Indian sports activities wrap, January 23: Atiqa Mir, 10, set to develop into India’s first feminine driver to race in World Sequence Karting

MOTORSPORT

10-year-old Atiqa Mir set to develop into first Indian feminine to race in World Sequence Karting

India’s 10-year-old karting sensation Atiqa Mir is about to develop into the primary feminine from the nation to race within the World Sequence Karting (WSK) Championships after being signed by 29-time champions Babyrace for a full season.

This was after her spectacular leads to a check session carried out at La Conca circuit in south of Italy. The racer from Jammu and Kashmir will even be the one feminine within the Mini class having a extremely aggressive grid of over 60 karts.

She is going to race in all three WSK Championships this yr: the WSK Tremendous Grasp Sequence, the WSK Euro Sequence and the WSK Last Cup as a debutant.

The primary of those three races, WSK Tremendous Sequence Grasp Sequence, can be held over the weekend.

“I’m tremendous thrilled to get this chance to drive with in WSK with Babyrace. This would be the highest stage of karting I’ve ever pushed in. I should study a variety of circuits and driving within the winter can be a problem however I’m up for it,” stated Atiqa.

WSK is taken into account as the head of karting which attracts the very best driving expertise, the highest kart producers and engine producers from the world over.

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen is among the many host of drivers which have raced in WSK of their early life.

Like Verstappen, Atiqa too hails from a racing household. Her father Asif Nazir is India’s first Nationwide Karting Champion and Method Asia Vice Champion.

He can be by Atiqa’s facet when she competes in Italy this weekend.

“Atiqa has managed to maneuver as much as the best stage of karting by means of her laborious work and dedication.

“It will likely be powerful for her racing in opposition to this high quality of subject. She has to study new tracks, new circumstances and adapt herself to this new atmosphere. It will likely be difficult and a studying yr for her,” stated Nazir

– PTI

FOOTBALL

FC Bengaluru United appoint former India participant Mohanraj as head coach

FILE PHOTO: Nallappan Mohanraj.
| Photograph Credit score:
V. Ganesan/THE HINDU

FC Bengaluru United on Thursday roped in former India worldwide Nallappan Mohanraj as its new head coach for the upcoming season of the I-League second Division.

Mohanraj, who holds an AFC ‘A’ Diploma Teaching Certificates, has had stints with India’s U-19, U-20, and U-23 groups.

He additionally guided Tamil Nadu to Santosh Trophy closing spherical after an eight-year hiatus.

Mohanraj represented the Indian nationwide staff from 2008 to 2013, and was additionally captain of the U-19 staff throughout the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers in 2007.

On the membership stage, he performed for Mohun Bagan, ATK Kolkata, and Chennaiyin FC, reaching important milestones, together with successful the Indian Tremendous League (ISL) in 2014.

“His confirmed capacity to nurture expertise and elevate staff efficiency can be an incredible asset as we put together to qualify for the I-League,” stated Gaurav Manchanda, Founding father of Nimida Sports activities, house owners of the membership.

Mohanraj expressed his pleasure in regards to the new function, stating, “I stay up for working with the staff, sharing my experiences, and reaching nice success collectively as we stay up for the I-League 2 video games.”

FC Bengaluru United launch its bid to qualify for the I-League with the primary I-League 2 recreation in opposition to SAT Tirur on January 25.

– PTI

GOLF

Ajeetesh Sandhu tied fifth, two photographs off lead in Manila

Ajeetesh Sandhu was tied fifth, two photographs behind the chief, Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand, after the primary spherical of the Philippine Open, which began the 2025 Asian Tour schedule.

Sandhu shot 3-under 67 that included an eagle two and a double bogey on successive holes, the ninth and the tenth holes of the Masters course of Manila Southwoods Golf & Nation Membership.

Kaewkanjana shot certainly one of solely two bogey-free rounds on day one to seize sole possession of the lead.

He was one shot forward of compatriots Danthai Boonma and Pavit Tangkamolprasert, and Australia’s Aaron Wilkin.

Amongst different Indians SSP Chawrasia was T-18 with 1-under 69, Rashid Khan (70) was T-50, Rahil Gangjee and Yuvraj Sandhu with 74 every had been T-99.

Sandhu carried on his type from the final season, when he received a event on the home PGTI Tour after which secured his enjoying rights on the Asian Tour by means of the ultimate stage of the Qualifying College.

He made an eagle on the par-four ninth gap, the place he holed out his nine-iron second shot from 135 yards.

– PTI

Chikka, Anshul make lower in Selangor Masters

Bengaluru golfer S Chikkarangappa (71-72) was the highest Indian at T-33 within the USD 200,000 PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Membership right here on Thursday.

Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra (69-63) led the sector at 10-under and was two forward of Tawit Polthai (70-64).

The one different Indian to make the lower was Anshul Kabthiyal (71-74).

Different Indian in fray, Pukhraj Singh Gill (74-72), Arjun Sharma (72-76), Karandeep Kochhar (81-72) and Aryan Roopa Anand (72-82) missed the lower.

– PTI

SQUASH

WSC Open Squash titles for Diva, Anika

Diva Shah of Maharashtra carried her sharp type into the title spherical, getting the higher of State mate Eesha Shrivastava 11-5, 11-9, 11-2 within the Ladies U-17 finals of the four-star Willingdon Sports activities Membership Squash Basic Open 2025, on the WSC Squash courts, right here, on Thursday. With each gamers seeded 3/4 and in addition accustomed to one another’s video games, it was Diva who was the sharper of the 2 on the day.

The Ladies U-19 title was lifted by Maharashtra’s Anika Dubeya, who obtained the higher of State mate Karina Phipps 13-11, 13-15, 11-2, 11-6.

High seed Suraj Chand of Jindal Squash Academy, Vashind was taken the space by Maharashtra’s Om Semwal (seeded 3/4), successful a topsy-turvy males’s singles semi-finals. Chand received 11-9, 6-11, Sept. 11, 11-4, 11-3 to arrange a title conflict with Saurav Ghoshal (TN), who obtained the higher of Abhishek Pradhan 11-4, 11-2, 11-6.

Following are the outcomes:

– Crew Sportstar