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Pro Panja League partners with Sony Sports Network as the official broadcaster for the first edition in India
Mumbai: Arm-wrestling fans in India can celebrate as the long-awaited inaugural season of Pro Panja League, Asia’s professional arm-wrestling promotion, is finally on the horizon. Pro Panja League, launched in 2020 by Bollywood actors/producers Parvin Dabas and Preeti Jhangiani, has partnered with Sony Sports Network for its first season and will be telecast on Sony Sports Ten 1 & Sony Sports Ten 1 HD channels this year.
Since its inception, Pro Panja League has held two editions of ranking Tournaments, multiple Mega Matches along with several promotional events across the country. With the sport of Panja having a huge mass appeal and deep roots across multiple regions in India, the league has already become a mega sensation on social media over the past couple of years.
Since Pro Panja’s previous Ranking Tournament held in Gwalior in July 2022, the league has successfully garnered over 215 million social media views across all platforms, showcasing the craze amongst fans to see the sport on a major platform. The thrilling arm-wrestling action will see six teams of arm-wrestlers from all over India competing across multiple weight categories.
Speaking on the announcement, Pro Panja League co-owner Dabas said, “We are delighted to join hands with Sony Sports Network and are proud to see them adopting the ancient sport of arm-wrestling. Fans will finally get a chance to view the sport on a professional level for the first time in India. We are delighted to present it to the audience in the entertaining Pro Panja style on such a big platform and we hope to reach out to every sports fan across the country. Pro Panja League is the only league in the country that has categories across men’s, women’s, and physically challenged divisions.We have created a really engaging product and the audience is in for a big ride.”
Expanding further on the partnership, Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer distribution and head – sports business Rajesh Kaul said, “There is a huge appeal for homegrown leagues and the Pro Panja League is no exception. Sony Sports Network is pleased to bring the excitement and thrill of professional arm-wrestling to Anchorviewers across India. The league’s popularity on social media and the enthusiasm of the fans is a testament to the immense potential of the sport in the country.”
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.
