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Jaipur Djinns join WPBL as League serves up season 2 expansion
MUMBAI: The World Pickleball League has added a fresh twist to its line-up by welcoming the Jaipur Djinns as its seventh franchise, marking the league’s first step into Rajasthan. The team has been acquired by billionaire entrepreneur Siddharth Shankar, chairman of UK-based Tails Trading and global COO at Komerz, who announced his investment on Monday.
The move adds colour, character and a brand-new fanbase to India’s first professional franchise pickleball league. It expands WPBL’s grid for Season 2 to seven teams with a 120-match calendar, an increase from 90 in its inaugural season. The second edition begins on 24 January 2026 at Mumbai’s Jio World Garden, promising 16 days of fast-paced sportainment.
WPBL kept its momentum alive through the year with its WPBL On Tour initiative, taking the sport to new cities and building a buzzing community around it. The addition of Jaipur Djinns strengthens this effort by offering sustained engagement in Rajasthan and widening the league’s reach.
World Pickleball League founder and CEO Gaurav Natekar, said the arrival of Jaipur Djinns reflects the league’s growing stature. “We are pleased to welcome Siddharth and Jaipur Djinns into the WPBL family ahead of Season 2. When global entrepreneurs and long-term investors choose to back the league, it reinforces the strength of our vision. WPBL is becoming a force to reckon with thanks to its unique sports and entertainment format. The expansion into Rajasthan shows our commitment to building a national league with international relevance and providing exposure to more players.”
Shankar, who has previously invested in the United Soccer League and Central Florida Pro Soccer in the United States, said WPBL appealed to him because it aims to create an ecosystem rather than a transactional league. “From my experience of building global distribution and market platforms, success comes from scale, participation and consistency and WPBL mirrors those principles. Jaipur has immense sports and entertainment legacy and with Jaipur Djinns we hope to build a competitive franchise with strong regional and community connect that remains commercially viable and scalable.”
The team has already appointed Lee Whitwell as head coach and finalised its player roster at last month’s draft. The Jaipur Djinns line-up features Amanda Hendry, Giang Trinh, Naveen Beasley, Ritam Chawla, Lorena Duknic, Jack Foster, Isabella Nelson and Connie Lee.
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.
