The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has made it mandatory for athletes to seek prior approval before signing endorsement deals, citing a need to protect them from unfair contracts. While officials argue the move safeguards uneducated athletes from exploitation, sports lawyers contend federations have no legal standing to govern personal contracts, raising concerns over enforceability and confidentiality.

Zurich, Uefa in Nyon, IOC (International Olympic Committee), FIVB (Volleyball), and FIG (World

When do MLB's many mercurial contenders want to reveal their true form? We're only about 10% into the 2026 season, but only the two-time defending World Series champions Dodgers (11-4), Braves (10-6) and Padres (10-6) have double-digit wins, while 20 teams are within two games of .500. But numerous teams projected to be among the best in baseball have also, at times, looked like some of the worst. Both the Yankees and Brewers started 8-2 and then lost five straight games. The storys similar for the Mets, who began 7-4 before dropping five in a row. The defending AL champion Blue Jays haven't fared any better, starting 4-1 before losing eight of their last 10 games. The Astros were 6-3 before losing seven straight a skid thats still ongoing as theyve fallen into last place in the AL West. The Mets (7-9) and Cubs (7-8) are also in last place in their respective divisions, while the Blue Jays (6-9) and Red Sox (6-9) are in a share for last in the AL East with the same number of wins as the Rockies (6-10) and White Sox (6-10). For many of these teams, injuries can help explain the unexpected volatility. This weeks power rankings include some of the latest injuries to monitor around the league. Top pitching prospect Noah Schultz is expected to debut this week, so thats a reason to be excited. He cant, however, fix the teams offensive woes: The White Sox are slashing .193/.278/.306 with the fewest runs scored in MLB, and hamstring injuries to Kyle Teel and Austin Hays haven't helped. The Rockies have a sweep of the Astros already under their belt, and their bullpen has held up well so far. But their rotation ranks 25th in ERA. They should get another veteran arm back to help with Jose Quintana expected to return from a hamstring strain this week. The Nationals can hit. Theyre fourth in runs scored and OPS. The pitching, however, is another story. It would still be a problem at full strength, but setbacks for 2023 All-Star Josiah Gray in his return from Tommy John surgery hes now on the 60-day IL with a flexor strain have provided fewer options. Health is not the reason for the Giants early-season spiral: Their best players just arent performing. Logan Webb has a 5.25 ERA, while Rafael Devers and Jung Hoo Lee are both hitting well below league average. To make matters worse, Luis Arraez, whos hitting a team-high .304 to start the year, left Saturdays game with a wrist contusion. Reclamation projects Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah are both on the shelf. But the most important thing is Mike Trout is on the field, despite somehold-your-breath moments lately. Hes only hitting .208, but he has a .400 on-base percentage. Led by Xavier Edwards (.350 batting average) and Otto Lopez (.327), Miamis offense had been a pleasant surprise to start the year until a trip this weekend to Detroit, where the Marlins plated three runs total over a three-game sweep. Getting 2025 All-Star Kyle Stowers back from a hamstring strain sometime this month will provide a lift. Masyn Winn was hit by a pitch on his leg Friday and missed the rest of the weekend series against the Red Sox, though for now it doesnt seem serious. The Cardinals are one of the healthier teams in the sport, and you should take a look at what 23-year-old Jordan Walker is doing. It looks like its all coming together for the 2020 first-round pick, who leads the majors with seven home runs. Cole Ragans left his last start early after taking a comebacker off the hand, but hes still slated to make his next start. For now, its just something to keep an eye on. So is the progress of Carlos Estvez, whos sidelined with a foot contusion and might need to use the time off to get right again mechanically after allowing six runs and dealing with diminished velocity in his first outing of the year. Another year, another laundry list of injuries. Theyve lost seven straight games, and the rotation is in shambles. Ace Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier are both dealing with shoulder strains, and Houstons starting pitchers have an MLB-worst 6.20 ERA. Now, Tatsuya Imai is also experiencing arm fatigue while 2025 All-Star shortstop Jeremy Pea exited Saturdays game with knee tightness. Is this the time to mention Houstons relievers also have the worst ERA in MLB, and Josh Hader is still out? Its bleak right now in Houston. Royce Lewis is hurt again, though his knee sprain appears to be relatively minor, so it isnt as big of a blow as Pablo Lpezs season-ending elbow injury. Taj Bradley, however, is helping keep the rotation afloat. The former top Tampa Bay pitching prospectis 3-0 with a 1.25 ERA through four starts and ranks third in MLB with 29 strikeouts. The reigning American League champs have lost eight of their last 10 games, own the second-worst run differential in MLB and continue to be ravaged by injuries. The pitching staff is depleted, the offense is missing Alejandro Kirk and Addison Barger, and now George Springer is the latest to be sidelined after fracturing his toe. Hey, progress! After an abysmal start to the year, the Red Sox won series against the Brewers and Cardinals with the pitching staff performing more like Boston expected. Johan Oviedo is sidelined with a flexor strain, but Boston still has depth in the rotation and should get more in the coming weeks with Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval both on rehab assignments. The rotation is producing even with Ryan Pepiot starting the year on the IL, but the staff took another hit with Joe Boyle getting sidelined with an elbow strain. The more surprising issue is a bullpen that has a 6.35 ERA. The Rays could get needed reinforcements soon, however, in Garrett Cleavinger and Edwin Uceta. After a 2-6 start, the As are suddenly in a share of first place in the AL West following a New York trip that saw them go 5-1 against the Yankees and Mets. The offense has yet to reach its potential, though, and now Brent Rooker is on the shelf with an oblique strain. Thank goodness for the Edward Cabrera trade. This month has brought brutal pitching news for the Cubs, who will be without 2025 Rookie of the Year runner-up Cade Horton for the rest of the year following season-ending elbow surgery. Starter Matthew Boyd and relievers Hunter Henry and Phil Maton also went on the injured list, though Boyd isnt expected out long. It was a scary sight last week whenParker Meadows collided with Riley Greene and needed to be carted off the field after suffering a concussion and fractured arm. In the rotation, Justin Verlander has been out with hip inflammation since his first start back in Detroit, but hes not expected to be sidelined for long. Rookie Rhett Lowder and 23-year-old Chase Burns have given the Reds rotation vital innings following Hunter Greenes elbow surgery, but the Reds could use Nick Lodolo. The left-hander, who had a 3.33 ERA in 29 appearances last year, has yet to make his 2026 debut after dealing with a blister issue late in spring. Getting Zack Wheeler potentially before months end should provide a significant lift, though he wont be able to fix Philadelphias uninspiring offense. The Phillies lost back-to-back series against the Giants and Diamondbacks while averaging fewer than three runs per game. Their offense ranks in the bottom 10 in both batting average and on-base percentage. Juan Soto had a hit in each of his first eight games before being sidelined with a calf strain. The Mets are missing his bat. Since losing Soto on April 3, the Mets offense ranks 28th in wRC+. Starter Bryce Miller is still out with an oblique strain, and outfielder Victor Robles was placed on the IL last week with a pec strain, but its been the offensive stars lack of production not injuries that explain Seattles slow start. Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh and Josh Naylor all have batting averages that start with a "1." The injuries are starting to pile up in Baltimore. Already starting the season with Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg sidelined, they added Adley Rutschman (ankle inflammation), Ryan Mountcastle (broken foot) and Tyler ONeill (concussion) to the injured list last week. Meanwhile, starter Zach Eflin underwent Tommy John surgery. The team, however, has won five of its last six games. Wyatt Langford is day-to-day with a quad issue, but the Rangers are mostly healthy. They swept the Mariners and salvaged their series at Dodger Stadium behind a Jacob deGrom gem, and the Texas pitching staff ranks seventh in ERA. The Snakes are suddenly streaking. Since getting swept by the Dodgers to start the year, theyve swept the Tigers, split with the Braves, then won back-to-back series in Queens and Philadelphia, despite a growing list of injuries that now includes Jordan Lawlar (wrist fracture), Carlos Santana (adductor strain) and Gabriel Moreno (back tightness). However, Merrill Kelly is slated to return from injury to make his 2026 debut this week. The Pirates are a healthy group getting a big boost from their offseason additions. Newcomers Ryan OHearn and Brandon Lowe both rank in the top 30 among qualified hitters in wRC+, while Oneil Cruz is slashing .339/.400/.644 with five homers and five steals. The Pirates have won eight of their last 11 games and also boast a pitching staff with a top-five ERA. They deserve their due. The Guardians have a winning record despite a tough schedule to start the year, and now Hunter Gaddis is on the precipice of returning to help a Cleveland bullpen that sports an uncharacteristic 4.98 ERA. It was not a good injury weekend for the Brewers. Kyle Harrison banged up his left knee whenGary Sanchez whipped a fastball toward his legs as he went to cover first base. Harrison appears to have avoided any serious damage. More concerning is Christian Yelich's hamstring issue and the Brewers' five straight losses after jumping out to an 8-2 record. The Yankees have had the best rotation in MLB despite missing Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodn to start the year. The issue has been a healthy offense that nonetheless ranks 25th in OPS. The Yankees have averaged fewer than three runs per game over a five-game losing skid. The Padres are surging. Theyve now won eight of their last nine games, but Nick Pivetta left his start Sunday with elbow stiffness. Thats a potentially significant development, considering the teams lack of starting pitching depth. An elite bullpen helps, though. Mason Millers on an absurd run to start the year, striking out 19 of the 24 batters he has faced. Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep had elbow surgery. Spencer Strider strained his oblique. Ha-Seong Kim slipped on ice and needed surgery to repair a torn tendon in his middle finger. Jurickson Profar failed another PED test and is out for the year. Despite another year of injury chaos, though, the Braves have looked like one of the best teams in baseball with a pitching staff that has banded together to produce the lowest ERA in MLB and an offense that trails only the Dodgers in home runs. Was there any question? The favorites are still piling up wins after losing Mookie Betts to an oblique injury, but it's worth keeping an eye on Edwin Daz. The Dodgers and their new closer have insisted he feels fine physically, but his velocity has been down lately, and Dave Roberts wouldnt reveal if he was available Sunday. Something to monitor.

Draped in the Tricolour, the body of the legendary playback singer was placed for public homage at her residence.

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Each week, we ask readers to select the lohud Baseball Player of the Week, presented by White Plains Hospital. Last week, coaches nominated 12 athletes for the award. The win went to Mamaroneck senior third baseman JP Donahoe, who went 5-for-10 with two RBI during games played in Florida.This week, coaches have nominated 10 athletes for their April 6-12 play. Their accomplishments are noted below.The poll will close at 3 p.m. Wednesday. The winner will be announced on lohud sports social media.Adam Castaeda, Port Chester The sophomore pitcher and infielder pitched four innings, striking out six and allowing two runs, while also starring at the plate last week. He went 4-for-8 with two doubles, four stolen bases and four RBI. Included were two key hits in the Rams' win over Harrison, which pushed Port Chester to 4-0 this season against Section 1 teams.Julian Guzman, Iona PrepThe senior shortstop and pitcher, who's committed to play for Div. I Maryland, drove in nine runs over three games last week and picked up the save in that third game. Singling three times, Guzman, who has been clocked at 90 mph on the mound, tripled twice and also homered over the span.Drew Lichtenberger, Mahopac The Wolf Pac is off to a perfect start, including wins last week over Lakeland and Fox Lane, in part because of its skilled senior catcher, who's not only is adept at blocking pitches in the dirt but who also possesses a rifle arm. Lichtenberger hit .600 over last week's games with three walks, three runs scored and four runs batted in. Included was a three-run, opposite-field double vs. Fox Lane. He also threw out a baserunner in that game.Quinn Miller, Clarkstown NorthThe ace of the Rams' pitching staff lived up to that billing last week, while also starring at the plate. In a win over Fox Lane, the Army commit went six innings, allowing just one hit, no walks and no runs, while striking out 14. He also connected for three doubles, drove in two runs, stole a base and had two RBI. Joe Moliterno, Nanuet The junior infielder and pitcher had a huge week at the plate and from the mound. Over three games, he went a combined 8-for-11, including 5-for-5 against Suffern. He scored four runs and stole four bases over those games. And, he notched a complete-game win over Panas, allowing six hits and only one walk, while striking out 13 and allowing just one run over seven inning in a 6-1 victory.Kayden Pisani, Sleepy HollowThe junior centerfielder hit .500 and drove in eight runs to help the Horsemen sweep three games last week. In a 12-10 win over Haldane, he went 1-for-3 with a double, walk, stolen base, run scored and four RBI and, defensively had a putout and an assist. In an 18-1 win over Dobbs Ferry, Pisani went 2-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and four RBI. And in a 10-4 win over Yonkers Montessori, he had two hits in three times up, stole two bases and scored twice.Luke Reagins, Mamaroneck The senior shortstop played a key role as the Tigers went 2-1 last week, including coming back from a 6-0 deficit to beat previously undefeated Arlington 16-8. Against Arlington, Reagins knocked in two runs with a double in the first to cut Arlington's lead to four. Later in that same inning, he drove in what proved to be the winning run. He also stole a base and scored in that game. Reagins went a combined 2-for-5 with three walks and three stolen bases in Mamaroneck's 4-2 win over Ketcham and 8-6 loss to John Jay-East Fishkill.Chase Rodriguez, Byram Hills The senior first baseman led the Bobcats to two wins in three games last week. Rodriguez collected two singles, two doubles, one triple, and one home run in nine at-bats. His .667 average, .700 on-base percentage, 1.444 slugging, and 2.144 OPS were tops on his team, as were his five runs scored and five RBI.Rodriguez stole two bases.Jacob Storch, John Jay-Cross RiverThe senior shortstop/pitcher went 6-for-9 over three games with six RBI and picked up a complete-game victory in one of those games. In an 8-2 win over Ardsley, he went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a walk, a stolen base, two runs scored and 3 RBI. Storch went 2-for-4 with a home run and 2 RBI in a 14-12 loss to Westlake before pitching a complete game in a 5-3 win over Nanuet. In that game, he was 1-for-2 with a walk, two runs scored and an RBI and was dominant on the mound, giving up only one earned run and striking out 11 in seven innings.Drew Wooster, Pearl River The junior pitcher/infielder hurled a complete-game shutout with 11 strikeouts in a win over Edgemont and also starred in that game and two others at the plate as the Pirates went 3-0 last week. For the week, Wooster hit .400 with a double, triple, five runs scored and two RBI.Nancy Haggerty covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Who's Baseball Player of the Week, presented by White Plains Hospital?

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Nick Caserio has delivered strong statements regarding the status of quarterback C.J. Stroud.The Texans general manager reiterated that supportive stance regarding the former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year on Monday when asked for the thinking behind the team exercising a $25.9 million 2027 fifth-year club option. Caserio characterized the decision as an easy one, even after Stroud had a rocky postseason with a combined five interceptions and five lost fumbles with seven turnover in two playoff games.I dont really think that affects his future, Caserio said. Hes our quarterback. Weve said that from the beginning. I think that was really more of a procedural thing. I dont want to say it was a no-brainer, but it was kind of a no-brainer, so were glad hes here. Again, its more of a part of the process. So, were excited about his offseason. I think hes had a good approach, had a good attitude here. I think hes put a lot of work in from March and April. Im so excited to have him around here in the spring and Im excited to keep moving forward.Previously at the NFL scouting combine in February, Caserio threw cold water on unfounded trade speculation surrounding Stroud.Stroud was named in trade rumors previously dismissed by KPRC 2 as completely unfounded. Stroud will remain the Texans QB1 going forward.While the Texans arent engaging in contract negotiations at this time, they can shift that approach anytime. Ideally, they would be happy to reward Stroud provided he proves himself this season after being intercepted a career-high four times in an AFC divisional round loss to the New England Patriots.Its moronic, Caserio said in response to a question from KPRC 2. Were not trading him. Hes our quarterback. Hes going to be playing quarterback for the Houston Texans in 2026. Anything beyond that, you guys can speculate on that, but were not trading C.J. Stroud.Stroud has been the subject of heavy criticism since that game. However, the organization has had his back. It was an uncharacteristically sloppy performance from Stroud, who completed 64.5 percent of his throws as he passed for 3,041 yards, 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions while missing three games due to a concussion.A former Pro Bowl selection who declined an alternate invitation to the Pro Bowl, Stroud has passed for 10,876 yards, 62 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in three NFL seasons. Stroud led the NFL in touchdown to interception ratio with a 23:5 clip as a rookie, passing for 4,108 yards.Hes been a good player, and won a lot of football games, Caserio said. Quarterback is the hardest position to play in sports. He had some ups and downs. Thats natural for a position, but, overall, hes had a pretty significant impact on what we are as a program. Hes not going anywhere.Since the playoffs, the Texans and Stroud have taken several steps to move forward from a career-high four-interceptions in the teams 28-16 loss in the divisional round to the New England Patriots. The steps include adjusting his offseason approach, improving the supporting cast on offense, and making a coaching change. Jerry Schuplinski has been named quarterbacks coach, replacing Jerrod Johnson.C.J. is a young quarterback, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said during NFL meetings at the Arizona Biltmore. Being early in his career, hes gained a ton of valuable experience, including in the playoffs. It hasnt gone as we would like it to there. You always want to win it all.But when you go through those difficult moments, those tough times, you learn from them. I know C.J. has learned from those moments. Now, weve got to go out and improve and show it on the field. The way hes attacked the offseason, working hard, throwing every day, staying dialed in. Im excited to see how that translates into a really great year for us.For All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr., the fifth-year option is a precursor to what is expected to be a blockbuster deal this offseason. Its regarded as a matter of when, not if a huge contract will be struck. The deal is regarded as complex and not imminent at this time, per sources, with both sides obviously motivated.League sources predict the contract could make him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL, with average annual compensation of $50 million. His fifth-year option carries a guaranteed price tag of $21.512 million.I love Will Anderson, love everything that he brings to our organization, Ryans said. You talk about a leader and a guy who does everything the right way, everything Ive asked of him.I just remember speaking with Will, he was our first 30 visit, the first guy we had in. That meeting is still the best visit Ive ever seen. Hes just that type of guy. Hes a leader in all respects. I love having Will and what he provides our organization.Without getting into specifics about future plans, the McNair family made it clear how highly they value both players.Well let DeMeco and Nick [Caserio] make the football decisions there, but theyre exciting, really good young players, Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair said. We hope to have them around for a long, long time.PHOENIX -- #Texans Cal McNair and Hannah McNair on potential long-term deals for Will Anderson Jr., C.J. Stroud: 'Exciting, really good players, we'll hope to have them around a long, long time. .. It's a good problem to have when you have so many guys you want to keep under pic.twitter.com/WunQinzX0g Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 1, 2026A year from now, cornerback Kamari Lassiter and safety Calen Bullock will be eligible for extensions. Both were named Pro Bowl alternates after the 2025 season.Its a good problem to have when you have so many guys you want to keep under contract, Hannah McNair said. If we keep drafting the way we do, this is going to be something we talk about every year.Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com