“More sweat, more glory”: Prasad Sanyal sets the stage for TOISA 2025

LUCKNOW: The 8th edition of Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025 was grandly held in Lucknow on Saturday to honor the tireless spirit and excellence of India’s best athletes. Against the backdrop of a gathering of sporting legends, Olympic heroes and rising stars, Prasad Sanyal, Group Business Head, TOI, Indiatimes and WhatsHot delivered a rousing opening address, highlighting the evolution of the awards ceremony from a ceremony to a national sport.Welcoming the esteemed audience in the heart of Uttar Pradesh, Sanyal emphasized that TOISA has become the cornerstone of sporting events in India. “When we first conceptualized the Times of India Sports Awards a few years ago, we had a simple yet powerful vision – to create a platform that truly celebrates the spirit of Indian sports,” Sanyal noted. “Not just the wins, not just the medals, but the journey, the struggle, the sweat and the unwavering determination that defines every athlete’s story.”This year’s theme “More Sweat, More Glory” became the focus of the evening. Sanyal emphasized that the honors received on stage are just the tip of the iceberg and represent the invisible sacrifices made over the years.“Glory is hard earned. It comes from countless hours spent in the gym when no one is watching. It comes from early morning workouts while the world is still sleeping. It comes from standing up after every fall, every failure, every setback and saying ‘do it again.’ That’s what our athletes do.” day to day. year by year. Tonight, we honor that spirit,” he said. Sanyal celebrated the win in Lucknow for the third consecutive year and praised the host country’s emerging role as a cradle of champions. He pointed out that the sports landscape in Uttar Pradesh had undergone “remarkable” changes before the arrival of Chief Minister Hon Yogi Adityanath.Sanyal expressed his gratitude to the elite jury comprising legends like Leander Paes, Mithali Raj, Abhinav Bindra, Devendra Jhajharia, Sharath Kamal and PR Sreejesh and said that their presence bridges the gap between past glories and future potential.In a poignant speech, Sanyal paid special tribute to the para-athletes present. “To our para-athletes, you are the champions of the human spirit. Your courage and resilience teach us what true strength means,” he said, reiterating TOI’s commitment to seeing sports as a source of national inspiration and not just entertainment.Sanyal concluded his speech with a call to ignite the fire of the next generation and set off the celebrations: “Let us make this night unforgettable. Let us cheer for our champions. Let us celebrate their sweat, their glory and their incredible journey! Thank you and let’s have an amazing night! Jai Hind!”