Iran concluded its participation in the 2026 World Cup without any losses; however, its main difficulties were not the football matches but administrative barriers.
The team faced visa bans, restrictions on overnight stays, and limitations on daily cross-border travel on match days. More than a dozen staff members were denied entry to the United States.
The technical coach of Iran noted that the situation was similar to holding two completely different World Cups simultaneously.
A meeting was held in the capital dedicated to reforms in the field of adaptive physical culture and sports, as well as the creation of a modern educational environment. The goal of the event was to involve persons with disabilities in the sports and higher education system of the State Sports Academy in Uzbekistan.
Presentations were given at the gathering about the opportunities being created by the State Sports Academy in Uzbekistan for training graduates of special schools. Issues regarding the adaptation of their curriculum, the scientific development of adaptive sports, the improvement of inclusive education, and future plans were also discussed.
During an open dialogue, representatives from special schools and boarding schools across the country carefully listened to the reports and received answers to many questions that interested them. Proposals were put forward during the discussions regarding the education system, the development of adaptive sports, scientific cooperation, personnel training, and the direction of graduates from special schools into higher education institutions.
At the end of the event, a tour of the 'Olympic Village' was organized for specialists who arrived from various regions. The modern classrooms in the academic buildings, thematic rooms equipped for lessons in various subjects, laboratories designed for practical classes, and the created modern working conditions made a positive impression on the participants.
It was noted that the Village's Information and Resource Center possesses an extensive collection on physical culture, sports medicine, pedagogy, psychology, adaptive sports, and other fields. The opportunities created for students and researchers were recognized as a contribution to increasing the country's sports potential.
The international women's tennis tournament 'Livesport Prague Open' has started in Prague, Czech Republic. Maria Timofeeva from Uzbekistan is participating in this competition and ranks second in national tennis.
In the first round, Maria Timofeeva played a match against Alexandra Sasnovich, who competed under a neutral flag. The match lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes, during which Maria Timofeeva demonstrated excellent play and won with a score of 6:3, 6:4, thus advancing to the second stage of the competition.
Before the match, Maria Timofeeva's WTA ranking was 84th, while Alexandra Sasnovich held the 133rd position in the ranking.
Now the Uzbek tennis player must take to the court against the winner of the match between Anna Blinkova, competing under a neutral flag, and Sara Beleková, representing the Czech Republic, to contend for the quarterfinals.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made several significant amendments to the playing conditions before the start of the 2026-27 domestic cricket season. These changes are implemented as a result of modifications made to cricket rules by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), and they will primarily affect bowlers, wicketkeepers, and the conduct of multi-day matches.
The BCCI has distributed these revised rules to all state cricket associations. Furthermore, umpires and match referees are being provided with special training to effectively implement these provisions in the upcoming domestic season.
The biggest change has been made concerning front-foot no balls. If it is found that a bowler deliberately bowls a front-foot no ball, they will not only be prevented from bowling but will also be suspended from the entire match. This strict rule will also apply to deliberately bowling dangerous beamers (a ball that passes over the batsman's head without bouncing). Previously, in such cases, the bowler was only prevented from bowling in that innings while remaining part of the match and could bowl in the next innings; this arrangement has now been abolished.
The BCCI has also made significant adjustments in multi-day cricket like First Class. Now, if a wicket falls during the final over of the day, the game will not end immediately. If a wicket falls on the fifth ball, the new batsman will be required to come out and play the last ball, ensuring that the final over of the day is completed under all circumstances.
Team captains in One Day International (ODI) cricket have also been granted some leeway. They can now go onto the field during the drinks break to discuss strategy with their players, whereas this activity was previously prohibited. The rules for wicketkeepers have also been improved; they can now hold their hands in front of the stumps while bowling, provided their hands are behind the stumps at the moment of release. This change addresses past incidents where the wicketkeeper's gloves were found in front of the stumps before releasing the ball, leading to the umpire declaring it a no ball.
The BCCI believes that through these changes, discipline in domestic cricket will increase, rules will become clearer for players, and match conduct will align with international standards.
