YOGA
Mansukh Mandaviya launches first World Yogasana Championship 2026
The inaugural edition of the World Yogasana Championship (WYC) 2026, the first-ever global championship dedicated to Yogasana as a competitive sport, was officially unveiled in New Delhi by Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya in presence of Federation leaders.
WYC 2026, scheduled to be held from June 4 to 8 at the Eka Arena, Ahmedabad, will bring together elite Yogasana athletes and delegations from over 60 nations including Uganda, Zambia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Kenya, Japan, Oman, Mauritius and Netherlands.
“The World Yogasana Championship reflects the strength of our youth, our culture, and our vision of positioning India at the forefront of emerging global sports. The championship is a fantastic step towards global expansion of our sport that is a gateway to the Yoga Way of Life. I welcome all countries to India and am confident that this championship will pave a pathway to a new Yogasana sporting economy,” Mandaviya said at the launch in New Delhi.
-Team Sportstar
CHESS
Iniyan Panneerselvam wins double gold at Commonwealth Chess Championship
Grandmaster Iniyan Panneerselvam clinched double gold after winning both the Rapid and Blitz titles at the Commonwealth Chess Championship in Sri Lanka.
The Tamil Nadu player scored 6.5 points from seven rounds in each format to emerge champion in both sections.
In the Rapid event, Grandmaster Srihari took the silver medal, while GM Mitrabha secured bronze.
In the Blitz competition, Grandmaster Rohith Krishna finished with the silver medal, while Srihari added another podium finish with bronze.
The Classical title was won by Mitrabha, while Sri Lankan player Ranindu Liyanage claimed silver and Srihari settled for bronze.
Conducted across Blitz, Rapid and Classical formats, the event had 96 players competing in the Open section.
-PTI
GOLF
Gill, Kochhar in the spotlight as IGPL Tour heads to Morocco
In-form golfers Pukhraj Singh Gill and Karandeep Kochhar will spearhead a strong Indian challenge when the IGPL Tour makes its North African debut at the inaugural Morocco Rising Stars beginning on Thursday.
The tournament opens a three-week golfing swing in Morocco, with the IGPL Classic scheduled from June 4 to 7 at the same venue, before the USD 2 million International Series Morocco from June 11 to 14.
Three of the four winners from the IGPL Tour and each of the four winners on the ADT this season, are in the field, making it an extremely strong field. Nine of the Top-10 in the ADT Order of Merit have confirmed participation.
The field will be led by Gill, winner of the 2025 IGPL Order of Merit, who also won the last event on the ADT in Malaysia. Joining him in the field is Kochhar, who like Gill shuffles between the ADT and the Asian Tour. Kochhar won the ADT event in Egypt last year.
India’s Sachin Baisoya, IGPL’s number one ranked player, is being joined by a star-studded field that includes his countrymen Veer Ganapathy and Aman Raj, ranked third and fifth respectively. Pukhraj Gill, last year’s No. 1, is in sixth position.
The 18-hole world-class course, the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, in El Jadida City, on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, was designed by nine-time Major champion, Gary Player.
Other top Indian stars in the field will be Shaurya Bhattacharya, two-time Asian Tour winner, Rashid Khan, Shubham Jaglan, Kartik Singh and a former Asian Tour winner, Khalin Joshi.
The Morocco Rising Stars, which is the fifth event on the 2026 ADT schedule, is also the fifth event on IGPL Tour.
The tour has already seen action in Chandigarh, Mauritius, Johannesburg and Congo. After Morocco, the Tour will travel back to India for most of its remaining events. The event also sees a team component for the IGPL Tour.
-PTI
HOCKEY
Australian Women’s Hockey Team edge India 2-1 in opening match of friendly series
The four-match friendly series between the Indian and Australian women’s hockey teams began on Tuesday with a close contest, as Australia secured a narrow 2-1 win in Perth.
India struck first in the opening quarter, with Navneet Kaur converting a penalty corner to give her side an early lead. The Indian defence remained resolute for much of the first half, maintaining its advantage through the second quarter.
However, momentum shifted after the break as Australia’s Abby Wilson converted two penalty-corner opportunities, scoring in the third and fourth quarters to complete a comeback win for the host.
The two sides will meet again on May 27 at 5.00 PM IST for the second match of the series.
Published on May 26, 2026
