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Tamil Thalaivas launches initiatives to promote kabaddi
MUMBAI: Star India’s move to launch Star Sports Tamil has served as a launch-pad to consolidate its foothold in the Tamil market for its new initiatives. The newest franchise in Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), Tamil Thalaivas (TT), is taking full advantage of the channel and is spreading local love for sports across the state through its year-round initiatives.
The franchise spent Rs 3.73 crore in the 2018 auctions by retaining the trio of Ajay Thakur (Rs 76.23 lakhs), C Arun (Rs 36.3 lakhs) and Amit Hooda (Rs 69.3 lakhs) before the auction forming the core for the side. It will host a slew of on-ground properties in its second year of operations with a goal to further the southern state’s rich kabaddi legacy.
With a plan of year-round initiative, TT has started Corporate Kabaddi Fest which will be held at the Express Avenue Mall in Chennai from 17-19 August. The fest will have 32 corporates participating, including TCS, IBM, Renault, Cognizant, Apollo Tyres, Aradhaya Gold, Coca Cola, Ford Motors, HDFC Bank and more.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Tamil Thalaivas CEO Viren D’Silva said, “Our focus is on getting four partners for year-round activation and those four partners will get mileage and exposure for all our events.”
After an overwhelming response to the residential academy, the franchise has also launched 20 schools of excellence which provide after-school training in Tamil.
The corporate fest will not be live telecast, but will have seven episodes of one hour each at the prime-time. It will have both men’s and women’s teams participating for the glory. “IdhuNammaAatam” (this is our sport) is Tamil Thalaivas’ new expression for kabaddi.
Elaborating on the team’s mission, D’Silva added, “We have lined up a number of exciting initiatives, which we will build year on year. We want to give back to the fans and communities who have given us so much love. Through these initiatives, we are inviting Tamil Nadu to be a part of every moment both on and off the mat because, in the end, IdhuNammaAatam – then, now and, forever.”
The Corporate Kabaddi Fest will also feature Tamil movie stars, Vishnu Vishal and Andrea Jeremiah who, as “chief motivating officers”, will be cheering for the corporate teams. In a first, Tamil Thalaivas will also provide professional-level training to registered corporate teams in the two weekends preceding the event.
A Star India spokesperson said, “Tamil Nadu has a rich sporting culture, that underpins the popularity of various sporting leagues including TNPL, Vivo PKL, IPL 2018, Hero ISL among others. Since Tamil Thalaivas was first introduced in season five of PKL, they have charted various initiatives such as the grassroots programme to build deeper affinity for the sport across the state. As the official broadcaster, we endeavor to bring alive truly inspiring and engaging stories from their initiative, Corporate Kabaddi Fest, which will be a part of the run-up to a bigger, more exciting new season six.”
The Tamil Thalaivas’ kabaddi caravan will continue with Street Kabaddi and Tamil Thalaivas State Tour in the coming months.
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.
