Indian sports wrap, April 22: Aman shines at Asian U-15 & U-17 Boxing Championships, 64 Squares to grant fellowship worth ₹1 crore

BOXING

Aman shines at age-group Asian Championships

Aman Siwach put on an impressive display on Day 3 of the Asian U-15 & U-17 Boxing Championships in Amman, Jordan, securing a 4-1 win over Abubakir Duisheev of Kyrgyzstan in the 63kg category.

Aman added another solid win to India’s tally at the continental event, after triumphant results for both the men’s U-15 and U-17 contingents on the first two days.

In the 70kg category, Anshul Khasa faced Kuanysh Urumbassar of Kazakhstan and lost by unanimous decision.

-Team Sportstar

CHESS

64 Squares Initiative to grant fellowship worth ₹1 crore to five Indian women players

64 Squares, a joint initiative of Hyderabad-based Pravaha Foundation and Chess Startup, MGD1, is working to grow the stature of women’s chess in India.

The 2025 cohort features a fellowship grant worth ₹1 crore that will back five exceptional chess players, including IM Vantika Agrawal, WFM Shubhi Gupta, WFM Charvi Anilkumar, as well as emerging talents WIM Sarayu Velpula and WIM Sahithi Varshini.

The initiative aims to identify and support promising women chess players in India by covering their training, tournament participation, and exposure expenses for a year.

Among the early beneficiaries was Arjuna Awardee Vantika Agrawal, who was selected for support in 2023. Since then, she has earned the title of International Master and brought home multiple accolades for the country, including team and individual gold at the 2024 Chess Olympiad.

As she now sets her sights on achieving the prestigious Grandmaster title, Vantika has been included in the 2025 cohort of the initiative to support her journey further.

Vinoda Kailas, director and trustee, Pravaha Foundation, said: “With 64 Squares, we’ve seen how focused, sustained support can unlock far more than just results—it builds the confidence, ambition, and long-term vision of young women in chess. This initiative isn’t just about nurturing talent; it’s about addressing the deep gender gap in the sport.”

-Team Sportstar

CROSSMINTON

India announces 16-member team for World Crossminton Championship

India will field a 16-member team in the eighth World Crossminton championship to be staged at the Warszawianka Tennis Club in Warsaw, Poland, from May 29 to June 1.

The preparatory camp will be held at the Indus Valley Public School, JBM Global School and ASPAM Scottish School in Noida, apart from Gaurs International School in Greater Noida.

-Kamesh Srinivasan

CUE SPORT

Advani, Sitwala top seeds in CCI billiards

Several leading green baize exponents including multiple-time world champion Pankaj Advani and Asian title winner Dhruv Sitwala will be seen in action at the CCI Billiards Classic, scheduled to commence in Mumbai on April 28.

The action will begin with the qualifying rounds on April 25 and 26, where 48 contenders will compete for 12 spots in the main draw.

The 12 qualifiers will join 20 elite players, who will then play in the league format. The Rs 10 lakh prize money tournament will be played in the three-ball classic format.

England’s Martin Goodwill, a former European Open champ, is the lone overseas player to be seeded in the tournament.

Besides defending champion Advani, who is also the top seed, the other players elite players are Brijesh Damani, Raiyaani Razmi, Divaaj Haria, Ketan Chawla and Rohan Jhambusaria.

The winner will be richer by Rs 2.5 lakh while the runner-up will get Rs 1.5 lakh.

-PTI