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Pro Govinda League Season 2 to be broadcast on Star Sports Network
Mumbai: As the nation celebrates another memorable year of Independence, one of its beloved festive and sporting activities is set to take centre stage on 18 August. The Pro Govinda League, a celebration of the traditional sporting and cultural activity of Dahi Handi, will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network.
Now in its second season, the Pro Govinda League is organised by passionate leaders, including MLA Pratap Sarnaik, chairman & founder of the Pro Govinda League, Purvesh Parisha Pratap Sarnaik, league president, Mohomed Morani, league director, Mazhar Nadiadwala, league director, and Vihang Sarnaik, league director, with the backing of the Maharashtra Government.
The grand finale of Season 2 of the Pro Govinda League will be held on 18 August at the Dome SVP Stadium and will be broadcast on Star Sports First 4 PM onwards. The league will feature commentary in Hindi, with English and Marathi as language options.
Sixteen teams from across Maharashtra will battle it out for the top prize in one of the state’s most prestigious competitions. Each team will showcase their athletic prowess and strong teamwork in forming human pyramids to perform the salami, a pre-qualification round that emphasises skill and precision. The competition will follow an exciting league format this season.
Purvesh Parisha Pratap Sarnaik, league president said, “Pro Govinda showcases our dedication to promoting athletic excellence while preserving our traditions and culture, fostering both cultural harmony and sporting spirit. Our vision is to inspire thousands of Govindas (players) from across the region, and we are thrilled to partner with Star Sports to elevate this league to a broader audience. We wish all the teams and their owners the very best for the competition.”
Vihang Sarnaik league director added, “Pro Govinda League 2024 is close to the hearts of everyone in Maharashtra, and we eagerly await the final day of the league. This year, we are expanding beyond Maharashtra, with Star Sports as our broadcast partner, helping us reach a larger audience. We wish all the teams and their owners the very best.”
Mohomed Morani league director said, “Pro Govinda League 2024 is a proud moment for everyone in Maharashtra, and we are honoured to be part of this special journey. The involvement of Star Sports, one of the country’s leading channels, underscores the cultural significance and love for the Pro Govinda League. We look forward to entertaining viewers on 18 August.”
Mazhar Nadiadwala league director stated, “Pro Govinda 2024 is a celebration of Maharashtra’s cultural vibrancy and sporting prowess, and we are ecstatic that it will be broadcast on television screens nationwide via Star Sports. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the state’s rich culture and heritage to the nation, and we are confident of a great response from fans.”
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.
