Minister deliberates starting a women’s kabaddi league
Cash Award of INR 67,50,000 announced by the Sports Ministry to celebrate the team’s success.

New Delhi. Participating in the 6th Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship held from March 6 to 8, 2025, in Tehran, the Indian Women’s Kabaddi team successfully defended their title beating hosts Iran 32-25 in Tehran on Saturday. This kabaddi tournament returned after an 8-year hiatus, with the previous edition held in 2017 in Iran where India defeated South Korea to win the trophy.

Fresh off this victory, the team returned on Tuesday and were felicitated by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. In lieu of securing the trophy for the fifth time, the Hon’ble Minister announced a Cash Reward of INR 67,50,000 to the team.

Speaking post the felicitation, the Hon’ble minister said, “We will take all efforts to support our female athletes. In line with the men’s league, we will be starting a women’s kabaddi league to give women more opportunities. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi wants our girls to get equal opportunities in the development of Viksit Bharat.”

He further added, “At the Chintan Shivir in Hyderabad, we took a decision to get the corporate sector to adopt one sport and provide the best financial support as well as open academies where athletes get good coaches and give good coaching. We from government will do everything to ensure this even for indigenous sports including kabaddi.”

Clubbed with Thailand, Bangladesh and Malaysia in Group A, India comfortably advanced to the semi- final, defeating Bangladesh 64-23, Thailand 76-21, and Malaysia 73-19 to top their pool with three wins and an impressive cumulative score difference of +150. In their semi-final clash, the team breezed past neighbourhood rivals Nepal with a 56-18 scoreline, setting up an exciting final against hosts Iran. In what was their most challenging game of the tournament, Team India prevailed with the score reading 32-25. Notably, South Korea remains the only other nation to have won this tournament, claiming victory on home soil in 2016.

This accomplishment would not be possible without the leadership of raider and skipper Sonali Shingate, who expressed gratitude for the support that the team has received from the Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs. “This victory is for every member of our team which played magnificently to ensure that we returned as champions. The support from the Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs has been instrumental in our preparation. Our camp held at SAI Sonepat was crucial to our success. We are also very grateful for the timely support from the Supreme Court, for ensuring that India could allowing our team to prepare for this championship. We are glad we could prove successful with the faith put in us. Now, we are looking forward to the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup in Bihar this June,” an elated Shingate stated.

“This victory reinforces India’s dominance in kabaddi and shows the growing strength of our women athletes on the international stage. The AKFI is proud of this team’s achievements and will continue supporting their participation in forthcoming multi-nation tournaments conducted by the International Kabaddi Federation and the Asian Kabaddi Federation,” said Mr. Jitendra Pran Singh Thakur, the Secretary-elect, Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India. He emphasised that the Indian team’s triumph at the 2025 Asian Women Kabaddi Championships, Tehran, was an impressive dress rehearsal for the side that also won gold in the 2023 Asian Games, held in Hangzhou, China, as they prepare for the much-awaited Women’s Kabaddi World Cup, to be held in Bihar in June later in 2025.

In this regard, the President of the International Kabaddi Federation, Mr. Vinod Tiwary, who is also the Deputy Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, and Member of the OCA Executive Board, has also conveyed congratulations to the Indian winning team. “The IKF-affiliated countries readily acknowledge the great role that India plays as the torch-bearer for kabaddi. IKF is very grateful to the Indian sports authorities and the Indian Supreme Court for making the Indian women to participate in the 2025 Asian Women Kabaddi Championships in Tehran”, said Tiwary.

Celebrating women who inspire a world of possibilities

New Delhi. Grihshobha, India’s leading women’s magazine, is thrilled to announce the Grihshobha Inspire Awards 2025, set to take place at Travancore Palace, New Delhi on 20th March 2025. This inaugural edition of awards by Grihshobha aims to honour and celebrate inspiring women leaders and changemakers who have made remarkable contributions across diverse fields, including folk arts, governance, social impact, business, STEM, automotive, defense forces, entertainment, and more.

The Grihshobha Inspire Awards 2025 will bring together eminent personalities, industry leaders, and influencers to recognize and applaud the achievements of women who have broken barriers, shattered stereotypes, and set new benchmarks. These awards reflect Grihshobha’s unwavering commitment to empowering women and creating a platform that highlights stories of courage, resilience, and excellence.

Anant Nath, Editor of The Caravan and Executive Publisher of Delhi Press expresses his excitement for the first edition of Grihshobha Inspire Awards 2025, stating, “These awards are more than just recognition—they are about inspiring millions of readers and women across the nation to dream big and pursue their ambitions fearlessly.”

“Through these awards, we seek to recognise women who have challenged barriers of any kind in their path to success. They inspire, they lead, they empower, they build nations, they break barriers, they create legacies, they build empires, and they craft dreams. Their stories of courage, perseverance, and visionary pursuits deserve to be told, celebrated, and amplified so they can motivate others and create empowered communities.” added Mr. Nath.

With the belief that “only a woman can truly understand the struggles and triumphs of another woman,” the Grihshobha Inspire Awards 2025 has entrusted its jury panel to accomplished women from various fields. Leading this esteemed panel as Jury Head is Sathya Saran, former Editor of Femina, alongside Richa Shah, Director of Delhi Press; Padmapriya Janakiraman, Indian Actor; Nuriya Ansari, President of Learning Links Foundation; Dilshad Master, Director of Outward Bound Himalaya; and Surabhi Kanga, Web Editor of The Caravan.

Some of the award winners have already been decided by the esteemed jury. Ruma Devi (Handicraft & Fashion Designer) will be awarded as Grassroots Icon, Rani Jha (Madhubani Artist) in Folk Heritage category, Suparna Mitra (CEO, Titan) as Business Icon, KK Shailaja (MLA, Kerala) as Timeless Icon, Saumya Swaminathan (former scientist at WHO) for Nation Building, Manjari Jaruhar (Former IPS Officer & Author) as Fearless Warrior Icon, Aditi Gupta (Founder, Menstrupedia) as Homepreneur, Viji Venkatesh (Healthcare Advocate & Actor) in the New Beginnings category, Shruti Seth (Actor & Content Creator) as Digital Influencer-Parenting, Bushra Ateeq (Cancer Biologist & Professor) in STEM category, Maneka Guruswamy & Arundhati Katju (Supreme Court Lawyers) for Social Impact, Konkana Sen (Actor & Filmmaker) in the Empowering Entertainment category, Dr. Tanaya Narendra (Sexual Health Educator) for Digital Health & Wellness, and Amla Ruia (Environmentalist) as Grassroots Achiever. These exceptional women exemplify leadership, resilience, and innovation, redefining possibilities and inspiring future generations.

First-ever ASMITA Newsletter Launched by Union Minister and Olympian shuttler Pulella Gopichand

New Delhi. State sports Ministers, athletes and administrators joined Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya in a special cycle rally to mark International Women’s Day at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Telangana today.

Speaking during the flag off of the rally, Dr. Mandaviya said, “This cycle rally is a testament to our Nari Shakti, showcasing the determination, leadership, and excellence of women in sports and beyond”.

Held on the sidelines of the Chintan Shivir, a national meet of State ministers and key stakeholders discussing India’s preparation for 2028 LA Olympics and the bid to host the 2036 Summer Games, the cycle rally drew keen interest from members of the Kanha Shanti Vanam, a wellness and spiritual centre.

To mark Women’s Day, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Secretary (Sports) Smt. Sujata Chaturvedi and former Olympian and badminton star Pulella Gopichand along with other prominent athletes launched the ASMITA newsletter. The newsletter captures the essence of ‘Sports For Women’ mission started by the government in 2021. The newsletter also highlights the amazing reach of ASMITA leagues and how they are transforming the lives of young women who are aspiring to take up sports as a career.

Former All-England champion Gopichand, who has coached Olympic medallists like Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, said: “As they say women have won more Olympic medals for India and it is only fair that they need to be promoted even more. ASMITA is a great platform and when 15 sports ministers join Dr Mandaviya to talk about the future of sports and chase our Olympics dreams, it is a great initiative. Only the right policies have to be made properly and implemented.”

The cycling rally was led by the Hon’ble Sports minister of Assam Shrimati Nandita Gorlosa, women trainees of the Gopichand badminton academy and para-athlete and a bronze medallist at the Paris Paralympics 2024, Deepthi Jeevanji.

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya joined the cycling rally and reiterated the importance of making cycling a regular habit for a healthier lifestyle. The Sundays on Cycle initiative, a key effort led by Dr. Mandaviya, has gained traction across the country, encouraging people to adopt cycling as part of their routine.

“Cycling should become a fashion and a tool to fight obesity and lifestyle diseases. I urge all citizens to strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Fit India Movement by dedicating at least an hour every Sunday to fitness,” he said.

It was a sea of yellow at the Kanha Shanti Vanam where all participants enjoyed the cool early morning breeze and cycled the winding 3-km route with great enthusiasm.

Smt. Gorlosa said: “I have cycled after 30 years. It brought me back some wonderful memories. When Dr. Mandaviya said that I have to cycle, I could not say no and I don’t regret it. On Women’s Day, it was a special feeling and I fully agree with the message that cycling means fitness and a good way to channel your energies.”

ABOUT ASMITA:

ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women) is part of Khelo India’s gender neutral mission to promote sports among women through leagues and competition. As such, the Sports Authority of India supports National Sports Federations to conduct Khelo India women’s leagues across multiple age groups at both zonal and national levels. Started in 2021, ASMITA leagues not only aim to increase the participation of women in sports but to utilise the leagues as a platform for identification of new talent across the length and breadth of India.

यथार्थ सुपर स्पेशलिटी हॉस्पिटल, सेक्टर 110, नोएडा द्वारा अंतरराष्ट्रीय महिला दिवस पर वॉकथॉन का आयोजन

नोएडा. अंतरराष्ट्रीय महिला दिवस से पहले, यथार्थ सुपर स्पेशलिटी हॉस्पिटल, सेक्टर 110, नोएडा ने आज एक पब्लिक अवेयरनेस सेशन का आयोजन किया, जिसमें महिलाओं के स्वास्थ्य और उनके लिए विशेष चिकित्सा सुविधाओं पर चर्चा की गई। इस अवसर पर हॉस्पिटल ने महिलाओं के लिए ‘यथार्थ पिंक कार्ड’ लॉन्च करने की घोषणा की, जो उन्हें संपूर्ण चिकित्सा सेवाओं का लाभ प्रदान करेगा। साथ ही, महिला दिवस विशेष हेल्थ चेकअप पैकेज की भी शुरुआत की जाएगी, जिससे महिलाएं अपने स्वास्थ्य की संपूर्ण जांच करवा सकेंगी।

महिलाओं को स्वस्थ जीवनशैली अपनाने के लिए प्रेरित करने हेतु अंतरराष्ट्रीय महिला दिवस के अवसर पर यथार्थ सुपर स्पेशलिटी हॉस्पिटल, सेक्टर 110, नोएडा, 8 मार्च को 3 किमी वॉकथॉन का आयोजन करने जा रहा है। इस कार्यक्रम का शुभारंभ मुख्य अतिथि के रूप में गौतम बुद्ध नगर की डिप्टी कमिश्नर ऑफ पुलिस (महिला सुरक्षा) श्रीमती सुनीति (आईपीएस) करेंगी। कार्यक्रम का शुभारंभ प्रातः 6:30 बजे किया जाएगा। इस कार्यक्रम का मुख्य उद्देश्य महिलाओं को फिटनेस और स्वास्थ्य के प्रति जागरूक करना है। इस वॉकथॉन में भाग लेने वाली महिलाओं को फ्री टी-शर्ट और ज़ुम्बा सेशन का लाभ मिलेगा। इसके अलावा, तीन लकी विजेताओं को विशेष पुरस्कार भी दिए जाएंगे।    

​इस आयोजन में विशेषज्ञ पैनल के रूप में यथार्थ ग्रुप ऑफ़ हॉस्पिटल्स की मैनेजिंग डायरेक्टर डॉ. मंजू त्यागी, यथार्थ सुपर स्पेशलिटी हॉस्पिटल, सेक्टर 110, नोएडा की सीईओ डॉ. गौतमी ए.वी. के साथ हॉस्पिटल के गायनेकोलॉजी एंड आब्सटेट्रिक्स विभाग की एचओडी एवं सीनियर कंसलटेंट डॉ. कनिका अग्रवाल, सीटीवीएस विभाग के डायरेक्टर डॉ. नीरव बंसल और ओर्थोपीडिक्स एवं जॉइंट रिप्लेसमेंट विभाग के एचओडी एवं डायरेक्टर डॉ. बृजेश कुमार कोसले भी शामिल होंगे।

‘यथार्थ पिंक कार्ड’ लॉन्च के अवसर पर यथार्थ ग्रुप ऑफ़ हॉस्पिटल्स की मैनेजिंग डायरेक्टर डॉ. मंजू त्यागी ने बताया कि “महिलाओं का स्वास्थ्य पूरे समाज की नींव है। हमारा उद्देश्य महिलाओं को स्वास्थ्य के प्रति जागरूक बनाना और उन्हें संपूर्ण चिकित्सा सुविधाएं प्रदान करना है। ‘यथार्थ पिंक कार्ड’ एक विशेष हेल्थ कार्ड है, जो महिलाओं को किफायती और सुलभ चिकित्सा सेवाएं प्रदान करेगा। इस कार्ड के तहत महिलाओं को डिस्काउंटेड हेल्थ चेकअप पैकेज, प्राथमिक चिकित्सा पर विशेष छूट, और विशेषज्ञ डॉक्टरों की परामर्श सेवाएं आसानी से उपलब्ध होंगी। ‘यथार्थ पिंक कार्ड’ के लॉन्च और वॉकथॉन जैसे प्रयासों के माध्यम से हम महिलाओं को उनके स्वास्थ्य के प्रति अधिक जागरूक करना चाहते हैं।”  

यथार्थ सुपर स्पेशलिटी हॉस्पिटल, सेक्टर 110, नोएडा की सीईओ डॉ. गौतमी ए.वी. ने कहा कि “यथार्थ सुपर स्पेशलिटी हॉस्पिटल हमेशा से ही समाज में स्वास्थ्य और जागरूकता को बढ़ावा देने के लिए प्रतिबद्ध रहा है। यह आयोजन महिलाओं को उनके स्वास्थ्य के प्रति अधिक जागरूक बनाने की दिशा में एक महत्वपूर्ण कदम होगा। महिलाओं के लिए विशेष स्वास्थ्य सेवाएं उपलब्ध कराना हमारी प्राथमिकता है।“

यथार्थ सुपर स्पेशलिटी हॉस्पिटल के वरिष्ठ डॉक्टरों और विशेषज्ञों ने महिलाओं के स्वास्थ्य से जुड़े विभिन्न पहलुओं पर चर्चा की और महिलाओं को स्वास्थ्य के प्रति जागरूक रहने के लिए प्रेरित किया।

Cooch Behar, March 5, 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders’ landmark Trophy Tour continued its journey to celebrate their third TATA IPL title, making a memorable stop at Cooch Behar to indulge with the passionate fans in the royal city.

The tour commenced at the majestic and pristine Rajbari Palace, where the TATA IPL trophy was displayed against the backdrop of the city’s rich history and architectural grandeur. The trophy then moved to the revered Madan Mohan Temple, blending the excitement of cricket with the city’s deep cultural and spiritual roots.

The celebration concluded at the Cooch Behar Stadium, where enthusiastic supporters gathered in large numbers to witness the iconic trophy up close and celebrated KKR’s triumphant 2024 campaign.

With the enthusiasm for the upcoming season building up, KKR’s historic Trophy Tour continues to engage with fans across the region. Following this successful visit to Cooch Behar, the wagon will move to Patna on March 7.

Kolkata Knight Riders will kick off their TATA IPL 2025 campaign against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22 at the iconic Eden Gardens.

बिहार में फूहड़ भोजपुरी और हिन्दी गानों पर सरकार पूर्ण प्रतिबंध लगाये: नीतू चन्द्रा

बिहार की बेटी, बाॅलीवुड अभिनेत्री और राष्ट्रीय पुरस्कार प्राप्त नीतू चन्द्रा श्रीवास्तव ने रखी अपनी मांग, कहा- स्कूल और काॅलेज जातीं लड़कियां अपने को असुरक्षित महसूस कर रही हैं

पटना. फूहड़ भोजपुरी तथा हिन्दी गाने बिहार की स्कूल और काॅलेज जाने वाली लड़कियों और महिलाओं का पीछा छोड़ने का नाम नहीं ले रहे हैं और वे नजरें झुकाकर सड़क पर चलने को मजबूर हैं। इन्हीं गानों के चलते महिलाएं घर में टीवी भी देखना पसंद नहीं करती हैं। ऐसे गाना गाने वाले कई गायक आज प्रसिद्धि हासिल कर चुके हैं जो समाज और देश के विकास में बाधक बन सकते हैं। जब लड़कियां या महिलाएं, सड़क पर सुरक्षित चल नहीं पायेंगी, तो क्या वे विकास के बारे में खाक सोच पायेंगी। शराबी पतियों से महिलाओं को बचाने के लिए यदि कोई सरकार अपने राज्य में शराबबंदी का कानून ला सकती है तो क्या वह स्कूल-काॅलेज जाने वाली लड़कियों तथा महिलाओं के लिए इन फूहड़ गानों पर पर प्रतिबंध नहीं लगा सकती है। मैं चाहती हूं कि बिहार में इन गानों के निर्माण और बजाने पर पूर्णरूप से प्रतिबंध लगाया जाना चाहिए।

ये बातें बिहार की बेटी, बाॅलीवुड अभिनेत्री तथा राष्ट्रीय पुरस्कार विजेता नीतू चंद्रा श्रीवास्तव ने अंतर्राष्ट्रीय महिला दिवस के उपलक्ष्य में कहीं। उन्होंने कहा कि ये गाने महिलाओं में असुरक्षा की भावना पैदा करती हैं तथा इन गानों का छोटे-छोटे बच्चों पर प्रतिकूल असर पड़ सकता है। ये गाने समाज को गलत दिशा में ले जा सकते हैं और महिलाओं के प्रति सम्मान को कम कर सकते हैं। उन्होंने कहा कि मैं तो बिहार के लोगों से इन गानों का पुरजोर विरोध करने की अपील करती हूं। उन्होंने कहा कि ऐसे गाना गाने वाले गायक और गायिकाओं पर मुकदमा दर्ज होना चाहिए इन दोनों हनी सिंह का एक भोजपुरी गाना काफी वायरल हो रहा है जो अश्लीलता के सारी सीमा तोड़े हुए हैं हमारा आरोप है की भाषा का आड़ लेकर महिलाओं के शरीर पर किसी तरह की कमेंट नहीं होनी चाहिए फिर भोजपुरी भाषा को तो मैं देश-विदेश तक लेकर गया हूं भोजपुरी भाषा में मैं सम्मान भी लेकर आया हूं ऐसे में भोजपुरी भाषा के आड़ में कोई महिलाओं के लिए गंदे कमेंट्स वाले गाने नहीं बर्दाश्त किया जा सकते हैं।

इसलिए आज पटना हाईकोर्ट में एक पीआईएल दाखिल किया गया है जिसकी अगुवाई सीनियर एडवोकेट निवेदिता निर्विकर ने विधिवत शशि प्रिया द्वारा सहायता किया जा रहा है। महिलाओं को कभी किसी को वस्तु समझने की भूल नहीं करनी चाहिए क्योंकि महिला का अपमान सदैव दुखदाई परिणाम का गवाह रहा है।

नई दिल्ली. युवा कार्यक्रम एवं खेल मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार के सहयोग से विकसित भारत यूथ पार्लियामेंट कार्यक्रम में भाग लेने के लिए युवा प्रतिभागी 9 मार्च तक रजिस्ट्रेशन करा सकेंगे। यह कार्यक्रम जिला राज्य और राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर आयोजित किया जाएगा।

नेहरू युवा केंद्र के जिला युवा अधिकारी उदयवीर जी ने बताया कि विकसित भारत यूथ पार्लियामेंट कार्यक्रम में भाग लेने के लिए 18 से 25 वर्ष की आयु के युवा प्रति भाग करेंगे। प्रतिभागियों को रजिस्ट्रेशन हेतु माय भारत पोर्टल पर 1 मिनट का वीडियो अपलोड करना होगा जिसका विषय “आपकी दृष्टि में विकसित भारत का क्या अर्थ है” रहेगा।

कार्यक्रम के तहत 150 उत्कृष्ट वीडियो का चयन किया जाएगा । इसके बाद 150 चयनित प्रतिभागियों को नोडल जिले स्तर पर “एक राष्ट्र एक चुनाव” विषय पर विचार रखने के लिए आमंत्रित किया जाएगा। नोडल जिले स्तर पर मध्य दिल्ली और संबंधित जिले जिसमें नई दिल्ली, शाहदरा और उतर पूर्व शामिल है। जिले स्तर पर 10 प्रतिभागियों का चयन निर्णायक मंडल द्वारा किया जाएगा। जिन्हें राज्यस्तरीय कार्यक्रम के लिए दिल्ली विधानसभा में अपना वक्तव्य रखने का मौका मिलेगा। राज्य स्तरीय कार्यक्रम में से तीन प्रतिभागियों का राष्ट्रीय स्तर कार्यक्रम के लिए चयन किया जाएगा जिन्हें दिल्ली संसद में अपने विषय को प्रस्तुत करने के लिए भेजा जाएगा।

जिले स्तर पर यह कार्यक्रम किरोड़ीमल कॉलेज दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय द्वारा आयोजित किया जाएगा जिसके हेतु एक कमेटी का गठन प्रिंसिपल प्रोफेसर दिनेश खट्टर की अध्यक्षता में किया गया।

Mfn 16 Set to Thrill MMA Fans On February 28 at Siri Fort Stadium, Delhi

New Delhi. Matrix Fight Night (MFN), India’s premier Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion, is all set to deliver another high-octane event with its 16th edition. Co-founders Krishna Shroff and Ayesha Shroff officially announced MFN 16 at an exclusive press conference held today at Le Meridien, Connaught Place, New Delhi. The event, scheduled for February 28 at Siri Fort Stadium, will feature some of the most talented MMA fighters from India and across the globe.

Tiger Shroff and Krishna Shroff’s passion for MMA has been instrumental in shaping the sport in India. Along with their mother, Ayesha Shroff, the duo has pioneered the rise of MMA by establishing MMA Matrix, a premier training facility that provides world-class coaching to athletes aspiring to build a career in combat sports. Their efforts culminated in the launch of Matrix Fight Night in 2019, a platform that has since become a launchpad for India’s best MMA talent, bringing international recognition to the sport. So far, MFN has successfully hosted 15 editions across major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, and New Delhi, as well as internationally in Dubai. The upcoming MFN 16 promises to be another thrilling spectacle, with an electrifying lineup of fighters ready to step into the cage.

During today’s press conference, Krishna Shroff and Ayesha Shroff introduced the fighters competing at MFN 16, who engaged in an intense face-off, setting the stage for an action-packed fight night tomorrow. The audience got a glimpse of the fierce competition expected at Siri Fort Stadium, where top-tier Indian fighters will go head-to-head with international challengers.

Co-founder Krishna Shroff said, “We’re thrilled to be able to start the new year with another massive show for our amazing athletes and supporters who have waited with much anticipation. With some rising prospects, a few solid international talents pitted against our MN standouts, and a long awaited rematch between rivals in the Main Event, MFN 16 promises to be absolute fireworks—raising the bar for all fighters once again.”

Co-founder Ayesha Shroff, expressing her excitement for the event, added, “We are absolutely delighted to bring back MFN for the 16th time. The talent that we see at our events, never ceases to amaze me. With every passing year we seem to have an even better line up of young and talented fighters than our previous years, not to mention the talent that we welcome internationally. MFN 16 has a stellar line up of supremely talented individuals from India and abroad and we assure you, our supporters will have an amazing time.”

The stacked fight card for MFN 16 features a mix of seasoned professionals and rising stars, including Digambar Singh Rawat, Neeraj Panghal, Jacky Gahlot, Shyamanand, Aminder Bisht, Thokchom Nanao, Mandeep Prajapati, Kapil Kumar, Zahoor Shah, Manuchekhr Davlatov, Mohsin Shaikh, Avizo Lanamai, Daniel Damlong, Abdul Fazeel, Sameer Dhiman, Jyoti Kalita, Dushyant, Siyovush Gulmamadov, Sonam Zomba, Shi Yin Tan, Balveer Tomar, Dinesh Naorem, Riya Thapa, Sarita Rathod, Manoj Yadav, and Rajesh Pujari.

MFN operates in two formats:
• MFN Contenders – A highly competitive three-day tournament where both amateur and professional fighters from across India battle for a chance to earn the prestigious MFN contract.
• International Fight Night – A global stage where the best fighters, including those who emerge from MFN Contenders, compete against international talent.

The most recent MFN Contenders tournament saw 600 athletes vying for a coveted spot in the MFN roster, with 13 contracts awarded to India’s finest MMA prospects. Thanks to the rapidly growing popularity of the sport and the exceptional training provided by MMA Matrix, MFN Contenders continues to see a massive turnout before every tournament.

Notably, MFN has successfully propelled Indian fighters like Anshul Jubli and Puja Tomar to the global stage, earning them contracts with the UFC—a testament to the promotion’s commitment to nurturing world-class MMA talent.

With the stage set and fighters ready to prove their mettle, MFN 16 is expected to deliver non-stop action, skill, and intensity at Siri Fort Stadium on February 28. The event will also be streamed live, ensuring that MMA fans across India and beyond can witness the excitement.

February 28, 2025: After a great Indian Premier League season last year, Punjab Kings’ explosive batter Shashank Singh is ready to don the red jersey once again and prove his mettle. Having made the headlines with his impressive match-winning performances in season 17 of the tournament, Shashank described how his life has changed in this one year.

Shashank’s back-to-back thrilling performances earned him immense popularity, making him the ninth most searched athlete on Google across the globe in 2024. He grabbed eyeballs when he scored 61* in just 29 balls against Gujarat Titans and helped the team end up on the winning side.

Speaking about the same, Shashank said, “I did not know that Google releases a list of people who are searched across the world. It’s a big thing honestly. I prefer celebrating in solace. But deep inside, it feels good that people across India and the world are searching for my name and knowing what I do.”

Singh credited his time with Punjab for the same. “It has been possible because of the Punjab Kings. There are so many cricketers who are talented, and playing at the top level but Punjab Kings has always shown trust in me and have backed me. It’s true that I worked hard as well.”

Shashank, who was retained by the franchise this season, will also be meeting his DY Patil T20 Cup teammates Shreyas Iyer and Suryansh Shedge at Punjab Kings and expressed his excitement about sharing the dressing room with them once again.

“I am excited to meet Shreyas because I have played cricket with him at the junior level. We played together in the DY Patil T20 Cup and we share a good bond. I am very excited to play under his captaincy this season. I am also excited to reunite with Suryansh, who is also from the same DY Patil team. He is a very bright prospect for both Punjab Kings and the country.,” said Shashank.

Shashank also expressed gratitude to the franchise for the support and the trust vested in him by them. He further expressed the desire and enthusiasm to continue to perform well this season.

“I am extremely lucky that I was a part of this franchise last year and was retained. I personally feel great about the innings against Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively. It was a special feeling that the team finished on the winning side and I was the one who was standing there,” The 33-year-old said.

“The support the management gave me last year is something that is very close to my heart. Now I could say that I am emotionally attached to the franchise. I’ll make sure that I do all the right things that I did last year to retain this trust.”

Punjab Kings will open their campaign for IPL season 18 on March 25 against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Cuttack. Patna Pirates and Services’ star raider Devank Dalal emerged as one of Pro Kabaddi League’s most electrifying talents in Season 11, finishing as the league’s top raider with 301 raid points and 18 Super 10s to his name.

Backing up these credentials, he was also recently crowned the ‘Best Player’ in the 71st Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship. Devank led the Services team to victory in the championship finals held at Cuttack’s Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, where they overcame Railways in a nail-biting contest.

“I first started by watching kabaddi. I was inspired by watching Pardeep Narwal play,” Dalal recalled. His early sports journey included stints in football and cricket before finding his true calling in kabaddi after tenth grade.

Find the full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq4d6zOBV2g&list=PLRCRfCBtYJXL_jqmInGru_LcbEgW7jnBu

The turning point in Dalal’s career came with his entry into the armed forces. “When I joined the army, I realized that yes, I could play,” he said. This realization sparked a journey that would see him rise through the ranks of Indian kabaddi, eventually leading to his selection for the Jaipur Pink Panthers, before he moved to the Patna Pirates ahead of PKL Season 11.

His selection for the Patna Pirates marked a moment of celebration in his village. “There was a different feeling at home. My family and villagers were happy that I was selected for the Patna team. People distributed laddoos and rasgullas in the village,” he reminisced.

The 71st Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship showcased Dalal’s exceptional talent on a national stage. The tournament, featuring top state and institutional teams from across India, culminated in a heart-stopping finale where Services faced off against a formidable Railways squad. The match ended in a 30-30 deadlock, forcing a suspenseful tie-breaker where Services ultimately prevailed 6-4, with Dalal playing a pivotal role in securing crucial raid points during the pressure situation.

In the PKL, his journey with Patna Pirates has been equally impressive. In Season 11, he emerged as the league’s best raider with an outstanding 301 raid points, including 18 Super 10s, leading his team to the finals where they faced a tough 32-23 defeat against the Haryana Steelers.

Speaking about his growth in the sport, Dalal emphasized the importance of continuous learning and team spirit. “We used to practice together, play together. When you have your own people, there’s trust,” he explained. This philosophy has been crucial to his success, as evidenced by his remarkable performances.

The young raider’s humility shines through when discussing his achievements. “In our team, there’s nothing like main raider. All the attackers raid equally. Our partnership (with Ayan Lohchab) works well,” he said, reflecting on his team dynamics.

Looking ahead, Dalal remains focused on continuous improvement and team success. His technical understanding of the sport is profound: “Wherever I raid – whether it’s in six, four, or five – movement and stopping make a difference. If I stop my movement, I get caught quickly, and if I don’t move, points come easily,” he concluded, looking forward to his future in the sport with an eye on becoming the best raider in the game.