Former world billiards champion Manoj Kothari, one of the most influential figures in Indian cue sports, died on Monday following a massive cardiac arrest at a hospital in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, a family member said. Kothari was 67. He is survived by his wife, son Sourav Kothari — also a former world billiards champion — and daughter Shreya Kothari. Kothari, who is the current chief national coach, was being treated at a Tirunelveli hospital for more than a week and suffered cardiac arrest around 7.30am, the family member said. He served as the chief coach of the Indian billiards team from 2011. Kothari’s highs . Won IBSF World Billiards Championship in 1990. Won World Doubles Billiards Championship in 1997 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
06 January,2026 12:06 PM IST | Kolkata | PTINovak Djokovic announced on Sunday he was leaving the professional players’ union he co-founded in 2020, citing “concerns regarding transparency and governance” within the body. The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), founded by the current world No. 4 and Canadian Vasek Pospisil, took legal action in March 2025 against tennis governing bodies, denouncing “anti-competitive restraints and abusive practices.” The action also highlighted the “unsustainable schedule” for players, with tournaments scheduled 11 months out of 12 by both the men’s ATP and women’s WTA. “After careful consideration, I have decided to step away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association”, Djokovic posted on social media. “This decision comes after ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented. I am proud of the vision that Vasek and I shared when founding the PTPA, giving players a stronger, independent voice — but it has become clear that my values and approach are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organization.” 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
06 January,2026 08:25 AM IST | Paris | AFPCricket India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav Jan 4-8: The Ashes: Australia v England, 5th Test at SydneyJan 11-18: India vs New Zealand, ODI seriesJan 21-31: India vs New Zealand, T20I seriesJan 15-Feb 6: ICC U-19 World Cup, Zimbabwe and NamibiaFeb 7-Mar 8: ICC T20 World Cup, India and Sri LankaMar-May: Indian Premier LeagueJune 12-July 5: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, EnglandJuly 1-11: England vs India, T20I seriesJuly 14-19: England vs India, T20I series Football Argentina captain Lionel Messi March 22: League Cup final, LondonMay 16: FA Cup final — Wembley, LondonMay 20: UEFA Europa League Final - Istanbul, TurkeyMay 27: UEFA Europa Conference League final — Leipzig, GermanyMay 30: UEFA Champions League final — Budapest, HungaryJun 11-Jul 19: FIFA World Cup — USA, Canada, Mexico Tennis World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz Jan 18-Feb 1: Australian Open, MelbourneMay 24-Jun 7: French Open, ParisJun 29-Jul 12: Wimbledon, LondonAug 30-Sept 13: US Open, New YorkSept 25-27: Laver CupNov 24-29: Davis Cup final Formula One World champion Lando Norris March 8: Australian Grand PrixMarch 15: Chinese GPMarch 29: Japanese GPApril 12: Bahrain GPApril 19: Saudi Arabian GPMay 3: Miami GPMay 24: Canadian GPJune 7: Monaco GPJune 14: Barcelona-Catalunya GPJune 28: Austrian GPJuly 5: British GPJuly 19: Belgian GPJuly 26: Hungarian GPAugust 23: Dutch GPSeptember 6: Italian GPSeptember 13: Spanish GPSeptember 26: Azerbaijan GPOctober 11: Singapore GPOctober 25: US GPNovember 1: Mexico City GPNovember 8: Sao Paulo GPNovember 21: Las Vegas GPNovember 29: Qatar GPDecember 6: Abu Dhabi GP Badminton Satwiksairaj Rankireddy (left) and Chirag Shetty Jan 6-11: Malaysia Open — Kuala LumpurJan 13-18: India Open — New DelhiMar 3–8: All England Open Badminton — BirminghamMar 10–15: Swiss Open — BaselNov 17–22: Hong Kong OpenNov 24-29: Syed Modi India International — LucknowDec 9–13: BWF World Tour Finals — Hangzhou, China Other major sports Hockey skipper Harmanpreet Singh May 8: Athletics — Doha Diamond LeagueJun 18–21: US Open golf — New YorkJul 4–26: Cycling — Tour de FranceJune 26: Athletics — Paris Diamond LeagueJul 23–Aug 2: Commonwealth Games — Glasgow, Scotland Aug 15–30: Hockey World Cup (men and women) — Belgium & NetherlandsSept 19–Oct 4: Asian Games — Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
05 January,2026 01:25 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentThere was dramatic action unfolding in the bookmakers's ring as eleven runners and riders were being paraded in the paddock before the start of the second race on the Sunday card: the Aslam Kader Salver. Truckloads of money was bet onto Diego Garcia whose odds almost halved to 5-to-2 from 5-to-1. Not many, however, noticed quiet support coming in for the Imtiaz Sait-trained Ekatarina, who just closed below the long shot status at 9-to-1. On the race track, however, it was neither the favourite Dedication (David Allan up) nor the heavily backed Diego Garcia (A Sandesh up) who called the shots, it was Ekatarina (Neeraj Rawal up) who floored all her rivals and went on to post a facile victory in the Aslam Kader Salver, the first running of the race instituted in Kader's memory after his demise on October 9 last year. "Aslam Kader rode some of the best races for me," Sait said in a post-race chat with mid-day, "so I am delighted to win this race." "My filly (Ekatarina) didn't have a clear run in last start, as she was hampered by a riderless horse in that race," added the veteran trainer, "so I was confident she will run a big race today. In fact, I told the owner (Mr Shyam Ruia) that we had a good chance to beat the favourite, and kept my fingers crossed." Remembering late Aslam Kader, Sait said, "He rode some great races for me," and added, "his greatest quality was his confidence. After riding a horse during the track work, he would confidently tell me to call the owner to lead in the winner--amazing confidence!"
05 January,2026 12:58 PM IST | Mumbai | Prakash GosaviSeven-time major singles champion Venus Williams said on Sunday that she is still ‘feeling the fire’ to play tennis as she prepares for an Australian Open tilt at the age of 45. Williams will become the oldest woman to play in the main draw at the season-opening Grand Slam after accepting a wildcard, five years after she last competed in Melbourne. “I definitely don’t wake up and come halfway across the world to not be feeling the fire,” said Venus, who last played at the US Open in August. 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
05 January,2026 08:17 AM IST | Auckland | AFPFormer world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury announced on Sunday that he will return to boxing in 2026. Fury has not fought since losing to Oleksandr Usyk in a bout for three of the four major world titles in December 2024. But on Sunday, the Briton posted on Instagram: “2026 is that year. Return of the Mac. Been away for a while, but I’m back now. 37 years old and still punching.” Fury had previously retired in 2022 after beating Dillian Whyte in April, only to return later in the year. 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
05 January,2026 08:14 AM IST | London | AFPA field of 11 runners will face the starter in the Aslam Kader Salver, the first running of a race named after one of the finest riders this country has seen, who succumbed to lung cancer on October 9 last year. The Shazaan Shah-trained Dedication will possibly head the list of prime contenders thanks to David Allan being booked to ride; but remember, at the end of the day even Dedication, like many of his rivals, is the kind of horse that had initially shown promise as a three-year-old, before belying the connections' hopes. Asking such horses to test their stamina over the trip of 2000m makes the contest even more intriguing, and an upset cannot be ruled out. I personally feel that if jockey Sandesh can somehow control the keenness of Diego Garcia, who has flopped twice-in-a-row as favourite, and settle him comfortably, the Adhirajsingh ward may run a really big race in the closing stages and shock the field. At any price over 5-to-1, it could be considered a value bet--of course, with prayers on. First race at 1.30 pm. Selections: White Metal Trophy - Div II (For 5y&o, Class IV; 1200m)Spotlight 1, Manor House 2, Flashman 3. Aslam Kader Salver (Class IV; 2000m)Diego Garcia 1, Dedication 2, Cornerstone 3. Behram A Engineer Salver (Class III; 1400m)Tyrannus 1, Axlrod 2, All For Love 3. Kheem Singh Salver (For 3y, Maidens; 1200m)Margaretta 1, Mystica 2, Victory Flair 3. Maharashtra, Gujarat & Goa-Area Trophy (Class II; 2000m)King Ke 1, Alpine Star 2. White Metal Trophy - Div I (For 5y&o, Class IV; 1200m)Escape Velocity 1, You 2, Ashwa Gypsy 3. FK Vakil Salver (Class IV; 1000m)Enforcer 1, Akitania 2, Rafael 3. RR Komandur Plate (Class V; 1200m)Agatha 1, Whisper 2, We Still Believe 3. RecommendationsBest bet: King Ke (5-2)Upsets: Renoir (2-9), Money Fair (3-8) & Ekla Cholo (8-9) Today's poolsSuper jackpot pool: 3,4,5,6,7,8Jackpot pool: 4,5,6,7,8Treble pools: I - 2,3,4; II - 6,7,8Tanala pool: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8
04 January,2026 09:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Prakash GosaviA mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent led by defending champions Anish Thapa and Nirmaben Thakor will be among the leading contenders in the men’s and women’s elite races at the Tata Mumbai Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Race, which will be held in Mumbai on January 18. The race will feature 36 of the country’s top athletes (23 men and 13 women). The top three finishers in the Indian Elite categories will be awarded prize money of Rs 5 lakh, Rs 4 lakh, and Rs 3 lakh respectively. In addition, an event record bonus of Rs 2 lakh is on offer, along with an Indian event record jackpot of Rs 1 lakh. The Indian event records are held by Nitendra Singh Rawat (2:15:48) in the men’s category and Sudha Singh (2:34:56) in the women’s. 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
04 January,2026 09:34 AM IST | Mumbai | PTIDutchman Sjoerd Marijne was on Friday reappointed as the chief coach of the Indian women’s hockey team, marking his return to the set-up after guiding the side to a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympic Games. The 51-year-old was associated with the Indian women’s team from 2017 to 2021. “It’s great to be back after four-and-a-half years. I return with fresh energy and a clear vision to support the team’s growth and help the players achieve their full potential on the world stage,” said Marijne. 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
03 January,2026 10:20 AM IST | Mumbai | PTIAce jockey Suraj Narredu delivered a New Year's Day masterpiece on January 1, 2026, at Kolkata. Riding six mounts on the New Year card, he steered every one of them to victory, equaling the iconic Indian record set by the late Aslam Kader in 1993-94 season at Mumbai. The New Year Day racing at Kolkata is always celebrated with great fanfare. The Kolkata racecourse buzzed with a record crowd, their cheers amplifying as Suraj turned the card into his personal triumph--a flawless 6-for-6 sweep that felt like poetry in galloping motion. The story, however, runs deeper than records, weaving an emotional thread between the two riding giants--Suraj Narredu and late Aslam Kader. Birthday gift When Suraj celebrated his 2,000th winner in Hyderabad in 2019, it coincidentally fell on December 9—Aslam Kader's birthday. Speaking to mid-day, the veteran jockey warmly declared, "I am taking this great news as my birthday gift." A touching cosmic coincidence that highlighted their mutual respect. Aslam Kader Adding to the heartfelt connection, despite his own illustrious career, Suraj sent his son, Aarush, to learn riding from Aslam Kader. It was a humble gesture from one champion to another, underscoring that true legends value mentorship over everything else. In this sport of roaring crowds and unbreakable spirits, Suraj's feat not only matches a legend's record but carries forward Aslam's legacy—one where triumphs thunder on, and the deepest bonds outlast even the fastest finish. Missed opportunity Today, Suraj stands on the cusp of a monumental milestone in his illustrious riding career: his 2,500th winner! With victory #2,499 now secured after the Kolkata heroics today, the timing couldn't be more poignant. This Sunday (Jan 4) at Mumbai—the very venue of Aslam's legendary 6/6--a special race, the Aslam Kader Salver, honors the jockey who passed away on October 9 last year due to lung cancer. It would have been poetic justice for Suraj to chase his milestone here at Mumbai this Sunday, paying tribute on the same turf. But racing's quirks intervene. Due to the weird rules imposed amid the ongoing Glanders situation, riding at Mumbai would require Suraj to undergo tests before returning to Kolkata action--making participation impossible. With the Glanders scare, it seems Indian racing has lost much more than merely its seasonal calendar.
02 January,2026 10:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Prakash GosaviFormer world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital, state officials said on Wednesday, after surviving a car accident in Nigeria that killed two of his friends. “Anthony Joshua was discharged from hospital this afternoon. Though heavy hearted and full of emotion over the loss of his two close friends, he was deemed clinically fit to recuperate at home,” spokesmen for Lagos and Ogun state governments said in a joint statement. Joshua was travelling on Monday with Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele on a highway linking Lagos and Ibadan when their SUV rammed a stationary truck. After leaving the hospital on Wednesday, Joshua and his mother paid their respects at the funeral home where the bodies of his friends were being prepared for repatriation. 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
02 January,2026 09:56 AM IST | Lagos | AFPADVERTISEMENT
