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Esipenko puts Ganges Grandmasters in front on Day 8

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Andrey Esipenko, far left in yellow, and Bella Khotenashvili on the adjoining table, proved to be the stars for Ganges Grandmasters. Courtesy GCL

The reason behind Ganges Grandmasters’ steady run at the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League came in full display on Day 8 of the inaugural tournament when the balanced side showed depth and strength to nudge out Balan Alaskan Knights 8-7 on a day of two close matches. In a see-saw battle for the top position with SG Alpine Warriors, the win for GG on Thursday evening put the onus back on the former.

In the earlier match of the day, Triveni Continental Kings turned the tables on Chingari Gulf Titans with their first win of the tournament – by a 10-9 margin – in heartbreak timing for their rivals, who also were looking to bounce after their first triumph from two nights ago, and that was against Vishwanathan Anand’s Grandmasters.

The Grandmasters were dominating the league from the outset but then suffered two consecutive defeats, leaving them on 12 match points and in second place. The Knights started the round in the middle of the standings, on six match points. With a two-match winning streak behind them, and playing with white pieces in this match they had to push themselves further.

 

In a match where both sides held their own for a long time, the positions gradually started to look more favourably for Balan Alaskan Knights, but the team of Ganges Grandmasters were fighting back on all boards.

Anand got into a somewhat uncomfortable situation on board one against Ian Nepomniachtchi. The two-time candidate for world champion managed to create two free pawns on the queenside but then came a pawn exchange where White ended a pawn up. Still, it was even and in the end, the honours were split.

Hou Yifan and Tan Zhongyi drew their game, and so did Teimour Radjabov and Leinier Dominguez. In the duel of prodigies, Andrey Esipenko of GG gained more initiative and had a rook for a knight against Raunak Sadhwani. Esipenko created a passed pawn on the queenside. In time trouble, Sadhwani could not keep on holding and the game went to team Ganges.

However, Nodirbek Abdusattorov struck one back for the Knights in a sharp game against the usually reliable Richard Rapport. The former ended with two pawns up and secured three important points for BAK.

For the second time in the day, the outcome of the match depended on the final table left. BAK’s Nino Batsiashvili took the early initiative against her compatriot from Georgia, Bella Khotenashvili. In the end game, Khotenashvili had an extra pawn after the exchanges but both could not force the momentum to go each’s way.

 

Chingari Gulf Titans (w) vs Triveni Continental Kings (9-10)

The Titans had sparked a revival by beating the formidable Ganges Grandmasters on Tuesday. They had two quick wins on the board with Black through Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Nihal Sarin, and it looked ominous for the Kings as Alexandra Kosteniuk of Titans drew with Kateryna Lagno. And then came the fightback.

“We knew we had to go all out. We are very low on game points so there is no option but to win all our games and see how it plays out,” said the Kings’ icon player Levon Aronian, who beat his counterpart Jan-Krzyztof Duda.

Then Wei Yi brought the Kings within striking distance with his win against Daniil Dubov. After a mistake in the early stages of the middlegame by Dubov, Yi got the initiative and ended up with as many as four free pawns on the queenside, and won the game.

At 7-9, all eyes from the Kings camp fell on substitute Sarasadat Khademalsharieh. Better known as Sara Khadem, she was playing her second game of the tournament as a late replacement for Nana Dzagnidze, who had to withdraw on health grounds.

In true spirit of the team’s approach, Khadem went in for the kill in the endgame against Polina Shuvalova and forced the result in her favour. “We have been lucky that we got a good replacement such as Sara and we must take it one game at a time from here,” Aronian said.

Sara Khadem did the star turn for Triveni Continental Kings after the substitute player’s victory gave the Kings a lift off the bottom of the table. Courtesy GCL

Sports

UFC returns to Abu Dhabi this July with blockbuster fight night at Etihad Arena

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Mark your calendars, fight fans. The UFC is making its return to Abu Dhabi on July 26, bringing a stacked Fight Night card to Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed the first six explosive matchups, including a can’t-miss main event featuring former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker taking on Reinier de Ridder, the surging Dutch fighter making waves across the division.

The co-main event sees rising star Aaron Pico make his highly anticipated UFC debut in a five-round featherweight showdown against the undefeated Movsar Evloev.

Official UFC Abu Dhabi Fight Card – July 26

  • Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder – Middleweight Main Event
  • Movsar Evloev vs. Aaron Pico – Featherweight Co-Main (5 rounds)
  • Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee – Bantamweight clash with fireworks guaranteed
  • Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov – High-stakes bantamweight bout
  • Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-André Barriault – Middleweight showdown
  • Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov – Light heavyweight banger

From title contenders to breakout stars and debuting fighters, this card is shaping up to be one of the summer’s most thrilling events in the UAE.

Tickets and more info coming soon. Stay tuned to UFC Arabia and Etihad Arena channels for updates.

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Middle East

DP World ILT20 strikes deal with Kuwait Cricket Board to develop T20 game in region 

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In a major boost for regional cricket, the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) has signed a strategic partnership with the Kuwait Cricket Board to develop the sport in Kuwait and beyond.

The collaboration, formalised at a high-profile ceremony at Dubai International Stadium, will see Kuwait host ILT20 development tournaments, offer exposure to local players, and eventually aim to stage official ILT20 matches on Kuwaiti soil.

This marks the first official partnership of its kind between the Emirates Cricket Board and any other national board under the ILT20 framework, placing Kuwait on the global cricket map.

What This Means for Cricket in the Gulf

  • Annual ILT20 Development Tournaments in Kuwait to identify and nurture local talent
  • Opportunity for Kuwaiti players to be scouted by ILT20 franchises
  • Future possibility of ILT20 matches hosted in Kuwait, expanding the league’s GCC footprint
  • Greater involvement of local sponsors and Kuwaiti brands in regional cricket
  • Enhanced pathway for Kuwaiti nationals to pursue full-time cricket careers

Voices from the Partnership

Khalid Al Zarooni, Chairman of ILT20 and Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, said: “We are proud to announce this strategic collaboration with the Kuwait Cricket Board as they officially join the DP World ILT20 family. This partnership underscores our commitment to expanding the game’s footprint across the Gulf region. Kuwait is a valued partner, an ambitious country with a clear vision for promoting and developing cricket.


“With strong cricket-playing communities across the region, the DP World ILT20 aims to create opportunities for players and fans alike. Our goal is to elevate the sport and make the league a truly regional platform for cricket excellence.”

Haider Farman, President of Kuwait Cricket, stated: “It is an honour to formalise this landmark agreement between Kuwait Cricket and the Emirates Cricket Board to promote the DP World ILT20, both in our two countries and across the wider region. This partnership is a cornerstone in our shared vision to grow and globalise the sport of cricket.


“We take great pride in Kuwait being recognised as the first strategic partner of the DP World ILT20. Cricket is rapidly gaining momentum in Kuwait, and this collaboration will play a pivotal role in integrating more Kuwaiti nationals into the sport as players, officials, and professionals.

“With the upcoming Asian Games in Qatar (2030) and Saudi Arabia (2034), the timing is ideal. We believe this partnership will inspire the next generation across the GCC and lay the foundation for long-term cricketing success.”

David White, CEO of DP World ILT20, commented: “We congratulate Kuwait Cricket for their strategic foresight and leadership, which have made this exciting partnership possible. The DP World ILT20’s long-term vision extends beyond the UAE; it is to serve as a catalyst for cricket development across the Gulf.

“This agreement opens up incredible opportunities for young talent in Kuwait to grow, compete, and ultimately be scouted for the main league. We’ve already seen how UAE players have benefitted from exposure to high-level competition and coaching, with recent wins like the T20I series against Bangladesh highlighting that impact. We are confident Kuwait will see similar progress.”

Sajid Ashraf, Director General of Kuwait Cricket, added: “This collaboration marks a historic moment for Kuwait Cricket and the broader sporting community. Partnering with the Emirates Cricket Board and the world-class DP World ILT20 opens new doors for our players to pursue full-time careers in professional cricket.


“Beyond the field, this alliance provides a powerful platform for Kuwaiti corporations to connect with the region’s vibrant cricket-loving population. With more than two million expatriates in Kuwait and a population of five million, the potential for commercial engagement is significant.


“We look forward to the launch of the ILT20 Development Tournament in Kuwait and the many opportunities it will bring for players, fans, and businesses. This is a defining step towards building a stronger cricket ecosystem and ensuring lasting impact for generations to come.”

What’s Next?

The first DP World ILT20 Development Tournament in Kuwait is set to be announced soon. Meanwhile, ILT20 Season 4 kicks off in the UAE on December 2, 2025 (UAE National Day), with six teams competing across 34 matches, culminating in the final on January 4, 2026.

As cricket cements its popularity across the GCC, this collaboration signals a shared ambition: to create an inclusive cricket ecosystem, from Dubai to Kuwait and beyond.

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Indian cricket icons headline Super60 USA Legends Tournament this August

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Some of India’s biggest cricketing names are set to bring their star power to the United States as the much-anticipated Super60 USA Legends Tournament gets underway this August. Fans can look forward to seeing Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, and Robin Uthappa in action once again, this time on American soil.

The tournament, which will run from August 5 to 16, is part of a growing movement to promote cricket in non-traditional markets, with the US emerging as a major focus. The T10 format, a fast-paced, dynamic, and spectator-friendly game, promises to offer fans thrilling, bite-sized cricket entertainment.

All three Indian stars bring rich international experience to the tournament:

  • Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina were key members of India’s historic 2011 ODI World Cup-winning squad.
  • Robin Uthappa played a crucial role in India’s victorious 2007 T20 World Cup campaign.

Speaking about his involvement, Harbhajan Singh said:

“I’m thrilled to be part of the Super60 USA Legends Tournament. It’s a unique and distinguished format that promises to bring a fresh perspective to the game. With the involvement of international legends, this tournament is a big step toward popularising cricket in this part of the world.”

Suresh Raina echoed the sentiment:

“I’m excited to be part of the Super60 USA Legends Tournament, which brings together world-class talent. Tournaments like this will play a vital role in growing the cricketing community in the US, and I’m proud to play a role in that journey.”

Robin Uthappa also praised the format and vision:

“The Super60 USA Legends Tournament is an excellent platform, both in terms of competition and innovation. Its unique format brings a fresh appeal to the game and has great potential to attract new fans. It’s exciting to be part of something that contributes meaningfully to cricket’s development in the US.”

The T10 format, known for its high-energy matches and shorter game duration, is helping cricket appeal to newer audiences. With games lasting around 90 minutes, the format delivers the thrill of Twenty20 cricket in a more compact version,  perfect for the entertainment-driven American sports market.

The tournament is being organised with the support of Samp Group, which continues to play a major role in expanding the reach of T10 cricket. The group aims to create the ideal platform for cricketing legends to connect with fans and inspire new players.

With legendary cricketers, a dynamic format, and a rapidly growing US cricket scene, the Super60 USA Legends Tournament promises to be a landmark moment in global cricket’s expansion story.

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