If there’s a narrative that has defined the Southeastern Conference’s offseason, it has been the threat of a breakaway from the NCAA’s current structure.
The possibility of defecting was an overarching theme in May to the conference’s annual spring meetings in Destin, Florida. Georgia president Jere Morehead sounded the alarms as something the SEC needed to consider, especially if proposed federal legislation didn’t deliver the long desired and lobbied solutions it has asked for.
Kirby Smart, Morehead’s national championship-winning coach, echoed his boss’ perspective down in Florida.
“I’ve said this for a long time now…I’ve been a huge advocate that if we can’t find rules that everybody plays by, then we should play our own,” Smart said in May. “I’m not afraid of that.”
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The possibility of the SEC breaking away from the NCAA came up again this week down in Florida again as the SEC’s annual media days hit Tampa. When asked about whether there had been conversations around the SEC breaking off to do its own thing, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey did nothing to tamp down the speculation.
“They’re real,” Sankey said. “People have talked about that. They’ve opined about the frustrations that bring them to the point of saying we should look at something significantly different. I do not believe that is a leverage point. I think that’s just honest communication.”
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Whether Sankey’s last point is truthful is debatable. There are those within the SEC who insist the threats and frustration are real, and that the SEC could forge its own path. Others outside of the SEC realm have been skeptical that it is anything more than a tactic to gain back some leverage. For years now, the threat of a possible breakaway from the NCAA has loomed over college athletics. The SEC and Big Ten have used it to their advantage, too, in College Football Playoff discussions, wresting power away from the other conferences after threatening to walk away.
SEC’s slide diminishes threat
The issue is the SEC threatening to walk away, even if it’s never been more realistic to some stakeholders, doesn’t hold quite the same power as it once did. The Big Ten has won the last three national championships. The SEC appears to be on an island in its playoff expansion desires as the Big Ten swayed the ACC and Big 12’s support to its preferred 24-team format. The SEC is still a television ratings behemoth and its slogan of “It Just Means More” still rings true, but the conference doesn’t seem to have quite the juice it once did. Morehead’s suggestion this spring that last season’s Georgia-Alabama SEC Championship could be for the national championship elicited chuckles and eyerolls across the sport. The more the breakaway is talked about without corresponding action, the less impact it has.
Could the SEC break away and do its own thing? Sure. The ratings would still be very good. We’d all still watch the Iron Bowl, Georgia vs. Florida, the Egg Bowl, etc. Fans would still pack Neyland Stadium, Kyle Field and Tiger Stadium to see their teams.
But would college football be better if the SEC did that? Of course not.
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We haven’t had a shared national championship since the 2003 season in which LSU and USC each claimed a share of it. That’s a good thing. We don’t need to go back to a world where the national champion isn’t decided on the field. The sport has plenty of challenges, but one of the core conferences splintering off would only make things worse. We don’t need six months of offseason debate over whether the SEC champion or the CFP champion is the true national champion.
Sankey could save college football (again)
When I think about a possible SEC breakaway, I think back to the COVID-19 impacted pandemic season. It was a tremendously taxing time for college athletics leaders – as it was for many of us – and there was no easy solution to the myriad of real issues that cropped up. No one in college athletics showed better leadership during that period than Sankey. He was patient, thoughtful and resilient in the face of outside pressure. When other conferences, especially the Big Ten, made rash decisions to postpone games, he resisted the urge to follow them.
There’s a real argument to be made that without Sankey’s leadership, there would not have been a fall 2020 college football season. Especially not with the Big Ten and Pac-12 announcing in August they were postponing their fall seasons until the following spring. But while the SEC was prepared to possibly go at it alone, Sankey realized there was power in numbers. He believed the ACC was on board to stay the path, too, and was deeply worried about whether the Big 12 would or not. Having three of the Power Five conferences competing that season would give it additional legitimacy. Eventually, all three committed to playing the 2020 season, albeit with some adjustments like a conference-only SEC slate. That forced the Big Ten and Pac-12 to reverse course and play a shortened fall schedule after all.
“A lot happens, and we always played college football,” Sankey told me last year. “We’ve had World Wars, we played college football. We had a pandemic in 1917 – I think that was the Spanish flu – we played college football. One of the books I read indicated that there had arguably been seven pandemics in the last century, and we played college football. We had a stock market crash and not only did we play college football, but we birthed the Southeastern Conference out of the Great Depression. We had civil unrest, which we dealt with in 2020, and we played college football. I was in an intense, constant learning cycle with really valuable pieces of input that hopefully inform effective decision-making.”
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That historical perspective is helpful when understanding the current landscape of college athletics. There is deep frustration throughout the system. Frustration over NIL and revenue sharing. Frustration over the barrage of lawsuits, especially eligibility-related ones, and the frequent losses in the court system. Frustration over current proposed federal legislation that initially aimed to limit the power of the SEC and Big Ten, among other thrusts.
And, yet, the games each Saturday are still great. Through it all, college football is still played.
Breaking away could create more problems
The solution isn’t walking away. It is finding realistic fixes to the sport’s woes and common sense compromises with the other powerful conferences, especially the Big Ten.
“I also think that if we just walked away from the NCAA, whether we’re frustrated or not, we’d be back in front of Congress in a conversation,” Sankey told CBS Sports. “So, my observation to our league is that’s not a priority for us. And so, the headline that’s developed – that there’s some breakaway being considered – that’s not actually what the answer was. There are frustrations, informing the ask that there has to be a better way, and we’re trying to work to improve the system.”
That last part is key. Improving the system, not creating its own, is what the SEC must do for the betterment of the sport.
Manchester United have sealed several transfers this summer and continue to be linked with targets, including Manu Kone
Manchester United’s summer transfer window is in full swing as the club continue to work on strengthening the squad. Michael Carrick has already welcomed four new faces to Old Trafford as he looks to continue the momentum his side began building last season.
Refreshing their midfield options has been United’s primary focus this summer. Chelsea’s Andrey Santos and Aston Villa icon Youri Tielemans have both been signed to help transform the engine room at Old Trafford.
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However, the club continue to be linked with further midfield targets, including Manu Kone. Following his impressive World Cup performances for France, United have entered talks with Roma over a potential move for the 25-year-old.
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Meanwhile, the Reds are also reported to have an eye on Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, who has recently turned down a fresh contract with the Cherries. Here’s a closer look at some of the most significant transfer stories surrounding the club.
Manu Kone transfer twist
United reportedly face a new obstacle in their pursuit of Roma’s Manu Kone. Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ahli are said to be eyeing the midfielder, which could deal a blow to United’s transfer plans.
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Sky Sports Switzerland reports that Al-Ahli have approached Roma to establish Kone’s valuation. The club are said to have “concrete interest” in Kone, whose displays at the World Cup prompted Al-Ahli to pursue a possible deal.
The report mentions that United are “monitoring” the Roma star, while Atletico Madrid have also kept tabs on him previously. Although Kone is said to prefer a Premier League switch over a move to La Liga, he is “not ruling out” a transfer to Saudi Arabia.
The news emerges shortly after fellow Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal struck a deal for West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville. The Netherlands international had been on United’s radar and the club may be concerned about history repeating itself following Al-Ahli’s reported interest in Kone.
United in ‘pole position’ for midfielder
United are among the frontrunners to sign Bournemouth’s Alex Scott. The 22-year-old has attracted attention from numerous clubs, with Arsenal representing United’s primary competition for his signature.
The Mirror reports that Carrick’s side are “in pole position”, alongside the Gunners, to finalise a deal for Scott. It is claimed that Scott’s representatives have held discussions with both clubs and the player will reach his final decision within the next fortnight.
Scott is said to favour a move to Arsenal but harbours reservations over his prospects of securing regular first-team football, which could work in United’s favour. He would become the club’s third midfield acquisition of the summer, following the arrivals of Santos and Tielemans. Chelsea had a bid for Scott knocked back on Wednesday.
Thousands of Man United fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.
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The Missouri Attorney General’s Office is currently investigating ESPN’s Matt Miller following accusations of scamming people out of money. These accusations came to light after his horrific accident last month that resulted in the amputation of his left arm.
Miller had created a GoFundMe campaign to help with expenses. However, the focus was shifted to a Reddit thread where several of his alleged victims came forward with their accounts of being scammed by him.
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On Wednesday, Tony Farmer came forward with a new piece of evidence as the investigation continues. He shared a post highlighting how Matt Miller’s brother, Marshal, is linked to the situation.
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“Holy crap, I found it,” Farmer wrote. “Matt Miller’s brother Marshal acknowleding on tape he goes by ‘EmmandEmm.’ This is huge!! Why it matters:
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“1–Now 2 different nicknames he goes by (also ‘mellosquire’) often registered in the SAME Matt Miller charity fantasy leagues. Unless someone else was controlling these accounts with his alias, it appears Marshal Miller secretly controlled TWO teams in some of Miller’s leagues. Miller played in each league too so it appears the brothers sometimes controlled 3 of the 12 teams in the league!
“2–EmmandEmm registered for 19 Matt Miller fantasy leagues between 2024-2025. 12 times these two usernames (EmmandEmm and MelloEsquire) were in the same league. Melloesquire registered for 38 in 2025 and 14 in 2024. 3– Remember that each owner was expected to pay $100 and half that money was promised to Matt for charity.
“Do you think Marshal was paying registration fees? If the answer is no, then it raises questions about the actual amount of money that went to charity vs. what was promised.”
Farmer also revealed how he found this information on an episode of the “Mic’d Up” podcast, which aired back in Nov. 2021.
According to a tweet from analyst Tommy Challahan, Miller did not pay the winners of his charity leagues and also took 50% as admin cuts. In addition, other accusations include him not showing up for paid scouting lessons and also annual subscription charges to his newsletters and scouting sites despite no regular updates.
Matt Miller shares a health update amid ongoing investigation
Earlier this month, Miller provided an update regarding his health.
In a tweet posted on X, he said that he had a successful surgery, highlighting the possibility of utilizing a prosthetic arm in the future. Miller also said he’s stepping down from his role at ESPN indefinitely while continuing his recovery journey.
“A quick update: The surgery to remove my left arm was successful with hopes of an eventual prosthetic replacement,” Miller said. “Similarly, the femur and patella surgeries were also successful and the fantastic surgery team was able to save my left leg.
“To best focus on my healing and recovery, I’m stepping away indefinitely and will be placed on leave from ESPN. Thank you all for the prayers and thoughts; please keep them coming.”
Miller’s GoFundMe campaign raised approximately $51,000. Pat McAfee is one of the highest donors with a contribution of $5,525.
The England international has impressed in recent seasons for club and country, so much so that debate swirled around who should start between Rogers and Jude Bellingham for Thomas Tuchel’s side at this summer’s World Cup.
Bellingham’s remarkable form underlined his superiority, but that is no slight on Rogers, who has piled up 18 goals and 16 assists in the Premier League across the last two seasons.
Morgan Rogers poses in the Chelsea shirt at Stamford Bridge (Getty)
That is the ninth-most in the league and the same as Cole Palmer, his friend and new teammate with whom he shares the famous ‘cold’ celebration.
Let’s take a deeper look at what Rogers brings, where he fits in and the potential issues that could arise with the England international on board under Xabi Alonso.
Why have Chelsea signed Rogers?
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The fee for Rogers is eye-watering, of that there is no doubt as the fourth most expensive in the history of the game, and those who have cost in excess of £100m have tended to struggle to justify that investment.
Yet Chelsea’s aggression in negotiations suggests they believe Rogers can certainly fit into their system, with Alonso evidently on board and, as The Independent understands, proving decisive in the player’s decision, having strongly considered Arsenal, too.
Unlike Arsenal, though, Chelsea offer the prospect of a more fluid rotation or, you could argue, a squad with less consistency and proven quality, which should allow Rogers to impose himself quickly. That could prove attractive to the player, who may have found a clear path to playing time complicated by some of Arsenal’s newly-crowned champions, as has been the case with Eberechi Eze in his debut season at the Emirates.
Alonso will lean on his versatility: Rogers can play as a No 10, which is probably initially blocked by Palmer when he’s healthy, but Chelsea might also use him at left-wing, right-wing or even either side of a defensive midfielder in a three as a No 8.
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Morgan Rogers in action for England at the World Cup 2026 (Reuters)
There’s immense workrate to go with his final-third contributions and a willingness to keep moving, both with and without the ball.
Rogers’ production is top class, as mentioned with his 16 combined goals and assists last term, but his ability to take the shot on from range could be a precious addition for a team facing deep blocks on a regular basis.
It also partially explains his 10.37 xG+xA from last season, and he outperformed the same metric in 2024/25 too (11.68 xG+xA), with 18 combined goals and assists.
Rogers took 35 shots from outside the box last season in the Premier League, according to WhoScored, the fourth most in the league and a massive 41.6 per cent of his total efforts on goal.
By contrast, Bukayo Saka had 19 (26.8 per cent), Florian Wirtz had 15 (29.4 per cent), Antoine Semenyo had 12 (24.5 per cent) and Bruno Fernandes had 46 (54.1 per cent). Palmer’s rate is comparable after 30 of his 64 shots came from outside the box (46.9 per cent), which could offer a glimpse of how Chelsea hope to lure opponents out of a deep block and ultimately break them down.
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The plan will be for Alonso to make Rogers a pillar of his team, but at 24 years of age and with such variety to his game, Rogers also appeals as a piece of the long-term puzzle at Stamford Bridge, should things change in the dugout, with ties to the club until 2033.
The almighty premium brings trepidation, but also some comfort: there is a reason why Premier League players have an extra tax when moving inside the division. The unknown element is drastically reduced, with Rogers undaunted by the competition.
While unfamiliarity with the manager brings an element of uncertainty, his close ties to Palmer and Reece James with England, and fellow City academy graduates Tosin Adarabioyo, Jamie Gittens, Romeo Lavia and Liam Delap, ensure the environment is set up for him to succeed.
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Reece James of Chelsea battles for possession with Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa (Getty)
So where does Rogers fit in to Alonso’s Chelsea?
Rogers enjoyed the luxury of Unai Emery building around him, Aston Villa’s patterns of play bounced off him, but at Chelsea, there will be an element of fitting in. That further emphasises Rogers’ willingness to run off the ball, in fact, it will be crucial for him succeeding. Think of how Pedro Neto can bring a dynamic option off the ball to capitalise on Palmer’s vision.
Xabi Alonso’s formation of choice remains uncertain before next Tuesday’s opening pre-season friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers.
In a back three/five at Bayer Leverkusen, Rogers could operate from the left of a front three. That would complicate how Alonso integrates Rogers, Palmer, Joao Pedro and, once fully fit, Estevao Willian.
In fact, it would be almost impossible for all four to start in that shape, but there is the mouthwatering potential that quartet could co-exist in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 as a No 8, as detailed above, or as one of two No 10s behind a centre-forward.
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There’s also an elephant in the room: Palmer’s fitness concerns from last season, with just 26 Premier League appearances. Chelsea now have a player that could seamlessly thrive as the leader to their attack if Palmer is unavailable for any period of time.
Blues fans might recall Frank Lampard’s injury enabling Michael Ballack to prosper throughout the 2007/08 campaign.
If Alonso does utilise a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3, then there will be an appetite to trial a front four made up of Rogers, Palmer and one of Estevao, Pedro Neto or new signing Geovany Quenda from the right, with Joao Pedro leading the line.
One potential Alonso dilemma may be around how he provides width if Rogers is parked out on the left. In a 3-4-3, that should not be too much of an issue, with Pedro Neto, Quenda or even Valentin Barco able to hug the touchline. Should Chelsea play a back four, then opponents may find joy by crowding the middle third of the pitch.
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Morgan Rogers will link up with Cole Palmer at Chelsea (PA Archive)
Should Chelsea be concerned about anything?
Well, it depends on their expectations and, at that fee, what constitutes success? Realistically, will Rogers kick on and become a Ballon d’Or contender as would dictate being the fourth most expensive player in the sport’s history? Probably not. But with regular production and thriving as a contributor for a team looking to eventually get back into the title picture, that appears realistic.
One of the unknowns for Rogers in a team not built around him, with fewer touches, will be his efficiency. Previously a high-usage player, it is therefore understandable that, as ESPN notes, he was dispossessed more times (80) than any player in the league and coughed the ball up the third-most (72) in the middle or attacking third.
Ultimately, that is just a consequence of Rogers attempting something audacious or trying to be creative in the final third, which is what you want from your most talented players. Given Chelsea have greater depth in that department than Villa, they should be able to better survive those leaner spells of production and ride the Rogers wave when he hits top gear.
How can Chelsea afford Rogers without European football?
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The £117m fee is obviously quite stunning and more than just inflation, though it is not a Premier League record, with Liverpool’s £125m deal for Alexander Isak from last year remaining the most expensive.
While Liverpool were careful with their spending until last year’s splurge, Chelsea have spent lavishly in recent years, including another £47m spent on Marco Palestra this summer.
But the simple maths of Chelsea’s transfer dealings show that they have already brought in a hefty amount from sales with Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid (£52m), Andrey Santos to Manchester United (£50m), Tyrique George to Everton (£24m) and Enzo Maresca’s compensation to join Man City worth £17m.
More could be yet to come with Trevoh Chalobah linked with a move away, while Enzo Fernandez’s future is unclear, while Alejandro Garnacho could join Villa in a separate deal, with Uefa’s rules clear on deterring player exchanges at inflated fees, with any deals within 45 days of each other classified as such.
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But beyond swap deals, Chelsea can simply be creative when it comes to Financial Fair Play, applying all of the money generated from sales immediately to the accounts, while spreading the Rogers fee out across five years, with just £23.4m due this year. The pay-off comes down the line if Chelsea ever struggle to generate immediate revenue from sales, though the world class Cobham academy is an asset that should provide comfort in this regard.
Liverpool are confident of signing Bradley Barcola, Alex Scott favours a move to Arsenal, Bruno Fernandes is ready to commit his future to Manchester United.
Liverpool are confident they can beat Arsenal and Bayern Munich to the signature of Paris St-Germain forward Bradley Barcola, after the 23-year-old impressed with four goal contributions at the World Cup with France this summer. (Sun), external
Arsenal are edging the battle with Manchester United for sought-after Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, 22 – but the England Under-21 international has concerns around how much game time he would get at the Emirates. (Mirror), external
Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes, 31, has decided to commit his future to Manchester United, with talks around a new deal ongoing. (Express), external
Besiktas are trying to sign English midfielder Joe Willock, 26, who is in the final year of his contract at Newcastle and will not be offered a new deal. (Telegraph), external
Arsenal are not ruling out the sale of their captain Martin Odegaard, and will listen to offers for the 27-year-old Norway midfielder. (Teamtalk), external
Manchester United are exploring a move for Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, 23, who missed out on a place in France’s World Cup squad this summer. (Nicolo Schira), external
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Roma have asked about the availability of Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi, 28 – and the Blues have set an asking price of around £17m for the Frenchman. (Footmercato – in French), external
Mountain Unveiled is one of the Jianghu Legacy quests that you can do in Where Winds Meet’s new Hidden Mountain area. It is also technically a part of the main quest since it unlocks the hidden passage to the Mohist City in Suixiang. The Mountain Unveiled quest itself is fairly short but has a few puzzle mechanisms that you must complete. Completing it will give you a few Echo Jades, Hidden Mountain EXP, and more.
This article covers how to complete the Mountain Unveiled Jianghu Legacy quest in Where Winds Meet.
Where Winds Meet Mountain Unveiled Jianghu Legacy quest guide
Follow Feng Jisheng and activate the mechanism using the disciple token
Insert the disciple token in the mechanism (Image via NetEase)
The Mountain Unveiled quest is automatically triggered after your wooden bird crashes near Gasping Cliff. The first objective in the quest is to follow Feng and insert the disciple token into the mechanism. This will open the hidden passage.
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Talk to Feng Jisheng and get the wooden planks
Collect the planks (Image via NetEase)
After the cutscene, speak with Feng and get the wooden planks.
Link the chains to form a bridge (Image via NetEase)
Approach the hologram and interact with it to form a bridge with the wooden planks. This will trigger another short cutscene.
Ascend with Feng Jisheng
Link the iron chains (Image via NetEase)
Approach Feng and link the iron chains again. Note that you can also unlink the already linked chains to form a new bridge.
Dismantle the mechanical crossbow
Throw an explosive at the crossbow (Image via NetEase)
Once you get to the next platform, a mechanical crossbow will start attacking you. You can disable it by throwing an explosive barrel. Next, link the chain and go to the next platform.
Investigate the mechanism on the platform
Wait for Feng to get on the platform. Next, interact with the mechanism to trigger another cutscene. Once that is done, Feng will volunteer to operate the mechanism.
Forge a path for Feng Jisheng
Walk on the chain (Image via NetEase)
While Feng is busy with the mechanism, you must link one of the chains on the newly risen platform with the one you’re on. Once that is done, jump on the chain and walk over it to get to the next platform.
Form a bridge for Feng (Image via NetEase)
Keep linking the iron chains and forming the bridge until you get to the platform that connects with the one Feng is on, and wait for him to climb up.
Ascend with Feng Jisheng and wait for him
Check on Feng (Image via NetEase)
Once Feng has regrouped with you, you must make one final makeshift bridge with the chains and get on the bigger wooden bridge. Next, check on Feng’s condition. This will trigger a cutscene, and the Heron will lower the bridge.
Defeat the Golden Colossus
Defeat the enemy (Image via NetEase)
Carry Feng on your back and keep pushing. As you move forward, a Golden Colossus will appear, and you must defeat it.
Continue ahead
Mountain Unveiled (Image via NetEase)
After defeating the Golden Colossus, follow the quest marker and go to the glowing spot. This will trigger one last cutscene and conclude the Mountain Unveiled quest in Where Winds Meet.
As a reward for completing the quest, you’ll get Echo Jade, Hidden Mountain Experience, Mohist Tally, and more.
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Around 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories are all set to compete across 10 sports at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland, which will get underway from Thursday, with 215 gold medals on offer. For India, it will mark the nation’s 19th appearance at the Commonwealth Games, having made its debut in the 1934 edition. A 124-member Indian contingent will be in action at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland, as athletes across eight able-bodied sports and five para-sports compete for medals. India will begin their campaign with lawn bowl events across men’s and women’s disciplines.
After creating history with unforgettable medal-winning performances in 2022 edition, the Indian lawn bowls team heads to Glasgow, Scotland, determined to challenge the world’s best once again at the Commonwealth Games 2026.
The Indian Women’s Lawn Bowls Team created history at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham when Lovely Choubey, Pinki, Nayanmoni Saikia and Rupa Rani Tirkey defeated the South African team to win the historic gold in the final of the women’s fours event.
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This is India’s first-ever medal in lawn bowls, a sport which has been a fixture in the CWG itinerary since 1930, barring the 1966 edition in Jamaica.
Moreover, the Men’s Fours of Sunil Bahadur, Chandan Singh, Navneet Singh and Dinesh Kuma claimed a silver. India also came close to winning a medal in the men’s pairs event.
The opening ceremony will take place in Glasgow’s Hydro, an iconic venue that has supported some of the world’s biggest music stars and acts.
India’s Day 1 (July 23) schedule
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Lawn Bowls:
2:00 PM IST – Men’s Singles Group Stage (Day 1)
2:00 PM IST – Women’s Pairs Group Stage (Day 1)
Opening Ceremony: 10:30 PM IST onwards
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(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Neeraj Chopra and Mirabai Chanu (Image credit: Agencies)
India will begin its Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow on Thursday with a compact yet accomplished 125-member contingent aiming to maximise its opportunities in a drastically trimmed programme. The Games, running from July 23Aug 2, feature just 10 sports, forcing India to recalibrate expectations after a highly successful Birmingham campaign four years ago.The Indian squad comprises 77 men and 48 women competing across eight able-bodied and five para disciplines. Athletics forms the backbone of the campaign with 32 competitors, while boxing and judo have 14 athletes each, weightlifting 12 and swimming five. Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu will be India’s flagbearer at the opening ceremony, with Tokyo bronze medallist and former world champion boxer Lovlina Borgohain serving as baton bearer. The overall Indian delegation comprises 190 members – 125 athletes, 51 coaches and support staff and 14 contingent officials.Unlike Birmingham, where India fielded 210 athletes and won 61 medals, including 22 gold, Glasgow presents a very different challenge. The programme has been cut from 19 sports in 2022 to 10, with medal-rich disciplines such as badminton, wrestling, hockey, table tennis, cricket and squash omitted. Those six sports accounted for 30 of India’s medals in Birmingham, sharply reducing the country’s traditional medal base.Despite the pared-down programme, India boasts several genuine gold contenders. Tokyo Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra returns to the CWG after missing Birmingham through injury and will renew his rivalry with Pakistan’s reigning Olympic and Commonwealth champion Arshad Nadeem. The field also includes Sri Lanka’s world leader Rumesh Pathirage. Chopra, the 2018 champion, remains India’s biggest athletics hope.Long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, a Birmingham silver medallist, and high jumper Sarvesh Kushare, who set a national record of 2.31 metres last month before finishing third at the Monaco Diamond League meeting, further strengthen India’s track and field ambitions. Other key names include Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Parul Chaudhary, Tajinderpal Singh Toor and Gulveer Singh.India’s weightlifting challenge will again be led by Mirabai, who is chasing a fourth CWG medal and a third successive gold. The boxing squad includes proven contenders such as Lovlina, Sakshi Chaudhary, Preeti Pawar and Jaismine Lamboria.The contingent spans generations, with 49-year-old lawn bowler Dinesh Kumar Singh the oldest athlete and 16-year-old para cyclist Lisha Das the youngest. Competitions will be staged at Scotstoun Stadium, the Scottish Event Campus, Glasgow International Arena and Tollcross International Swimming Centre.With Ahmedabad set to host the centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, Glasgow offers India not only a shot at medals but also a valuable learning opportunity before it welcomes the sporting community home.
Sports excluded from Glasgow Commonwealth Games:
Shooting (63 gold medals won by India tilll date), table tennis (10 gold), wrestling (100+ overall medals, including 6 gold in 2022 Birmingham Games), field hockey (3 silver for men while women won gold in 2002, silver in 2006 and bronze in 2022), squash (women’s doubles gold in Glasgow 2014), women’s cricket (silver in 2022).
Why are these sport excluded?
Glasgow stepped in after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew citing escalating costs. Organisers trimmed the Games to 10 sports across four venues within an eight-mile radius to keep expenses under control. Victoria’s projected budget had ballooned to around 14,500 cr. Glasgow will operate on a leaner £150 million (around 1,750 cr) budget, with £100 million funded by the Commonwealth Sport.
Junior golfers are constantly absorbing advice from every direction — coaches, tour players, parents and even friends. While most of it is well-intentioned, not every tip helps. In fact, some of the most common pointers young players hear can actually slow their development and create unnecessary frustration.
In a recent instagram post, Cameron McCormick — a GOLF Top 100 Teacher and instructor to major champions like Jordan Spieth and Celine Boutier — ranked the most common tips junior golfers receive from worst to best, and his answers might surprise you.
By understanding which lessons are worth embracing — and which ones you can ignore — you’ll help your junior golfer develop smarter practice habits, build a better game, and enjoy the path to improvement with less frustration. Here, then, are the most common pieces of advice for juniors, ranked from worst to best.
‘Play as many tournaments as possible’
This one might be a bit surprising, as it’s one of the most common suggestions for juniors looking to become better competitors. But McCormick explains that playing more tournaments doesn’t necessarily mean your junior is gaining valuable playing experience.
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“Competition exposes weaknesses, practice fixes them,” he says, “If a players skill isn’t improving between tournaments, more events usually just means more expensive frustration.”
‘You just need to want it more’
If you’re trying to help your junior golfer find that “fire in the belly,” this might sound like good advice. But according to McCormick, it’s not as helpful as many parents think.
“Wanting it more is great for a motivational speech, but desire doesn’t replace skill,” McCormick says, “Most struggling players don’t need more motivation; they need a better training plan.”
‘Get your reps in’
As well-intentioned as this advice may be, McCormick says it often encourages juniors to value time on the range over purposeful practice. And without a clear plan, all those reps can do more harm than good.
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‘Watch what the best players do’
In theory, this advice is solid. Watch the best players in the world, and you’re bound to learn something. But if you don’t understand the reasoning behind what they’re doing, simply copying their movements won’t help.
‘Stay positive’
It might be one of the most overused pieces of advice junior golfers hear, but that doesn’t necessarily make it helpful. As McCormick explains, a vague suggestion like “stay positive” can actually create more frustration than meaningful improvement.
“Positive thinking has value, but elite performers aren’t successful because they’re positive. They’re successful because they make good decisions after mistakes,” he says.
Instead, try helping your junior work through the course-management decisions they can make after a mistake. Doing so teaches them how to recover from a bad shot while reinforcing that mistakes are simply part of the game — not something to dwell on.
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‘Trust the process’
Another phrase juniors hear all the time — but what does it actually mean? As McCormick points out, if your junior doesn’t have a process to begin with, what exactly are they trusting?
“Without a clear plan, this becomes a slogan instead of a strategy,” he says.
But, if you can help your junior golfer build a defined practice routine with measurable goals and regular feedback, they’ll have a process that’s worth trusting.
‘Play to your pattern’
“Great players understand their tendencies and build strategies around them, rather than pretending every shot is available every day,” McCormick says.
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This is great advice because it helps juniors better understand their own games, build confidence and recognize that even the best players don’t have every shot at their disposal every day.
‘Focus on what the ball is doing’
This advice encourages juniors to become better problem-solvers instead of obsessing over swing positions.
Ball flight provides immediate feedback. By learning to connect what the ball does with what created that shot, young golfers develop a deeper understanding of their swings and become more capable of making adjustments on their own.
“Elite players learn to connect what they do with what the ball does instead of obsessing about the positions,” McCormick says.
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That’s a skill that pays off at every age.
‘Practice like you play’
McCormick’s top piece of advice is also one of golf’s oldest — and for good reason.
Whether your junior is just getting started or dreaming of college golf, practice should resemble the situations they’ll face on the course. That means creating pressure, changing targets, going through a full pre-shot routine and holding themselves accountable for every shot.
“If your training doesn’t resemble performance, don’t expect your performance to magically appear on tournament days,” McCormick says.
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The closer practice mirrors competition, the more prepared your junior will be when the score starts to matter.
Santos superstar Neymar was a notable absentee from the squad as Cuca’s side secured a dominant victory in the Copa Sudamericana on Tuesday night. Rather than flying to Venezuela for the continental clash, the Brazilian icon was spotted competing in a professional poker tournament in São Paulo.
High stakes at the poker table
While his Santos teammates were battling on the pitch in Venezuela, Neymar was busy testing his luck and skill at the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP) Winter edition. The forward, who has a well-documented passion for the card game, was spotted at the Golden Hall of the WTC Complex in Sao Paulo participating in the fourth stage of the national championship, according to ESPN Brazil. It is a familiar haunt for the Santos hero; during his participation in the same tournament in 2025, Neymar pocketed R$53,500.
The timing of his appearance raised eyebrows among some supporters, as it occurred just hours before Santos kicked off their crucial playoff tie. However, his presence at the event was not a case of going AWOL. The club had already made the decision to leave their marquee player behind to focus on a specific fitness programme following his return from a disappointing World Cup campaign.
Santos manager Cuca was quick to clarify the situation surrounding his star man after the 4-1 victory over Universidad Central. The veteran coach insisted that the decision to leave Neymar out was primarily aimed at ensuring he was fully rested following his international commitment.
“Since he was sidelined for a few days and didn’t have a holiday, we decided to let him get even stronger, training hard so he could have a run of games,” Cuca explained after the match. “Now, in ten days, we’re going to play four matches. What advantage would it be to bring him here? You saw how hard and exhausting the trip is. He stayed there working, just like [Willian] Arao, Joao Schmidt, and Igor Vinicius, and that gives us more options for the upcoming games.”
Despite his evening at the poker table, Neymar has been putting in the work at the club’s training ground. He had recently shared a video on social media showing him scoring goals and looking sharp in training drills. The manager’s plan appears to be focused on ensuring Neymar is at 100 percent for the domestic campaign, where the club is currently struggling in 15th place in the league table.
Successful night for the Peixe
Even without their talisman, Santos proved far too strong for Universidad Central, putting one foot firmly in the Copa Sudamericana round of 16. The Brazilian giants romped to a 4-1 victory in Venezuela, establishing a commanding cushion ahead of next week’s second leg at the Vila Belmiro. Should they finish the job, Ecuadorian giants Macara await in the next round.
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When asked if his No. 10 would return for the upcoming league fixture, Cuca confirmed Neymar will be back in action against Chapecoense this Saturday. The decisive away win eases the pressure on their continental campaign, allowing the club to shift its entire focus back to domestic duties for the weekend.
Life after international retirement
This period marks a significant transition for Neymar, who recently called time on his legendary career with the Selecao. The forward announced his retirement from international football following Brazil’s shock 2-1 loss to Norway at the 2026 World Cup, an exit that left the player in tears. Having scored 80 goals in 130 appearances for his country, he stepped away from the world stage at the MetLife Stadium.
With his international duties now a thing of the past, the focus for the remainder of his career is firmly on his club commitments with Santos. The Peixe are desperate for his leadership and goal-scoring prowess to navigate a congested fixture list. If he can stay fit and replicate the sharp form shown in recent training sessions, his presence will be the deciding factor in whether Santos can salvage their season.
Argentina fly half Tomas Albornoz has been charged with misconduct and faces a disciplinary hearing after “remonstrating with match officials” follow his side’s defeat to England in Santiago del Estero.
Albornoz was denied a chance to kick for a potential draw after a last-minute try was ruled out by referee Angus Gardner in consultation with television match official (TMO) Brett Cronan.
The officials ruled that Bautista Delguy had grounded the ball simultaneously on the try-line and corner flag, and thus not scored, as England held on for a 31-24 victory.
Albornoz appeared to approach Gardner and his assistants aggressively thereafter, and has now been charged by World Rugby under its Match Official Abuse Sanction Process,
The details of his disciplinary hearing will be released in due course.
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“The Match Official Abuse Sanction Process was introduced to complement Regulation 18 and provide a clearer and more consistent framework for addressing public criticism of match officials, particularly where such comments may contribute to wider online abuse,” World Rugby explained in a statement.
“Developed by a cross-game working group including competition owner, match official playing and coaching representation and championed by Union CEOs, the process reflects a unified commitment to support and protect match officials.”
Argentina were disappointed that Delguy’s try was chalked off, and that no penalty try was awarded for an apparent high tackle by Noah Caluori.
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