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World of Krida announces fourth 3X3 Basketball franchise – Toronto Patriots
Mumbai: World of Krida Pvt Ltd, a multi-sport franchise owning company, has announced their fourth 3X3 Basketball team, Toronto Patriots for the FIBA 3×3 backed 3×3.EXE Super Premier Basketball League. The 3×3.EXE Super Premier basketball league’s inaugural edition will tip-off at the Xebio Arena Sendai, Japan. The league will be held at Japan on 13 & 14 January 2024, Thailand on 10 & 11 February, 2024, Australia on 24 & 25 February, 2024 and the finals in Japan on 17 March, 2024. The league will see Toronto Patriots along with two other top level international 3×3 teams, Lausanne and Sajmiste Serbia play the tournament as guest teams (invitation). The winners and runner-up from the 3×3.EXE Super Premier 2024 finals will qualify for the 2024 FIBA 3×3 World Tour and the winners of each round will book a spot at the 2024 FIBA 3×3 Challengers respectively.
All the matches of 3×3.EXE Super Premier Basketball League can be streamed live on the 3×3.EXE OFFICIAL YouTube Channel.
Toronto Patriots team will see pro Indian origin ballers like Inderbir Singh Gill and Bikramjit Gill from USA and Canada respectively take on the court with their teammates Blaz Cresnar and Mark Berlic of Slovenia.
Toronto Patriots co-owner and World of Krida CEO Parina Suresh Parekh said, “3×3 basketball is dear to us. After Zagreb Patriots, Mumbai Patriots and Udon Thani Patriots, my heart swells with pride as we expand the Patriots universe to North America with Toronto Patriots. To be invited as a guest to the prestigious 3×3.EXE Super Premier League along with two of the best 3X3 teams in the world is a moment that we will cherish forever. 3X3 is now an Olympic sport and competitions like these not only help the franchise but even the players to rise up the ranks collecting crucial points that enable their goal to represent their country in the global competition. I am confident that we will make the most from the opportunity and aim #ForTheGlory.”
Member of the Toronto Patriots squad Bikramjit Gill also represented and won the Bronze medal for the Canadian National Team at the Commonwealth Games 2022 said, “Basketball has always played a huge part in my life, my dad represented the Indian National team back in his days, and I am fortunate enough to carry that legacy forward. Being a part of Toronto Patriots feels like representing home with pride in the oldest 3×3 basketball league. The entire team has a really good rapport and I just hope we can be amongst the top and give a tough fight to other teams.”
Dream Basketball Academy (DBA) and S4A have come onboard with Toronto Patriots as the Training and Facility Partner (Hyderabad) and Apparel Partner respectively.
The scheduled matches for Toronto Patriots in 3×3.EXE Super Premier 2024 in Round 1: Sendai, Japan are as follows:
Day one: 13 Jan, 2024
– First Match: 9:55 am IST
– Second Match: 1:25 pm IST
Day two: 14 Jan, 2024
– 3 Match: 9:40 am IST Onwards
Amongst their other World of Krida owned franchises are Pune 7 Aces from the Premier Badminton League, Rajasthan Patriots in the Premier Handball League, Jaipur Patriots in Ultimate Table Tennis League and Punjab Patriots in Tennis Premier League. World of Krida also owns Chicago Patriots that competes in the United States Premier League, the T20 cricket league played in USA. They are also actively involved in the fast-paced world of 3X3 basketball, with the ownership of Mumbai Patriots, Udon Thani Patriots and Zagreb Patriots in the 3BL leagues in India, Thailand, and Croatia respectively.
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.
