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Mixed Martial Arts: Neo Sports acquires broadcast rights for Asia’s largest event
MUMBAI: Brave Combat Federation, Asia’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion founded under the patronage of Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa from Bahrain, is hosting its first MMA event in India on Sunday, 23 April, at Dome, NSCI in Mumbai.
Neo Sports has acquired the broadcast rights for the event and the fights will be aired live between 8 pm to 10 pm. It will also be broadcast across 53 nations and streamed online live via bravefights.com. In addition to Neo Sports, the other partners for this event include Carnival Cinemas India (Multiplex & Publicity partner), Essence Transmedia (Event Partner), R City (Mall partner), Seven Hills Hospital (Medical Partner), Times of India (Media Partner) and Radio Mirchi (Radio Partner).
Brave Combat Federation is the first global MMA promotion to organize an event in India. This is the fifth edition of Brave Combat Federation and the Brave 5 Fight card features renowned Indian and International athletes from 11 nations including Algeria, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, India, Mexico, Philippines, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. Algeria’s Tahar Hadbi and England’s Carl Booth will compete at the main event. Indo-Canadian Gurdarshan ‘Saint Lion’ Mangat is moving two weight classes to compete with Abdul ‘Cutman’ Muneer in the Featherweight division, which is the co-main event.
The line-up also includes Indian athletes such as Mohammed Farhad, Goa’s Nelson Paes, IMMAF World Championship medallist Hardeep Rai, former Indian champion Bharat Khandare, and Indian MMA pioneer Chaitanya Gavali and international athletes such as Paulo Gonçalvez from Brazil, TUF Latin America contestant Alejandro Martinez, Bahrain’s pride Hamza Kooheji and former Middle Eastern champion Aziz Julaidan. Brave 5 will kick-off with the Weigh-ins and Open Workouts on April 22, which will be held at R-City Mall, Mumbai 6 PM onwards. The event will be attended by key dignitaries including His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and prominent Bollywood celebrities.
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.
