Indian sports wrap, September 28: Inspire Institute of Sport ropes in Sean Kelly to drive swimming programme

Here are India’s major updates, scores, and results from the world of sports on Monday, September 28.

Updated : Sep 29, 2026 00:38 IST , CHENNAI - 3 MINS READ

Most recently, Kelly served as High Performance Coach and Foreign Technical Consultant to the Indian National Team during the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, following a 45-day preparatory camp in Ahmedabad.  | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

SWIMMING

The Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) has appointed Sean Kelly as Performance Coach, Swimming. Kelly brings over three decades of experience in swimming and high-performance coaching and will work with the athletes and coaches at IIS as the swimming programme eyes expansion.

Most recently, Kelly served as High Performance Coach and Foreign Technical Consultant to the Indian National Team during the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, following a 45-day preparatory camp in Ahmedabad.

Prior to this, he served as National Performance Director and Head Coach of the Spanish Swimming Federation (RFEN) from 2020 to 2024. During his tenure, the Spanish programme won one World Championship gold and two silver medals, including Spain’s first men’s World Championship gold in 33 years, and qualified four relays for the Olympic Games.

A former Performance Director at Stockport Metro and Head Coach at the National Training Centre in Great Britain, Kelly has worked across different levels of the sport. He has attended five Olympic Games and delivered three Olympic medals as a coach.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, he was Team GB Head Coach for the Open Water team.

As part of this new high-performance direction, IIS and Kelly will also be part of a talent recruitment drive to identify new and emerging talent, as well as current swimmers, who aspire to be part of the programme.

At IIS, Kelly will work closely with the swimming athletes, coaches and support staff. His role will include athlete development, coach development and strengthening the day-to-day high-performance environment. He will also bring his experience of building programmes that support athletes over the long term.

Sean Kelly, Performance Coach, Swimming, Inspire Institute of Sport, said, “I am here with one goal in mind: to raise the standard of swimming in India. When I was in Spain, I said Spanish swimmers could achieve great things, but not everyone believed me. Four years later, we had exceptional talent in the sport. I see no reason why Indian swimmers cannot reach the world level.”

MOTORSPORT

Jaden Immanuel makes history for Indian motorcycle racing

CHENNAI: 14-year-old Chennai-born racer Jaden Immanuel has achieved a historic milestone for Indian motorcycle racing, becoming the first Indian rider to win a motorcycle racing championship in Europe.

Racing for F. Koch Rennsport aboard a Honda NSF250R, Jaden won the 2026 ADAC Junior Cup, competing across some of Europe’s most iconic Grand Prix circuits, including the Sachsenring, Brno, Oschersleben, TT Circuit Assen and Hockenheimring.

For 14-year-old Jaden, the achievement marks a significant milestone in his journey of carrying the Indian flag onto the European motorcycle racing stage. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The 2026 season was a major step up for Jaden — learning a new motorcycle, adapting to new circuits and competing against experienced European riders. Through the season, he delivered remarkable consistency, securing 6 race victories and 8 podiums from 10 races, establishing himself as one of the leading young riders in the championship.

For Jaden, the achievement marks a significant milestone in his journey of carrying the Indian flag onto the European motorcycle racing stage.

Jaden is now set to take on his next challenge with a wildcard entry in the Moto4 European Cup at Misano World Circuit, Italy, on 16–18 October 2026. The Moto4 event will give him valuable experience in the next stage of the European talent pathway and an opportunity to compete in a new international environment.,