Celebrating Excellence: The Eighth Edition of the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) Set for March 21, 2026, in Lucknow

Honoring India’s Sporting Legends and Rising Stars Across Multiple Disciplines

Lucknow Set to Host the Eighth Edition of the Times of India Sports Awards

Lucknow, March 21, 2026 — The vibrant city of Lucknow is gearing up to host the eighth edition of the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) on March 21, 2026, a prestigious event that will celebrate the remarkable journeys and achievements of India’s finest athletes across various disciplines. This year’s awards will recognize outstanding performances delivered between January 1 and December 31, 2025, shining a spotlight on exceptional displays at global championships and major international competitions.

With over 45 award categories, TOISA 2025 aims to honor both established stars and emerging talents who have made the nation proud through their extraordinary performances. The event promises to be a grand celebration of sportsmanship, resilience, and excellence.

A Distinguished Jury

The winners will be selected by a distinguished jury comprising some of India’s most respected sporting icons. This elite panel includes Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, hockey legend PR Sreejesh, batting great Mithali Raj, Paralympic champion Devendra Jhajharia, table tennis stalwart Sharath Kamal, and tennis legend Leander Paes. Their collective expertise ensures a credible and balanced evaluation of excellence across Indian sport.

Spotlight on Chess

Among the standout categories, the nominees for the TOISA 2025 Chess Player of the Year awards reflect India’s extraordinary depth of talent in global chess. The men’s category features rising stars like Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, who had a remarkable season, winning the Tata Steel Chess Tournament and the Superbet Chess Classic Romania, while also climbing to World No. 4 in the FIDE rankings. Other notable nominees include Aravindh Chithambaram, P. Iniyan, Nihal Sarin, and Arjun Erigaisi, each showcasing impressive performances in international tournaments.

In the women’s category, Divya Deshmukh made history by winning the Women’s Chess World Cup and earning the Grandmaster title, while stalwarts like Koneru Humpy, R. Vaishali, and P. V. Nandhidhaa delivered consistent performances at elite global and national events.