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Playr launches Player Essentials line to keep athletes cool, dry and game-ready
MUMBAI: When it comes to performance, what you wear can be just as critical as how you play. The Mumbai-based sportswear brand, Playr has taken that to heart with the launch of its Player Essentials collection—an all-in-one line of gear that caters to everyone from casual runners to IPL pros.
The collection includes a full suite of apparel, equipment, and accessories. Each piece has been crafted with functional ergonomics and smart fabric engineering, designed to deliver utility without compromising on comfort. Whether it’s the breathable Core Run Tee or the terrain-friendly gym gear, the brand is aiming to redefine what Indian athletes wear in training and recovery.
The collection features:
● Apparel: Training Tees, Core Run Tees, Terrain Tees, Cricket Whites (junior and adult), after-sport jackets, versatile shorts, and pants
● Equipment: Cricket bats, guards, yoga mats, fitness bikes
● Accessories: Protein shakers, sippers, caps, performance socks
“At Playr, we believe running—and sports overall—is more than just a physical activity; it’s a lifestyle. The Player Essentials collection is built for those who demand durability, precision, and comfort in every stride”, said Playr co-founder and Icorets Pvt Ltd director Ravi Kukreja.
The brand’s philosophy, ‘Player First’, has resonated well beyond product shelves. Since its 2022 launch, Playr has partnered with seven out of 10 IPL teams. In 2025, the company renewed its tie-up with Chennai Super Kings and announced new collaborations with Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad—with more deals on the horizon.
For a brand born in the post-pandemic performance boom, Playr is proving it can do more than keep pace—it’s setting the tempo.
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.
