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Stepathlon partners with Major League Rugby
Mumbai: Stepathlon has announced its first major US partnership with Major League Rugby (MLR). Stepathlon is a fan acquisition and engagement platform, to promote fitness and well-being among rugby players and fans starting in the off-season and leading up to the 2025 season.
MLR aims to foster a culture of fitness and community through this collaboration, encouraging fans across the United States to participate during the off-season with their favorite team and athletes across the league. This initiative will not only enhance physical fitness but also build camaraderie among fans, fostering a stronger connection with the sport.
“We are thrilled to partner with Stepathlon to promote health and wellness within the rugby community,” said US Major League Rugby CEO Nic Benson. “Staying fit and active is crucial for our players, and we are excited to work with Stepathlon to inspire our fans to live a healthier lifestyle.”
The partnership between US Major League Rugby and Stepathlon represents a new era of collaboration between sports marketing and wellness companies, aiming to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of athletes and fans alike.
The partnership between Major League Rugby, the premier professional rugby league in the U.S., and Stepathlon aims to engage athletes and fans year-round by blending the reach and influence of sports marketing with the positive impact health and wellness initiatives can have.
Stepathlon founder and CEO, Ravi Krishnan, said, ” Having attended MLR matches this season, I was struck by the passion of the fans. We want to ensure that this passion continues to thrive during the off-season. We also know that healthier fans are happier fans, so we aim to give something back to those who support their teams so keenly throughout the season. Stepathlon’s goal is to help fans stay connected with their favorite teams and players, as well as with each other, whether or not games are being played.”
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.
