Pune Athletes Set to Shine at Abu Dhabi Open Masters Games 2026
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Pune, 4th February 2026: A strong contingent of veteran athletes from Pune is set to represent India at the prestigious Abu Dhabi Open Masters Games 2026, to be held from February 6 to 14 in the UAE. The Pune team will depart on February 5, with the opening ceremony scheduled for the evening of February 6 at ADNEC, one of the region’s largest indoor sporting arenas.
Leading the Pune contingent is veteran sportsman Raj Singh, who will compete in both athletics and badminton. In the 60+ age category, Singh will take part in the 100-metre sprint, long jump and shot put, highlighting his versatility across disciplines.
Strong Badminton Representation
Pune will have a notable presence in the badminton events:
60+ Men’s Category: Raj Singh, Dhananjay Deshpande
40+ Men’s Category: Yuvraj Sandbhor, Suchit Sancheti
60+ Mixed Doubles:
Raj Singh (Pune) with Rekha Dhupar (Chandigarh)
Dhananjay Deshpande (Pune) with Judy Fernandes (Goa)
Multi-Sport Participation
Apart from badminton and athletics, Pune athletes will also compete in other disciplines. Yuvraj Sandbhor will represent the city in swimming, while Nitin Vaidya will take part in cycling events. Prashant Birajdar, Kunal and Kedar Vani will also compete in various other categories at the international meet.
Inspiration Beyond Sports
The participation of these veteran athletes sends a strong message about active ageing and lifelong fitness. Raj Singh, who also works as a senior journalist and is associated with the Sikh Helpline Foundation, exemplifies how professional life and competitive sport can go hand in hand.
