Sports

In a year full of historic firsts for Indian sports, these champions shone the brightest. From Virat Kolhi & Satwik-Chirag to Sheetal Devi & Antim Panghal, whose victory was your favourite sporting moment of 2023?

An initiative by Naandi Foundation, ‘Toofaan Games’ are helping 2 lakh girls across the country grow - both at school and in life.

Pune resident Shraddha Gaikwad stumbled upon a skateboard while delivering lunch to her father, who worked as a security guard at a sports store. Here’s how that day transformed into a passion, leading her to win gold at the National Games.

A mountaineer and a cyclist, Bihar's Sabita Mahato conquered Umling La Pass in Ladakh – the world’s highest motorable road at 19,300 feet. How she reached there is an inspiring story of determination and courage.

Delhi-based Aaquib Wani is a self-taught prodigy who sews culture into every design he works on. Recently, his designs were seen on the jerseys worn by Indian athletes at Asian Games, 2023.

Ram Baboo's journey from doing odd jobs and earning Rs 350 per day, to winning a bronze medal at Asian Games, 2023, is nothing but inspiring. Watch more.

Neeru Yadav, the first female sarpanch of Lambi Ahir village in Rajasthan, is helping girls smash patriarchy by giving them opportunities in the sport. Watch how.

The medals and the accolades dim in contrast to the brilliance of these men and women in Indian sports. They were not deterred by circumstances, societal notions and stereotypes, but rather fuelled by them.

Gareema Shankar and Renu Singhi are well over the 'conventional age' for cycling. But ask them to slow down and they will only pedal past. Let alone the naysayers, they are not stopping for anyone on their journey of self-discovery.

Saumil Majmudar and Parminder Gill run Sportz Village, a Bengaluru-based organisation that uses sports and play as a medium of education. Sportz Village Foundation, its non-profit subsidiary helps children from public schools (rural & urban) benefit from sport in terms of better educational, health and developmental outcomes. The organization also helps students become athletes playing at district, state and national levels in a variety of sports.