Sports Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
India is set to host its first international Esports championship in March 2025. Organized by Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF) and International Esports Federation (IESF), the event aims to attract participants from 150 countries.
Esports is gaining global recognition, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) introducing annual series Esports events. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) included it in the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. The host city for the event will depend on state government sponsorship. IESF is also launching a club-based tournament in India to involve Tier 1 and Tier 2 clubs, emphasizing community engagement over profit.

Notes:
Haryana’s boxer Mandeep Jangra won the World Boxing Federation’s super featherweight world title by defeating British boxer Conor McIntosh. The title match took place in the Cayman Islands. Mandeep, 31, turned professional in 2021 and trains under American boxing legend Roy Jones Junior. He won silver at the 2013 Asian Championship and the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Mandeep received the Arjuna Award from the Indian government in 2015.

Notes:
The 4th LG Horse Polo Cup 2024 was inaugurated by Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra, at the Horse Polo Ground in Goshan Drass, Ladakh. Ladakh’s first Polo Stadium, built at a cost of 6.84 crore rupees, was also unveiled at the event. This highlights Ladakh’s commitment to preserving its polo heritage and promoting sports infrastructure for local talent and tourism.

Notes:
The 2024 Women’s Asian Champions Trophy held from November 11 to 20 at Rajgir Hockey Stadium, Bihar. This is the first international hockey tournament in Bihar. The Indian women’s hockey team, led by new captain Salima Tete, will defend their title. Top teams participating include China (Paris Olympics silver medallists), Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand. The tournament highlights Bihar’s growing role in hosting international sports events.

Notes:
Pankaj Advani, an ace Indian cueist, achieved a historic 28th world title by defeating England’s Robert Hall at the IBSF World Billiards Championship in Doha. This victory marks Advani’s seventh consecutive title, showcasing his dominance in the sport since 2016, despite a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. His exceptional performance included a remarkable unfinished 147 break, highlighting his skill and strategic prowess in billiards.

Notes:
Harinder Singh Sodhi, also known as ‘Billy,’ a prominent Indian polo player, passed away at 86 due to age-related issues. Known for his exceptional talent and commitment, Sodhi achieved a rare handicap of plus-five, a highly respected level in polo. He was honored with the Arjuna Award for his contributions to polo.His legacy in Indian polo is celebrated with great admiration and respect.

Notes:
The Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports launched a national appeal to combat doping in sports. Athletes, coaches, and the sports community are encouraged to use NADA India’s ‘Know Your Medicine (KYM)’ app. The KYM app is part of NADA’s mission to boost anti-doping awareness and education. It lets users check if a medicine or ingredient is prohibited by WADA. The app promotes fair sports by helping athletes make informed choices. Unique features include image and audio search, plus sport-specific information, making it user-friendly for athletes and sports personnel.

Notes:
Bihar will host the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in April, marking its addition to the Khelo India map. For the first time, Bihar will also host the Khelo India Para Games, following the Youth Games with a 10-15 day gap. The first Para Games edition was held in Delhi last year. The Khelo India Youth Games 2023 were in Tamil Nadu. Bihar plays a key role in the Ministry’s infrastructure development and grassroots athlete support.

Notes:
Eight-year-old Divith Reddy from Hyderabad won the Under-8 World Cadets Chess Championship in Montesilvano, Italy. He scored 9/11 points, tying with Sattwik Swain and Ziming Guo, but secured gold due to a better tie-break score. Divith, with a FIDE rating of 1784, won his first four matches, lost two, but then won five consecutive matches to clinch the title. The FIDE World Cadet Championships 2024 were held from November 14-27, 2024, in Montesilvano, Italy, with categories for U8, U10, and U12.

Notes:
Bangladesh defeated India by 59 runs in the 11th Asian Cricket Council U19 Men’s Asia Cup Final on December 8, 2024, in Dubai, successfully defending its title. Bangladesh secured its second consecutive U19 Men’s Asia Cup victory, having won the previous edition in 2023. Iqbal Hossain Emon from Bangladesh was named Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament. The tournament, organized by the Asian Cricket Council, was held in the UAE from November 29 to December 8, 2024.