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Tata Motors becomes first principal sponsor of India’s wrestling federation
MUMBAI: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has got its first ever principal sponsor in the name of Tata Motors. The Commercial Vehicles Business Unit (CVBU) of Tata Motors announced an all encompassing three-year strategic partnership to encourage and promote the sport of wrestling and leverage the strong connect with the brands of its CV range.
Beginning with the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, this partnership will continue till 2021 that will include the World Championship and World Cup, 2020 Olympic Games, besides other national and international wrestling events.
This will be one of the biggest non-cricket associations in the country, where the world’s sixth largest CV player is going beyond mere sponsorship. As a part of the historic mega partnership, Tata Motors will support top performing 50 wrestlers (both men and women), across categories, on both domestic and international circuit.
Tata Motors VP sales and marketing CVBU RT Wasan said, “This is a landmark association that we have with the WFI. Tata Motors as a brand and wrestling as a sport both cater to large masses is the reason that this partnership is going to be a perfect fit; there is no reason why we shouldn’t be looking at long term association.
Speaking on the occasion Tata Motors president – CVBU Girish Wagh said, “Today, a sport with the energy and dynamism is seen as a major platform for brands to connect with people across India – both masses as well as classes. Commercial vehicles are the backbone of our economy and for Tata Motors, as India’s leading commercial vehicles manufacturer, we see sport as a significant bridge to reach out to various stakeholders – drivers, fleet owners, dealers and distributors, media and the public at large. We are truly delighted to associate with Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and wish our Indian team the very best in the forthcoming Asian Games at Jakarta.”
Commenting on the partnership, WFI president Brijbhushan Sharan Singh said, “We are delighted to have a ‘bharosemand partner’ like Tata Motors as our principal sponsor for all our national and international events until year 2021. It is a first of its kind association for Indian Sports where a reputed brand like Tata Motors is associating with the entire sport for three long years. Wrestling is a game of strength and endurance and these values are perfectly resonated by Tata Yodha vehicle. Together, we hope to scale new heights and create more visibility for wrestling as a sport and help young individuals achieve their sporting ambitions.”
Celebrating this initiative, the new official Tata Yodha jersey for the Indian Wrestling Team was unveiled by the stars of Indian wrestling including Olympic medallists Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Sakshi Malik along with Geeta Phogat – India’s first women wrestler to qualify for Olympic in 2012 and Bajrang Punia, Sandeep Tomar, Pooja Dhanda and Satyawart Kadian in the presence of senior management from Tata Motors CVBU and official of WFI.
Tata Motors is extensively dedicated to the ‘Sportification of India’. The company has constantly been associated with various sports such as cricket (IPL), Kabaddi (UP Yodha) and Football (Jamshedpur FC).
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.
