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PKL S6: Bengaluru Bulls expects 50 pc sponsorship rates hike
MUMBAI: Who would have thought few years back that a kabaddi player would be bought in an auction for Rs. 1 crore (Rs 10 million) or above? But it happened this year — and with quite a style. The mark was breached not once or twice, but six times, highlighting that Premier Kabaddi League (PKL) and the sports — considered indigenous with limited following in South Asia — is slowly coming of age with the potential to get bigger as television and Star Sports keep on adding their marketing might behind the league.
No wonder, the various team owners are as excited as the players. Team management of Bengaluru Bulls, for example, feels sponsorships this year may be more encouraging, especially as the league starts around festival time in India when advertising spend by brands are generally high.
“The sixth season is happening around Diwali and I’m expecting around 50 per cent hike in sponsorship rates this time round,” Bengaluru Bulls CEO Uday Sinh Wala told Indiantelevision.com, adding the team was open to take on board all types of brands across FMCG, construction, education and banking sectors.
With a more balanced team this year — “we have a great back-up to our raiders and defenders that was missing in the previous season” according to Sinh Wala — Bengaluru team management is hopeful that the new-look squad would attract more sponsorship backers that could help it to, probably, break even too.
Bengal Warriors, on the other hand, too predicted an increase in sponsorship rates this year, but of around 20-25 per cent.
Meanwhile, the other team owners too are looking forward to the new season and predict a great future for the PKL and players. UMumba and Jaipur Pink Panthers owners Ronnie Screwvala and Abhishek Bachchan, respectively, had earlier predicted big player buys before the auction process, saying that several players could breach the Rs. 1 crore mark.
The big buys of the two-day auction process were led by Monu Goyat, bought by Haryana Steelers for Rs 1.51 crore (Rs.15.1 million). Though by cricketing and IPL standard, the price is chickenfeed, but it has put the 26-year-old Goyat in an elite league of PKL.
Rahul Chaudhari has been retained by using final bid match by Telugu Titans for Rs 1.29 crore (Rs. 12.9 million). Deepak Nivas Hooda is the third player in the `crorepati’ list with Rs 1.15 crore (Rs. 11.5 million) having being bought by Jaipur Pink Panthers. Nitin Tomar, previous years highest earner, was sold for Rs 1.15 crore (Rs. 11.5 million) to Puneri Paltans followed by Rishank Devadiga, who was snapped up for Rs 1.11 crore (Rs. 11.1 million) by UP Yoddhas.
Out of the 422 players in the auction list, only 181 players were sold in the auction process.
Also Read :
Pro Kabaddi League concludes auction for season six
Pro Kabaddi League makes first ever player auction of Rs 10 mn
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.
