The appointment of Raktim Saikia as vice president of the All India Tennis Association marks a significant moment in the evolving governance structure of Indian tennis. A veteran sports administrator and current president of the All Assam Tennis Association, Saikia brings decades of institutional experience to one of the sport’s most influential leadership roles. His career within the national federation has included responsibilities spanning finance, development, and junior talent management.

India’s premier men’s doubles badminton pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, are preparing for another major international challenge as they begin their campaign at the Thailand Open 2026 in pursuit of a historic third title. Entering the tournament as reigning Asian Games champions and one of the world’s top-ranked doubles partnerships, the duo carries significant momentum following a strong showing at the Thomas Cup.

Gujarat Titans stormed into the IPL 2026 final with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 at the PCA Stadium in Mullanpur. The win sets up a blockbuster title clash against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Sunday.

Leading from the front, captain Shubman Gill produced a magnificent unbeaten 104-run innings, while Sai Sudharsan chipped in with a crucial half-century as Gujarat successfully chased down a daunting target of 215 with eight balls remaining.

Rajasthan’s Early Troubles

As Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) prepare for the IPL 2026 final on Sunday, Bengaluru City Police have issued a comprehensive public advisory urging fans to celebrate responsibly and avoid activities that could disrupt public order.

The advisory comes in the backdrop of last year's tragic stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB's title celebrations, which claimed 11 lives and raised serious concerns about crowd management and public safety.

Key Restrictions Announced

Hansi Flick appears to have identified another promising academy talent capable of contributing to FC Barcelona’s evolving first-team structure following the strong debut of Alvaro Cortes against Deportivo Alavés. Reports from Spanish media indicate the Barcelona manager was particularly impressed with the young centre-back’s composure, positioning, and maturity under pressure. As a result, Cortes is now expected to be included in the club’s pre-season plans for next season.

India is preparing for one of its busiest and most strategically important sporting years, with 2026 set to feature a packed schedule of global competitions, including the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games, and two major world chess championship events. The momentum is already visible in May, a month loaded with tournaments, qualifiers, rankings events, and league competitions across disciplines. As Indian sport becomes increasingly commercialized and globally competitive, the intense calendar reflects the country’s expanding ambitions in international athletics.

India’s women’s hockey team has strengthened its defensive core through an intensive 11-day goalkeeping camp held in Bhopal, concluding on May 2. Conducted by Irish expert David Williamson under the supervision of chief coach Sjoerd Marijne, the program focused on refining technical skills and match readiness. Supported by Anandana, the Coca-Cola India Foundation, the initiative reflects a strategic emphasis on high-performance training. The camp brought together India’s top goalkeepers to enhance consistency, resilience, and tactical awareness ahead of key international assignments.

FC Barcelona may be facing an early obstacle in their summer transfer plans, with key defensive target Alessandro Bastoni reportedly losing patience over delays. The Inter Milan centre-back is said to be unwilling to wait indefinitely for a formal approach, raising concerns about Barcelona’s ability to secure priority signings. The situation highlights the broader financial and strategic constraints shaping the club’s transfer operations, while also reflecting the increasingly competitive nature of the European football market, where timing and decisiveness are critical to success.

Mumbai Indians endured a disappointing end to their 2026 Indian Premier League campaign after a narrow defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru officially ended their playoff hopes. The absence of regular captain Hardik Pandya due to a back spasm further compounded the franchise’s struggles during a season marked by inconsistency and injury setbacks. All-rounder Corbin Bosch acknowledged the difficulties created by Pandya’s absence but stressed the importance of adapting under pressure.

The build-up to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup has officially intensified following confirmation of the tournament’s warm-up fixtures ahead of the main competition beginning on June 12. A total of 12 preparatory matches will be staged between June 6 and June 10 across Derby, Loughborough, and Cardiff, offering teams valuable time to fine-tune strategies and adapt to English conditions. Several leading nations, including previous finalists New Zealand women's national cricket team and South Africa women's national cricket team, will feature on the opening day.