Sport

It’s a wrap: Paris Olympics hands flag to 2028 host city LA

The next Summer Olympics will be in 2028 and will be hosted by Los Angeles

Published

2 years ago

August 12, 2024

The Olympic flame was officially extinguished during an elaborate closing ceremony Sunday, officially ending the 2024 Paris Games as Los Angeles takes over for 2028.

Setting out to prove that topping Paris isn’t mission impossible, Los Angeles rolled out a skydiving Tom Cruise, Grammy winner Billie Eilish and other stars on Sunday as it took over Olympic hosting duties from the French capital, which closed out its 2024 Games just as they started — with joy and panache, AP reported.

Capping two and a half extraordinary weeks of Olympic sports and emotion, Paris’ boisterous, star-studded closing ceremony in France’s national stadium mixed unbridled celebration with a somber call for peace from International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.

At what will be his last Games after announcing his intention to step down next year, Bach made a somber appeal for ”a culture of peace” in a war-torn world.

Bach, the 1976 fencing Olympic champion, said in his closing speech: “Despite all the tensions in our world, you came here from all 206 national Olympic committees and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, to make the City of Light shine brighter than ever before.

Thomas Bach appeals for ”a culture of peace” in a war-torn world

“Your performances were amazing. You competed fiercely against each other. Every contest on the edge of perfection. Every performance sparking excitement around the world. You showed us what greatness we humans are capable of.

“The Olympic Games Paris 2024 were a celebration of the athletes and of sport at its best.

“The first Olympic Games delivered completely under our Olympic Agenda reforms: younger, more urban, more inclusive, more sustainable. The first Olympic Games with full gender parity.

“These were sensational Olympic Games from start to finish – or dare I say: Seine-sational Games.”

The next Summer Olympics will be in 2028 and will be hosted by Los Angeles – for the third time.

But things will be slightly different for the next Games as the IOC has green-lighted several new (and old) sports for 2028 and subtracted another from the program list that was featured in Paris.

Gymnastics, as well as other mainstream international events — such as athletics, aquatics, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, cycling and fencing — will of course be part of the 2028 Olympics.

Flag football is a variant of gridiron football where, instead of tackling players to the ground, the defensive team must remove a flag or flag belt from the ball carrier

Flag football and squash have been approved as first-time additions in Los Angeles, while baseball, softball, lacrosse and cricket will be added after various lengths of absence.

Lacrosse has not been an Olympic sport since 1908.

Lacrosse will feature six-on-six tournaments, and medals will be awarded for the first time in 120 years.

Cricket was contested once, in Paris in 1900.

Break-dancing and perhaps boxing will be out. Formerly optional sports skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing will transition to permanent events in 2028, the IOC said.

Forbes reported that the proposed budget for the 2028 Games is $6.8 billion, according to chairman Casey Wasserman, and will be completely funded by the private sector.

The IOC said that flag football will feature men’s and women’s medal competitions, with the teams playing five-on-five on a 45-meter field.

The World Squash Federation has meanwhile tried for years to introduce the sport into the Games. They have been given the green-light for Los Angeles.

The World Squash Federation has tried for years to introduce the sport into the Games

Both sports are considered optional and may not continue at the 2023 Brisbane Games.

Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse, Cricket Are Back

Baseball was added as a permanent sport in the 1992 Barcelona Games and was dropped after 2008 before making a one-time return in Tokyo in 2020.

Softball meanwhile has been on the Olympic card five times, most recently in 2020, when host country Japan won its second consecutive gold medal. The US won the first three times.

It will be an optional sport in Los Angeles, although the competition will be held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, which is the site of the NCAA Women’s College World Series.

Lacrosse will feature six-on-six tournaments, and medals will be awarded for the first time in 120 years. Canada has won the only two gold medals, in 1904 and 1908. Its B team took the bronze in 1904, and the sport was dropped after Canada and Great Britain were the only competitors in 1908.

Great Britain is the only previous cricket gold medalist, having won in the 1900 Paris Games. Great Britain and France were the only sides to compete.

Boxing meanwhile has not been cleared for Los Angeles. The IOC has stripped recognition of the International Boxing Association (IBA) for what it said was a failure to address finance and governance reforms, and the IBA has not been involved in the last two Olympic Games.

The IOC has delayed until 2025 a decision on whether to include the sport, pending the formation of a new governing body. Boxing was introduced in 1904 and has been part of the medal program since 1920.

The purported sport of break-dancing — “breaking” — threatens to be a one-hit wonder after being introduced in Paris.

Breaking is not on the schedule for the Los Angeles Games, and leaders of the sport fear funding issues will prevent reinstatement in Brisbane.

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Sport

Myanmar trump Afghanistan 2-1 in Asian Cup Qualifier

Published

14 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Ariana News

The Afghanistan national football team lost 2–1 to Myanmar in the Asian Cup qualifiers in Yangon on Thursday afternoon.

The only goal for Afghanistan was scored by Omid Popalzay.

Afghanistan’s national team is scheduled to play its final match of the competition on March 31 against Syria in Saudi Arabia.

Sport

Afghanistan to face Myanmar in crucial AFC clash

Afghanistan enters the fixture with renewed focus, aiming to capitalize on recent improvements in squad cohesion and tactical discipline.

Published

18 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Ariana News

Afghanistan national football team take on Myanmar national football team today, Thursday March 26, in a key AFC competition match, with kickoff scheduled for 3pm local time.

The match, set to be broadcast exclusively on Ariana Television in Afghanistan, is seen as an important test for Afghanistan as they look to build momentum and strengthen their standing in regional competition.

Afghanistan enters the fixture with renewed focus, aiming to capitalize on recent improvements in squad cohesion and tactical discipline.

The team will be hoping to deliver a strong performance in front of fans watching across the country, with particular emphasis on defensive organization and quick transitions in attack.

Myanmar, meanwhile, arrive determined to challenge their opponents and secure valuable points. Known for their pace and structured play, they are expected to provide a competitive contest and test Afghanistan’s resilience throughout the match.

Today’s encounter is more than just a fixture—it represents an opportunity for both sides to assert themselves on the continental stage. For Afghanistan, a positive result would not only boost confidence but also reinforce their ambitions in AFC competition.

With anticipation building, all eyes will be on the pitch as the two sides battle for supremacy in what promises to be an engaging and closely fought contest.

Today’s match between Afghanistan national football team and Myanmar national football team is part of the qualification campaign for the AFC Asian Cup, one of Asia’s premier international football competitions.

Crucial opportunities

The fixture plays a key role in determining which teams advance to the next stage of the qualifiers and ultimately secure a place in the final tournament. For emerging football nations like Afghanistan and Myanmar, these matches are crucial opportunities to compete at a higher level and gain continental recognition.

Afghanistan are aiming to strengthen their position in the group standings, with every point vital in a tightly contested qualification race. A win today would significantly boost their chances of progressing, while also improving their FIFA ranking and regional standing.

For Myanmar, the match carries similar importance, as they look to stay competitive in the group and keep their qualification hopes alive.

With so much riding on the outcome, today’s encounter is not just another game—it is a pivotal step on the road to the AFC Asian Cup.

Fans can meanwhile tune in to Ariana Television from 2.30pm for the preview show. Kickoff is expected to take place at 3pm.

Sport

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

Published

2 days 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.