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Legends Pro T20 set for Goa debut with a line-up of Cricket greats
MUMBAI: The Legends Pro T20 League is gearing up to bring a carnival of cricket to Goa, promising a festival of world-class action as 90 iconic players return to the spotlight. Promoted by the SG Group, the league aims to deliver not just nostalgia but a fresh, global cricketing spectacle that celebrates skill, charisma and competitive fire.
Household names such as Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Shane Watson and Dale Steyn are set to turn back the clock in what organisers describe as the most premium legends event on the annual cricket calendar. With multiple franchises, a carefully crafted tournament format and top-tier international stars, the league is built to keep fans hooked from first ball to last.
The inaugural edition will run in Goa from 26 January to 4 February 2026 at the newly opened 1919 Sportz Cricket Stadium in Verna. Hosting the entire competition in one venue is intended to create an uninterrupted, festival-like atmosphere for fans who want cricket from breakfast through sunset.
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has been appointed League Commissioner, a role he calls both a privilege and a reunion with old friends and on-field adversaries. Clarke said India holds a special place in his heart and that he expects Goa’s setting to offer a perfect stage for high-quality contests and memorable moments.
SG Group’s Rohan Gupta, said the aim is to honour cricket’s greats while giving supporters a competitive product they can savour. Bringing the world’s best-loved players to one destination, he added, allows the league to celebrate their legacy while offering fans a fresh burst of excitement.
Arivaa Sports, the tournament’s exclusive execution partner, has worked with SG Group to shape a world-class roster and competition structure. Co-founder Rajneesh Chopra said the league offers supporters a rare chance to reconnect with stars they may not have seen in action for years, with the promise of strong rivalries and sharp cricket still very much alive.
Team names, ticketing details and further announcements will be revealed soon. For now, Goa looks set to begin the new year with cricket’s biggest legends and a whole lot of cheers.
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.
