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Matters of pride as KCL readies to raid Haryana’s prime-time stage
MUMBAI: Whistle ready, mat rolled out, Haryana’s kabaddi heart is about to start pounding in prime time. The Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) has officially unveiled the match schedule for its much-awaited inaugural season, setting the tone for a fortnight of high-octane raids, tackles and regional bragging rights.
The first edition of the league will be staged at the Sports University of Haryana in Rai, running from January 25 to February 7, 2026. Designed as a nightly kabaddi ritual, league matches will be played across three prime-time slots 7.00 pm, 8.00 pm and 9.00 pm and broadcast live on Zee channels, DD Sports, YupTV and Wave OTT, alongside in-stadium action.
The opening night promises instant fireworks, with two derby-style clashes setting the pace. Sonipat Stars lock horns with Gurugram Gurus at 7.00 pm, followed by Rohtak Royals versus Karnal Kings at 8.00 pm, a double-header steeped in local rivalry and early momentum.
Across 12 league days, eight franchises Sonipat Stars, Gurugram Gurus, Hisar Heroes, Bhiwani Bulls, Rohtak Royals, Karnal Kings, Panipat Panthers and Faridabad Fighters will battle through a tightly packed schedule. The format is built for intensity rather than breathing space, with teams jostling nightly to secure knockout berths and a shot at becoming the first-ever KCL champions.
The league phase concludes on 5 February, before the stakes rise sharply. The semi-finals will be played on 6 February, leading into the grand final on 7 February, a date that could crown new kabaddi royalty in the state that has long defined the sport’s competitive spine.
Beyond the fixtures, the league positions itself as a bridge between grassroots grit and professional polish. With homegrown talent, familiar rivalries and a prime-time spotlight, KCL aims to turn Haryana’s everyday kabaddi culture into appointment viewing.
For fans, the message is clear, the schedule is out, the nights are booked, and the mat is about to do the talking.
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.
