Beyond Cricket: TOISA 2025 Showcases India’s Rise as a Multi-Sport Powerhouse with Champions from Every Discipline

Yogi Adityanath, Kapil Dev, Suniel Shetty, Abhinav Bindra, and top athletes grace TOISA 2025 as Neeraj Chopra, Jasprit Bumrah, Smriti Mandhana, Gukesh D, and Manu Bhaker lead the list of honorees.

The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025 was a grand celebration of Indian sports, bringing together champions from 36 different sporting disciplines. Held in Lucknow, the event honored both legendary athletes and rising stars, showing how Indian sports is growing beyond cricket and reaching new heights.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized the state’s commitment to sports, saying that small towns are now producing world-class athletes. Sharing the stage with legends like Kapil Dev, Suniel Shetty, and Abhinav Bindra, he highlighted the role of TOISA in inspiring young athletes across the country.
Cricket stars Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana won the top honors in their category, while Neeraj Chopra and Jyothi Yarraji dominated the athletics category. Chess prodigy Gukesh D and shooting star Manu Bhaker were jointly awarded Sportsperson of the Year, reflecting India’s success in multiple sports.

Indian Men’s Hockey Team Wins Team of the Year as Paralympic Stars Shine
The Indian Men’s Hockey Team, led by Harmanpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh, was awarded Team of the Year for its consistent performance on the international stage. The Indian Women’s Hockey Team, with Savita Punia as the backbone, was also honored for its impressive achievements.
Paralympic sports received well-deserved recognition, with Sumit Antil winning Para Sportsperson of the Year. Organizations supporting sports were also honored, with Hockey India and the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) sharing the Federation of the Year award for their role in developing Indian sports.

Kapil Dev Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award, Abhinav Bindra Named Mentor of the Year
Cricket legend Kapil Dev, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, spoke about how much Indian sports has changed. “Back in the day, cricket dominated everything. But now, we see champions in kabaddi, wrestling, para-sports, and even chess. This is the new India. To the young athletes here today, you are not just winning medals, you are changing how the world sees us.”
Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra was named Mentor of the Year for his efforts in training and supporting young Indian athletes. Actor Suniel Shetty received TOISA Ambassador of the Year for his contribution to promoting sports and fitness culture in India. IAS officer Suhas LY, a former Paralympic medalist, was recognized as Change Agent of Sports for his work in improving sports administration.

Young Athletes Take Center Stage
TOISA 2025 was not just about legends—it also celebrated India’s rising stars. Wrestler Aman Sehrawat, long jumper Shaili Singh, and javelin thrower Annu Rani were recognized for their achievements. Athletes from archery, badminton, and shooting were also honored, including Lakshya Sen, Anmol Kharb, Dhiraj Bommadevara, and Aditi Swami.
Para-sports received equal focus, with Sheetal Devi and Avani Lekhara recognized for their achievements.

TOISA 2025: A New Chapter for Indian Sports
Puneet Gupt, COO of Times Internet, highlighted TOISA’s growing importance. “This is no longer just an awards ceremony. TOISA is a movement that celebrates India’s rise as a multi-sport powerhouse. From cricket to shooting, chess, and para sports, we are proving that India’s sporting future is bright.”
With athletes from both metro cities and small towns receiving recognition, TOISA 2025 has set new benchmarks in how sports excellence is celebrated in India. The event proved that India is ready to compete with the best in the world across multiple sports.

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