The Asian Team Squash Championship scheduled in Islamabad next month has been postponed due to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region. The event was scheduled to be held from April 14 to 18. "The Asian Squash Federation has informed us that it is not feasible to hold the event at this time because of the conflict and the resulting situation in the region," said an official. He said that if the situation improves, the Pakistan Squash Federation will look at a window sometime in September. Asked if the Indian squash federation had agreed to send its team for the event, the official said that the confirmation of teams participating in the championship is being handled by the continental body. He said the PSF when given the hosting rights, had guaranteed safety and security of all participating teams. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 March,2026 09:08 AM IST | Karachi | PTISeven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton seems to be making the most of the two-week break between races. The Briton was recently seen in Tokyo while roaming hand in hand with partner Kim Kardashian. According to British tabloid The Sun, Hamilton put his hand up to passerbys, as if to stop them from snapping a picture of the couple, while Kardashian — an American TV star and model — waved to fans while donning a grey dress. The couple reportedly began dating earlier this year, but are yet to publicly comment about their relationship. Hamilton will next be seen in action for Ferrari at the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29.
24 March,2026 08:53 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentKoneru Humpy stood firm on her decision to pull out of the Candidates tournament in Cyprus later this month, saying one cannot be "surrounded by warships" and still play peacefully, while asserting she is "not scared" of penalties and is not playing for monetary benefits. Humpy, the two-time World Rapid champion and one of four Indians set to compete in the Candidates in Cyprus from March 28, pulled out of the prestigious event citing safety concerns amid the ongoing Gulf conflict, given the island's proximity to the volatile region. Earlier this month, a drone strike on a UK base heightened fears in the region, prompting Humpy to pull out. She has since been replaced by Ukrainian Grandmaster Anna Muzychuk. "You can't play surrounded by warships, which is guarding the island (Cyprus). If a foreigner like me and being a woman, if I have to travel and that too for such an important tournament, how can I play peacefully?" Humpy told PTI on Monday. With her late withdrawal, Humpy is the only one among the 16 contestants -- eight in the Open and eight in the women's section -- to pull out, and while there could be a hefty financial penalty, she said she is not scared. "See, that's the point. That is why they (international chess federation FIDE) keep these things (penalties) so that players will not speak out the facts. No, I'm not scared about it. I'm not playing just for money or monetary benefits. I just enjoy the sport," Humpy said, adding that she had put in three months of strenuous preparation for the event, even being unable to spend quality time with her daughter. "The past three months, I have been only working for this tournament. I haven't spent quality time with my daughter also. So, if a player like me is skipping the tournament, it's not fun for me to skip such an important tournament. I'm losing a lot of things." She said the event could have been postponed by a month or moved to another location without making a significant difference. "They could host the tournament anywhere in the world. Or, if they were particular about holding it in Cyprus, they could have waited for the situation to settle down. "They could wait for another month or so. The tensions would ease and there wouldn't be any hazards," said the stalwart, who qualified for the Candidates after finishing runner-up at the Women's World Cup last year. On whether she spoke to Viswanathan Anand, vice-president of FIDE, in this regard, Humpy said a conversation did take place but did not disclose the details. "Of course, some things happened, but I don't want to speak about anybody else." Humpy said she had the full support of her family in her decision. "Lebanon and Israel are very close to the island -- it's hardly a 20-minute flight from Lebanon. There was even confirmation of a drone coming down on a UK base. The Cyprus president himself, in a recent discussion with the European Union, expressed concerns about the UK base on the island. "So, if the president himself is voicing concern at the European Union, what is wrong for a player like me, from a foreign land and a woman, to be apprehensive about travelling to the island?" Humpy said that just because 15 players are competing and she alone has pulled out does not mean the organisers are right in going ahead with the event. "Of course, people can question. Like 15 players are ready to play, only you are pointing out. But it doesn't mean that if everyone is playing, what they (organisers) are doing is right. The event might even go without any hurdles. Nobody knows. But the point is, it wasn't necessary in such circumstances... like it's clear that US and UK have issued a level 3 (advisory). "...'Jammu (& Kashmir) is also level 3. They could also host (the event) in Jammu. What's wrong in that? You are saying we had a beautiful resort, like best of the place. Of course, in India, we have several places like that (Cyprus). But that itself isn't sufficient to play this tournament. You should have a pleasant atmosphere." Humpy said she had not spoken to fellow Indians R Praggnanandhaa in the Open section and R Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh in the women's section. "I don't want to talk about anybody else. It's their wish. Everybody has their own interests and concerns. So, I don't want to talk about anybody else. It's my choice and it's my opinion. And I feel absolutely right. "It's like if I'm going and playing there, it's basically like I'm encouraging an organiser to keep a tournament in such a surrounding. They did not take any advice. When this war has taken place, when these incidents happened, they could have openly asked all the 16 participants about their willingness," she said. "No need to divide and rule without knowing each other's intention. Whoever independently asked (the organisers), (they said) 'we were answering them. We are monitoring on a day-to-day basis'." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 March,2026 08:49 AM IST | New Delhi | PTISpanish World number one Carlos Alcaraz remained confident his game is improving despite a third-round exit at the Miami Open, and after a few days to reset he'll be turning his attention to the clay court season. "Probably I'm going to go back home," Alcaraz said after falling in three sets to 36th-ranked American Sebastian Korda on Sunday. "Chilling with my family, with my friends a couple of days. I don't know how much my team are going to allow me to have rest and a day off. "The clay season is around the corner. My mind right now is to take some days off, to reset my mind, reset the batteries, be ready and in good shape for the clay season." Korda became the lowest-ranked man to defeat Alcaraz since 55th-ranked David Goffin ousted him in the second round at Miami last year. The Spaniard had built a 73-6 record in the year since then, including a 16-0 run to start 2026 that included an Australian Open title that made the 22-year-old the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam. He added a title in Doha before a semi-final defeat at Indian Wells, and he knows that every lower-ranked player comes out swinging freely against him. "Obviously when you're winning tournaments and you have great record win/lose, everything is easier in the way of pressure to the opponents," he said. "I'm feeling they have more to win than to lose in those matches ... they're playing without pressure." Alcaraz is trying to make sure he doesn't respond by piling pressure on himself. "I'm not thinking about my pressure," he said. "I don't feel it at all. I'm trying to play my best." That includes constant work to improve his game, and despite Sunday's result he's confident he's on the right track. "I would say what I was practicing, you know, I think I just did it really well," he said. "Some couple things in previous tournaments that I just didn't feel comfortable, I think in this tournament, I started to feel better and better. "I think the process has been good. Besides the loss today, I think I'm still in the right way." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 March,2026 08:48 AM IST | Miami | AFPWith a new team, India will begin the international archery season on Tuesday at the Asia Cup Stage 1 in Bangkok. The Indian think tank is using this continental opener to test bench strength ahead of a demanding season that finishes in the Asian Games in Japan by resting big names like Deepika Kumari, Dhiraj Bommadevara, and Jyothi Surekha Vennam.This "fresh-faced" team is responsible for preserving India's position as the overall defending champions, while experienced champions get ready for the forthcoming World Cup legs in Mexico and China.China and Bangladesh pose a serious threat to India, even in the absence of the global powerhouse South Korea. In the recurve men's section, Australia's Ryan Tyack is the top-ranked archer with a ranking of world No.27, while the women's section has Russian-born neutral athlete Nurinisso Makhmudova (No. 45) as the highest-ranked archer.The men's compound unit, led by Asian Games gold medallist Prathamesh Jawkar and world No. 4 Rishabh Yadav, continues to be the most promising gold-medal contender.Chikitha Taniparthi, 20, is in charge of the rebuilding phase on the women's complex side. Talented comeback archers like Tejal Salve and Swati Dudhwal, who have both seen international success in the past, are hoping to end a medal-less individual streak since 2025.A youthful core trying to make the leap to the elite level is the focus of the recurve division. The men's team is led by Devaang Gupta, who had an excellent time at the Khelo India University Games, and Juyel Sarkar, who is still aiming for his first single international medal. After a three-year absence, Ridhi Phor returns to the women's recurve team.With 194 archers from 19 countries competing for crucial world ranking points, the Bangkok leg serves as a vital audition. India won eight medals last year, and this revamped team will be keen to demonstrate that the country's depth in archery is enough to win even without its top players. Indian Squad: Recurve, men: Devaang Gupta, Aarav Punia, Juyel Sarkar and Sukhchain Singh; women: Kirti, Anshika Kumari, Ruma Biswas and Ridhi. Compound, men: Rajat Chauhan, Prathamesh Jawkar, Uday Kamboj and Rishabh Yadav; women: Swati Dudhwal, Raj Kaur, Tejal Salve and Chikitha Taniparthi (With PTI Input)
23 March,2026 02:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIndian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy has withdrawn from the upcoming FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament due to security concerns amid rising tensions in West Asia. Humpy shared her decision in a social media statement on Sunday, emphasizing that personal safety is more important than competitive commitments. “After deep reflection, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament. No event, no matter how important, can come before personal safety and well-being. Despite the assurances provided, I do not feel fully secure under the current circumstances. This is a painful but necessary decision, and I stand by it,” she wrote on X. After deep reflection, I have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.No event, no matter how important, can come before personal safety and well-being. Despite the assurances provided, I do not feel fully secure under the current… — Koneru Humpy (@humpy_koneru) March 22, 2026 The tournament will take place in Cyprus, which has recently faced increased security issues. Earlier this month, a British air base on the island was hit in a drone attack. This incident raised concerns about the impact of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has been fueled by US and Israeli strikes on Iran, spreading into the region. According to FIDE regulations, if there is a vacancy in the Women’s Candidates field, the next eligible player from the FIDE Women’s Events 2024–25 cycle will fill it. Based on this rule, Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk will replace Humpy in the tournament. The Women’s Candidates, starting March 28 in Paphos, will determine the challenger for the world championship title currently held by China’s Ju Wenjun. Meanwhile, the men’s title is held by India’s D Gukesh. Earlier, American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura has expressed serious concerns about the playing conditions in Cyprus before the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which starts in just a week. Currently ranked World No. 2, Nakamura has reportedly been in Cyprus for nearly two months as part of his pre-tournament preparations. However, he has highlighted ongoing and lengthy power outages on the island as a troubling issue leading up to one of chess’s most prestigious events. It's not a good sign when power goes out completely in parts of Cyprus and doesn't come back for an extended period of time.... — Hikaru Nakamura (@GMHikaru) March 21, 2026 “It’s not a good sign when power goes out completely in parts of Cyprus and doesn’t come back for an extended period of time,” Nakamura posted on his social media account on X. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 March,2026 08:58 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSPole vault superstar Armand Duplantis has secretly married fiancé Desire Inglander at Stockholm City Hall with reports suggesting that the Swedish-American is planning a proper reception in France in June. According to British tabloid The Sun, the news of Duplantis’s marriage was inadvertently revealed by a Bislett Games (annual track and field meet in Oslo, Norway) organiser, who said that the 26-year-old would not be able to take part in this year’s tournament since he will be busy with his wedding celebration in Cannes, France. Following the leak, the two-time Olympic gold medallist told Swedish newspaper Sport Bladet: “I wish he did not say anything, but that’s how it is. We’re going to have the real ceremony and wedding during the summer. I feel half-married. But I don’t have the ring on. Not until the real ceremony in June.” Duplantis, who has broken the pole vault world record on 15 occasions, got engaged to Inglander in October 2024. Inglander is a Swedish model, influencer, and content creator with over 8 lakh Instagram followers.
23 March,2026 08:53 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentFormer World No. 1 shuttler Saina Nehwal delighted her two million fans with her latest Instagram post, donning a black salwar kameez with gold embroidery.One Instagram user commented: “Looking gorgeous,” while another said, “I love what you’re wearing.” A third simply replied with multiple fire emojis. The 36-year-old, who won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, recently stated that she had retired from the sport, despite never making an official announcement since her last professional game in 2023. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SAINA NEHWAL (@nehwalsaina)
23 March,2026 08:51 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentWorld Champion Marc Marquez pounced on a late error by Fabio Di Giannantonio and then held off a desperate last-lap counter-attack to win the delayed sprint race as MotoGP continued its chaotic return to Brazil on Saturday. Friday's practices for the first MotoGP in Brazil in 22 years were delayed by mud deposited on the track by the week-long downpour and then disrupted by more rain. On Saturday, after Di Giannantonio topped the morning's qualifying session in dry conditions, a hole opened up in the main straight, another consequence of the recent torrential rain in central Brazil. Following rapid road repairs, the flag dropped 80 minutes late for the sprint. Di Giannantonio, on a Ducati satellite VR46, bolted from pole with only Marquez on his factory Ducati able to give chase. With two laps to go, Di Giannantonio, who has never won a sprint race, wobbled and Marquez shot past. The Italian was on the Spaniard's rear wheel throughout the last lap but Marquez filled every potential hole. "Super important victory because in Thailand I was suffering," said Marquez. "I'm still not riding as I want, but just keep pushing." He said that he expected to have to battle the "super-fast" Di Giannantonio again on Sunday. Di Giannantonio rued his mistake but was happy with his podium place. "The conditions were different from this morning," he said. "On two corners there was less grip. In the same corner I did two mistakes and I ruined my race." "We have to be super happy," he added. "Second place, super close to Marc. Let's give it another go tomorrow." The joy seemed to be greater with each step down the podium. Jorge Martin, who followed his 2024 world title with a catastrophic campaign marked by injuries following serious crashes and disputes with his Aprilia team, was euphoric as he tried to lead the Brazilian crowd in cheers. "I'm really happy," the Spaniard said. "Been a tough journey." Martin competed in only seven races last season and did not finish higher than fourth. "Two months ago my girlfriend was feeding me," he added making a spoon-feeding gesture, "and now I'm here." Spain's Pedro Acosta stayed atop the standings after finishing ninth. He is two points ahead of Marco Bezzecchi who was fourth in the sprint. Martin rose to third in the standings at eight points and Marquez to sixth, 12 adrift. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 March,2026 08:48 AM IST | Goiania (Brazil) | AFPPramod Bhagat won two golds at the Spanish Para Badminton International-II on Sunday. In the SL3 final, Bhagat beat Nitesh Kumar 21-17, 10-21, 21-18. In the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 final, he partnered with Manisha Ramdass to beat Brazil’s Rogerio de Oliveira and Edwarda Dias. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 March,2026 08:47 AM IST | Vitoria (Spain) | AgenciesRising squash star Anahat Singh capped off a strong performance at the Indian Open by defeating Egypt’s Hana Moataz in the summit clash to defend her title in Mumbai on Sunday. The 18-year-old Indian dominated the first two games before succumbing in the third. However, she hit back with vengeance in the fourth game to seal a 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6 win. This was Anahat’s 16th PSA tour title. She has previously won two golds in the Asian Championships and two bronze medals in the Asian Games. She was also part of India’s victorious World Cup squad last year. Meanwhile, the men’s title was won by Abhay Singh, who beat compatriot Veer Chotrani 11-9, 11-8, 11-4 in the final. 16No. of senior tour titles won by Anahat Singh This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 March,2026 08:44 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
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