority of India. Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting athletes with disabilities, quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive sports participation. “Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has assured commitment towards ‘divyang’ athletes. If you are a ‘divyang’ person, it doesn’t mean you cannot make the nation proud. And your victory is a testament to that. The passion showed by the Indian PD Cricket Team, from the rigorous process of selection to the performance in Sri Lanka, brings to light your immense mettle. Winning 5 matches out of six and beating England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan is no mean feat,” Dr Mandaviya said. The selection process of the Indian PD Cricket Team took place in Udaipur where over 450 cricketers from 28 States turned up for the Nationals. From the list, 56 were picked up for the Challenger Trophy in Jaipur and finally, 17 were shortlisted to represent India. Mentioning about the growing list of achievements brought to the nation by the specially-abled athletes, from the Paris Paralympics to the PD Champions Trophy 2025, Dr Mandaviya added, “Our ‘divyang’ athletes are giving us many reasons to be proud and pushing us to step up our support towards them. The government is with you and you have to use your success to inspire more youth through various platforms.” The event on Friday was also attended by the full team, coaches, DCCI General Secretary Ravikant Chauhan, Svayam Founder-Chairperson Sminu Jindal, and Sports Ministry officials.
Does Plant-Based Nutrition Really Help Athletes?
One of the areas of intense interest in recent years has been plant-based nutrition and its effects on sports performance. Nutrition In Sports And Plant-Based Diets Interest in nutrition and plant-based diets have mostly come about because of the different varieties of dietary preferences athletes can take to improve their physical capabilities. Among the trends in dietary preference currently, the most prominent is plant-based food. But does it really benefit the athletes? Let’s dig deeper into the science behind plant-based diets and their impact on sports performance. Role Of Nutrition In Sports Science Proper nutrition has been advisable for a long time in sports science to maximize athletic performance. Whether working to increase strength, endurance, or to attain recovery, diet is essential. Plant-based food, which constitutes fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts, provides a wide range of key nutrients that are helpful for athletes. These include carbohydrates as energy sources, protein for repairing muscles and antioxidants to minimize inflammation and oxidative stress. Benefits Of Plant-Based Diet For Athletes According to new findings in sports science research, plant-based diets help athletes perform better. A well-balanced plant-based diet provides the body with all the required nutrients without excess saturated fats in animal-based diets. For instance, protein in plant-based foods such as lentils, chickpeas and quinoa is very essential in muscle recovery and overall health. They contain a wide variety of phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium, supporting energy production with a decreased risk of injury. Nutrition In Indian Athletes And Transition To Plant-Based Diets In India, too, the understanding of plant-based nutrition in sports is gaining popularity. India has had a long tradition of vegetarianism, and already, a significant proportion of the population consumes plant-based food; however, there is a noted recent shift toward an understanding of the nutritional needs of athletes, in whom issues regarding protein intake and overall energy reserves are common. Finally, research by sports science into nutrition among Indian athletes is now focusing on the benefits of plant-based foods in overcoming these issues. Optimize Diet For Performance And Recovery Sports nutrition is not only about consuming enough calories but it is also about the kind of balance present in macronutrients and micronutrients. Even athletes who follow a plant-based diet report several advantages such as maintaining healthy body weight, improved digestion, reduced inflammation. Such things are concerned with peak performance. Thus, focusing on whole, plant-based food improves overall health and enhances endurance and recovery. Plant-based food can support an athlete by providing nutrients that aid in performance at peak, recovery, and general health. Furthermore, with the help of sports science and continuous research in nutrition in sports, any athlete can be enabled to have a say in their choice on what to consume to optimize their career, regardless of their preference in diet. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Dominic Solanke To Miss Football Due To This Injury
Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke unfortunately will miss six weeks of action because of knee injury. What Happened To Dominic Solanke? Tottenham Hotspur’s striker Dominic Solanke will be absent for about six weeks after suffering a knee injury, manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed on Thursday. The injury happened in last week’s training session and forced Solanke to miss the Premier League match against Everton on Sunday and Thursday Europa League win over Hoffenheim. Solanke’s Input For Spurs This Season Solanke was perhaps one of the most eye-catching captures made by Spurs in the offseason at a tag price of £55 million from Bournemouth. The 26-year-old has appeared for Spurs in 29 games, scoring 11 goals. His performances have been of crucial importance for the North London club, given their difficulties looking for attacking intent. His exclusion is going to massively affect the team during the current season. Former Bournemouth striker was one of the standout candidates in the Premier League last season, scoring 19 goals while helping Bournemouth achieve the highest number of points ever achieved in the top league. This is his quality of sharp finishing and in creating opportunities in the final third, making him invaluable to Spurs under Postecoglou’s system. Manager’s Optimism For Quicker Recovery Though this comes at a very inconveniente moment for Tottenham, preparing for their upcoming Premier League fixture against Leicester City on Sunday as well as an away match next Thursday in the Europa League against Sweden’s Elfsborg, Hagiannis expressed his optimism in hopes that recovery will not take too much time for him. Knee Injuries In Football Knee injuries are one of the most common and concerning types of injuries in football, as they can significantly affect a player’s mobility, agility and long-term performance. The knee is a complex joint and injuries can occur due to a variety of reasons, including overuse, direct contact, or sudden twists and turns. Types Of Knee Injuries In Football Most common knee injuries in football include ligament sprains, cartilage tears, and tendinitis. The ACL is very susceptible to injury and a tear typically results in an extended recovery time. Though not typically surgical, the milder forms of injury, such as that which Solanke suffered, typically keep players out of games for weeks. A rehab course of treatment includes rest, physiotherapy and strengthening to regain full range of motion on the knee. For Solanke, keeping a positive mindset and following a structured rehabilitation plan will be the key to getting him back onto the pitch as soon as it is safe for him to do so. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Why Pulses Should Be Consumed By Indian Grassroots Level Athletes?
Sports science and nutrition are the need of the hour for an athlete at the grassroots level. In this case, grassroots level athletics in India might be deprived of full-fledged and proper nutritional and training resources, where these aspects are very much needed. What Can Pulses Do For Grassroots Athletes? Among several food groups, pulses can work wonders for such athletes. Including pulses in daily diets can provide the necessary nutrients to have optimal performance and ensure long-term health by overcoming many of the challenges faced by emerging athletes in India. Role Of Nutrition In Sports Nutrition in sports has been stressed as an essential aspect by science. Nutrition in sports has received more emphasis lately in the case of Indian society. It remains untouched how that deficit present in simple and easily accessed food sources creates an impact on an athlete’s body and psyche. Pulses such as lentils, chickpeas, beans, are food that is protein- and fiber-rich along with containing many essential micronutrients. They could be helpful to grassroots athletes since they may not afford to take pricey supplements or sports diets at a hefty cost. Role Of Protein In Muscle Building And Recovery One of the greatest advantages of pulses is that they are rich in proteins, which are essential for repairing and building muscles. It has been widely proved in the scientific field of sports science that the role of protein in recovery and muscle synthesis. Grassroots athletes, especially from developing regions in India, hardly access animal-based sources of proteins. Animal-derived protein sources tend to be very expensive, but the pulses can adequately bridge this gap with a slight stretch on the athlete’s purse. These pulses deliver constant levels of carbohydrates, which are the preferred fuel for endurance. For the long-duration athletes like running, cycling, or field events, slow-digesting carbohydrates release constant energy while limiting the possibility of fatigue. This energy constancy is the cornerstone of performance peak as found in sports science literature on endurance nutrition. Correction Of Nutrient Deficiency Moreover, pulses fill common gaps of nutrients in day-to-day diets. Among the grassroots athletes, iron and folate deficiencies prevail, impacting athletic performance and overall health. The pulses are abundant in such key micronutrients that enhance oxygen transportation in blood as well as cognition, both are crucial to sports performance. Power Of Pulses For Grassroot Athletes Pulses integration into the day-to-day diet of grass root level athletes throughout India would then become an easy and effective nutrition strategy that further enhances performance while promoting long-term health. So, the thrust on nutrient-dense but cheap foods such as pulses, developed through sports science in India, can then help provide better opportunities for the athletic performance of all despite geographical or financial variations. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Rohit Sharma’s Battle With Red-Ball Continues In Domestic Cricket
Rohit Sharma‘s much-awaited return to first-class cricket ended abruptly on a cool winter morning in Mumbai as the Indian Captain lasted just 19 balls in his Group A fixture for Mumbai against Jammu and Kashmir. Rohit Sharma’s Brief Stay At The Crease Rohit Sharma has been struggling with form in red-ball cricket, managing only three runs before being dismissed in an uncharacteristic manner. His brief stay at the crease was the focal point of attention in the lead-up to the match, especially after he confirmed his participation in the game during a Champions Trophy squad announcement last week. His presence was eagerly awaited, but Rohit’s return to Mumbai’s Ranji side could not deliver the hoped-for revival of form. Rohit Sharma And Jaiswal Open The Batting For Mumbai Mumbai skipper Ajinkya Rahane decided to bat first and he opened the innings sending the regular test cricket opener, Rohit Sharma, with whom he shares an opening stand for India. The duo of Jaiswal and Sharma had to push Ayush Mhatre out of the playing XI. Mhatre had been the find of the season, basking in glory with some sensational performances. Rohit Sharma Tested By Jammu & Kashmir Bowlers Though the air was fresh early in the morning as Mumbai began the day with a break from last week’s scorching heat, Jammu and Kashmir’s opening bowlers, particularly Umar Nazir Mir, capitalized on the early-morning nip. Rohit faced a probing spell, well bowled, especially by Mir, who bowled a tight line outside the off stump and varied his lengths, not allowing the India captain to settle. After seeing two maidens from Mir, Rohit was able to get a single off Auqib Nabi but otherwise was subdued by the tight bowling. Rohit Sharma Gets Dismissed After Brief Struggle The breakthrough came on his 17th ball, when Mir got one to move away and Rohit, looking to play his trademark pick-up shot, only managed to edge it to a well-placed Paras Dogra at mid-off. Rohit’s lean run in red-ball cricket continues, with his first-class average for the 2024-25 season now sitting at a dismal 10.43. His brief outing only adds to the growing concern over his form in the longer format of the game. Rohit Sharma Accompanied By Jaiswal With Lack Of Form The big hit in Rohit Shrama’s dismissal came after Nabi removed Jaiswal for 4, making Mumbai reel at 9 for 2 at a relatively early stage of the game. A game that started off promisingly for the top order of Mumbai had begun to slip away from the team, as two top-order openers were sent back to the pavilion without scoring too heavily. Rohit Sharma’s Lean Run In Red-Ball Cricket Continues For Rohit Sharma, it was another reminder of the challenge he faces in red-ball cricket. His inconsistency at the top order continues to be a talking point ahead of India’s international commitments. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Mr. Shaji Prabhakaran Launches Association For Sports Industry Professionals (ASIP)
The Founder of The Sportz Planet, Mr. Rishi Sutrave had a chance to interview Mr. Shaji Prabhakaran on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, as Mr. Prabhakaran recently launched the Association For Sports Industry Professionals (ASIP). A Bit About Mr. Shaji Prabhakaran Mr. Shaji Prabhakaran is an Indian Football Administrator who has held roles in sports governance. He currently is a part of the Asian Football Confederation and South Asian Football Federation as the elected Executive Committee (board member) member. Prabhakaran previously served as the General Secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). He also served as the President of Football Delhi (Delhi Soccer Association). Prabhakaran worked as the FIFA Development Officer for South Central Asia. A native of Kerala and brought up in Bengal, Prabhakaran developed a passion for football at the age of 8. However, due to the lack of professional coaching and limited popularity of the sport in his school, he also engaged in volleyball and cricket during his early years. 1. What was your vision behind establishing the Association For Sports Industry Professionals? My vision behind establishing ASIP is to create a vibrant and unified platform that would foster professional development opportunities for the sports industry professionals, attain unprecedented growth in the sports sector, advocate collaborative approach, intensify networking opportunities and build credibility for policy advocacy. As I have found there is no organisation that is providing a platform for 365 days to the sports industry to come together, and without coming together the sports industry won’t grow to its potential in India. All these years I was waiting to be part of such a platform but eventually I thought to go ahead when I found that there are many from the industry looking for a platform to network and grow in the sports industry in India. 2. How will ASIP bridge the gap between various sectors within the sports industry? Our plan is to identify key growth sectors in the sports industry and create sectoral specific task forces involving domain experts from those sectors, and to have a focus approach to identify the gaps and work towards finding solutions to attain growth. Key growth sectors include sports infrastructure, spectator sports (leagues & mega events), sports technology, esports, sports apparel & equipment, sports marketing & sponsorship, sports education, sports tourism, sports media and broadcasting, sports science and high performance, school & college sports, sports turfs & manufacturing, etc. We will create dialogue forums between all the sectoral task forces to have a cohesive approach and that way we will be able to come up with purpose driven policy advocacy actions. Synergic approach would lead to focus on priority areas and thus, we will be able to advocate policies to bridge the gap. 3. How impactful do you consider networking in the current era? Networking is an essential element to cultivate professional growth in any industry and in the current era, though digital platforms provide added advantages for quick virtual networking opportunities, traditional networking opportunities remain significant in the current era. Therefore, ASIP is going to provide multifold networking opportunities through formal and informal options. I personally experienced the power of networking and having the right network in the right geography or in the right place helps in multiple ways. From learning to opening the toughest doors of opportunities and meeting those high achievers, your role models from the industry, and finding a lifelong mentor to co-founders to seed funders to investors, etc. What I believe is that, ASIP success and future growth are depended on this one key aspect, i.e. Networking. How strong ASIP is going to be in Networking aspects and that would define its success and future growth. 4. What challenges do you foresee in the growth of sports industry professionals in emerging markets and how can ASIP address them? The major challenge sports industry professionals would face are the following: 1. Limited job openings from middle to senior level positions in many sectors. There are serious funding gaps and capital is not easily available for many sports sectors. Thus, for the next 3-4 years there will be a big challenge unless we experience significant capital inflow in key growth sectors. 2. Not finding the right kind of job openings. Majority of young professionals get demotivated when they don’t find the right kind of job opening in their area of interest and this challenge will remain for the next few years. ASIP plans to create three levels of Career Counselors and also there is a thought to launch a mentorship programme to prepare and help young professionals and all our members in career advancement related issues and address the skill gap pertaining to specific sectors. Stay tuned for further updates. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.