Sports
CWG 2026: The new faces who could shape India’s future in Glasgow | Commonwealth Games
For many Indian athletes, the Commonwealth Games has been more than just another multi-sport event. It has often delivered breakthrough performances that have transformed promising competitors into household names.
When Krishna Poonia completed India’s clean sweep in the women’s discus throw at the Delhi 2010 Games, she became one of the defining faces of Indian athletics.
Twelve years later, in Birmingham, Eldhose Paul scripted history by becoming the first Indian man to win Commonwealth gold in the triple jump, while Avinash Sable and Murali Sreeshankar elevated their status with silver medals that confirmed they belonged among the world’s elite.
The Games have played a similar role beyond athletics. Weightlifters, boxers and wrestlers have often used the Commonwealth stage to announce themselves before progressing to Asian, world and Olympic success.
That is what makes Glasgow 2026 particularly intriguing. While India’s campaign will still revolve around proven champions, another group of athletes will arrive in Scotland hoping that a strong fortnight can change the course of their careers.
Here are the athletes who could leave Glasgow with far bigger reputations than when they arrived.
Animesh Kujur: The footballer-turned-sprinter chasing history
At just 23, Animesh Kujur has already achieved something few believed possible for an Indian sprinter. Born in Chhattisgarh’s Jashpur district, Kujur initially pursued football before switching to athletics, a decision that has transformed him into India’s fastest-ever 200m runner.
His breakthrough came in 2025, when he clocked 20.32 seconds, setting a national record and winning bronze at the Asian Athletics Championships — the country’s first medal in the event since 2015. He also became the first Indian male sprinter to qualify for the World Athletics Championships in the modern qualifying era.
Those performances secured his place in India’s Commonwealth Games squad after he comfortably met the AFI qualification standards during the domestic season. Glasgow, however, presents an entirely different challenge.
The men’s 200m will feature elite sprinters from Jamaica, England, South Africa, and Trinidad and Tobago, many of whom have already broken the 20-second barrier. While Kujur does not enter as a medal favourite, reaching the final would represent one of the finest performances by an Indian sprinter at the Commonwealth Games. More importantly, it would confirm that Indian sprinting has finally begun closing the gap on the world’s best.
Gurindervir Singh: India’s fastest man takes on the Commonwealth’s quickest
Indian athletics has spent decades searching for a genuine 100m sprinter capable of challenging Asia’s best. In 25-year-old Gurindervir Singh, it may finally have found one.
The Punjab-born Navy athlete enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in 2026, lowering the national record to 10.09 seconds and becoming the first Indian to consistently threaten the 10-second barrier. His performances also established national records in the 60m and the 4x100m relay, highlighting his growing consistency rather than a one-off breakthrough.
Qualifying for Glasgow was never in doubt once Gurindervir produced his national-record performance during the Athletics Federation of India qualification window. Yet, the Commonwealth Games represent the biggest examination of his career. The blue-riband event traditionally belongs to Caribbean sprinting powerhouses, with Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago expected to field multiple sub-10-second runners. England and South Africa also possess athletes with significantly greater international experience.
Gulveer Singh: The athlete redefining Indian distance running
If one athlete symbolises the changing face of Indian athletics, it is 28-year-old Gulveer Singh.
Distance running has traditionally been India’s weakest discipline at the Commonwealth Games, but the Army runner has rewritten that narrative over the past two seasons. In 2025, he became the first Indian to run under 13 minutes in the 5,000m, clocking 12:59.77, before breaking the national 10,000m record with 27:00.22.
Earlier this year, he also became the country’s first sub-four-minute miler and completed a historic 5,000m-10,000m double at the Asian Athletics Championships. Those achievements comfortably secured his place in India’s Glasgow squad.
The challenge awaiting him in Scotland is formidable. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, the world half-marathon record-holder, remains the overwhelming favourite should he compete, while Australia’s Ky Robinson and a strong Kenyan contingent are expected to make both distance races among the highest-quality events of the Games.
On paper, Gulveer still trails the leading Africans, but championship races are often decided by tactics rather than pace. Having repeatedly shown the ability to stay with the lead pack before unleashing a strong finish, Gulveer has every chance of fighting for a podium finish.
A medal would not simply be another addition to India’s tally — it would rank among the greatest achievements by an Indian male distance runner on the Commonwealth stage.
Praveen Chithravel: Carrying India’s triple jump legacy
India’s remarkable rise in the men’s triple jump has been one of the country’s biggest athletics success stories over the last Olympic cycle, and 25-year-old Praveen Chithravel is now leading that charge.
The Tamil Nadu athlete announced himself in 2023, when he leapt 17.37m, equalling the national record, before matching it again at the 2025 Federation Cup and proving that his breakthrough was no fluke. His consistency has made him one of Asia’s leading triple jumpers and a regular challenger on the international circuit.
Praveen qualified for Glasgow after comfortably surpassing the Athletics Federation of India’s qualification mark during the domestic season, opening 2026 with 17.08m, the ninth-best jump in the world this year.
Unlike many Indian field athletes, he has already gained valuable championship experience, finishing fourth at Birmingham 2022 before adding bronze at the 2023 Asian Games and silver medals at both the 2025 Asian Championships and the FISU World University Games.
His biggest hurdle in Glasgow will come from Jamaica. World indoor champion Jaydon Hibbert, whose personal best exceeds 17.80m, enters as the favourite, while compatriot Jordan Scott has consistently crossed 17.30m on the Diamond League circuit. Yet, Praveen’s personal best is already better than the gold-medal-winning jump at Birmingham 2022 and sits just six centimetres short of the Commonwealth Games record. If he reproduces one of his trademark 17-metre jumps, India’s recent dominance in the event could continue.
Tejas Shirse: India’s hurdles revolution has a new face
For decades, the men’s 110m hurdles remained an event in which India struggled to make an impact internationally. The 24-year-old Tejas Shirse is beginning to change that narrative.
The Maharashtra hurdler enjoyed a breakthrough 2026 season by breaking the long-standing national record and becoming the first Indian to consistently challenge the 13.50-second barrier. His rapid improvement earned him qualification for Glasgow after he met the AFI’s prescribed standard during the national qualification period, confirming his emergence as India’s leading sprint hurdler.
Shirse’s journey has been built on steady progression rather than overnight success. A multiple-time national champion, he has gradually narrowed the gap with Asia’s elite through improved technique and faster starts, making him one of India’s most exciting track prospects. Glasgow will also offer him his first taste of a major multi-sport championship, where racing under pressure often proves as challenging as the opposition itself.
The Commonwealth field will include experienced hurdlers from Jamaica, England and South Africa, several of whom have consistently run below 13.30 seconds. While Shirse’s personal best still leaves him with work to do before he can challenge for medals, reaching the final would represent another landmark for Indian hurdling and reinforce the progress the event has made over the past few years.
Sachin Siwach: Boxing’s next big hope
Few Indian boxers have generated as much excitement early in their careers as Sachin Siwach. The 24-year-old Haryana boxer first grabbed attention by winning the 2021 AIBA Youth World Championship before successfully making the transition to the senior circuit. His aggressive counter-attacking style and composure under pressure have made him one of India’s brightest prospects in the lightweight division.
Siwach secured his place in Glasgow after impressing at the national selection trials and maintaining consistent performances on the international circuit. With several experienced Indian boxers moving into different weight categories or nearing the latter stages of their careers, he has quickly established himself as one of the country’s biggest medal hopes among the new generation.
The Commonwealth boxing competition promises to be fiercely contested, particularly with traditional powerhouses such as England, Northern Ireland and Australia expected to field experienced international medallists. Unlike athletics, however, boxing tournaments often produce surprises, and Siwach’s fearless style makes him a dangerous opponent over three rounds.
A podium finish would not only justify the faith the selectors have placed in him but also establish him as one of India’s leading contenders heading into the 2027 World Championships and the Los Angeles Olympic cycle.
Preeti Pawar: Ready to lead India’s next generation of women boxers
At just 21, Preeti Pawar has already shown that she possesses the temperament required to succeed on the biggest stages. The youngest athlete in this group announced herself by winning bronze at the 2022 Asian Games, where she defeated several established international opponents to emerge as one of India’s most exciting female boxing prospects.
Since then, the Delhi boxer has continued to mature technically while improving her movement and defensive skills. Those performances earned her a place in India’s Commonwealth Games squad after a series of impressive domestic and international results.
Glasgow will provide Pawar with her biggest test yet. Women’s boxing at the Commonwealth Games traditionally features strong contingents from England, Northern Ireland, Australia and host nation Scotland, with several Olympic and World Championship medallists expected to contest the lighter weight divisions. Pawar may lack their experience, but she has repeatedly shown an ability to thrive under pressure, making her one of India’s strongest hopes for a podium finish.
Beyond medals, Glasgow represents an opportunity to establish herself as the heir to India’s rich tradition in women’s boxing, following champions such as Mary Kom, Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain. A successful campaign would firmly place her among the country’s leading medal hopes for the next Olympic cycle.
Why the spotlight will shine on young stars more than ever in Glasgow
Glasgow presents a rare opportunity because the Commonwealth Games programme has undergone its biggest overhaul in decades. Wrestling, badminton, table tennis, hockey and cricket — which together accounted for nearly half of India’s medals in Birmingham — have all been removed from the programme, leaving athletics, boxing and weightlifting to shoulder a much larger share of the country’s medal ambitions.
Having earned their places through national records, Asian Championship medals and performances that met the Athletics Federation of India’s demanding qualification standards, these debutants now have the chance to emerge as the defining faces of India’s campaign.
If they can translate their domestic and continental success onto the Commonwealth stage, Glasgow could be remembered as the Games where India’s next sporting stars truly arrived.
Nigeria’s U20 team, the Flying Eagles, have arrived in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, ahead of the 2026 WAFU B U20 Championship, which begins this weekend.
The defending champions landed in Abidjan on Monday before travelling by road to Yamoussoukro, where they are staying at the Trio Corridor Hotel.
The Flying Eagles will begin their title defence against Ghana’s Black Satellites on Monday at the Lycée Scientifique Stadium. Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-1 in the final of the last edition in Lomé to lift the trophy.
Coach Abdu Maikaba’s side will then face Togo on Thursday before taking on Burkina Faso on Sunday, 2 August, in their final group match.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has invited 23 players for the tournament. They are:
Goalkeepers: Lawani Clinton (Sporting Lagos), Olayemi Ayinla (Warri Wolves).
Defenders: Wahab Musa (FC Malaga), Timilehin Agbonjimi (FC Ablaze), Odinaka Alfred (Aseami Academy), Somto Nnoli (Akwa United), Samson Joshua (Galadima FC), Ebrima Manneh (Sporting Supreme), Abdoulaye Agbeloye (Grassrunner FC), Habila Simeon (Golden Boot Soccer Academy).
Midfielders: Imrana Muhammad (Deportivo Alaves), Saifullahi Yusuf (Wikki Tourists), Israel Samuel (Abia Warriors), Sani Shuaibu (Wikki Tourists), Oraro Lucky (Warri Wolves), Rufai Abubakar (NK Istra 1961), Auwal Muhammad (Bichi First).
Forwards: Jamilu Yusuf (Junior Danburan), Adamu Hussaini (Barau FC), Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme), Abdullahi Ele (JMD FC), Gift Subi (P Sport Academy), Aminu Yusuf (Kano Pillars).
The WAFU B U20 Championship will also serve as the qualifying tournament for the next Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
Minnesota Vikings fans were thrilled by the club’s decision to sign wide receiver Jauan Jennings in May, as the purple team formed its most formidable WR trio on paper since the days of Randy Moss, Cris Carter, and Jake Reed.
But a San Francisco 49ers-themed website offered a cautionary tale last week, insinuating that Jennings isn’t all he’s cracked up to be.
Vikings Are Betting on Fit More Than Raw Volume
The Warning from Niners Noise
NinerNoise.com‘s Michael Haney spilled the beans last week, explaining, “They’re about to find out what Kyle Shanahan and the Niners learned the hard way about Jennings in 2025. The 29-year-old receiver’s career is headed in the wrong direction, and he may not provide the boost Minnesota is looking for.”
Jennings’ production dropped dramatically in 2025. While he scored a few extra touchdowns, he put up just 643 receiving yards on 55 catches. The opportunities were certainly there with George Kittle and Ricky Pearsall missing significant time, but Jennings was unable to maintain the production he had enjoyed the year before.”
It’s the first notable buzzkill of the Jennings era in Minnesota.
“His yards per route run plummeted from 2.26 in 2024 to 1.35 in 2025. Things didn’t get any better in the playoffs, as he caught just three passes across two games,” Haney continued.
“If Jennings continues the form he showed in his final season with the 49ers, Vikings fans are only going to be disappointed. It’s looking like Lynch and the Niners moved on from the veteran receiver at the perfect time.”
Jennings’s 600+ Receiving Yards Will Work Just Fine
Jennings banked 975 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in 2024. The following year, he totaled 643 yards and 9 touchdowns. Per production, he basically swapped touchdowns with yards — which is arguably just what the Vikings need from a WR3 in 2026.
Justin Jefferson isn’t a total touchdown magnet, at least compared to his vast receiving yard totals, so Jennings’s wherewithal to find the endzone will be welcomed in the Twin Cities with open arms.
Of course, Haney’s article fails to mention the spike in touchdowns from 2024 to 2025. It could’ve killed the argument in its tracks.
A WR1 or WR2 Might Be a Different Story
If the Vikings needed Jennings to enter the offense and become the undisputed WR1, there may be a problem. But that’s not the case. That’s Jefferson’s job. Minnesota also employs Jordan Addison at WR2, who is akin to Jennings in that he finds the endzone more than Jefferson while not quite putting up the yardage numbers.
The fact of the matter is that Minnesota needed a WR3 to replace Jalen Nailor, who vamoosed for the Las Vegas Raiders in March, and if one doesn’t think Jennings’s 600- to 1000-yard modus operandi is enough for the task, someone is mistaken.
Jennings is the Vikings’ WR3, not WR1 or WR2.
Trust the Process
The Vikings signed Jennings with a purpose. He won’t have visions of grandeur to oust Jefferson from the WR1 post.
And it’s unlikely that head coach Kevin O’Connell and then-interim general manager Rob Brzezinski signed Jennings flippantly. They already defined what his role would look like in Minnesota’s offense: Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy distributing the ball among Jefferson, Addison, and Jennings on Sundays.
While Jennings didn’t quite post yardage totals from 2024 in 2025, it cannot be put more bluntly than this: nobody cares.
Toronto Tempo star guard Marina Mabrey was selected to participate in the three-point contest as part of the 2026 WNBA all-star festivities.
Mabrey, who will be making her first career All-Star Game appearance, leads the league in three-pointers made with 82.
Joining Mabrey in the competition will be Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream, Canadian Bridget Carleton of the Portland Fire, No. 1 overall pick of this past WNBA draft Azzi Fudd of the Dallas Wings, Seattle Storm guard Natisha Hiedeman and Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün.
Earlier this season, Mabrey tied the WNBA single-game scoring record going for 53 points against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 25. In that contest she also tied the WNBA record for most three-pointers made in a game with nine.
Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu and Kayla McBride all declined invitations to participate in the three-point contest, according to a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to the AP because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly about it.
Last year Ionescu topped Allisha Gray to win the title.
The new CBA will give the 3-point contest winner $20,000 and each participant $10,000.
The 2026 WNBA all-star weekend is being held in Chicago. The three-point contest is part of the Skills Night taking place on Friday. The actual All-Star Game goes on Saturday with Mabrey suiting up for Team Cynthia Cooper as a reserve.
— with files from The Associated Press
Sports
Were Argentina under more pressure than usual in World Cup final? Lionel Messi’s tunnel pep talks fuel fan theories – WATCH | Football News
Fresh footage of Lionel Messi‘s pre-match and half-time team talks has reignited debate over whether Argentina entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup final carrying more baggage than just the weight of defending their title.The newly surfaced videos, recorded inside the dressing room and players’ tunnel before Sunday’s final against Spain, have prompted widespread fan speculation after Messi repeatedly urged his teammates to “forget everything” and focus solely on football. The footage has gone viral after Argentina produced one of their most subdued performances under Lionel Scaloni, eventually losing 0-1 after extra time to Spain at MetLife Stadium.While Spain dominated proceedings throughout, Argentina failed to register a meaningful attacking threat for long periods, with their first shot arriving only deep into extra time.
Messi’s repeated message raises questions
The first video, filmed moments before the players left the dressing room, shows Messi attempting to calm an unusually tense-looking squad.“Calm, let’s stay calm, lads. Let’s think about playing, nothing else. Stay calm. Let’s forget about everything, let’s forget about everything. Let’s focus on playing,” the Argentina captain told his teammates.Another clip from the tunnel captures Messi delivering a similar message moments before kick-off.“Come on, boys, let’s forget what happened, as if nothing had happened,” Messi was heard telling his teammates.The wording immediately caught the attention of supporters, particularly because several players — including Lisandro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez — appeared visibly emotional and unusually subdued.Martinez was later forced off injured during the first half, while Fernandez was sent off late in normal time after receiving a second yellow card.
Half-time rally alongside Emiliano Martinez
Messi’s leadership continued during the interval as television cameras picked up another motivational speech before Argentina returned for the second half.“Come on, lads. Personality, people, personality. We’ve always had it, so why wouldn’t we have it now? We have the personality to play,” Messi urged.Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also attempted to inspire the squad with an equally passionate message, saying, “With heart, lads. Let’s move forward, not backward… Only cowards play backward.”Despite the rallying cries, Argentina struggled to impose themselves before Ferran Torres eventually scored the winner in the 106th minute.The unusual nature of Messi’s comments has triggered numerous theories on social media. Adding to the mystery, Scaloni remarked after the final that “things happened” before the match but declined to elaborate “out of respect for the tournament.”
Emotional aftermath
Messi later reflected on the defeat in an emotional Instagram message.“The pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal,” he wrote. “But I also hold on to all the good… this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals.”Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul also dismissed accusations surrounding Argentina’s tournament run, criticising those who spread “baseless conspiracy theories” during the World Cup.For now, the viral footage has only deepened intrigue. Messi’s repeated plea to “forget everything” remains unexplained.
SEC Media Days serves as college football’s unofficial opening ceremony — a four-day traveling roadshow where coaches, star players, television personalities and reporters descend on one city to shape the sport’s biggest narratives before a single snap is played.
The 2026 version kicked off on Monday, with Tampa, Florida hosting the event for the first time. Dallas, Nashville and Atlanta have served as hosts for the previous three years.
No conference does theater quite like the SEC. Media Days has evolved from a routine preseason obligation into one of the sport’s premier annual events, where perception often matters almost as much as production. Before anyone wins a game this fall, the race for headlines begins in Florida.
Oklahoma’s Brent Venables began the festivities on Monday morning. Four coaches will speak in the main room each day. Steve Sarkisian and Texas finish out the week on Thursday afternoon. Several preseason Heisman candidates will also be in attendance, including Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning, Ole Miss star Trinidad Chambliss and Oklahoma’s John Mateer.
Here’s a look at where to watch 2026 SEC Media Days, along with a breakdown of the full appearance schedule ahead of the anticipated event.
Where to watch 2026 SEC Media Days
Dates: July 20-23
Location: Tampa Marriott Water Street + JW Marriott | Tampa, Florida
TV: SEC Network | Live stream: ESPN+
2026 SEC Media Days schedule
All times Eastern
Wednesday, July 22
Alabama (9:05 a.m.) – Kalen DeBoer | Zabien Brown, DB; Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR; Bray Hubbard, DB
Florida (10:30 a.m.) – Jon Sumrall | Jadan Baugh, RB; Myles Graham, LB; Vernell Brown III, WR
Ole Miss (1:30 p.m.) – Pete Golding | Trinidad Chambliss, QB; Will Echoles, DT; Kewan Lacy, RB
Texas A&M (2:55 p.m.) – Mike Elko | Daymion Sanford, LB; Marcus Ratcliffe, S; Marcel Reed, QB
Thursday, July 23
LSU (9:05 a.m.) – Lane Kiffin | TJ Dottery, LB; Trey’Dez Green, TE; Whit Weeks, LB
Arkansas (10:30 a.m.) – Ryan Silverfield | Caden Kitler, OL; Quincy Rhodes Jr., DE; Sutton Smith, RB
Mississippi State (1:30 p.m.) – Jeff Lebby | Anthony Evans III, WR; Kelley Jones, CB; Kamario Taylor, QB
Texas (2:55 p.m.) – Steve Sarkisian | Trevor Goosby, OL; Arch Manning, QB; Colin Simmons, DE
More from SEC Media Days
Nov 18, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; Utah Mammoth defenseman John Marino (6) warms up before the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images The Utah Mammoth signed defenseman John Marino to an eight-year, $54 million contract extension on Tuesday.
The deal carries an average annual value of $6.75 million and begins with the 2027-28 season.
Marino, 29, had a career-high 36 points (four goals, 32 assists) and finished tied for fifth in the NHL in plus/minus (plus-42) in 80 games with Utah last season.
“We value John’s long-term commitment to Utah and what he brings to our group every day,” president of hockey operations Chris Armstrong said. “His professionalism and competitiveness as well as the stability and puck-moving ability that he provides on our blue line, makes him an invaluable cornerstone for our franchise.” Marino has 157 points (23 goals, 134 assists) in 443 career games with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2019-22), New Jersey Devils (2022-24) and Mammoth.
“We view John as a foundational piece of our future,” general manager Bill Armstrong said. “His ability to control the game from the back end, his play in transition and our trust in him to make the right decisions in critical situations allows him to be a difference maker on most nights. Beyond his skill, John brings a level of calmness under pressure that our group feeds off of and that’s exactly what you need from your veteran players.”
The Edmonton Oilers drafted Marino in the sixth round in 2015 and he played at Harvard from 2016-19.
–Field Level Media
MI London bowler Richard Gleeson is on for his hat-trick after dismissing SunRisers Leeds’ Zak Crawley and Benny Howell in two balls, only for number 11 batter Abrar Ahmed to spoil his moment by hitting a six.
FOLLOW LIVE: MI London v Sunrisers Leeds
Available to UK users only.
Spain reunited with their supporters in Madrid less than 24 hours after winning the World Cup final against Argentina (1-0, after extra time). The players of La Roja, alongside head coach Luis de la Fuente, displayed the trophy upon their arrival at the airport before taking part in celebrations across the capital. More than 1 million people attended the parade, which ended with a major concert at Cibeles Square.
Lionel Messi has spoken after Argentina’s defeat in the final, describing his feelings as immense pain and admitting the loss would leave a deep mark.
In the FIFA rankings, Spain have returned to first place ahead of Argentina. France remain third despite their defeat against England in the third-place match (6-4).
Rudi Garcia will leave his position as Belgium manager despite guiding the team to the World Cup quarter-finals.
The football world has also paid tribute to Kevin Keegan, who has died at the age of 75.
In cycling, Jonas Vingegaard will undergo collarbone surgery after his crash on the Tour de France. Stage 16 features a 26.1-kilometre individual time trial this Tuesday.
In tennis, Océane Dodin claimed her first victory on the WTA Tour in two years at the Prague tournament, while Mayar Sherif won the Iași tournament after Paula Badosa retired in the final.
New Delhi:
Former chairman Lalit Modi was cleared in the principal proceedings arising from the 2009 Indian Premier League’s staging in South Africa after the Appellate Tribunal under SAFEMA set aside the penalties imposed on him, rejecting the Enforcement Directorate’s core case that the foreign remittances were capital account transactions.Announcing the verdict after more than 16 years of investigations, proceedings, and litigation, Modi said the tribunal found that the main remittances related to IPL 2009 were current account transactions. It also determined that he was not responsible for the BCCI’s statutory FEMA compliance or given the financial authority as alleged by the Enforcement Directorate.
Calling it the end of the largest legal dispute stemming from the 2009 South Africa edition of the IPL, Modi said, “This marks the end of what has been the single most significant legal matter arising from the 2009 South Africa IPL.”
He added, “For over sixteen years, I have consistently maintained one simple position: I acted in good faith, in the best interests of Indian cricket and the IPL, and committed no personal wrongdoing.”
Modi explained that the decision to move the tournament to South Africa came under extraordinary circumstances when India’s general elections made it impossible to host the event at home.
“The successful staging of that season ensured that the IPL survived and ultimately became one of the world’s most valuable sporting properties,” he said.
Emphasising his full cooperation with the legal process throughout the proceedings, Modi stated, “Throughout these proceedings, I have cooperated with the legal process and remained confident that the facts and the law would ultimately prevail.”
He expressed gratitude to “my legal team, my family, my friends and the many people who continued to believe in me during what has been an extraordinarily long journey.”
Describing the ruling as more than a personal win, Modi said, “This judgment is not simply personal vindication. It reaffirms the importance of due process, objective legal analysis, and the principle that allegations must ultimately be tested against evidence and law.” He added, “I have always believed that time is the greatest judge. Today, after more than sixteen years, that process has spoken.”
Looking ahead, Modi mentioned that his focus had shifted beyond the case. “My focus remains firmly on the future. I will continue pursuing opportunities in global sport, business, and philanthropy while leaving this chapter behind with dignity and gratitude.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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