India's sports scene is abuzz with a mix of new initiatives, major hosting announcements, and ongoing competitive action. A significant development is the launch of the inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025, set to take place at the iconic Dal Lake. This three-day event will feature over 400 national and international athletes competing for 24 gold medals across rowing, canoeing, and kayaking, including Olympic events.
Looking ahead, India is gearing up to host its largest-ever para-sport event, the New Delhi 2025 World Para Championship. Scheduled from September 27 to October 5, 2025, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the championship expects over 2,500 participants from 104 countries, competing in 186 medal events across men's, women's, and mixed categories. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has backed India's vision for para-sports, and the Chief Patron of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has extended an invitation for him to inaugurate the event.
In football, the Durand Cup 2025 witnessed an upset as debutants Diamond Harbour FC stunned East Bengal with a 2-1 victory in the semi-final, securing their place in the final.
The Men's Hockey Asia Cup, scheduled to commence on August 29 in Rajgir, Bihar, has seen a change in its lineup, with Bangladesh and Kazakhstan replacing Pakistan and Oman. India, led by Harmanpreet Singh, has been drawn into Pool A alongside China, Japan, and Kazakhstan. The tournament's schedule confirms the opening fixture between Malaysia and Bangladesh, followed by India's match against China on the first day.
On the individual front, Indian wrestler Tapasya Gehlawat achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the Under-20 World Champion in the women's 57 Kg category. She defeated Norway's Felicitas Domajeva in the final, having overcome the reigning Under-20 world champion, Japan's Sowaka Uchida, in the semi-final.
In a significant policy move, the Online Gaming Bill 2025 has been passed in Lok Sabha, officially recognizing and registering esports as a legitimate sport in India. This bill aims to promote the growth of esports through event guidelines, training, research institutions, and awareness programs.