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Big moves, bigger money as UP Kabaddi heats up
MUMBAI: It wasn’t just tackles flying at the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) Season 2 player auction, wallets were too. Held in Noida, the high-voltage event saw 12 franchises flex their financial muscle, with bids totalling Rs 1.70 crore for a pool of 500 players.
The newest entrant, Gazab Ghaziabad, made a “gazab” debut as the 12th team, joining heavyweights like Lucknow Lions, Kanpur Warriors, and Purvanchal Panthers. But the real drama unfolded at the bidding table. Vinay Tevathia topped the charts, bagging Rs 5.90 lakh from Aligarh Tigers, followed by Nitin Panwar at Rs 4.45 lakh for Ganga Kings of Mirzapur and Ashu Singh, snapped up by Noida Ninjas for Rs 4.35 lakh.
The defending champions, Lucknow Lions, kept faith in their winning pride by retaining key players Arjun Deshwal, Vivek Chaudhary, Arpit Saroha, and Mohd Amaan.
“UPKL has become a powerful platform for grassroots kabaddi talent and franchise value creation,” said SJ Uplift Kabaddi founder and director Sambhav Jain. “This season’s auction showcased strategic, disciplined bidding that has built balanced, competitive teams across the board.”
The event also saw former IAS Awanish Kumar Awasthi, advisor to the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, unveil the league’s broadcast partner for the next three seasons. Kabaddi star Rahul Chaudhary, UPKL’s brand ambassador, and senior officials from the state federation were among those present.
Season 2 kicks off on 25 December 2025 in Noida, featuring 71 matches under the tagline “Apna bharat, apna khel – khel raha hai mera pradesh.” Matches will be broadcast live on Zee Sports and ZEE5, ensuring the spirit of kabaddi reaches every corner of the country.
From blockbuster signings to fresh rivalries, UPKL’s latest season promises plenty of action, proving once again that in Uttar Pradesh, kabaddi isn’t just a game, it’s a full-contact celebration.
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.
