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Eurosport India acquires broadcasting rights of inaugural GBPL 2022
Mumbai: Eurosport India announced that it has acquired the broadcasting rights for the inaugural Grand Prix Badminton League (GPBL). The 2022 edition of the league will be played in Bengaluru from 12 August to 21 August.
Eight teams representing different cities in Karnataka will have over 64 players from across the state under the mentorship of national badminton superstars, including the likes of two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, former world number one Kidambi Srikanth, Commonwealth gold medalist duo of Jwala Gutta & Ashwini Ponappa, along with World Championship bronze medalist B Sai Praneeth, Thomas Cup winning team India’s Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy.
Announcing the broadcast partnership, Warner Bros. Discovery head of Eurosport India-South Asia Ruchir Jain said, “It’s the first time that our top players will be managing a team consisting of budding players and we are very eager to bring that action to the audience in India. GPBL is just a new beginning that is going to go on for a long time, and we are glad to be a part of this journey.”
The eight teams competing in the GPBL are viz., Mandya Bulls, Mysore Panthers, Bengaluru Lions, Malnad Falcons, KGF Wolves, Mangalore Sharks, Bundipur Tuskers, and Kodagu Tigers, consisting of eight players each.
Speaking about collaboration, GBPL commissioner and Bitsport CEO Prashanth Reddy commented, “Exciting times lie ahead as GPBL is finally set to begin soon. It is a league like never before as we will get to see many new players under the mentorship of Olympics players like Sindhu and other top national badminton players. Eurosport has been a go-to destination for many sports, and we found them to be the perfect broadcasting partner for GPBL.”
Eurosport India is ready to bring the badminton action closer to the audience as each team will play the other team at least once, and the team with the most wins and scores on the leaderboard will get hold of the trophy, with the winners taking away Rs 24 lakh out of a total of Rs 60 lakh in terms of prize money.
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.
