Indian Sports Closing, January 23: Atiqa Mir, 10, set to become first Indian driver to compete in World Series Karting

MOTORSPORT

10-year-old Atiqa Mir to become first Indian woman to compete in World Series Karting

10-year-old Indian karting sensation Atiqa Mir is set to become the country’s first woman to compete in the World Series Karting (WSK) championships after being signed by 29-time champion Babyrace for a full season .

This was after his impressive results during a test session conducted at the La Conca circuit in southern Italy. The racer from Jammu and Kashmir will also be the only woman in the Mini class to have a very competitive grid of over 60 karts.

This year she will participate in the three WSK Championships: the WSK Super Master Series, the WSK Euro Series and the WSK Final Cup as a beginner.

The first of these three races, the WSK Super Series Master Series, will take place this weekend.

“I’m really excited to have this opportunity to ride in WSK with Babyrace. This will be the highest level of karting I have ever driven in. I will have to learn a lot of circuits and driving in winter will be a challenge but I am ready to take it on,” said Atiqa.

The WSK is considered the pinnacle of karting which attracts the best drivers, the best kart manufacturers and engine manufacturers from around the world.

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen is one of many drivers who raced in WSK during their formative years.

Like Verstappen, Atiqa also comes from a racing family. His father Asif Nazir is the first Indian national karting champion and runner-up in Formula Asia.

He will be alongside Atiqa when she competes in Italy this weekend.

“Atiqa has managed to progress to the highest level of karting through hard work and dedication.

“It will be difficult for her to race against a field of this quality. She must learn new tracks, new conditions and adapt to this new environment. It will be a year of challenge and learning for her,” Nazir said.

-PTI

SOCCER

FC Bengaluru United appoint former India player Mohanraj as head coach

FILE PHOTO: Nallappan Mohanraj. | Photo credit: V. Ganesan/THE HINDU

FC Bengaluru United on Thursday hired former India international Nallappan Mohanraj as their new head coach for the upcoming season of the I-League Second Division.

Mohanraj, who holds an AFC ‘A’ Diploma coaching certificate, has worked with the Indian U-19, U-20 and U-23 teams.

He also guided Tamil Nadu to the Santosh Trophy final after a gap of eight years.

Mohanraj represented the Indian national team from 2008 to 2013 and also captained the U-19 team in the 2007 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers.

At club level, he played for Mohun Bagan, ATK Kolkata and Chennaiyin FC, achieving milestones including winning the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2014.

“His proven ability to develop talent and improve team performance will be a huge asset as we prepare to qualify for the I-League,” said Gaurav Manchanda, founder of Nimida Sports, which owns the club.

Mohanraj expressed his excitement for the new role, saying: “I look forward to working with the team, sharing my experiences and achieving great successes together as we look ahead to the I-League 2 matches.”

FC Bengaluru United launch their bid to qualify for the I-League with the first I-League 2 match against SAT Tirur on January 25.

-PTI

GOLF

Ajeetesh Sandhu is fifth in Manila, two shots off the lead

Ajeetesh Sandhu was tied for fifth, two shots behind leader Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand after the first round of the Philippine Open, which kicked off the 2025 Asian tour schedule.

Sandhu shot a 3-under 67 that included an eagle two and a double bogey on successive holes, the ninth and tenth holes at the Masters Course at Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club.

Kaewkanjana shot one of only two bogey-free rounds on the first day to take the lead alone.

He was suddenly ahead of his compatriots Danthai Boonma and Pavit Tangkamolprasert, as well as the Australian Aaron Wilkin.

Among other Indians, SSP Chawrasia was T-18 with 1-under 69, Rashid Khan (70) was T-50, Rahil Gangjee and Yuvraj Sandhu with 74 each were T-99.

Sandhu carried over his form from last season, when he won a tournament on the PGTI domestic circuit and then earned his playing rights on the Asian circuit through the final stage of qualifying school.

He made an eagle on the par-four ninth hole, where he hit his second nine-iron shot from 135 yards.

-PTI

Chikka and Anshul stand out at Selangor Masters

Bengaluru golfer S Chikkarangappa (71-72) was the top Indian at T-33 in the USD 200,000 PKNS Selangor Masters at the Seri Selangor Golf Club here on Thursday.

Indonesian Naraajie Ramadhanputra (69-63) led the field at 10 under and had two leads over Tawit Polthai (70-64).

The only other Indian to qualify was Anshul Kabthiyal (71-74).

Other Indians in the running, Pukhraj Singh Gill (74-72), Arjun Sharma (72-76), Karandeep Kochhar (81-72) and Aryan Roopa Anand (72-82) missed the cut.

-PTI

SQUASH

WSC Open Squash titles for Diva and Anika

Maharashtra’s Diva Shah carried her form into the title round, getting the better of fellow state Eesha Shrivastava 11-5, 11-9, 11-2 in the U-17 girls’ final at four-star Willingdon Sports Club Squash Classic Open. 2025, on the WSC squash courts, here, Thursday. With both players ranked 3/4 and equally familiar with each other’s games, it was Diva who was the sharper of the two that day.

The U-19 women’s title was won by Anika Dubeya of Maharashtra, who prevailed over compatriot Karina Phipps 13-11, 13-15, 11-2, 11-6.

Suraj Chand, Jindal Squash Academy’s number one seed, Vashind was taken away by Maharashtra’s Om Semwal (seeded 3/4), winning a topsy-turvy semi-final in the men’s singles. Chand won 11-9, 6-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-3 to set up a title clash with Saurav Ghoshal (TN), who got the better of Abhishek Pradhan 11-4, 11- 2, 11. -6.

Here are the results:

– The Sportstar team