Padma Shri, Instituted on 2 January 1954,is given for “distinguished service of a high order without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex.” This year President approved the conferment of Padma Shri to 94 Persons.

Kartik Sharma from India has won the New South Wales men’s Amateur Golf Championship in Australia. Kartik notched up a magnificent win over Australia’s Nathan Barberie in the scheduled 36-hole final to emerge as champion. Kartik has been playing for India since the age of 10 as part of the National Squad. He had been selected to represent Indian Golf Union for three events in Australia.

South Africa cricketer Johan Botha has announced his immediate retirement from all forms of cricket on 24 January 2019. He played for South Africa in five test matches, 78 one-day internationals, and 40 T20 Internationals from 2005 to 2012. He captained South Africa in 10 ODIs and took the team to the No. 1 ranking after they defeated Australia 4-1 in Australia in 2009.

Indian men’s hockey coach Harendra Singh was on January 10, 2019 sacked from the position and offered the task of helming the junior squad by the national federation. The year 2018 was very disappointing for the Indian Men’s Hockey Team with results not going as expected, they believe investing in the junior program which will reap long-term benefits.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has maintained his number one position in the latest ICC batsmen rankings. Cheteshwar Pujara has gained a spot to be third, following his man of the series performance in India’s maiden Cricket Test series win in Australia.

The Swiss team of Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic has won the 31st edition of the Hopman Cup tournament 2019 in Perth, Australia. They defeated German team of Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber 4-0 1-4 4-3 (5-4) in the deciding mixed doubles final. Twenty-time Grand Slam champion Federer is the first player to win three Hopman Cups – twice with Bencic and once with Martina Hingis, in 2001. Beside this, Switzerland became the first team to defend the Hopman Cup. It has been reported that the Hopman Cup will be replaced by an ATP tournament from next year.

In Maharashtra, the 2nd edition of Khelo India Youth Games 2019 will be held in Pune, known as the city of students on January 9. It has already been announced that Youth Olympic Gold Medallist in shooting Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhari, as well as weight lifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga will be among the cream of India’s youth sporting talent competing at these games.Three 10-year-old athletes including footballer Pratima Kumar from Jharkhand, hockey player Laltlanchhungi from Mizoram and West Bengal’s 10m air rifle shooter Abhinav Shaw, will pick up their first experience of competing in a large-scale multi-discipline event.