Sports
Gurinder Singh Sangha: First Indian Umpire Manager for Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup
Gurinder Singh Sangha, a talented individual from Jalandhar, has received a prestigious appointment.
A historic appointment celebrates Indian hockey excellence. Gurinder Singh Sangha from Jalandhar receives the prestigious role of Umpire Manager for the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup. This tournament runs from November 28 to December 10 in Tamil Nadu. Remarkably, he becomes the first Indian ever chosen for this position at the World Cup level.
Sangha expressed overwhelming joy about this achievement. Currently, he teaches physical education at Olympian Manpreet Singh Government Senior Secondary School in Mithapur, Punjab. Moreover, his dedication to hockey spans several decades, making him highly qualified for this responsibility.
Previously, Sangha served as Umpire Manager for the Junior Asia Cup in Oman. That tournament took place from November 26 to December 4 last year. Additionally, he has officiated at numerous significant events, including the Asian Games, Asia Cup, and Olympic qualifiers.
At 53 years old, Sangha demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the sport. He stated, “The day I am taken out of the ground is the day I will breathe my last.” This powerful statement reflects his deep passion. Furthermore, he was born in the Jandu Sangha locality in Jalandhar district.
His hockey journey began at age 13. Subsequently, he became a skilled player during his school years at Doaba Khalsa Senior Secondary School. He competed at school, district, state, and national levels successfully. However, despite his talent, he never represented the national team.
His father significantly influenced his hockey career. An Air Force officer and international-level player, his father inspired Sangha’s love for the game. Although disappointed about not playing internationally, Sangha channeled his passion into coaching and teaching instead.
In 2018, the International Hockey Federation appointed him as an international hockey Umpire Manager. This role involves guiding and training new umpires for international competitions. Meanwhile, he has served on Hockey India’s technical and umpiring committee for several years.
Sangha has trained numerous international players throughout his career. Notably, he worked with Olympians Sukhjit Singh, Hardik Singh, and Jarmanpreet Singh. Consequently, he feels proud watching their achievements on the world stage. His coaching expertise extends beyond officiating into player development.
Throughout his career, Sangha has officiated approximately 80 international matches. These experiences span various continents and prestigious tournaments. Therefore, his extensive background makes him perfectly suited for the World Cup role.
As Umpire Manager, Sangha oversees all umpires during the tournament. His responsibilities include ensuring fair play and smooth match operations. Additionally, he manages umpire assignments and resolves any officiating challenges that arise.
The Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup showcases emerging talent from around the globe. Young players eager to prove themselves will compete for international recognition. Similarly, this tournament serves as a stepping stone toward senior international careers.
Indian hockey continues gaining recognition worldwide. Recent successes in various tournaments demonstrate the sport’s growing strength domestically. Furthermore, appointments like Sangha’s highlight India’s increasing influence in hockey administration globally.
Gurinder Singh Sangha carries Indian hockey’s pride into this prestigious appointment. His journey from player to educator to international official inspires many aspiring hockey professionals. Ultimately, his dedication proves that passion and perseverance create lasting impact in sports.
The Alaves vs Sevilla Copa del Rey Round of 32 match takes place tonight at Mendizorroza Stadium in Vitoria. This single-elimination fixture promises intense action as both teams battle for a spot in the Round of 16.
Alaves enters the match with decent recent form, having won two of their last five games. However, they suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat against Real Madrid in their previous outing. Despite the loss, the team showed great fighting spirit and displayed high-quality football throughout the match.
Meanwhile, Sevilla arrives with tremendous confidence after crushing Real Oviedo 4-0 in their last game. The team brings strong attacking momentum and looks determined to advance further in the competition.
Recent Form Comparison
| Team | Last 5 Results | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaves | W-W-L-L-L | 6 | 6 |
| Sevilla | W-D-W-L-L | 8 | 6 |
Head-to-Head Record
In their last five meetings, Alaves holds the advantage with three wins compared to Sevilla’s one victory. Additionally, one match ended in a draw. Both teams scored in all five previous encounters, suggesting tonight’s match could feature goals from both sides.
Team News and Injuries
Alaves will miss defender Facundo Garces, who continues serving a long-standing suspension. Otherwise, the team has a relatively healthy squad available for selection.
In contrast, Sevilla faces a lengthy injury list. Several key players remain sidelined, including:
- César Azpilicueta (muscular problem)
- Adnan Januzaj (left hamstring)
- Tanguy Nianzou (muscular issue)
- Orjan Nyland (injury)
- Gabriel Suazo (recently returned from soleus muscle injury)
- Rubén Vargas (unavailable)
- Marcao (foot complaint – fourth consecutive match missed)
- Kike Salas (groin injury)
Furthermore, forwards Chidera Ejuke and Akor Adams are absent as they represent Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations.
However, Sevilla receives positive news with the return of Peque after completing a one-match suspension. Moreover, Romero returns to the squad after serving a two-match ban following his red card in the derby against Betis.
Coach Matías Almeyda has called up eight players from Sevilla’s youth team, including goalkeeper Alberto Flores and striker Álex Costa. These young players featured in the recent 4-0 victory against Oviedo.
Match Preview
Alaves will rely on the speed of Carlos Vicente and the midfield balance of Antonio Blanco to make their home advantage count. The team aims to use the cold weather and passionate home support at Mendizorroza to their benefit.
On the other hand, Sevilla’s attacking prowess remains their biggest strength despite multiple absences. The team’s recent form shows they can score goals freely and maintain defensive solidity.
Both teams have scored in three of Sevilla’s last five matches. Therefore, fans can expect an entertaining contest with chances at both ends. The Alaves vs Sevilla clash promises excitement as these two competitive sides fight for Copa del Rey progression.
Indian opener Prithvi Shaw experienced a roller-coaster ride at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi. Initially, no team showed interest in him despite his base price of just ₹75 lakh. However, the day ended with an unexpected twist that brought him back to his IPL family.
The Painful Start
The auction began badly for Shaw. His name appeared in the first session, but surprisingly, no franchise placed a bid. Subsequently, the auctioneer called his name again during the accelerated auction round. Unfortunately, he faced rejection once more.
This double disappointment clearly hurt the 26-year-old cricketer. Consequently, he took to Instagram and posted a heartbreak emoji with the words “It’s Ok.” This emotional response showed how deeply the rejection affected him.
Prithvi Shaw at 9:10 PM: uploaded a sad story after going unsold even in Round 2.
9:17 PM: sold to DC for ₹75L in round 3.
Story deleted. God’s plan. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/463IFPhuDX
— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) December 16, 2025
The Dramatic Turnaround
Just when Shaw seemed finished with the IPL 2026, something unexpected happened. Towards the end of the auction, Delhi Capitals suddenly revived his name for a third time. Moreover, they picked him up at his base price of ₹75 lakh.
Shaw’s IPL Journey
| Period | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-2024 | Delhi Capitals | 1,892 runs in 79 matches |
| Average | – | 23.94 |
| Strike Rate | – | 147.46 |
| 2025 | Not picked | Missed the entire season |
| 2026 | Delhi Capitals | Returns home |
The young opener responded quickly to this good news. Within just six minutes, he deleted his heartbreak post. Instead, he shared the Delhi Capitals’ welcome post featuring himself with captain Axar Patel. Furthermore, he captioned it “Back to my family” with a heart emoji, showing his happiness.
Recent Form and Struggles
Shaw’s IPL journey hasn’t been smooth recently. Between 2023 and 2024, he scored only 304 runs from 16 games. Therefore, the Delhi Capitals released him before IPL 2025. Additionally, he missed the entire 2025 season without a team.
However, Shaw worked hard on his game during this difficult period. Recently, he showed promising form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26. Specifically, he scored 183 runs in seven matches with a strike rate above 160. This performance proved he still possesses the talent that made him famous.
Career Highlights
Shaw’s cricket journey started brilliantly. As a teenager, he scored an incredible 546 runs in a Harris Shield match – the highest score in organized cricket since 1901. Subsequently, he captained India to victory in the 2018 U19 Cricket World Cup.
International Career Stats
- Test matches: 5 games (debut: October 2018 vs West Indies)
- ODIs: 6 games (last match: July 2021 vs Sri Lanka)
- Fastest Ranji double century: Achieved in October 2024
Moreover, Shaw represented Northamptonshire in England’s County Championship during 2023-24. Recently, he switched from Mumbai to Maharashtra for domestic cricket opportunities.
Why Delhi Capitals Picked Him?
Several factors likely influenced DC’s decision. First, Shaw knows the team culture well from his six-year association. Second, his recent domestic form shows improvement. Third, at ₹75 lakh, he represents excellent value for money. Finally, his experience opening the batting adds depth to DC’s squad.
What This Means Going Forward?
This comeback gives Shaw a crucial opportunity to revive his career. He needs consistent performances to regain selectors’ attention for international cricket. Additionally, playing for his familiar franchise removes adjustment pressures.
The emotional Instagram journey captured cricket fans’ attention nationwide. His honest reaction to rejection resonated with many people. Furthermore, the quick turnaround from despair to joy created a heartwarming story.
In conclusion, Prithvi Shaw gets another chance to prove himself at the highest level. His return to Delhi Capitals completes a circle that started in 2018. Now, cricket fans eagerly wait to see if this homecoming produces the performances that once made him India’s most promising young talent.
Australian all-rounder Matthew Short believes he deserves another chance in the Indian Premier League. After turning 30 last month and recovering from an injury-filled year, he entered the IPL 2026 auction with renewed confidence. Moreover, he feels much better prepared than his first IPL appearance in 2023.
What Went Wrong in 2023?
Short joined Punjab Kings (PBKS) as a replacement for injured Jonny Bairstow in 2023. However, his IPL debut didn’t go as planned. He played only six matches and struggled to make an impact. Furthermore, he admitted the experience overwhelmed him completely.
“I was probably rushed into it a little bit,” Short confessed to ESPNcricinfo. “That was my first-ever overseas tournament, so straight into the IPL was a pretty big deal.”
The pressure affected his performance significantly. Consequently, he moved away from his natural game and couldn’t handle the spotlight. Additionally, the massive stadiums, huge crowds, and intense media attention created challenges he wasn’t ready for.
The Journey to Redemption
Since that disappointing stint, Short has worked hard on both his skills and mindset. He identified the mental side of cricket as crucial for success. Therefore, he sought help from sports psychologist David Reid.
How Short Improved
| Area | What He Did |
|---|---|
| Mental strength | Worked with psychologist David Reid |
| Match experience | Played in multiple overseas leagues |
| Leadership skills | Captained Adelaide Strikers for 2 years |
| Performance | Dominated Big Bash League consistently |
Notably, Short has been exceptional in the Big Bash League over the past four seasons. He scored nearly 500 runs more than his closest rival during this period. This consistent performance proves his ability to handle pressure situations.
Why He’s Ready Now?
Short now brings valuable experience from various competitions worldwide. He learned to stay in the moment and block out distractions. Moreover, his captaincy experience with Adelaide Strikers taught him decision-making under pressure.
“Having three or four good seasons under my belt now in the Big Bash, and playing in different comps around the world, it definitely gives you the confidence,” he explained. “I’d be a lot more ready for it now if selected.”
Key Improvements Since 2023
- Better understanding of pressure management
- Experience playing in different conditions globally
- Strong leadership qualities developed
- Consistent performance record
- Mental clarity and focus
The Auction Challenge
Short entered the IPL 2026 auction with a base price of ₹1.5 crore (approximately AUD 250,000). However, competition remains fierce. Dozens of overseas players fight for just 31 available foreign slots across all teams.
Despite these challenges, Short maintains a balanced perspective. “If I don’t get picked up, there are always other opportunities,” he said philosophically. “My wife and I always say, ‘Let the universe decide.'”
CSK Takes a Chance
Eventually, Chennai Super Kings picked Short for ₹1.50 crore at his base price. This gives him the second chance he desperately wanted. Meanwhile, CSK gains an experienced all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball.
The franchise clearly sees value in his recent form and leadership qualities. Furthermore, his ability to adapt to different conditions makes him a versatile option for CSK’s squad.
What This Means for His Career?
This opportunity could define Short’s international T20 career. If he performs well, doors to other leagues might open. Additionally, consistent IPL performances often lead to national team opportunities.
His journey shows important lessons about handling failure. Instead of giving up after 2023, he worked on his weaknesses. Consequently, he returns stronger and more prepared.
In conclusion, Matthew Short now gets his redemption story. From being overwhelmed in 2023 to confidently ready in 2026, his transformation reflects dedication and mental strength. Cricket fans will eagerly watch whether this second chance produces the results he and CSK hope for.
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