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Kabaddi champions league to debut on Zee and DD Sports
NEW Delhi: Kabaddi is about to get louder, broader and far more accessible. The Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) will make its grand television debut later this month, beaming the sport’s raw intensity into homes across India and overseas through Zee and DD Sports.
The inaugural season will run from January 25 to February 7, 2026, with matches airing daily at 6.30 pm IST, firmly planted in prime time. The league will be broadcast across more than seven television channels and multiple OTT platforms, signalling an aggressive play to take kabaddi from dusty rural akharas to living rooms in metros and small towns alike.
Zee and DD Sports have been signed on as official broadcast partners, giving KCL one of the widest distribution footprints ever for a debut kabaddi league. Hindi commentary will air on Zee Anmol, Zee Bollywood & Pictures and DD Sports, while regional feeds will include Marathi on Zee Yuva and Punjabi on Zee Punjabi. English-language global coverage will be available on YuppTV, reaching viewers in over 60 countries.
Digital audiences are firmly in focus too. All matches will stream live on ZEE5 and Wave OTT, ensuring the league is accessible across screens, geographies and time zones.
What sets KCL apart is its unapologetic vernacular-first strategy. By broadcasting in multiple Indian languages, the league is betting on cultural intimacy over generic scale—speaking directly to Bharat, not just urban India, and showcasing kabaddi in its most authentic, localised form.
Beyond the raids and tackles, the league is positioning itself as a platform for grassroots talent, particularly from kabaddi heartlands such as Haryana. The ambition is clear: forge new heroes, deepen fan loyalty and carve out a distinct identity alongside India’s established kabaddi properties.
With prime-time slots, mass-market broadcasters and a sharp regional lens, the Kabaddi Champions League is not easing into the arena. It is charging in—head down, shoulders squared—ready to claim its space in India’s crowded sports calendar.
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.
