Category: Sports

MotoGP has confirmed its calendar by signing a multi-year contract renewal for the French Grand Prix at the famous Le Mans Circuit. The arrangement ensures that the event will continue at Le Mans until 2031, extending the present agreement, which was slated to expire in 2026.

Le Mans has played an important role in MotoGP history, holding the French Grand Prix 11 times from 1969 to 1995 before becoming a permanent fixture in 2000. The current five-year contract, agreed by series promoter Dorna Sports, cements the venue’s role as a championship cornerstone.

Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta emphasised the importance of the extension, citing France’s rich motorsport history and the event’s growing popularity. The French Grand Prix has typically drawn one of the biggest crowds on the MotoGP schedule. In 2023, it set a record with 297,471 spectators over three days, making it the most-attended MotoGP event in history.

The extension follows previous long-term deals in Spain, which secure the Valencia Grand Prix and the Catalan Grand Prix until 2031. This move is consistent with MotoGP’s overall efforts to enhance its calendar following Dorna Sports’ acquisition by Liberty Media, which currently owns 86% of MotoGP while maintaining operational independence.

Scott Kuggeleijn made history in New Zealand first-class cricket by scoring the fastest fifty ever. The Northern Districts all-rounder accomplished the feat in just 19 balls against Otago in the final round of the 2024-25 Plunket Shield at Dunedin. His blazing performance eclipsed Andre Adams’ 27-year-old record of 50 runs off 20 deliveries for Auckland against Otago on his first-class debut.

In an unexpected move, Northern Districts promoted Kuggeleijn to open the second innings. The decision proved to be a masterstroke, as he scored 71 runs at an incredible strike rate of 273.07. His innings, which included three fours and eight sixes, helped his team score 140 runs in only 11 overs before declaring.

Northern Districts are now on the brink of winning the Plunket Shield, requiring only seven more wickets on the last day. Otago, suffering at 120/3 after 51 overs, still needs 287 runs for an unlikely victory. Kuggeleijn had already made an impression in the first innings, scoring an unbeaten 53 off 32 balls. With the weather expected to be an issue, Northern Districts will be hoping for clear skies to secure the championship.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar are reportedly planning a combined bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup. If successful, it would be the first time the prestigious tournament has been organised in the Middle East and the first time multiple nations have hosted it, following in the footsteps of football’s 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Rugby Asia supports the application, hoping to return the championship to the continent following Japan’s successful 2019 World Cup. Rugby Asia President Qais Al Dhalai feels that a multi-city hosting concept might boost rugby’s worldwide appeal.

Despite the excellent infrastructure, issues exist. None of the three bidding nations has previously competed in a World Cup. The UAE is the highest-ranked, at 48th, followed by Qatar at 87th. Saudi Arabia does not even appear in the world rankings. To provide automatic inclusion for the host nations, qualification rules would need to be changed.

The weather is another issue. The traditional September-October timetable would be too hot, necessitating a move to December/January. This might interrupt global rugby schedules. Italy, Spain, and South Africa will all compete for the bid. The bidding procedure will start within the next two years.

Novak Djokovic made history as the oldest ATP Masters 1000 semifinalist, defeating Sebastian Korda in straight sets in a rescheduled quarterfinal match from Wednesday. The Serbian great won 6-3, 7-6(4), maintaining his supremacy on tour.

Djokovic broke Roger Federer’s record of 37 years and seven months, set when he reached the quarterfinals at Indian Wells and Miami in 2019. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is in his eighth Miami semifinal and a record-breaking 79th Masters 1000 round.

Djokovic, a six-time Miami Open champion, is attempting to win his 100th career championship and tie Andre Agassi for the most Masters 1000 titles in Miami. He will face 14th seed Grigor Dimitrov, who has a commanding 12-1 record in their previous matches.

Korda started strong in the second set, leading 3-0 and serving for the match at 5-3. However, Djokovic improved his style by engaging in longer rallies and forcing errors at critical periods. The Serb won the match in a tiebreak.

In a two-hour, 44-minute drama, Taylor Fritz defeated Matteo Berrettini 7-5, 6-7(7), 7-5 despite six missed match points. The American will face Czech Jakub Mensik in his first Miami Open semifinal.

FIFA has set a record-breaking USD 1 billion prize pool for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the most money ever distributed in a club football tournament. The decision was made after thorough negotiations with key stakeholders, including the European Club Association, and has been accepted by the FIFA Council. The redesigned competition will feature 32 clubs and provide a significant financial incentive for players.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasised that the new distribution scheme reflects the tournament’s grandeur, with the champion club potentially collecting up to USD 125 million. The competition will be organised in a seven-match group stage and playoff format, assuring an intensive and competitive framework.

In addition to prize money, FIFA has launched an unprecedented solidarity investment program, delivering an additional USD 250 million to club football worldwide. Infantino emphasised that FIFA will not retain any cash from the event, guaranteeing that all proceeds would be reinvested in club football. The decision is consistent with FIFA’s aim to broaden the sport’s reach and enhance its worldwide development initiatives.

With the 2025 edition projected to be the most profitable in the competition’s history, the new financial model is expected to have a huge impact on club football.

Sunil Kumar, an Indian wrestler, won a bronze medal in the 87kg Greco-Roman event at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2025 in Amman, Jordan. Despite a setback in the semifinals, he fought hard in the bronze medal match, defeating China’s Jiaxin Huang.

Sunil started the competition strong, winning his quarterfinal match against Tajikistan’s Sukhrob Abdulkhaev 10-1. He scored all of his points in the second period, demonstrating his tactical abilities. However, his run to the final was cut short by Iran’s Yasin Yazdi, who beat him 3-1 in the semifinals.

Sunil, who won a silver medal in 2019, has been working hard to reclaim his peak performance. His bronze medal performance represents a crucial milestone in his pursuit of excellence.

Meanwhile, other Indian wrestlers faced stiff competition. Sagar Thakran (77kg) won his first match but lost 0-10 to Jordan’s Amro Sadeh in the quarterfinals. Sadeh’s performance in the semis would determine his next step. Umesh (63kg) was eliminated in the qualification round, while Nitin (55kg) and Prem (130kg) left early in their respective categories.

Sunil Kumar’s podium finish adds to India’s wrestling achievements, cementing his place as one of the country’s top Greco-Roman wrestlers.

Reece James scored on his return to England’s starting lineup as the Three Lions defeated Latvia 3-0 in the World Cup qualifier. The 25-year-old, who last played for England against Italy in March 2023, came in as a substitute against Albania before starting under former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel.

James opened the scoring in the first half, striking a well-placed free kick beyond the Latvian goalkeeper. The defender stated he was startled when his shot went in, but he was happy to help. Speaking to ITV Sport, he highlighted his delight at rejoining the group after a difficult spell. “It’s been a long time. The previous two years have been frustrating. “I’m overjoyed to be called up by my country again,” he remarked.

England maintained their domination, with Harry Kane and Eberechi Eze scoring to secure the victory. Tuchel hailed James’ skills in his second match in charge, saying he knows him well and thinks he’s an excellent player.

After the international break, James will return to Stamford Bridge to prepare for Chelsea’s Premier League match against Tottenham. Meanwhile, England will play Andorra in June before hosting a friendly against Senegal at the City Ground.

Baseball United, the first professional baseball league in the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, has revealed its debut season schedule. The games will be played at Baseball United Ballpark in Dubai from November 14 to December 14, marking a historic moment in regional baseball history.

The league’s original teams—the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, Arabia Wolves, and Mid East Falcons—will each play nine regular-season games, facing each other three times. The season concludes in a best-of-three United Series on December 12 to determine the first-ever champion. A total of 21 games will be played during 30 days.

The season begins with the Subcontinent Series, which runs from November 14 to 16 and features a historic showdown between the Mumbai Cobras and Karachi Monarchs. This is the first time Indian and Pakistani franchises will compete in professional baseball. Given the two countries’ intense sporting rivalry, the match is expected to draw significant attention.

Baseball United’s UAE Series last month drew 12 million people, exceeding the average Major League Baseball viewership in the United States. The league will announce its broadcast partners this summer to ensure global coverage.

Alexandra Eala, a Philippine wild card, stunned fifth seed Madison Keys at the Miami Open, winning her 6-4, 6-2. The 19-year-old, who had already defeated 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, extended her winning streak by defeating the Australian Open champion.

Eala, who has been training at Rafael Nadal’s Mallorca academy since the age of 13, battled through a medical stoppage due to a leg injury but fought back from the baseline. Despite Keys’ recent good form, including a semi-final appearance at Indian Wells, the American was unable to handle Eala’s aggressive approach.

“I knew I could win, but my chances were slim because she’s such a good player,” Eala remarked after the match. “My belief and trust in myself helped me push through.” She will next face Spanish tenth seed Paula Badosa.

Meanwhile, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek defeated Elise Mertens 7-6(2), 6-1, in her 25th consecutive WTA 1000 last-16 performance. Novak Djokovic broke Rafael Nadal’s record after winning his 411th Masters 1000 match, defeating Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-1, 7-6(1). Djokovic now seeks a record-extending eighth Miami Open victory, with Lorenzo Musetti as his next opponent.

Thailand plans to bring Formula One to Bangkok by 2028. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula One chief Stefano Domenicali and announced plans for a feasibility study. The proposed race would take place on a street circuit in the capital.

Formula One’s calendar already includes 24 events, including four in Asia-Pacific. The Singapore Grand Prix is held in Southeast Asia, however, Thailand is keen to join the circuit. The country’s FIA-accredited Buriram track presently hosts MotoGP, but organisers want a city race to increase global exposure.

Shinawatra highlighted the event’s potential economic benefits. She emphasised its importance in modernising Bangkok’s infrastructure, decreasing traffic, and attracting high-end tourists. The government will evaluate the investment costs, race routes, and potential benefits.

Domenicali welcomed the proposal as “impressive.” He expressed enthusiasm for further conversation. The project’s goal is to create jobs, promote innovation, and establish Thailand as a destination for world-class athletic events.

Despite the lack of an official agreement, Thailand’s aspirations indicate its increasing influence in international motorsport. The Bangkok Grand Prix, if authorised, would be a major turning point in the nation’s sporting history.