Sports
Snow and the spirit of sportsmanship
‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.’ The adage holds true for young boys of Gurez Valley, a remote region along the ancient Silk Route, home to the Dard Shin tribe in north Kashmir. The valley remains covered with snow and cut off from the rest of the world for nearly six months. However, this doesn’t dissuade youngsters here from indulging in what they love the most–Snow Cricket.
Flying above the abode of clouds
As a child, Maxwell dreamt of becoming a pilot. When that dream didn’t materialise, he discovered paramotoring and found a new way to reach the skies. Now, he’s dedicated to promoting the sport in his home state of Meghalaya.
This new year, try bungee jumping in Bir
Head to the mountains to give your new year a jump-start, literally. Try out bungee jumping and sky cycling on your next trip to Bir, Himachal. Launched by a group of boys from the village in 2018, Tiger Team Adventures is a new addition to the handful of bungee sites in India.
Punjab’s hockey villages dribble past lost touch for Paris Olympics bronze
The villages of Sansarpur, Mithapur, and Khusropur in Punjab, once renowned for producing Olympic hockey players, are reviving their legacy after decades of decline due to various reasons, including drug abuse in the region.
Blind cricket’s unsung hero travels from Odisha village to America
Sukhram Majhi, a partially blind cricketer from Odisha, has risen from a life of hardship to international recognition as part of India’s blind cricket team, his passion taking him from doing menial jobs to playing in the US.
How this 15-year-old Odisha girl ‘sprinted’ to a weightlifting record
Preetismita Bhoi made headlines at this year’s IWF World Youth Championships. She tells us how she moved from sprinting to weightlifting due to her coach’s perseverance, and the inspiration she derived from her idol Mirabai Chanu.
How Meghalaya’s Tura became a chess hub
From its humble beginnings, the Garo Hills Chess Association in Meghalaya has grown into a powerful force, fostering a love for the game in a region where it was once largely unknown.
Champions on wheels defy odds to conquer world
Once confined by severe spinal cord injuries from road accidents, Anjali Thakur and Vidya Kumari have shattered barriers to become international para-athletes with support from Chandigarh Spinal Rehab centre.
Rural India wins big at the Paris Paralympics 2024
These Paralympians from rural India have overcome the odds, and their disability, to reclaim glory during the recent Paralympic Games in Paris. Here are six such athletes who are an inspiration for all.
Hail these sports coaches for their illustrious proteges
This Teachers’ Day, Village Square tips the hat to the coaches of some of our sporting greats, winners of the Dronacharya Award, who hail from villages across the country.
Mother-coach propels Odisha lad to throwball stardom
In a country where cricket and hockey dominate the sports landscape, Odisha athlete Kuldip Samant’s journey offers hope to aspiring throwball players, proving that even the most unlikely dreams can become a reality.
India’s hinterland hopefuls at the Paris Olympics
As all eyes in the world turn towards Paris for the Olympic Games 2024 starting today, we bring to you six Indian athletes with humble beginnings who are representing the country at the international event.
This rural sports academy is shaping champions in Punjab
Amol Academy, founded by Sant Gurmeet Singh in 2017 at Khosa village in Punjab’s Moga district, has transformed the lives of aspiring athletes by providing modern training facilities and promoting hard work through sports.
From momos seller to hockey hero, Odisha teen overcomes hardships
Dhenkanal under-19 hockey team captain Debrat Nayak, an 18-year-old from Mangalpur village, works at a street food stall to support his family and fund his hockey gear.
Tribal girls are kicking conventional norms through football
The defiant all-women football team in rural West Bengal is winning hearts for their skills and resilience, and also bridging the gender divide.
Rural anonymity to IPL glory: 5 cricketers who made it
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has changed the fortunes of many aspiring cricketers hailing from the small towns and villages of India. Here are five talents taking to the pitch in IPL 2024.
Melting point! Ice hockey rinks need cooling fans in Ladakh
A warmer-than-usual winter in Ladakh this year has robbed ice hockey enthusiasts of conditions favourable to the game, as fans are being used to keep the temperatures down and keep the arena frozen.
Surfers of Mahabalipuram
The young generation of the fisherfolk colony in Mahabalipuram are now chasing the waves, thanks to a surfing school.
Night-watchman supports Odisha’s Adivasi archers’ Olympic dreams
Mitrabhanu Mohapatra, an archery coach in Jujumura village of Odisha, dedicates his life to coaching aspiring archers from low-income Adivasi families, transcending the boundaries of sport and shaping futures
Breaking barriers: Kabaddi coach empowers women in Bihar
A transformative journey is unfolding in Bihar's Patna district under the guidance of kabaddi coach Mohammed Iliyas. For over 15 years, he has been sculpting the destinies of young women, navigating the landscape of gender inequality in a region where opportunities often seem elusive.