Indian sports wrap, July 6: Three Indian football clubs’ youth teams to go on Japan exposure tour

INDIAN FOOTBALL

Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, Punjab FC set for Japan tour

The top three teams from the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL), India’s premier Under-21 youth football competition, will go on an international exposure tour to Japan.

The U-21 teams from Bengaluru FC, FC Goa and Punjab FC have earned the opportunity to compete against top Japanese opposition as part of the Foundation’s continued investment in youth development.

The tour, taking place from July 11–23 July in Fukuoka, will see the three Indian clubs compete against leading Japanese youth sides Avispa Fukuoka U-18, Sagan Tosu U-18, Giravanz Kitakyushu U-18 and FC Baleine Shimonoseki U-21.

Recognising that player development goes hand in hand with coach development, the programme also includes a dedicated three-day coach education module for six coaches from the participating clubs at Avispa Fukuoka. The curriculum will include sessions on Individual Development Plans, player progression and high-performance environments, alongside interactions with the Football Director of FC Machida Zelvia, whose club has risen from the J2 League to the AFC Champions League Elite Final in just three years.

Beyond football, the delegation will participate in cultural visits to the Nagasaki Peace Stadium, Atomic Bomb Museum and Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, reflecting Reliance Foundation’s holistic approach to player and coach development.

– Team Sportstar

SQUASH

Amarya Bajaj clinches Dutch Junior Open U-13 Title

India’s rising squash player Amarya Bajaj delivered a sensational performance to capture the Dutch Junior Open 2026 Under-13 Boys’ title, overcoming a series of world-class opponents, including Daniel Stevenson of England, 3-1 in the final.

Amarya’s toughest challenge came in the semifinals, where he blanked the European No. 1 Alex Kosztyu from Hungary in a high-quality contest to book his place in the final. 
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Amarya began his campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over an Egyptian opponent in the opening round before overcoming a strong challenge from England’s Arlo Smith (3-0) in the second round. In the pre-quarterfinals, he stunned the No. 1 Kaelen Low of Singapore 3-0, followed by another impressive win over an Egyptian Badr Hassan, 3-1 in the quarterfinals.

His toughest challenge came in the semifinals, where he blanked the European No. 1 Alex Kosztyu from Hungary in a high-quality contest to book his place in the final. There, Amarya produced another exceptional performance to defeat the top-seeded English player, sealing the prestigious Dutch Junior Open title.

– Team Sportstar

ESPORTS

Benjamin Bok beats Vidit Gujrathi at ‘India Rising: Road to EWC’, secures World Cup 2026 spot

Dutch Grandmaster Benjamin Bok secured qualification for the Esports World Cup 2026 Chess competition after defeating Indian GM Vidit Gujrathi 2-1 in sets at the India Rising: Road to EWC, held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

The event is a first-of-its-kind gaming and youth culture festival launched by JioBLAST and the Esports Foundation (EF), where, alongside the competitive action, outstanding achievements across the Indian gaming ecosystem were recognised through the inaugural Gaming Honours, celebrating creators, players and organisations shaping the industry’s growth.

James Cunningham, head of strategy, Esports Foundation, said: “India has established itself as one of the world’s most exciting gaming markets, and India Rising: Road to EWC demonstrated both the scale of its community and the quality of its competitive talent. Together with JioBLAST, we’re proud to have created a meaningful qualification pathway that connects Indian audiences and players with the global Esports World Cup ecosystem.”

-Team Sportstar

GOLF

Aditi records third-place finish; Diksha tied 7th at Hulencourt Women’s Open

Indian golfer Aditi Ashok finished a creditable third, while Diksha Dagar signed off tied seventh at the Hulencourt Women’s Open.

Aditi carded a two-under 70 in the final round on Sunday to finish at nine-under 279, three shots behind Spain’s Carolina Lopez Chacarra, who closed with a four-under 68 to claim the title at 12-under 276.

Overnight leader Kelsey Bennett of Australia faltered with a one-over 73 to finish runner-up at nine-under.

Aditi and Diksha had begun the final round tied for third at five-under, five shots behind Bennett.

Diksha, however, struggled to a three-over 75 and slipped into a share of seventh at two-under 286 alongside Finland’s Noora Komulainen (70), USA’s Brianna Navarrosa (69), Australia’s Kirsten Rudgeley (69) and South Africa’s Nadia van der Westhuizen (69).

Pranavi Urs produced one of the rounds of the day, firing a six-under 66 to climb into a tie for 18th at even-par 288.

Youngster Avani Prashanth signed off with a one-under 71 to finish tied 42nd at six-over 294.

-PTI

HOCKEY

Hockey India names players for sub-junior men’s national camp ahead of Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026

Hockey India has announced names of the 15 players who will be part of the sub-junior men’s national camp in preparation for the inaugural Men’s Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026, set to take place in Muscat, Oman, from July 20 to 25.

All 15 players in the group were also part of the Indian squad that featured in the recently-concluded Under-18 Men’s Asia Cup 2026 where the team clinched the gold medal after defeating host Japan 4-1 in the final.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The camp is being conducted from July 7 to 18 at Panjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh, where the country’s promising young players will train under the guidance of coach and former India captain Sardar Singh.

All 15 players in the group were also part of the Indian squad that featured in the recently-concluded Under-18 Men’s Asia Cup 2026 where the team clinched the gold medal after defeating host Japan 4-1 in the final.

– Team Sportstar

Published on Jul 06, 2026