Indian sports wrap, February 23: Senior Nationals Kabaddi Championship to be held from February 24-27
KABADDI
As many as 31 teams from across the country with around 400 players will be competing when the 72nd Senior Nationals Men’s Kabaddi Championship is held at the Sama Indoor Complex in Vadodara from February 24 to 27.
Organised under the aegis of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), the tournament will feature a mix of seasoned veterans as well as rising stars.
Players who performed exceptionally in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 will also be seen in action.
Among the standout names to watch are the top three raiders from PKL Season 12—Ayan Lohchab (Haryana), Devank Dalal and Bharat Hooda (Services).
Ashu Malik, who led Dabang Delhi to a title-winning campaign last season, will represent Railways, while Arjun Deshwal will once again shoulder leadership duties as he leads Uttar Pradesh.
The tournament will also put the spotlight on emerging talents such as Deepak Sankar (Tamil Nadu), who recorded 64 tackle points for Bengaluru Bulls and was named the New Young Player of the Season in PKL 12.
Maharashtra will be represented by Puneri Paltan raider Aditya Shinde, who accumulated 159 raid points, including five super raids.
Haryana defender Nitesh Kumar, another breakout performer with 65 tackle points and five High 5s, will also be part of the championship, along with promising players Anil (Himachal Pradesh) and Uday Parte (Madhya Pradesh).
Defending champion Services, boasting a star-studded lineup including Devank Dalal, Naveen Kumar, Bharat Hooda, Ankit Jaglan and Jaideep Dahiya, will enter the tournament aiming to retain their title.
Railways, Haryana and Maharashtra, backed by equally formidable squads, are expected to present strong challenges, setting the stage for a fiercely contested championship.
The tournament will also serve as a vital platform for elite and emerging players, with consistent performances often paving the way for selection into national camps, the Indian team and professional leagues.
-PTI
GOLF
Shubhankar finishes 48th, Veer is 53rd in Kenya
Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma carded a fine three-under 67 to finish Tied-48th at the Magical Kenya Open in Nairobi.
Veer Ahlawat (69) finished T-53rd. India’s third player in the field, Yuvraj Sandhu, had missed the cut.
Sharma, starting from 10th, had four birdies against one bogey in his first nine and turned in three-under, and on his second nine he had an eagle but also had three bogeys and another birdie.
Veer had six birdies but also gave away five bogeys.
-PTI
WINTER SPORTS
Khelo India Winter Games inaugurated
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday inaugurated the sixth edition of Khelo India Winter Games at a famous ski resort in Gulmarg.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was also present on the occasion.
Sinha said the Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg has evolved from a simple sporting event into a true national festival.
“Khelo India Winter Games revive the sporting spirit’s ideals of peace, equality, and camaraderie. In our vibrant, diverse nation of myriad languages, cultures, and traditions, the Winter Games at Gulmarg is serving as a universal language and shared heritage,” he said.
The four-day event at India’s premier winter sports destination will witness the participation of around 1,000 athletes and officials from various states and UTs in different disciplines.
-PTI
Published on Feb 23, 2026