IOA to conduct National Athletes’ Forum to strengthen Athletes-led governance
For the first time, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is going to conduct the National Athletes’ Forum in Ahmedabad on 10th January. The forum is being conducted to engage the athletes across the country in a more active role in shaping policies to progress with their careers, welfare, and future. IOA president PT Usha said, “This is the first time in India’s sporting history that the athletes are being engaged through a dedicated national forum to directly influence the governance. This forum will indicate a decisive shift towards athlete-led reforms and accountability.” Usha added, “Sustaining excellence in sport cannot be possible without the protection of the athletes’ dignity, safety, and well-being. This forum will give the direction towards all the rights of the athletes.” MC Marykom, chair of the IOA Athletes’ Commission, welcoming the forum, stated, “Athletes know the system from inside. This forum gives us a reliable platform to speak directly and openly about the challenges and solutions which the athletes themselves can initiate.”
Kerala Blasters mull over pulling out of the ISL after Odisha FC; Clubs worried about no commercial partner and obtaining AFC slot
After Odisha FC, another ISL club, Kerala Blasters, is mulling pulling out of the country’s top-tier league, and they are reportedly planning to shut down! It is believed that the club has assessed that it could face losses of up to Rs. 40 crore if ISL runs a truncated season without a commercial partner, mainly due to no home matches, ticket revenue, or central income. Other ISL clubs also seem worried as AIFF’s centralised plan could cross Rs. 60 crore in costs. Goa leg alone is likely to be staged against the approximate expenditure of Rs. 42 crore. The clubs have to possibly pay Rs 2.5 crore each. Still, the ISL clubs seem to be worried about the fewer matches of a single-leg League and also anxious about whether the AFC will allot slots, and finally, no commercial partner has been roped in. So, the uncertainty grows as usual. Despite the uncertainty, ISL and I-League players based in Goa have reportedly been called for practice sessions. Most players based in Goa have already left to join their respective clubs.
Sreebhumi FC concede first defeat; Coach says it was a learning experience
After two consecutive wins, Sreebhumi FC conceded their first defeat in the ongoing Indian Women’s League (IWL) at the hands of Tamil Nadu’s Sethu FC by 2-4 at Kalyani Stadium on Tuesday. Liynda Kom scored the hat-trick while Abigail Antwi, the Ghanaian striker, scored one for the winner. On the other hand, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar reduced the margin for Sreebhumi FC, scoring a brace in the 50th and 87th minutes. Sreebhumi coach Sujata Kar, when asked about her observation, explained, “The team were shaky in the first session. They tried to bounce back after the break, but our midfield organization was not up to the mark, and it created pressure on the defense as well as the goalkeeper. I believe the defeat was a learning experience for us so that we can turn around from our next match.” Sreebhumi will face Karnataka’s Kickstart FC in their next encounter. In another match on Tuesday morning, NITA FA edged past debutant Garwal United FC by a solitary goal at the National Centre of Excellence (NCE). India international Pyari Xaxa scored the winner.
Bradman’s ‘Baggy Green’ cap, gifted to Indian all-rounder, will now be auctioned!
A ‘Baggy Green’ cap worn by Sir Donald Bradman during the 1947-48 Test series against India will be auctioned next month. For the first time, it will be available to the public in the last seven decades. More significantly, the cap has a historical value as Bradman finally gifted it to Indian all-rounder Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni during a series that was India’s first overseas tour after Independence. Auctioneers expect strong interest from collectors and institutions worldwide due to the item’s rarity and provenance. Unlike most surviving caps from Bradman’s era, many of which are preserved in museums or held in closely guarded private collections, this Baggy Green cap has never been displayed publicly or offered for sale. It has remained in continuous family ownership for more than 75 years, according to the Australian Associated Press (AAP). The 1947-48 cap comes from a series in which Australia completed a 4-0 sweep over India. During Bradman’s era, players were issued a new cap for each Test series, increasing the individual historical value of every surviving example. This cap is further distinguished by its direct association with a defining chapter in cricket history and the personal connection between Bradman and Sohoni. Lee Hames of Lloyds Auctions described the item as “a genuine piece of cricket history that Sir Donald Bradman personally gifted.” The direct handover from Bradman to Sohoni during such a significant period adds to its appeal among collectors and historians.
‘Phenomenal’ Ronaldo Nazario’s training tips to present generation of footballers!
Ronaldo Nazário de Lima, known professionally as Ronaldo, said he believes footballers now find it easier to make major improvements in the training process, especially considering the increased emphasis on physical fitness training. The phenomenal Brazilian striker stated in the World Sports Summit, held in Dubai, “Players suffer less than we suffered before because now the training is 100 times more effective than before.” One of the most feared strikers in football history recalled how pre-season training during his playing career was often rigid and physically punishing, with little consideration for positional differences or individual needs. “I was not happy doing pre-season because they put me running with Roberto Carlos, with Cafu, and they are crazy about running 10 to 15km,” he said. Ronaldo explained that such training methods were ill-suited to his role as a striker, whose game relied on short bursts of speed rather than endurance running. “I played for 20-metre, 15-metre sprints, and pre-season was the worst time of my life,” he added. According to Ronaldo, modern training methods have moved away from uniform programs and made them more specific, allowing players to train more efficiently. “If you strike, you don’t need to run like 10km,” he said. “You do that one time, and after that, you go through training specific to you.” Ronaldo added that advancements in physical preparation have reduced unnecessary physical strain compared to previous generations. “The training now is 100 times more effective than before,” he said. Now working on the administrative side of football, Ronaldo said he shares those perspectives with players, noting that training approaches must adapt to the individual. Ronaldo retired from professional football in 2011 after a career that included spells at Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid. While he did not attend university, he said his education came through football itself.
