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Kabaddi bids big as KCL auction throws the mat wide open
MUMBAI: When the hammer fell, dreams rose. The inaugural player auction of the Kabaddi Champions League on 28 December 2025 turned anticipation into action, with all eight franchises assembling their squads in a high-stakes night that saw 128 players snapped up for the league’s debut season.
More than a bidding war, the evening unfolded as a statement of intent. Every raise of the paddle carried ambition: coaches sketching strategies, franchises betting on belief, and athletes graduating from local akharas to the big stage.
The headline grabber was Bhiwani Bulls, who made the highest bid of the night at Rs 19.2 lakh to secure right raider Devank Dalal, backing him with a strong supporting cast including Pravesh Malik (Rs 5.4 lakh), Hitesh Kadian (Rs 7 lakh) and Deepak Singh (Rs 5.6 lakh). Close behind, Sonipat Stars locked in left raider Ayan Lochab for Rs 18.4 lakh, signalling their intent to build around a proven spine.
Faridabad Fighters went all-in on flair, making Jaideep Dahiya their marquee pick at Rs 17.4 lakh, while Karnal Kings placed faith in Sunil Malik at Rs 14.2 lakh, rounding out a roster tilted towards youth and upside. Hisar Heroes added firepower with Ashu Malik at Rs 12.2 lakh, supported by a solid mix of defenders and all-rounders.
Further down the board, Panipat Panthers opted for balance with all-rounder Ankit Jaglan at Rs 9.8 lakh, Gurugram Gurus invested Rs 9.6 lakh in right raider Neeraj Narwal, and Rohtak Royals topped their list with Vijay Malik at Rs 9.4 lakh, completing a night where strategy trumped sentiment.
Beyond the numbers, the auction underlined what this league aims to be, a platform where journeys matter as much as raids. As one owner put it, every bid was “a vote of confidence in a person, not just a position”.
With squads now locked and rivalries quietly taking shape, the Kabaddi Champions League moves from the auction room to the mat where every tackle will echo the faith placed on this defining night.
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.
