Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Badminton Association of India (BAI) President & Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday unveiled the official mascot, Peacko, and launched the official championship anthem for the BWF World Championships, New Delhi 2026, marking the final 30-day countdown to badminton’s biggest tournament.
The anthem features P.V. Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty and India’s entire 16-member World Championships contingent.
The mascot, Peacko, is inspired by the Indian peafowl. Peacko features a skirt inspired by the opening of a shuttlecock, while also celebrating the sport’s deep-rooted popularity across the capital, from neighbourhood parks to the iconic India Gate lawns.
The unveiling ceremony, attended by DG, SAI, Hari Ranjan Rao, IAS, BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra, Indian badminton legend Pullela Gopichand, senior officials and members of the badminton fraternity, officially signalled the final phase of preparations for the Championships.
The 30th edition of the BWF World Championships will bring together more than 400 of the world’s finest shuttlers from over 50 countries in New Delhi from August 17 to 23, competing for the sport’s most coveted honours. The home contingent will be led by five-time World Championships medallist PV Sindhu, who could become the most successful medallist in the tournament’s history with a sixth podium finish.
India is set to host the showpiece event after 17 years.
-Team Sportstar
Theegala makes cut at The Open, T-52 after two rounds
Royal Birkdale (UK): Indian-American Sahith Theegala was T-52 after two rounds at the 154th Open Championship here.
Theegala was the only Indian-origin golfer to advance into the final two rounds after a composed second-round 69. .
Akshay Bhatia (71-73) dropped three late bogeys in the last four holes and missed the cut by three while the PGA Champion Aaron Rai (71-71) bogeyed his closing hole and missed the cut by one.
The cut was set at 1-over 141 and 78 players will play the weekend.
Theegala, who has been working his way back after an injury-hit 2025 season, handled Birkdale’s demanding conditions with impressive maturity.
He avoided the course’s notorious pot bunkers, kept the ball in play and limited mistakes to finish 36 holes at even-par.
-PTI
UCI commends India’s Cycling Movement, praises Fit India initiative
New Delhi: The world governing body for cycling, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), has praised the Indian government’s efforts to promote the sport through the Fit India Movement, describing the country’s large-scale public participation as an example for the global cycling community.
In a letter to the Government of India, UCI President David Lappartient appreciated the remarkable scale of India’s World Bicycle Day celebrations, noting that nearly 400,000 participants across around 10,000 locations took part in cycling events across the country.
The UCI also acknowledged the growing success of Sundays on Cycle, which has emerged as a mass movement encouraging citizens to adopt cycling as a healthy, sustainable and environmentally friendly mode of transport while promoting active lifestyles.
The global cycling body noted that the participation of children, families, educational institutions, government organisations and local communities, coupled with extensive media and digital outreach, has made India’s cycling campaign a model for the international community.
Appreciating India’s commitment to promoting cycling and public health, the UCI expressed its willingness to continue working closely with the Government of India and the Fit India Movement to further strengthen the cycling ecosystem in the country.
-PTI
Mahe Strikers moved closer to securing a playoff spot in the third edition of the Pondicherry Premier League. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Pondy Premier League 2026: Mahe record fifth win
Wicketkeeper Sourrav Chanda had a hand in six dismissals as last year’s runners-up Mahe Strikers beat Ossudu Accord Warriors by five wickets on Saturday for their fifth win in eight outings to move closer to securing a Playoff spot in the 3rd Pondicherry Premier League.
Pacer Anugrah Latwal and spinner Karan Kannan shared five wickets to restrict Ossudu to 105/8 after putting them in. Mahe achieved the target in 16.2 overs.
Brief scores: Ossudu Accord Warriors 105/8 in 20 overs (P Thamarai Kannan 37 n.o., Anugrah Latwal 2-26, Karan Kannan 3-13) lost to Mahe Strikers 106/5 in 16.2 overs (R Ragavan 36, R Rahul 2-15, Satvik Deswal 2-27).
-Team Sportstar
The Trophy Tour of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup arrived in Ranchi on Saturday, marking Ranchi’s debut as a Durand Cup host venue. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Durand Cup trophy tour arrives in debutant host city Ranchi
The Trophy Tour of the 135th Durand Cup arrived in Ranchi on Saturday, marking Ranchi’s debut as a Durand Cup host venue. Following its successful stop in Guwahati, the tournament’s three iconic trophies were welcomed at the Kerketta Auditorium, Dipatoli Military Station, during a grand ceremonial function organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army.
Cultural performances showcasing the rich heritage of Jharkhand through Bhangra, Santhali and Chhau dances added colour to the occasion before the dignitaries were felicitated and the tournament’s three iconic trophies—the Durand Cup, the President’s Cup and the Simla Trophy—were ceremonially showcased. The programme concluded with the flagging off of the Trophy Road Show.
Also addressing the gathering, Major General Sajjan Singh Maan, General Officer Commanding, Combat IBG 23, said, “Following the successful hosting of the Durand Cup in Jamshedpur last year, the tournament has now expanded to Ranchi for the first time. This reflects our commitment to taking top-quality football to new regions while further strengthening Jharkhand’s rich footballing tradition. We are delighted that the Birsa Munda Football Stadium has become part of the proud legacy of the Durand Cup, giving football fans across the state an opportunity to witness one of India’s most prestigious football tournaments.”
Attention will now shift to the football action, with Ranchi set to host all Group C fixtures at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium. The group brings together Indian Super League sides Jamshedpur FC and Sporting Club Delhi, the Indian Air Force Football Team and Durand Cup debutants Defenders FC of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. Ranchi’s inaugural Durand Cup campaign will begin on July 26 with Jamshedpur FC taking on Defenders FC before concluding on August 13 with Jamshedpur FC taking on the Indian Air Force Football Team. Ranchi will also host a quarter-final on August 16.
The trophies’ next stop will be Kolkata on July 22 as excitement builds towards the kick-off of the 135th Durand Cup on July 25.
-Team Sportstar
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Published on Jul 18, 2026