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RuPay Prime Volleyball League onboards 19 sponsors and partners for season 3
Mumbai: The RuPay Prime Volleyball League powered by A23 on Tuesday announced a total of 19 sponsors and partners for the upcoming third edition of the league, which is set to kick off on 15 February 2024 in Chennai. RuPay, the flagship product of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), will continue its partnership as the title Sponsor. Meanwhile, the league will once again be Powered by online gaming platform A23, this year as well.
With several sponsors from the previous seasons returning, the RuPay Prime Volleyball League powered by A23, which is exclusively co-owned and marketed by Baseline Ventures, has truly cemented its position as a trusted brand. Last month, the league also announced Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan as the brand ambassador for the upcoming edition.
With an exciting 15-point format, thrilling new concepts such as super serves and super points, star-studded player line-ups, and a plethora of celebrities, the second edition proved to be a tremendous success, with a nearly 55 per cent increase in viewership. Hence, the league once again attracted several top companies this year, with Nippon Paint, Amul Kool, State Bank of India (SBI), Indian Oil, and Cred, coming on board as associate sponsors, and Cosco and Indian Terrain joining as official sponsors.
The third season of RuPay Prime Volleyball League powered by A23, will take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai with the support of host partner Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT). The fans can also witness the live action from the comforts of their home with Sony Sports Network and Sony Liv continuing as the Official Broadcast Partners in the Indian sub-continent while Volleyball World continues as the International Streaming Partners for the global audience.
HRX, Gleneagles HealthCity Chennai, Radio City, PPL, Mera Hoardings, have come on board as Official Partners while Piston des Sports will continue to offer Athlete Management services during the third season.
The second season of the league, with a simultaneous broadcast in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam on the Sony Sports Network, Sony Liv and Volleyball World, generated a total cumulative viewership of 206 million, as compared to 133 million in Season 1. In addition, the season garnered over five million fan engagements across various digital platforms, as well as forming massive regional connections through social media.
Baseline Ventures Pvt Ltd managing director & co-founder Tuhin Mishra said, “We are delighted and honoured to witness the response from top businesses and organisations, showcasing their interest in partnering with RuPay Prime Volleyball League powered by A23 each year. The fact that so many of our sponsors continue to support us every season is an indication of the level of trust that we have built in the industry over the years. We are all equally excited for the coming season and are confident that this time, it will be even bigger, better and bolder.”
Following the success of the first two seasons, the third season of the ‘Asli Entertainer’ RuPay Prime Volleyball League powered by A23 will be aired on Sony Sports Network in five languages – English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. Fans can anticipate another thrilling season of RuPay Prime Volleyball League powered by A23 and experience the excitement of top-tier teams battle it out on the volleyball court starting 15 February 2024, 6:30 PM onwards, Live on Sony Sports Network and will be available to livestream on SonyLiv.
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.
