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
TENNIS
Bopanna-Shelton duo enters quarters
India’s veteran doubles player Rohan Bopanna, with his partner Ben Shelton of USA, entered the quarterfinals at the ATP 500 tournament in Basel in Switzerland.
The pair defeated the duo of Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France and Hugo Nys of Monaco 7-6(4), 6-7(8), [10-1].
– Team Sportstar
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.
The Indian Team List:
Prashant Singh (Captain), Deepak Punia (Vice Captain), Sumit Kumar Roy, Karan Rajbhar, Deshraj Singh, Gaurav Kumar, Asis Sabar, Ganesh Majhi, Hitesh Dagar, Javed Hussein, Shahnawaz Ahmed, Jugal Majhi, Shivam Shukla.
-PTI
PICKLEBALL
Delhi Olympic Association recognises Delhi Pickleball Association as permanent member
The All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) on Wednesday announced that its Delhi chapter — the Delhi Pickleball Association (DPA) for Amateurs — has been affiliated with and granted permanent membership by the Delhi Olympic Association.
AIPA recently conducted the 9th National Pickleball Championship in Jammu and Kashmir from September 26–28, where the DPA had sent a 32-member contingent.
More than 450 players from 24 states participated in the event. The AIPA currently has more than 24 state associations that are helping promote the sport at the grassroots level.
Arvind Ramesh Prabhoo, President of the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), said, “We are thrilled to announce that the Delhi Pickleball Association (Amateur) is now officially affiliated with the Delhi Olympic Association, marking a major milestone for the sport in the capital.
“This affiliation means structured tournaments, certified training, and official representation for Delhi’s players at the national level — under the aegis of the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA).”
“Our aim is to create an environment where players can represent the country at global sporting events. This recognition is a testament to our continued efforts towards the development of the sport,” he added.
-PTI
GOLF
International Series Philippines: India’s Bhullar hunts for glory among an elite field
Gaganjeet Bhullar in action.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Gaganjeet Bhullar in action.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Gaganjeet Bhullar is hoping that a physical and mental overhaul can help him move to the next level at International Series Philippines presented just three weeks after falling short in agonising fashion in Indonesia.
The 11-time Asian Tour champion was in a three-way tie for the lead along with Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent and Wade Ormsby of Australia going into the final round of the Jakarta International Championship, but ultimately fell away to T19 after a four-over final round.
Ahead of the new tournament, Bhuller said: “It has been a really good year. I have been striking the ball well and staying consistent. In Jakarta, I led for most of the tournament, but Wade played brilliantly over the final stretch. I’ve been working hard on my mental game – focusing, visualizing, meditating – and I feel both mentally and physically in a great place.”
With a stacked field including former world No.1 Dustin Johnson and fellow major champions Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel, and Louis Oosthuizen, as well as another 11 LIV Golf stars, Bhullar won’t have it easy.
Other Indian golfers in the star-studded field this week include highly rated Rayhan Thomas, SSP Chawrasia, Ajeetesh Sandhu, and Karandeep Khochhar. International Series Philippines takes place from October 23–26 at Sta. Elena Golf Club.
– Team Sportstar
Udayan Mane among men and Vani Kapoor to make IGPL debut in Jaipur
Olympian Udayan Mane and Vani Kapoor, who has the best record on the domestic Tour among all active Indian women professionals, will make their debut at the IGPL Tour in Jaipur this week.
The Tour will visit the Pink City for the IGPL Invitational Jaipur this week after stops in Chandigarh, Jaypee Greens NOIDA, and Pune.
The Rambagh Golf Club in Jaipur has been a good hunting ground for many of the players in the field.
– Team Sportstar
Published on Oct 22, 2025
