Read Bengali: বেঙ্গল অলিম্পিক নির্বাচনে চাপের অভিযোগ, বিস্ফোরক মমতার ভাই!

Speaking on the issue, Swapan Banerjee highlighted his long association with the organisation and said he had served in various key positions over the years.

“I have one thing to say. I was the Joint Secretary of the Bengal Olympic Association since 2012. In 2016, I became the Secretary of the Bengal Olympic Association. In 2020, I was elected President of the Bengal Olympic Association,” he said.

Allegations Against Aroop Biswas

Referring to the 2024 election, Banerjee alleged that former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas influenced the voting process.

According to him, “In the 2024 election, Aroop Biswas defeated me. He called the presidents and secretaries and told them that those who voted for Babun Banerjee would not receive any benefits.”

Banerjee claimed that this warning created fear among many office-bearers associated with the Bengal Olympic Association.

“Because of this, the secretaries and presidents became afraid. Despite that, I still received 24 votes in the 2024 election,” he added.

Questions Raised Over Election Process

The remarks have sparked fresh discussion within West Bengal’s sporting community regarding the functioning of sports bodies and election procedures.

Banerjee’s allegations suggest that external influence may have affected the voting environment, although he did not provide specific evidence to support his claims during the statement.

No Response Yet

As of now, neither Aroop Biswas nor the Bengal Olympic Association has issued an official response to the allegations.

The controversy comes at a time when transparency and governance in sports administration continue to remain key issues across various sporting bodies in India.

Any further response from the concerned parties is likely to attract significant attention from both the sports fraternity and political observers in West Bengal.

The Diver’s Collection is priced between ₹15,795 and ₹77,995 and comprises twelve models across four water-resistance levels including 100m, 200m, 300m, and 500m offered in both quartz and automatic variants. The range has been developed to address varied usage contexts, from everyday aquatic activity to more demanding underwater conditions, marking Titan’s entry into a segment defined by precision and durability.

At the forefront of the lineup is the 500m professional diver’s watch, representing Titan’s most advanced offering in this category. Crafted from Grade 2 Titanium, the watch features the Aqua Lock mechanism designed to prevent unintended bezel movement during dives. Each piece is built in line with ISO 6425 standards, underscoring its credentials as a purpose-built dive instrument. The watch also includes a sapphire unidirectional bezel, helium escape valve, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, and Titan’s in-house 7AC0 automatic movement with a 40-hour power reserve.

Commenting on the launch, Atul Khimani, Owner, Khimani Watch Company, said, “Over the past few years, we’ve seen a clear shift in Mumbai toward watches that are backed by strong engineering and purpose, not just design. Titan’s Diver’s Collection enters at the right moment, offering credible dive specifications while remaining versatile for everyday wear. It’s a category that has been gaining interest, and this collection makes it far more accessible to a wider set of consumers.”

Across the collection, Titan has combined functionality with a distinctive design approach. The watches feature textured gradient dials inspired by underwater depth, complemented by clean finishing details and high-performance X1-C3 Swiss Super-LumiNova for enhanced visibility. While the 300m and 500m variants are equipped with automatic movements and advanced dive features, the 100m and 200m models focus on reliability and ease of use through quartz precision and robust stainless steel construction.

With this launch, Titan enters the professional dive watch segment, presenting a collection that blends technical performance with contemporary design for a new generation of watch enthusiasts.

The partnership brings together two forces of shared belief in modern athleticism where performance, discipline, and lifestyle intersect seamlessly. As pickleball continues its rapid rise as one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, the collaboration reflects A29 Wellbeing’s growing presence within emerging sporting cultures that celebrate agility, endurance, and conscious movement.

The Bengaluru Jawans, owned by Producer Priya Atlee & acclaimed Pan-India filmmaker Atlee, have quickly established themselves as a dynamic and competitive team within the professional pickleball circuit. Representing Bengaluru’s progressive spirit, the Jawans embody focus, resilience, and a forward-thinking approach to sport values that align closely with A29 Wellbeing’s philosophy.

Marking the association, the team’s official jersey was unveiled by Priya and Atlee, along with co-owners Jameel and Ashwin, ahead of the tournament. The jerseys feature A29 Wellbeing’s branding, symbolising the brand’s commitment to supporting athletes who balance high-performance sport with modern lifestyles.

Commenting on the association, Isha Jain, Founder of A29 Wellbeing, said: “At A29, we believe movement is a way of life, not just a routine. Partnering with the Bengaluru Jawans felt instinctive; they represent focus, resilience, and modern athleticism. Pickleball is growing into a global sport, and we’re proud to support athletes who embody the same balance of performance and lifestyle that A29 stands for.”

Beyond on-court presence, the partnership will extend to fan engagement initiatives, including a “Spot the A29 Logo” contest, where audiences can stand a chance to win match tickets by identifying the brand logo during Jawans’ matches throughout the tournament.

Designed for men and women who move fluidly between work, training, travel, and downtime, A29 Wellbeing offers elevated athleisure essentials crafted with advanced fabrics for breathability, flexibility, and long-lasting comfort. The brand’s clean aesthetic and intuitive fits reflect a modern approach to dressing one that places equal importance on style, wellbeing, and functionality.

With this collaboration, A29 Wellbeing strengthens its position within the premium athleisure and wellbeing space, while supporting a sport that mirrors the brand’s core values of movement, balance, and contemporary living.

The Royals displayed strong camaraderie between their raiding and defensive units, particularly in the second half, which proved crucial in sealing the victory. They will look to replicate that clinical approach against a well-balanced Hisar outfit in the upcoming clash.

Star raider Milan Dahiya has been in tremendous form, earning the Raider of the Match award while scoring back-to-back Super 10s in the league. His stunning Super Raid in the previous game, where he pinned down four opponents in a single raid with his acrobatic skills, has been one of the highlights of the season so far. Providing strong support is local lad Ankit Rana, who has consistently outplayed his opponents, while Rakesh Singroha will aim to maintain his attacking and defensive prowess, offering additional raiding options that have proven difficult for opposition defences to contain. Led by captain Sandeep Narwal, Rohtak Royals will once again rely on their defensive strength, with Aaryan, Sandeep Deswal, Naveen, and Rakesh Singroha forming a formidable wall.

Head Coach Surender Nada expressed confidence ahead of the upcoming clash, saying, “The win against Faridabad was exactly what we needed. The boys responded brilliantly to our tactical adjustments, and the energy in the camp is now fully charged. We’re aware that Hisar is a balanced and competitive team, but we believe the momentum we’ve built will carry us through. It’s important we stay focused and continue improving with every match”.

Hisar Heroes, meanwhile, enter the fixture after a narrow 47–43 win over Panipat Panthers. The Heroes showed resilience in that contest, mounting a second-half comeback highlighted by a timely Super Raid from marquee raider Ashu Malik. Nitesh Kumar anchored the defence with disciplined tackling and positioning. With a balanced mix of raiding and defensive options, Hisar present a competitive challenge for the Royals in the upcoming clash.

Rohtak Royals have partnered with ixigo, John Players, Campus Activewear, Knack Pro Sports and MuscleBlaze as their official Travel, Loungewear, Footwear, Hydration and Nutrition Partners, respectively.

The tie had been finely poised at 3–3 after six bouts, before Player of the Match Iryna Koliadenko produced a dramatic comeback win by fall in the seventh bout to swing momentum decisively in Haryana’s favour. UP Dominators, who finish with two wins, four points, and 23 bout wins, now sit fourth and will have to wait on the outcome of the Punjab Royals versus Delhi Dangal Warriors match to determine their semi-final fate. Tapsya Gahlawat was named Fighter of the Match for her standout performance for UP Dominators.

Haryana made a strong start through narrow, high-pressure victories in the opening two bouts. In the 76kg women’s contest, Kajal Dhochack edged past Mansi Lather in a tightly fought bout that finished 3–3, clinching the decision on last point scored after responding to an early takedown with a crucial second-period takedown and a passivity point. The momentum continued in the 57kg men’s bout, where Ankush Chandram and Rahul Deswal were locked at 4–4 before Ankush’s scoring sequence proved decisive on last point criteria, doubling Haryana’s advantage.

UP Dominators responded emphatically in the 57kg women’s bout through Tapsya Gahlawat. After an even opening exchange, Tapsya took complete control in the Power Minute, scoring two decisive takedowns in Phase 6 to pull away for a commanding 10–3 victory and reduce the deficit. The tie was then levelled in the 65kg men’s category as Vishal Kali Raman produced a spirited comeback against Tumur Ochir Tulga, capitalising on passivity calls, a successful challenge, and a decisive Power Minute takedown followed by a push-out to secure a 9–6 win.

Haryana regained the lead in the marquee 53kg women’s bout through captain Yui Susaki. The former Olympic champion capitalised on multiple turn-and-exposure sequences to race to an 8–0 lead, before Antim Panghal became the first wrestler to score points against Susaki in PWL 2026 with a late surge in the opening period. The second period unfolded as a tactical duel, but Susaki’s experience ensured she closed out an 8–3 victory, putting Haryana ahead 3–2.

UP Dominators drew level once again in the 86kg men’s bout as Mykhailov Vasyl produced a patient and well-timed performance against Ashirov Ashraf. After Ashirov led early through passivity and a takedown, Vasyl forced a passivity call before executing a decisive four-point takedown in the Power Minute to claim a 5–3 win and make it 3–3.

The turning point of the match arrived in the 62kg women’s bout. Nisha Dahiya struck first with an early takedown, but Iryna Koliadenko responded emphatically in the second period with a powerful takedown and seamless turn sequence, forcing a fall to hand Haryana a crucial 4–3 lead and swing momentum decisively in their favour.

Anirudh Gulia then ensured there was no way back for UP Dominators in the heavyweight clash. After Jaspooran Singh picked up early points through push-outs and a caution, Gulia dominated the second period with a takedown-and-turn combination and successive Power Minute takedowns to seal an authoritative 11–5 victory, confirming Haryana’s match win and top-of-the-table finish.

Haryana rounded off the night with another composed performance in the 74kg men’s bout as Parvinder defeated Abhimanyu Mandwal 8–5. Parvinder established control early with a takedown and back-to-back turn exposures, absorbed late pressure in the second period, and responded with a crucial takedown to close out the contest and cap a dominant team performance.

Spanning 17 days, the League will feature a complete round-robin format across both men’s and women’s categories, ensuring each team competes against each other. This format underscores the growing competitive depth and consistency of Ice Hockey talent emerging from Ladakh.

Defending champions Kangs Sing enter Season 3 as the team to beat, having retained their men’s title last year with a dominant 5–2 victory over Changthang Shans in the final. The men’s champions remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, with captain Mushtaq Ahmed Giri earning the Best Player award in the men’s category. In the women’s category, Padma Chorol emerged as the Best Player. On the scoring front, Waseem Bilal of Humas Warriors led the men’s scoring charts with 10 goals, while Tsewang Chuskit led the women’s category with 10 goals. Reinforcing the League’s emphasis on sportsmanship, the Fair Play Awards were presented to Humas Warriors (men) and Sham Eagles (women) for their exemplary conduct on the ice.

Opening Day Fixtures

The League will begin on January 29 with Sham Wolves taking on debutants Kharu Falcons in the opening game at 9:00 AM. This will be followed by a clash between last season’s semi-finalists, Purig Warriors and Humas Warriors, at 11:00 AM.

The opening ceremony, scheduled for 12:30 PM, will mark the formal commencement of the season in the august presence of Mr. Ashish Kundra, IAS, Chief Secretary, Union Territory of Ladakh. Also, Ladakh’s popular band, Dashugs, will perform at the ceremony, setting the tone for a season that blends high-intensity competition with strong local cultural identity.

Post the ceremony, the women’s category will take centre stage as last season’s runners-up Changla Lamos face Sham Eagles, a repeat of their semi-final encounter from the REIHL Season 2. The day will also see men’s defending champions Kangs Sing begin their title defence against last season’s runners-up Changthang Shans, followed by Changla Blasters locking horns with Zanskar Chadar Tamers.

In the women’s category, Kharu Eagles, making their League debut this season, will play their first match against Humas Queens on January 31.

League Structure and Progression

From January 29 to February 11, the League stage will feature 4-5 matches per day, comprising four men’s matches and one women’s match, ensuring consistent competitive exposure for all teams. The final day of the league stage will include a full slate of decisive fixtures across both categories, setting the stage for the knockouts.

The semi-finals are scheduled for February 12, with the top four teams from each category qualifying. The first-placed team will face the fourth-placed team in Semi-final 1, followed by the second versus third clash in Semi-final 2.

The women’s final will be played on February 13 at 11:00 AM, while the men’s final is scheduled for February 14 at 11:00 AM, bringing the season to a close.

Season 2 drew over 10,000 spectators across the tournament, with more than 7,000 fans attending the finals, transforming the NDS Stadium into one of Ladakh’s most vibrant winter sporting venues. With an expanded match calendar and a full round-robin format this season, the League is expected to further deepen fan engagement and community participation.

From Training to Competition

Season 3 represents the competitive culmination of a holistic technical development programme initiated in late 2025, which focused on coach education, referee training, and grassroots scouting across Ladakh and neighbouring regions. Trained local coaches have spent the winter months working within their communities to prepare teams for structured league play, ensuring the League serves as a direct bridge between grassroots participation and organised competition.

Aligned with the Blueprint for the Development of Ice Hockey in Ladakh, the League continues to play a vital role in strengthening local sporting ecosystems, empowering youth and women, and transforming frozen rinks into shared community spaces during the long winter months. As teams from Leh, Nubra, Kargil, Zanskar, Changthang, and Kharu take to the ice, Season 3 stands as a reflection of the growing scale, professionalism, and community ownership of Ice Hockey in the Himalayas.

Beyond sport, the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League continues to contribute meaningfully to community engagement, youth participation, and winter tourism in Ladakh. Matches transform frozen rinks into shared community spaces, drawing families, local supporters, and visitors, and reinforcing Ice Hockey’s deep cultural roots in the region.

Through the League, Royal Enfield continues to advance its Social Mission of empowering Himalayan communities through sport—strengthening local sporting ecosystems, building livelihoods, creating pathways for youth and women, and fostering a holistic winter sports culture across the Himalayas.

Rohtak Royals will next take the mat against Faridabad Fighters on January 28, 2026 (Wednesday). The match will be broadcast LIVE on Zee Channels, DD Sports, and the Wave OTT platform.

Karnal Kings struck early, drawing first blood in the opening minute to take the lead but Rohtak Royals responded immediately to neutralise the advantage through coordinated efforts in attack and defence. The contest then settled into a tight exchange, with the scores moving neck and neck. What followed was a closely fought battle, with Karnal Kings holding a slender 8–7 lead at the seven-minute mark. Unforced errors soon crept into the Royals’ play, resulting in an early All-Out in the 10th minute as they trailed 10–15. Thereafter, Karnal Kings maintained pressure through the remainder of the first half, keeping the Royals on the back foot. However, a moment of brilliance from Royals’ Rakesh Singhroha in the final minute saw him dismiss four defenders in a single raid, reducing the deficit from seven points to just two, and the scorecard read 23–21, still in Karnal’s favor at the halftime.

Rohtak Royals came out firing after the break, inflicting an early All-Out to overturn the deficit and move into a 29–26 lead by the 24th minute. Vijay Malik led the charge with vital consecutive points, while the defence stood firm to stretch the advantage to 30–26 by the 27th minute. Karnal Kings showed grit to claw their way back and level the scores at 31–31, but a crucial Super Raid from Milan Dahiya once again swung momentum in favour of the Royals with nine minutes left. The Kings, however, had the final say, executing their second All-Out in the 36th minute to move ahead 38–36. The contest remained intense until the final whistle, with Karnal Kings holding their nerve to maintain the lead. An unforced late error proved costly for the Royals, who eventually fell short by two points as the match ended 43–41 in favour of the Kings.

Rohtak Royals have partnered with ixigo, John Players, Campus Activewear, and MuscleBlaze as their official Travel, Loungewear, Footwear, and Nutrition Partners, respectively.

The narrative moves through powerful imagery drawn from everyday India, rooftops, village soil, narrow lanes and towering walls, reinforcing the idea that champions are forged far beyond competition mats. With lines that speak of preparation measured, pain endured, and inner battles fought long before the whistle blows, the teaser positions wrestling not merely as a sport, but as a test of dominance, resilience and will. As the voiceover crescendos, it signals a defining moment: the bell has rung, the fire is lit, and the biggest battle in Indian wrestling is ready to unfold once again.

Featuring a blend of established Olympic and World Championship medallists alongside emerging domestic talent, the teaser underlines the competitive depth and emotional intensity that will characterise PWL 2026. The closing declaration confirms the league’s return, reinforcing its stature as the highest stage for professional wrestling in the country.

The Pro Wrestling League is set to begin on January 15, 2026, with live coverage starting at 8:00 PM onwards on Sony LIV and the Sony Sports Network. The upcoming season will bring together six franchises and top Indian and international wrestlers, promising weeks of high-stakes competition and prime-time sporting entertainment.

As the teaser makes clear, preparation is complete, the challenge is set, and Indian wrestling is ready to command the spotlight once more.

IPL 2026: Former Knight Rider Sees 70% Pay Cut, Joins RCB

Details of the race route, medical preparedness, and participant facilities were shared during a press conference held at the Media Centre on the iconic Red Road. Organisers highlighted their focus on seamless execution and an enhanced race-day experience for athletes and recreational runners alike.

The event carries a total prize purse of USD 142,214 and continues its commitment to equal prize money for men and women winners. Marking the 10th edition, an additional world record bonus of USD 25,000 has been announced for breaking the current 25K world record of 1:11:08. To encourage amateur participation, cash prizes of ₹35,000, ₹25,000 and ₹10,000 will be awarded to the top three amateur runners in both men’s and women’s categories across various age groups.

Race Day proceedings will be broadcast live on Sony Sports 1 HD and SD from 5:30 am onwards.

Speaking at the media interaction, Race Director Hugh Jones said, “This year’s course is different and more demanding, offering a mix of challenges for the participants. However, good weather conditions and an early start will provide runners with a tactical advantage.”

Sanjukta Dutta, Emergency Head at Fortis Hospitals and Medical Director for the race, praised the medical arrangements made by Procam in collaboration with Fortis Hospitals. She advised runners to take adequate rest before race day, have a light breakfast, warm up before running, cool down after finishing, and avoid pushing beyond their limits. “Run to enjoy and have a good time,” she added.

Participant Category-Wise Breakup (On-ground + Virtual)

25K: 6,927

Open 10K: 8,068

Ananda Run: 6,066

Senior Citizens Run: 1,815

Champions with Disability: 450

For the 2025 edition, all five race categories will start and finish at Red Road. With the Vidyasagar Setu closed on Sundays due to ongoing work, the course has been reimagined with support from city authorities. Runners will head further south, exploring new stretches of the city, passing landmarks such as Tipu Sultan Mosque and Rabindra Sarobar, and tackling a fresh challenge at the Lakes Flyover.