India Bag 21 Medals At British & Irish Para Badminton International 2025
India's para badminton athletes showcased remarkable performances at the British & Irish Para Badminton International 2025, a prominent Level 1 event on the BWF circuit. Leading India's medal tally were Sukant Kadam and Krishna Nagar, who secured silver and bronze medals respectively in their categories, demonstrating exceptional skill and determination on the global stage.
In the Men's Singles SL4 category, World No. 2 Sukant Kadam made a strong run to the final. He triumphed over fellow Indian Naveen Sivakumar in straight sets (21-14, 21-19) in the semifinal. In the final, Sukant faced Paralympic Champion Lucas Mazur of France, battling hard before taking silver, with the match concluding 6-21, 14-21. Sukant Kadam expressed, 'I gave it everything on court, and reaching the final at a Level 1 event is a big boost. Matches like these help me improve, and I'm taking away valuable lessons to refine my game for the Paralympics," as stated in a press release from the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI).
In the Men's Singles SH6 category, Paralympic gold medallist Krishna Nagar maintained his consistent form, progressing to the semifinals and earning a hard-fought bronze medal. Krishna Nagar remarked, 'Every match here was a test of focus and endurance. I'm happy to finish on the podium again, and this performance gives me great confidence as we head towards Paris."
India's strong performance across multiple categories highlights the depth of talent and preparation among its para shuttlers. With a total of 21 medals, the country's achievements at this prestigious tournament provide a timely boost to its Paris 2024 Paralympic Games prospects on the global stage.
(With inputs from ANI)
view comments
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
15 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘I think he's talking nonsense': Michael Vaughan on Kevin Pietersen's Test batting being ‘twice as hard back then' comments
Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen's tweet on X has sparked quite a bit of debate. Earlier, Pietersen wrote that Test batting 20-25 years ago was 'twice as hard back then' compared to the current times. The 45-year-old also named 10 of the bowlers from that era and questioned who are the current bowlers who could match them. Former England skipper Michael Vaughan slammed Pietersen for his comments. 'I think he's talking nonsense,' said Vaughan on Sony Sports Network. 'I have looked at the last six or seven years closely. You look at the Indian seamers now, they are as good as they ever had. You look at the Australian attack, that trio that Australia had, it is as good as they have had.' 'Waqar [Younis], Shoaib [Akhtar], [Wasim] Akram, [Saqlain] Mushtaq, [Anil] Kumble, [Javagal] Srinath, Harbhajan [Singh], [Allan] Donald, [Shaun] Pollock, [Lance] Klusener, [Darren] Gough, [Glenn] McGrath, [Brett] Lee, [Shane] Warne, [Jason] Gillespie, [Shane] Bond, [Daniel] Vettori, [Chris] Cairns, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Murali[tharan], Curtley [Ambrose], Courtney [Walsh] and the list could go on and on… I've named 22 above. Please name me 10 modern day bowlers that can compare to the names above?,' Pietersen wrote. 'You go to South Africa, Rabada and Jansen. You go to New Zealand, Boult, Southee. I've loved the last few years of Test match cricket because it has been competitive,' argued Vaughan. 'I think this era of batting, I don't think it has been any easier than any other era. I think there's some wonderful bowlers around.' 'You still have to score runs. Irrespective of the bowling you are facing, you still have to go get the runs. Don't take anything away from the current players,' expressed Vaughan. 'Look at the way they have batted. They have batted with a lot more aggression than earlier times, maybe not during Kevin Pietersen's time. I don't take anything away from the runs that have been scored in recent times.'
The Hindu
15 minutes ago
- The Hindu
How sports can shape the academic future of students
In a world where academic pressure often overshadows extracurricular pursuits, the significance of sports in shaping a student's educational future is gaining recognition. Today, playing a sport is no longer seen merely as a hobby or a break from studies; it is increasingly becoming a legitimate pathway to academic opportunities, scholarships, and personal growth. Globally, universities have long embraced the student-athlete model. In the U.S., for instance, collegiate athletics is a robust, structured system offering scholarships to deserving athletes across a wide array of sports. These scholarships not only ease the financial burden of education but also serve as an incentive for young individuals to balance excellence in both sport and study. In the U.S and parts of Europe, athletic ability can unlock access to elite institutions. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) offer scholarships that cover tuition, accommodation, and living expenses. Importantly, international students are eligible for these scholarships, provided they meet academic benchmarks and sports performance criteria. Countries like the U.K., Canada, and Australia also offer scholarships and special consideration to athletes, although the systems vary in structure and generosity. Indian context India, too, has begun acknowledging the potential of sports to transform academic journeys. The sports quota in Indian colleges, especially in public universities and central institutions, offers reserved seats to athletes who have represented their state or country. These quotas apply to undergraduate admissions and often come with partial fee waivers or hostel priority. While the intent is commendable, the implementation across institutions remains inconsistent, with eligibility criteria and recognition of tournaments varying from one college to another. Nevertheless, for talented athletes, sports can be a powerful differentiator, both within the country and abroad. In the Indian context, securing a seat in top universities like Delhi University or Jawaharlal Nehru University under the sports quota provides not just admission but also validation of years of training. In private institutions, particularly emerging liberal arts universities, athletic profiles are increasingly considered during holistic admissions, albeit without formal quotas. However, the journey is not without its hurdles. Access to quality coaching, standardised recognition of sporting events, and structured documentation of athletic achievements are still lacking. Moreover, societal emphasis on board exam results often discourages families from allowing children to pursue sports seriously, especially beyond the early teenage years. Implementation To truly tap into the potential of sports as an academic enabler, a cultural and structural shift is required. Schools must integrate sports into the curriculum not just as a break from the classroom, but as a serious avenue for growth. Universities need to standardise criteria under the sports quota and promote transparency in their selection processes. At a policy level, better coordination between education and sports ministries can help streamline scholarship pathways and scouting mechanisms. Most importantly, India must begin to view sports not solely through the lens of whether it guarantees a monetary future. Sport should be recognised as a powerful foundation that builds discipline, resilience, leadership, and character and as a legitimate pathway to academic and life success. Even when it does not culminate in professional sport, the values and opportunities it unlocks can last a lifetime. As education systems around the world evolve to prioritise holistic development, it's time India followed suit, not just by rewarding sporting excellence with certificates, but by recognising it as a gateway to a brighter academic and professional future. Because when athletes score beyond the field, they inspire a nation to reimagine what success really means. The writer is the Founder and CEO of TEA.
Business Standard
15 minutes ago
- Business Standard
PCB bans Pak's future participation in WCL after boycott saga with India
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a sweeping ban on all future participation in the World Championship of Legends (WCL), a prominent T20 league featuring retired and non-contracted cricket greats from major nations. This decisive move came in response to what PCB described as 'blatant bias' and unsporting conduct by WCL organisers during the recent edition of the tournament. The controversy ignited after the India Champions twice refused to face Pakistan, first in the group stage, then in the semi-final, over heightened political tensions following the Pahalgam terror incident earlier this year, forcing the organisers to cancel those fixtures and award shared points, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from the Pakistani board. What sparked the furore at the WCL? The 2025 WCL, held in England and co-owned by figures from both cricket and Bollywood, found itself at the centre of a diplomatic and sporting storm. Indian players, including famous names like Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh, declined to play Pakistan, citing national sentiment in the aftermath of a terror attack. This stance resulted in the group stage clash being called off, with both sides being given equal points—a decision organisers justified in light of India's unwillingness to play. The same scenario unfolded during the semi-final, where the India Champions again refused to play, resulting in Pakistan advancing straight to the final against South Africa. PCB lambasted these actions as undermining both 'the spirit of the game' and the reputation of the championship itself, accusing the WCL of 'hypocrisy and bias' in their handling of the withdrawals. According to officials, the core disappointment stemmed from the tournament's 'selective' approach—upholding the ideal of 'peace through sport' only when convenient, while allowing politics and commercial motives to dictate the outcome at other times. The board said that such decisions send a deeply regrettable message to the sporting world about the intrusion of narrow nationalistic narratives into cricket. Blanket Ban and its implications A 'blanket ban' refers to a complete and all-encompassing prohibition, leaving no room for exceptions. In this case, the PCB's action forbids any future PCB-sanctioned teams or players from being involved with the WCL under any circumstances, as the board can no longer condone events 'where fundamental principles of fair play and unbiased administration are compromised by external pressures.' It's not just a ban targeting a specific season or team; it covers all future editions and iterations of the event, regardless of changes to format or personnel. Additionally, PCB has extended restrictions on the use of Pakistan's name in any private cricket league without explicit official clearance, vowing legal action against organisers who do so without sanction. This clampdown aims to maintain the nation's dignity in the wake of what board directors called 'hurtful' conduct and to ensure that only reputable, approved tournaments may use the country as a representative banner going forward. PCB's stand on politics in sport In statements that echo the board's broader philosophy, PCB stressed that it 'has always advocated the separation of sports and politics' and cannot countenance events where 'the spirit of the game is overshadowed by skewed politics.' The PCB judged the WCL apology as further evidence that sporting merit was forgotten in favour of appeasing a nationalist agenda, making continued participation 'unacceptable' for Pakistan's players and officials. The controversy has reignited debate across the subcontinent about the fraught intersection of sport and diplomacy, as PCB reaffirms its commitment to healthy rivalries—so long as they remain on the field and are rooted in genuine fair play.
