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The 27th LALIGA FC FUTURES International Tournament returns to Gran Canaria for Christmas
Mumbai: With the 2023/2024 season ushering in a completely new era for LALIGA together with its partner, EA SPORTS, this revamp is also evident in the most important U12 football tournament in the world, organised by the Fundación José Ramón de la Morena and LALIGA: the LALIGA FC FUTURES Tournament. The XXVII LALIGA FC FUTURES International Tournament will bring the world’s leading youth teams to Gran Canaria once again, with 10 LALIGA teams and 4 international sides competing. It will take place at the Maspalomas Training Centre from December 27th to 29th. This year’s tournament is sponsored by the Gran Canaria Municipal Council, Gran Canaria Tourist Office and the Maspalomas City Council.
The 27th LALIGA FC FUTURES International Tournament can be seen live on Gol Play, DAZN, Movistar+ and our OTT platform, LALIGA+. It will also be available on LALIGA TV BAR and LALIGA TV HYPERMOTION channels. Matches will also be broadcast digitally on LALIGA’s YouTube channel, LALIGA’s official Twitch channel, plus LALIGA’s official Facebook profile, as well as on Chinese social network Weibo. Additionally, one can also keep up to date with all the latest news on the digital platforms from LALIGA and the broadcasters using the hashtag #LALIGAFCFUTURES.
The teams are divided into four groups: Real Madrid, Olympique de Marseille, Sevilla FC and UD Las Palmas (Group A); Villarreal CF, Juventus FC and Rayo Vallecano (Group B);
FC Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and CD Tenerife (Group C); Real Betis, Liverpool FC, Atlético de Madrid and Real Sociedad (Group D).
The matches will be played on Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th at 10am (local time), with the semi-finals on Friday 29th at 10am and 10:45am (local time) and the final on the same day at 5pm (local time).
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.
