Latest news with #Olympics'
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
India's first-ever professional basketball league announced in association with BFI
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 7 (ANI): India's first-ever professional basketball league has been launched, with the competition set to feature structured competitive league in 5x5 and 3x3 formats for both men and women, establishing a comprehensive professional ecosystem that opens the door for athletes across the country to pursue basketball as a viable career. This league, launched on Friday, is a collaboration between the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and ACG Sports Private Limited. Designed to redefine how the sport is played, experienced, and supported in India, the league aims to shift basketball from a niche discipline into a mainstream pursuit. To guide the league's global strategy and operations, Jeremy Loeliger, Former CEO and Commissioner of Australia's National Basketball League (NBL), has been appointed Director of ACG Sports. In his new role, Loeliger will lead the development of the league's blueprint, bringing international standards of governance, competition, and commercial innovation to the Indian shores, as per a press release from BFI and ACG. 'Basketball represents more than just a sport - it is a vehicle for building character, leadership, and opportunity,' said Karan Singh, Managing Director of ACG. He further added, 'Our vision for this professional basketball league is to establish a self-sustaining ecosystem where every child with passion and talent can see a viable future in basketball in India. We are grateful for the partnership with BFI in making this dream a reality. While this is a commendable first step, we know that building a thriving basketball ecosystem will require sustained effort and collective support to reach its full potential.' As part of its long-term strategy, ACG will launch India's first fully residential high-performance centre within the year. The academy will feature world-class facilities, attract top coaching talent from the U.S. and Australia, and offer comprehensive training programmes for players, coaches, and referees. Nutrition, mental wellness, and academic balance will be integral to the curriculum - ensuring holistic development of future stars. Aadhav Arjuna, President of the Basketball Federation of India, stated: 'This partnership with ACG is unlike anything we've seen before. It is driven by vision, structured for long-term impact, and rooted in a clear understanding of what Indian basketball truly needs. We're building not just visibility, but real momentum and global credibility. Our vision is to win medals at the Asian Games and Olympics' Kulvinder Singh Gill, Secretary General of the Basketball Federation of India, stated: 'This league will unlock new opportunities for young Indian talent to grow, compete professionally, and gain invaluable exposure alongside international players and coaches.' The complete league framework, including team structures, competition formats, player eligibility, and governance models, is currently in development with input from global basketball experts and key industry stakeholders. Detailed announcements on participation guidelines, venue requirements, and operational protocols will follow in a phased rollout. In the coming months, the newly formed League Council will begin overseeing standards and operations, while nationwide scouting initiatives, customised athlete development tracks, and dynamic fan engagement programs will begin laying the foundation for a vibrant, inclusive, and commercially sustainable basketball culture in India. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Tom Brady, 36-year-old QB added to Olympics flag football short-list; Mahomes omitted
Tom Brady is looking forward to NFL players participating in the 2028 LA Olympics' flag football event. With rumors about the 47-year-old unretiring to start as quarterback for Team USA, experts have already started making their dream teams. The seven-time Super Bowl winner is mum about the possibility of him returning to the field, but that did not stop Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report from including the GOAT as his favorite QB on the roster for the LA games. However, Gagnon made a controversial pick to compete with Brady at the quarterback position. While fans would believe it is Patrick Mahomes, the expert went the complete opposite way. He went for the New York Giants' mainstay, Russell Wilson. Read More: Tom Brady reacts with this 'A' word after Morgan Wallen literally stomps him in a friendly match He also had Travis Kelce, Raheem Mostert and Tysom Hill listed on his proposed roster. QB: Russell Wilson QB: Tom Brady RB: Raheem Mostert WR: Taysom Hill WR: Travis Kelce WR: Adam Thielen WR: Marquez Valdez-Scantling DB: Kenny Moore II DB: Marshon Lattimore DB: Tyrann Mathieu DB: Mike Hilton DB: James Bradberry Brady, 47, the NFL's GOAT with seven Super Bowl rings, has unmatched passing accuracy (63.8% career completion, 97.3 QB rating) and playoff poise (20-8 record, 49 TD passes), making him a pocket-passing maestro. His experience and clutch performance suit flag football's fast-paced, pass-heavy format. Read More: NFL players for 2028 Olympics in LA: How would Team USA's flag football team look like? However, his limited mobility (823 career rushing yards) could be a liability in a game emphasizing agility. Russell Wilson will be 39 in 2028. The Giants' QB has a dual-threat versatility, both rushing and passing. He has passed for 46,135 yards, 350 touchdowns, and 111 interceptions, with a 64.7 completion percentage and a 99.8 passer rating in over 13 seasons. He also has 5,462 rushing yards (fourth-most among QBs) and 31 rushing touchdowns. However, with Patrick Mahomes reportedly interested, the flag football roster could look completely different.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Tom Brady, 47, set to come out of retirement for ultimate GOAT crown; insider spills details
Tom Brady has big plans. Two years after retiring from the NFL, the 47-year-old wants to get back on the field and win the ultimate crown for his country - a gold medal at the Olympics. An insider told the Daily Mail that the seven-time Super Bowl champion is plotting a detailed plan to unretire and lead Team USA's flag football team at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. This comes after NFL owners unanimously passed a vote allowing players to participate in the Olympics' flag football event. Brady will be 50 by the time the summer games come to LA, but still wants to lead Team USA to glory, the Daily Mail reported, citing sources. Read More: Tush Push ban vote: Who voted for and against controversial NFL play? Revealed 'He wants a Gold medal. And what better way to remain the GOAT [greatest of all time] and return to the sport he loves, by helping his country win gold,' the insider said. They further added that the former Tampa Bay quarterback knows 'he would be able to help and excel in that environment and since his life is very much scheduled and has a tight regimen'. 'With the Olympics being in LA, he wouldn't have to travel far. And it would culminate in one of the best birthdays ever.' Tom Brady will turn 51 on August 3, 2028. That year, Brady will also be eligible to join the Hall of Fame, and the induction ceremony generally takes place on the first weekend of August. Brady's team is yet to confirm the retirement U-turn rumors. However, it will not be the first time the legendary quarterback unretires. In 2022, his team announced his retirement, but the Bucs star returned for one more season. The decision was reportedly behind his divorce from now ex-wife Gisele Bundchen. The 47-year-old hung up his cleats for the second time in 2023, saying there will not be any further changes. He has since joined a Fox Sports commentator role worth $375 million over 10 years. Read More: NFL players for 2028 Olympics in LA: How would Team USA's flag football team look like? However, an insider told the Daily Mail that he wants to play in the Olympics. 'Since the NFL wants to make a splash in the Olympics, they can have their own Dream Team, and who better to lead them than the Greatest of all Time!' According to reports, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is also vying for a spot on Team USA's flag football team.
West Australian
14-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
UGSHA 2025: Women's A-grade victories to All Blacks and Wagin in round two, Lakes and All Blacks in men's A
All Blacks recorded their first win of the Upper Great Southern Hockey Association women's A-grade competition on Saturday, downing Williams 2-0 in a skilful contest. Both sides produced some impressive play but it was goals from Claire Coffey and Zoe George that proved the difference between the two sides. Wagin were the other round two winners in the women's A-grade competition, downing Woodanilling. Goals from Jessie Allington and Alexis Kermode guided Wagin to a 2-0 victory. In the men's A-grade competition, both Lakers and All Blacks emerged victorious in round two. A double from Kyle Angwin and another strike from Liam Sweeney handed All Blacks a 3-1 win over Warriors. The game between Olympics and Lakers was intense with fast ball movement and quick turnovers meaning both defences were kept busy. Lakers finished 2-1 winners thanks to goals from David Lange and William Tan. Olympics' Dylan Mulcahy pegged a goal back and Shawn Heil was a strong contributor but their side went down in the end. In the men's B-grade competition, Williams scored five consecutive goals to down Olympics 7-2 at the final whistle after an even start. Oli Harding, Nick Klug and Michael Cowcher all scored twice in the emphatic result. Woodanilling were 5-1 winners over Pingelly, and in the other men's B-grade clash Wagin edged out All Blacks in a tight 2-1 result. The women's B-grade grand final rematch between Robins and All Blacks highlighted round two. Robins claimed a tense 3-1 win, with Colleen Edwards scoring first for last year's runners-up. Zoe George got a goal back for the reigning premiers in the third quarter but scores from Katie Blight and Dee Blight ensured the Robins victory. Brookton defeated Woodanilling 4-2 and Warriors scored a 1-0 triumph over Pingelly.
News18
13-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
PAK's New White-Ball Coach On Future Of ODIs: 'No Bilaterals Outside Of WC Years'
Last Updated: Pakistan's new white-ball coach Mike Hesson predicted in March that cricket will shift to a football-like model with franchises owning players' time. Pakistan's new white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson, believes that bilateral ODI cricket will be limited to World Cup years in the near future, and the focus will shift more to T20 cricket. He also thinks that the shortest format will move towards a football-like model, where franchises (like in the IPL and other leagues) will own the players' time with long-term contracts and will 'release' them for international windows. Hesson spoke about the subject in an interview with News18 CricketNext in March. The job with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is his second such assignment at the international level, having previously successfully coached his home nation, New Zealand. He also has abundant experience in various coaching roles in India, as the Director of Cricket at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and head coach at Punjab Kings (PBKS). 'I think the bilateral series has changed a lot," Hesson said in that interview, weeks before his appointment. 'That used to be the way that national bodies generated income, which is why there was a packed calendar. Now, that's changing. The amount of cricket played by some nations is a lot less than it used to be. And I think, outside of World Cup years, ODI cricket will become a lot less, and they'll generally be series or bilateral series leading up to World Cups. But I still believe that the One-Day International World Cup is a huge tournament that players all want to be part of." Hesson said that though he loves ODI cricket and the opportunity it provides to see multiple momentum swings in the same game, it doesn't generate enough revenue to be sustainable in bilateral formats. T20 cricket on the other hand, is attractive to younger audiences and is sponsorship-friendly. Franchises currently pay a small fee to international boards for signing their players, and Hessson said this amount could be increased for long-term contracts, so the boards also earn enough. Olympics' role Cricket's entry into the 2028 LA Olympics is also likely to have a significant impact on the sport's future. Hesson said although it's a 'real opportunity' to showcase cricket to the wider world, he'll be interested in seeing the response from various countries, big and small, afterwards. 'Look, I think they've tried to grow the game worldwide. Having the last T20 World Cup in the West Indies and America was a big step. T20 is clearly the format where global growth is going to happen. I don't think there's any disagreement about that. They tried the Commonwealth Games with ODI cricket, but that didn't really work in Kuala Lumpur. T20 is the right format for it. 'It's a great chance to showcase the game to countries that haven't seen much of it — it's a real opportunity. The game is definitely growing, especially when you look at the increasing number of countries showing interest. Broadcast numbers are more globally spread than ever. There's clearly interest, though whether some of the bigger nations will take up cricket seriously remains to be seen. There are quite a few emerging countries at the lower levels with big numbers behind them, so it'll be interesting to see how quickly they can progress," he said. Watch CNN-News18 here. Stay updated with all the latest news on IPL 2025, including the schedule, Points Table, IPL Orange Cap, and IPL Purple Cap. Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 13, 2025, 17:30 IST
