Latest news with #GothiaCup
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
'I was in the crowd when England's Lionesses roared home - the atmosphere was incredible'
More than 65,000 people gathered in central London to watch England's Lionesses celebrate their homecoming in style It looked like it was going to rain on their parade. All morning, thick clouds hovered over Buckingham Palace like they were ready to burst - ominous, brooding. A bit like England in the group stages. Or England 2-0 down against Sweden, or right up to extra time against France. But with this group, you knew it would come good in the end. And sure enough, just as their two red open-topped buses turned onto the Mall, the clouds parted and the sun came blazing down in glory. Over 65,000 people erupted in cheers, not for the weather, but for what we'd all come to celebrate - the Lionesses, double European champions, heroes of the summer. I had joined the throng of jubilant fans lining the Mall, packed shoulder-to-shoulder with families, football fans, and faces painted with pride. Some of whom had arrived in the early hours to get the best view of the women whose names were emblazoned on their shirts and flags. Even before the Lionesses arrived, excitement rippled through the air. The noise built as the crowd swelled - chants echoing, fans singing along to the Royal Marines Band's brass rendition of It's Coming Home, and cheers ringing out as England's tournament highlights played on the big screens. Many of those cheering were teenage girls who had followed every nail-biting second of the Lionesses' journey - and had to see the finale too as their heroes brought it home. Among them was 12-year-old Amelie from Brighton, who was with her dad Anthony. Watching Sarina Wiegman's side win the Euros in 2022 inspired her to take up football, and she's just got home from competing with her girls' team in the Gothia Cup in Sweden. 'I just saw how happy it makes them and how determined they are and how much work they put in,' she said. 'It just really inspired me. 'This time I watched every single game. It's given me even more determination. It's made me realise that the sky's the limit.' Friends Bea, Lily and Izzy, all 16 from Guildford, agreed it was important to be there. 'So many girls have got into football because of them,' said Bea. 'They inspire me. They taught me not to give up, because even when it looks like you might not win, you still can.' The Mall has probably never heard such high-pitched screams as when the Lionesses finally came into view. Some of the girls gasped as they saw their heroines riding past. They looked as excited to see them - filming on their phones, waving and blowing kisses, and Captain Leah Williamson hoisting the trophy aloft. There were still more memories to be made. Sarina dancing on stage with Burna Boy. Chloe Kelly dropping an F-bomb on live TV - prompting a wince and an apology from Alex Scott between giggles. Heather Small leading the England squad in a rendition of Proud. Then came the final crescendo - red smoke billowing into the sky as the squad raised the trophy once more. It was followed by the loudest moment of the day - tens of thousands belting out Sweet Caroline in unison. And right until the very end, the sun kept shining for the Lionesses. Of course it did.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Students gain experience at world's largest youth football tournament
Students have shown their skills on an international stage. A group of 47 students from Solent University in Southampton travelled to Sweden to support the world's largest youth football tournament, the Gothia Cup. The group was made up of 36 sport and exercise therapy students and 11 student coaches from football studies, sport and exercise science, and sports coaching courses. Dr Lynsey Northeast, course lead for sports and exercise therapy at Solent University, said: "We're now in our fourth year of providing this opportunity to our students, and it is always a great experience for our students who get to apply their skills in a real-world, fast-paced environment. "Not only did they rise to the occasion with professionalism and confidence, but they also gained invaluable experience that will benefit them throughout their careers." Held annually in Gothenburg, the Gothia Cup attracts more than 1,900 teams from 74 countries, providing a high-pressure setting for hands-on learning. READ MORE: National scholarship leader recognised by Southampton university Throughout the week-long event, students delivered pitch-side and clinical support to UK teams, managing real-time injuries and challenges while also putting their coaching into practice. Ana Carolina Monteiro, one of the students who took part, said: "The Gothia Cup definitely took me out of my comfort zone, which is what you want at this stage in our professional path. "It has helped me grow in confidence, as well as improving my networking, resilience, and much more. "After this week I feel like I am capable of doing great things if I put fear to the side, and just put myself out there, which is something we've been told to do since the first day at uni." Beyond their clinical duties, students explored Swedish culture and built connections with athletes and professionals from around the world. The experience is part of Solent University's focus on experiential learning, helping students bridge the gap between theory and practice on a global scale. Solent's sports and exercise therapy course is accredited by The Society of Sports Therapists (SST) and includes industry placements with top UK sports teams, offering students practical experience before graduation.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Akin to Bihar, special intensive revision of electoral rolls likely in J&K
Minerva Academy FC from Punjab won the U-14 Dana Cup in Denmark, scoring a stunning 15-0 victory in the final. This follows their earlier Gothia Cup triumph in Sweden, with the team scoring 110 goals across seven matches and conceding just one.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Minerva FC doubles glory, nets Dana Cup after Gothia triumph
Making its presence felt, Minerva Academy FC from Punjab has done India proud by winning the U-14 Dana Cup in Denmark. Minerva Academy FC dominated the final clash at Dana Cup, inflicting a 15-0 debilitating defeat on Malta's KFF Club. (HT) The win comes a week after the same Minerva team clinched the Gothia Cup, also known as Youth World Cup, in Sweden. Minerva dominated the final clash, inflicting a 15-0 debilitating defeat on Malta's KFF Club. Raj scored a hat-trick with three goals, while Rhythm, Tony Rajesh, Chetan K, Yohenba and Denamoni scored two goals each, and Ajam and Chetan T one each, propelling their side to a strong win . Earlier in the semi-finals, Minerva defeated Palestine's Rawhel 4-0. Denamoni scored two goals, while Raj and Rhythm scored 1-1 goals. Whereas, in the quarter-finals, Minerva defeated Artjies 17-1. Raj scored a hat-trick; Yohenba, Denamoni, Chetan T, Punshiba, Amarsan and Azam two goals each, and Mehtab and Tony one each, sealing victory for their team. Over 1,000 youth teams from 45+ countries participated in the Dana Cup, played in Horing, Denmark. It is the third largest youth football tournament in the world. By the end of the tournament, Minerva Academy scored 110 goals in seven matches, conceding only one goal.
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Business Standard
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Decoded: Khelo Bharat Niti & its vision to reshape Indian sports ecosystem
After 25 years, we are finally getting a dedicated national policy for sports, the 'Khelo Bharat Niti,' said Union Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse after felicitating the victorious Special Olympics Bharat football team in New Delhi on Monday. 'The 'Khelo Bharat Niti' will strengthen the sporting ecosystem and infrastructure in the country and pave the way towards realising our dream of hosting the 2036 Olympics,' she added. VIDEO | Here's what MoS Sports Raksha Khadse (@khadseraksha) said on the National Sports Governance Bill: "It is a proud moment for all of us indeed, as after 25 years, we are finally getting a sports-related policy that will be known as the 'Khelo Bharat Niti'...this will boost… — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 21, 2025 During her speech at the event, Khadse highlighted how platforms like the Gothia Cup reflect the transformative role of sports in fostering health, education, and leadership. She noted that this vision resonates with India's national priorities of improving sports infrastructure, expanding inclusive training, and building platforms that support athletes from all backgrounds. "Central to this push is the 'Khelo Bharat Niti 2025,' a government initiative aimed at strengthening sports at the grassroots level and ensuring nationwide talent identification and development," Khadse further said. What is Khelo Bharat Niti 2025? Launched on July 1, the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 represents the most ambitious restructuring of India's sporting landscape to date. Replacing the National Sports Policy of 2001, the new framework aims not only to produce elite athletes but also to use sports as an instrument for economic development, social inclusion, and national progress. For decades, sport in India received limited attention and investment, often viewed as secondary to academic achievements. However, government schemes like Khelo India helped shift this mindset by introducing youth leagues, sports scholarships, and training centres. Now, the Khelo Bharat Niti builds upon these efforts and positions sport as a legitimate profession and an essential tool for development. The policy aligns with the government's 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision and underscores India's intent to host the Olympic Games in 2036, marking its emergence as a global sporting contender. The 'Five Core Pillars' The Khelo Bharat Niti is structured around five strategic focus areas: Global Sporting Excellence: Early talent spotting, elite coaching frameworks, and integration of sports science and technology form the foundation of this pillar, aiming to make Indian athletes internationally competitive. Sport as an Economic Engine: The policy acknowledges the financial potential of the sports sector. It promotes sports-related tourism, startup innovation, and global event hosting, supported by public-private partnerships and CSR initiatives. Social impact through sport: By promoting participation among women, tribal communities, underrepresented groups, and persons with disabilities, the policy seeks to make sports a vehicle for social inclusion and empowerment. Mass participation and fitness: Khelo Bharat Niti envisions turning sports into a nationwide movement. This includes grassroots programmes, local access to facilities, and fitness benchmarks in schools and colleges to encourage healthier lifestyles. Linking with NEP 2020: In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the policy emphasises structured physical education in schools and improved training for physical education teachers to nurture young talent early. Budget and infrastructure push For the 2025–26 financial year, the government has allocated ₹3,794 crore to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports — a significant increase from previous years. Of this, ₹1,000 crore has been dedicated to the Khelo India programme, signalling strong commitment to infrastructure and talent development. Notable achievements under Khelo India include: 326 sports infrastructure projects worth ₹3,124 crore 1,045 Khelo India Centres and 34 State Centres of Excellence Support for 2,845 athletes with coaching, equipment, and financial aid Over 50,000 participants across 17 editions of flagship events like the Youth, University, Para, and Winter Games Aiming for the 2036 Olympics A key target of the Khelo Bharat Niti is India's preparation to host the 2036 Olympic Games. The inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Olympics — albeit with limited slots — has highlighted the importance of strategic planning and athlete readiness for the global stage. Partnering with the Diaspora and Industry The policy adopts a forward-looking approach by encouraging: Engagement with the Indian diaspora to enhance international branding and athlete support Greater private sector participation through corporate funding and sports-focused start-ups Alternative financing models such as CSR support and public-private collaborations A Vision for India's Youth With more than 65 per cent of India's population under the age of 35, the policy taps into the country's demographic advantage. It seeks to create an environment where young people can pursue sports not just for recreation but as a viable career path. By supporting holistic development and expanding access across the country, the Khelo Bharat Niti marks a generational shift in how sport is valued — from a pastime to a national priority.
