Sport

Brazilian football legend Pele dies at 82

Published

3 years ago

December 30, 2022

Pele, the legendary Brazilian soccer player who rose from barefoot poverty to become one of the greatest and best-known athletes in modern history, died on Thursday at the age of 82, Reuters reported.

Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein hospital, where Pele was undergoing treatment, said he died at 3:27 p.m. “due to multiple organ failures resulting from the progression of colon cancer associated with his previous medical condition.”

The death of the only man to win the World Cup three times as a player was confirmed on his Instagram account.

“Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pele, who peacefully passed away today,” it read, adding he had “enchanted the world with his genius in sport, stopped a war, carried out social works all over the world and spread what he most believed to be the cure for all our problems: love.”

Tributes poured in from across the worlds of sport, politics and popular culture for a figure who epitomized Brazil’s dominance of the beautiful game, read the report.

The government of President Jair Bolsonaro, who leaves office on Sunday, declared three days of mourning, and said in a statement that Pele was “a great citizen and patriot, raising the name of Brazil wherever he went.”

Bolsonaro’s successor, President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, wrote on Twitter that “few Brazilians carried the name of our country as far as he did.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said Pele’s legacy would live forever. “The game. The king. Eternity,” Macron tweeted.

Pele had been undergoing chemotherapy since he had a tumor removed from his colon in September 2021, Reuters reported.

He also had difficulty walking unaided since an unsuccessful hip operation in 2012. In February 2020, on the eve of the coronavirus pandemic, his son Edinho said Pele’s ailing physical state had left him depressed.

On Monday, a 24-hour wake will be held for Pele in the center of the field at the stadium of Santos, his hometown club where he started playing as a teenager and quickly rose to fame.

The next day, a procession carrying his coffin will pass through the streets of Santos, passing the neighborhood where his 100-year-old mother lives, and ending at the Ecumenical Memorial Necropolis cemetery, where he will be buried in a private ceremony, Reuters reported.

US President Joe Biden said on his Twitter that Pele’s rise from humble beginnings to soccer legend was a story of “what is possible.”

Pele, whose given name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, joined Santos in 1956 and turned the small coastal club into one of the most famous names in football.

In addition to a host of regional and national titles, Pele won two Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League, and two Intercontinental Cups, the annual tournament held between the best teams in Europe and South America, read the report.

He took home three World Cup winner’s medals, the first time as a 17-year-old in Sweden in 1958, the second in Chile four years later – even though he missed most of the tournament through injury – and the third in Mexico in 1970, when he led what is considered to be one of the greatest sides ever to play the game, Reuters reported.

He retired from Santos in 1974 but a year later made a surprise comeback by signing a lucrative deal to join the New York Cosmos in the then nascent North American Soccer League.

In a glorious 21-year career he scored between 1,281 and 1,283 goals, depending on how matches are counted.

Pele, though, transcended soccer, like no player before or since, and he became one of the first global icons of the 20th century.

With his winning smile and an aw-shucks humility that charmed legions of fans, he was better known than many Hollywood stars, popes or presidents – many if not most of whom he met during a six-decade-long career as player and corporate pitchman.

“I am sad, but I am also proud to be Brazilian, to be from Pele’s country, a guy who was a great athlete,” said Ciro Campos, a 49-year-old biologist in Rio de Janeiro. “And also off the field, he was a cool person, not an arrogant athlete.”

Pele credited his one-of-a-kind mix of talent, creative genius and technical skill to a youth spent playing pick-up games in small-town Brazil, often using grapefruit or wadded-up rags because his family could not afford a real ball.

Pele was named “Athlete of the Century” by the International Olympic Committee, co-“Football Player of the Century” by world soccer body FIFA, and a “national treasure” by Brazil’s government, read the report.

His celebrity was often overwhelming. Grown adults broke down crying in his presence with regularity. When he was a player, souvenir-seeking fans rushed the field following games and tore off his shorts, socks and even underwear.

His house in Brazil was less than a mile from a beach, but he didn’t go there for some two decades because of fear of crowds.

Yet even in unguarded moments among friends, he rarely complained. He believed that his talent was a divine gift, and he spoke movingly about how soccer allowed him to travel the world, bring cheer to cancer patients and survivors of wars and famine, and provide for a family that, growing up, often did not know the source of their next meal.

“God gave me this ability for one reason: To make people happy,” he said during a 2013 interview with Reuters. “No matter what I did, I tried not to forget that.”

Brazil’s CBF soccer federation said “Pele was much more than the greatest sportsman of all time… The King of Soccer was the ultimate exponent of a victorious Brazil.”

Kylian Mbappé, the French star many view as the current best soccer player in the world, also offered his condolences.

“The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten,” he wrote on Twitter. “RIP KING.”

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IPL 2026: RCB sold for $1.78 billion in landmark deal

Published

4 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Ariana News

In one of the biggest franchise deals in cricket history, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been sold for approximately $1.78 billion (INR 16,660 crore) to a powerful consortium of Indian and global investors.

The all-cash deal was confirmed by United Spirits Limited (USL), the current owner of the franchise and a subsidiary of global beverage giant Diageo.

The sale follows a “strategic review” by Diageo, which had identified cricket as a non-core business and aimed to complete the transaction by the end of March 2026.

New ownership structure

The consortium acquiring RCB includes the Aditya Birla Group, Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone’s private equity arm. Under the agreement, both the men’s and women’s teams—previously operated by Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited—will now be fully owned and managed by the new group.

Former cricketer Aryaman Birla is set to serve as chairman, with Satyan Gajwani appointed as vice-chairman.

Record-breaking valuation

The $1.78 billion price tag highlights the surging commercial value of franchise cricket. The figure surpasses the combined valuation of the Lucknow and Ahmedabad IPL franchises sold in 2021 and marks a dramatic rise from RCB’s original purchase price of $111.6 million in 2008.

The franchise’s growth has been fueled by consistent on-field success and a massive global fanbase. Led by star player Virat Kohli, RCB’s men’s team secured its first-ever IPL title in 2025, while the women’s side, captained by Smriti Mandhana, are also reigning champions in the Women’s Premier League.

Strategic vision and global backing

The new ownership brings together a diverse mix of business and sporting expertise. Bolt Ventures is linked to prominent investor David Blitzer, who holds stakes in multiple global sports teams across leagues such as the NBA, NFL, and Premier League. Meanwhile, Blackstone—one of the world’s largest asset managers—adds significant financial muscle to the consortium.

In a joint statement, the new owners described RCB as “one of the most iconic franchises in world sport,” citing its championship-winning culture, deep connection to Bengaluru, and passionate fanbase.

“We are committed to taking RCB to new heights, both on and off the field,” the consortium said.

What happens next

The deal is still subject to regulatory approvals from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Competition Commission of India before it is formally completed.

Industry analysts say the sale signals a new era for franchise cricket, with increasing global investment and cross-sport ownership models reshaping the business of the game. With fresh capital and international expertise, RCB is expected to expand its brand, talent pipeline, and commercial footprint in the coming years.

Sport

Afghanistan squad hit by withdrawals ahead of AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers

Published

1 day ago

March 24, 2026

Ariana News

The Afghanistan Football Federation has confirmed that several players have withdrawn from the national team ahead of crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifying matches against Myanmar and Syria.

According to the federation, all eligible players were formally invited to join the squad, but a number opted out due to a range of reasons, including family commitments, injuries, security concerns in the Middle East, and club-related obligations.

The players who have withdrawn include Habibullah Askar, Owais Azizi, Abdanjam Haidari, Mohammad Naeem Rahimi, Jabbar Sharza, Faisal Ahmad Hamidi, Jamshid Achakzi, Amid Arzo, Tawfiq Sekandari, and Ramin Safi.

The federation stressed that representing the national team remains both a duty and an honor, urging players to place national commitments at the forefront.

Head coach Jose Antonio Nogueira acknowledged the challenges but indicated a shift in long-term strategy. “After the next two matches, we will place greater focus on domestic Afghan players,” he said, outlining plans to build a squad centered on locally based talent to ensure greater availability, cohesion, and commitment.

Key qualifier details

Afghanistan’s upcoming match against Myanmar in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers will take place at the Thuwunna Youth Training Centre in Yangon on 26 March at 5pm.

The fixture was originally scheduled for November 2025 but was postponed due to Afghanistan’s lack of a home venue. It had initially been set to take place in Qatar before the Asian Football Confederation approved Myanmar as the host, with both federations agreeing to the change.

Myanmar has already secured a 2-1 victory over Afghanistan in the first match.

Group standings and outlook

In Group E, Syria have already secured qualification with 15 points from five matches. Myanmar sit second with six points from four games, while Afghanistan and Pakistan have two points each, although Afghanistan have played fewer matches.

Myanmar are set to face Pakistan in their final group match on 31 March.

Despite the current setbacks, the Afghanistan Football Federation says it remains committed to rebuilding and strengthening the national side, with future decisions aimed at supporting the long-term development of football in the country.

Sport

IPL 2026: Ishan Kishan named Sunrisers’ interim captain ahead of opening clash

Kishan, 27, arrives at the leadership role on the back of strong recent form and growing stature in international cricket.

Published

2 days ago

March 23, 2026

Ariana News

With just days to go before the curtain rises on the Indian Premier League 2026 season, anticipation is building among fans worldwide for what promises to be another high-octane edition of cricket’s most lucrative T20 competition.

The 2026 campaign is set to get underway on Saturday, March 28, meaning there are less than five days remaining until the opening match.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will host Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru, kicking off a tournament expected to deliver fresh rivalries, emerging stars, and dramatic finishes.

New leadership shift at Sunrisers

In one of the major developments ahead of the new season, Sunrisers Hyderabad—champions of the 2016 edition—have appointed Ishan Kishan as interim captain. The decision comes as regular skipper Pat Cummins continues his recovery from injury and is set to miss the opening matches.

Kishan, 27, arrives at the leadership role on the back of strong recent form and growing stature in international cricket. The explosive left-handed batter was a key contributor to India’s victorious campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and has quickly become one of the most dynamic players in the shortest format.

He joined Sunrisers for INR 11.25 crore (about $1.2 million) during the mega auction ahead of the 2025 season and made an immediate impact.

Last season, Kishan scored 354 runs in 14 matches at an average of 35.40, maintaining an impressive strike rate of 152.58. He also announced himself in style with a blistering unbeaten 106 off just 47 deliveries in his debut match against Rajasthan Royals.

Young Indian talent Abhishek Sharma has been named vice-captain and will support Kishan in leading the side during the early phase of the tournament.

Opening clash and season expectations

Sunrisers face a tough start as they take on the defending champions RCB in the tournament opener, a match that is already generating significant buzz. With several teams undergoing squad reshuffles and strategic changes following recent auctions, IPL 2026 is expected to showcase a new competitive balance across franchises.

Broadcast details for Afghanistan

Fans in Afghanistan will be able to follow every moment of the action live, as Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) holds exclusive broadcasting rights for the tournament in the country. Matches will be aired live and exclusively on Ariana Television.

Viewers are also encouraged to follow Ariana TV and Ariana News across social media platforms for the latest updates, breaking news, and in-depth coverage throughout the tournament.