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Pickleball fever returns as Global Sports serves up Monsoon Championship 3.0 with $60,000 prize pot
MUMBAI: Global Sports is bringing the thunder (and a lot of paddle) back to Navi Mumbai with the return of the Monsoon Pickleball Championship 3.0—India’s largest indoor pickleball tournament is set to smash into action from 29 July to 3 August at the Cidco Exhibition Centre, Vashi.
Now in its third edition, MPC 3.0 promises an upgraded experience, featuring 17 air-conditioned indoor courts, a record $60,000 prize pool, and more than 800 top-tier athletes from across India and the world.
Open to players across all skill levels and age groups from Pro and Advanced, to 30+, 40+, Juniors, Seniors, and Women’s team events, the tournament is positioned to be a mega-monsoon blockbuster for the fast-growing pickleball community.
Speaking about the upcoming edition, Global Sports founder Hemal Jain said, “Our vision with the Monsoon Pickleball Championship has always been to give Indian athletes a global platform and redefine the scale of racquet sports in India. With MPC 3.0, we’re not just raising the bar, we’re setting a new benchmark for international pickleball events in Asia.”
Last year’s edition saw competitors clash in over 40 categories, drawing massive attention from fans and sports enthusiasts alike. MPC 3.0 now aims to up the ante with more adrenaline, tighter rallies, and a chance to witness rising stars stake their claim on the global stage.
Registrations are now open, and with that prize money and prestige on the line, it’s game on. Rain or shine, Navi Mumbai’s about to get loud.
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.
