Indian sports wrap, October 13: Top seed Deepthi Venkatesan stunned in second round of Fenesta Open Girls U-16 event

Unnati Muralidhar, who hails from Karnataka, needed just 1 hour and 11 minutes to defeat Deepthi Venkatesan 6-2, 6-2 and advance to the third round. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

TENNIS

Top seed Deepthi Venkatesan stunned in second round of Fenesta Open Girls U-16 event

Top seed Deepthi Venkatesan suffered a shock defeat in the Girls’ U-16 singles event at the 31st Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship at the DLTA Complex here on Tuesday, losing in straight sets to Unnathi Muralidhar.

Muralidhar, who hails from Karnataka, needed just 1 hour and 11 minutes to defeat Venkatesan 6-2, 6-2 and advance to the third round.

“It was really a good match, it was actually tough for me to play against the top seed,” Muralidhar said after the win.

“It was (a) really good experience; I had my coach with me so it was advantage. It’s really good to be here and play at the Fenesta Open, this is my first time playing here.”

The second seeded Tanusshri Sathesh and third seeded Aaradhya Meena cruised into the third round, dropping just three games between them. However, fourth seed Aashi Kashyap and sixth seed Harsha Oruganti were both knocked out of the competition in three sets.

Ribhav Saroha, who won the Boys’ U-18 singles title last week, stayed on course for a double by advancing to the third round of the U-16 event. Saroha needed an hour and 22 minutes to defeat Rhunmaan Mahesh 6-2, 6-2.

Saroha was joined in the third round by second seed Lakshya Chukka and third seed Paranjay Swiach, while fifth seed Divey Malk was upset in three sets by Parthiv Nallagundla.

Elsewhere, top seed Aarav Challani registered a comfortable 6-1, 6-1 victory over Rajishnu Poptani to reach the third round in the Boys’ U-14 event.

“My opponent put up a good fight. It was better than the score suggests. I am happy with the way I played this match,” Challani said after the victory.

Challani added that he has his eyes on the title but is not thinking too far ahead for now.

“Pressure is a privilege. I am happy to be the top seed and be one of the favourites for the tournament. I have had my eyes on this title for a long time but it’s very early to say now.”

The second seed Puneeth Manohar led a group of nine seeded players who won their opening-round matches in the Boys’ U-14 event.

Meanwhile, top seed Sarena Gahlot, second seed Siddhi Pandey and third seed Zoha Qureshi were among the players who won their second-round matches in the Girls’ U-14 event.

OTHER SPORTS

Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 sets new philanthropic record

For over two decades, the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon has brought people together. This year, the event has set a new philanthropic benchmark, with 72 NGOs, 14 corporates, and over 169 individual fundraisers collectively raising ₹8.87 crore ahead of Race Day — reaffirming the power of collective action to drive meaningful social change.

With fundraising open until October 31, 2026, the movement continues to invite individuals, young fundraisers, run clubs, institutions and corporates to raise funds and amplify the causes closest to them.

BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Demonstration Games conclude in Ahmedabad

The first-ever BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Demonstration Games concluded in Ahmedabad with close to 160 participants from the 10 member nations displaying their native sports in a one-day meet where India made its mark through yogasana and mallakhamb.

In addition, there was a wushu (martial art) demonstration from China, a board game togyzkumalak from Kazakhstan and a meditative Jiu-Jitsu display from Brazil on Monday.

Besides mallakhamb and yogasana, India also demonstrated kalaripayattu (an ancient martial art form in Keralam).

Ahmedabad, which will stage the 2030 Commonwealth Games, is also in the race to host the 2036 Olympics.

“Yoga is one of the activities in South Africa that people use to detox, relieve stress and improve movement and flexibility. We embrace it, and we love it,” Philasande Macwili, Chef-De-Mission of South Africa, told the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Media.

Apart from the high-intensity mallakhamb (aerial gymnastics performed on a wooden pole or suspended ropes), a demonstration of rhythmic yogasana also hogged the limelight for India.

At the yogasan world championships in June, India had recorded a haul of 114 medals, 102 of them being gold in a field that featured 79 countries and over 500 competitors.

“Today we looked and learned so much about Yoga. Even yesterday during practice, we saw young children practising amazing movements. We want to learn so much more about it,” said Yi Liu, Chef-De-Mission, China.

Speaking of the reception in India, Liu said, “I checked with all the members of our delegation. They all said they have never felt more warmly received than they have here in India. Everyone enjoyed their stay in India, and this trip is very memorable in their lives.”

Russia echoed the sentiments.

“It was unbelievable. The hospitality of the Indian side is awesome. We really enjoyed the hotel, all the venues of the event and how everything looked. I guess the biggest and most favourite part for me is the friendship among the BRICS countries. We really enjoy participating together in such events,” said Zlata Yakovleva, Head of Delegation, Russia,

India had the largest contingent at the Games with 50 participants, followed by China (30), Iran (22) and South Africa (14).

-PTI

NSDF, SAI partner with Indian Oil to strengthen boxing ecosystem in India

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Oil Corporation to strengthen boxing in the country through a structured programme focused on talent identification and athlete development.

The MoU aims to combine Indian Oil’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support, the National Sports Development Fund’s (NSDF) role in facilitating resources for sports development, and SAI’s technical expertise.

Under the partnership, Indian Oil will provide Rs 40 crore over two years to support talent identification, athlete development, coaching, sports science, international exposure, the strengthening of boxing academies, and capacity building for coaches, referees and technical officials.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stressed the importance of strategically deploying CSR funds to promote sports in the country, an approach outlined in the revamped Khelo India Scheme, which was approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Under the revamped Khelo India Scheme, the government is deepening collaboration with corporate partners, and CSR-backed partnerships like this will help build a truly national sports ecosystem,” Mandaviya said.

The signing of the MoU follows the inclusion of sports as a dedicated thematic area under the Department of Public Enterprises’ Common CSR Theme Framework, marking an important step towards strengthening corporate participation in sports development.

“This MoU ensures the participation of the corporate sector in sports. Not just in boxing, but in every sport, corporates should come forward and lend a helping hand. In the early, developing stage, sport needs support. Later, as an ecosystem takes shape, it begins to sustain itself, and investments follow,” Mandaviya said.

“Beyond financial support, building a holistic boxing ecosystem requires talent identification and investment in equipment, sports science, facilities, coach development and the training of referees,” he added.

The MoU will provide boxers with access to quality coaching, scientific support, training facilities and competitive opportunities at national and international levels.

The partnership comes at an important time for Indian boxing. Indian boxers won six medals, including three gold and three bronze, at the Asian Games.

The initiative aims to build on that performance by strengthening the development pathway for emerging and elite boxers.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Mandaviya, Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, other senior Sports Ministry officials, Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh, and Indian Oil director (HR) Rashmi Govil.

-PTI

GOLF

PGTI stars to spearhead Indian challenge at DP World India Championship

Some of golf’s biggest names, including career Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy and defending champion Tommy Fleetwood, will tee off at the DP World India Championship, which gets underway at the iconic Delhi Golf Club on Thursday.

The blue-riband event of Indian golf, co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the DP World PGTI, is also set to witness a strong Indian challenge, spearheaded by several in-form stars.

The top 24 ranked players from the Race to DP World India Championship (the current DP World PGTI Order of Merit) earned their spots at the USD 4 million event.

The ‘Race to DP World India Championship’ was introduced as a season-long competition this year to reward consistency and determine the season’s top 24 earners, who now have the opportunity to tee it up at the DP World India Championship — the season finale of the 2026 DP World PGTI season.

The names that have dominated the 2026 season include the top three players in the ranking: Saptak Talwar, Khalin Joshi and Veer Ahlawat.

Talwar notched up a win at the Indorama Ventures Open early in the season and has also been in contention at several events through the year with seven other top-10s.

Talwar had the distinction of representing India at the recent Asian Games too. He has earned Rs 99,59,684 in prize money this season, and leads nearest rival Khalin Joshi by over Rs 22 lakh.

The 27-year-old now has his sights set on the DP World PGTI Order of Merit crown which will be decided at the end of the DP World India Championship.

This year’s DP World PGTI Order of Merit champion will earn himself full playing rights on the DP World Tour for the 2026-27 season.

Coming into the week, Talwar, the top favourite to win the Order of Merit title, said, “Being the Order of Merit leader there’s a sense of responsibility and a little bit of pressure. But I think it’s also a place of privilege. I’m excited to be in this position.

“The DGC is very special to me. I’ve grown up playing on the B course here. It’s important to not get ahead of myself. It’s just a matter of staying in the present and if I take care of the stuff that’s in my control, I think I should be in a good spot. I certainly feel like I have the game to do well this week.”

Khalin has enjoyed the best season of his golfing career, with four wins propelling him to second place in the DP World PGTI Order of Merit. His hot streak has been such that three of his four triumphs this year have come through wire-to-wire victories.

The 34-year-old, who won his only international title at the DGC in 2018 (an Asian Tour event), is still in the race to win the DP World PGTI Order of Merit title if he performs well at the DP World India Championship.

Khalin, whose season earnings stand at Rs 77,32,225, said, “All of us here from the top 24 of the DP World PGTI will look to put our best foot forward this week and show what we’re all made of.

“I have great memories of DGC as I’ve won here in the past. So, I’m looking forward to having another positive week. Hopefully, I can replicate my form from the past few weeks and have a shot at the title.

“This season my mindset on the course has been much better. I’m a lot calmer and more confident going into a tournament now and that’s been the big change in my game.”

Former DP World PGTI Order of Merit champion Veer is currently placed third in the Order of Merit, with season earnings of Rs 65,97,400. Veer begins the week with the experience and advantage of having played on the DP World Tour in 2025.

Veer, who recently represented India at the Asian Games, has been a picture of consistency this year having secured nine top-10s, the most by any player, on the DP World PGTI this season. He too is a contender for the Order of Merit title.

Yuvraj Sandhu will be the other prominent Indian name in the mix as he is the reigning DP World PGTI Order of Merit champion and has been a winner at the DGC in the past. He also showed a glimpse of his good form with a top-5 finish at the Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship last week.

The likes of Honey Baisoya, Akshay Sharma, Rashid Khan and Om Prakash Chouhan have all enjoyed a fruitful season, with the four players ranked fourth to seventh in the Order of Merit and each having a win under his belt.