Sports Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
For the first time, India is fully funding its contingent for the Asian Winter Games under the Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) Scheme. The 9th Asian Winter Games will be held in Harbin, China, from 7-14 February 2025. An 88-member Indian contingent, including 59 athletes and 29 officials, will compete. Athletes in Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Short Track Speed Skating, and Speed Skating (Long Track) will receive financial support. The ANSF scheme funds athlete training, foreign coaches, and support staff for international events.

Notes:
Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers won the 6th Men’s Hockey India League 2024-25 title, defeating Hyderabad Toofans 4-3 in the final. The final was held at Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium, Rourkela, Odisha, on 1 February 2025. This was the first title win for the Bengal Tigers, earning them Rs 3 crore in prize money, while runners-up Hyderabad Toofans won Rs 2 crore. The league took place from 28 December 2024 to 1 February 2025. Odisha Warriors won the first Women’s Hockey India League title on 26 January 2025 in Ranchi.

Notes:
Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa won the Tata Steel Masters title for the first time in his career. The 19-year-old from Chennai defeated world champion D Gukesh in a tiebreaker. Both players tied with 8.5 points after the 13th round. Praggnanandhaa came from behind to win 2-1 in the tiebreaker.

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh men’s kabaddi team won gold at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand. They secured a 57-43 victory over Chandigarh with agility, strategy, and teamwork. UP also won another gold in artistic yoga in the men’s singles category. Praveen Kumar Pathak emerged as the winner in artistic yoga.

Notes:
Lovlina Borgohain won a gold in the women’s 75kg boxing category at the 38th National Games, defeating Pranshu Rathore 5-0. Shiva Thapa won silver in the men’s 63.5kg category after losing 4-3 to Vanshaj. Ankushita Boro clinched gold in the 66kg event, marking her third consecutive win. Mandengbam Singh won gold in the 51kg flyweight division, while Jaismine Lamboria claimed gold in the 60kg category. Nivedita Kari and Divya Panwar won gold in the women’s 50kg and 54kg events, respectively. The National Games 2025 continue until February 14.

Notes:
Pankaj Advani won his 36th national title and 10th men’s snooker crown at the Yashwant Club. He defeated Brijesh Damani, who won only the first frame before Advani dominated the match. The tournament is the sole selection event for the Asian and World Championships.

Notes:
Indonesia won its first gold at the Asia Mixed Team Badminton Championship, defeating China 3-1 in the final. The match took place at Conson Sports Centre, Qingdao, China. Japan and Thailand won bronze medals.

Notes:
Ugandan runner Jacob Kiplimo set a new world half-marathon record in Barcelona. He finished the race in 56 minutes and 42 seconds, reclaiming his 2021 title. Kiplimo broke the previous record by 48 seconds, which was set by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha in November 2024. This marks the greatest single improvement in the men’s world half-marathon record.

Notes:
Pankaj Advani won his 14th Asian Snooker Championship title in Doha. He also won the National Snooker Championship title in Indore. He has five Asian snooker titles and nine Asian billiards titles, along with two Asian Games golds (2006, 2010). In the final, he defeated Iran’s Amir Sarkhosh with breaks of 93 and 66.

Notes:
Sharath Kamal announced retirement from professional table tennis. Achanta Sharath Kamal transformed Indian table tennis, making India a global presence in the sport. He was the first Indian paddler to train abroad, play for a club, and win international medals. He won 7 Commonwealth Games golds and 2 Asian Games bronzes, inspiring a generation of Indian paddlers.