Sreebhumi FC ends losing streak; Coach wants consistency in the final phase
After two consecutive defeats, Sreebhumi FC returned to a winning streak with a 3-0 triumph against Garhwal United in the IWL at Kalyani Stadium on Tuesday morning. The match was delayed for almost an hour due to heavy fog. Toijam Chanu drew first blood for the winners in the 56th minute, while Anju Kayenpoibam doubled the lead in the 79th minute, and Anju Tamang struck the third one in the 91st minute. Sreebhumi FC fielded their first foreign defender from Ghana in the match. She did not frustrate the management in her debut, although the coach Sujata Kar said, “She has just arrived. Naturally, she will take time to settle. I am expecting she will be able to deliver her best in the second phase of the League.” The club management has reportedly planned to rope in a foreign striker and midfielder for their campaign in the second phase of the League. The team’s coach, however, revealed, “We have a quality forward line. So I do not need a foreign striker. Till now, I am happy with the Ghanaian defender.” When asked about the team’s performance in the first phase, Kar asserted, “I am not much bothered about our show in the first phase. Rather, I am eying the second and final phase. We need to take off with a consistent show there to win the title.” Sreebhumi, now in fourth spot with nine points from five matches, appears determined to secure three points with a win against NITA FA in their next crucial group league match. Sreebhumi is currently fourth in the table; gaining three points would bring their total to twelve, which could move them into the top three by the end of the first phase, depending on other results. Considering the importance of the match, the team’s Technical Director, Shukla Dutta, feels, “NITA has been consistent so far in the League, and their India international, Pyari Xaxa, has scored in all of their matches so far. So, I feel, she is the key player to be noticed,” said Dutta. The coach, however, explained, “They have been consistent. Still, performance varies in every match. So, I should not be specific that NITA will be able to carry out the same performance as they did in the previous match. I will see their Tuesday’s match and then only design our plan and assess who among them can be the key player against us.” Due to the Indian women’s team’s participation in the under-20 and senior Asian Cup Women’s championship, IWL will take a two-month break and resume on 20th April. Sreebhumi FC will have to release 11 footballers for the under-20 and senior Indian women’s preparatory camp.
Former world billiards champion Manoj Kothari dies
Former world billiards champion Manoj Kothari died on Monday following a cardiac arrest at a hospital in Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, a family member told PTI. He was 67 and survived by his wife and son, Sourav Kothari. Ten days ago, Kothari had a liver transplant at Kauvery Hospital in Tirunelveli, more than 600km from Chennai. He was based in Kolkata. “Surgery was successful, and he was sitting and talking on the third day. But he had a lung infection a few days back, and this morning at 7.30am, he succumbed to a massive cardiac arrest,” a family member said. Kothari won the World Billiards Championship title in 1990. His son Sourav is also a former world billiards champion, having won the title in 2025. Sourav was mentored by his father. His son, Sourav Kothari, is also a professional billiards player who became a world champion in 2018.
Manchester United removes Ruben Amorim from the coach’s post!
The rumours were already there for the last couple of months, and Manchester United has sacked its Portuguese coach, Ruben Amorim, after his stint with the team for only 14 months. Manchester United are presently languishing in sixth position in the Premier League table. The club, in its statement, has revealed that Ruben Amorim has departed his role as head coach of Manchester United. Ruben was appointed in November 2024 and led the team to a UEFA Europa League Final in Bilbao in May. With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly decided that it is the right time to make a change. This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish. The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future. Darren Fletcher will take charge of the team against Burnley on Wednesday. Ruben Amorim has also been expressing his displeasure over the club administration’s interference. After United’s 1-1 draw with Leeds on Sunday, Amorim challenged the club’s hierarchy, saying in his post-match press conference: “I just want to say I came here to be the manager, not to be the coach. “In every department – the scouting department, the sporting director – [they] need to do their job. I will do mine for 18 months, and then we move on. “I just want to say that I’m going to be the manager of this team, not just the coach. I was really clear on that. That is going to finish in 18 months, and then everyone is going to move on. That was the deal. That is my job. Not to be a coach.” Manchester United are sixth in the Premier League after 20 matches following their 1-1 draw at Leeds on Sunday afternoon. That result means Ruben Amorim’s side has now won only one of their last five in the competition – and just three of their past 11. Amorim oversaw 63 games as Manchester United manager – but failed to win more than half of those matches. He departs the club with a record of 24 wins, 18 draws, and 21 losses, for a win percentage of 38.1%. United suffered their worst Premier League season last campaign, finishing 15th with their lowest points tally in a top-flight season since 1973–74, when they were relegated. Amorim also floated the idea that United have become too sensitive to outside criticism, naming Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United player Gary Neville. “If people cannot handle the Gary Nevilles and the criticisms of everything, we need to change the club,” he said.
Bangladesh protests against Mustafizur’s ouster by banning live-streaming of IPL in the country
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry of Bangladesh has decided to ban the live streaming of the IPL this season. The statement cited the removal of Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders’ squad for the 2026 season as the reason behind the indefinite ban. “This is to inform that the Indian Cricket Board has instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League, which is due to start on 26th March. This decision has hurt and angered the Bangladeshi citizens. Due to this, a request is made as per instructions to stop the broadcast/telecast of all matches and programmes of the Indian Premier League,” said the ministry in its statement. The move comes a day after Asif Nazrul, the advisor for Youth and Sports in the Mohammad Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh, said in a statement on his Facebook page that he has requested the country’s Information and Broadcasting Advisor not to broadcast IPL matches in the country. “We won’t stand for any insult to Bangladesh’s cricket, cricketers, and the country. The days of slavery are over,” he said, concluding his statement.
Neeraj Chopra starts own management firm; parts ways with JSW after nine years!
Neeraj Chopra has finally parted ways with JSW Sports after nine years! The two-time Olympic medallist announced on Monday the end of his decade-long association with JSW Sports. The javelin sensation launched his own athlete management firm, Vel Sports. The 28-year-old’s rise to international stardom has been closely involved with JSW Sports since 2016. Chopra recalled the importance of the partnership during his formative years, acknowledging it as a cornerstone of the most successful period of his career. “Over the last decade, our journey together has been one of growth, belief, and achievement. JSW Sports has played a defining role in my career, and I’ll always remain grateful for their support and vision,” Chopra said in a press release. “As we conclude this chapter, I carry forward the same values into the next phase of my journey,” he added. Chopra was first scouted by JSW Sports in their sports excellence program nine years ago. In 2021, Chopra became the first Indian to clinch an Olympic track and field gold medal during the Tokyo Games, and backed it up with a gold medal in the 2023 World Championships and a silver medal at the Paris Games in 2024. Chopra is still recovering from injuries sustained in 2025 and has not decided when to open his 2026 season.
Joe Root scores 41st Test century! Levels Ponting at joint-third position
Joe Root notched up his 41st Test hundred on the second day of the final Ashes Test in Sydney on Monday to level with Australia’s Rickey Ponting at joint-third for most hundreds in the longest format. Only Sachin Tendulkar (51) and Jacques Kallis (45) have scored more Test hundreds than Root. This was Root’s second hundred in the ongoing Ashes, after his ton in Brisbane in the second Test. The former England skipper, who is closing in on 14,000 runs in Test cricket, is currently the second-highest run scorer in the format and has set his sights on Tendulkar’s record tally of 15,921 runs. However, the former England captain struggled to convert his starts into big scores, going without a century across 14 matches in the previous three tours. The veteran England batter has shown resilience and fight throughout the series, producing a couple of strong innings while struggling for consistency in others, often carrying the middle order during tricky periods for his team.
Spanish defender Tiri parts ways with Mumbai City FC
Experienced Spanish defender Tiri and Mumbai City FC have parted ways, the ISL club confirmed on Monday. He is only the second international player to make 150 appearances in the competition. “A true professional on and off the pitch, Tiri’s journey with the Club has been marked by resilience, leadership, and unforgettable moments. From battling it out on the continental stage in the AFC Champions League to lifting the Indian Super League Cup in the 2023/24 season, his contributions will always hold a special place in our story,” a statement from the club read. The 34-year-old had signed a one-year extension with the club last June, with the 2025-26 edition of the ISL set to be his 10th in the league, the most by any foreign player. Tiri began his football career with his hometown side, Cadiz CF, competing in the Spanish divisions. He later moved to Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, where he spent three years playing for their B team. Tiri initially joined Mumbai City in the 2023–24 season and has since made 49 appearances for the club. He has also featured for Atletico de Kolkata, Jamshedpur FC, and ATK Mohun Bagan.
AIFF disappointed with a few ‘clubs’ intrigues! Clubs to be relegated to lower division on refusal!
Sudeep Pakrashi: The All India Football Federation-appointed three-man committee, which has taken the initiative for the resumption of the stagnated ISL this season, offering them proposals in more than a couple of meetings since last week, is extremely disappointed with a few clubs’ intrigue to extend the delay so that ISL does not resume this season! In reply to AIFF Deputy General Secretary Satyanarayan’s letter to the clubs, seeking their confirmation about the participation in the League, Sporting Club Delhi sent a reply email, mentioning that on behalf of all the 13 clubs, they seek clarification on five specific points before confirming the participation in the ISL this season. Among the five specific clarifications, the reply emphasized the AIFF’s financial contribution to the League, as it is their property. Secondly, the reply email pointed out that there was no participation fee to be paid to the AIFF in the League, and the third point, mentioned in the reply, was the requirement of government support, which could minimize the participating clubs’ expenditure to stage their respective home matches. It is believed that AIFF is ready to reveal its financial contribution to the League along with the clubs. Even if the Federation seems willing to break its Fixed Deposit and contribute to the League. But only after the clubs confirm their participation in the League, as two centralized venues have been initially decided to stage the league this season. More significantly, even though Sporting Delhi FC’s reply-email was sent, mentioning on behalf of all 13 clubs, it is learnt that at least eight among the 13 clubs, including NorthEast United FC, Inter Kashi, FC Goa, do not agree with Sporting Club Delhi FC’s reply-email and they want to take part in the League along with Jamshedpur FC who already have expressed willingness to participate in the League in a new model this season. One of the top AIFF officials, when asked about the issue, revealed on condition of anonymity, “Only a few, four to five clubs are making this plotting game. They do not want the ISL to be resumed. The AIFF has been criticized constantly throughout the whole episode. But we have created a platform for them through a model where ISL can be resumed. AIFF is ready to announce its financial contribution. But unless the confirmation about participation is there, we cannot reveal.” At the same time, AIFF has also initiated the primary discussions with the state governments, where two centralised venues have been proposed. AIFF seems optimistic about the respective state governments’ co-operation by providing stadiums, free of cost, and a few other logistical supports. It is learnt that the three-man committee, in its report, submitted to the AIFF top brass after observations and recommendations, has mentrioned AIFF should bear the cost of refereeing and broadcast production, while Clubs should organise home matches as they had done in previous editions. Secondly, the AIFF should levy a participation fee of ₹1 crore per Club. The commencement date of the ISL will be announced as early as possible. The AIFF should finalise the short-term competition format in consultation with the Clubs, and in the absence of consensus, the league owner is to finalise the format without permitting further delay or digression. Any Club refusing to participate should be disqualified and relegated to the immediate lower division. The league commencement date should be declared without any further delay. The Committee also presents, apart from the above modality, another proposal listed below after the conclusion, in the interest of kick-starting the 2025-26 league as early as possible.
Gill misses the Punjab match in VHT due to food poisoning
India cricket team star Shubman Gill was compelled to miss the 5th round match of Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Sikkim on Saturday. The batsman, who was supposed to participate in a couple of VHT matches before linking up with the Indian side ahead of India’s three-match ODI series, was diagnosed with food poisoning on Friday after he arrived in Jaipur to take part in the match. The Indian captain is expected to feature in just one match against Goa on 6th January before the series. The report claims that the decision to rest the Punjab batter was taken after consultation between doctors and team management. The report states that the decision was also taken keeping in mind the India-New Zealand ODI series, which will begin on 11th January and will see Gill lead the Indian team. Shubman hasn’t been in good form, both physically and with the bat, over the past few months. He suffered a neck injury during India’s first Test against South Africa in Kolkata that forced him to miss not just the 2nd Test but also the ODI series against South Africa. He then returned to action in the T-20 International series against South Africa. However, Gill picked up a foot injury towards the end of the series.
BCCI instructs, KKR releases Mustafizur!
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has released Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman after receiving the instruction to do the same from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). KKR purchased the 30-year-old fast bowler for Rs 9.5 crore in the auction ahead of the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in December. “Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI, as the regulator of IPL, has instructed the franchise to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season,” said KKR in a statement that came shortly after BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced communicating the instruction to the three-time IPL champions. “The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India. BCCI will allow Kolkata Knight Riders a replacement player in line with IPL regulations, and further details will be communicated in due course.” Saikia had earlier said that the BCCI had told KKR to release Mustafizur “due to ongoing political and social chaos where several Hindus are being tortured and even murdered, and as its aftermath, several religious organizations in India started warning the BCCI that they create chaos over the venues for the IPL if Mustafizur is seen in action in the IPL.
