Category Archives: Sports

Olympic gold, Asian Games silver and other valuables stolen from former India hockey captain MM Somaya’s home

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CCTV footage from a neighbour’s house reportedly showed two unidentified men breaking open the door and entering the residence.

Somaya was a member of India squad that won the gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. (Courtesy: Hockey India)

Synopsis: Four international medals won by former India hockey captain MM Somaya, including his gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, were stolen when burglars broke into his Bengaluru house on October 28 while he and his family were away in Kodagu. CCTV footage from a neighbour’s house reportedly showed two unidentified men breaking open the front door and entering the house at 2.34 am. The burglars also stole gold and silver valuables and ₹30,000 in cash. 

Four international medals, including the gold medal won by former India field hockey captain MM Somaya at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, were stolen when burglars broke into his house in Bengaluru, Karnataka on 28 October.

The burglary took place at Somaya’s house in HAL 3rd Stage, New Thippasandra, under the Indiranagar police station limits, while the 67-year-old and his family were away in Kodagu.

The stolen medals include the gold medal from the 1980 Moscow Olympics, a silver medal from the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi, a bronze medal from the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul and another bronze medal from the 1982 Champions Trophy in Amsterdam.

Besides the medals, the burglars stole valuables worth ₹3.5 lakh. These include a 10-gram gold bangle, an eight-gram gold coin, two silver cups weighing 144 grams, six silver spoons, an 80-gram silver pot and ₹30,000 in cash.

CCTV footage from a neighbour’s house reportedly showed two unidentified men breaking open the door and entering the residence at 2.34 am.

The burglary came to light hours later at around 7.15 am when the neighbour, Narayanan, noticed that the front door of the house was open and alerted Somaya.

The Indiranagar police have registered a case under Sections 331(4) (house trespass or house-breaking) and 305 (theft in a dwelling house, means of transportation or place of worship) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Varsha Gowda)

source: http://www.thesouthfirst.com / The South First /Home> The South First> Karnataka / by The South First Desk / November 04th, 2026

Robin Uthappa appointed as Mumbai Indians batting coach for IPL 2027

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports

Robin Uthappa appointed as Mumbai Indians batting coach for IPL 2027.

Robin Uthappa / Sourced by the Telegraph

Days after announcing Kieron Pollard as head coach, Mumbai Indians sprang a surprise by naming former India batter and two-time IPL winner Robin Uthappa as batting coach for IPL 2027.

MI have also roped in Mitchell McClenaghan as bowling coach, T. Dilip as fielding coach, and Dhawal Kulkarni as development bowling coach in the new-look support staff set-up.

The focus now turns to the captaincy and the expected trade of Hardik Pandya. There is talk that Mumbai Indians could hand back the captaincy to Rohit Sharma after going without a trophy for six seasons though Tilak Varma is also tipped to take over the hot seat.

“I am just genuinely happy to be back. I started my IPL career with Mumbai Indians and I start my IPL coaching career with Mumbai Indians, which seems like destiny to me,” Uthappa was quoted as saying in a media release.

“I’ve seen Mumbai go through earning the trust and the faith of the fans, to becoming champions, and then winning consistently and becoming one of the best franchises in the world, from a winning perspective. And today, we find ourselves back in that similar situation right now where the trust of the fans need to be earned again.”

source: http://www.telegraphonline.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> Sports> Cricket / by The Telegraph Bureau / October 31st, 2026

Silver Jubilee Kodagu Golf Open Championship teed-off

Sports

Association of Kodagu Golfers of JWGC President Dr. P.A. Kushalappa teed-off the Silver Jubilee Kodagu Golf Open Championship-2026 at Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Golf Club (JWGC) Golf Course this morning.

A total of 285 golfers are taking part in the tournament.

Also seen are JWGC President H.S. Arun Kumar, Captain K.A. Anil Kumar, Hon. Secretary K.S. Sudheer Bhat, Tournament Sub-Committee Chairman M.S. Dinesh Kumar, Committee Members Phalguna V. Urs and Dr. Soniya Thimmaiah and Association of Kodagu Golfers of JWGC Hon. Treasurer M.B. Nanaiah.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / October 30th, 2026

Rohan Bopanna Shares Powerful Message For India’s Next Generation Of Tennis Players: Exclusive

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India Tennis legend Rohan Bopanna advised the aspiring players to believe in themselves before their coach and parents

Indian Tennis Legend Rohan Bopanna (PTI)

Indian tennis legend Rohan Bopanna has a simple message for youngsters hoping to make a career in sport: believe in yourself, keep learning and never give up. The former world No. 1, who won multiple Grand Slams, says believing in yourself is the first step to success, especially for young players trying to find their way in a competitive sporting environment.

In an exclusive interaction with The Daily Jagran, Bopanna spoke about the challenges of building a sporting career, the importance of mental strength and the lessons he has learnt during more than two decades in professional tennis. He also shared advice for youngsters who dream of representing India but are unsure about what lies ahead.

“For me the biggest thing is for the kids to firstly believe in themselves, before your coach, before your parents, you have to really believe that you want to do this and this is the journey for you,” Bopanna said.

The veteran also acknowledged the importance of having the right people around young athletes. Coaches, parents and experienced professionals can guide them through difficult phases, but the determination to follow their dreams has to come from within.

Rohan Bopanna On Why One Should Never Give Up

There are seldom straight lines to a career in professional sport. Young players go through defeats, injuries and spells when progress can be difficult to see. Bopanna believes they must learn to treat every day as a fresh opportunity rather than allowing one bad performance to affect their confidence.

The Indian tennis star, who played at the top level well into his 40s, has had his share of challenges. His career has been shaped by his ability to adapt to changing conditions, overcome injuries and remain competitive over the years.

Sharing his advice for youngsters, Bopanna encouraged them to look beyond the results of a single day and focus on the bigger picture.

“And that’s what I always say, never give up, it’s an opportunity and there is no limitations in your career,” he added.

His message is particularly relevant for young Indian tennis players who are working towards professional careers in a sport that demands patience, discipline and long-term commitment.

How Rohan Bopanna Maintained His Longevity In Tennis

Bopanna also spoke about the factors that helped him remain relevant in professional tennis for more than two decades. Injuries and the physical demands of the sport can make it difficult for players to maintain their level over a long period, but he believes adaptability and mental strength played a major role in his journey.

“I think I made sure firstly I was relevant, you know, I adapted to the conditions and my mind was my biggest strength, you know, that is what kind of helped this longevity,” he said.

The former world No. 1 acknowledged that injuries were part of his career but explained that his focus remained on finding ways to overcome them and continue competing.

“Yes injuries were part of the journey but I said how do I overcome them, how do I make a difference and keep being relevant at every juncture of the couple of decades where I competed and that’s what helped my longevity,” Bopanna added.

His career reached another major milestone in 2024 when he won the Australian Open men’s doubles title alongside Australia’s Matthew Ebden. At 43, Bopanna became the oldest man to win an ATP Grand Slam men’s doubles title in the Open Era.

From Ball Kid To Grand Slam Champion

Bopanna’s message to youngsters comes from a career that has taken him from the early stages of tennis to the biggest stages in the sport. He also reflected on his journey while attending the Australian Open ball kids programme in partnership with Kia.

The programme holds a special place for the Indian star because he began his own journey as a ball kid. Today, he gets to present trophies to youngsters who are getting an opportunity to experience tennis at a high level.

“When I started my journey, I was a ball kid; today I’m here, you know, giving these trophies to these ball kids,” he said.

source: http://www.thedailyjagran.com/ The Daily Jagran / Home> Sports> News / by Sunny Daud / October 25th, 2026

Taekwondo Asia Cup: Kodagu girls shine

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Mysuru: 

Two young Taekwondo athletes from Kodagu representing India shined at the Hwa Rang Warrior Asia Cup 2026 held in Selangor, Malaysia recently.

Devangi Janmoh won the gold medal in her individual sparring category and played a leading role in India’s bronze medal finish in the team event.

Meanwhile, Tharanga Janmoh also played a crucial role in the same Indian team that secured the bronze medal.

The championship drew a large field of clubs and academies from across Malaysia along with international contingents.  

Daughters of Kuyyamudi Charan Kumar and Deeksha,  Devangi and Tharanga are  granddaughters of Kuyyamudi Janardhana and Mohini and Paladka Mukkati Lokanath and Meenakshi.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / October 01st, 2026

Karnataka’s Inaugural Pickleball League To Begin From Oct 9

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The inaugural league will feature seven franchise teams and 56 players.

pix

Bengaluru: 

A new chapter in Karnataka’s sporting landscape is set to unfold this October as the Karnataka Pickleball Premier League (KPPL) makes its debut. Coorg Originals, the pickleball franchise from JoshuaTree.

PLAY, will take to the court alongside six other franchise teams. The inaugural league will be held from October 9 to 11 at GKVK, Bengaluru, bringing together players from Karnataka and across India for three days of competitive pickleball.

The inaugural league will feature seven franchise teams and 56 players. The players were selected from a pool of 89 through a nine-round draft held in Bengaluru on September 20. With teams representing different districts of Karnataka and players from across India, KPPL aims to create a new platform for competitive pickleball. It will also bring athletes, communities and sporting talent together on one stage.

Joshua Upputuru, Founder & Director, Joshua Tree, said, “We are very excited to see Coorg Originals take the court. For us, this is the beginning of a larger journey in sport — discovering talent, building teams and creating sporting properties. Pickleball offers a very exciting space to be part of, and we are looking forward to seeing where this journey takes us.”

For Joshua Tree, a creative company working across AI, VFX, content creation and storytelling, the league marks the first sporting venture under JoshuaTree. PLAY, its newly launched sports vertical. The vertical focuses on discovering talent, building teams and creating sporting properties. Coorg Originals is its first sporting property. The team is built around the spirit of Coorg and its philosophy, MADE OF COORG. It brings together players from different sporting backgrounds and is led by captain Poojith P., with Kuldip Ravindra Mahajan as its icon player.

The inaugural season will feature seven franchises — Bengaluru Chargers, Coorg Originals, Mangaluru Roarers, Mysuru Royals, Belagavi Barons, Ballari Tuskers and Tumakuru Titans. Franchise owners, captains and coaches came together at the event to unveil their respective team identities ahead of Season 1.

A.G. Shivakumar, President, Karnataka State Pickleball Association, said, “KPPL represents an important step for pickleball in Karnataka. By bringing the association, Entropy Sports and Events, and seven franchises together, we are creating a professional platform for the sport to grow at every level. Our aim is to give players greater opportunities while taking pickleball to a much wider audience across the state.”

With pickleball gaining momentum across India, KPPL has the potential to grow into a major sporting property in the years ahead. For brands, celebrities and sporting partners, it offers an opportunity to be part of the sport’s growth story from the very beginning.

“What excites me about KPPL is the energy and momentum around pickleball today. The sport is attracting a new generation of players and fans, and Karnataka has a wonderful opportunity to be at the heart of that growth. I’m happy to be associated with the league and to be part of its first chapter,” echoed KPPL Brand Ambassador and Kannada film star, Sriimurali.

For the inaugural season, Coorg Originals has also partnered with U&I Trust as its Social Impact Partner, bringing a focus on education, mentorship and opportunities for young people from underserved communities.

source : http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Sports / by Press Release / October 06th, 2026

Rohan Bopanna returns to action, will represent Gurgaon Grand Slammers in TPL

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Argentina’s world No. 60 Roman Burruchaga, representing the Kolkata Thunder Blades, will be the highest-ranked singles player in the league.

Rohan Bopanna of India. File. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Former world No. 1 Rohan Bopanna and 2023 Australian Open men’s doubles winner Rinky Hijikata were on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) revealed as marquee players of their respective teams at the Tennis Premier League (TPL) ahead of the player auction on October 12 in Mumbai.

Bopanna will represent Gurgaon Grand Slammers.

“Every year, the league gets stronger, and I love the team environment and energy the format brings. This year, the competition will be very high, with a great mix of experienced players and young Indian talent,” said Bopanna.

Argentina’s world No. 60 Roman Burruchaga, representing the Kolkata Thunder Blades, will be the highest-ranked singles player in the league.

Hijikata, who will represent the Rajasthan Rangers, has already tasted Grand Slam success. He also reached the 2025 Wimbledon men’s doubles final and achieved a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 23.

“I’m really excited to be part of the Rajasthan Rangers and make my Kia TPL debut this season. The 25-point format makes the league very exciting, and I’m looking forward to experience the energy in Hyderabad.”

Frenchman Terence Atmane, nicknamed “The Magician”, will headline the Mumbai Royals.

The Lucknow Blazers will be represented by Czechia’s Dalibor Svrcina, who returns for a second consecutive season with the same team.

Croatia’s Dino Prizmic will be the marquee player for the Hyderabad Strikers. A former junior world No. 1 and the 2023 Roland Garros boys’ singles champion, the 21-year-old reached a career-high ranking of world No. 70 this year.

Representing the defending champions, GS Delhi Aces, will be Australian Adam Walton, who has achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 74 and brings extensive ATP Tour and Grand Slam experience to the Delhi team.

Completing the eight-player marquee line-up will be Frenchman Alexandre Muller, who will represent the Gujarat Panthers once again this season.

One of the most experienced players in the line-up, the 29-year-old has achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 38.

The matches during the TPL Season 8 will be held from December 8-13.

The season will continue the league’s team-based format, combining men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles in a fast-paced, 25-point-per-match format.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sports> Tennis / by PTI / October 18th, 2026

Madikeri MLA Mantar Gowda honours Asian Games gold medallist Machhettira Poovamma

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Madikeri MLA Dr Mantar Gowda visited the residence of international athlete Machhettira Poovamma in Mangaluru and felicitated her for bringing glory to India and Karnataka through her historic gold medal-winning performance at the Asian Games.

Congratulating Poovamma on her remarkable achievement, Dr Mantar Gowda praised her as a proud daughter of Kodagu and said her exceptional contribution to the field of sports had brought immense pride to the entire region.

During the interaction, the MLA also extended a warm invitation to Machhettira Poovamma to attend the prestigious Madikeri Dasara celebrations as the chief guest.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Karnataka / by DaijiWorld Media News Network – Mangaluru (NJC) / October 03rd, 2026

Bollamma Strikes Gold, Roshani Takes Silver in South India Boxing Championship

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Allumada Saanchi Bollamma of Karnataka A Team clinched gold in the 65–70 kg category at the 1st Elite South India Boxing Championship 2026, defeating fellow Karnataka boxer Bolthura Roshani Muthanna by unanimous decision in an all-Karnataka final.

The championship was held at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium, Bengaluru, from September 16 to 19.

Bollamma entered the final after defeating Tamil Nadu boxer Anitha P in the semifinals. Roshani, representing Karnataka B Team, booked her place in the title bout by defeating Telangana boxer Anjali Korra in the other semifinal.

In the final, Bollamma prevailed by unanimous decision to take the gold medal, while Roshani took silver.

Bollamma

Saanchi Bollamma is the daughter of late Allumada Anil Uthappa and Ashika (née Kallangada), Nalkeri. She is currently studying at PES University, Bengaluru, and trains under Coach Appachu at CABC, Bengaluru.

Roshani


Roshani Muthanna is the daughter of late B.G. Muthanna, an ex-serviceman, and Kanda (née Annira), Balele. She is pursuing her studies at the University of Mysore and trains under Coach Jeshwanth.

The achievement marks a notable showing by the two Karnataka boxers, who met in the final of the elite-level South India championship.

source: http://www.clnews.in / CoffeeLand News / Home> Sports / by CLN Newsdesk / September 19th, 2026

Kodagu’s Machettira Poovamma team wins gold in 4×400 mts relay

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Asian Games – 2026

Aichi-Nagoya: 

India finally ended its wait for an athletics gold medal as the women’s 4×400 mts relay quartet of Kiran Pahal, Machettira Poovamma, Prachi and Vithya Ramaraj produced a composed run to clinch the gold at the ongoing Asian Games 2026 at Aichi-Nagoya in Japan.

The Indian team clocked 3:29.69 in the final to finish first, with Bahrain taking silver in 3:30.21 and China claiming bronze in 3:31.02. The victory was India’s first athletics gold of the Games and came after the country had collected a string of silver and bronze medals in track and field.

The quartet held its composure in a closely contested race, with Bahrain and China staying in contention before India pulled clear in closing stages. The victory underlined the depth of India’s women’s quarter-mile programme.

Poovamma of Kodagu brought considerable experience to the quartet, while Kiran, Prachi and Vithya combined to maintain the pressure through the four legs. Poovamma and Vithya had earlier been part of India’s mixed 4×400 mts relay silver-medal winning team, making yesterday’s gold another significant achievement for the two runners.

The women’s 4×400 mts relay triumph finally put India atop an athletics podium at Aichi-Nagoya and provided a fitting highlight to a day of multiple track and field medals.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / September 30th, 2026