At the international tournament, IOT Stallions fielded a contingent of 46 young athletes, eight coaches, and managers. The teams competed in both the 3x3 and 5v5 categories.

Of the 12 IOT Stallions teams that participated in the 3x3 competition, 10 advanced to the knockout stages, with six teams finishing in the top four of their respective categories.

IOT Sweeps U14 Boys Final

The U14 Boys category produced one of the standout moments for IOT Stallions’ two Delhi teams as they faced each other in the final.

Delhi Team 1, featuring Vihaan Magoo, Shaurya Singh, Ahaan Mishra and Akshaj Madiyal, won the title, while Delhi Team 2 finished as runners-up, ensuring that the Stallions claimed both gold and silver medals in the category.

The Pune teams also delivered strong results in the U18 Boys competition.

Pune Team 2, comprising Ayush Dhoot, Nishaad Bhangale, Nikhil Pucadyil and Samyak Mudholkar, won the championship after overcoming a three-point deficit in a comeback victory against SportX Titans, while Pune Team 1 secured third place.

The remaining top-four finishes came from Pune Team 2 in the U14 Boys category, which finished fourth, and Delhi Team 2 in the U16 Girls competition, which also placed fourth.

5v5 Competition

Alongside their 3x3 campaign, six IOT Stallions teams also participated in the 5v5 tournament, gaining experience against foreign opponents.

The competition gave the young athletes an opportunity to encounter different playing styles, improve their tactical awareness and decision-making, and adapt to the demands of international basketball.

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The results mark a positive outing for SportX, which made its second appearance at this year's tournament. The performances across both age groups reflect the program’s continued growth and improvement as it works to develop young Indian basketball players.

The U18 squad comprised Vihaan Saldanha, Darius Rohinton Wadia, Sarthak Misra and Arush Choudhari. Across seven games, the team recorded a 71% win ratio, scoring 87 points at an average of 12.4 points per game.

Competing in a field of nine teams divided into two pools, the U16 side featuring Ojasya Ladha, Arfaan Sayyed, Darsh Tripathi and Sarthak Misra won two group-stage games to qualify for the quarter-finals. The team progressed to the semifinals before suffering a defeat, ultimately finishing fourth in the competition.

SportX revamps preparation program

According to SportX founder Samir Shukla, the organization overhauled its preparatory program this year, incorporating strength and conditioning sessions led by an Olympic strength and conditioning coach, alongside sports nutrition sessions focused on performance, recovery and match-day management.

The teams also played several practice matches in the lead-up to the tournament to improve their preparation and on-court coordination.

Shukla said:

He described this year as the organisation’s best yet, citing a threefold increase in interest from Indian and overseas players for selection trials.

“This year has been SportX’s most successful so far, with selection trials attracting three times the interest from Indian and international players,” added Shukla.

SportX also sent its largest-ever representation to the Asia Pacific Cup, with five teams competing in the 3x3 format and two teams in the 5x5 format.

Expansion Plans in Mumbai

Building on the tournament’s successful performances, SportX plans to launch several basketball academies in Mumbai to strengthen its player development program and create further opportunities for young athletes.

The organization is also set to launch The Titan Cup, a 3x3 tournament planned for November 2026, aimed at providing local players with greater exposure at both local and international levels.

Looking ahead, SportX aims to triple its scale in terms of participation, with plans to return to the Asia Pacific Cup with the ambition of winning gold.

For more information and opportunities to grow with SportX, connect with founder Samir Shukla at +91 98333 61701.

The Asia Pacific Cup is organised twice a year in Singapore and Malaysia by Fastbreak Basketball Singapore. Each edition draws more than 130 teams from over 13 countries across five age categories (12U to 18U boys and girls), across both 5v5 and 3x3.

ASB went unbeaten through the pool stage, winning all three games against WABA (West Australian Basketball Association), Fastbreak Basketball (Singapore) and SHSID Stallions (China). The team entered the knockout stage as the top seed.

The Playoffs

The knockout stage brought two high-intensity games on the same day: a quarterfinal against Swisherr’s (Tasmania) and a semi-final face-off with WABA. ASB won both by more than 20 points.

The final, played at UWCSEA’s East Campus, pitted ASB against Titans of Singapore, the defending champions. In a tight contest into the second half, ASB opened up a 49–37 lead through relentless pressure defence and repeated attacks at the rim. Titans fought back, but ASB’s long-range shooting and rim protection held firm for a 54–47 win.

India U16 forward Shekhar Rathee and Irfan N led the scoring for a compact eight-player squad.

The guard-led rotation of Anshul Sai, Vir Amba, Aarush Goyal, Armaan Sandeep and Shaylan Dua, alongside the team’s only centre, Shresth Jain, held off the Singaporean attack to secure a first Asia Pacific Cup title for ASB and for an Indian team in this category.

The squad was coached by Head Coach Puneeth Chandra, assisted by Manoj Singh, Nityn Bulchandani and Divya Singh.

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The third edition of FIBA’s flagship tournament for women’s basketball clubs in Asia will be held at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium. It will also be the first time the annual competition is taking place outside China.

Groups

Six teams will compete for the title, featuring the national league champions of China, Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei and India, alongside a representative from the Philippines that has received a Wild Card.

The teams have been divided into two groups based on the FIBA World Ranking for Women.

Group A

• Sichuan Yuanda Meile (China)

• Akari Sparks (Philippines)

• Cathay Life Tigers (Chinese Taipei)

Group B

• Denso Iris (Japan)

• KB Stars (South Korea)

• Indian Railways (India)

Indian Railways Roster

Players

• Rashi Khotani - Shooting Guard

• Sathya Krishnamurthi - Point Guard

• Priyanka Prabhakara - Shooting Guard

• Dharshini Thirunavukkarasu - Point Guard

• Manmeet Kaur - Center

• Poonam Chaturvedi - Center

• Pushpa Senthil Kumar - Center

• Namarta - Shooting Guard

• Nitika Amuthan - Point Guard

• Harshitha Kelttira Bopaiah - Power Forward

• Harima Sundhari Munishkannan - Shooting Guard

• Akot Paul Malok - Forward

• Vaishnavi Yadav - Shooting Guard

Coaching Staff

• Head Coach: Anitha Paul Durai

• Assistant Coach: Ashutosh Kumar Singh

Indian Railways Fixtures

• October 20 at 2:30 p.m. IST vs Denso Iris (Japan)

• October 21 at 2:30 p.m. IST vs KB Stars (South Korea)

Where to Watch?

All games will be live-streamed on the FIBA YouTube channel.

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Online applications opened on October 12, 2026, and eligible candidates can apply until November 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Applications must be submitted through the official CRPF recruitment website.

Vacancies

The notification lists 16 basketball vacancies across two posts. All positions are listed for male candidates, with no basketball vacancies listed for women.

The positions specified in the notification are Power Forward, Center and Point Guard.

Across all sports, the recruitment includes:

• Head Constable (General Duty): 182 posts

  • Men: 150

  • Women: 32

• Constable (General Duty): 339 posts

  • Men: 258

  • Women: 81

• Total: 521 vacancies

The notification states that the vacancy numbers are temporary and may change during the recruitment process.

Eligibility Criteria

The recruitment is open to eligible Indian citizens, male and female, who are ordinarily resident in India and meet the specified educational, age and sports-achievement requirements.

Educational qualifications

• Head Constable (GD): Candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination.

• Constable (GD): Candidates must have passed Class 10 or an equivalent examination.

Age limit

The general age limit is 18 to 23 years as of August 1, 2026. The notification provides age relaxations for specified categories.

Sports achievements

Candidates must meet the sports-achievement criteria specified in the notification below. Eligible achievements include specified levels of representation, participation, positions or medals in recognised sporting competitions, depending on the applicable category.

Meritorious Sportspersons 320092026 528

1.55MB ∙ PDF file

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Salary and Pay Scale

The notification specifies the following pay scales:

• Head Constable (GD): Pay Level 4, ₹25,500–₹81,100.

• Constable (GD): Pay Level 3, ₹21,700–₹69,100.

Other applicable government allowances are also provided as per the relevant rules.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted online only through the official CRPF recruitment website.

The application fee is ₹100 for male candidates belonging to the Unreserved, Other Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections categories. Women candidates and candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Ex-servicemen categories are exempt from the fee.

The notification states that applications submitted offline will not be accepted. It also warns that failure to upload the required sports-achievement documents to the candidate’s profile before applying may result in rejection.

• Online application begins: October 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM.

• Last date to apply: November 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

• Application correction window: November 12–14, 2026.

Selection Process

Candidates whose online applications are found correct will be issued online admit cards to participate in the recruitment process.

The selection process includes identity verification, document verification, a Physical Standard Test (PST), a sports trial and a Detailed Medical Examination or Review Medical Examination, as applicable.

Candidates must produce the required original documents and certificates during verification.

The recruitment notification also sets out a sports-achievement scoring system.

Candidates are advised to read the full notification (attached above) and confirm their eligibility before submitting an application.

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Alongside her playing commitments, Gamit, 24, is working as the club’s Girls Development Officer and Women’s Team Social Media Manager. She also recently graduated with an MSc in Sports Management from Coventry University.

Rockets head coach Clive Allen revealed that Gamit was a player he had been looking to bring into the team since last season.

Gamit, meanwhile, said she was excited about the opportunity and new challenge.

Gujarat to Birmingham

Gamit brings extensive Indian basketball experience to the Rockets, having represented Gujarat and competed in more than 20 national championships.

One of her biggest achievements came when she was part of the Gujarat women’s team that reached the upper pool (Top 10), for the first time in 42 years.

In 2024, Gamit was also part of the Jain University squad that won the gold medal at the Khelo India University Games.

Rockets Target Division 1 Return

The City of Birmingham Rockets finished third in Pool A of the WNBL Division 2 last season, ending the campaign just six points behind the pool winners.

The 2026–27 campaign brings a revised league structure, with Women’s Division 2 expanding from two pools to three. Under Basketball England’s promotion regulations, top-finishing teams can apply to enter Division 1, provided they meet the relevant league standards.

With more pools in the competition, the Brum team will need to navigate its group and finish among the top to reach the postseason and keep its promotion chances alive.

The last time the women’s team competed in the Women’s National Basketball League Division One was the 2023/24 season.

Opening Fixture Ends in Forfeit

The Rockets’ opening fixture of the season ended in a forfeit by the opposing team, meaning Gamit and her new teammates have yet to take the court together in a competitive game.

Their next scheduled fixture will see the Rockets face West Yorkshire Hawks Senior Women on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

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The competition features 10 boys’ and girls’ teams each, with both categories following a pool-based format before progressing to the knockout stages.

Tournament Structure

The participating teams in both categories have been divided into Pool A and Pool B, with five teams in each pool.

The fixtures are determined on the opening day of the championship through a draw. The names of the teams in each pool are placed in a lot, with each team drawing its first opponent. The remaining pool fixtures will see every team face the other four sides in its group.

Each team will play four games in the pool stage, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the semifinals. The winners will progress to the final, while the losing teams will compete in the third-place playoff to determine the championship standings.

Participating Teams

Boys’ Category

Pool A

1. Bharti Public School, Swasthya Vihar

2. The Mann School, Holambi Khurd

3. Bal Bharati Public School, Pitampura

4. Bal Bhavan Public School, Mayur Vihar

5. ITL Public School, Dwarka

Pool B

1. Yuva Shakti Model School, Rohini

2. Mira Model School, Janakpuri

3. MNSS, Rai, Sonipat

4. Bluebells School International, Kailash Colony

5. DHTS Vidya Mandir, Ghaziabad

Girls’ Category

Pool A

1. Queen’s Valley School, Dwarka

2. Bharti Public School, Swasthya Vihar

3. Bal Bharati Public School, Pitampura

4. Mamta Modern Sr. Sec School. Vikaspuri

5. Shiv Nadar School, Noida

Pool B

1. Apex Public School, Burari

2. Sachdeva Public School, Pitampura

3. St. Thomas Girls Senior Secondary School, Mandir Marg

4. Mira Model School, Janakpuri

5. DHTS Vidya Mandir, Ghaziabad

The Ballers Unite Championship is an invitational tournament conducted after the conclusion of the CBSE sports competitions.

Invitations are extended to the top eight teams from the CBSE competitions, along with legacy members and previous-year champions, who can participate if they wish to return for the next edition.

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The tournament features strong competition from teams across the Northeast and Nepal.

From Kozhikode to Sikkim

Two of these players - Arthika K and Cloudia Onden - were scouted by Coach Eudrick Pereira thanks to their participation earlier this year in Basketball League Kerala (BLK)’s U19 division. While Cloudia was coached by Mr Pereira in the Kochi Stallions, Arthika attends the skills sessions at Mr Pereira’s Pro Basketball Training Academy in Kochi.

Meanwhile, Devananda K, who is slightly older, has the distinction of competing in the U19 School Nationals in 2024.

All three players regularly train under coach Athul in Kozhikode.

The trio’s move was facilitated by Ekalavyas’ Ek Talent arm, which assisted Ravens with identifying and connecting with suitable players fitting the club’s specific requirements.

Signing with Ravens Basketball Club

For Ravens, the addition of the three Kerala players is part of their attempt to build a squad capable of competing for the championship, having finished runners-up last year.

Ravens men’s captain and women’s team manager and acting coach Paljor R.W said the team was specifically looking for young players who could make an immediate impact against a strong field.

About Ek Talent

Ek Talent is the talent management wing of Ekalavyas Consultancy Pvt Ltd, and seeks to connect players with suitable professional opportunities both within India and internationally.

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The OTT series is based on the true story of Real Kashmir FC, a professional football club from Jammu and Kashmir. But while the series takes creative liberties with its characters and narrative, at its centre is a very genuine footballing experiment in Kashmir.

And the man behind that is Shamim Meraj, the founder and former co-owner of Real Kashmir FC.

A football story in a cricket country

In the series, the central character Sohail Meer is a reporter who decides to form a football team in 2016 J&K. In reality, that reporter was Meraj himself.

Speaking exclusively to Ekalavyas, Meraj said the Emmy nomination was significant not just for the show, but for what it represented for Indian sport.

“An Indian sports drama being there in the Emmys in itself is a story. It also shows that Indians have the capacity to engage with the larger global audience beyond cricket.”

“There is appetite, there is connect and there is an audience for the most beautiful game in the world,” he added. “So yeah, it gives me hope that it is perhaps it couldn’t have come at a better time for Indian sport.”

A show Meraj hasn’t watched himself

There is an unusual twist to Meraj’s connection with the series: he hasn’t actually watched the show himself, for a number of personal reasons.

However, he said he has been told about the series and believes the story works because of how it presents his people.

“It’s a very nice, soft, feel-good film. It’s shot in Kashmir. It shows Kashmiris as normal, you know, people with normal aspirations, normal ambitions, normal set of problems,” he said.

I-League Division 2 Champions

The club’s journey between 2017 and 2020 provided much of the material that made the story compelling in the first place. For Meraj, those years were remarkable not because they were a sporting fairy tale, but because of how quickly football became embedded in the community and gave people a purpose.

“And to be fair, at that point of time, 2017 to 2020, Real Kashmir did some stellar work,” he said.

The scale of that response was particularly striking for a club from a region that has historically faced a number of issues.

In fact, the project was so influential that the club had a Scottish coach. Meraj recalled that the coach had even stayed at his own house for two and a half years.

Since then, Real Kashmir FC has won the I-League 2nd Division in 2018 and the IFA Shield in 2020.

Looking back, Meraj is reluctant to describe what happened as a fairy tale.

“I wouldn’t say a fairy tale,” he said. “But it was something that was just too, you know, in your face, too nice to be ignored.”

International Emmys results out in November

The 54th International Emmy Awards will be held in New York City on November 23, 2026, when the winners across the categories will be announced.

The nomination also potentially places Real Kashmir Football Club in a small piece of Indian television history, alongside Delhi Crime, which became the first Indian program to win an International Emmy, taking home the Best Drama Series award in 2020.

For Meraj, there is only one thing left to hope for.

“Now they’re there, I hope they just go all the way [and win it].”

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The competition runs through October 4, with the semifinals on October 3, followed by the finals.

Indian Railways qualified for the Final 8 after winning the 75th Senior National Basketball Championship. The tournament will mark their first appearance in WASL.

Railways have been drawn in Group A alongside two-time defending champions Al Riyadi Beirut, Ittihad Club of Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait Club. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals.

Team Roster

The squad combines the Indian Railways core with three international additions, Darlinstone Dubar, Cleanthony Early, and Tim Dalger.

• Sahaij Sekhon

• Darlinstone Dubar

• Himanshu

• Cleanthony Early

• Surya Pratap Singh

• Kanwar Sandhu

• Vishnu Prasad Unnikrishnan

• Gowtham Vignesh Korla

• Arvinder Singh

• Tushal Singh

• Manik

• Princepal Singh

• Tim Dalger

• Amarendra Nayak

Head Coach: Ashutosh Kumar Singh

Indian Railways Fixtures

(All times are in IST)

• September 26: vs Al Riyadi at 11:15 p.m.

• September 28: vs Ittihad Club at 8:15 p.m.

• September 30: vs Kuwait Club at 8:15 p.m.

Where to Watch?

All WASL Final 8 games can be watched on YouSport with a subscription.

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Her death led to student protests over alleged medical negligence and demands for the resignation of the Registrar and ₹50 lakh in compensation for her family, continuing for 15 days.

The students staged demonstrations at the main Gwalior campus and, at one point, some undertook an indefinite hunger strike. As of this morning, September 24, the agitation has been called off following the Registrar-in-Charge’s resignation, according to social media updates from those following the protest.

Students allege delay in treatment

According to reports, Shruti had been experiencing severe abdominal pain for several days. Students said she approached the campus health centre but was allegedly given painkillers and told that her condition was related to ordinary stomach pain.

Students said she also sought medical leave from the warden to get outside treatment. They have alleged that the leave was not granted.

After her situation worsened, Shruti was taken to Sonapur District Hospital. Reports citing students say doctors there advised that she be shifted to a private hospital in Guwahati for further treatment.

Students alleged that the transfer was delayed while approval was sought from the LNIPE health centre. She was eventually taken to Nemcare Hospital, where she died.

Shruti’s family had also raised questions about the lack of communication from the institute about their daughter’s deteriorating condition. Her mother told NDTV that she was not initially informed about the seriousness of her condition and that Shruti herself called her from the hospital.

Protests spread to LNIPE’s Gwalior campus

Following Shruti’s death, students began protesting at the Guwahati campus, while a large group of students also staged a sit-in and hunger strikes outside LNIPE’s main campus in Gwalior.

The protests continued till September 23, with students demanding the resignation of the institute’s Registrar and ₹50 lakh in compensation for Shruti’s family.

Following the pressure, the Registrar resigned with immediate effect on September 23, according to local reports. The resignation addresses one of the central demands raised by the protesting students during the 15-day agitation.

Disciplinary action

When the protests first began, LNIPE had suspended its Chief Warden at the Guwahati campus. The institute had also terminated the services of a contractual doctor and nurse, according to reports.

LNIPE Vice-Chancellor Kalpana Sharma also visited the Guwahati campus following Shruti’s death and told reporters that several demands raised by the protesting students had been accepted.

Sharma also added that the Assam government had provided ₹4 lakh to Shruti’s family, while the institute had separately provided ₹5 lakh as compensation.

At the time of publication, there was no confirmation that the students’ demand for ₹50 lakh in compensation for Shruti’s family had been met.

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The competition will take place from September 26 to October 4 at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex in Zouk Mikael, Lebanon.

The tournament features eight teams divided into Groups A and B, with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinals. The winners of that round will meet in the championship game on October 4.

Indian Railways in Group A

Indian Railways have been drawn in Group A, alongside defending champions Al Riyadi Beirut, Saudi Arabia’s Ittihad Club and Kuwait SC.

The Indian side will open their campaign against Al Riyadi on September 26, before facing Ittihad Club on September 28 and Kuwait SC on September 30.

They have also added international experience to boost their roster, bringing in Darlinstone Dubar, Cleanthony Early, and Dominique Jones as foreign players for the competition.

Their additions come as Railways prepare to face two-time defending WASL champions Al Riyadi Beirut in their opening game.

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While the official dates for the 20th Asian Games are September 19 to October 4, basketball action has already tipped off. The men’s 5v5 competition began on September 10 and will run until the 26th; the women’s 5v5 tournament is slated from September 17–26, and the 3x3 events are from September 21–25.

Selection Criteria

In September 2025, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) announced eligibility guidelines for team sports at major multi-sport events, stating they must be placed “top 8 among Asian countries in international rankings” to be considered for participation.

When the basketball fixtures for the Asian Games were announced on August 7, the Indian men’s 5v5 team was ranked 13th in Asia, while the women were 12th.

In the 3x3 category, India’s men’s national federation ranking stood at 33rd, and the women came in at 35th.

Asian Games Rules vs India’s Eligibility Guidelines

The Olympic Council of Asia’s Games Manual & Guidelines simply state that participation is linked to a country’s membership of the OCA and compliance with the participation requirements.

The OCA guidelines do not prescribe any ranking-based threshold, whether for team or individual sports.

India, however, has adopted a higher ‘top 8 in Asia’ standard for approving teams’ entry at major international multi-sport events such as the Asian Games.

Exceptions allowed in justifiable cases

The Sports Ministry’s policy states that it may not approve nominations recommended by National Sports Federations when participation is viewed as being solely for exposure or participation rather than sporting excellence.

The policy allows exceptions when sports experts recommend participation for justifiable reasons. But no such exception was granted to India’s basketball teams for the 2026 Asian Games.

Second Major Event Missed

Indian basketball teams’ Asian Games absence comes weeks after also failing to qualify for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The inability to secure participation in relatively smaller-scale international competitions like the CWG and Asian Games in 2026, gains added significance considering India Basketball’s stated ambition of qualifying for the 2028 Olympics, less than two years away.

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Who is he?

Youth Nationals to Railway Coolie

We learnt that this person’s name is Kumar, and that he once played competitive basketball, representing Uttar Pradesh at the Youth National Basketball Championship in the early 2000s.

Ekalavyas audience responds

Following Ekalavyas’ Instagram post, former Kerala international player Eudrick Pereira identified Kumar and said he had even played against him.

Another person commented about Kumar’s time in Uttar Pradesh.

According to the commenter, late Indian women’s coach Zareen Zaidi also spotted Kumar at the station in Bengaluru, brought him to Lucknow to play basketball, arranged accommodation for him, and covered his expenses. Zaidi reportedly arranged shoes for him from the United States because Kumar’s feet were too large for regular footwear.

According to Bangalore Mirror, Kumar has worked for decades at KSR Bengaluru City Railway Station and wears Badge No. 230, which was previously worn by his father, who was also a porter at the same station.

After playing for two years, Kumar is believed to have eventually returned home after the death of his brother.

Today, decades later, Kumar remains a railway porter at the same station where he was once discovered.

Let talent not get lost at the wayside!

Know someone super tall?

Tall People Project

While Kumar seems content with his career, the encounter was a reminder of how much untapped physical potential exists across India.

If you know someone exceptionally tall who could potentially have a future in basketball, we want to hear from you.

Help us find India’s hidden giants. Fill out our form below and tell us more about them.

Know a very tall person?

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A total of 125 scholarships are up for grabs across 19 sporting disciplines, including basketball, football, hockey, cricket, chess, golf, and more.

For basketball specifically, ONGC has listed nine scholarships exclusively for men, across playing positions: Point Guard, Shooting Guard, Small Forward, Power Forward, and Center.

Who can apply?

🏀 Tryouts & Scholarships

The scholarship is open to Indian citizens between the ages of 18 and 30. Players born between September 1, 1996, and September 1, 2008, are eligible to apply.

Applicants must also meet the following criteria:

• The annual income of the player’s parents must not exceed ₹30 lakh.

• The player should not currently be employed.

• The player should not already be receiving a scholarship, stipend, or contract from a Central or State Government, Public Sector Enterprise, foundation, or private organization.

• Participants from the most recent Olympic Games and Asian Games will also be considered.

The scholarship will initially be awarded for one year and can be extended annually for up to three years based on the athlete’s performance.

Basketball Scholarship Selection

🏀 Tryouts & Scholarships

For team sports such as basketball, selection will be based on a combination of sporting achievements and selection trials.

ONGC will evaluate players using a performance-based scoring matrix covering achievements at the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, international tournaments, Senior National Championships, Federation Cups, National Games, and other recognized competitions.

Scheme Details, Term & Conditions 2026 27 (podium Aspirants Category) For Portal

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Only one of the athlete’s best performances or achievements will be considered for evaluation.

The final selection will be made through game trials that will be conducted in Delhi/NCR or at another venue decided by ONGC’s Corporate Sports Division.

In case two applicants finish at the same level on the evaluation criteria, preference will be given to the older athlete. If a tie still remains, the decision of the selection committee will be final.

How to apply

Application Window is from 8th September 2026 to 29th September 2026 4 p.m.

Applications will be accepted only online through ONGC’s official Sports Scholarship portal.

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Looking to make that process faster and easier, Sahyadri Sports, an equipment manufacturer from Pune, has developed an innovative rain-mopping device designed specifically to help remove excess water from multiple surfaces.

Unlike conventional mops that can be cumbersome to use over large areas, this device is designed to quickly collect and efficiently push accumulated water.

According to the manufacturer, the device can help remove rainwater from playing surfaces and other areas, such as hospital and school corridors, in minutes, depending on the amount of water and the size of the area.

With monsoon conditions frequently disrupting basketball games and training, a simple innovation like this could help ground staff and players get courts ready for play much faster.

Want to buy one?

Use discount code EK5 to get 5% off the MRP.

To purchase: Contact the manufacturer- Sahyadri Sports, Pune. +91 75176 15161

Don’t forget to mention discount code ‘EK5’ while contacting.

Iran established control early, taking a 21-16 lead after the opening quarter. They extended their advantage in the second, outscoring India 26-17 to make the scoreline 47-33 heading into halftime.

The Iranian side continued to widen the gap in the third quarter, and entered the final quarter with a 70-46 advantage.

The Young Cagers produced their best period of the game in the fourth, outscoring Iran 20-13. However, the late surge was not enough to overturn the deficit as the Middle Eastern country secured a 17-point victory.

Shooting Struggles

India struggled to find their rhythm offensively, converting 32% from the field. Their three-point shooting was particularly difficult, with India converting just 10-of-40 attempts from beyond the arc.

The turnover battle was once again costly, with the home side committing 13 turnovers with Iran converting them into nine points.

A positive for the hosts was Piyush Choudhary’s 19 points. He shot 8-of-20 from the field, including 5-of-9 from two-point range, while also contributing seven rebounds and five assists.

The Campaign Ends

The defeat brings the Indian boys FIBA U18 Asia Cup campaign to an end. After losses to Japan and South Korea in Group D, India defeated Kazakhstan to finish third in the group and advance to the Qualification to Quarter-Finals stage.

However, Iran’s dominant performance proved decisive as they advanced to the quarter-finals.

Iran (MohammadYashar KamalKhaledi 23pts & 4reb, Soheyl Soleyman Nezhad 14pts & 6ast, Mohammad Shamsi Anbouhi 11pts & 8reb) bt India (Piyush Choudhary 19pts & 7reb & 5ast, Aakash Iyappan 14pts, Arman 12pts & 5reb) 83-66 [21-16, 26-17, 23-13, 13-20]

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A Tight Start

Kazakhstan matched India early in the game, with the hosts taking a narrow 22-21 lead after the opening quarter.

India then began to pull away in the second period, outscoring Kazakhstan 23-15 to take a 45-36 advantage into halftime.

The third quarter proved decisive. The home side tightened up defensively while continuing to attack the basket effectively, winning the period 20-11 and taking a 65-47 lead into the final quarter, where they remained composed to close out an 82-61 victory.

India Dominate the Paint

The Indian team’s biggest advantage came inside the paint, where they scored 50 points compared to Kazakhstan’s 26. The hosts also dominated the battle for second-chance opportunities, scoring 23 second-chance points.

India converted Kazakhstan’s turnovers into 24 points and added 18 fast-break points, reflecting the impact of their defensive pressure. The Young Cagers finished with 56 rebounds, including 23 offensive boards.

Piyush Choudhary was India’s leading scorer, producing a game-high 25 points.

Knockout Stage

The victory sees India finish third in Group D, behind Japan and Korea, after a 1/2 record.

With the group stage now complete, India moves into the knockout phase and will face Iran in the Qualification to Quarter-Finals game on August 20.

The game represents India’s next opportunity to reach the quarter-finals and continue their campaign on home soil.

The last time the men’s U18 team progressed beyond the group stage was in 2024, when they reached the quarter-finals in Jordan. They secured their place in the last eight after edging Lebanon 64-62 in the Qualification to Quarter-Finals game.

However, India’s run ended in the quarter-finals against eventual bronze medallists China, who dominated the contest, winning 89-43.

Two years on, India once again find themselves one win away from the quarter-finals. This time, with Iran standing between them and a place in the last eight.

After a difficult start to the tournament, India’s victory over Kazakhstan gives them momentum heading into the August 20 knockout clash and a chance to better their 2024 run.

India (Piyush Choudhary 25pts & 8reb & 4ast, Ansh Tomer 17pts & 13reb, Shekhar Rathee 8pts & 11ast & 7stl) bt Kazakhstan (Sayan Mamutov 24pts & 7reb, Adil Sultanov 9pts, Sanzhar Aubakirov 8pts & 5reb) 82-61 [22-21, 23-15, 20-11, 17-14]

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Appeal to readers - ₹₹ Support Ekalavyas: Ekalavyas is India’s first and only basketball media company. We are not foreign-funded, nor investor backed. Your support and encouragement have got us this far. We now need your financial assistance to ensure we can keep providing you timely, accurate and important information.

Please contribute via https://razorpay.me/@ekalavyas​ 🙏🏾.

We are accepting contributions as low as Rs. 1/- (including a small processing fee charged by the payment gateway provider). Thank you for playing a part in keeping media independent and objective!

Korea came out strongly, taking a 29-14 lead after the opening quarter. India struggled to keep pace as the visitors added another 25 points in the second quarter, taking a 54-31 advantage into halftime.

The Young Cagers did attempt to fight back, winning the fourth quarter 15-14, but the deficit had already put the game beyond their reach.

India Struggle With Turnovers

India shot 38% from the field and 6-of-18 from beyond the arc. Their free-throw shooting was relatively efficient at 13-of-19. However, turnovers proved costly once again, with India committing 27 turnovers, which Korea capitalized on, scoring 34 points.

India did have a 42-36 advantage in total rebounds, helped by 35 defensive boards, but could not convert that advantage into enough scoring opportunities.

Arman leads India’s scoring

Arman was India’s standout offensive performer, finishing with a team-high 25 points, with an impressive 5-of-6 from three-point range. Ansh Tomer contributed defensively with nine rebounds and even scored 14 points.

The defeat leaves the host with a 0-2 record in Group D after an opening loss to Japan and now South Korea.

India will next face Kazakhstan in their final Group D assignment on August 18 at 19:30 IST.

South Korea (Jihoo Eom 17pts & 6ast, Jihoon Yoon 14pts & 9ast & 6reb, Daehyeon Kweon 12pts 3reb) bt India (Arman 25pts, Ansh Tomer 14pts & 9reb, Shekhar Rathee 8pts & 7ast & 3reb) 90-61 [29-14, 25-17, 22-15, 14-15]

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Appeal to readers - ₹₹ Support Ekalavyas: Ekalavyas is India’s first and only basketball media company. We are not foreign-funded, nor investor backed. Your support and encouragement have got us this far. We now need your financial assistance to ensure we can keep providing you timely, accurate and important information.

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India, competing in Group D alongside Japan, South Korea, and Kazakhstan, started strong and finished the first quarter trailing by just six points, 19-13. Japan then stretched its advantage in the second quarter, taking a 42-28 lead into halftime.

Shekhar Rathee leads India

Shekhar Rathee led India’s scoring with 16 points, shooting 6-of-11 from the field and making all four of his free throws. He also contributed nine rebounds and six assists.

Aakash Iyappan added another 12 points, including two three-pointers, while Ansh Tomer and Abhyupang Mishra scored eight points each. Piyush Choudhary finished with six points, nine rebounds, and four assists.

Japan dominate

India struggled to find their rhythm from outside, shooting just 2-of-12 from three-point range (16.7%), whereas Japan converted 15 from beyond the arc.

Turnovers further hurt India’s chances, with the team committing 22 compared to Japan’s seven. The East Asian also held a 52-41 advantage on the boards, including 25 offensive rebounds to India’s 11.

After halftime, Japan continued to pull away, with India scoring just 14 points in each of the third and fourth quarters compared to the Japanese side's 26 and 23, respectively. They closed out the game with a 35-point victory, while the Young Cagers began their campaign with a loss.

Next up: South Korea

India will look to bounce back in their second Group D game when they face South Korea on August 16 at 19:30 IST.

Japan (Kenichiro Benedict 20pts, Eishin Konno 16pts & 9reb, Cayman Tsuneoka 13pts & 15reb) bt India (Shekhar Rathee 16pts & 9reb & 6ast, Aakash Iyappan 12pts, Ansh Tomer 8pts & 6reb) 91-56 [19-13, 23-15, 26-14, 23-14]

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Appeal to readers - ₹₹ Support Ekalavyas: Ekalavyas is India’s first and only basketball media company. We are not foreign-funded, nor investor backed. Your support and encouragement have got us this far. We now need your financial assistance to ensure we can keep providing you timely, accurate and important information.

Please contribute via https://razorpay.me/@ekalavyas​ 🙏🏾.

We are accepting contributions as low as Rs. 1/- (including a small processing fee charged by the payment gateway provider). Thank you for playing a part in keeping media independent and objective!