Indian sports wrap, October 22: Spaniard Dani Ramirez joins Punjab FC ahead of Super Cup

FOOTBALL

Punjab FC has strengthened its side with the signing of Spanish attacking midfielder Dani Ramírez Fernandez ahead of the upcoming Super Cup beginning in Goa on Saturday.

He becomes the club’s second overseas signing of the season after Samir Zeljkovic. The 33-year-old has joined Punjab FC on a one-year contract on a free transfer.

Ramirez had last played for Manisa FK in Turkey’s TFF First League.

Ramirez began his youth career with his hometown club CD Leganes before moving to Real Madrid, where he spent four seasons developing through the youth setup and featuring for Real Madrid C.

In 2014, he joined Valencia CF B, continuing his progression in Spain’s competitive lower divisions. Ramirez’s journey also saw him represent Getafe CF and Internacional de Madrid before moving to Polish club Stomil Olsztyn SA.

He also played two seasons for ŁKS Łodz before signing with Lech Poznan, where he won the Ekstraklasa title in the 2021–22 season.

Ramirez also had a spell in Belgium with Zulte Waregem before returning to LKS Łodz.

Most recently, with Manisa FK in Turkey during the 2024–25 season, he made 34 appearances, contributing seven goals and four assists, showcasing his creativity and experience in midfield.

-PTI

BADMINTON

Indian shuttlers impress on Day 1 of Badminton Asia U-17 & U-15 Championships

Indian shuttlers made a strong start to their campaign at the Badminton Asia U-17 & U-15 Championships 2025, with several players notching key opening-day victories, including notable wins against Chinese opponents.

In the U-15 boys’ singles, SL Dhakshan Sugumaran produced a spirited comeback to defeat China’s Lyu Ke Ting 18-21, 21-14, 21-13, while Wazir Singh also came through a tight three-game battle to beat Xia Jun Long 21-18, 18-21, 21-17. Pushkar Sai and Prabhu Dhyani registered straight-game wins over their Thai rivals, advancing smoothly from the Round of 64. In the girls’ singles, Anvi Rathore looked dominant as she eased past UAE’s Anishka Anu 21-4, 21-9.

India’s U-17 contingent also began confidently. The mixed doubles pairs Punith Suresh/Aditi Deepak Raj and Jangjeet Singh Kajla/Jananika Ramesh advanced to the Round of 16, defeating Chinese and Japanese opponents, respectively. In boys’ singles, Nischal Chand outplayed Laos’ Souphaxay Simmanong 21-8, 21-7, while Hardik Divyansh impressed with a 21-14, 21-14 win over Japan’s Issei Matsuhita.

India had won a gold and a bronze in 2024, and one gold, one silver, and one bronze in 2023, with both editions taking place in Chengdu. A 36-member squad is fighting for silverware across two age categories this time around.

-Team Sportstar

RUGBY

Prashant Singh to lead Indian Rugby Sevens team at Asian tourney

Prashant Singh will lead a 13-strong Indian men’s team, which has been seeded third for the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy, scheduled to be held from October 25 to 26 in Muscat, the Indian Rugby Football Union announced (IRFU) on Wednesday.

The tournament will feature Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Syria.

India enters the competition seeded third and has been drawn in Group C alongside Lebanon and Afghanistan. India will open its campaign against Lebanon on October 25.

India is being coached by former England Rugby Sevens star Ben Gollings, who recently led Chennai Bulls to the inaugural edition of the GMR Rugby Premier League (RPL) title in June.

He earlier also served as head coach of the Fiji team from 2022 to 2024.

-PTI

Published on Oct 22, 2025