Sports
Adani Group targets Formula 1 return to Greater Noida Circuit
Billionaire revs his engines to put India back on the racing map
NEW DELHI: The Adani Group is shifting into top gear with a bold plan to bring Formula 1 back to the Buddh International Circuit (BIC). Having recently crossed the finish line on a massive deal to acquire the embattled Jaiprakash Associates, the conglomerate now finds itself in the driver’s seat of India’s only world-class racing facility.
Leading the charge is Karan Adani, managing director of Adani Cement and Adani Ports. For him, the circuit isn’t just a leftover asset from a corporate takeover; it is a golden opportunity to prove that India can compete on the global stage.
“I’m very excited,” Karan Adani noted during a recent briefing. “Obviously the Buddh circuit comes as part of the deal. I’m very personally engaged in terms of bringing Formula 1 back into India. I think India has a lot of potential.”
The vision is simple: why should Indian fans fly to Singapore or Abu Dhabi to smell the burning rubber when they could do it in their own backyard?
In the past, India’s F1 dreams hit a proverbial brick wall of bureaucracy. A long-standing row over whether racing was a sport or entertainment led to a tax headache that saw the engines fall silent after 2013. However, the government finally seems ready to wave the green flag.
Adani’s interest in the project is fuelled by a massive Rs 14,535-crore resolution plan for Jaiprakash Associates (Jal), which received the green light from lenders in late 2025. By taking the wheel at Jal, the Adani Group gains full control of the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, effectively clearing away the private-sector financial hurdles that had previously stalled the track’s maintenance and upkeep.
Despite the hiatus, the venue remains a heavyweight in the racing world; it still holds the prestigious FIA Grade 1 certification, the highest global standard required to host Formula 1. Having successfully hosted three Grands Prix between 2011 and 2013, the circuit proved it still has plenty of life in it by recently welcoming the MotoGP Bharat in 2023.
While the tarmac at Greater Noida is still in excellent shape, getting back on the official F1 calendar is no Sunday drive. With record demand for race slots globally, Adani will need to convince the powers that be in London and Monaco that India is ready for a second lap.
If successful, the move could transform the Yamuna Expressway into a high-speed hub of tourism and prestige, turning a dormant concrete giant back into a cathedral of speed.
Sports
SJFI Golden Jubilee convention returns to Delhi
Hero MotoCorp titles four-day event from March 13-16 with 23 brand partners.
MUMBAI: Delhi’s ready to host the biggest sports media party in 50 years because when SJFI turns golden, even the headlines get a standing ovation. The Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI) is bringing its National Convention back to the capital for the first time in over two decades, and this edition is celebrating its Golden Jubilee in style. Hosted by the Delhi Sports Journalists Association (DSJA) from March 13-16, 2026, the four-day event has secured Hero Motocorp as title sponsor, underscoring strong corporate confidence in India’s premier gathering of sports media professionals.
Hero Motocorp executive vice president for global business & product planning Sanjay Bhan said, “Promoting sporting excellence across disciplines has been an integral part of our journey. We are delighted to be the Title Sponsor of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of SJFI, an opportunity to support athletes and celebrate the fraternity that chronicles India’s sporting journey.”
The convention has attracted an impressive lineup of 23 partners, including TCM Sports, Sony Sports Network, Punjab Kings, Red Bull, Delhi Capitals, DDCA, Jindal Steel, Rajasthan United FC, Archery Association of India, Svayam, RPL, PEFI, SG Sports, WordsWork Communications Consulting, Modern Pythian Games, JK Tyre, DDA, Artsmith Concepts & Vision, Adimazes, Aabhawater, VIDA and ESGF. Strong backing also comes from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and International Sports Press Association (AIPS).
DSJA Secretary Sabi Hussain said, “Hosting the 50-year milestone celebration is a huge honour. The incredible backing from our brand partners shows how powerful the Indian sports media network has become.”
TCM Sports managing director Lokesh Sharma added, “It is an honour for TCM Sports to host the SJFI Convention 2026. Journalists have a vital role in documenting the history of sport and bringing stories to millions of fans. We are proud to welcome distinguished members of the sports media fraternity.”
The packed programme blends professional dialogue with sporting action and networking. Highlights include a Grand Sports Conclave hosted by TCM Sports featuring top administrators and Olympic icons, the JK Bose Inter-Zonal T20 Cricket Tournament, AC Bali Table Tennis Tournament, basketball, futsal and golf putting competitions, family and youth engagement activities such as the Modern Pythian Games and Red Bull gaming station, plus a prize distribution ceremony with distinguished dignitaries.
In a milestone year for Indian sports media, the Golden Jubilee convention isn’t just marking 50 years, it’s proving that when journalists, brands and sport come together, the real winners are the stories that keep inspiring the nation.
