Indian Army Ice Hockey Team crowned champions of the Inaugural Royal …

Leh (Ladakh) [India], August 8 (ANI): The inaugural Royal Enfield Challengers’ Cup delivered a fitting finale as the Indian Army Ice Hockey Team survived a stirring challenge from Leh Kings, securing a 6-5 victory to lift the tournament’s first-ever title at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium in Leh. wlop.pl

Representing the best emerging talent from the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League, Leh Kings matched the nation’s most accomplished Ice Hockey team stride for stride in a breathtaking contest before eventually falling to a late winner, underlining the strength of the developmental pathway created under the Royal Enfield Social Mission. Padma Namgail struck the decisive goal in the closing moments, finishing off a pass from Phuntsog Namgail to cap a pulsating final played before a packed crowd, according to a press release.

Leh Kings made the brighter start, with Tsering Angchuk opening the scoring after converting Mushtaque Ahmad Giri’s precise assist. The Indian Army Ice Hockey Team responded almost immediately as Dorjay Angchuk restored parity from Phuntsog Namgail’s pass before Jigmath Kunzang scored another for the institutional side, converting Padma Namgail’s assist for a 2-1 lead, placing them ahead for the first time by the end of the opening period.

They stretched their advantage early in the second period when Rigzin Norboo finished off a move created by Stanzin Namgail to make it 3-1. Leh Kings, however, refused to back down. Inspired by Stanzin Angchok, who struck twice in quick succession with assists from Stanzin Lotus and Mushtaque Ahmad Giri, the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League side battled back to draw level at 3-3.

Rigzin Norboo restored the Indian Army Ice Hockey Team’s lead with his second goal of the evening, only for Leh Kings to respond once again as Chamba Tsetan converted Tsering Angchuk’s assist to send the teams into the final period locked at 4-4.

Leh Kings completed a remarkable turnaround just 60 seconds into the third period as Stanzin Angchok completed a superb hat-trick to put his side 5-4 ahead. With their unbeaten record under threat, the title winners demonstrated the composure that has made them India’s benchmark in Ice Hockey. Jigmath Kunzang levelled the contest with his second goal of the night before Padma Namgail, assisted by Phuntsog Namgail, struck the decisive winner to seal a pulsating 6-5 victory and the inaugural Royal Enfield Challengers’ Cup title.

The tournament’s individual honours reflected the quality on display throughout the week. The Indian Army Ice Hockey Team’s goalkeeper Sonam Tsetan was named Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament following a series of commanding performances, while Leh Kings forward Tsering Angchuk earned the Best Player of the Tournament award after an outstanding campaign.

The final perfectly validated the vision behind the Royal Enfield Challengers’ Cup. Conceived as a competitive bridge between grassroots development and elite competition, the tournament gave the best players emerging from the Royal Enfield Social Mission’s developmental leagues an opportunity to test themselves against India’s strongest institutional teams. Leh Kings’ fearless performance against the eventual champions demonstrated just how rapidly the sport’s next generation is developing in the Himalayas.

The tournament, organised as part of the Royal Enfield Social Mission in collaboration with the Ice Hockey Association of Ladakh and the Ice Hockey Association of Lahaul & Spiti, brought together five teams competing in a round-robin format, with the top two advancing to the final. Leh Kings, Kargil Warriors and Spiti Titans were joined by the Indian Army Ice Hockey Team and the Central Ice Hockey Team of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

Vigyat Singh, Director at Eicher Group Foundation, said, “When we started this journey, Ice Hockey in the Himalayas was largely a winter pursuit. Today, the Challengers’ Cup taking place in August at Leh’s all-season artificial ice rink is a testament to how far the ecosystem has come. It is the coaches who train through the year, the referees who uphold the standards of the game, and the young athletes who show up every day to get better."

He further added, “Seeing these players go toe to toe with some of the best teams in the country reinforces why continued training and increased competitive exposure are so vital. This tournament is a celebration of that collective effort, and a reminder that building a sustainable sporting ecosystem is a long-term commitment we remain deeply invested in."

Beyond the matches themselves, the three regional teams also participated in dedicated on-ice training sessions from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM each day between August 1 and August 4, working alongside experienced coaches to sharpen their technical skills and tactical understanding throughout the tournament.

Tsewang Namgyal, Captain of the Indian Army Ice Hockey Team, said, “For us, playing in front of large crowds is something we are used to. But for the young players from Ladakh and Spiti, this kind of exposure can be life-changing. Holding the Challengers’ Cup during the peak tourism season meant these emerging athletes could showcase their talent to thousands of spectators, many of whom were watching Ice Hockey for the first time. That kind of visibility matters. It gives these players recognition, it brings attention to their journey, and it shows the world what Indian Ice Hockey is building in the Himalayas. Every team in this tournament, including ours, benefited from the energy that this timing and this stage created."

Designed as a new platform under the Royal Enfield Social Mission, the Challengers’ Cup gave emerging athletes from the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League and Spiti Cup their first opportunity to test themselves against the country’s top institutional teams. Competing as the Leh Kings, Kargil Warriors, and Spiti Titans, these local players gained critical exposure to elite competition.

Hosted at Leh’s newly upgraded all-season artificial ice rink, the inaugural tournament marked a major milestone for Himalayan ice hockey. Held during peak summer, the six-day event drew over 15,000 spectators–introducing competitive ice hockey to global and domestic visitors for the first time while demonstrating how modern infrastructure can expand the sport beyond its traditional winter season.

Alongside the regional leagues, the tournament strengthens the player pathway and reflects Royal Enfield’s commitment–alongside the Ice Hockey Associations of Ladakh and Lahaul & Spiti–to building a sustainable, community-led sports ecosystem across the region. (ANI)

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The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is set to strengthen its sports science and physical conditioning set-up with a range of advanced equipment aimed at improving player development, workload management, and rehabilitation.

The initiative has been undertaken under the direct involvement of CAB president Sourav Ganguly and the close supervision of the association’s office bearers. It follows the recent overhaul of CAB’s backroom staff, with strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches and physiotherapists appointed through a rigorous shortlisting process conducted via the Centre of Excellence (CoE) and the BCCI.

The new set-up will include the Catapult Workload Monitoring System, which tracks movement, speed, and workload to help manage training intensity and reduce overuse injuries, particularly among fast bowlers.

The SMARTSpeed Plus Wireless Timing Gates System (4-Gate) will measure speed, acceleration, and agility, allowing coaches to track improvements in running performance.

The ForceDecks FD Lite Portable Dual Force Plate System will assess strength, movement, asymmetry, and balance while helping monitor rehabilitation and injury risks.

The Dynamo Plus Dynamometer will measure isometric strength and muscular force output, helping identify physical imbalances and support targeted conditioning and return-to-play protocols.

CAB will also introduce the Vitruve Velocity-Based Training (VBT) System, which records velocity during strength exercises to help regulate training loads and fatigue while targeting explosive power.

The Exer-Genie Speed Trainer (60 m) will support speed and power development, including acceleration, multidirectional movement and controlled deceleration.

With these additions, the CAB is looking to adopt a more data-driven approach to player development, workload management, injury prevention and rehabilitation, while further modernising Bengal’s cricket infrastructure.

The post Sourav Ganguly Takes The Initiative, as CAB Strengthens Sports Science Set-up With New Technology for Bengal Cricketers appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.

New Delhi [India], August 8 (ANI): An injury on the athletics track ended one dream, but his passion for sport led him straight to the shooting range. Rewari’s Kamaljeet turned to pistol shooting in 2019 and has since established himself as one of India’s leading shooters.

The 22-year-old is set to represent India at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with shooting events scheduled from September 17 to October 3 at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery, according to a press release from NRAI.

Reflecting on his early struggles and the sacrifices made by his family, Kamaljeet said, “We are a middle-class family, but my parents never let me quit shooting. I had to manage my own expenses for course fees and matches early on, and there were times I thought I wouldn’t continue in the event. It took me two to three years to earn that money back, but my family never asked questions; they gave me whatever I needed to keep going."

Transitioning from track and field to shooting required a strong support network back home in Haryana, led by a tight-knit coaching relationship.

“I have only one shooting coach who taught me everything from scratch. He is from my village, so our relationship feels like family. Between my coach and my uncle at home, I’ve had the strongest foundation throughout this journey," he said.

With consistent performances on the domestic circuit, financial strain gave way to institutional backing through the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI). Kamaljeet highlighted how NRAI’s transparent selection process and technical support provided the platform he needed to break into the national squad.

“Earlier, I used to struggle a lot just to manage basic expenses, but having sponsorship and support from SAI took a huge weight off my shoulders. Once I could focus purely on my sport, the pathway became very clear because of how transparent NRAI’s selection process is."

“My place in the national squad came strictly on merit, based on the ranking points I accumulated across the ranking events. When you know the system is entirely performance-driven and every point you earn counts, it gives you complete confidence to just step onto the lane and shoot your best without any second thoughts."

“On top of that, NRAI provides us with top-quality equipment and ammunition, the exact same standard we use in international competitions. That takes away any worry about our gear on the global stage so we can stay fully focused on performance."

Building on his gold medal in the 50m Pistol Men Junior event at the 2023 ISSF Junior World Championships and a recent silver at the Asian Championships in New Delhi, Kamaljeet views his recent World Cup exposure as a vital stepping stone for the Asian Games.

“The World Cup was a valuable learning experience. While my performance wasn’t exactly what I wanted, it motivated me to refine my preparation. This will be my first Asian Games, and having gained international match exposure, I feel much more confident entering the range in Japan."

Looking back on his transition from an injured athlete to an Asian Games-bound shooter, Kamaljeet added, “Earlier, I used to shoot good scores only in practice, but now I have the belief that I can deliver the same performance under match pressure. One lesson has stayed with me through every phase: if it doesn’t happen the way you wanted, it will happen in a better way than you imagined."

At the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, Kamaljeet will represent India in the Men’s 10M Air Pistol event, competing in his marquee individual discipline on the continental stage. (ANI)

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Harare [Zimbabwe], August 7 (ANI): Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia will feature in a landmark T20I tri-series in Windhoek later this month, marking the first step towards the launch of the Africa Cup in 2027.

Scheduled from August 28 to September 6, the tournament is part of a wider effort to build regular, high-quality international cricket competition among African nations and strengthen cooperation across the continent, according to the Zimbabwe Cricket website.

The initiative, led by Africa Cricket Association Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani, is expected to pave the way for the Africa Cup, a flagship continental tournament aimed at providing African teams with a structured platform to compete at the highest level.

The idea gained momentum during the 2026 ICC Africa Annual Conference in Windhoek, where cricket boards across the continent backed the creation of a sustainable competition focused on collaboration and high-performance cricket.

The Africa Cup will initially feature Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia, with plans to rotate hosting duties before expanding to include more African nations through a qualification pathway.

Mukuhlani said the Windhoek tournament is a key first step towards launching the Africa Cup in 2027, with the aim of creating a sustainable continental competition that improves standards, strengthens collaboration and provides African teams a pathway to compete at a higher level.

“This tournament marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for African cricket. By bringing Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia together in regular, competitive international cricket, we are laying the foundation for something much bigger for our continent. Our vision is to launch the Africa Cup in 2027 and gradually build it into African cricket’s flagship international tournament. We want to create a sustainable competition that raises standards, strengthens collaboration and ultimately gives cricket nations across Africa a clear pathway to compete for a place on the continental stage," he said as quoted by the Zimbabwe Cricket website.

T20I tri-series fixtures:

28 August: South Africa v Namibia

29 August: South Africa v Zimbabwe

31 August: Zimbabwe v Namibia

1 September: Zimbabwe v South Africa

3 September: Namibia v Zimbabwe

4 September: Namibia v South Africa

6 September: Final (top two teams). (ANI)

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Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], August 8 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has assured India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant of all possible assistance after the cricketer sought the state government’s help in acquiring land to build a home and shift his base from Delhi to his native Uttarakhand.

Responding to Pant’s post on X, Dhami described the cricketer as the pride of the state and said the matter had been referred to the concerned officials.

“Dear Rishabh, you are the pride of Uttarakhand. With your splendid performance and achievements, you have illuminated the name of Devbhoomi in the country and the world. Your love for your motherland and your sentiment of returning here to contribute are highly commendable. Regarding the matter you have raised, instructions are being issued to the concerned officials. They will soon contact you and ensure all possible cooperation in accordance with the rules," Dhami wrote.

Pant had earlier appealed to the Chief Minister on X, saying he had been trying for nearly three years to acquire land in Uttarakhand and wanted to return to his native state and contribute to its development.

“@pushkardhami hello sir how’s you ??? It’s a long time for me especially being local from Uttrakhand. I have been trying to buy land to shift my base from Delhi to Uttrakhand and I couldn’t find anything facilitating and big to live here I love my Uttrakhand. My humble request to us is please help me in land acquisition cause nowadays it had become nitemare with clarity and even other land is dew which was I supposedly get when I was promoting the state before keeping everything in side I wanna move back to my native place to help and built around Uttrakhand and I want to shift back to my Pahadi people please look into this matter it’s been 3 years didn’t get any land awaiting your answer @pushkardhami sir," Pant wrote.

He followed it up with another post, saying he was willing to purchase the land from the government at official rates.

“A gift would be lovey for representation outs states at the highest level internationally stages but if you allow me I wanna buy it from Government and on there rates at least I can have my first house built in my own state and our state please be helpful. Seriously didn’t know how to do it," Pant said.

The 28-year-old Pant, who hails from Uttarakhand, currently represents Delhi in domestic cricket and remains a key member of India’s Test setup. He is presently part of the India A squad playing a three-day unofficial Test against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo ahead of India’s two-Test series against Sri Lanka, beginning in Galle on August 15.

Pant has scored 3,557 runs in 50 Tests at an average of 43.37, including eight centuries and 19 fifties. He has also accumulated 871 runs in 31 ODIs and 1,209 runs in 76 T20Is.

In the IPL, Pant recently returned to Delhi Capitals after being traded by Lucknow Super Giants. He had joined LSG for a record Rs 27 crore but will now represent Delhi Capitals at a revised fee of Rs 15 crore, while spinner Kuldeep Yadav moved in the opposite direction to Lucknow at his existing fee of Rs 13.50 crore.

Pant also recently became the highest individual taxpayer from Uttarakhand, reportedly paying Rs 23.84 crore in taxes for the 2025-26 financial year. (ANI)

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