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Arm wrestling excitement returns with Pro Panja League Season 2
Mumbai: Arm-wrestling fans around the world are all set to witness some of the best arm-wrestlers live in action as India’s very own arm-wrestling league, Pro Panja League, returns for the second season from 4 October 2024 to 20 October 2024. The league is continuing its partnership with India’s leading sports broadcaster, Sony Sports Network ensuring extensive live coverage of the tournament on Sony Sports Ten 3 SD and HD channels every day from 7 00 pm onwards.
As part of the pre-launch buzz, Pro Panja League and Sony Sports Network had launched its campaign featuring superstar John Abraham championing the league and his film, Vedaa.
This season will feature a total of 180 arm-wrestlers from all parts of the country across 6 teams, competing against each other in the men’s, women’s and specially abled categories for the coveted trophy.
Pro Panja League, co-founded by Bollywood actors & producers Parvin Dabas and Preeti Jhangiani along with Bollywood Legend Mr Suniel Shetty as partner, previously held two editions of ranking tournaments, multiple mega matches along with several promotional events before the first season in 2023, which turned out to be a huge success with 32 million unique viewers (BARC CS 2 + Live + Non-live). The Pro Panja League has helped catapult the sport of arm wrestling to a wider audience in India.
Expressing his thoughts ahead of Season 2, Pro Panja League co-owner Mr. Parvin Dabas said, “The first season proved that there is a huge audience for the sport of Panja if presented in the right way and we are grateful for the audience’s love. This season promises to be even more electrifying, with players realising the huge stakes involved and having prepared now on a different level altogether. We are committed to showcasing the best talent to bring Panja as Sports Entertainment to Bharat and are excited to be partnering with the Sony Sports Network again in this endeavour.”
Talking about the partnership, Mr. Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer – Distribution & International Business and Head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India, said, “We believe in supporting home-grown leagues and are glad to continue our partnership with Pro Panja League as the broadcasters for the second season. We believe that the audience for arm-wrestling as a sport is growing in India and we are excited to be a part of driving up this momentum.”
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.
