MAM
Ultimate Kho Kho welcomes Capri Global & KLO Sports as owners of Rajasthan and Chennai teams
Mumbai: The Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) has on-boarded Capri Global & KLO Sports as the owners of Rajasthan and Chennai teams, respectively for the inaugural edition of the League, which is set to kick-off in 2022.
The KLO Sports-owned team will be known as Chennai Quick Guns while Capri Global’s Rajasthan-based franchise is yet to be named.
Ultimate Kho Kho has also roped in Sony Network India (SPNI) as its broadcast partner with an exclusive multi-year contract. It will see exciting action from the league broadcasted across its sports channels and on the OTT platform SonyLIV in English as well as regional languages.
KLO Sports is co-owned by passionate sports lovers Sanjay Jupudi and Srinath Chittoori, who are successful business giants in the construction, automobile, and IT sector in India and abroad.
Earlier, the Ultimate Kho Kho had announced the association of corporate giants Adani Group & GMR Group as the owners of Gujarat and Telangana franchises.
India’s first-ever franchise-based Kho Kho league is promoted by Dabur Group chairman Amit Burman in collaboration with Kho Kho Federation of India.
Speaking on this, Ultimate Kho Kho CEO Tenzing Niyogi said, “We are thrilled to welcome KLO Sports and Capri Global to the league’s roster which already has eminent corporate names. With this league, we are committed to bringing in a modern-day professional structure in India that not only will take Kho Kho to the next level, but also create a spectacle for the fans.”
With deep technology roots, KLO Sports also plans to invest in bringing this indigenous sport to households using their experience.
“Our goal is to help Kho Kho become a mainstream sport in India. We believe that the franchise has huge potential, and it can bring a rather forgotten sport back into every household. Apart from investing in the grassroots, KLO sports will also invest heavily in building a platform that will engage with fans and will become a role model for all sports franchises,” added KLO Sports co-owner and founder of Qentelli Sanjay Jupudi.
Speaking of this association with Ultimate Kho Kho, Capri Global managing director Rajesh Sharma said, “We want to be part of the overall sports eco-system that promotes homegrown sports and plays the role of an enabler in India’s journey to become a leading sporting nation.”
“Kho Kho is one of the most accessible sports in the country and is played by a large population at every skill level. Our goal amongst others is to facilitate training at the grassroots level. We are excited to associate with Ultimate Kho Kho from the very beginning. Personally, I am very passionate about sports and truly believe that India has humongous talent, they just need to be nurtured efficiently.” added Sharma.
Brands
Nykaa eyes majority stake in Deepika Padukone’s 82°E brand
Deal could help scale premium label as Nykaa sharpens its beauty play
MUMBAI: Nykaa is in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in 82°E, the premium skincare label founded by Deepika Padukone, according to media reports.
The proposed deal signals Nykaa’s intent to deepen its House of Nykaa portfolio while giving 82°E the scale it has struggled to achieve independently. Padukone is expected to retain a minority stake if the transaction goes through.
For Nykaa, the play is both strategic and timely. With a customer base of over 42 million, the company is betting on its strong distribution, logistics, and repeat purchase ecosystem to revive the brand’s momentum. The two sides already share a working relationship, with Padukone serving as Nykaa’s global brand ambassador since September 2025.
Launched in late 2022, 82°E entered the market with a premium positioning but has faced headwinds. The brand reported revenue of Rs 14.7 crore in FY25, down 30 per cent year on year, alongside losses of Rs 12.26 crore. Industry observers have pointed to steep pricing, a somewhat diffused brand identity, and intense competition from digital-first labels as key challenges.
The potential acquisition also reflects a broader shift in India’s beauty and lifestyle space, where celebrity-led brands are increasingly partnering with larger corporates to unlock scale. Alia Bhatt’s Ed-a-Mamma, for instance, sold a majority stake to Reliance Retail, while Katrina Kaif’s Kay Beauty has emerged as a standout success within Nykaa’s portfolio, clocking Rs 132.4 crore in FY25 revenue.
Nykaa itself has been on a strong growth trajectory. Its parent, FSN E-Commerce Ventures, reported a 156 per cent jump in net profit to Rs 68 crore in the December 2025 quarter, with revenue reaching Rs 2,873 crore.
Nykaa has been steadily building its portfolio through acquisitions such as Dot & Key, Earth Rhythm and Nudge Wellness, signalling a clear push to own and scale homegrown brands.
If the 82°E deal materialises, it could mark a fresh chapter for the label, blending celebrity appeal with corporate muscle. For Nykaa, it is another calculated step in staying ahead in an increasingly crowded beauty aisle.
