RCB to donate Rs. 10 lakh aid for families of stampede victims
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Thursday announced financial support of Rs 10 lakh for the families of each of the 11 deceased during the stampede that ensued outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Forty-seven people were injured in addition to the 11 who died in the incident that occurred during RCB’s celebration after they won the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) the previous day in Ahmadabad. The franchise and the Karnataka state government have since come under fire. “The unfortunate incident in Bengaluru yesterday has caused a lot of anguish and pain to the RCB family,” said RCB in a statement on Thursday. “As a mark of respect and a gesture of solidarity, RCB has announced financial support of INR 10 lakh to each of the eleven families of the deceased. In addition, a fund called RCB Cares is also being created to support fans injured in this tragic incident. Our fans will always remain at the heart of everything that we do. We remain united in grief.” RCB’s victory on Tuesday was followed by hugely emotional scenes, with the team ending an 18-year wait for the title. However, there was uncertainty over whether there would be an open-top bus victory parade from the Vidhana Soudha to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday. Meanwhile, India’s World Cup-winning captain and legendary bowler Kapil Dev, expressing deep anguish over the tragic incident, commented, “Lives are more important than celebration.” He urged everyone to take precautionary measures so that such incidents do not take place in the future. However, Denying any prior information, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal said: “We did not know any victory parade or celebrations planned in Bengaluru. We had no idea who organized it and how so many fans came there”
Bala Devi says the goal is Rahul’s motivation for the future
Sudeep Pakrashi: Bala Devi expressed high hopes for promising Indian striker Rahul KP who donned West Ham United shirts and struck a goal for the popular English team against Borussia Dortmund in an invitational tournament on Wednesday. Rahul scored his first goal for the English team from a penalty shoot-out. Bala, the first striker in Indian women’s football to have scored 50 international goals, said while speaking to Parallel Sports from her residence in Manipur on Thursday, “This goal will play the role of a ‘motivator’ for Rahul in the future. He will be more inspired, more hard-working to settle his place in the first team regularly.” Bala still cannot forget the date of 6th December 2020. It was the day she scored her maiden goal for Scottish Rangers FC in the premier women’s league against Motherwell. “I still remember the day. I received several congratulatory messages from our country’s football fraternity. The more precise gift I had was the curiosity of Rangers FC’s men’s football team about me. Both women’s and men’s footballers spent leisure time at the same coffee shop after training.” She continued, “We all had dinner at the same place. Even, both men and women footballers used to train within the same complex, at the same ground. After I scored the goal they became curious about me. So today, I also can feel how Rahul is enjoying his first goal for a premier team like West Ham. I have seen him playing in India. He is promising and now he has to be more hard-working to ensure his berth in the first eleven,” added Bala Devi.
‘He’s Not Getting Old at All’; Klinsmann Tips Ronaldo for Another World Cup, Martinez Backs Vitinha for Ballon d’Or
Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal to secure a place in the UEFA Nations League final. Successfully ending a painful 25-year wait for a win against the Germans, his long-time nemesis. “Finally,” Ronaldo said later with a smile. “We knew this was historic.” Former German great Jurgen Klinsmann was full of admiration, “This is simply exceptional. What Ronaldo is producing as a 40-year-old is unbelievable. He’s not aging at all. He came back, helped the team, connected with his teammates — a true leader. In the box, he’s still one of the world’s best finishers. And what really stands out is his attitude. That’s what makes the difference.” Klinsmann even suggested that Ronaldo might still have one more World Cup left in him. “We saw Messi make the most of his later years in Qatar. Ronaldo could do the same next year in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.” Germany struck first, but Portugal responded with grit and tactical precision. Ronaldo, having lost all five previous clashes with Germany, led from the front — scoring the winner with a simple tap-in. It was his 137th international and 937th career goal, marking a moment of personal and national redemption. Portugal’s coach Roberto Martinez called the night “historic,” but emphasized the mental strength it took to get there. “It was a huge psychological challenge. We were playing away, against Germany — a team we hadn’t beaten in 25 years. When we conceded, it didn’t feel deserved. But the response from the players, the belief, the tactical clarity — it was all outstanding.” Martinez said the win was the result of two and a half years of preparation and growth, not just a one-off performance. “We had control. Germany didn’t. We improved in the second half and created more chances. This is a win for the Portuguese people. It will stay in their memory.” While Ronaldo took the headlines, Martinez made sure to spotlight another Portuguese hero — Vitinha. The PSG midfielder, according to the coach, has done enough this year to deserve the Ballon d’Or. “Vitinha has been crucial for PSG’s success. His style, his effectiveness — he deserves to be recognized. He’s been one of the best all year.” Martinez also spoke about Ronaldo’s drive, “It’s not the records that push him — it’s the hunger to improve every single day. That’s rare. That’s what lifts the entire team.” Now Portugal ways ahead for the Nations League final with undying spirit and renewed vigour.
