Indian sports wrap, January 23: Atiqa Mir, 10, set to become India’s first female driver to race in World Series Karting
Indian sports wrap, January 23: Atiqa Mir, 10, set to become India’s first female driver to race in World Series Karting
India’s 10-year-old karting sensation Atiqa Mir is set to become the first female from the country to race in the World Series Karting (WSK) Championships after being signed by 29-time champions Babyrace for a full season.
This was after her impressive results in a test session conducted at La Conca circuit in south of Italy. The racer from Jammu and Kashmir will also be the only female in the Mini class having a highly competitive grid of over 60 karts.
She will race in all three WSK Championships this year: the WSK Super Master Series, the WSK Euro Series and the WSK Final Cup as a debutant.
The first of these three races, WSK Super Series Master Series, will be held over the weekend.
“I am super thrilled to get this opportunity to drive with in WSK with Babyrace. This will be the highest level of karting I have ever driven in. I will have to learn a lot of circuits and driving in the winter will be a challenge but I am up for it,” said Atiqa.
WSK is considered as the pinnacle of karting which attracts the best driving talent, the top kart manufacturers and engine manufacturers from the world over.
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen is among the host of drivers that have raced in WSK in their formative years.
Like Verstappen, Atiqa too hails from a racing family. Her father Asif Nazir is India’s first National Karting Champion and Formula Asia Vice Champion.
He will be by Atiqa’s side when she competes in Italy this weekend.
“Atiqa has managed to move up to the highest level of karting through her hard work and dedication.
“It will be tough for her racing against this quality of field. She has to learn new tracks, new conditions and adapt herself to this new environment. It will be challenging and a learning year for her,” said Nazir
– PTI
FC Bengaluru United on Thursday roped in former India international Nallappan Mohanraj as its new head coach for the upcoming season of the I-League second Division.
Mohanraj, who holds an AFC ‘A’ Diploma Coaching Certificate, has had stints with India’s U-19, U-20, and U-23 teams.
He also guided Tamil Nadu to Santosh Trophy final round after an eight-year hiatus.
Mohanraj represented the Indian national team from 2008 to 2013, and was also captain of the U-19 team during the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers in 2007.
At the club level, he played for Mohun Bagan, ATK Kolkata, and Chennaiyin FC, achieving significant milestones, including winning the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2014.
“His proven ability to nurture talent and elevate team performance will be a tremendous asset as we prepare to qualify for the I-League,” said Gaurav Manchanda, Founder of Nimida Sports, owners of the club.
Mohanraj expressed his excitement about the new role, stating, “I look forward to working with the team, sharing my experiences, and achieving great success together as we look ahead to the I-League 2 games.”
FC Bengaluru United launch its bid to qualify for the I-League with the first I-League 2 game against SAT Tirur on January 25.
– PTI
Ajeetesh Sandhu was tied fifth, two shots behind the leader, Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand, after the first round of the Philippine Open, which started the 2025 Asian Tour schedule.
Sandhu shot 3-under 67 that included an eagle two and a double bogey on successive holes, the ninth and the tenth holes of the Masters course of Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club.
Kaewkanjana shot one of only two bogey-free rounds on day one to grab sole possession of the lead.
He was one shot ahead of compatriots Danthai Boonma and Pavit Tangkamolprasert, and Australia’s Aaron Wilkin.
Among other Indians SSP Chawrasia was T-18 with 1-under 69, Rashid Khan (70) was T-50, Rahil Gangjee and Yuvraj Sandhu with 74 each were T-99.
Sandhu carried on his form from the last season, when he won a tournament on the domestic PGTI Tour and then secured his playing rights on the Asian Tour through the final stage of the Qualifying School.
He made an eagle on the par-four ninth hole, where he holed out his nine-iron second shot from 135 yards.
– PTI
Bengaluru golfer S Chikkarangappa (71-72) was the top Indian at T-33 in the USD 200,000 PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club here on Thursday.
Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra (69-63) led the field at 10-under and was two ahead of Tawit Polthai (70-64).
The only other Indian to make the cut was Anshul Kabthiyal (71-74).
Other Indian in fray, Pukhraj Singh Gill (74-72), Arjun Sharma (72-76), Karandeep Kochhar (81-72) and Aryan Roopa Anand (72-82) missed the cut.
– PTI
Diva Shah of Maharashtra carried her sharp form into the title round, getting the better of State mate Eesha Shrivastava 11-5, 11-9, 11-2 in the Girls U-17 finals of the four-star Willingdon Sports Club Squash Classic Open 2025, at the WSC Squash courts, here, on Thursday. With both players seeded 3/4 and also familiar with each other’s games, it was Diva who was the sharper of the two on the day.
The Girls U-19 title was lifted by Maharashtra’s Anika Dubeya, who got the better of State mate Karina Phipps 13-11, 13-15, 11-2, 11-6.
Top seed Suraj Chand of Jindal Squash Academy, Vashind was taken the distance by Maharashtra’s Om Semwal (seeded 3/4), winning a topsy-turvy men’s singles semi-finals. Chand won 11-9, 6-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-3 to set up a title clash with Saurav Ghoshal (TN), who got the better of Abhishek Pradhan 11-4, 11-2, 11-6.
– Team Sportstar
