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Bengal Warriors secure six partnerships ahead of historic tenth PKL Season
Mumbai: The much-awaited tenth season of the Pro Kabaddi League is almost upon us, and the Bengal Warriors, one of the founding teams in the competition are putting in the hard yards, and preparing with great gusto, as they aim to land the title.
The Bengal Warriors, who won the championship in 2019, will understandably be keen on yet another title, and while the players, the management and the fans would be delighted at that, it would also be a source of great joy for the team’s brand partners, who have got their exclusive spots on the uniform.
Coached by the legendary K. Baskaran, the Bengal Warriors, who recently released a new jersey, will continue to wear the sports gaming news-only website DafaNews’ logo as the front of the jersey partner. Meanwhile, on the back of the jersey, the Warriors will have the Kajaria Ceramics logo.
On the right arm, the Maninder Singh-led team will sport the Royal Green logo and on the left sleeve, it will sport – the League 11 logo. One of India’s leading news organisations, Zee News, have acquired the rights for their crest to be on the shorts. Last but not least Big FM logo will be on the nape of the jersey.
“At Kajaria Ceramics, we are aligned towards to helping the Indian sporting ecosystem, and the Bengal Warriors have continuously shown an aptitude towards the upliftment of indigenous sports. The Warriors always put in their very best at every step and leave it all out there, which is something that is inspiring of sorts for us,” said Kajaria Ceramics Ltd JMD Rishi Kajaria.
Zee Media chief executive officer Abhay Ojha expressed “We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Bengal Warriors Kabaddi, a partnership that aligns seamlessly with Zee News’ commitment to showcasing excellence. This association not only strengthens our dedication to promoting diverse sports but also enhances our brand visibility. We believe it’s a winning combination that will contribute significantly to our business success.”
“We are excited about this association with Bengal Warriors, one of the most formidable teams in the Pro Kabaddi League. Royal Green as a brand that embodies a perfect blend of success and quality finds synergy in Kolkata’s Pro Kabaddi League team Bengal Warriors, who are the perfect blend of strength, tenacity, agility and endurance. The Royal Green brand franchise is dedicated to support and encourage the spirit in which this team plays such an exciting exhilarating sport. Looking forward to an adrenaline-packed Kabaddi season,” said ADS Group chief executive officer Virat Maan.
“The tenth season of the Pro Kabaddi League is truly an iconic and landmark one, and the Bengal Warriors family is extremely proud to have been part of such a journey right from the get-go. We are excited to partner with – DafaNews, Kajaria Ceramics, Royal Green, Zee News, League 11 and Big FM as our key brand partners. We are confident that this association will deliver great value to each of our partner brands,” said Capri Sports senior vice-president contact sports Apurv Gupta.
The tenth season of PKL kicks off with a bang in Ahmedabad, with the Bengal Warriors facing Bengaluru Bulls on 4 December at the TransStadia.
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.
