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Olympic gold medallist Sotomayor to feature in Ekamra Sports Literature Festival Season 7

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Olympic gold medallist and world record holder Cuban high jumper Javier Sotomayor will headline Season 7 of the Ekamra Sports Literature Festival (ESLF) to be held here on November 22.

Sotomayor, who first breached the 8-feet barrier in 1989 and set the standing world record of 2.45m (8 ft ¼ in) in 1993, will be joined on the panel by India’s current national record holder Tejaswin Shankar.

”It’s an honour to be at the Ekamra Sports Literature Festival. Some world class athletes have already attended in the previous seasons. I have been following India’s progress in track and field and was delighted when Neeraj Chopra won Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020,” Sotomayor said in a release.

This season will also feature Palestinian middle-distance runner Mohammed Dwedar, recently seen at the Tokyo World Championships.

The event will also highlight the next generation of Indian athletics, including hurdler Shourya Ambure, triple jumper Poorva Sawant, and middle and long-distance runner Bushra Khan.

Italy’s Franco Nugnes (Senna: The Truth), cricket writer and filmmaker Jarrod Kimber (The Art of Batting), Sandeep Menon (Sacred Grounds) and Jaydeep Basu (Who Stole My Football) are some of the authors who will also attend the event.

A major highlight of the festival remains India’s only Sports Book Awards, which recognise standout work across categories including Sports Book of the Year, Biography of the Year, Autobiography of the Year, Cricket Book of the Year, Special Jury Award, and Publisher of the Year.

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Stupa Sports secures multi-year competition management deal with Table Tennis New Zealand

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Stupa Sports, the leading global AI-powered sports technology and analytics firm, today announced its appointment as the Official Competition Management Partner of Table Tennis New Zealand (TTNZ), in what will be a multi-year strategic partnership. Under this agreement, Stupa will deploy its comprehensive “whole-of-sport” Competition Management Platform – an integrated, end-to-end digital infrastructure designed to power every dimension of table tennis governance, competition delivery and stakeholder experience, across New Zealand.

The partnership marks a significant step in TTNZ’s digital transformation journey, bringing together Stupa’s deep-tech expertise and TTNZ’s ambition to modernise the sport at every level – from grassroots clubs to national competitions.

Stupa’s platform delivers a suite of eleven enterprise-grade modules specifically configured for TTNZ’s operational requirements, including Tournament and League Management, Live Scoring and Real-Time Match Data, Membership and Licensing Management, an Automated Ranking and Rating System, an Online Entry Registration System with integrated payment gateways, role-based User Management, a revenue-generating Sub-Licensing Framework, secure Payment Processing, Third-Party System Integration support and full platform customisation aligned to TTNZ’s specific workflows.

A cornerstone of the partnership is the Sub-Licensing Framework, which enables TTNZ to generate new, sustainable revenue by licensing the platform to Regional Associations and clubs, while simultaneously driving national standardisation across New Zealand’s table tennis ecosystem. This positions TTNZ not only as a more efficient governing body but also as a commercially empowered one.

Commenting on the partnership, Megha Gambhir, Co-founder & CEO, Stupa Sports, said, “Our appointment as Official Competition Management Partner for TTNZ reflects our commitment to building technology that works for sport at every level and catering to all modern day requirements of fan and player engagement. This is not just a software deployment – it is the creation of a complete digital backbone for an entire national federation. From player registrations and club management to live match data and revenue generation, every touchpoint of New Zealand table tennis will now operate on a single, unified platform. We are proud to support TTNZ in this transformation and look forward to a long and impactful partnership.

Adding to this, Izania Downie, CEO, Table Tennis New Zealand, said, “Partnering with Stupa Sports is a landmark moment for table tennis in New Zealand. For the first time, we have a single, fully integrated platform that connects every level of our sport — from players and clubs to regional associations and the national body. Stupa’s technology will not only simplify how we manage competitions and memberships, but also create new revenue opportunities that will directly benefit the growth of the sport across the country. We are excited about what this partnership means for the future of table tennis in New Zealand.”

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Sony Pictures Clinches 20th Asian Games Broadcast Rights

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Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has acquired the media rights for the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, marking the return of the prestigious continental sporting event yet again to the Sony Sports Network. Set to take place in Japan from September 19 to October 4, 2026, the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network channels and streamed on Sony LIV. 

 

As part of the agreement, SPNI will showcase the highly anticipated 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026, across India, as well as the Indian subcontinent.  

 

India heads into the Games riding on historic momentum. At the previous edition of the Asian Games, India delivered its best-ever performance at the tournament, securing 107 medals; a landmark achievement that underlined the country’s growing sporting prowess on the continental stage. With a new generation of champions emerging alongside seasoned stalwarts, expectations are higher than ever for another record-breaking campaign. 

 

The Asian Games are one of the largest multi-sport events in the world, bringing together elite competitors featuring 41 sports, including 32 Olympic sports with new additions like Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and surfing, alongside staples like Cricket, Tennis, Esports, Kabaddi, Sepak Takraw, and Kurash. One of the biggest highlights of this edition for Indian audiences is cricket which have both the Men in Blue and Women in Blue vying to reclaim their honor of being Asia’s best.  The inclusion of the sport brings medal hopes in both the men’s and women’s competitions, further strengthening India’s prospects of topping its previous tally.   

 

Through comprehensive coverage, expert analysis, and multi-language programming, Sony Pictures Networks India will deliver immersive access to the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, capturing every emotional high, record-breaking feat, and historic triumph. From the opening ceremony grandeur to the final medal events, Sony Sports Network aims to bring fans closer to the action than ever before. 

Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer and Business Head – Sports and International, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI):  

“The Asian Games represents sporting excellence and is a powerful platform for national pride. As the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 prepares to welcome the best athletes from Asia, we are proud to bring this continental multi-sport event back to Sony Pictures Networks for the third time. India’s historic performance at the last edition, where the nation crossed the 100-medal milestone for the first time, has ignited unprecedented interest in multi-sport events. The stage is set for another unforgettable chapter with the inclusion of cricket along with a formidable Indian contingent ready to chase new milestones. We are committed to delivering immersive coverage that celebrates every medal and inspires millions across the country as our athletes strive for greatness once again.” 

 

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IPL 2016: Zelio E-Mobility Joins Hands with Punjab Kings as an Official EV Partner

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Zelio E-Mobility, a rapidly expanding electric two-wheeler brand that has been doubling its growth year over year, today announced its partnership with Punjab Kings as the team’s Official EV Partner for the 2026 season. This marks a defining moment for the brand – bringing together the energy of Punjab Kings and the momentum of India’s green mobility movement.

As the Official EV Partner of Punjab Kings, Zelio E-Mobility will leverage one of India’s most-watched sporting platforms to strengthen its brand presence across the country. The partnership encompasses branding rights, digital media integration, and in-stadia activations tied to Punjab Kings throughout the season. Two of the brand’s most celebrated models – the XMen+ (launched in 2026) and the X Men 2.0 – will be featured by the team, reflecting the growing public love for these vehicles and placing them squarely in the spotlight of mainstream India.

For Zelio E-Mobility, this partnership is fundamentally about long-term brand building in key markets across India. Cricket offers unparalleled reach – cutting across geographies, demographics, and language groups. By associating with Punjab Kings, the brand aims to deepen its connection with millions of consumers in Tier 2 markets and beyond, accelerating awareness and consideration for its electric two-wheeler lineup at a scale that few other platforms can offer. 

“Cricket continues to be one of the most powerful platforms to connect with audiences across India. Our association with Punjab Kings allows us to engage with a wide consumer base while strengthening Zelio’s brand presence in a culturally relevant environment. As we scale our operations, such partnerships play a role in aligning visibility with growth momentum,” said Kunal Arya, Managing Director, Zelio E-Mobility.

Punjab Kings Chief Commercial Officer Mr. Saurabh Arora said, “We are delighted to welcome Zelio Electric Scooters as our Official EV Partner for the season. This partnership reflects the growing synergy between sport and sustainable innovation. As a franchise, we are committed to aligning with forward-looking brands that resonate with today’s consumers, and Zelio’s focus on electric mobility and accessibility makes them a strong strategic fit for Punjab Kings. Through this association, we aim to create meaningful fan engagement while contributing to the broader narrative around clean and responsible mobility.”

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