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KCL to hold player auction on December 28 with Rs 4 crore purse
NEW DELHI: The Kabaddi Champions League has taken a confident stride towards its maiden season, locking in December 28, 2025, as the date for its first-ever player auction. With a total purse of Rs 4 crore, eight franchises will go head to head to assemble their squads from a deep and diverse domestic talent pool.
The build-up has already gathered momentum. Recent zone 4 and central trials in Sonipat drew a massive response, clocking over 3,500 registrations and more than 1,500 players on the mat during the central trials alone. After a rigorous screening process, over 110 players were shortlisted, with the final auction pool expected to feature between 200 and 250 athletes across categories.
Adding star power to the mix, the league will also include several of India’s leading kabaddi players and seasoned professionals with experience across national tournaments and top domestic leagues. Their presence is set to lift both the pace and polish of the competition, promising fans a fast, fierce and high-quality spectacle.
The trials, conducted across Sonipat and surrounding regions, followed a structured and transparent format, overseen by selection panels comprising former kabaddi greats and respected experts. Their involvement brought both credibility and keen-eyed assessment to the scouting process.
Attention now turns to the auction floor, where franchises will craft balanced squads of raiders, defenders and all-rounders through live bidding. Teams will operate within defined purse limits and squad guidelines, with detailed regulations to be shared ahead of the auction.
Designed to bridge grassroots talent with the professional stage, the Kabaddi Champions League aims to offer players a clear pathway for growth while injecting fresh energy into the sport. The upcoming auction marks a pivotal moment, setting the tone for the league’s debut season, with venue and operational details to be announced soon.
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.
