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Pro Volleyball league secures RuPay as tittle sponsor till season 4
MUMBAI: The RuPay Pro Volleyball League is an initiative of Volleyball Federation of India and Baseline Ventures with Sony Sports Network as broadcast partners. The season 2 of the league starts on 7th February 2020. In a major boost for the Pro Volleyball League, the league has announced that they have secured a set of long-term sponsors for the league.
RuPay, which was the title sponsor of the league in season 1 has decided to continue its association with the league as the title sponsor for the next three seasons. Speaking on the association Chief Marketing Kunal Kalawatia stated that “We are pleased to enter into a continual association with Pro Volleyball league, which was very well accepted among the younger generation, in the inaugural season. We look forward to celebrating the youth of India with second season of RuPay Pro Volley Ball League. In terms of RuPay, our constant focus is to target next-gen customers and provide experience especially customised for them. We believe RuPay Pro Volley Ball League is an ideal platform for us to reach out to the young India”.
Apart from securing RuPay as the title sponsor, the league has also managed to rope in Bank of Barado & Peter England as associate sponsor for the next two seasons & Nippon Paints as an associate sponsor for season 2. Sounding confident about the potential of volleyball as a sport in the country Bank of Barado GM-CC, Marketing & Corporate Communications O K Kaul said “At Bank of Baroda we are committed to working towards making India a multi-sport nation and volleyball which is one of the most widely played sport at grass roots level in the country apart from being a truly global sport, fits perfectly with our vision of being India’s International Bank”.
Echoing his thoughts Peter England COO Manish Singhai quoted “At Peter England we are committed in supporting sports which commands a huge appeal in the county. We are excited to continue our association with RuPay Pro Volleyball League. This resonates with the spirit of the game & takes the brand closer to a younger audience. This partnership has close ties to our brand which represents dynamism, innovation and its strong popularity at grass-roots level. Peter England’s brand philosophy reflects a winning mindset. The brand brings together fashion sensibility with a sporting mindset & offers great fashion at an affordable pricing”.
Talking about extending the partnership with the league, Nippon Paint India President – Decorative Business Mahesh Anand said “Volleyball is a dynamic and vibrant sport with non-stop edge of the seat action. The entry of RuPay Pro Volleyball League has added a new color to the whole sporting eco-system in the country, the sport & the league is a true reflection of brand Nippon Paint India so continuing the association was a straightforward decision for us”.
The league has also managed to close long term deals with a leading fantasy game partner and an equipment partner, the details for which are also expected to be announced in the coming days.
The season 1 of the league was a resounding success which was viewed in 45 countries across the globe. In India, the league was broadcasted on Sony Ten 3 and Sony Six with Sony Liv as the digital partner and garnered a viewership of 22 million viewers. The league was a huge hit with the fantasy gaming enthusiasts as well with 1.78 lakh players for the final with a cumulative total of 10 lakh players.
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.
