Mumbai, 17 July 2026: Building on the encouraging response to its inaugural edition, FinX has today announced the launch of Season 2 of the Franklin Templeton National Mutual Fund Olympiad (FTNMFO) 2026, Knowledge Partner Groww. The initiative is supported by BFSI Sector Skill Council of India & FPA Edutech.  Registrations are now open, inviting undergraduate and postgraduate students across all academic streams from colleges Pan India. Its inaugural edition attracted over 10,000 students from more than 400 colleges across the country, establishing itself as one of India’s largest student-focused financial literacy initiatives and a credible platform for advancing investment awareness among young learners.

Building on the momentum of its first edition, Season 2 aims to significantly expand its reach by engaging 50,000 students from 1,000 colleges nationwide. Students of the empaneled colleges can register through the registration portal. Through a structured, multi-level competition, participants will be assessed on their understanding of investment fundamentals, mutual fund products, financial planning, wealth creation, market concepts and emerging investment avenues.

The second edition has already garnered participation from several of India’s premier educational institutions, including the IIM Bangalore, IIM Indore, IIM Vizag, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Dhanbad, VIT Vellore, IIFT Kolkata, Delhi Technological University (DTU), BITS Goa, Christ University, Lady Shri Ram College (Delhi University), among others. Their participation reflects the growing recognition of the Olympiad as a credible national platform for advancing financial literacy and investment education among students.

Powered by the FinX ecosystem, the Olympiad is being delivered as an end-to-end, technology-enabled learning experience. From participant registrations and assessments to analytics, and engagement, FinX seamlessly orchestrates every stage of the initiative, enabling the delivery of a national-scale financial education programme with efficiency and impact.

Speaking on the launch of the second edition, Mr. Avinash Satwalekar (President, Franklin Templeton Asset Management (India) Pvt.) said, “The enthusiastic response to the inaugural Franklin Templeton National Mutual Fund Olympiad reaffirmed the growing interest among young Indians to build practical financial knowledge beyond the classroom. At Franklin Templeton, we believe financial literacy is an essential life skill, and initiatives like the Olympiad help equip students with the confidence to make informed financial decisions while improving their understanding of the evolving investment landscape.”

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Himanshu Vyapak (MD & CEO, FinX) said, “The Franklin Templeton National Mutual Fund Olympiad has evolved into a unique platform that brings together academia and industry to make financial education more engaging, accessible and relevant for students. With Season 2, we aim to significantly expand our reach, deepen engagement across campuses and continue building a financially aware generation that is better prepared for the opportunities and responsibilities of India’s evolving financial ecosystem.”

Through the Olympiad, Franklin Templeton and FinX continue their shared commitment to advancing financial literacy and creating meaningful learning opportunities for India’s youth. By bringing together academic institutions and industry expertise, the initiative seeks to equip students with the knowledge, confidence and practical understanding needed to navigate an evolving financial ecosystem while building greater awareness of long-term investing and wealth creation.

Mumbai, 15^th July 2026: Essel Group Chairman, Dr. Subhash Chandra along with his brothers Shri Laxmi Narain Goel, Shri Jawahar Goel and Shri Ashok Goel, offering a lasting tribute to their father Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji, have announced the establishment of Shri Nand Kishore Goenka University in Agroha, Hisar.

The educational institution will be established on 32 acres of land owned by the Goenka family and will entail an investment of nearly Rs. 100 crores. Conceived as a center of excellence focusing on social service and community welfare, the University will seek to carry forward Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji’s lifelong commitment to charitable work. The University will introduce a specialized and unique curriculum focused on ‘Social Service’ and ‘Giving Back to Society’. The Goenka family has signed an agreement with the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad to establish the University.

The announcement was made by Dr. Chandra in Agroha, Hisar, upon completing the last rites of Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji, amidst the presence of thousands of well-wishers and family members. People from across the region paid their respects to the departed soul, reflecting the deep affection, admiration and goodwill Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji had earned over a lifetime. The funeral was also attended by several distinguished dignitaries and prominent political leaders from across the country, who came together to honour his memory and significant contributions to society. Those present included Union Minister Manohar Lal, former Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Haryana Cabinet Minister Ranbir Gangwa, Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Barala, Hansi MLA Vinod Bhayana, former Haryana Minister Kamal Gupta, Adampur MLA Chandraprakash and Nohar (Rajasthan) MLA Amit Chachan.

The Nation’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi also penned a heartfelt letter to the Goenka family, describing Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji as an inspiring personality who placed the highest value on hard work throughout his decades-long public life. The Prime Minister stated, “He not only enriched the family’s business traditions but also fulfilled his responsibilities toward society with complete sincerity. His life, inspired by his service to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and guided by the ideals of organization and ‘Nation First’ stood as an example of simplicity and public welfare. I consider it my privilege to have had the opportunity to meet him on several occasions. His warmth and gracious nature will always remain in my memory. His passing is an irreparable loss to society.”

Dignitaries from various fields across the country paid a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji. Political leaders including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini condoled his demise along with Yoga guru Baba Ramdev. Renowned business personalities including Kumar Mangalam Birla and Bombay Stock Exchange MD and CEO, Sundararaman Ramamurthy also expressed grief.

In honour of Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji’s memory, the Goenka family has also organized daily ‘Shanti Baithaks’, from 10 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm at the Goenka Seva Sadan, Devi Bhawan Mandir Complex, Hisar, bringing together friends, well-wishers and members of the community to offer prayers and pay homage to his life and legacy. A ‘Rasam Pagdi’ ceremony will also be held on 26^th July 2026 from 3 pm to 4 pm at the Maharaja Aggarsain Bhawan, Old Government College Ground in Hisar.

The family expressed its heartfelt gratitude for the immense outpouring of prayers and support received from across the country during this time of bereavement and reaffirmed its commitment to carrying forward the values that Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji embodied throughout his life.

Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji, passed away on 13^th July 2026 at the age of 96 in Mumbai. He was widely respected for his humility, generosity and unwavering commitment to community welfare. Through his contributions towards society, he championed the values of service and compassion, touching countless lives through his philanthropic efforts and guidance.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming modern healthcare, combining technologies that improve diagnosis, treatment, research, and healthcare operations. From detecting diseases in medical scans to streamlining hospital workflows, AI is increasingly helping clinicians make faster and more data-driven decisions. While once viewed as a futuristic concept, many AI-powered tools are already becoming part of everyday medical practice.

Modern AI in medicine combines technologies such as machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and generative AI to support both clinical care and healthcare operations. In India, this shift toward preventive and digital healthcare is accelerating rapidly. According to an IMARC Group report, India’s AI healthcare market was valued at USD 435.7 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 4.77 billion by 2034.

India’s healthcare ecosystem is also undergoing rapid digital transformation. A recent Grand View Research industry report on India’s digital health market highlights growing adoption of telehealth platforms, AI-assisted diagnostics, remote patient monitoring and digital health infrastructure across the country. As healthcare systems become increasingly technology-enabled, future physicians will need to develop clinical expertise alongside the ability to work with data-driven healthcare tools and digital care ecosystems.

AI in medical imaging and diagnostics

One of the clearest examples of AI’s success in healthcare has emerged in medical imaging. AI-powered computer vision systems are increasingly being used to help clinicians detect abnormalities in radiology scans with greater speed and accuracy. Breast cancer screening has become one of the most studied use cases.

A large India-led study involving over 100,000 women assessed the use of an AI-based breast cancer screening tool for population-level screening and reported that AI-supported screening could improve early cancer detection while overcoming infrastructure and specialist shortages in large-scale public health settings.

These imaging tools have seen relatively smoother adoption because they are designed for narrow, measurable tasks. Their performance can be validated against standardized clinical benchmarks such as sensitivity, specificity, and detection rates. Importantly, these systems are intended to support physicians rather than replace them, functioning as a second layer of review that helps reduce workload while improving diagnostic confidence.

Personalized medicine and the role of AI

Another major area of interest has been personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored to an individual’s genetic profile. Since the Human Genome Project in the 1990s, researchers have hoped that advances in genomics and computational medicine would enable highly individualized therapies. While significant progress has been made, especially in oncology biomarker testing, many AI-driven applications in drug discovery and precision medicine still remain at the research or pre-clinical stage.

AI has nevertheless accelerated parts of the research process. Tools such as protein-structure prediction models and machine learning systems are helping researchers identify potential drug targets more efficiently than before. However, translating computational discoveries into approved clinical therapies still requires years of testing, validation, and regulatory review. As a result, personalized medicine continues to evolve gradually rather than transforming healthcare overnight.

Generative AI in healthcare

Generative AI has emerged as one of the most discussed technologies in medicine over the last few years. Much of its real-world adoption currently remains concentrated around administrative and operational workflows rather than direct clinical decision-making. AI tools are increasingly being used for functions such as claims coding, prior-authorization reviews, clinical documentation, and patient record summarization, helping healthcare systems improve efficiency and reduce administrative burden.

Although generative AI systems can process medical information and respond effectively to standardized medical questions, patient care still depends heavily on contextual understanding, ethical judgment, communication, and decision-making in uncertain situations. Concerns around transparency and explainability also continue to limit AI’s role in high-stakes clinical environments. As a result, AI is unlikely to replace physicians in critical diagnostic or therapeutic decisions in the near future. Instead, it is expected to remain a supportive tool that enhances efficiency while clinicians retain final responsibility for patient care.

The future of healthcare lies in human-AI collaboration

The future of healthcare is unlikely to involve AI replacing doctors entirely. Instead, AI is expected to increasingly manage repetitive, structured, and data-heavy tasks, while clinicians continue to lead areas requiring empathy, communication, contextual reasoning, and complex judgment.

Core clinical skills such as patient interaction, history-taking, physical examination, and ethical decision-making will remain central to medical practice. At the same time, healthcare professionals will increasingly need to understand the strengths and limitations of AI tools, critically evaluate AI-generated outputs, and identify potential errors or bias.

As healthcare continues to evolve, physicians who can effectively combine clinical expertise with technological understanding will likely be best positioned to lead the next generation of patient care.

(The article is authored by Stephan Bandelow, BSc, MSc, Dphil, Associate Professor, Associate Director, Researcher, St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies)

Built on a tomato basil focaccia base, Pocket Pizza reimagines familiar pizza combinations in a format that is easy to enjoy wherever the day takes you. The menu features four vegetarian and four non-vegetarian options, offering everything from rich cheese-forward combinations to bold chicken flavours and fresh vegetable pairings.

Vinod Shetty, Operations Head, Smoke House Café, said, “Guests today are looking for food that fits easily into different moments of the day. With Pocket Pizza, we wanted to add a format that works well for quick lunches, evening cravings and easy meals at home. It brings together the familiarity of pizza with a compact format that is simple to order and enjoy.”

The menu features a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian pizzas, with vegetarian options such as Truffle Shroom, Four Cheese, Corn, Creamy Spinach & Feta, and Grilled Paneer Hawaiian, alongside non-vegetarian favourites including Peri Peri Chicken, Truffle Shroom & Chicken, BBQ Chicken, and Hawaiian Chicken Ham. Each pizza is crafted with fresh ingredients and distinctive flavour combinations, from creamy white sauces and truffle oil to smoky BBQ, peri peri spice, and sweet-savoury Hawaiian toppings.

Whether it is a quiet lunch between meetings, an evening snack while the rain comes down, or a family meal at home, Smoke House Café Borivali makes for an easy monsoon order. Alongside the new launch, guests can choose from the café’s all-day menu featuring bakery favourites, breakfast plates, small plates, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, pastas, mains, desserts and beverages. Highlights include the Almond Croissant, Truffle Mushroom Omelette, Paneer Akuri Bun Maska, Hot Honey Crispy Chicken Tenders, Grilled Naga Chilli Cottage Cheese Skewers, Market Vegetables and Red Cheddar Pizza, Grilled Peri Peri Chicken Pizza, Bucatini Arrabbiata with Fresh Basil, Coconut Curry Prawns, Wild Mushroom and Aged Parmesan Risotto, along with desserts such as the Tiramisu Tin and Basque Cheesecake.

Pocket Pizza will be available exclusively for delivery from Smoke House Café, Borivali, on Swiggy and Zomato from 15th July 2026.

The agreements mark the beginning of a long-term collaboration focused on enhancing academic excellence while providing students and researchers with practical industry exposure.

Key Objectives and Areas of Collaboration 

Student Development:

Students will benefit from internship opportunities, industrial exposure, and placement support.

Technology Advancement:

ULTS will collaborate in the areas of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and digital technologies, while Matterlab will provide support through its testing facilities.

Research and Startups:

The partnership will promote joint research, technology transfer, startup mentorship, and knowledge sharing.

Shaju S., Managing Director, ULCCS, said: “At ULCCS, we believe that strong partnerships between academia and industry are essential to preparing future-ready engineering talent and driving meaningful innovation. Our collaboration with NIT Calicut, ULTS and Matterlab brings together academic excellence and industry expertise to create opportunities for students, accelerate applied research, and support technology-driven solutions for real-world challenges.”

Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director, NIT Calicut, said that sustained collaboration between educational institutions and industry is crucial to creating an innovation-driven ecosystem. He added that such partnerships would help students gain exposure to real-world work environments.

The MoU signing ceremony, held at NIT Calicut, was attended by Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director; Sunil Jacob John, In-charge Registrar; Dr. Murali K.P., Chairperson, CIIR; and Dr. Rakesh R.T., Vice Chairperson, CIIR, representing NIT Calicut.

Representing ULCCS were Shaju S., Managing Director; Arun Babu, Chief Operating Officer; and Rohan Prabhakar, Chief General Manager (Projects). Representing ULTS was Harishankar R., Chief Executive Officer, while Freddy Soman, General Manager; Anil Pottekkatt, Deputy General Manager; and Sreelakshmi S.B., Senior Compliance Engineer, represented Matterlab.

Both institutions stated that this joint initiative would help nurture engineering talent equipped to meet the future demands of the infrastructure and construction sectors while advancing sustainable technological progress.

Summit Equity Long-Short Fund is designed to capture both directional upside through long positions and tactical downside opportunities through short positions. The strategy reflects the core philosophy of Summit SIF: adapting to market conditions while seeking alpha.

This investment strategy will combine two distinct strategies to deliver an edge to the portfolio: A directional long strategy driven by a bottom-up stock selection process anchored in Invesco Asset Management (India)’s categorization framework; A Tactical short position via derivatives aimed at capturing downside opportunities in stocks expected to underperform. The investment strategy will be managed by Mr. Hiten Jain and will be benchmarked to BSE 500 TRI.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Saurabh Nanavati, MD & CEO, Invesco Asset Management (India) Pvt. Ltd. said, “We are at an inflection point in Indian asset management. The SIF category gives experienced investors access to a level of portfolio flexibility that was previously the preserve of institutional capital. Summit SIF is our commitment to bringing specialized investment thinking to India’s next generation of wealth builders.”

Mr. Hiten Jain, Fund Manager, Invesco Mutual Fund further said, “In today’s dynamic markets, alpha generation extends beyond simply riding the tide – it requires navigating both opportunity and risk. Conventional long-only funds can make money when stock prices go up. However, return generation within markets is inherently non-linear and characterized by periodic dislocations. Summit Equity Long-Short Fund is designed to capture both long and short opportunities enabling it to effectively capitalize on market volatility and evolving opportunities.”

The minimum investment amount during the NFO is ₹10,00,000/- and in multiples of ₹1/- thereafter. In case of Accredited investors, the minimum investment amount during the NFO is ₹1,00,000/- and in multiples of ₹1/- thereafter. For SIP investments, the minimum application amount is ₹1,000/- and in multiples of ₹1/- thereafter subject to maintaining investment threshold of ₹10,00,000 across all investment strategies of Summit SIF.

The investment strategy will charge an exit load of 0.50% for units redeemed / switched out on or before 3 months from the date of allotment. No exit load will be charged if units are redeemed / switched out after 3 months.

The New Fund Offer (NFO) is open for subscription from today (July 2, 2026) and will close on July 16, 2026.

NEW DELHI:  India’s Next Mastermind Awards 2026, under the banner of the India Spiritual Leaders Awards, will celebrate the country’s leading spiritual leaders, astrologers, yoga masters, healers, spiritual authors, and institutions at its 14th annual edition on July 18, 2026, at Hotel Tivoli, New Delhi.

India’s Next Mastermind Awards is a global recognition platform celebrating excellence across spirituality, business, leadership, and social impact, with a strong footprint in the UAE and India. Organised by Creating Brand Action and powered by the UAE’s Next Mastermind Awards, the event recognises excellence in India’s traditional and contemporary spiritual sciences, including Vedic astrology, Vaastu, reiki, pranic healing, past-life regression, yoga, tarot, numerology, hypnotherapy, and holistic wellness practices.

The awards enjoy the support of its official partners, including Approach Entertainment as the PR Branding Partner, Tivoli Hospitality Group as the Hospitality Partner, Go Spiritual, Knack Digital, Teztech News and News Live as Mastermind Media Partners, and Pankh (Wings to Succeed), SoulWise, and Ananta Merchandise as Branding Partners.

The awards are themed “Honouring India’s Spiritual Masterminds Globally” and will felicitate both individual practitioners and organisations that have preserved ancient knowledge systems while adapting them for modern audiences. Selection is based on authenticity, community impact, and innovative outreach. The platform is powered by the UAE’s Next Mastermind Awards, which has expanded into India through its collaboration with India Global Mastermind Awards, bringing international recognition to the country’s spiritual and wellness ecosystem.

India’s spiritual and wellness sectors have witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, driven by digital platforms, wellness tourism, and increased mainstream interest, particularly among younger generations. The awards aim to provide structured, credible recognition to a field that has traditionally relied on word-of-mouth reputation, while fostering collaboration across monastic, scholarly, institutional, and practitioner communities.

The ceremony will be graced by several eminent personalities. Dr. Ajay Kumar Pandey, National General Secretary and Spokesperson of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Advocate at the Supreme Court of India, will attend as a distinguished guest. Shri Shri 1008 Mahamandaleshwar Anurag Ji Maharaj, a revered spiritual leader from Juna Akhara, will lend his presence, underscoring the event’s deep connection to India’s monastic traditions. Acharya K. Venkata Raman Ghanapati, a renowned Vedic scholar and “Ghanapathi” title holder from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, will represent the scholarly and liturgical dimensions of Vedic tradition.

Ajjay Bhhatia, Deputy Superintendent at Tihar Jail and recipient of the President’s Award for Correctional Services, will bring perspectives on spiritual practices within India’s correctional system. Prashant Nair, CEO of The Art of Living, one of India’s largest wellness and humanitarian organisations, will represent the yoga and meditation movement. Acharya Premchand Sharma, an eminent Vedic scholar with 15 world records in Aqua Yoga and the conductor of the Yog Yagya during the Ram Mandir inauguration, will also grace the occasion.

India Global Mastermind Awards, the organising body, operates under the India’s Next Mastermind Awards platform. With over 14 years of experience originating from the UAE, the platform has honoured more than 10,000 visionary leaders, achieved a global media reach exceeding 400 million, and secured over 300 media features across prominent publications. It connects leaders from more than 75 countries through high-impact events focused on recognition, collaboration, and purposeful leadership.

Dr. Navana Kundu, the Founder, is a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, therapist, coach, and Global Book Award winner. She serves as Ambassador for the International Mental Health Association and UAE Country Chair for G100 Mission Million. Dr. Mansoor Al Obeidli, the Co-Founder, is an internationally acclaimed entrepreneur with a presence across more than 75 countries. He has been recognised for his contributions to Middle East culture, beauty, and global talent promotion.

The event will take place on July 18, 2026, at Hotel Tivoli in New Delhi. It is organised by India Global Mastermind and powered by the UAE’s Mastermind Awards.

As India’s spiritual economy continues to expand, the July 18 ceremony aims to serve as a milestone in formally recognising and elevating the nation’s spiritual leaders and practitioners on both national and global stages.

Hyderabad, 16^th July 2026: Sambhuti Learning and IIT-Bombay incubated Prosical Language Technologies has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate TARA (Teacher’s Assistant for Reading Assessment), an AI-powered oral reading fluency assessment technology into Sambhuti Learning’s AI-powered learning platform, VidyaBuddhi.

Prosical Language Technologies is incubated at the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE IIT Bombay), the technology business incubator of IIT Bombay. SINE, IIT Bombay, has supported the commercialisation of this deep-tech innovation by enabling the translation of IIT Bombay research into impactful educational technology.

The collaboration brings together academic research, artificial intelligence and digital learning to equip schools and education programmes with objective, scalable and data-driven tools that help assess, monitor and improve foundational literacy and language fluency.

TARA is a patented AI-powered Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) assessment technology developed at IIT Bombay. Prosical Language Technologies, a company founded by IIT Bombay faculty and alumni, has licensed the technology from IIT Bombay to translate years of academic research into scalable language learning and assessment solutions. 

Under the MoU, TARA will serve as the assessment engine within VidyaBuddhi’s Reading Intervention Programme. The integration will enable teachers to evaluate students’ oral reading accuracy, fluency, pace and expression while generating actionable insights that support personalised instruction and targeted interventions. The platform will support both formative and summative assessments, enabling educators to continuously monitor student progress and address learning gaps through evidence-based instruction.

Mr. Umamaheshwar Ragi, Co-Founder and CEO, Sambhuti Learning, said, “Reading fluency is one of the strongest indicators of learning outcomes. By integrating TARA into VidyaBuddhi, we are combining advanced AI with proven assessment methodologies to help teachers identify learning gaps early and provide targeted interventions. This collaboration strengthens our commitment to improving foundational literacy through technology.”

Under the agreement, Prosical Language Technologies will provide API access, technical integration support, product enhancements and training for seamless implementation of the TARA engine within VidyaBuddhi. Sambhuti Learning will integrate the technology into its platform, provide the required infrastructure and make the solution available to schools and education partners across its digital learning ecosystem.

Commenting on the partnership, Prof. Preeti Rao, Founder & CEO, Prosical Language Technologies, said, “TARA is the outcome of years of research at IIT Bombay to make Oral Reading Fluency assessment objective, scalable, and accessible. Through our collaboration with Sambhuti Learning and the support of SINE, IIT Bombay, we are taking this research beyond the laboratory into classrooms, where educators can use AI-powered insights to strengthen reading fluency and improve learning outcomes for every child.”

The integration will enable schools and education programmes to conduct standardized oral reading assessments on a scale, significantly reduce teachers’ assessment time and generate actionable insights that support targeted interventions and improved language learning outcomes.

Mr. Shaji Varghese, CEO, SINE, IIT Bombay, said, “One of SINE’s key objectives is to help transform cutting-edge research into businesses that create measurable societal impact. This collaboration demonstrates how innovations developed at IIT Bombay can be translated into scalable educational solutions through partnerships between academia, startups and industry.”

Aligned with the goals of NEP 2020 and the NIPUN Bharat Mission, the collaboration seeks to equip educators with practical AI-enabled tools that help identify learning gaps early, personalise instruction and strengthen foundational literacy outcomes.

As the FIFA World Cup heads into its decisive stages, many of the world’s biggest Spanish and Argentine padel stars are preparing for another blockbuster rivalry at the World Padel League

in Mumbai. Here are 10 sporting facts every football fan should know.

1. Lionel Messi isn’t Argentina’s only global sporting icon.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has inspired generations, but Argentina has also produced some of padel’s biggest names. Sanyo Gutiérrez, Juan Tello, Gonzalo Alfonso, Lucho Capra, Fede Mouriño and Aranzazu Osoro will all represent different franchises at the World Padel League, carrying Argentina’s sporting legacy from the football pitch to the padel court.

2. Lamine Yamal is football’s newest superstar – but Spain’s padel stars have been dominating for years.

While Yamal has become one of football’s brightest young talents, Spain continues to rule world padel through stars like Paula Josemaría, Bea González, Marta Ortega, Jon Sanz, Edu Alonso and Fran Guerrero, all of whom will play in Mumbai in August. 

3. Cristiano Ronaldo is helping padel go global – and the World Padel League reflects that growth.

Cristiano Ronaldo has become one of padel’s most influential ambassadors, investing in the sport and regularly playing it himself. The World Padel League showcases padel’s growing international appeal, with top talent from across the world – including Portuguese stars Miguel Deus and Nuno Deus; joining elite players from Spain, Argentina and several other nations in franchise-based competition. 

4. Spain’s second favourite sport isn’t basketball or tennis – it’s padel.

Football remains king, but padel is now Spain’s second most popular participation sport, with millions playing every year. It’s no surprise then that the World Padel League features one of the strongest-ever Spanish line-ups. 

5. Many football stars swap boots for padel racquets.

From Lionel Messi and Neymar to David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, some of football’s biggest names are passionate padel players. This August, fans can watch the professionals who inspire that passion, including Paula Josemaría, Juan Tello, Bea González and Sanyo Gutiérrez, live in Mumbai.

6. Spain and Argentina don’t just compete in football—they dominate padel too.

Every World Padel Championship final since 1992 has featured Argentina alongside Spain or Brazil, highlighting just how deeply these nations are woven into the sport’s history. That rivalry will continue at the World Padel League through players like Marta Ortega versus Aranzazu Osoro, and Jon Sanz versus Juan Tello. 

7. The Beautiful Game Ends. The Battle on Glass Begins.

As the curtains come down on the football extravaganza, the World Padel League takes centre stage, bringing together elite Spanish and Argentine players across six franchises to spark fresh rivalries on the glass court. 

8. World Cup fans already know the flags. Now it’s time to learn the names.

If you’re backing Spain, watch Paula Josemaría, Bea González, Marta Ortega, Jon Sanz and Edu Alonso

If you’re supporting Argentina, keep an eye on Sanyo Gutiérrez, Juan Tello, Gonzalo Alfonso, Lucho Capra and Aranzazu Osoro. 

9. Spain and Argentina have mastered more than one global sport.

Between them, they’ve produced football legends like Messi, Maradona, Iniesta, Xavi, Ramos and Yamal – and now they’re producing many of the world’s best padel players, several of whom will headline the World Padel League in Mumbai. 

10. Spain and Argentina dominate the world padel. Now their biggest stars arrive in India.

Spain and Argentina have long set the benchmark in professional padel. This August, the World Padel League brings several of the sport’s leading Spanish and Argentine players to Mumbai, where they’ll compete for their franchises and give fans a chance to witness one of the sport’s richest traditions up close.

Mumbai, July 13, 2026: Mumbai is set to welcome some of the biggest names in international padel, as World Padel League (WPL) unveiled the six franchise squads for its highly anticipated Season 4. Featuring former World No. 1s, Premier Padel champions, established tour winners and some of the sport’s brightest emerging talents, this year’s edition promises the strongest lineup ever assembled for the league.

Licensed and managed by Iconik Sports and Events Ltd., the World Padel League has rapidly established itself as one of the sport’s marquee team events, bringing world-class padel to Indian audiences. From August 12-16, the Dome, SVP Stadium, Mumbai, will host five days of elite competition as six franchises battle for the Season 4 crown.

The squads underline the league’s growing stature on the global padel calendar. With internationally acclaimed players spread across every team, fans can expect a tournament defined by high-quality competition, thrilling rivalries and closely contested encounters.

Season 4 by the Numbers

• 3 former World No. 1s
• Over 10 Premier Padel champions
• 13 players currently ranked amongst the world’s Top 20
• Players representing 06 countries
• 36 international stars competing across 6 franchises

Among the marquee names taking centre stage are former World No. 1 Paula Josemaria, former World No. 1 Marta Ortega, former World No. 1 Carlos Daniel (Sanyo) Gutierrez, fan favourite Beatriz Gonzalez, Spanish star Juan Tello, Argentine standout Aranzazu Osoro, Premier Padel winner Jon Sanz, experienced campaigners Lucas Campagnolo and Luciano Capra, alongside several rising stars who continue to make their mark on the international circuit.

Adding another layer of intrigue, several players who regularly compete against each other on the international tour will now become teammates, while familiar rivalries will be renewed in franchise colours, setting the stage for five days of high-intensity action.

World Padel League Season 4 Squads

• Khan Tigers: Javier García, Lucas Campagnolo, Raquel Eugenio, Martina Fassio, Inigo Jofre and Andres Lancha.
• Aussie Mavericks Jaguars: Pol Hernandez, Guille Collado, Alejandra Alonso, Claudia Jensen, Enzo Jensen and Ignacio Piotto.
• Hubtown Panorama Panthers: Enrique Goenaga, Ramiro Valenzuela, Juan Tello, Eduardo Alonso, Marta Barrera and Marta Caparros.
• Game Changers Lions: Federico Mourino, Teodoro Zapata, Paula Josemaria, Beatriz Gonzalez, Gonzalo Alfonso and Carlos Danieln Gutierrez..
• Vedanta Leopards: Nuno Deus, Miguel Deus, Marta Ortega Gallego, Veronica Virseda, Francisco Guerrero and Javier Ruiz.
• VB Realty Cheetahs: Jorge Nieto, Jon Sanz, Aranzazu Osoro, Julieta Bidahorria, Jesus Moya and Luciano Capra.

The World Padel League has quickly become one of the most anticipated events on India’s sporting calendar, introducing new audiences to one of the world’s fastest-growing sports while showcasing elite international competition in an exciting team-based format.

Fans can catch all the action live at the Dome, SVP Stadium, Mumbai, from August 12-16, with tickets available now on BookMyShow.