MUMBAI: The Esports Foundation (EF) and JioBLAST have today announced a strategic partnership to launch India Rising: Road to EWC, a national competition pathway and a festival hosted in India ahead of the Esports World Cup 2026 (EWC), the world’s largest esports and gaming event. The future vision of the partnership beyond 2026 will be formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop the ecosystem, beginning with India Rising: Road to EWC as a long-term flagship property connected to EWC in India.

Delivered in collaboration with Jio (for use of its digital platforms) and Chess.com, India Rising will feature international nationwide open qualifiers for Chess, culminating in a grand finals held on LAN at the fan festival, with the winner advancing to the EWC 2026 Chess main event, held in Riyadh from August 11-15, 2026. While the 2026 edition introduces Chess as its inaugural competitive title, building on India’s global strength in the game, India Rising: Road to EWC is designed to scale in future years, expanding into multiple esports formats and fan-centric experiences as the platform continues to evolve. 

All titled Indian players will be invited to the closed qualifier section of India Rising, with more than 10,000 grassroots players across the country expected to sign up for open registration.

The festival will be held offline in Mumbai, where attendees can experience the India Rising Chess finals alongside creator programming, entertainment, and interactive fan experiences. Additional exhibition matches in VALORANT and Moba Legends: 5v5! will form part of the program, which will bring together competitive esports and live entertainment, featuring live music, cosplay, comedy, interactive gaming zones, and dedicated creator areas for fan engagement.

“The Esports World Cup’s purpose is to unite the global gaming community, and that means investing in regions shaping the future of the industry,” said Mohammed Al Nimer, Chief Commercial Officer of the Esports Foundation. “India is central to that vision. With hundreds of millions of players, it is home to leading chess talent, elite championship Clubs to digital platforms redefining how fans engage with esports. Through partnership with JioBlast, we are creating new opportunities for Indian players to compete at the highest level, while bringing the EWC closer to its fans in the country.”

Charlie Cowdrey, CEO, JioBLAST, said: “India has the second biggest gaming base and one of the most passionate gaming communities in the world, but what has been missing is a clear and credible pathway from India into the biggest global stages. Partnering with the Esports World Cup to build India Rising: Road to EWC will change that. Starting with Chess.com in 2026, this is about opening the door for Indian talent, building stronger connections between players, fans, and publishers, and creating an ecosystem that can grow with the market over time. We are proud to be building it with the Esports Foundation and are excited for what this will become in the future years together.”

India is one of the world’s leading Chess nations, led by a new generation of Grandmasters including Gukesh Dommaraju, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, Nihal Sarin, and Arjun Erigaisi. India was represented at the Esports World Cup 2025 by Sarin and Erigaisi, competing for S8UL and Gen.G, respectively, reflecting the country’s impact at the highest level of competition. India is one of the fastest-growing gaming markets globally, expected to surpass 500 million players in 2026, with player spending projected to exceed $1 billion. The market is predominantly mobile, with approximately 95% of players on mobile devices.

Avadh Shah, Country Director – India, Chess.com, said: “India is one of the most exciting chess communities in the world, with incredible depth of talent across both the grassroots and elite levels. We’re proud to partner on India Rising: Road to EWC to help create a truly open and competitive pathway for players across the country. We’re looking forward to delivering a world-class experience by combining our massive platform with the scale of Jio and the global stage of the Esports World Cup.” 

JioBLAST will lead the design and delivery of India Rising, including competition, festival, and content. The initiative establishes a structured route from grassroots participation in India to global competition at the EWC. Given India’s evolving regulatory ecosystem, JioBLAST continues to engage with regulators.

Chess returns to EWC this summer with a $1.5 million prize pool following its debut last year, where Magnus Carlsen (Team Liquid) won the inaugural title. The competition expands to a 21-player field, with a play-in stage and qualification routes including the India Rising pathway alongside Champions Chess Tour and Chess.com events.

Official Trailer Launch Film

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AHMEDABAD: Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited (MFRL) announced the appointment of star athlete Shreyas Iyer as the official brand ambassador for the F1® Program in India. Held under an agreement granting Mumbai Falcons the rights to host an official Formula 1®-sanctioned sim racing competition, the F1® Sim Racing India Open 2026 will establish a national competitive platform for emerging talent across the country. The appointment reflects Mumbai Falcons’ approach to building a sporting culture and infrastructure that spans across sporting disciplines.

Shreyas Iyer has established himself as one of Indian cricket’s most consistent match-winners and a leader across formats. Off the field, he occupies a growing space in youth culture, with an audience that extends well beyond traditional cricket fans. His strengths and achievements represent high performance, adaptability, and a direct connection with India’s digital-native sporting generation, making him a fitting face for the Championship.

“Sport has always been about finding your edge and staying disciplined enough to act on it. When I heard what Mumbai Falcons is building in terms of a real pathway that takes young Indians from where they are today to where they could go, I didn’t need much convincing. This is the kind of initiative I would have wanted access to growing up, and I’m proud to be part of what’s coming,” said Shreyas Iyer, Brand Ambassador for the F1® Program in India led by Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited.

Speaking about the brand ambassadors’ announcement, Ameet Gadhoke, Managing Director, Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited, said, “We built Mumbai Falcons on the belief that India has world-class sporting talent; the potential, however, has been constrained by structural deficiencies. Partnering with Formula 1® to bring the F1® Sim Racing India Open 2026 to life is yet another significant initiative in that direction. Shreyas represents exactly the kind of athlete we had in mind when shaping this initiative, displaying sporting excellence and discipline paired with authentic resonance with the emerging demographic, the younger aspiring generations. The platform we’re about to launch is something India has not seen in this space before. The full scope of this initiative will be announced shortly.”

The Championship will be contested on F1® 25, the official game of the FIA Formula 1® World Championship, featuring the same circuits, competitive formats, and team liveries as the global series. Registrations will commence on 30th April, 2026, through the MFRL App, available on the Play Store and Apple App Store. Participants will be able to compete across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox. The online Qualifiers in the coming months will lead to city-based simulator rounds, culminating in a national final in Mumbai in November.

The upcoming initiative is its most ambitious nationwide project to date, designed to connect Indian youth to a global-format competition through a clearly defined pathway

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MUMBAI: Formula 1® and Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited announce the launch of India’s first Official F1® Sim Racing Championship. Held under an agreement that grants Mumbai Falcons the rights to host an official Formula 1® sanctioned sim racing competition, the F1® Sim Racing India Open 2026 will establish a national competitive platform for emerging talent across the country. The Championship is designed to create a structured pathway from virtual competition to professional motorsport, offering young drivers a credible first step into the wider racing ecosystem. This also marks the first time Formula 1® has introduced a programme of this nature, exclusively for India.

The announcement comes at the perfect time, as conversations around bringing Formula 1® back to India gain momentum and fan interest in the sport continues to surge. With e-sports now officially recognised under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, initiatives like the F1® Sim Racing India Open 2026 connect India to the global driver pathway of F1®, tapping into a rapidly growing motorsport ecosystem.

Conducted under an agreement granting Mumbai Falcons the rights to host an official F1-sanctioned sim racing competition in India, the Championship will be played on F1®25, the official game of the FIA Formula 1® World Championship, featuring identical circuits, competitive formats, and team liveries as the global series. Registrations are set to commence on 30th April, 2026, on the MFRL App (available on Play Store and Apple Store). Participants will be able to compete via PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox. Online qualifiers in the coming months will lead to city-based simulator rounds, culminating in a national final in Mumbai in November.

On this occasion, India’s first Formula 1®Driver, Narain Karthikeyan, commented, “India has long been central to the global growth story of Formula 1®. With 78.8 million fans and a generation raised on F1®gaming, the time is right to introduce an official, competitive Sim Racing Championship here. Mumbai Falcons are the ideal partner, having invested years in building India’s motorsport pipeline. This initiative is unique, globally exclusive, and will set a new benchmark for talent development.”

“When we founded Mumbai Falcons in 2019, our ambition was to place India firmly on the global motorsport map and build a pipeline for world-class talent. Mumbai Falcons became the first Indian team to win an FIA-accredited international racing Championship. We have also supported the early careers of future Formula 1®stars. Partnering with Formula 1®to bring the F1®Sim Racing India Open 2026 to life is yet another significant initiative in that direction,” said Ameet Gadhoke, Managing Director, Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited.

Mumbai Falcons brings to this programme a track record that few organisations in the world can match. The team has previously supported the early careers of drivers who went on to reach the pinnacle of the sport, including Jehan Daruvala, Kush Maini, Arthur Leclerc, Dino Beganovic, Sebastian Montoya, Rafael Camara, James Wharton, Freddie Slater, Kean Nakamura Berta, Oleksandr Bondarev, Kimi Antonelli, Arvid Lindblad, and Oliver Bearman. It is this foundation of proven talent identification and development that positions Mumbai Falcons to build and deliver India’s first scalable motorsport pipeline.

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MUMBAI: Indian motorsport continues to gather global momentum, and at the heart of that surge stands Mumbai Falcons Racing League (MFRL), leading the charge in developing world-class racing talent from India. The team delivered a statement performance at the 2025-2026 UAE ROTAX MAX Championship, securing two championship titles, five top-three finishes, and the overall Teams’ Championship, underlining its role as a premier platform nurturing India’s next generation of international racing talent.

Leading the charge, Tyla Harris clinched the DD2 Championship with 1123 points, while Maurits Knopjes dominated DD2 Masters with 941 points. Together, they established Mumbai Falcons’ authority at the top tier of competition in one of the Middle East’s most competitive karting championships.

For India, the most compelling story lies in the rise of its young drivers. Mitansh Jain emerged as Junior Max Vice-Champion, delivering a season defined by consistency, composure, and front-running pace. His 960-point campaign firmly positioned him as one of the most promising Indian racers on the global karting stage.

Close behind, Arhaan Koreishi secured third overall in Junior Max, showcasing remarkable progression through the season. His late-season surge not only earned him a podium finish but also reinforced the depth of Indian talent within the Mumbai Falcons program. Adding to the team’s multi-category success, Nathan Kappen finished third overall in Senior Max, completing a championship campaign that saw Mumbai Falcons excel across divisions.

Further reinforcing this success, the team also celebrated title victories in the IAME UAE Championship, where Mitansh Jain was crowned IAME UAE Champion under the Juniors category, while Rayan Koreishi secured the Vice Championship under the IAME UAE Seniors category. These achievements also earned the team a coveted ticket to the IAME World Finals.

Anjum Shaikh, Team Principal of MFRL’s Karting Programme, shared, “This season reflects the level of consistency and performance we expect as a team competing at the highest level. At the same time, seeing Indian drivers step up and secure podium finishes in such a competitive field is a clear signal that India is ready to produce the next generation of global racing stars. Indian motorsport is entering a defining phase, and we remain committed to building stronger, more structured pathways that can consistently deliver excellence.”

MFRL’s overall performance at the championship reflects a structured, high-performance ecosystem built in India for a world-stage competition. Across the season, Mumbai Falcons demonstrated not just winning ability but depth, resilience, and consistency—qualities essential for developing future champions.  The significance of these achievements extends beyond the standings. The UAE Rotax Max Championship serves as a gateway to the Rotax MAX Championship Grand Finals, placing Mumbai Falcons drivers within the global talent pipeline. Competing—and succeeding—at this level signals India’s growing influence in international karting.

Mumbai Falcons has steadily positioned itself as a launchpad for young drivers, combining international exposure, technical excellence, and race-winning capability. With Indian drivers like Jain and Koreishi delivering standout performances against a highly competitive international grid, the message is clear: India is no longer an emerging presence in global karting; it is becoming a force.

As the 2025–2026 season concludes, Mumbai Falcons continues in its endeavour to actively shape India’s racing future and build a pathway for the country’s brightest young talents to become tomorrow’s global stars.

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By Dr. Bhushan Shitole, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Vencer Hospital, Pune

Pune has always had a strong sporting culture, but in recent years, the city’s relationship with physical activity has changed visibly. Sport is no longer limited to trained athletes or structured clubs. It now lives in weekend cricket groups, badminton leagues, football turfs, cycling communities, gym challenges, running events, and fitness-driven social circles. That is a positive shift. But it has also created a medical reality we need to talk about more seriously.

Many people are becoming active faster than they are becoming physically prepared.

This is where sports medicine enters the conversation. Unfortunately, many still think sports medicine is only for elite athletes or people playing at a professional level. That is far from the truth. Today, the need for sports injury management is rising among everyday working adults, students, fitness enthusiasts, and even middle-aged individuals who are trying to become healthier but do not always understand how to condition the body correctly.

In Pune, especially, this becomes even more relevant during the summer months. As temperatures rise, so do the risks linked to dehydration, poor recovery, muscle fatigue, and reduced physical efficiency. People often head out for a run, a cricket match, or a high-intensity workout without respecting the effect heat has on the body. Muscles tire faster, balance changes, and concentration drops, and once that happens, the risk of strain, sprain, or overuse injury rises sharply.

What we now commonly see is not only one major traumatic injury. Very often, the real problem is repetitive stress. A person who sits for long hours through the week suddenly plays an intense match on the weekend. Someone with poor core strength signs up for a run without progressive training. A gym user lifts with enthusiasm but without form, mobility or recovery. The body may tolerate this for some time, but eventually it starts sending signals in the form of knee pain, shoulder stiffness, ankle instability, back strain or recurrent swelling.

These are not small signs to be ignored. They are early warnings.

The value of a sports medicine specialist in Pune lies in identifying not just the site of pain, but the reason behind it. Is the problem coming from weak muscles, poor biomechanics, inadequate warm-up, overload, or an untreated structural issue? Unless this is understood properly, many people keep treating symptoms while the actual cause continues to worsen.

At times, when there is persistent locking of the knee, ligament injury, meniscal damage, or recurrent joint instability, further intervention may be required. In such cases, the role of an arthroscopy surgeon in Pune becomes important. Arthroscopy can help diagnose and treat select joint conditions with precision, while allowing a more focused path toward recovery. But even then, no treatment is complete without guided rehabilitation, strength rebuilding, and a carefully planned return to activity.

“People should not wait for a severe injury before taking orthopaedic advice. In many cases, early intervention, correct diagnosis, and structured rehabilitation can prevent long-term damage and help patients return to sport safely and confidently,” says Dr. Bhushan Shitole, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Vencer Hospital, Pune.

Pune should absolutely continue to play more, move more, and live more actively. But the city also needs to build a deeper understanding of how to move intelligently. Fitness is not just about motivation. It is about preparation, discipline, recovery, and respect for the body.

That is why sports medicine is no longer a niche field. In a city like Pune, it is becoming a necessary part of modern healthcare.

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WINDSOR, UNITED KINGDOM: Konami Digital Entertainment, B.V. (KONAMI) today announced the launch of an exclusive campaign for eFootball in India. Commemorating this special campaign, eFootball brings together cricket giants Rinku Singh and Varun Chakravarthy, Malayalam stars Naslen Gafoor and Chandu Salim Kumar, alongside football icons like Sahal Abdul Samad and Shubhasish Bose to produce exciting content for social media[ak1]. Launching alongside the campaign,  eFootball fans can gain a special Lionel Messi card from March 12 to April 2.

With a particular emphasis on Kerala and West Bengal, the campaign partners with fan communities, lifestyle creators, and competitive eFootball influencers. These include Mohammad Rizwan, RJ Praveen, Black Mamba Gaming, Mallu PES Master, LiarsFC, and Manjappada. The campaign also introduces in‑game challenges that offer users exclusive rewards.

Alongside this campaign, a limited-time card of football icon Lionel Messi is available for global users from March 12 to April 2. The Lionel Messi card and related campaign events are now live across India on mobile, console, and PC.  For updates, exclusive content drops, and ongoing challenges, fans can find more information:

Socials

• X
• Youtube
• Facebook
• Instagram

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The Pune edition welcomed participation from citizens, youth organizations, volunteers, and well-known personalities from across the city, representing the spirit of unity and collective wellness.

Over 5,000+ participants enthusiastically joined the 3K, 5K, and 10K categories for both running and cycling, transforming the university campus into a vibrant celebration of harmony, togetherness, and social consciousness.

The event was graced by distinguished dignitaries and leaders from government, industry, and civic circles, including:

• Rajan Navani, Chairman & Managing Director at Jetline Group of Companies
• Dharmesh Vaidhya, State President, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Org, Maharashtra West
• Capt. Girish Lele, District President, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Pune
• Prof. Parag Kalkar, Honourable Pro Vice-Chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune
• Shri Ravindra Shingapurkar, Member, Management Council, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune
• Prof. D. B. Pawar, Member, Management Council, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune
• Prof. Jyoti Bhakare, Officiating Registrar, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune
• Sucheta Kadethankar, an Indian sportsperson from Pune
• Richi Mathur, Co-Founder and Vice Chairman, Lighthouse Communities
• Abhishek Ubhe, A seasoned athlete
• Dr. Sudam Shekhe, Assistant Director, Sports
• Dr. Vishnu Petkhar, Head, Department of Sports and Physical Education
• Prof. Vinayak Joshi, Director, Internal Quality Assurance Cell
• Prof. Vaibhav Jadhav, Centre for Distance and Online Education

Speaking about the initiatives, Dharmesh Vaidhya, State President, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Org, Maharashtra West, said, “The Sri Sathya Sai Run & Ride is more than an event; it’s a movement that connects hearts through action. As we celebrate 100 years of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s birth, we continue to carry forward his message of selfless love, unity, and service. Today, Pune came together not just to run or ride, but to reaffirm these eternal values.”

Prof. Parag Kalkar, Honourable Pro Vice-Chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, said, “Events like these beautifully align with the vision of Fit India and youth empowerment. It’s inspiring to see the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation uniting citizens under one mission — promoting fitness with compassion, discipline with devotion, and strength with service.”

Mr. Rajan Navani, Chairman & Managing Director at Jetline Group of Companies, added, “The Sri Sathya Sai Run & Ride exemplifies how faith and fitness can coexist to build stronger communities. The event’s emphasis on inclusivity, service, and togetherness truly embodies the essence of what India stands for — unity in diversity and progress through purpose.”

Capt. Girish Lele, District President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Pune, said, “This Run & Ride event is a holistic 360-degree approach towards fitness at the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels of the entire mankind. It stands for world peace, happiness, and harmony for all. It is not just a test of physical endurance but also a celebration of equilibrium and unity in thought, word, and action.”

The event concluded with participants pledging to uphold the values of physical wellness, mental peace, and social harmony. As part of its centenary celebrations, the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Maharashtra, will continue to spread this spirit through a series of community outreach initiatives across the state. Extending this message beyond Maharashtra, the organisation has also embarked on the Sri Sathya Sai Prema Pravahini — a nationwide Rath Yatra traversing all 28 states and 8 Union Territories, carrying the message of love and unity to every corner of India. In parallel, the Sri Sathya Sai National Cricket League (SSSNCL) seeks to engage the youth through the unifying spirit of sport, fostering teamwork, discipline, and service — virtues that lie at the heart of Bhagawan’s vision for a harmonious society.

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Maharashtra fielded five teams in the National Bandy Championship across the Under-10, Under-14, Under-17, and Under-19 boys and girls categories. Over 40 teams from 8–9 states, including Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, and Maharashtra, competed in Dehradun. The Maharashtra team, mainly comprising players from Pandharpur, Raigad, Kolhapur, Mumbai, and Pune, performed strongly, with four teams winning medals. The Under-10 boys won bronze by beating Tamil Nadu 1–0, the Under-12 girls won gold against Uttar Pradesh 2–1, the Under-17 girls took silver, and the Under-19 boys won bronze, leading Maharashtra to finish 4th rank in the championship overall.

The Pune players from Maharashtra received training support as Dr. Kalmadi Shamarao Junior College Principal, Shobha Channal, made the college facilities available for practice, which immensely benefited the athletes. “This achievement has further elevated the state’s stature in national bandy sports”, said Ajay Jagtap, President of the Pune District Bandy Association and Secretary of the Pune District Ice Hockey Association.

Bandy is a sport similar to ice hockey and is widely recognized as a popular Russian sport. It is played across Europe, Scandinavian countries, the Baltic region, and Mongolia. Over the past few years, bandy has been gaining popularity in India, and this was the 7th National Championship. Maharashtra has been participating for the last two years, and notably, a significant number of players in the Maharashtra squad came from Pune.

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A total of 12 teams – comprising six players in different categories will be fighting for the top honours and the handsome winners’ purse of Rs one lakh.

The categories are- Sub-junior (U-15) boys’, Junior (U-19) boys’ & girls’, Women, Men, and Men Veterans (40+).

The team owners, along with their coaches and mentors, will select their teams through a players’ auction.

This league is basically to encourage young, talented, upcoming, and amateur players, who will get an opportunity to showcase their skills and compete among equals. As such, the top eight state-ranked players will not be allowed to participate in this NXTTGN league.

The runners-up team will become richer by Rs 50,000. The two losing semi-finalists will receive a cash award of Rs 25,000 each. 

Exciting prizes will be presented to the top performers, recognizing their outstanding skills and achievements. Every participating player will receive guaranteed compensation, ensuring their involvement is rewarding.

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Finolex Industries and Mukul Madhav Foundation have been associated with Sangram Singh for the past 5 years, extending their support as part of their shared commitment to promoting strength, perseverance, and holistic well-being. Their collaboration with the celebrated athlete reflects both organizations’ belief in empowering individuals who embody resilience and positive values—qualities that deeply align with their own ethos.

Speaking on the association, Ritu Prakash Chhabria, Managing Trustee of Mukul Madhav Foundation, said: “We are incredibly proud to support Sangram Singh on this remarkable journey. His determination, humility, and dedication perfectly reflect the values we champion at both Finolex and MMF. This milestone not only brings pride to India but also highlights the spirit of perseverance that inspires communities everywhere.”

Through this partnership, Finolex Industries and MMF continue to extend their CSR mission beyond traditional boundaries—encouraging physical and emotional well-being, nurturing emerging talent, and fostering a culture of excellence.

Sangram Singh’s victory is a testament to the power of belief and persistence. His achievement adds another chapter to India’s growing presence in international sports and stands as an inspiration for millions striving to overcome challenges through discipline and determination.

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