Indian Sports Wrap, February 12: ESFI hosts Govt’s decision to include electronic sports medalists, coaches in the program incentive

Electronic sports

‘Historical moment’

Organizing the Ministry of Sports decision to include electronic sports medalists and their coaches as part of its cash incentive program, ESFI declared on Wednesday that this decision would lead to an “exponential increase in the base participation ».

The ministry has released a list of 51 sports that will be eligible for cash rewards, including all those who are part of the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the Alignment of World University Games.

The list includes sports like Mallakhamb, E-Sports and Kho Kho.

This decision aligns electronic sports on traditional sports, opening doors to millions of players to represent India on the world scene, said the Esports of India in a press release.

“This is a historic moment for Indian electronic sports. Recognition by the government of ESPORTS medalists and their coaches with financial incentives is a decisive step for our sports, “said ESFI director and VP-Asian Esports Federation Lokesh Suji.

“India is already a force with which to count in electronic sports, and this initiative will inspire more young talents to compete on the international scene. We are planning an exponential increase in the base participation and the development of the electronic sports ecosystem of India, “he added.

The inclusion of coaches for electronic sports players in the incentive program will promote a whole new ecosystem for structured training and professional development of technical staff and coaches dedicated to electronic sports, which is currently a more important link for the country.

Indian E-Sports has already made significant progress on the world scene, with players like Wasfi Bilal, Pavan Kampelli, Tirth Mehta and the Dota2 team bringing laurels to the country.

– PTI

CRICKET

Maharani from Vadodara Radhikaraje Gaekwad extends support to Gujarat Giants before the home start of WPL

Before their long -awaited home start in the Premier League Female (WPL), the captain of the Guants of Gujarat, Ashleigh Gardner, as well as the Kashvee Gautam teammates, Phoebe Litchfield and Deandra Dottin, enjoyed a memorable outing with Maharani de Baroda, RadhikaraJe Gaekwad at the Ironic Miconic de Baroda, RadhikaraJe Gaekwad at the Ironic Miconic de Baroda, RadhikaraJe Gaekwad at the Miconic Miconic, de Baroda, RadhikaraJe Gaekwad at the Ironic Miconic de Baroda, RadhikaraJe Gaekwad at the Ironic Miconi Palais Laxmi Vilas.

Maharani Radhikaraje, an ardent defender of the empowerment of women, extended his support for the team and shared ideas on his initiatives and the legacy of the Cricket culture of Vadodara.

The players, joined by Bowling Coach Pravin Tambe and Mr. Sanjay Adesara, Director of Affairs of Adani Sportsline, also visited Gazra Cafe, an initiative by Shri Maharani Chimnabai Stée Udyogalaya (MCSU). Founded in 1914 by Maharani Chimnabai II, MCSU focuses on the empowerment of women by education, vocational training and skills development, in particular in crafts and embroidery. Coffee is led by members of the LGBTQ +community.

The visit presented an engaging interactive session between the players and Maharani Radhikaraje, who shares a deep connection with the cricket. As a gesture of appreciation, Captain Ashleigh Gardner presented him with a special jersey of the Guants of Gujarat. In return, Maharani expressed his best wishes to the team before the new season, reaffirming his support for the team at home, women’s crickets and their growing impact in India.

GOLF

Pranavi, Aditi, Diksha and Tvesa aim to shine in Saudi Ladies International

The young Golfer Pranavi Urs, the best Indian in the European ladies tower in 2024, will aim to make an impression when she made his debut in the sixth Sadi Ladies International, from Riyadh on Wednesday.

The other Indians on the ground for the lucrative event of 5 million USD include the five -time winner Aditi Ashok, which also participates in the LPGA tour, the double winner Diksha Dagar and the Tvesa Malik Sandhu.

Pranavi, who impressed the female golf tour of domestic heroes with several victories, obtained five top 10, including two third place at the Dormy Open and Andalucia Open in Espana.

During her season recruited on the Tour in Europe of Ladies, the 21 -year -old finished 17th on the money list and hopes for a good outing this week.

Diksha Dagar, who had a strong start to the 2025 season, finished second last week after losing in the Play-off at the Cara gain during the Lalla Meryem Cup at the opening of the season.

Last season, Dagar, who represented India at the Paris Olympic Games, had a more modest campaign according to its standards, recording four TOP-10 and finishing 29th in Oom, after having obtained third place in 2023.

Tvesa Malik Sandhu, on the other hand, rebounded to resume her Let Let card and finished 60th on the money list in 2024. She came near her first victory before losing an eliminatory against Alice Hewson at VP Swiss Bank Ladies Open.

This week, a massive minibons of 5 million USD is offered, divided on two events. The team competition has a price fund of USD 500,000, while the individual competition has a total pool of 4.5 million USD.

– PTI

Tata Steel Pgti: Yuvraj Sandhu takes the only head after Tour 2

Indian Golfer Yuvraj Sandhu. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Yuvraj Sandhu pulled a sensational nine to 61 to take the only lead after the second round of the Tata Steel Pgti players’ championship at the opening of the season on the Tollygunge Club course in Kolkata on Wednesday.

The spouse’s spouse leader Sandhu totaled 16-mine of 124 to take a three-stroke lead in half.

Jamal Hossain of Bangladesh struck an impressive eight under 62 to take the second position with an aggregate of 127.

Five players, including Honey Baisoya, Rahil Gangjee, SSP Chawrasia, Mr. Dharma and Arjun Sharma, shared third place with an identical total of 130.

The cup was decided two sous 138. Fifty-nine professionals and an amateur, Ashul Mishra, made the cut.

-Y SANrangeing

TENNIS

Balaji-Miguel enters the quarterfinals of Delray Beach Open

Sriram Balaji in partnership with Miguel Reyes-Varela, of Mexico, beat Ethan Quinn and learner Tien 3-6, 6-2, (10-4) in the Delray Beach’s pre-district tournament, in the States- United.

In the ATP event of $ 688,985 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sumit Nagal retired in the third set of the second and last qualification round, but made the main draw as Lucky-Loser.

-Kamesh srinivasan

BASKETBALL

Inbl Pro League: Mumbai Titans beats Chennai Heat

Mumbai Titans underwent a solid performance throughout the match to beat Chennai Heat 85-70 after leading 44-31 at halftime in the inbl pro basketball league at the Thyagaraj interior stadium on Wednesday.

It was the second victory in four games for the Mumbai team, which had relaunched its fortune with a victory over the Falcons of Hyderabad two days earlier.

Hyderabad did well to record an exciting victory of 88-84 against the Punjab Warriors on Tuesday evening for his third victory in four games.

-Kamesh srinivasan