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LaLiga brings the battle for ElClásico supremacy to India with three screenings in Mumbai
Mumbai: ElClásico, the fierce rivalry between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, is widely recognised as the ultimate rivalry in all of sport. This football fixture has grown beyond the field and has become a true cultural phenomenon, drawing the attention of millions of fans worldwide. The intensity of the competition and the quality of players involved make ElClásico a spectacle that people around the world stop to watch.
In India, apart from activating digitally with its broadcaster Viacom18, – through MTV India and Sports18’s social media channels – LaLiga has also partnered with the fan clubs of both Real Madrid & FC Barcelona to host the screenings in Mumbai at three Wise Monkey (Khar West) & Mitron (Saki Naka junction, Andheri East) respectively. In Goa, the match with be screened at Underdoggs, allowing fans the opportunity to share in the emotions of the game in a unique manner.
Through its global presence across all five continents, LaLiga will bring the ElClásico to football fans in every corner of the planet. This Sunday’s match at the Spotify Camp Nou, will be enjoyed far beyond Spain’s borders thanks to LaLiga’s organisation of more than 52 activations in more than 28 countries including India. Teaming up with BKT Tires, LaLiga in collaboration with local and global partners, will also allow 20,000 fans to enjoy the event in-person, where they will be able to soak in the amazing community experience alongside other fans.
The ElClásico public viewing events have become legendary over recent years and there will be several huge fan fests this weekend. For example, there will be one for approximately 5,000 people in Mexico City, one for 2,000 people in Los Angeles and another for 1,000 people in Ghana. This will be over and above watch parties taking place in Brazil, Poland, Cameroon, Canada, Hungary and the United Kingdom, in addition to these in India. Even in Asia and Oceania, LaLiga is organising activations and events for the fans who are waking up early to watch ElClásico, such as a breakfast watch party in Australia. Promoting physical health, LaLiga will also be organising a 10k ElClásico fun run in Colombia, an ElClásico fun football festival in Indonesia and a youth football tournament in Uganda and much more in between.
As well as participating in these various activations and cheering for their favourite team to win the match, fans around the world will also have the chance to impact the digital scoreboard that has been created by LaLiga and BKT Tires, official global partner and a company that has spent over three decades as a pioneer in developing and producing secure, innovative, and high-performance tires for a variety of specialized industries, including agriculture, construction, earthmoving, ports, and mining
There will be various challenges and games at the activations taking place around the world and where fans of FC Barcelona and of Real Madrid will be able to earn points for their club on the “ElClásico rivalry by BKT” scoreboard. By the end of ElClásico weekend, the points won at the events all over the world will have been tallied up and it’ll become clear which fanbase had the best fans. Fans will also be able to participate online, by posting different photo and video content of ElClásico, with the hashtag #ElClásicoRM or #ElClásicoBarça to give their favourite team a chance to top the BKT Tires digital scoreboard.
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.
