Social Media

Hockey players finally get an out

New Delhi: For reason unknown, the men and women national campers of Indian hockey weren’t entitled to an out-of-pocket allowance (OPA) by the govt under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) over the years. Since the inception of TOPS in Sep 2014, athletes from other disciplines benefitted from the sports ministry’s benevolence of monthly stipend […]

Published

2 months ago

June 21, 2025

Your Sports Nation

New Delhi: For reason unknown, the men and women national campers of Indian hockey weren’t entitled to an out-of-pocket allowance (OPA) by the govt under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) over the years. Since the inception of TOPS in Sep 2014, athletes from other disciplines benefitted from the sports ministry’s benevolence of monthly stipend to the identified pool of sportspersons but not the hockey players.

However, this anomaly was rectified in a recent meeting of the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) here on Thursday. The 156th governing council meeting of the MOC has approved an OPA of Rs 25,000 per month for the national campers of both the men’s and women’s hockey teams after considering the request of the sport’s national federation – Hockey India (HI).

Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

A total of 80 players (40 men and 40 women) will benefit from the allowance which is given to athletes in the developmental group of TOPS. Athletes in the core group of TOPS receive a monthly stipend of Rs 50,000. The allowance to hockey players would cost the govt Rs 20 lakh per month, a ministry official said.

“The allowance was requested by Hockey India for some time and we have decided to accept the demand. The players have performed reasonably well and it (this allowance) is being given on merit. The federation will have to submit a list of players to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) every month for disbursement of the funds,” sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya said here on Friday.

The men’s team was considered for OPA after winning two back-to-back bronze medals — in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the subsequent Paris Games last year. The team also secured a gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. The women’s team finished a creditable fourth in Tokyo. Both the teams are currently playing in the FIH Pro League’s European leg.

A ministry official informed that the proposals worth Rs 4.28 cr from athletes were approved by the MOC, including Rs 1.38 cr financial assistance to tennis players Saketh Myneni, Jeevan Nedu.

Get IPL 2025 match schedules, squads, points table, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.

Social Media

Virginia AG says Roanoke College discriminated against female swimmers over trans athlete policy

Published

6 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Virginia AG says Roanoke College discriminated against female swimmers over trans athlete policy

Social Media

Trans athlete's mom gives powerful speech following match boycott

Trans teen athlete AB Hernandez. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images) The mother of transgender volleyball player AB Hernandez has powerfully spoken out after a girls’ team reportedly refused to play against her daughter. AB Hernandez, who has been the focus of protests outside Jurupa Valley High School, in California, was set to face Riverside Poly High School […]

Published

10 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Trans athlete's mom gives powerful speech following match boycott

Trans teen athlete AB Hernandez. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

The mother of transgender volleyball player AB Hernandez has powerfully spoken out after a girls’ team reportedly refused to play against her daughter.

AB Hernandez, who has been the focus of protests outside Jurupa Valley High School, in California, was set to face Riverside Poly High School on 15 August along with the rest of her team.

However, Riverside Poly opted to forfeit the game rather than play against Hernandez, saying a statement: “We understand this is disappointing for our athletes, families and supporters, and we appreciate the community’s understanding. We remain committed to providing a safe, positive environment for all student-athletes throughout the season.”

Parents told Fox Digital that the game was forfeited because of Hernandez’s inclusion, but the players themselves did not make the decision.

Amanda Vickers, a member of the Riverside Unified School District board, said: “There is a difference between biological girls and biological boys. And, tonight, the girls of Riverside Polly High School [are] not going to end up like Payton McNabb.”

Vickers’ comment refers to a 2022 incident in which former high school volleyball player McNabb was struck in the head by a ball returned by a trans opponent, which she claims left her with permanent brain damage.

‘This has nothing to do with fairness in sport’

Transgender athlete AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

In response to the cancellation of the match, parents, including Hernandez’s mother, Nereyda, attended a meeting with the school board.

“You are a board member. You have an oath to protect, to support all children, not just the ones that fit your ideas, your beliefs,” Nereyda said. “My daughter is not the problem. The problem is co-ordinated external efforts often led by individuals [who] travel from district to district… to spread fear and put parents against each other, using religion as a shield for discrimination.

“This has nothing to do with fairness in sport and everything to do with erasing transgender children.”

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

Social Media

The Rise Of Social Media Stars In The NBA

Shaquille O’Neal (Image Credits: X/@shaqtin) Social media has changed NBA players’ interactions with fans and the wider world. Highlights, funny videos, and private moments are now used to share what used to be limited to the court. Basketball players can display their personalities on social media sites like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Even analysts sometimes […]

Published

1 day ago

August 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The Rise Of Social Media Stars In The NBA

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0kQeeh_145P2LZc00 — *Shaquille O’Neal (Image Credits: X/@shaqtin)*

Social media has changed NBA players’ interactions with fans and the wider world. Highlights, funny videos, and private moments are now used to share what used to be limited to the court. Basketball players can display their personalities on social media sites like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Even analysts sometimes get caught in the fun, like when Paul Pierce went viral on Shaqtin’ A Fool for completely misreading a 76ers game result.

Fans can see the different sides of their favorite players through viral dances and challenges on TikTok and bloopers on Shaqtin’ A Fool. Thanks to the rise of social media stars, players now have more influence both on and off the court, making them more approachable and entertaining. In fact, some stars like James have even been humorously crowned Shaqtin’ A Fool MVPs, showing how fan engagement online can take on a life of its own.

How Did Funny Moments Create Stars?

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1h34AF_145P2LZc00 — *Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard (Photo By Imagn Images)*

Although basketball is a serious sport, its fans also enjoy its lighter aspects. Thanks to shows like Shaqtin’ A Fool, players became well-known for their mistakes and funny plays in addition to their skills.

Videos of players falling, poor passes, or missed dunks quickly went viral on television and the internet. Many players learned to laugh with the fans instead of feeling ashamed, and as a result, their popularity increased. People were able to relate to athletes more because these incidents showed that they are also people.

Shows even highlighted behind-the-scenes humor, such as when Shaquille O’Neal hilariously halted an interview over a Dwight Howard dunk blunder.

Why Did TikTok Change Everything?

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4QwwKu_145P2LZc00 — *Shaquille O’Neal (Image Credits: YouTube)*

When TikTok became popular, the way players shared their lives completely changed. TikTok prioritized short videos that were simple to view and share, unlike previous platforms.

A lot of NBA players began sharing behind-the-scenes videos, funny videos, and dances. Their everyday lives were now visible to fans who had previously only seen them during games.

This kind of content was particularly well-liked by younger fans and offered players fresh opportunities to develop their personal brands. Because TikTok is used everywhere, it has also helped the NBA gain more international recognition.

What Does This Mean For The Future Of The NBA?

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1f55jm_145P2LZc00 — *NBA logo (Image Credits: Imagn)*

Basketball is no longer just about what occurs on the court, as proven by the rise of social media stars. Without the help of reporters or television programs, players now have the opportunity to control their image and reach millions of people.

Thanks to this change, players now have greater influence over their careers and level of fame. Funny clips and imaginative videos keep fans entertained even when there are no games, which benefits teams and the league as a whole.

With new apps offering fans more ways to follow their favorite players, the relationship between social media and the NBA is only expected to strengthen.

The post The Rise Of Social Media Stars In The NBA: From Shaqtin’ A Fool To TikTok originally published on Total Pro Sports.