In a path-breaking story for Indians in New Zealand, and around the world, New Zealand international, Sarpreet Singh, made his starting eleven debut for Bayern Munich in Bundesliga on Saturday. Starting the match, Singh guarded Munich’s midfield along with his team-mates Leon Goretzka, Michaël Cuisance, and Thomas Müller.

Aminder Gill is a man on a mission. Having played hockey all his life, firstly in his school and college in Punjab, and since 2008 in New Zealand, he now wants to pass on his wealth of knowledge to the younger generation.

Muddasir Abbas, is a formidable hockey player. He is a former Pakistani international, cousin of world-record holder Sohail Abbas and son of Olympian Safdar Abbas. He moved to Melbourne in 2012, and is now a regular in the Australian Masters Hockey team. He was, in fact, the top-scorer at the Trans-Tasman Masters series held in Gold Coast early this year.

As the cricket season is up and running across the country, we talked to two rising Kiwi-Indian cricket stars, who in their respective age-groups, and formats [outdoor, indoor] of play, have made waves in New Zealand cricket this year.

Abhinav Manota, an Indian immigrant who came to New Zealand in 2014, to study Diploma in Business and Enterprise Management (Level 7) from Christchurch-based Abacus Institute of Studies, is now the new Zealand men's singles champion in Badminton. Describing his journey, he said, "Along with my studies, I started playing with Badminton Canterbury players when I was a bit settled in Christchurch. That gave me an opportunity to represent Canterbury in the nationals. Dylan saw my potential and invited me to shift to North Shore so that we can train together. I did. Nowadays, I train at least four hours everyday, and have equipment sponsorship from Badminton New Zealand. Their support in my success has been great."

A wicket-keeper bat, she was the member of the first Indian women cricket team formed in 1974; then became the coach of the Indian women cricket team in 1989, leading it to the triangular series win in New Zealand in 1995; was also a member of the Women's Cricket Association of India selection committee from 1989 till early 2000s; her latest stint was being a match referee for BCCI since 2006 till 2014; now Ms Nayyar is in Christchurch coaching St Albans [one of the most successful cricket clubs in the City] premier women team.

The 13th edition of the most-awaited annual sports event for ethnic communities in Christchurch – the Christchurch Global Football Festival – concluded on February 12 with Javidan, a team comprising of expats from Afghanistan, going down to the two-time defending champions Irish Rovers in a nail biting penalty shoot-out. The teams were level at one goal each at the end of the regulation time. The Polish side, Polonez, secured the third spot, Solomon Islands came fourth, while the top six were completed by United Nations (5th), and Canterbury Fiji. Other nationalities represented include Brazil, Argentina, UK, Nepal, Bhutan, South Korea, South Africa, Ethiopia, Samoa, Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, and of course New Zealand. 

Organised by the Christchurch Indian Sports Club (CISC) – a member of the New Zealand Indian Sports Association (NZISA) – the 2-day event held over the Labour Weekend was attended by over 500 people. Apart from a social evening, the event also comprised of a morning round of golf.

A new research from the University of Canterbury (UC) has revealed that rugby in New Zealand secondary schools has no clear educative or social intention, focusing on building technical skills rather than developing character, social skills or resilience.

In a big boost to sub-continental sports, Team Lhotshampa – comprising of members from the 300-strong Bhutanese Society of Christchurch (BSC) – has won the Canterbury Sunday Soccer League Division 5 in its very first attempt. This so because till last year members of the Bhutanese community in Canterbury used to play in the Nepalese team due to low numbers.

The message came out on the second International Day of Yoga celebrations in Christchurch

Americans are talking about it, some in UK are also sitting up and taking notice; it's time New Zealand also tackles Rugby safety issues head-on.

As All Blacks selectors Steve Hansen, Ian Foster and Grant Fox name a mixture of experience and new talent for the three Steinlager Series Tests against Wales, time is right to look at the past contributions of Pacific Islanders who have enriched the all-conquering All Blacks legendary history.

Celebrated in memory of the first successful ascent of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953, by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Tenzing Norgay, the 9th International Everest Day [started in 2008] was observed at the Lincoln Events Centre