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Phorce Club joins forces with Cheteshwar Pujara to popularise Pickleball in India
MUMBAI: Phorce Club, a pioneering company building the Pickleball ecosystem in India, has appointed former Indian cricket stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara as its brand ambassador.
As Pickleball rapidly emerges as one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, Phorce Club aims to lead its adoption nationwide. Pujara, known for his focus, discipline, and consistency on the cricket field, embodies the qualities the brand seeks to inspire across households, combining professional grit with everyday fitness.
Phorce Club operates across the full spectrum of the sport, from designing and manufacturing equipment, to developing accessible Pickleball courts, and organising national tournaments and leagues to foster skill, engagement, and community. The company is led by founders Sujay Jairaj, Premal Shah, and Heman Ajmera, whose combined expertise drives grassroots participation, business foresight, and strategic sustainability.
Phorce Club, co-founder, Premal Shah, said, “Sport is more than fitness; it is a pathway to resilience, community, and collective growth. Cheteshwar Pujara embodies the Phorce mindset: focus, determination, and strength. With his support, we aim to take Pickleball beyond recreation and inspire every Indian to embrace both physical vitality and mental resilience.”
“The brand’s philosophy resonates deeply with me, true strength lies in persistence, focus, and collective growth. I’m delighted to be associated with Phorce Club. Together, we want to encourage people across India to push their boundaries and discover the Phorce within,” Pujara added.
Phorce Club plans to roll out nationwide campaigns, community-building initiatives, motivational content series, and Phorce Clubs in major cities, serving as hubs for fitness, recreation, and networking. Partnerships with schools and NGOs will expand Pickleball access to underprivileged children, reflecting the brand’s belief that sport is both a right and a catalyst for empowerment.
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.
