New Delhi, Oct 16: Veteran New Zealand cricketer Kane Williamson has been appointed as the new strategic advisor of IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Williamson will take on the role following the departure of India’s fast bowling legend Zaheer Khan, who was the franchise’s mentor for IPL 2025.

Interestingly, Williamson had been a part of the Durban’s Super Giants, the sister franchise of LSG, in this year’s SA20. “Kane has been a part of the Super Giants family and it’s an absolute delight to welcome him in his new role as Strategic Advisor for @LucknowIPL.”

“His leadership, strategic insight, deep understanding of the game, and ability to inspire players make him an invaluable addition to the team,” wrote Goenka, the chairman of RPSG Group, on his ‘X’ account on Thursday.

Williamson is currently on a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and his most recent appearance for the Blackcaps came in the 2025 Champions Trophy, where the side finished runners-up to India.

In 79 IPL matches, while turning out for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans, Williamson made 2128 runs at an average of 35.46 and a strike rate of 125.61, including being the leading run-getter in the 2018 season.

The franchise had previously hired former India bowling coach Bharat Arun as their bowling coach. Sources in the franchise have also told IANS on Thursday that Carl Crowe has been added to LSG’s support staff as the spin bowling coach.

Crowe was previously in the same role with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and worked on making Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy a lethal spin bowling pair for the three-time IPL winners.

“It was confirmed some time back that Crowe will also join Arun in LSG now, and an official statement will come soon. With Justin Langer also being retained as the head coach following talks going on back and forth, the franchise will soon kickstart its preparations for IPL 2026 auction,” further said sources.

LSG, under the leadership of India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, ended their IPL 2025 campaign at seventh place – matching their finish from the previous season of the competition. The back-to-back mid-table results mark a dip from their impressive third-place finishes in the IPL 2022 and 2023 seasons, respectively.

Mumbai: The Maharashtra sports department has sought a list of vacant land from the Waqf Board and its own department to develop sports facilities for children and youth across Mumbai.

The initiative aims to ensure better access to sports infrastructure, training opportunities, and to promote greater participation in sports at the community level. Speaking to the FPJ, sports, youth and minority development minister Manikrao Kokate said he has already directed officials to identify all vacant plots under their jurisdiction where such facilities can be established.

“I will receive the complete list within a month, and work will begin immediately,” Kokate said. The minister made the statement after being asked about the inaccessibility of several sports complexes and clubs in Mumbai, so that children not from affluent backgrounds are able to participate. Kokate also shared that to further boost sports activities among youth, his department recently held a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

During the meeting, Pawar instructed officials to create modern and upgraded sports facilities across the state and to draft a new sports policy after a detailed study of various aspects of sports development. “The aim is to raise the standard of sports culture in Maharashtra and give a new direction to the sector,” Pawar said. Officials have also studied sports infrastructure models from other Indian states and countries, exploring options to utilise Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding for sports development.

The government recently announced plans to provide dedicated, safe, and fully equipped changing rooms for women players at all sports complexes, gymkhanas, stadiums, and local playgrounds across Maharashtra. The new facilities will include toilets, health amenities, CCTV surveillance, and female security staff to ensure safety, hygiene, and dignity for women athletes. The minister also revealed plans to introduce water sports activities at Powai Lake, modelled on facilities in Dubai. “Padel-based water karting will soon be available at Powai Lake,” he announced.

The government is also drafting a new state youth policy aimed at the welfare and empowerment of the state’s youth. “We are seeking ideas and recommendations from young people to ensure that the new policy truly reflects their needs, challenges, and aspirations,” he said. Meanwhile, under the Government of India’s initiative marking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, the state has launched the ‘Sardar@150 Unity March’.

District administrations, along with the Sports Department, MY Bharat, NSS, and NCC, will organise district-level marches of 8-10km. The programme will also include essay and debate competitions, discussions on Sardar Patel’s life, street plays, antidrug pledges, yoga and health camps, cleanliness drives, and cultural performances across Maharashtra.

Patna, Oct 16: The Janata Dal (United) on Thursday released its second list of candidates for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.

The list features 44 candidates, including several influential leaders, sitting MLAs, and young faces from various social and professional backgrounds, reflecting the party’s attempt to balance experience with fresh energy.

With this second list, the party has now intensified its election preparations.

In a statement, the JD(U) congratulated all its candidates, saying the list was prepared with the goal of ensuring inclusive development under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership.

The list includes prominent leaders such as Dhirendra Pratap Singh alias Rinku Singh (Valmikinagar), Leshi Singh (Dhamdaha), Jayant Raj (Amarpur), Mahabali Singh (Karakat), and Sumit Kumar Singh (Chakai).

Other names include Samridh Verma (Sikta), Shweta Gupta (Sheohar), Pankaj Mishra (Runnisaidpur), Sudhanshu Shekhar (Harlakhi), Meena Kamat (Babubarhi), Sheela Mandal (Phulparas), Satish Sah (Laukaha), Aniruddh Prasad Yadav (Nirmali), Vijendra Prasad Yadav (Supaul), Bulo Mandal (Gopalpur), Lalit Narayan Mandal (Sultanganj), Manorama Devi (Belaganj), Chetan Anand (Navinagar) and Vibha Devi (Nawada).

Significantly, the JD(U) has included four Muslim candidates in this list – a move seen as a course correction after the party’s first list, which featured no Muslim candidates, drew criticism.

The Muslim candidates in the second list are Janab Manzar Alam (Jokihat), Jama Khan (Chainpur), Saba Zafar (Aamour), and Shagufta Azim (Araria).

Political observers note that this inclusion indicates Nitish Kumar’s effort to retain minority support and balance the NDA’s overall social outreach, especially after the BJP’s candidate lists excluded Muslim names altogether.

The second list showcases the strategy of the JD(U) of combining social inclusivity, regional representation, and loyalty.

The inclusion of seasoned faces like Leshi Singh and Mahabali Singh alongside younger leaders such as Shweta Gupta and Samridh Verma suggests the party’s attempt to appeal to both rural and urban voters.

With this list, the JD(U) has now declared 101 candidates across two phases, leaving the NDA’s seat-sharing picture almost complete.

The party’s next focus will be on grassroots mobilisation and campaign coordination across all constituencies.

Bihar will vote in two phases – November 6 and November 11, with results to be declared on November 14.