Indian sports wrap, November 9: Schedule announced for KIYG 2026; Atiqa Mir shines on FIA Worlds debut

File photo: “Since the Khelo India Youth Games are coming at the back of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, we can expect to see some quality performances,” Sports Minister, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, said. | Photo Credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

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Hyderabad to stage 22 of 27 competitive sports as softball debuts and sailing features as a demonstration event

Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday announced the full schedule of the Khelo India Youth Games 2026, to be hosted by Telangana from December 11-22. The Games will feature 27 competitive sports and one demonstration sport.

Venues in Hyderabad, including the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium complex and the Gachibowli sports complex, will stage 22 sports. The rest will be held in Khammam (archery), Hanumankonda (athletics), Karimnagar (judo), Nizamabad (table tennis) and Mahbubnagar (kabaddi).

Around 6,000 athletes and 1,800 support staff are expected at the 12-day event, the first Khelo India event hosted by Telangana. Softball debuts as a competitive sport, while sailing makes its first appearance as a demonstration event.

“I am very excited to announce the schedule of Khelo India Youth Games 2026,” said Dr Mandaviya. “Since KIYG are coming at the back of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, we can expect to see some quality performances.”

In the previous edition in Bihar, Maharashtra topped the table with 58 gold medals for its fifth title, ahead of Haryana and Rajasthan.

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Atiqa Mir produces overtaking masterclass to finish 6th on FIA World Championship debut

Indian racing prodigy Atiqa Mir made a stunning recovery on her FIA Karting World Championship debut, climbing 16 places to finish sixth in Race 1.

The 11-year-old, the first Indian backed by the Formula 1 Academy, races in the 12-14 category for Kart Republic. Her P6 was the best by an Indian this weekend.

Two crashed drivers blocked her hot lap in qualifying, leaving her 83rd of 87. With three heats to recover, she gained 16 places in Race 1, 10 in Race 2 and four in Race 3, finishing 40th overall. In the Super Heat, she started 14th, but a crash dropped her to P16.

“That was a lot of fun and I got amazing overtaking practice, that is how I treated this weekend after the qualifying disaster. That was out of my control so I took control of what I could and drove my heart out.”

“I feel I belong at this level and with a better qualifying, I can fight at the front. I want to thank my sponsors Raise and JK Tyre without whom none of this won’t be possible” said Atiqa.

Her father Asif Mir, India’s first national karting champion, said, “We were looking really strong for a top five result but the qualifying spoilt everything for her. (It was) such a shame as she (had) worked really hard to get up to pace. But what followed surprised even me. She is a gutsy little girl playing with the big boys, I was very impressed.”