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Sapna Choudhary named brand face of JD Noida Ninjas
NOIDA: JD Noida Ninjas, a franchise in the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League, has added star power ahead of Season 2 by appointing singer, actor and television personality Sapna Choudhary as its brand ambassador.
A familiar face across North India, Choudhary rose to national fame with her appearance on Bigg Boss Season 11 and has since built a strong following across music, television and digital platforms. Her association is expected to boost the franchise’s visibility while helping the team strike a stronger chord with fans beyond the kabaddi faithful.
SJ Uplift Kabaddi founder and director Sambhav Jain, said the partnership reflects how franchises are shaping distinct identities as the league grows. He noted that Choudhary’s popularity adds a cultural connection that can deepen fan engagement as the UPKL ecosystem evolves.
Choudhary said she is looking forward to supporting the team when the new season tips off in Noida on December 24, adding that she hopes fans will bring the same enthusiasm to the JD Noida Ninjas that they have shown her over the years.
On the sporting front, the Noida Ninjas squad blends experience with youth. Seasoned players such as Ashu Singh, Manjeet and Rachit Yadav anchor the team, while a crop of emerging talent including Ajay Kumar Yadav, Navneet, Alok Kumar, Krishan Mavi and Ayush Kumar adds pace and promise to the line-up.
UPKL Season 2 will be played at the Noida Indoor Stadium from December 24, with matches broadcast on Zee Bollywood, Pictures HD and Anmol Cinema 2, and streamed on Zee5, as the league looks to build momentum both on and off the mat.
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.
