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Pro Panja League makes its grand debut on Sony Sports Network
Mumbai: The wait for arm-wrestling fans is finally over as Asia’s biggest arm-wrestling promotion, Pro Panja League, has announced the dates for the highly anticipated first season. Starting 28 July 2023 to 13 August 2023, the 17-day sporting event will feature 180 arm wrestlers, divided into six teams and the adrenaline-pumping action will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Ten 1 and Sony Sports Ten 1 HD channels.
Pro Panja League, the brainchild of Bollywood actors and producers Parvin Dabas and Preeti Jhangiani, will feature categories for Men, Women and Specially abled arm wrestlers. The arm-wrestlers competing in the first season have been selected after qualifying at an intense Ranking Tournament that was held in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh in July last year.
Expressing his delight, Pro Panja League co-owner Dabas said, “The feedback to our partnership with Sony Sports Network has been stupendous. Arm Wrestling and Combat Sports fans are going to be treated to some prime-time arm-wrestling action for the first time on Sony Sports Network in July and August which have traditionally been very strong months for the Pro Panja League. We cannot wait to serve up some strong summer fare for the sports fans.”
Originally launched in 2020 with a mega event at Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi, Pro Panja has become a massive craze among the fans on social media with two editions of Ranking Tournaments, multiple Mega Matches between Arm-Wrestling Champions, and several promotional events across the country. With events having taken place across Gwalior Fort, Gateway of India, Mumbai, and Majestic Pride Casino Boat in Goa, Pro Panja is also opening a doorway for Sports Tourism.
On the first season launch of Pro Panja League, Sony Pictures Networks chief revenue officer, distribution & international business and head – sports business Rajesh Kaul said, “We are glad to have the Pro Panja League onboard with us for its inaugural season. These are exciting times for fans of arm-wrestling across the country who will get to witness athletes putting on an exhibition of their physical strengths. Arm wrestling in India in a professional capacity has great potential and we aim to make it a household name in the world of sports.”
For their tremendous work in the promotion of Arm Wrestling, Dabas and Jhangiani have already received several accolades from India and across the globe, with the latter also recently being named the President of the Maharashtra Arm Wrestling Association and the former having received the Golden Medal from Dzeenbek Mukambetov which is the highest recognition from the World Arm Wrestling Federation.
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.
