SQUASH
Suraj Chand in Singapore Classic squash quarters
Sixth seed Indian Suraj Chand advanced to the men’s quarterfinals of the Singapore Classic squash on Thursday with a straight-games win over Benjamin Ratcliffe in the second round of the PSA Challenger event.
World No 111 Chand, crowned world university champion in August, beat his Australian opponent 11-6, 11-4, 11-4, and will next meet Malaysian world No 60 Sanjay Jeeva, who beat Om Semwal 11-9, 11-9, 11-8 in round two.
In women’s, third seed Tanvi Khanna, Sanya Vats and Rathika Seelan bowed out in the second round.
-Team Sportstar
Over 350 players to compete in the National Squash Championship
Over 350 players from 24 states will compete in the 82nd National Squash Championship, scheduled to be held at the Otters Club from November 16 to 22.
It is organised by HCL Sports in collaboration with the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), the week-long tournament will feature men’s, women’s and Pro Coach categories, with a total prize purse of Rs 9.6 lakh.
Asian Games individual silver medallist Abhay Singh will spearhead the men’s singles field as the top seed, with Veer Chotrani seeded second. Suraj Chand is another prominent contender in the men’s draw.
In the women’s singles competition, Rathika Seelan will be the top seed, followed by Nirupama Dubey, while Akanksha Salunkhe is also among the leading contenders for the title.
The championship, now in its 82nd edition, is one of the major fixtures on India’s domestic squash calendar and will bring together established professionals and emerging players from across the country.
“The National Squash Championship has long been the stage where India’s best players measure themselves against each other, and the 82nd edition brings together one of the strongest fields in recent years,” said Nikhil Soni, Head of Brand and Marketing, HCL Group.
“With over 350 players from 24 states competing at Otters Club, the championship reflects both the depth of talent in the country and the growing reach of the sport,” he added.
The competition will be conducted under the latest World Squash Federation rules. HCL Sports said its association with SRFI aims to strengthen the country’s squash ecosystem by supporting players, coaches and referees.
-PTI
KARATE
Mohit Yadav Wins Bronze at Commonwealth Karate Championship in Glasgow
Karate player Mohit Yadav of Kapashera won two bronze medals at two international karate championships within a single week.
Mohit was part of the Indian team that won the Bronze medal in the Elite Team Kumite event at the Commonwealth Karate Championship 2026, held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 5 to 8 November 2026. Representing India on the international stage, he contributed to the team’s podium finish.
Just days earlier, on 1 November 2026, Mohit won the Bronze medal in the +84 kg Senior category at the Central England Open International Karate Championships. Competing against international fighters in one of the toughest weight categories, he showed strong skill, fitness and determination to reach the podium.
Mohit has been a regular member of the Indian team in the Team Kumite event for the last four years, and this consistent performance reflects his hard work and dedication to the sport.
Mohit is the son of Mr. Devender Yadav and Mrs. Roshni Devi. His family, friends, well-wishers and the people of Kapashera have congratulated him on his achievements and are looking forward to more medals from him in the future.
-PTI
Cricket
27 DDCA members write to the BCCI secretary requesting fresh polls
Twenty seven members of the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA), led by Naveen Jindal and Raman Saluja, have written to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia requesting for fresh elections in the state unit. Incumbent president Rohan Jaitley has completed six years in top post and has to go on a mandatory cooling-off as per the constitution.
Jindal’s letter also contains the signatures of 25 other DDCA members, while Saluja has made a separate appeal. The BCCI still does not fall under the National Sports Governance Act and follows the constitution devised by the Lodha Committee.
As per the BCCI constitution, any office-bearer who has completed six years in either a state unit or the BCCI needs to go on a mandatory cooling-off period of three years. As of Friday, November 13, president Jaitley and treasurer Harish Singla have completed six years, having taken charge on November 10, 2020.
The letter states: “As per the available DDCA election and tenure records and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs website records, Shri Rohan Jaitley and Shri Harish Singla were first elected to the Apex Council of DDCA on 10th November 2020 and have now completed six continuous years in office on 9th November 2026.
“This makes them ineligible to continue to serve on the Apex Council as the DDCA Articles of Association clause 8(4), imposes a mandatory 3 year cooling off period on them. Accordingly, Shri Rohan Jaitley and Shri Harish Singla’s positions as Apex Council Member is infructuous now,” said Saluja.
He has also appealed that 67-year-old secretary Ashok Sharma, who has served on the DDCA Apex Council for nine years before being appointed secretary of the state association in 2024, should also go on a cooling-off period. Now there remains a grey area as to whether Apex Council members’ tenure should also be counted.
Jindal, who also enclosed a handwritten authorisation note along with signatures of 26 members, wrote: “Under the mandatory governance framework approved by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India (pursuant to the Justice Lodha Committee recommendations) and enshrined in the Constitutions of the BCCI and the DDCA, any office bearer who has held office for two consecutive terms of three years each, or for a cumulative period of six years, is mandated to undergo a compulsory cooling-off period before becoming eligible to contest again.”
“An authorisation letter dated November 12, 2026, duly signed by twenty-six (26) members, empowering me to file and pursue this representation on their behalf, is enclosed herewith for your kind perusal and record. We remain hopeful of favourable consideration and expeditious directions in this matter,” Jindal wrote in his letter to Saikia.
Former DDCA secretary Vinod Tihara, who is the leader of the opposition faction, questioned why the office bearers are not going on a cooling-off period.
“I do not understand that if DDCA runs as per Lodha constitution, what is the reason that Mr Jaitley doesn’t want to go on a cooling off having completed six years,” said Tihara
“The office bearers are perhaps waiting because in case BCCI comes under the National Sports Governance Act, then it will be a welcome relief for all of them and they won’t have to go for a cooling off,” said a DDCA official requesting anonymity.
– PTI
Football
New title sponsor for the Indian Football League starting in the 2026/27 season
The Indian Football League has announced a new title sponsor for the 2026/27 season. Star Cement has taken on the sponsorship starting this season.
“Star Cement’s decision to continue as our title sponsor is a strong vote of confidence in the Indian Football League. They backed the league in its first season under a new identity, and we are delighted to carry that partnership into a full home-and-away campaign. We thank Star Cement for their continued support and look forward to building on what we started together last season,” said Nildeep Mondal, the league CEO.
Star Cement is the first title sponsor of the competition and extends the partnership, which started this year in March.
– Team Sportstar
Golf
WPGT, 14th leg: Jasmine grabs sole lead with closing birdie; Vani, Ridhima and Durga in contention
Jasmine Shekar produced a steady par 70, capped by a birdie on the closing hole, to take the outright lead after the second round of the 14th leg of the Women’s Professional Golf Tour at the Rambagh Golf Club on Friday.
Jasmine, who opened with a 74, moved to a 4-over total of 144 and took a one shot lead into the final round. She was leading the experienced duo of Vani Kapoor (75-70) and Ridhima Dilawari (74-71), who, between them, have won six titles this season. Also tied for second with Kapoor and Dilawari was Durga Nittur (73-72) at 5-over 145.
Overnight leaders Ananya Datar (71-75) and amateur Ojaswini Saraswat (71-76) slipped to fifth and sixth. Jasmine had three bogeys in the first six holes and then birdied the 8th, 14th and 18th to claw back to even par. Kapoor bogeyed the seventh and got back that shot on the 14th as scoring continued to be challenging at the Rambagh Club.
Ridhima, meanwhile, followed her opening 74 with a one-over 71. She had an encouraging start to the round, including a birdie on the second. She dropped shots on the fifth and the seventh and then had one birdie and one bogey on the back nine for a 71.
Durga also remained firmly in the hunt. After an opening 73, she carded a 72 to join Vani and Ridhima in second place. Her opening nine was particularly solid, with a 35, although a two-over back nine prevented her from taking a share of the lead.
The second round also saw the first-round leaders lose ground. Ananya Datar, who had set the pace with a one-over 71 on Thursday, slipped to a five-over 75 and dropped to fifth at 146. She is now two shots behind Jasmine but remains close enough to mount a challenge.
Amateur Ojaswini Saraswat also had a difficult day after beginning with a 71. She carded a six-over 76 to move to sixth at 147, three shots off the lead. Riya Jadon was in seventh place with rounds of 74-74, while Lavanya Jadon and Shweta Mansingh shared eighth at 149.
Further down, Mannat Brar, Sneha Sharan, Amandeep Drall, Shagun Narain and Khushi Khanijau were tied for 10th at 150.
-PTI
Published on Nov 13, 2026