The World Badminton Championships returns to India after 17 long years. The marquee competition will start from August 17 in New Delhi. The event is being held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, which hosted the India Open badminton tournament earlier this year. The venue drew international criticism due to hygiene issues, a monkey menace, as well as bird excreta halting play. The Badminton Association of India and the Sports Authority of India have combined to give the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium a thorough makeover this time.

The organisers have roped in three trained monkey whisperers, who mimic the calls of langurs to scare away rhesus macaques, which are commonly found in central Delhi, including the area around the stadium that will host the August 17-23 championships. Heavy-duty polyethylene bird nets and non-toxic deterrent gels have also been installed.

While the effort put in has been lauded, some sections of social media have made terse remarks about the World Championships organisers’ focus on these remedial measures. Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu defended the organisers.

The unique solution comes in the wake of the India Open in January, which was briefly disrupted by monkeys in the spectator stands, with the images making international headlines.

Rhesus macaques are believed to be wary of langurs, which are considerably larger in size, and the mimicry is being used as a deterrent. The use of actual langurs for such activities was banned in 2012.

“100%. I genuinely don’t understand the outrage. We all love Wimbledon, and they’ve had Rufus the hawk keeping pigeons away for years. Every major sporting event has its own local challenges. This is just one additional measure on top of the countless measures already being taken. Somehow that becomes the talking point,” PV Sindhu wrote on X.

100%. I genuinely don’t understand the outrage.

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We all love Wimbledon, and they’ve had Rufus the hawk keeping pigeons away for years. Every major sporting event has its own local challenges.

This is just one additional measure on top of the countless measures already being… https://t.co/M64eyyPXBx

— PV Sindhu (@Pvsindhu1) August 12, 2026

“Can’t wait for the world to experience Indian hospitality. I’m 100% sure we’re going to deliver a world-class World Championships.”

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Villa had fought since the start of the year to register the 6ft 4in Madjo following his £10m arrival from Metz.

Under-18 players cannot complete international transfers, but the club argued that since Madjo was born in London he should be exempt – despite having three caps for Luxembourg in friendlies.

Since those games, he accepted an England Under-17 call up last year and has four goals in nine appearances, scoring on his debut against Venezuela.

With England searching for their next No9 once Harry Kane eventually retires, Madjo could force himself into the conversation in the coming years.

Fifa does allow some exemptions for minor players to make moves, including if a 16 or 17-year-old transfers within the European Union – something the UK is no longer part of.

The battle was finally won just eight days ago – after Villa took their case to CAS in July – and Madjo was added to the travelling party for Salzburg, having not been included in the initial squad.

With Ollie Watkins rested after World Cup duty and Tammy Abraham left on the bench, the youngster was given the responsibility up front by Emery having scored four pre-season goals.

His strike at the Red Bull Arena, holding off Ecuador international Willian Pacho to volley in John McGinn’s cross, was arguably the hardest chance of the trio he had in a first half full of promise.

It cancelled out Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s opener for PSG, only for Desire Doue to hit a second-half winner after a video assistant referee (VAR) check.

Before his goal, the hulking Madjo had earlier planted a free header over from three yards and shot wide, but was a constant nuisance for 11-time Ligue 1 winner and Brazilian centre-back and captain Marquinhos.

“He played because he was showing us his capacity to work and be demanding,” said boss Emery. “It is not just about scoring goals, it’s about defending and how he has the commitment and discipline tactically. He was doing that.

“I wanted to play with young players and watch their progression. Brian started scoring goals [in pre-season] against Walsall and Real Sociedad.

“Now the reality is we have shown their capacity, but they have to keep being consistent, demanding and keep performing at the level they were.”

Villa have been looking to sign a new striker – Chelsea‘s Nicolas Jackson has been a summer target – but Madjo’s availability now gives Emery a different option and dilemma before the Premier League season opener at Brighton on 23 August.

“You’ve got a young player coming, especially on a stage like this one, against PSG, getting in those scoring positions and not allowing that disappointment to stay with you,” former Villa striker Dion Dublin told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I saw Brian Madjo, he had his hands on his head for a couple of seconds and then he got into another scoring position.

“He was brave enough to get back into that scoring position and if he keeps missing it’s not frightening him. He’s happy to have that pressure on his shoulders. I’ve been there, you need to be able to deal with it. At 17, he seems to be doing it easily.”

Madjo – and fellow teenage forward George Hemmings – were given their chance against PSG with Emery insisting he would not rush Watkins, Emi Martinez and Ezri Konsa back for the game.

The trio are due to return next week after being given a month off following the World Cup, with Martinez losing the final with Argentina and Watkins and Konsa helping England to third place.

Madjo expertly deputised for Watkins, despite missing his earlier first-half chances, until he was replaced by Abraham with 18 minutes left.

Whether Konsa will still be a Villa player for the league opener against Brighton remains open to debate with Arsenal expected to step up their pursuit of the defender.

Villa have already sold Morgan Rogers in a record £117m deal to Chelsea and Youri Tielemans to Manchester United, and Konsa’s departure would be a another bitter blow after winning the Europa League last season and qualifying for the Champions League.

Keeper Martinez will stay, despite interest from Juventus this summer.

Emery added: “We decided to play this match with the players who were ready to play, were fit and trying to avoid some risk with some players. It is very important how we are going to manage the players.

“I am trying to use my experience to avoid some mistakes which i can understand can happen.

“I can feel free with my decision and proud of the players.”

A son of a former world heavyweight champion will look to continue his father’s legacy after putting pen to paper on a new promotional deal.

The heavyweight division has been home to a number of major stars over the years, with boxing legends such as Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis all claiming world honours.

Out of those four, only Lewis was able to retire having defeated every man he ever faced, but he did have to avenge two defeats, one of them coming against Hasim Rahman in 2001.

Rahman knocked out Lewis inside five rounds to win the WBC and IBF heavyweight belts, before ending his career with a final record of 50 wins from 62 fights.

His son Hasim Rahman Jr then followed in his father’s footsteps, having had 17 professional fights to date, whilst also once being set to take on Jake Paul, but it will now be the turn of Sharif Rahman to try and take that spotlight after joining BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing.

Sharif Rahman is unbeaten in his professional career, winning all nine of his bouts, and he is looking forward to testing his skills in a new environment.

“I’ve carried this family name my whole career and I’ve never lost. Bare knuckle is a new test, no gloves, no excuses, just pure skill and heart, and I’m bringing my undefeated record to BKB to prove I belong among the best in the trigon.”

Rahman joins the likes of Victor Ortiz, JoJo Diaz and Lee Selby who have recently joined forces with BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing.

Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn will go toe-to-toe in an intriguing welterweight world title clash next month, and Terence Crawford’s trainer Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre has offered his prediction for the fight, forecasting a statement stoppage.

‘King Ry’ has had a rollercoaster few years in the sport, after a career-best win over Devin Haney was overturned to a no-contest due to a failed drugs test, then losing in a bid for the WBA welterweight world title against Rolando Romero upon his return, following a one-year ban.

Despite that underwhelming display against ‘Rolly’, Garcia challenged for world honours once again in his next outing and impressed in a dominant win over Mario Barrios back in February, as he captured world honours for the first time in his career.

In a first attempted defence of the WBC welterweight world title, Garcia is tasked with controversial mandatory challenger Conor Benn, but ‘BoMac’, who trained Crawford, told The Last Stand Podcast that he believes the Briton will bring Garcia’s reign to an early end and do so in emphatic fashion.

“Conor Benn is going to probably stop him. He gonna probably stop him, man. Ryan ain’t been the same since that first fight with Haney, he got popped. He just never got back to that type of winning.

“I have seen Benn first hand, man that dude is going to destroy Garcia. You heard it first from ‘BoMac’.”

Garcia-Benn takes place on Saturday, September 12, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with Jai Opetaia set to take on Noel Mikaelian in a cruiserweight affair in the co-main event.

FC Goa crashes out of AFC Champions League Two

FC Goa’s AFC Champions League Two campaign came to an end after they suffered a 0-3 defeat against Turkmenistan’s FC Arkadag in the preliminary round at the Arkadag Stadium on Wednesday.The Indian side could not find a goal after a goalless first half, while Arkadag came out strongly after the break and scored three times in just 17 minutes.The result means FC Goa will now continue their Asian campaign in the AFC Challenge League, the continent’s third-tier club competition.

Arkadag take control after break

Arkadag looked dangerous from the beginning and regularly used the wings to create chances. FC Goa goalkeeper Bob Jackson Raj was kept busy and made several important saves to keep his side in the contest.He denied Begench Akmammedov from close range early on and quickly recovered to stop Abdy Basimow’s follow-up attempt. Raj was called into action again in the 26th minute, making a diving save to prevent Bashimov’s header from a corner from crossing the line.FC Goa created their best first-half chance from a set-piece in the 42nd minute. Francisco Feuillassier’s delivery found Sandesh Jhingan, but the defender’s glancing header went away from the target.Arkadag also missed a late chance before the break when Rahman Myratberdiýew’s overhead effort went over the bar.

Three goals end FC Goa’s hopes

Arkadag finally broke the deadlock in the 58th minute. Yazgylych Gurbanov’s cross found Didar Durdyyew in a crowded penalty area, and his effort slipped through Raj’s hands and crossed the line.Rahman Myratberdiýew doubled the advantage seven minutes later after collecting a loose ball, racing into the box and calmly finishing past the advancing goalkeeper.Arzuwguly Sapargulyyew then sealed the victory in the 75th minute with a superb free-kick into the top-right corner.FC Goa struggled to respond as Arkadag comfortably protected its lead. The Turkmenistan club’s win takes them into the AFC Champions League Two 2026-27 group stage, with the draw scheduled for August 18 in Kuala Lumpur.FC Goa, meanwhile, will now turn their attention to the AFC Challenge League.

What is going through Gautam Gambhir‘s mind? His reputation as a red-ball coach is at stake, and so are India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final. Led by Shubman Gill, India are currently fifth in the WTC standings, having registered four wins and four losses in nine matches, with a points percentage (PCT) of 48.15. In such a scenario, India face Sri Lanka in a two-Test series starting on August 15.

The opening Test will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from August 15 to 19. The series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.

Former India spinner Murali Kartik feels that Gautam Gambhir would first want a fully fit squad before thinking about anything else.

“You want all your players fit and raring to go. That is crucial. You want your players fit and in form. That, at the moment, is Gautam Gambhir’s biggest challenge. Our red-ball fortunes have not been great at all. It’s very important. There is no Jasprit Bumrah, who is the leader of the pack. There is a bit of inexperience. I know there is Ravindra Jadeja. Gambhir would want his best players be fit and raring to go,” he told NDTV in an interaction facilitated by Sony Sports.

Kartik believes the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka will be crucial for India’s spin attack, with Ravindra Jadeja in the twilight of his career and the team looking to the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar to step up and shape the next phase of its red-ball spin-bowling unit.

Kartik said the series is crucial for India’s spin attack as Ravindra Jadeja approaches the twilight of his career. He praised Manav Suthar’s performance against Afghanistan, saying the young spinner has shown promise and could be important for India’s red-ball future. Notably, in his debut match for India, Suthar grabbed seven wickets in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June.

“From a spin point of view, it is absolutely important because Ravindra Jadeja, as good as he has been for Indian cricket, is in the twilight of his career. So, from that point of view, Manav Suthar, the way he came in and the way he bowled against Afghanistan, was very heartwarming for any old-school spinner who has watched Indian cricket or knows Indian cricket. So, from that point of view, from a red-ball perspective, Manav Suthar is very important,” Kartik said.

Kartik said Kuldeep Yadav has been a match-winner for India but has not received a consistent run in Test cricket. With Ravindra Jadeja nearing the twilight of his career, he believes it remains to be seen whether Kuldeep can emerge as India’s next spin leader.

“And look, Kuldeep Yadav has been a match-winner for India, but unfortunately for him, things played out differently when he had Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid as the captain and coach, respectively, and now he has not got that kind of run in the side. When you think of what happened in England, everybody kept saying during the course of those five Test matches, ‘Where is Kuldeep? Where is Kuldeep?’ And Kuldeep didn’t play; he was sitting out. So it’s very important from that point of view. Now that Ravindra Jadeja is in the twilight of his career, is he the leader, or is it going to be someone else? Because it is, as you rightly said, very, very difficult,” he said.

Kartik highlighted India’s ongoing transition, saying the team has big shoes to fill after the departures of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. He also stressed the challenge of replacing the contributions of veteran spinners and said the Sri Lanka series could determine whether Kuldeep Yadav can emerge as India’s spin leader.

“The Indian team has been in transition for a while. You look at the kind of players we’ve had to replace: Rohit and Virat have retired, while Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are out of the side. That’s a huge volume of runs you’re talking about. Then there is the spin department. Look at the number of wickets those two guys have taken after the likes of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, depending on what the team management wanted, always had one of them playing. Those are very, very big shoes to fill. So, can Kuldeep Yadav be the leader? I think we will find out during the course of this series because it’s very important,” Kartik said.

Kartik said the Sri Lanka tour is crucial for India, not only for assessing its spin options but also for improving its position in the World Test Championship, especially given the team’s recent struggles in Test cricket.

“It is a crucial tour, very important not just from the point of view of the spinners alone but also the WTC, because if we are serious about Test cricket, we are at No. 5. Our fortunes haven’t been great in red-ball cricket of late, which is well documented and everyone knows it,” he said.

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Shakur Stevenson delivered a performance of the year candidate in January, and now one reigning world champion has called for a shot at the pound-for-pound star, hoping to hand the Newark southpaw a first career defeat.

Stevenson schooled Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden at the beginning of the 2026 calendar, but the WBO super-lightweight world champion has not yet defended his belt and his recent move to Zuffa Boxing has some fight fans believing that he never will.

In recent weeks, Stevenson had been linked to a showdown against WBO welterweight ruler Devin Haney, with a 144lb catchweight affair being suggested for the undefeated American duo, but Haney has since moved on to a potential unification against IBF champion Liam Paro.

In an interview with ProBox TV, IBF lightweight world champion Raymond Muratalla has now explained that he would love the opportunity to take on Stevenson.

“Absolutely, I think it only makes sense now. It is something that we have been wanting, that has never gone through. At this point, that would be something that the fans would love to see, something that he would love and yeah, it only makes sense. 

“Hopefully it happens naturally and we don’t gotta do all the extra bulls**t. 

“The style that I display [makes me dangerous for Shakur], I adjust and I am overall a very complete fighter. He has never faced a fighter like me and it would be a good fight for the fans.”

Muratalla defeated Robson Conceicao in a first defence of his title earlier this month, but soon unveiled plans to move up to super-lightweight, where he may well be installed as the WBO’s #1 contender.

As a result, Muratalla seems to be the most likely opponent for Stevenson at present and the undefeated Californian remains hopeful that the bout could take place before the end of 2026.

“I would love for it to happen by the end of this year, that would be ideal. I want to be active, I feel good, I feel amazing, actually. So, hopefully by the end of this year, but I have no date or anything planned yet.”

Once Muratalla’s move up in weight is confirmed, it is believed that Russia’s Artur Subkhankulov and Belarus’ Dmitry Asanau will complete for the vacant IBF lightweight world title in a meeting of two undefeated 135lbers.

Lionel Messi has admitted he is unsure how much longer he will continue playing football following the death of his father, Jorge Messi.

Jorge, who was 68, died last week after a long illness. He had been Messi’s agent since the Argentine star was 14 and played a major role in his football career.

In an emotional tribute on social media, Messi said he was struggling to imagine life without his father.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you,” the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner wrote.

“I don’t know how to carry on. I used to just play football, and now I’m really not sure if I’ll carry on doing it for much longer.”

Messi also revealed that his father had wanted him to play in one more World Cup.

“You kept asking me to play in one last World Cup,” Messi said. “I kept telling you that we were going to make it to the final so you could come along.”

Messi captained Argentina at the 2026 World Cup and helped them reach the final, where they lost 1-0 to Spain. He scored eight goals and provided four assists in eight appearances during the tournament.

The Argentine star said he had hoped to win the World Cup and take the trophy to his father.

“I wanted to win it so I could bring the trophy to you and show you a new one,” he wrote. “I couldn’t, my legs had nothing left.”

Messi’s family moved to Spain in 2001 after he joined Barcelona at the age of 13, while his father stayed with him during the early stages of his career.

Jorge later watched his son become one of the greatest players in football history, with Messi scoring 672 goals in 778 games for Barcelona and winning the Champions League four times and La Liga 10 times.

Messi also paid tribute to his father as a mentor and close friend.

“You were my dad, my friend and my mentor,” he said. “I’m going to miss you so much, but you’ll always be with me, especially in raising my children.”

He added: “Rest in peace, and watch over us from above just as you did here. Thank you for everything. I love you, Dad.”

Messi’s emotional message also attracted messages of support from football stars and friends.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo sent his condolences, saying: “A huge hug to you and yours in these hard times, Leo. Much strength.”

Inter Miami co-owner and former England international David Beckham also offered his support.

“We are with you and your family, Leo, always,” Beckham said.