Chess Prodigy Makes History: In a remarkable achievement, three-year-old Saruagya Singh Kushwaha from India has become the youngest player ever to be listed in the International Chess Federation (FIDE) ratings. Aged three years, seven months, and twenty days, Kushwaha surpassed the previous record held by fellow Indian Anish Sarkar. The kindergarten student from Madhya Pradesh achieved a rapid-chess rating of 1,572, demonstrating exceptional talent by defeating several rated players. His parents and coaches aim for him to become the youngest Grandmaster in history.
Hockey Teams Advance in Junior World Cup: India's junior men's hockey team successfully advanced to the semi-finals of the Junior World Cup after a thrilling shootout victory against Belgium. The match ended in a 2-2 draw before India clinched the shootout 4-3 with crucial contributions from Shardanand, Prince Deep Singh, and Ankita Pal. Meanwhile, the junior women's hockey team also showcased strong performance, defeating Ireland 4-0 in their final pool match to top Pool C.
Bengaluru to Host Davis Cup and World Tennis League: Bengaluru is set to become a hub for international tennis, having been chosen to host the upcoming Davis Cup World Group stage tie between India and the Netherlands in February 2026. This marks another significant event for the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA), reinforcing Bengaluru's reputation as a premier tennis destination. Furthermore, the World Tennis League (WTL) is making its India debut in Bengaluru from December 17-20, 2025. The tournament will feature a fast-paced, four-set format including Men's Singles, Women's Singles, and two Doubles sets.
Indian Football Faces Commercial Crisis: A major crisis is unfolding in Indian domestic football as almost all Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, with the exception of East Bengal, have urged the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to address pressing commercial and operational issues. The clubs warned of "commercial impossibility" as the Marketing Rights Agreement between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) is set to expire on December 8, 2025. They have called for urgent action and even approached the Supreme Court, highlighting concerns over halted central revenue and withdrawn sponsorships.
Ahmedabad's 2036 Olympic Ambitions: Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed strong confidence that Ahmedabad will host the 2036 Olympic Games. Speaking at an event, Shah stated that India aims to be among the top five medal-winning nations at the Olympics, attributing this goal to increased sports funding and improved athlete performance under the current government. This announcement follows Ahmedabad's successful bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with plans underway to build world-class sports infrastructure.
Khelo India University Games Conclude: The fifth edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG 2025) concluded in Jaipur, showcasing India's burgeoning sporting talent. Chandigarh University emerged as the top performer, leading the medal tally. The games featured over 4,000 athletes from more than 200 universities across 25 sports disciplines, with notable achievements in athletics, swimming, shooting, and wrestling. The event also recorded the highest-ever participation of female athletes, crossing 40% for the first time.
Squash and Shooting Achievements: India's rising squash star Anahat Singh clinched the women's title at the HCL Squash Indian Tour 4 in Chennai, defeating veteran Joshna Chinappa in a gripping 52-minute battle. Chennai is also preparing to host the SDAT Squash World Cup from December 9-14, 2025. In shooting, Zoravar Singh Sandhu was honored as the ISSF People's Choice Men's Athlete of the Year at the ISSF Athlete of the Year Awards 2025, recognizing his bronze medal win at the Shotgun World Championship earlier this year.
Archery and Badminton Recognition: The Archery Premier League (APL) received the 'Emerging Professional Sports Event of the Year' award at the India Sports Awards 2025 during FICCI TURF 2025. This recognition highlights the league's success in transforming archery into a more engaging and professional sport in India. In badminton, the resurgence of shuttlers Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand was noted, particularly their focus on endurance and an all-round game, following their win at the Syed Modi Super 300 tournament.