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Tag: Suhail Chandhok

  • Union Budget 2024: Record Rs 3442 cr boosts India’s sports sector

    Union Budget 2024: Record Rs 3442 cr boosts India’s sports sector

    Mumbai: During her speech, the finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated, “The country is proud of our youth scaling new heights in sports. The highest-ever medal tally in Asian Games and Asian Para Games in 2023 reflects a high confidence level. Chess prodigy and our Number-One ranked player Praggnanandhaa put up a stiff fight against the reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsson in 2023. Today, India has over 80 chess grandmasters compared to little over 20 in 2010.”

    Sports budget allocation 2024-25

    •    Khelo India: Rs 1045 Cr
    •    SAI: Rs 822 Cr
    •    National Sports Development Fund: Rs 18 Cr

    Here are the post-budget reactions of India’s sporting business stakeholders

    Punit Balan Group chairman & managing director Punit Balan shared his thoughts on the budget allocation stating, “The government’s proactive stance towards sports through this increased allocation of funds will provide the impetus for Indian athletes to shine brightly in international competitions, contributing to the continued growth and success of the country’s success on the global stage. With the Paris Olympics looming on the horizon, we are confident that our youth will make it the best-ever campaign for India.”

    Reflecting on the government’s sustained commitment to the growth of sports in India, Ultimate Kho Kho CEO and League Commissioner Tenzing Niyogi highlighted, “Last year, we witnessed a Rs 300 crore increase in sports allocations, which contributed to India’s success in the Asian and Para-Asian Games. The government’s continued commitment is evident in the latest budget, with a total allocation of Rs 3442 crores, which reflects a significant increase from the previous year’s budget. The increased allocations not only boost the morale of our athletes but also serve as a testament to the government’s vision for developing and nurturing sporting talent. As India gears up for the upcoming Paris Olympics, this heightened financial support will pave the way for a promising era for sports in the country.”

    One of the key beneficiaries of this augmented budget is Khelo India, which has received a significant increase from Rs 880 crores to Rs 900 crores.

    “The substantial allocation in this year’s budget not just for the sports sector but also for Khelo India will play a pivotal role with regard to grassroots development. This support for our athletes across all sporting disciplines will facilitate more participation and lead to more medals at the Olympics and other international tournaments,” commented U Mumba CEO Suhail Chandhok.

    Concurring with him, Yuva Kabaddi Series CEO Vikas Gautam emphasised, “The commendable allocation in this year’s budget marks a significant stride towards transforming India into a sporting powerhouse. By prioritising grassroots infrastructure via increasing the Khelo India budget, we are not just investing in facilities but nurturing the latent talent that resides in every corner of our nation. This budget reflects a visionary approach, recognizing that the true potential of our athletes lies in the foundation we build for them today. It’s a resounding commitment to creating a robust sports ecosystem and with our combined efforts I hope this will fuel the aspirations of our youth and propel India to new heights on the global stage.”

    Gamepoint co-founder & CEO Aditya Reddy believes that the impact of sports extends beyond the field, offering massive economic opportunities.

    “PM Narendra Modi during the inauguration of the Khelo India Youth Games in Chennai stated that the government has resolved to make the country an important centre of the global sports ecosystem. He also highlighted that sports was not just limited to the field, but also presents a huge economic opportunity, he said the country’s sports-related industry will be worth at least Rs 1 lakh crore in a few years. Given the positive approach of the government towards sports, we hope that post the Lok Sabha elections, the new government will increase the budget allocation and announce new measures for the growth of Indian sports,” noted Aditya Reddy.

    Alongside the increased budget allocations, FM Nirmala Sitharaman praised the achievements of the country’s youth in sports and highlighted the confidence level reflected in India’s highest-ever medal tally at last year’s Asian and Para Asian Games during her speech.

    In addition, she proudly stated that India now boasts over 80 Chess Grandmasters which is a significant increase from just over 20 in 2010 and sparked optimism among the country’s sporting business stakeholders.

    Punit Balan, whose PBG-owned team Balan Alaskan Knights competed in the inaugural Global Chess League (GCL) last year said, “Our FM, Nirmala Sitharaman, acknowledging the remarkable achievements of our youth in sports, particularly in chess, reflects the bright future of the sport in our nation. We take pride in Raunak Sadhwani, the prodigy of Balan Alaskan Knights, being one of India’s 80 Grandmasters.”

    The positive sentiments were echoed by Suhail Chandhok who expressed, “As mentioned by FM Nirmala Sitharaman, Indian athletes have been making their presence felt on the International stage and that is a significant indication of our country becoming a sporting powerhouse. Our upGrad Mumba Masters’ grandmasters Vidit Gujrathi, Harika Dronavalli, and Koneru Humpy securing Medals at last year’s Asian Games 2022 have brought immense pride to Indian chess, with Vidit also going on to secure a place in the prestigious Candidates tournament.”

    With the continued support from the government, the sports sector in India is poised for further development and a bright future for athletes across various disciplines.

  • Will Union Budget boost catapult India to Olympic glory in Paris 2024 and beyond?

    Will Union Budget boost catapult India to Olympic glory in Paris 2024 and beyond?

    Mumbai: With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, the spotlight is blazing on India’s sports sector as we eagerly await the Union Budget 2024. In 2023, the industry witnessed a historic budget boost, soaring by over Rs 300 Crores to reach Rs 3397.32 Cr – a testament to the government’s commitment.

    Khelo India emerged as the frontrunner with a whopping allocation of Rs 1045 Crores, playing a game-changing role. Now, with the global stage beckoning in Paris and future Olympic bids, the nation’s sports enthusiasts are on the edge of their seats, anticipating how the upcoming budget will script India’s sports narrative for the world.

    Here are the quotes from the various industry experts on pre-Union Budget allocation for the sports sector

    Punit Balan Group chairman & managing director Punit Balan expressed his optimism, stating, “Last year’s significant boost in the sports budget showcased the government’s commitment to supporting athletic talent. Considering the Paris Olympics 2024 this year, I hope to see a continued emphasis on encouraging and building future stars. The combination of grassroots initiatives like Khelo India and the professional leagues is essential for nurturing talent and ensuring a sustainable ecosystem for Indian sports.”

    Ultimate Kho Kho CEO and league commissioner Tenzing Niyogi emphasised the need for strategic allocations, noting, “Aligning with the nation’s vision to host the 2036 Olympics under the leadership of our prime minister Shri Narendra Modi, we expect a strategic allocation for non-cricketing sports for infrastructure and talent development across diverse sporting disciplines. Furthermore, the allocation of funds from NSF is also of utmost importance as it will serve as a catalyst for nurturing grassroots programs and identifying as well as developing raw talent. An increase in the National Skill Development Fund is also imperative. This is not only in line with making India a multisport-playing nation but also with the creation of more opportunities through the PPP model to engage and entice additional corporate participation in the Sports Movement.”

    As the sporting landscape in India evolves, U Mumba CEO Suhail Chandhok emphasised the importance of channelling resources into the development of indigenous sports leagues, the identification of talent, and the nurturing of grassroots initiatives.

    “With the rapid development of emerging homegrown sports leagues, we anticipate an allocation of funds to elevate their prominence in the country. We also hope for a strategic focus on talent identification and grassroots development which to me are crucial pillars for creating a vibrant sports ecosystem. Investing in these areas will not only promote but also contribute to the sustainable development of diverse sporting disciplines,” he said.

    Addressing the crucial aspect of international-level coaching, facilities, and sports sciences, Yuva Kabaddi Series CEO Vikas K Gautam commented, “The allocation of funds towards the training of coaches is crucial, given the current lack of infrastructure and the absence of internationally standardized coaching facilities. It is imperative to recognize that only well-trained coaches can cultivate athletes to compete at the international level. Emphasis on holistic development programs, focusing on talent identification and nurturing, nutrition, and sports science, to create a well-rounded ecosystem for aspiring athletes.”

    Gamepoint co-founder & CEO Aditya Reddy brought attention to the fiscal aspects of the sports sector, emphasizing that reducing GST could play a pivotal role in its transformation by remarking, “To transform the sports sector in India, it is imperative to encourage and incentivise private sports organisations. This can be made possible by reducing the GST on sports services from 18 per cent to 12 per cent, incentivising the establishment of sports goods manufacturing in India through a PLI scheme for sports equipment, and facilitating access to government, railways, and PSU sports facilities for the general public. If necessary, involving private organizations in managing these facilities under a PPP model can enhance both management and maintenance efficiency.”

  • Indian sports ecosystem thrives in 2023: A year in review

    Indian sports ecosystem thrives in 2023: A year in review

    Mumbai: In 2023, India witnessed a remarkable period filled with record-breaking feats and notable breakthroughs across various sporting domains. It has undoubtedly been a monumental one for the Indian sports ecosystem through significant achievements including:

    In the Union Budget 2023: The sports sector has received its highest-ever budget allocation in history. With an over 300 crore jump, the sports sector has received Rs 3397.32 Cr allocation in the new FY 2023-24 Union Budget. Khelo India received a whopping 1045 Cr funding.

    Asian Games Glory: Setting a new benchmark with a record-breaking haul of 107 medals, the nation’s athletic prowess took centre stage, contributing significantly to this remarkable achievement. Notably, the standout performance in athletics marked phenomenal growth, accounting for approximately 20 per cent of the total medals—a testament to the country’s escalating dominance on the sporting stage compared to previous editions.

    Following are the quotes from personalities on how things went for the Indian sports ecosystem in 2023, achievements and milestones by their company this year and what they are aiming for in 2024:

    Punit Balan Group chairman & MD Punit Balan

    The past year has been a monumental journey for the Indian sporting landscape, especially for non-cricketing sports, and we take immense pride in the significant strides made by the Punit Balan Group in the sporting industry. Our strategic investments in over nine leagues, both nationally and internationally, have contributed toward creating a thriving and sustainable ecosystem for Olympic, indigenous and non-Olympic sports in the country.

    The success of Mumbai Khiladis, the Ultimate Kho Kho team, serves as a powerful testament to the growing appeal of non-cricketing leagues among brands as well as the audience. This season, we achieved a remarkable milestone by securing massive sponsorships that only vindicate the market dynamics as well as also highlight the confidence that sponsors place in our vision for the growth of sports in India.

    Taking our influence to the global stage, PBG had acquired a team, PBG Eagles in the World Tennis League played in Abu Dhabi and what is even more heartening is winning the World Tennis League Season Two title. This strategic move was a big step toward establishing our footprint across the global sporting market, having the world’s best players, including World No. 3 Daniil Medvedev.

    At PBG, our commitment is not limited to mere team ownership in mainline sports. We are devoted to empowering athletes and propelling them toward their Olympic dreams. A case in point is our Handball League team, which also became the season one champion. With the Paris Olympics in mind in 2024, our focus is to increase our support for more athletes, offering them the necessary resources and backing to excel internationally.

    A shining example of this commitment is Indian Tennis Star Rutuja Bhosale, a PBG-supported athlete who clinched a gold medal in mixed doubles tennis at the Asian Games this year. Her triumph brought glory to our nation and fueled her aspirations for an Olympic berth, for which she is currently working hard.

    In 2024, our focus will remain on creating a lasting impact in the sports industry, supporting athletes, and continuing to build sustainable sporting business models for non-cricketing sports, inspiring more people to invest in sports and building a strong stakeholder ecosystem.

    Ultimate Kho Kho CEO and league commissioner Tenzing Niyogi

    The year 2023 was distinguished by historic milestones and remarkable achievements for indigenous sports, with Ultimate Kho Kho spearheading the charge. In a groundbreaking initiative, Ultimate Kho Kho has achieved a significant milestone this year as it secured Series A funding from the UK-based BNP Group and became the first sports league in India to secure private equity investment and was a testament to our commitment to propelling the trajectory of Kho-Kho, both within India and on the global stage.

    In our continued pursuit of making Ultimate Kho Kho larger, bolder, and the ultimate source of entertainment for Bharat, we strategically selected Odisha as the host for the highly anticipated Season 2. This decision was fueled by the ambition of elevating the profile of Kho Kho across the nation, and Odisha, being the sports infrastructure capital of India, provided the ideal platform for our vision. Beyond the promise of thrilling Kho Kho action, Season 2 marked the introduction of the NextGen. Thirty-three exceptionally talented players, aged between 16 and 18, were drafted, reflecting UKK’s dedication to identifying and nurturing emerging talent.

    Another significant accomplishment was the nomination of Nasreen Shaikh, the Indian women’s Kho Kho captain, for the prestigious Arjuna Award. This recognition is a substantial boost to women’s Kho Kho and sets the stage for the much-anticipated women’s Ultimate Kho Kho league in the country, which is currently in the works. Looking towards 2024, we aim to build an even more robust structure of Ultimate Kho Kho, driven for the players (both men’s & women’s) and inducting new team owners to develop the Kho Kho universe.

    U Mumba CEO Suhail Chandhok

    The sports ecosystem in the country has grown by leaps and bounds in 2023, transitioning from a nation of sports spectators towards becoming a truly dedicated sporting nation. This is evident in our remarkable performance at the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games, where we secured 107 and 111 medals, respectively. We are taking significant steps away from just Cricket too and to a diverse range of sports, reflecting our dedication to fostering a comprehensive sporting culture.

    Personally, through the strides made in Kabaddi through the Yuva Kabaddi series, we have witnessed a substantial boost at the grassroots level and its positive impact extending to the Pro Kabaddi League. Our investment in young talent is yielding results and we are confident that we are on the right track in terms of empowering the youth through sport.

    From the U Mumba perspective, we eagerly anticipate building on our early successes in the Pro Kabaddi League and aim to secure a spot in the playoffs this season. Through the Yuva Kabaddi series, we reached over 1000 Kabaddi players in 2023, and our goal is to surpass that number in the upcoming year. We aim to contribute more players to the Pro Kabaddi League and extend our impact to women’s Kabaddi across various states, establishing ourselves as a Pan-India sports product.

    The year 2023 has been a significant and positive chapter for sports in India, and we are looking forward to carrying this momentum into the future.

    Gamepoint co-founder & CEO Aditya Reddy

    In 2023, we experienced the first full year without any effects of Covid. The Indian sports ecosystem bounced back strongly achieving significant milestones in major international sports events. For instance, in the Asian Games, India surpassed a three-figure mark for the first time in the medal tally, securing 107 medals. Our remarkable journey in the Cricket World Cup included reaching the finals with ten consecutive wins. As common people returned to playing sports, there was a renewed interest. The government also played an active role by increasing India’s sports budget for FY 2023-24 by 11 per cent with a major chunk allocated to Khelo India to actively promote sports culture in India. Additionally, numerous sports startups emerged, while existing ones expanded operations nationwide.

    In 2023, Gamepoint trained 4000 students, enabled more than 1 lakh people to play sports and conducted 100 plus corporate sport events. Significant milestones for the company include partnering with Decathlon to promote sports and the launch of a new sport, Pickleball, at Gamepoint. On the financial side, an important achievement was to become EBITDA positive which is rare for sports companies in India.

    In 2024, we are looking forward to making an even bigger impact on the participative sports market and expanding Gamepoint from eight centres in one city to 16 centres in three cities. Also, the target in 2024 will be to increase our revenue share by 50 per cent.

  • U Mumba unveils PKL Season 10 Jersey

    U Mumba unveils PKL Season 10 Jersey

    Mumbai: In a glittering ceremony on Wednesday, U Mumba brought together the power of sport and entertainment on one stage to celebrate and unveil the landmark Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 U Mumba Jersey in the presence of Bollywood star Vicky Kaushal and the squad members at the META India studios in Mumbai.

    U Mumba is geared up for an exhilarating season ahead. Designed with careful consideration and attention to details, the new jersey serves as a powerful statement of the team’s commitment to excellence, unity, and capturing the enduring spirit and resilience of Mumbai that U Mumba team stands for.  

    The new jersey was launched in the presence of Vicky Kaushal in and as Sam Bahadur along with team owner, Ronnie Screwvala, CEO Suhail Chandhok apart from the Season 10 core team members Surinder Singh, Mahender Singh, Rinku, Girish Ernak, Guman Singh and Pranay Rane.

    “Interwoven with elements that encapsulate the heart and soul of Mumbai city, the jersey captures the energy, diversity, hustle and indomitable spirit of the melting pot of people that Mumbai represents. Each thread tells a story, echoing the pulse of a city that never sleeps, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines U Mumba,” said U Mumba CEO Suhail Chandhok.

    One of the key striking features of the jersey is the representation of the ocean, an homage to the original inhabitants of Mumbai, the Koli community and to the element of water that forms the essence of Mumbai, a City of Seven Islands.

    “The waves symbolise the ebb and flow of obstacles that our players may encounter throughout the Pro Kabaddi League season and it serves as a reminder to be fluid, like water, adaptable to change, agile, resilient and open to any challenges that lie ahead,” Suhail further added.

    U Mumba Captain & Vice-Captains announced the team also took the opportunity to announce the captain and vice-captains for the upcoming season with Surinder Singh set to continue at the helm and Rinku Sharma and Mahender Singh as his deputies.

    Meta India director of content and community partnerships Paras Sharma also commented, “We actively foster sports fandom on our platforms, continuously collaborating with teams and the ecosystem to broaden their audience. Collaborating with the U Mumba team enables us to connect creators and public figures, aiming to boost kabaddi’s popularity ahead of the Pro-Kabaddi League and offer creators opportunities to engage with athletes from varied sports.”

    The team also announced local (Mumbai) icon player, Girish Ernak as the Spirit of Mumba Captain, who is specially assigned the task to nurture young talents in the side from various parts of the country and ensure the positive spirit of U Mumba is always intact through the ups and downs of the competitive season.

    Follow U Mumba’s journey in the Pro Kabaddi League and witness the team wearing their hearts on their sleeves, quite literally, with the unveiling of this exceptional new jersey on our social media handles.

     

  • U Mumba onboards Melbat Live as title partner for Pro Kabaddi League Season 10

    U Mumba onboards Melbat Live as title partner for Pro Kabaddi League Season 10

    Mumbai: U Mumba has joined hands with top sports news platform, Melbat.live as the title partner for the team for the tenth edition of the Pro Kabaddi League which commences on 2 December 2023.

    Melbat.live is an international sports news portal dedicated to cricket, Kabaddi, and Football news and not only actively supports sports taking place in India, but other Asian countries as well.

    “We welcome Melbat Live as our principal partner for this landmark Season 10 and their support is very important for the team. Collaboration with a popular sports news portal will help us expand our fan base as well as introduce the sport of Kabaddi to a whole new audience from across the world. As a team, U Mumba believes to hold a certain standard of play as well as promote team culture that is not only unique but also sets a benchmark for others to follow at the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL),” commented U Mumba CEO Suhail Chandhok.

    As part of this title sponsorship, Melbat Live’s logo will feature on U Mumba’s playing and training kits, and across social media. The logo will also be prominent at Mumba’s iconic home venue, the Dome at NSCI Stadium. The sponsorship will extend through the PKL season until February 2024.

    “This partnership with U Mumba is important for our strategy to support growth of sports in India. U Mumba is one of the most recognisable brands in India’s sporting landscape, and its popularity will only help to promote the Melbat Live news portal. We are aware that U Mumba is the first squad in the league to set up an official fan club and will do everything to provide fans with up-to-date information on the team’s progress,” the Melbat. live head of sponsorships and strategic partnerships said.

    Melbat.live has planned several collaborative activities and competitions with U Mumba during the season. They will also host a special gathering with the Club’s fans, bridging the gap between the team and fans. The news portal’s social media will also be a place to engage in order to get exclusive merchandise adorned with player signatures and match tickets for upcoming matches.

     

  • Yuva Kabaddi Series 2023 onboards CARS24 as title sponsor

    Yuva Kabaddi Series 2023 onboards CARS24 as title sponsor

    Mumbai: The Yuva Kabaddi series has joined hands with CARS24, an autotech company, as its title sponsor for its upcoming monsoon edition, scheduled from 24 September to 22 October.

    The Yuva Kabaddi series is a ground-breaking initiative aimed at showcasing the extraordinary talent and skill of young Kabaddi players from across the nation. With this collaboration, CARS24 is not only underlining its commitment to supporting and encouraging India’s budding sports stars but also reaffirming its dedication to fostering a brighter and more promising future for youth in the country.

    The series will witness the participation of emerging talents from more than sixteen states, providing them with a professional platform to showcase their skills and compete at the national level. This initiative aligns perfectly with CARS24’s vision of driving positive change and empowering the youth of India.

    “We are glad to partner with CARS24 whose remarkable global footprint and unwavering market leadership underscore their commitment to advancing innovation and fostering agility. This exciting partnership not only brings us together but also marks the start of an exciting journey where we’re ready for rapid growth of the sport and many exciting opportunities ahead. The partnership will play a key role in shaping the future of Indian kabaddi,” commented Yuva Kabaddi Series co-founder Suhail Chandhok.

    Launched in 2022, the tournament has been providing a highly competitive environment for the country’s budding Kabaddi stars as 8 of the 12 players in India’s recent Junior Kabaddi World Cup team have progressed through the Yuva Kabaddi Series programme. To date, over 1100 youth players have engaged in 618 matches involving 60 coaches, and overseen by 153 officials.

    “Kabaddi embodies the essence of great teamwork, unwavering determination, boundary-pushing, and a relentless pursuit of powerful performance and excellence. At CARS24, we resonate deeply with these values as we continue to revolutionise the autotech industry. Through our partnership with the Yuva Kabaddi Series, our mission is crystal clear: to inspire the next generation of athletes, empowering them to chase their dreams with the same unwavering determination and fearlessness that defines CARS24. We eagerly anticipate a season filled with exciting matches and a journey marked by the values of collaboration, perseverance, and ultimate triumph!,” said CARS24 co-founder & chief marketing officer Gajendra Jangid.

    The sixth edition of the revolutionary CARS24 Yuva Kabaddi Series 2023 will be played at the Fatima College Indoor Stadium in Madurai.

    Honourable Tamil Nadu Minister of Information Technology and Digital Services Shri Palanivel Thiagarajan will inaugurate the tournament on Sunday. 

  • Sony Sports Network unveils sporting icons and expert panelists for SPORTS EXTRAAA for the 19th Asian Games

    Sony Sports Network unveils sporting icons and expert panelists for SPORTS EXTRAAA for the 19th Asian Games

    Mumbai: The much-awaited 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 is finally here, and making this edition of the prestigious multi-discipline extravaganza more exciting is the addition of cricket which will see men and women in blue participating for the coveted gold. Sony Sports Network continues to be the premier destination for cricket and multi-sport events and is the official broadcaster for the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

    Ensuring sports buffs don’t miss the live action from China, Sony Sports Network, will not only bring round-the-clock live and non-live coverage but they will also have an esteemed panel of guests featuring sporting icons and expert panelists which will enrich the experience for viewers with their analysis and comprehensive reportage.

    The extensive coverage for the continental sporting spectacle will be broadcast LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 4, and Sony Sports Ten 5 channels (SD & HD) with Hindi and English commentary for the broadcast sports. Additionally, Indian cricket teams’ matches will have commentary in Tamil and Telugu as well. The action will also be live streamed on its on-demand OTT platform Sony LIV.

    Aiming to enhance fan engagement and bringing unparalleled viewing experience for audiences across the nation, Sony Sports Network will continue to showcase their flagship wrap around studio show – SPORTS EXTRAAA.

    The cricket panel sharing insights and real-time analogies of Indian men and women’s cricket teams’ performance will feature former India skipper and coach Nooshin Al Khadeer, former cricketer and seasoned coach WV Raman, famed wicketkeeper Saba Karim, India internationals Rohan Gavaskar and Aakash Chopra adding flavour to the 19th Asian Games coverage. The impressive line-up of experts for cricket also includes legendary spinner Maninder Singh, Vivek Razdan, and Vidhyut Sivaramakrishnan.

    The star-studded panel also includes Olympian and former India men’s hockey captain Viren Rasquinha, along with Olympian and Asian Games Gold medalist Somdev Devvarman, veteran journalist Ayaz Memon and commentator Siddharth Pandey.

    Taking their discipline-specific match analysis up by several notches, Sony Sports Network will also have Olympic bronze medalist and Asian Games gold medalist Vijender Singh for boxing, World Champions bronze medalist and multiple Asian Games medalist Anju Bobby George for athletics, multiple grand slam champion Sania Mirza for tennis, the charismatic striker Robin Singh for football, Olympian Anjali Bhagwat and Joydeep Karmakar for shooting, Olympian Neha Aggarwal for table tennis, former international squash player Ritwik Bhattacharya, Commonwealth Games gold medalist Rahul Banerjee for archery, Arjan for Esports, Rohit Mardappa for rowing, sports commentator Radhakrishnan, coach Kripa Shankar Patel for wrestling and Commonwealth Games medalist Trupti Murgunde for badminton.

    SPORTS EXTRAAA will be hosted by Sony Sports Network anchors Suhail Chandhok, Radhakrishnan and Arpit Sharma.

    Watch the star-studded Indian contingent vying for top honours, ‘Iss Baar, Sau Paar’, at the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV starting with the live coverage of the opening ceremony live on Sony Sports Network on 23 September 2023 from 5:30 pm onwards.

  • U Mumba joined forces with One8 Run Club; promoting health & fitness among Mumbaikars

    U Mumba joined forces with One8 Run Club; promoting health & fitness among Mumbaikars

    Mumbai: With the purpose of promoting health and fitness, U Mumba collaborated with One8 Run Club for a special 5k run organised to empower people with the knowledge and motivation needed to take charge of their health, well-being, physical fitness, mental clarity, and overall quality of life. The run was flagged off from the Play The Turf in Malad (West) at 6.30am on Sunday.

    In attendance at the event were former U Mumba Kabaddi stars Vishal Mane, Rishank Devadiga, Ajinkya Kapre, among them was current retained new young player Pranay Rane and U Mumba CEO Suhail Chandhok to motivate the runners. The goal of this partnership was to create an atmosphere where people from all backgrounds and sports come together to celebrate the spirit of being fit and healthy.

    “One8 Run Club and U Mumba collaborated because there is a similar embodiment of spirit. The spirit of Mumbai, tenacity, grit, bounce back and all of these come in when you are running and you hit that wall and push through that wall when you are playing professional sport. You are always up against it, you are always have rough days, tough days and it’s about finding that inner spirit. I think for us it was a very natural fit with One8 Run Club. Virat Kohli is someone who embodies the same fighting spirit as well and someone who is an ambassador of the One8 Run Club. It is first of many collaboration between U Mumba and One8 Run Club,” commented Chandhok.

    At the end of the run, members of the One8 Run Club also interacted with U Mumba Kabaddi stars, where they shared their fitness regime and the importance of daily workouts. The participants also shared some lighter moments with the U Mumba Kabaddi players as they took selfies with them.

    For a youngster like Rane, this was a completely new experience but his love and passion for Kabaddi and fitness was apparent at the event.

    “Running is above everything else in terms of health, it is important even in a sport like Kabaddi. Even if you don’t visit a gym, you should ensure to walk or run every day it has a great impact on health. I go for runs every morning, it’s part of my workout. I feel happy to see so many people here who are health conscious and motivating each other,” Rane said.

    The event was concluded by project head of One8 Run, Gurbaksh Virdi, “The collaboration between One8 Run Club and U Mumba was born from a shared mission: to connect and engage the vibrant Mumbai community while promoting the significance of fitness. Additionally, it offers a valuable opportunity to engage with the highly fit athletes of U Mumba. These athletes can impart their knowledge and experiences to the runners, serving as a source of motivation and inspiration.”

    U Mumba with this innovative partnership aims to build a stronger connect with the city and the people of Mumbai.