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Hyderabad Eagles crowned champions of the IDCA’s 1st T10 Women’s Deaf Premier League
Mumbai: Hyderabad Eagles defeated U.P Warriors by 5 wickets to clinch the IDCA’s 1st T 10 Women’s Deaf Premier League trophy in association with Serum Institute of India (Cyrus Poonawala Group). The winning team was felicitated by chief guest British Deputy High Commission deputy head of mission Mumbai Catherine Barnes, during the closing ceremony held at Police Gymkhana Cricket Ground, Marine Lines, Mumbai, Maharashtra. The tournament was organised in association with Serum Institute of India, a part of Cyrus Poonawalla Group.
The closing ceremony was attended by a galaxy of dignitaries from different walks of life to support this maiden tournament. Representatives from Nykaa, IDCA Patron partner and Indo Count Industries, IDCA CSR partner also graced the occasion. Their presence reflected the collaborative spirit of and commitment to celebrate inclusivity in sports.
Addressing the gathering, Barnes said, “I am delighted to attend the Closing Ceremony of the IDCA T10 Deaf Women’s Premier League tournament today in Mumbai. It was an inspiring experience to see these amazing hearing-impaired women athletes from across India coming to play cricket. It is an excellent example of equality and diversity in sport which benefits society as a whole. The UK is a strong proponent of diversity in all aspects of life, so it was doubly exciting to see that manifest here today. My congratulations to all the participating athletes for demonstrating such great sporting prowess.”
The winning team Hyderabad Eagles was presented with the trophy and Rs 1,00,000 winning amount, while the runner-up UP Warriorz was awarded with a consolation prize of Rs 50,000 for their outstanding performance. Additionally, the best individual sportsmen in various categories including, batting, bowling, fielding, and super sixes received cash awards. Needa Shaikh from Deaf Mumbai Stars won the Woman of the Series, Deepti Maurya from Deaf U.P Warriorz – Best Bowler of the Series, Rinki from Deaf Hyderabad Eagles – Best Fielder of the Series and B Dhanalaxmi from Deaf U.P Warriorz won the Super Sixes in the tournament.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, IDCA president Sumit Jain said, “I extend my best wishes to the Hyderabad Eagles for their exemplary performance on the field. It was an enthralling tournament, and everyone performed at their best on the field. Winning and losing are the part of the game. I also express my gratitude to IDCA support partners for making this tournament successful.”
In this four-day tournament, six specially-abled women’s teams— Punjab Lions, UP Warriorz, Mumbai Stars, Delhi Bulls, Hyderabad Eagles and Bangalore Badshahs — competed against each other for the winner’s title. They played a total of 11 matches, and the two best teams faced each other in the final match.
IDCA CEO Roma Balwani said, “The winner might be one, but every sportsperson here today is a hero, and we are proud of them. The enthusiasm and talent of these specially-abled women crickets are commendable. Congratulations to all the players, who made the IDCA maiden T10 Women’s Deaf Premier League a success. Special thanks to our Chief Guest Ms. Catherine Barnes, Deputy Head of Mission, British Deputy High Commission, Mumbai and all the Guest of Honour for joining us here, motivating our players, and promoting cricket among hearing-impaired individuals.”
Present on the occasion from Indo Count Industries were Gayatri Jain chairman Anil Kumar Jain, Head Organizational Culture head Shivani Patoria, advisor – special projects D.P Garg and head CSR Sandeep Kumar
IDCA’s long-term partners, KFC India, Hero Moto Corp, Collearn, Impact Research, Cognito & Kaizzen also supported the tournament.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
