Kamal Ghorui
LUCKNOW: The third time, they say, is the charm. The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) returned to Lucknow for the third consecutive year, delivering an evening that seamlessly blended sporting excellence with high-octane glamour, rolling out the red carpet for the royalty of Indian sport.From Olympians and world champions to para-athletes and emerging stars, the ceremony brought together the full spectrum under one roof. Adding charm and energy to the evening were hosts Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi, whose effortless stage presence and sharp banter kept proceedings lively throughout.The venue sparkled with style as sport’s biggest names arrived dressed for the occasion. Sharp suits, elegant sarees and statement silhouettes dominated the red carpet, offering a rare glimpse of athletes away from competition arenas and into the spotlight of national recognition. Camera flashes followed legends and first-time winners alike, underlining the scale and stature of the event.
One of the evening’s most engaging segments came when Neha Dhupia invited members of the Indian women’s cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, to centre stage, briefly shifting the tone from formal recognition to candid conversation and humour.What followed was a lively, cricket-themed interaction that drew both laughter and applause. Using familiar on-field terms like LBW, umpire, bouncer and hit wicket, the players — Deepti Sharma, Harleen Deol, Shafali Verma and Harmanpreet — described one another off the field.From social media habits to shopping confessions on tour, the exchange offered a rare glimpse into the team’s off-field camaraderie. The segment peaked with a spontaneous dance, earning one of the loudest ovations of the night.The evening also struck a thoughtful note when Neha Dhupia asked Taapsee Pannu, TOISA Ambassador of the Year, about portraying athletes on screen — what was more challenging: acting the role or training for it?Taapsee was unequivocal. Coming even remotely close to an athlete’s life, she said, was the toughest challenge. Calling herself a “wannabe athlete”, she shared that many of her films were driven by a desire to learn new sports, adding that athletes are the country’s true heroes — a sentiment that has consistently drawn her to such roles.The exchange turned playful when she was asked about a sports biopic she would still like to do. Without hesitation, she named Sania Mirza, admitting that her lack of familiarity with tennis would make the challenge even more exciting. She described Mirza’s journey as deeply inspiring.As the night progressed, the chatter and laughter created a continuous rhythm. The most emotional moment of the evening came when para chess winner Vaibhav Gautam took the stage. As he was wheeled up to receive his honour, the entire hall rose in a spontaneous standing ovation.The award was presented by a distinguished group that included Madan Lal, member of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning squad, along with former hockey international MM Somaya and 2016 Paralympics silver medallist Deepa Malik.The honours spanned 45 categories, with a strong emphasis on para-sports.For Archana Singh (23), attending her first awards ceremony was “surreal and unforgettable”. Ritika Sharma (21), a student at the University of Lucknow, felt the event struck the perfect balance between sport and entertainment.It was not just about who won. It was about who showed up, how the evening felt, and how sport, style and stature came together to create a mood that lingered long after the lights dimmed.
