Dubai, April 16: The city of Pomona in Southern California has been selected to host the cricket tournament during the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, as per agency report. The announcement was made late Tuesday night by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The cricket competition, featuring both men's and women's teams, will see six teams in each category. Matches will be held at the Fairplex grounds in Pomona, located approximately 48 kilometers from the main Olympic hub in Los Angeles.

This marks the return of cricket to the Olympics after a gap of 128 years. The sport was previously included only once, during the 1900 Paris Olympics.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah welcomed the announcement, calling it a significant step towards the sport’s return to the Olympic stage. He noted that cricket, already one of the world's most popular sports, will benefit from the global exposure, while the fast-paced and thrilling T20 format is expected to captivate new audiences.

Cricket was officially added to the 2028 Olympic program during the 141st session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), held in Mumbai in October 2023.

New Delhi, January 17 – Ace Indian shooter Manu Bhaker has expressed concern over the quality of Paris 2024 Olympic medals, as the sheen of her two bronze medals has started to fade within months of receiving them. Bhaker, who won medals in the 10m Air Pistol and 10m Mixed Team Pistol events, emphasized the importance of maintaining high-quality standards for Olympic awards, which symbolize the pinnacle of an athlete's career.

Medals Losing Their Shine

Speaking to the media after receiving the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday, the 22-year-old confirmed the issue with her medals. "Just a few days after receiving the medals, their shine began to fade. The top coating of my medals has peeled off, exposing the inner material," Bhaker said.

The issue has been widely reported by athletes from around the globe, prompting the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to intervene. The IOC has announced that faded medals will be replaced by France’s national mint, Monnaie de Paris, with identical replacements for the defective ones.

An Olympic Medal: A Lifelong Memory

Bhaker underlined the emotional and symbolic value of an Olympic medal, saying, "An Olympic medal is a lifelong memory for any athlete because it carries a significant journey and emotion with it. Its quality should reflect its prestige. I’m glad the IOC is taking action to replace the faulty medals."

Preparation for Los Angeles 2028

Bhaker took a brief hiatus after her success in Paris but has resumed training with her sights set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She has been focusing on sharpening her skills over the past few months, skipping events like the World Cup Finals and National Championships to prepare for the long-term challenge.

"I have been training for about two and a half months now. The journey to the 2028 Olympics will have its ups and downs, and I am mentally prepared for it," she said.

Upcoming Goals and Gratitude

The seasoned shooter is gearing up for an action-packed schedule, including multiple World Cups, the 2026 World Championships, and the Asian Games. Reflecting on her Khel Ratna recognition, she expressed her gratitude, adding that the honor motivates her to strive for a gold medal at the next Olympics.

"This award is one of the most prestigious honors in the country. It inspires me to change the color of my medal in Los Angeles. I am thankful to everyone who has supported me on this journey," Bhaker concluded.

With her focus on consistent improvement, Bhaker aims to make India proud on the global stage once again.

New Delhi: Indian Paralympic Committee (PCI) President Devendra Jhajharia has declared that after the Paris Paralympics, the world now recognizes India as a true sporting nation. Jhajharia’s statement came after the Indian contingent returned to New Delhi, following a historic campaign at the Paris Paralympics, where they won a record-breaking 29 medals, including seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze.

India’s remarkable performance in Paris surpassed its previous best of 19 medals, achieved at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. This success also saw India finishing 18th in the overall medal standings.

In an exclusive interview with Hindusthan Samachar, Jhajharia expressed his pride in the athletes' achievements. He said, "Our athletes made history in Paris. The biggest message from the Paralympics is that the world now sees India as a sporting nation. We are now ranked among the top 20 countries, which is a significant achievement."

Jhajharia credited the Indian government's efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this transformation, acknowledging various initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and Khelo India, which have strengthened India's sporting infrastructure over the last decade.

"Thanks to the government’s policies and support, we've made history," Jhajharia noted. "From the creation of training centers to schemes supporting athletes, India’s rise in sports is undeniable. The Prime Minister's personal encouragement and consistent backing have been crucial to our athletes' success."

The Paris Paralympics also saw India setting new benchmarks, with shooter Avani Lekhara becoming the first Indian woman to win two Paralympic golds. Lekhara defended her 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 title with a world-record score of 249.7 points.

Additionally, India secured its first-ever 1-2 finish in para-athletics, as Dharambir and Parneev Surma won gold and silver, respectively, in the men's club throw F51 event. Dharambir also set an Asian record with a throw of 34.92 meters.

High jumper Praveen Kumar clinched gold with a record-breaking leap of 2.08 meters in the T64 category, while Sumit Antil became the first Indian male to successfully defend a Paralympic title, winning gold in the F64 javelin event with a remarkable throw of 70.59 meters. Antil broke his own record three times during the competition.

In another first, India claimed its maiden archery gold, with Harvinder Singh defeating Poland's Lukasz Ciszek in the individual recurve para-archery event.

Jhajharia concluded by extending his gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and the entire support network that contributed to the athletes’ triumphs. "From the massage therapists to the Prime Minister, every individual involved in this journey shares in the success of our athletes. This achievement is not the result of one person but the collective effort of the entire Paralympic Committee of India family."

India's outstanding performance at the Paris Paralympics has set a new standard, solidifying its place on the global sporting stage.

New Delhi —The Indian Paralympic team returned to New Delhi today following their historic performance at the Paris Paralympics, greeted with drums, cheers, and garlands at IGI Airport. The team's remarkable achievement includes a haul of 29 medals, making it India's most successful Paralympic outing to date.

The Indian contingent surpassed their Tokyo 2020 record of 19 medals, securing 7 gold, 9 silver, and 13 bronze this year, finishing the games in the 18th position overall—a significant improvement and a testament to the athletes' hard work and determination.

Highlighting the victories, para-shooter Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win two Paralympic gold medals. She successfully defended her title in the women's 10-meter air rifle standing SH1 event, setting a new world record with a score of 249.7 points.

In a groundbreaking achievement for India in para-athletics, Dharambir and Parnav Surma clinched gold and silver respectively in the men’s club throw F51 event, with Dharambir setting an Asian record with a throw of 34.92 meters.

Praveen Kumar topped the podium in the T64 high jump event with an Asian record-breaking leap of 2.08 meters, securing India’s sixth gold medal of the competition. 

In archery, Harvinder Singh earned India its first-ever Olympic and Paralympic gold in individual recurve para-archery, defeating Poland's Lukasz Ciszczek.

Javelin thrower Sumit Antil became the first Indian man to successfully defend a Paralympic title, smashing his own world record with a throw of 70.59 meters in the F64 event—breaking his previous record set at Tokyo 2020 three times during the competition.

This remarkable success at the Paris Paralympics has not only brought home medals but also demonstrated India's growing prowess and potential in the field of para-sports on the global stage. The nation looks forward to more such inspiring performances from its athletes in future international arenas.

Bhopal – Kapil Parmar, a talented judo athlete from Madhya Pradesh State Judo Academy, has made history by winning the bronze medal in the Paralympics 2024, held in Paris from August 28 to September 8. On Thursday evening, Kapil dominated Brazil’s Elilton de Oliveira with a 10-0 victory in the 60kg J-1 category, marking India’s 25th medal of the games. This is also the first time India has won a judo medal in Paralympic history.

The state's Sports and Youth Welfare Minister, Vishwas Kailash Sarang, congratulated Kapil on this remarkable achievement. Hailing from Sehore, Kapil lost his eyesight in 2009-10 due to an electrical accident, leaving him 80% blind. Despite this, Kapil took up judo and has since represented India in 17 international competitions, winning a total of 13 medals, including eight golds.

Match Results

In the 60kg J-1 men's blind judo competition at the Paralympics, the tournament started directly with the quarterfinals. Kapil Parmar faced Venezuela’s Blanco M.D. in his first match, defeating him 10-0 to secure his place in the semifinals. In the semifinals, Kapil fought against Iran’s Sayed Banitaba Khorram, narrowly losing 1-0 in a tough contest.

However, Kapil bounced back in the bronze medal match against Brazil's Elilton de Oliveira, winning 10-0 and securing his place in the history books as India’s first-ever Paralympic judo medalist.

Kapil's victory is a testament to his resilience and determination, and his journey serves as an inspiration for athletes across the country.

Paris – India's exceptional performance at the Paris Paralympics 2024 continues as archer Harvinder Singh created history by winning the gold medal in the men’s recurve archery final on Wednesday. With this victory, India's medal count at the Paris Paralympics now stands at 22, including four gold, eight silver, and ten bronze medals. India has also climbed to 15th place in the overall medal standings.

Harvinder Singh secured the gold medal by defeating Poland’s Lukasz Ciszek 6-0 in a dominant final performance. This victory marks India’s first-ever Paralympic gold in archery, a historic achievement for the nation. Previously, Harvinder had won a bronze medal at the 2020 Paralympics, making this his second Paralympic medal.

This gold medal is also India's first in archery across both the Olympic and Paralympic games. So far, India has won gold medals in shooting, athletics, and badminton at the Paris Paralympics.

Harvinder Singh's Outstanding Performance

In the gold medal match, Harvinder delivered a stellar performance, clinching the first set with a score of 28-24 and earning two crucial points. In the second set, he once again scored 28, while his Polish opponent managed only 27, giving Harvinder another win by a narrow margin. In the final set, Harvinder outscored his opponent 29-25, securing two more points and sealing his victory with a 6-0 sweep to win the gold medal.

Earlier in the semifinals, Harvinder had staged an impressive comeback after trailing 1-3 against an Iranian para-athlete. He fought back with determination, winning the match 7-3 to advance to the final and eventually claim the gold.

This remarkable achievement not only adds to India's success at the Paris Paralympics but also highlights Harvinder Singh's place as a leading figure in Indian archery on the global stage.

On Wednesday, Indian para-athlete Sachin Khilari shone at the Paris Paralympics by securing a silver medal in the men's shot put F46 final. Khilari's impressive throw of 16.32 meters not only earned him second place but was also the best in his category. However, he narrowly missed the top spot by just 0.6 meters.

Close Competition for Gold

Canadian athlete Greg Stewart clinched the gold medal with a season-best throw of 16.38 meters, edging out Khilari by a small margin. Meanwhile, Croatian competitor Luka Bakovic took home the bronze with a throw of 16.27 meters.

Khilari's Stellar Track Record

Prior to this achievement, Khilari had a commendable history of successes, including a gold medal at the last Asian Para Games held in Hangzhou. He has consistently secured top positions at the World Para Athletics Championships in 2023 and 2024. His achievements have been a significant part of India’s growing dominance in para-sports on the global stage.

Historic Performance for India

Indian para-athletes have surpassed their previous record of 19 medals won at the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago. In Paris, the team has already collected 21 medals, including 3 golds, 8 silvers, and 10 bronzes, setting a new benchmark for future competitions.

This medal not only adds to India’s impressive tally at the Paris Paralympics but also highlights Khilari's resilience and determination to excel in the face of stiff competition.

New Delhi – Monday marked an extraordinary day for India at the Paris Paralympics 2024, as the nation achieved historic feats, shattered records, and reached new milestones within just 12 hours. India clinched eight medals on this remarkable day, bringing its total tally to 15. In a single day, India equaled the total number of Paralympic medals won between 1988 and 2016, surpassing the number of medals it has ever won in any Olympic Games. This day will undoubtedly be remembered as the most victorious in India's Paralympic and Olympic history—truly one of the greatest days in Indian sports history.

Prime Minister Modi Continues to Inspire Athletes

Despite facing physical challenges, India's Paralympic athletes have made the nation proud, and their spirits soar even higher when they receive encouragement from the country's leader. On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate Nitesh Kumar, tagging the *Cheer 4 India* campaign. He wrote, "Nitesh Kumar's success in Para Badminton Men's Singles SL3 is outstanding, and he has won the gold medal. He is known for his incredible abilities and determination. He is an inspiration for emerging players."

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi also extended his congratulations to other medalists, including Sumit Antil, Tulsi Muthu Murugesan, Suhas Yathiraj, Yogesh Kathuniya, Sheetal Devi, Rakesh Kumar, Manisha Ramdass, and Nithya Sree Sivan, recognizing their achievements in their respective events. He sent his messages of encouragement via social media and personal calls, describing them as an inspiration to the nation. Moreover, the Prime Minister has consistently reached out to athletes after every major sports event, whether it's the Olympics, Paralympics, or any significant sports competition, boosting their morale and expressing his pride in their accomplishments.

Paris: Nishad Kumar added to India’s medal tally at the Paris 2024 Paralympics by winning a silver medal in the men's high jump T47 final late Sunday night. This achievement marks India's seventh medal at the ongoing Paralympic Games.

The 24-year-old Indian athlete easily cleared a height of 2.04 meters but was unable to surpass the 2.08-meter mark. Despite this, Kumar set a new Asian record with a jump of 2.06 meters, securing the silver medal in his first Paralympic appearance. Russia's Georgii Margiev took home the bronze medal.

The gold medal was claimed by USA’s Roderick Townsend, who cleared 2.12 meters on his first attempt. Townsend is no stranger to success, having also won the Paralympic gold in 2021 and the gold medal at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, in the T47 high jump event.

India's overall performance at the Paris Paralympics has been commendable, with a total of seven medals: one gold, two silver, and three bronze. On Sunday, Indian para-sprinter Preeti Pal made history by winning a bronze medal in the 200-meter T35 event with a time of 30.01 seconds, becoming the first Indian woman athlete to win two medals in track and field events at either the Paralympics or Olympics.

Earlier, Preeti also secured a bronze medal in the T35 100-meter sprint with a personal best time of 14.21 seconds, further highlighting India's impressive achievements at the Games.

New Delhi: Yogesh Kathuniya clinched the silver medal in the men's discus throw F56 event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, held at Stade de France on Monday. This marks India’s eighth medal at the Paralympic Games.

The 27-year-old athlete achieved a best throw of 42.22 meters, which was his season's best performance. Brazil’s Claudiney Batista dos Santos secured the gold with a Paralympic record throw of 46.86 meters, while Greece’s Konstantinos Tzounis took the bronze with a throw of 41.32 meters. Slovakia's Dušan Lacžko finished just off the podium in fourth place with a 41.20-meter throw. Notably, Serbia’s Nebojsa Duric, despite qualifying, did not compete in the final.

Kathuniya started strong, surpassing his previous season's best with his initial throws. His 42.22-meter effort placed him behind Brazil’s dos Santos in second place.

Despite his solid start, Kathuniya was unable to surpass the Brazilian athlete, as his throw distances gradually decreased. After two throws beyond 41 meters, his subsequent attempts fell into the 40-meter range, with his final throw landing at 39.68 meters.

Tzounis, who was trailing in the rankings, managed a best throw of 41.32 meters on his fifth attempt, securing the bronze medal in the competition.

Paris – The Paris Olympics 2024 concluded in style on Sunday with a dazzling closing ceremony at the Stade de France. The event began with a musical performance, followed by French swimmer Leon Marchand arriving with the Olympic torch.

The parade of nations commenced, led by the IOC Refugee and Olympic Teams and France's flag bearers. Indian athletes Manu Bhaker and legendary hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh proudly carried the Indian flag. This marked Sreejesh’s last international tournament for India.

The final medal ceremony featured the women’s marathon, emphasizing the historic milestone of full gender equality at these Olympics. IOC President Thomas Bach and World Athletics President Sebastian Coe presented the medals.

A mesmerizing light show and a performance by **The Golden Voyager**—a character inspired by French history—captivated the audience. The Greek flag, symbolizing the Olympics' roots in Greece, was displayed. The Olympic rings, representing the five continents, were dramatically revealed during the performance.

Musical performances by French indie-rock band Phoenix and electronic artist Kavinsky further energized the crowd. Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, thanked the athletes and looked forward to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Bach officially declared the Games over, and Marchand extinguished the torch.

Medal Standings:
- USA: 126 medals (40 gold, 44 silver, 42 bronze)
- China: 91 medals (40 gold, 27 silver, 24 bronze)
- Japan: 45 medals (20 gold, 12 silver, 13 bronze)
- India: 71st place with 6 medals (1 silver, 5 bronze)

Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat achieved a significant milestone by winning the bronze medal in the men's 57 kg freestyle category at the Paris Olympics 2024. The 21-year-old triumphed over Puerto Rico's Darian Toi Cruz with a decisive 13-5 victory in the bronze medal match held on Friday.

In his earlier bouts, Aman displayed commendable skill, advancing through the pre-quarterfinals and quarterfinals with ease. However, he faced a tough challenge in the semi-finals against Japan's top-seeded Rei Higuchi, where he experienced a one-sided defeat.

Aman's bronze medal adds to India's tally of six medals at the Paris Olympics, which includes five bronze and one silver. In his bout against Cruz, Aman took an early lead of 6-3 in the first round and further extended his advantage in the second round, leaving Cruz with no opportunity to stage a comeback.

Notably, Aman was India's sole male wrestler at the Paris Olympics and continued the country's tradition of winning wrestling medals since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Past medalists include Sushil Kumar, who won bronze in 2008 and silver in 2012, Yogeshwar Dutt, who won bronze in 2012, Sakshi Malik, who won bronze in 2016, and Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia, who won silver and bronze, respectively, in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

This marked Aman's debut at the Olympics, and he successfully opened India's medal account in wrestling, bringing joy to the nation after Vinesh Phogat's disqualification. His achievement is a testament to his dedication and hard work, making his country proud on the global stage.