The 2025 edition of the Sri Lanka Inter-Schools Ritzbury Relay Championship concluded in grand style at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex in Diyagama, showcasing the best of young athletic talent across the country. Organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Athletic Association (SLSA), this year’s relay meet brought together over 3,000 athletes from more than 100 schools, competing across five age categories – Under-12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 – for both boys and girls.

After three days of intense competition, Lyceum International School, Wattala emerged as the Girls’ overall champions, while St. Benedict’s College, Colombo clinched the Boys’ overall title, marking a remarkable finish to this year’s relay spectacle.

The championship not only celebrated school-level athletic excellence but also served as a platform for broader international collaboration. On the final day, Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) hosted an invitational qualification relay event, aimed at selecting teams for the World Relay Athletics Championship 2025. Participating nations included Sri Lanka, India, and the Maldives, adding an exciting international flavour to the domestic meet.

The success of Relay Carnival 2025 highlighted the depth of school-level talent in Sri Lanka and underlined the importance of events like this in building a competitive future for the country on the global athletics stage

As of April 16, 2025, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has reached a crucial stage, with the competition heating up and the points table showcasing how tightly contested this year’s tournament has become.

Gujarat Titans (GT) currently sit atop the table with 4 wins from 6 matches, boasting a net run rate (NRR) of +1.081. Their recent form—3 consecutive wins—has propelled them to the summit and marked them as strong playoff contenders once again.

Joining them on 8 points are Delhi Capitals (DC), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). While DC has played only 5 matches, their solid NRR of +0.899 and form (4 wins from 5) show they’re a team to watch. RCB and PBKS have been steady with 4 wins out of 6, but their recent loss raises questions about consistency. LSG, despite also having 8 points, has played 7 matches, leaving them vulnerable with fewer games in hand.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), sitting at 6th place with 6 points, are still in the hunt but need to find consistency after 4 losses from 7 outings.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians (MI), Rajasthan Royals (RR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are in a precarious position. All four teams have only 4 points, but it’s CSK’s form that is most concerning. The five-time champions are languishing at the bottom of the table with 5 losses from 7 matches and a worrying NRR of -1.276. Despite flashes of brilliance from MS Dhoni and others, the team has failed to click as a unit.

SRH and RR also face an uphill climb with poor net run rates and inconsistency plaguing their campaigns. MI, despite some promise, has only managed two wins and will need a strong turnaround to stay in playoff contention.

Key Takeaways:

• Top 5 teams are locked at 8 points, making every upcoming match crucial.

• GT and DC appear the most balanced and dangerous sides so far.

• CSK and SRH face the biggest challenges with momentum against them.

• Net Run Rate will be a critical factor as the race to the top 4 tightens.

As the tournament moves past its halfway mark, fans can expect drama, surprises, and spectacular cricket as teams jostle for playoff positions in what’s shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable IPL seasons yet.

The International Golf Federation (IGF) has officially confirmed that a groundbreaking Mixed-Team Golf Event will be introduced at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, following approval by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board.

This new addition will complement the existing Men’s and Women’s Individual Olympic Golf Competitions, all of which will be played at the iconic Riviera Country Club during the LA28 Games. It marks the return of team golf to the Olympic stage for the first time since 1904.

“We are absolutely delighted with this development,” said IGF Executive Director Antony Scanlon. “The addition of the Mixed-Team Event builds on the success of golf’s Olympic return in Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and the excitement of Paris 2024. Players are eager to compete alongside their compatriots, and this new format is sure to generate even more fan engagement.”

The Mixed-Team Event will feature one male and one female player from each participating country, both of whom must already qualify for the individual events. The competition will be held over two days: 18 holes of foursomes (alternate shot) on the first day and 18 holes of four-ball (best ball) on the second. Only one team per country will be allowed to compete.

The introduction of this event reflects the IOC’s ongoing commitment to gender equality and athlete-focused competition. Golf now joins a growing list of Olympic sports—like archery, athletics (4x100m mixed relay), gymnastics, coastal rowing, and table tennis—that will feature mixed-gender events at LA28.

With 351 medal events planned for LA28, including new sports like cricket, baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash, the Olympic Games are set to offer one of the most diverse and inclusive athletic programs in history.

Stay tuned as the road to LA28 begins, promising thrilling competition and new opportunities for athletes across the globe.