WRESTLING
Wrestler Jaspreet Kaur’s medal revoked after doping violation
Indian wrestler Jaspreet Kaur was on Thursday sanctioned by the International Testing Agency after testing positive for prohibited stimulants during the sixth Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China.
The ITA, on behalf of the Olympic Council of Asia, stated a urine sample collected from the 65kg wrestler during in-competition testing on April 29 returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for octodrine (1,5-dimethylhexylamine) and its metabolite heptaminol.
“Octodrine and heptaminol are prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List as S6.B Stimulants. They are prohibited in-competition and classified as specified substances,” ITA stated.
Octodrine is a central nervous system stimulant that enhances alertness and energy, while heptaminol is a cardiovascular stimulant that increases blood flow and supports heart function.
Kaur accepted the anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) and the consequences under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules, including the disqualification of her results from the Asian Beach Games.
The sanction was imposed by the ITA on behalf of the OCA in accordance with article 8.3.3 of the OCA anti-doping rules.
However, the matter is not yet fully closed.
The ITA said the case will now be assessed separately on behalf of United World Wrestling to determine whether Kaur should face additional sanctions under the international federation’s anti-doping rules, including a possible period of ineligibility.
The decision can be appealed before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) by parties entitled to do so.
The ITA also said it would make “no further comments on the case”.
-PTI
GOLF
Ridhima leads by two shots
Ridhima Dilawari got over a late double bogey to extend her overnight lead to two shots after the second round of the tenth leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour in Kolar.
Ridhima, a three-time winner this season, had five birdies against two bogeys and a double bogey on the Par-17th. The birdie on the closing hole eased the pain as she carded 1-under 71 after a first round 68.
At 5-under 139 Ridhima is two shots clear of Amandeep Drall (69-72) and Vidhatri Urs (69-72).
Vani Kapoor dropped as many as four bogeys including back-to-back lapses on the eighth and the ninth as she shot 1-over 73 and is sole fourth.
Young Saanvi Somu, armed with the experience of playing on the Ladies Access Tour in Europe, had a great start with four birdies in the first six holes. However, she lost that momentum and now is even par 144 with cards of 71-73.
Young stars Kashika Misra (72-73), Mannat Brar (73-74) and Riya Jadon (73-75) were sixth, seventh and eighth respectively while five players, Ananya Datar (72-77), Jasmine Shekar (74-75), Anvvi Dahiya (76-73), Karishma Govind (76-73) and Anvitha Narender (78-71) were tied ninth at 5-over 149.
Local star Ananti Vivek (74-76), who trains at Zion Hills, was the top amateur alongside Heena Kang (76-74) and Shreshta Shukla (78-72). They were 6-over 150.
The cut fell at 155 with 34 players advancing to the third and final round. Prominent names missing the cut included Seher Atwal, Shweta Mansingh and Durga Nittur.
– PTI
INDIAN FOOTBALL
G.D Goenka and Bharti Public School clinch maiden Oriental Cup titles
G.D. Goenka School, Dwarka lifted its maiden boys’ title, while Bharti Public School was crowned the girls’ champions for the first time at the fourth edition of the the Oriental Cup.
The winners received Rs. 1,50,000 each, while the runner-up was awarded Rs. 75,000. The winning and runner-up coaches were also recognised for their contribution, receiving Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 25,000, respectively.
Kaartikya Kashyap Chugh of G.D. Goenka School and Dhwani Bidada of Modern School emerged as the top scorers in the boys and girls categories, respectively.
The fourth edition of the Oriental Cup 2026 marked a significant milestone with the introduction of a scholarship programme for the first time in the tournament’s history.
A scholarship fund of Rs. 2.5 lakh was instituted, with 10 student-athletes, five boys and as many girls, receiving scholarships in recognition of their outstanding performances, potential and dedication throughout the tournament.
The opening match on the final day of the Oriental Cup 2026 witnessed a thrilling contest between G.D. Goenka School, Dwarka registering a 2-1 win over Step by Step School, Noida in the Boys’ final.
The second and final match of the day saw Bharti Public School defeat Modern School 1-0 in the girls’ Under-19 final.
– PTI
E-SPORTS
GEPL Season 3 Auction: 56 players sold across eight franchises
The player auction for the third season of the Global e-Cricket Premier League (GEPL), world’s only franchise based E-cricket league, with 56 players sold across eight franchises for a combined Rs. 62.75 lakh.
The most competitive auction to date saw four players cross the Rs. 3 lakh-mark, with all-rounder Jetha Ram emerging as the most expensive player in the league’s three-season history at Rs. 3.50 lakh.
It arrives as GEPL expands to eight full franchises with the addition of Kolkata Hawks and Gujarat Wolves. The season will be held at the the Jairaj Sports & Convention Centre, Pune, from August 1 to 9.
– Team Sportstar
CRICKET
Pondy Premier League 2026: Karaikal beat Ossudu for third win
Gautam Shastry struck a 49-ball 83 to set up Indisign Karaikal Kniights’ 59-run win over Ossudu Accord Warriors on Thursday to record their third win in six matches in the Shriram Capital-Pondicherry Premier League while also exacting revenge for the loss in their season’s first meeting.
Put in to bat at the Siechem Stadium, Karaikal posted a confident 188/8 on the back of Shastry’s effort, and quickly grabbed three wickets in Powerplay to put the skids early on Ossudu.
Brief scores: Indisign Karaikal Kniights 188/8 in 20 overs (Gautam Shastry 83, Ankit Sharma 48 n.o., Sagar Trivedi 2-32, Krishna Pandey 3-35) bt Ossudu Accord Warriors 129 all out in 18.1 overs (Krishna Pandey 42, Badal Rawat 3-14, R Vijai 3-19). Player of the match: Gautam Shastry.
Pondy Premier League 2026: Adil Tunda’s five-for in vain
Medium-pacer Adil Ayub Tunda’s five-wicket haul went in vain as Ruby White Town Legends lost to Genid Yanam Royals by 16 runs for their sixth loss in as many matches to all but exit the qualification race in the 2026 Shriram Capital-Pondicherry Premier League at the Siechem Stadium on Thursday.
Brief scores: Genid Yanam Royals 151/9 in 20 overs (S Tarun 31, Sathish Jangir 32, Adil Ayub Tunda 5-35) bt Ruby White Town Legends 135/8 in 20 overs (Ayudh Sharma 33, R Premraj 34 n.o., Irfan-Ul-Haq 4-27, Sathish Jangir 2-16).
-Team Sportstar
SHOOTING
National Rifle Association of India Signs MoU With Balmer Lawrie for Dedicated Athlete Travel Portal
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), on Thursday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd. The partnership introduces a customized Self-Booking Tool (SSBT) to streamline domestic travel logistics for athletes, members, and technical officials.
The initiative marks the first time an Indian sports federation has established a dedicated corporate travel system for its members. The digital portal covers both official and personal domestic travel, giving shooters complete autonomy over their travel schedules. The system is designed to directly support the federation’s massive base of roughly 80,000 registered shooters, particularly during national and state tournaments conducted across the country.
Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, President, NRAI, said, “Managing domestic travel logistics during a packed season of state and national tournaments can be a major distraction for athletes. By launching this dedicated portal, we want to remove that operational burden entirely so our shooters can focus solely on their sport. This is a unique step for a sports federation in India, and we are proud to partner with Balmer Lawrie to make travel efficient.”
The online platform grants users exclusive access to discounted corporate fares on domestic routes, along with complimentary meals and preferred seat selection. Crucially, all corporate discounts and service privileges are extended to the personal bookings of the athletes under a single login framework.
For family support, the tool features a dependent management module allowing users to add up to six family members. The contract also guarantees a zero service fee layout—with only standard payment gateway fees applicable—and minimal cancellation charges aligned with domestic airline policies.
The NRAI and Balmer Lawrie’s Travel & Vacations division are currently integrating the secure database to initiate the immediate rollout. The certified digital system fully complies with industry standards, ensuring transparent and up-to-date domestic flight information.
-Team Sportstar
Published on Jul 16, 2026
