It was a dream then, it is a dream now – especially as Leicester prepare for League One.

Ten years ago the Foxes were preparing to defend their Premier League title and looking forward to Champions League football.

At 5,000-1, they had pulled off the most improbable, the most stunning, the most incredible feat to shock the world.

But now, after back-to-back relegations, those days seem almost as surreal as when they actually happened.

New manager Russell Martin will be expected to take the club back to the Championship at the first attempt, something that sounds nowhere near as impossible as what the Foxes previously managed.

A decade on, the ‘pinch-me’ moments live on for those who were there, and some have shared them with BBC Sport.

Spoiler: they might not be the ones you knew about.

Leicester had won the title without kicking a ball on 2 May 2016 when nearest challengers Tottenham Hotspur could only manage a 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

The next day, there was only one group of men the media wanted to speak to.

The trouble was they were hard to find.

Crowds gathered at the club’s former training ground at Belvoir Drive, a few miles outside the centre of Leicester.

Journalists and fans waited – one cameraman persuaded a neighbour to allow him in to film from their bathroom window as he aimed to get footage of the celebrating Foxes.

The media were finally instructed to head to King Power Stadium where the press room would be opened.

A five-minute drive took 30 minutes through revelling fans and it was a battle to get to there but, inside, the world’s media edged in, hoping to hear from those who made this miracle possible.

But only eight reporters would receive a secret invitation to head back to Belvoir Drive.

Quietly, one-by-one, the handpicked members of the British press who regularly covered the club, slipped out of the packed room and made their way back.

This time, they were let in and ushered into the family room, just to the right of reception.

When manager Claudio Ranieri walked in, he received an immediate, impromptu, standing ovation and shook hands with those who had watched the astounding season unfold.

The man the world wanted to speak to gave an engaging audience to a few writers for 45 minutes.

The Philippine men’s football team during the match vs Thailand in the 2026 Asean Hyundai Cup at New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine men’s football team will need every luck it can get in order to sneak a semifinals berth in the Asean Hyundai Cup as it takes on Malaysia at the conclusion of the group stage on Saturday in Kuala Lumpur.

To get out of Group B as one of the two best teams, the Philippines must beat Malaysia by at least six goals at 9 p.m. inside Kuala Lumpur Stadium and hope for a Myanmar loss to Thailand in their match in Bangkok.

READ: Asean Cup: PH’s semifinals hopes take hit after loss to Thailand

“Hopefully we can do something special and we go from there,” said goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad.

Odds are stacked heavily against coach Carles Cuadrat’s side, currently sitting fourth in the group with three points on one win and two defeats.

Thailand leads on nine points, while Malaysia and Myanmar are tied at six points each.

Behind the Philippines is Laos, which has dropped all four of its matches to become the first team to get eliminated.

The Philippines’ chances of making the semis for the second straight time dimmed last Tuesday when it lost 1-0 to Thailand at New Clark City Athletics Stadium after conceding a goal in the 84th minute.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, left, and Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia clap before the World Cup round of 32 match between Argentina and Cape Verde, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo)

Football’s growing divide over FIFA president Gianni Infantino showed no sign of easing on Friday, with some of his supporters publicly backing him while UEFA stood by its threat to boycott FIFA competitions.The disagreement comes a week after Infantino withdrew his proposal to raise around $4.2 billion by selling a stake in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup and other tournaments.Football bodies around the world continued to take sides. Mexico and Argentina’s football associations became the latest to support Infantino, following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) unanimous backing of his leadership on Thursday.Argentina’s Football Association (AFA) also praised FIFA for admitting mistakes in the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.Infantino has been under pressure after abandoning a plan, reportedly worth $20 billion, to sell part of the commercial rights of the World Cup through a subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise.In an open letter to Infantino, AFA president Claudio Tapia wrote: “On behalf of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and its Executive Committee, we write to you, dear president, and through your esteemed good offices to the FIFA Executive Committee, to express our support for the work carried out over the last 10 years, which has centred on the development of football worldwide and institutional strength based on a clear, stable and transparent governance model.”Calls for Infantino to step down have increased since the proposal collapsed. On Wednesday, FIFA apologised for mistakes made in the handling of the plan involving private investors.Tapia welcomed FIFA’s decision to admit that errors had been made and that “the process should have been handled differently.”“With respect to the recent events that are now public knowledge, we must acknowledge the Administration’s decision to withdraw a proposal which, from the outset, generated far more uncertainty than certainty within the football family,” the letter said. “That is why it is worth highlighting the acknowledgement of the mistakes made during that process and the apology expressed in the thoughtful message sent to FIFA’s 211 member associations.“South American football body CONMEBOL, however, raised concerns over the “repeated unilateral actions taken without resorting to dialogue”.The Mexican Football Federation (FMF), one of the hosts of the recently concluded World Cup, also backed Infantino despite its regional governing body CONCACAF earlier calling for a “comprehensive reckoning” with his presidency.CONCACAF, which governs football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, has been one of FIFA’s strongest critics, along with UEFA.On Thursday, UEFA said the conditions it had set for returning to FIFA competitions had still not been met.European football’s governing body said it remained committed to boycotting FIFA events until it received assurances that “such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again”.UEFA has not yet confirmed whether its teams will skip FIFA’s next tournament, the Women’s Under-20 World Cup in Poland next month.The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said it “stood in solidarity” with UEFA and CONCACAF. At the same time, some of its 47 member associations, including Indonesia, the Philippines and 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, have publicly backed Infantino.

There are certain years in every sport that, with the benefit of hindsight, become defining moments.

For GAA Rounders, 2016 and 2026 may prove to be two of them.

Just ten years ago, there were only 25 adult championship teams competing across the entire country.

Today, there are 98.

That remarkable increase tells the story of a sport that has transformed itself in just a decade.

Looking Back to 2016

The championship structure in 2016 was very different to the one we know today.

There were no Intermediate Championships.

There were no Junior Championships.

Every club, regardless of experience or playing numbers, entered the Senior Championship.

The adult competitions consisted of:

• Senior Men – 6 teams
• Senior Women – 10 teams
• Senior Mixed – 9 teams

Just 25 championship entries in total.

Those teams came from only fourteen clubs:

• Bagenalstown (Carlow)
• Ballinagore (Westmeath)
• Ballintubber (Roscommon)
• Borris-in-Ossory (Laois)
• Carrickmacross Emmets (Monaghan)
• Clonaslee (Laois)
• Cork
• Cuchulainn
• Erne Eagles (Cavan)
• Glynn-Barntown (Wexford)
• Greenhills (Dublin)
• Limekiln (Dublin)
• Na Fianna (Dublin)
• The Heath (Laois)

Many of those clubs remain among the strongest names in the sport today. Some competed in all three championships, while others fielded just a single team.

Back then, the idea of clubs entering four, five or even six adult teams would have seemed almost unimaginable.

The 2016 Champions

2016 Senior Men’s Championship

2016 Senior Women’s Championship

2016 Senior Mixed Championship

The All-Ireland Champions were:

• Senior Men: The Heath (Laois)
• Senior Women: Glynn-Barntown (Wexford)
• Senior Mixed: Limekiln (Dublin)

Those clubs helped carry the game through a period when participation numbers were still relatively modest.

A Decade of Growth

Fast forward ten years and the landscape has changed dramatically.

The introduction of Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships has given clubs the opportunity to develop at the appropriate level while providing players with a genuine pathway through the game.

The 2026 Championships feature:

• 23 Men’s teams
• 39 Women’s teams
• 36 Mixed teams

A total of 98 championship entries.

That represents an increase of 292% in just ten years.

Perhaps the most impressive statistic is the growth of the Women’s game, rising from ten teams in 2016 to thirty-nine today.

Mixed participation has quadrupled, while the Men’s Championship has grown almost four-fold.

Those are extraordinary figures for any amateur sport.

More Than Numbers

The figures only tell part of the story.

The standard of coaching has improved enormously. Clubs now operate websites, online membership systems and sophisticated social media platforms. Livestreaming, coach education, referee development and improved communications have all helped modernise the sport.

Many clubs now field multiple adult teams across different grades.

What was once a handful of Senior teams has become a genuine player pathway where new clubs can begin at Junior level, progress through Intermediate and ultimately compete at Senior level.

Without that structure, it is difficult to imagine the sport experiencing the growth it has over the past decade.

The Next Chapter

After several years of exceptional growth, participation has levelled off slightly in 2026.

That should not be mistaken for decline.

New clubs continue to emerge around the country, while others established during recent years have unfortunately struggled to survive. That is a natural challenge faced by many developing sports and reflects the reality that building a sustainable club takes years of commitment.

The next phase of growth will not simply be about creating new clubs.

It will be about helping those clubs survive.

Supporting volunteers.

Developing coaches and referees.

Building sustainable club structures.

Helping counties establish new competitions.

Ensuring every new club has the best possible chance of still being here ten years from now.

The Biggest Opportunity

Perhaps the most astonishing aspect of the last decade is that almost all of this has been achieved through volunteers.

In 2026, GAA Rounders has 98 adult championship teams, championships across three grades, livestreamed finals, national coach and referee education programmes, international representation and clubs spread throughout much of Ireland.

Yet the Association still has no full-time, year-round employees whose sole responsibility is the long-term development of GAA Rounders.

That is not a criticism of the volunteers who have built the sport. Quite the opposite. It is a testament to what they have achieved with limited resources and an enormous commitment of time.

Every developing sport eventually reaches a point where volunteers alone find it increasingly difficult to sustain the same pace of growth.

The remarkable rise of Ladies Gaelic Football over recent decades demonstrated what can happen when passionate volunteers are supported by professional staff who spend every day growing the game.

Volunteers will always remain the heart of GAA Rounders. However, dedicated year-round staff would provide continuity, strategic planning and the day-to-day capacity to establish new clubs, support existing ones, develop coaches and referees, strengthen county structures and promote the game nationally.

One can only hope there are people within Croke Park with the vision to recognise that GAA Rounders is approaching that point.

The sport has demonstrated what can be achieved through volunteer commitment alone. Imagine what could be possible if those volunteers were backed by people whose full-time role was to understand the game, work alongside clubs and counties, and drive participation every day of the year.

If the ambition is to see another decade of growth—from today’s 98 championship teams to perhaps 200 or even 400—the next great investment may not simply be in facilities or competitions.

It may be in people.

Looking Ahead

The journey from 22 championship entries in 2016 to 98 in 2026 is something everyone involved in GAA Rounders can be immensely proud of.

It reflects the work of countless players, coaches, referees, administrators and volunteers who have dedicated thousands of hours to developing the game over the past decade.

The foundations have been laid by an extraordinary generation of volunteers.

The opportunity now is to give them the support they deserve so that the next chapter in the history of GAA Rounders is even more remarkable than the last.

If that happens, perhaps ten years from now another article will be written—not comparing 22 teams with 98, but looking back on 2026 as the year GAA Rounders truly unlocked its potential.

LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com

Terrafirma Dyip’s Justin Strings during a game vs NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—NLEX’s perfect start to the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup came to an end Friday after Terrafirma stunned the Road Warriors, 114-109, at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Dyip put an end to the Road Warriors’ perfect 6-0 record and gave coach Jimmy Alapag his first official loss as a PBA coach, while improving to 3-4 in Group A.

“We got lucky in this game,” Terrfima coach Ronald Tubid said in Filipino.

“In the last few games, we ran out of energy and we collapsed in the endgame so in this one, we told them that we can match up against NLEX even if they’re 6-0. Matchup-wise, we can go up against them. All we need to do is compete.”

After trailing a 109-105 deficit with 3:11 left, Geo Chiu took matters into his own hands for the Dyip with two straight baskets to tie the game at 109-all with 1:38 remaining.

Terrafirma Dyip’s Geo Chiu during a game vs NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

Advertisement

Just when NLEX thought it could return to the driver’s seat, Brent Paraiso converted a crucial and-one play with 1:01 left in the quarter to give Terrafirma the pivotal 111-109 advantage.

Paraiso, who finished with 18 points, missed his freebie, but it didn’t seem to matter as the Road Warriors committed multiple fumbles on the ensuing possession, ultimately failing to keep their record unblemished.

Justin Strings led for Terrafirma with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Mav Ahanmisi also had 16 points and 10 rebounds while Juami Tiongson and JM Bravo posted 20 and 16 points, respectively.

Robert Bolick and JB Bahio scored 20 each in the Road Warriors’ loss that dropped them to 6-1. Import DeQuan Jones finished with 19 points while Schonny Winston and LJ Gonzales tallied 16 and 15.

Hardik Pandya (PTI Photo)

Speculation over Hardik Pandya’s future with the Mumbai Indians continues to grow, and former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in with his own assessment of how a potential blockbuster IPL trade could unfold.Pandya’s future has been the subject of intense discussion following another disappointing campaign for Mumbai Indians. Under his leadership, the franchise managed just one playoff appearance in three seasons, while the 2026 edition ended with the five-time champions finishing ninth in the 10-team table.Reports have linked both Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders with a possible move for the India all-rounder. Ashwin believes those two franchises are the frontrunners if Mumbai decide to part ways with their captain, but he also outlined the kind of deal he thinks the franchise should demand.Speaking on his Tamil YouTube channel, Ashwin said Mumbai Indians should only consider doing business with Kolkata Knight Riders if the deal significantly strengthens their own squad.“Don’t count out Hardik going to a franchise other than CSK or KKR. The talk is that CSK will give Dube and a pacer, while KKR will give away Cameron Green. What happens if Green decides to focus on the Ashes next year? If I were MI, I would accept a deal with KKR on only one condition: getting Harshit Rana and Rinku Singh in return. That is the only way MI gets stronger,” Ashwin said.He also pointed out that Mumbai would have to consider not only what they receive in return, but also how much stronger a direct rival could become by signing Pandya.“MI will also think about who between CSK and KKR gets stronger through the Hardik trade. If CSK give away Dube and one Indian pacer to get Hardik, they get strong but not invincible. However, if KKR get Hardik, they suddenly look very strong. KKR will become a lethal batting lineup with Hardik. These are teams with five, five and three titles, so MI have to think about how they can ensure one of these teams doesn’t leapfrog them,” he added.The discussion comes at a time when both franchises linked with Pandya are entering transition phases. Chennai Super Kings recently confirmed the departure of long-serving head coach Stephen Fleming after an 18-year stint, while Kolkata Knight Riders are preparing for life after Ajinkya Rahane’s retirement.Pandya’s own campaign in IPL 2026 did little to ease scrutiny over his performances. The all-rounder scored 206 runs and claimed four wickets in 10 matches as Mumbai endured one of their poorest seasons in recent years.The 32-year-old has not played competitive cricket since the conclusion of IPL 2026, further fuelling speculation over both his immediate playing future and whether he will continue with Mumbai Indians next season.

FILE–Alas Pilipinas in action during the SEA V Cup Leg 1. –SAVA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Alas Pilipinas Women got swept by first leg champion Thailand, 25-19, 25-17, 25-19, to open their SEA V Cup Leg 2 campaign on Friday night at Chiang Mai Stadium.

Alas couldn’t repeat its gallant stand from last week, when it pushed the Thais to their limits in a five-set match in Hanoi.

Thailand, the most successful volleyball country in the region, made quick work of the Philippines in a lopsided one-hour, 16-minute match.

Leg 1 MVP and Best Outside Spiker Sasipapron Janthawisut led the onslaught with 10 points from eight kills, one block and an ace.

The Philippines took a 12-10 lead in the third set on Alyssa Solomon’s back-to-back kills, but the hosts caught fire and put the match away.

Pimpichaya Kokram also scored 10 points. Chatchu-On Moksri had nine, while Thatdao Nuekjang and Ajcharaporn Kongyot added seven each.

Thailand swept all three games in Leg 1 and is looking to reclaim the Leg 2 crown after losing to Vietnam last year.

Alas has now dropped four straight games since losing its place on the podium after winning four consecutive bronze medals dating back to the 2024 edition.

Niña Ytang led Alas with eight points from six kills and two blocks. Solomon had six, while Erika Santos and Eya Laure added five each.

Bella Belen, the Philippines’ top scorer in the first leg, was held to two points.

Alas faces Vietnam on Saturday at 2 p.m. (Philippine time).

Vietnam, which brought a new lineup, was upset by Indonesia earlier, 25-20, 25-18, 22-25, 25-20, 15-9.

England defender Lucy Bronze has voiced strong support for a potential Uefa boycott of Fifa competitions, insisting it would be the right thing to do if it safeguards the future of the sport.

Bronze has spoken out Uefa maintained its threat to withdraw from major Fifa tournaments on Thursday, despite an apology from president Gianni Infantino regarding controversial plans to involve private investors.

Asked about the prospect of missing out on significant competitions, including the World Cup, due to such action, the 34-year-old emphasised the collective player stance.

“I think the message that we stand by as players, and obviously as European competitions as well is, it’s for the good of the game,” Bronze said.

She added: “If that means boycotting competitions, then that has to happen. It’s for the future of the game and not just for me today and tomorrow. It’s for all the little girls or little boys who come after us, to make sure that they’re in a good place when the game’s moving forward in decades to come, not just tomorrow.”

The potential boycott looms ahead of crucial 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup qualifying play-offs in October, involving England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Uefa clarified that Infantino’s apology “changes nothing”.

While the contentious plans have been abandoned, Uefa insists that its second condition for lifting the boycott – assurances against similar proposals in the future – remains unmet. The European governing body also reiterated its declared loss of confidence in Infantino’s leadership.

The first practical test of Uefa’s resolve is anticipated next month, with the Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup scheduled to take place in Poland.

Earlier this week, the English FA and Football Association of Wales (FAW) officially withdrew their support for Infantino’s re-election as Fifa president, while Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have also been critical of Infantino.

However, Infantino has received support to continue in his role from elsewhere. The Confederation of African Football (Caf) voiced its backing for Infantino on Thursday, while Mexico and Argentina have also thrown their support behind the under-fire president.