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Game, set, parent – Mumbai gears up for a family Pickleball face-off
MUMBAI: Get ready for a match made in family heaven where rackets meet responsibility and parents trade school runs for serves. Global Sports Pickleball (GSP) is hosting the School Parents Pickleball Championship at Mumbai’s Andheri Sports Complex on 1 and 2 November 2025, inviting mums and dads to swap their weekend routines for volleys, laughter, and a dash of friendly rivalry.
The event is designed to bring families together, turning the court into a playground of fun, fitness, and festive energy. As pickleball fever grips India, this championship captures the sport’s rare ability to bridge generations with parents taking centre court while their children cheer from the sidelines.
Parents from some of Mumbai’s most prominent schools including Oberoi International School, Jamnabai Narsee International School, Aditya Birla World Academy, Utpal Shanghvi Global School, Shishuvan School, and Edubridge International School will swap their everyday hustle for a high-energy weekend rally.
But this isn’t your average tournament. Think more carnival than competition. Expect food stalls, music, children’s activities, and a festive family vibe that promises to keep both players and spectators engaged. It’s not just about aces and dinks, it’s about shared moments and spirited memories.
“Pickleball is so much more than a game. It’s about connection and community,” said GSP chief architect for pickleball growth Hemal Jain. “The School Parents Pickleball Championship gives families a reason to spend the weekend together in the most active and exciting way possible. There are no age limits, no barriers just pure fun, friendly competition, and family spirit.”
Adding a cinematic spin to the event GSP writer, producer director and co-founder Shashank Khaitan said, “This championship is about celebrating families and creating memories. We can’t wait to see parents and kids share the same enthusiasm on and off the court. It is all about joy, laughter, and togetherness.”
With pickleball emerging as one of India’s fastest-growing sports, the tournament shines a light on its accessibility and community-driven charm. GSP’s initiative brings together fitness and family time, blending competition with connection, and showing that sometimes, the best rallies happen off the court too.
So this November, Mumbai’s parents won’t just be watching from the stands, they’ll be serving, smashing, and scoring… all in the name of family fun.
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.
