UP CM Yogi Adityanath at TOISA 2025 in Lucknow.
LUCKNOW: The third time, as they say, is the charm. The Times Of India Sports Awards (TOISA) returned to Lucknow for the third consecutive year, presenting an evening that seamlessly blended sporting excellence with high glamour, rolling out the red carpet for Indian sporting royalty.From Olympians and world champions to para-athletes and emerging stars, the gala brought the entire spectrum under one roof. Hosts Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi added charm and energy to the evening, as their easy stage presence and sharp banter kept the events lively throughout.The place sparkled with elegance as the biggest sports names arrived dressed for the occasion. Elegant suits, elegant saris and statement shapes dominated the red carpet, offering a rare glimpse of the athletes away from the competition fields and into the national spotlight.
Camera flashes followed legends and first-time winners alike, underscoring the size and stature of the event.
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From village fields to mega stadiums: Yogi Adityanath defines the sporting vision
One of the most interesting segments of the evening came when Neha Dhupia invited members of the Indian women’s cricket team, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, to center stage, briefly shifting the tone from formal acknowledgment to frank conversation and humour.What followed was a lively cricket-themed interaction that sparked laughter and applause. Using familiar on-field terms like LBW, umpire, keeper and wicket-taker, the players – Deepti Sharma, Harleen Deol, Shafali Verma and Harmanpreet – described each other off the field.
From social media habits to on-tour shopping confessions, the exchange provided a rare glimpse into the team’s camaraderie off the field. The clip culminated in a spontaneous dance, which received one of the loudest applause of the night.The evening also struck a thoughtful note when she asked Neha Dhupia
Taapsee Pannu
this year’s TOISA Ambassador, on portraying athletes on screen – what was more challenging: acting the role or training for it?Taapsee was unmistakable. She said that getting close, even remotely, to the athlete’s life was the most difficult challenge.
Calling herself a “wannabe athlete”, she said many of her films were driven by the desire to learn new sports, adding that athletes were the true heroes of the country – a feeling that constantly attracted her to such roles.The conversation turned hilarious when she was asked about a sports biopic she’d still like to do. Without hesitation, she named Sania Mirza, admitting that her lack of tennis knowledge would make the challenge more interesting.
She described Mirza’s journey as very inspiring.As the night progressed, chatter and laughter created a constant rhythm. The most emotional moment of the evening came when chess winner Vaibhav Gautam took the stage. When he was taken in to receive his honors, the entire hall rose to a standing ovation.The award was presented by a distinguished group that included Madan Lal, a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning India team, along with former international hockey player MM Somaya and 2016 Paralympic silver medalist Deepa Malik.The honor included 45 categories, with a strong focus on sports for people with special needs.For Archana Singh (23), attending her first awards ceremony was “surreal and unforgettable”. Ritika Sharma (21), a student of Lucknow University, felt that the event struck the perfect balance between sports and entertainment.It wasn’t just about who won. It was about who attended, how the evening felt, and how sport, elegance and prestige came together to create a mood that lasted long after the lights dimmed.
