Marking half a decade of serving the less-privileged, the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation (STF) held a small celebration in Mumbai on Wednesday.

The theme of the evening, ‘Shine Brighter Together’, shed light on the Foundation’s core idea of impacting lives, especially children, through sports, health and education.

Among those who attended the gala was Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin.

‘Five years into this journey of making sports, health and education accessible, we reflect on how far we’ve come. It’s still early days, yet we’re proud of the progress made, made possible by an incredible set of partners who share our vision,’ Sachin Tendulkar wrote on the officlal STF page.

‘Thank you to all the well-wishers who joined us, including Chris Martin, for making this milestone special. Together, we aspire to scale greater heights and continue to #5hineBrighterTogether,’ he added.

Sara Tendulkar recently donned the mantle of Director at the Foundation.

The Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) Season 2 is set to transform Mumbai’s Dadoji Kondadev Stadium into an unprecedented celebration of sports and music from January 26th to February 15th, 2025. Following a thrilling auction that saw teams invest over ₹5.54 crores in emerging cricket talent, the tournament promises to be a groundbreaking fusion of tennis-ball cricket and world-class entertainment.

The tournament’s structure ensures daily entertainment, with matches featuring teams owned by celebrated figures like Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Ram Charan, Suriya, and the power couple Kareena Kapoor Khan & Saif Ali Khan. At the same time, artists like Palak Muchhal, Nikhita Gandhi, and Nakash Aziz keep their energy high with their performances.

This combination of sport and entertainment creates a festival atmosphere that promises to captivate audiences both in the stadium and at home.

Musical Megastars Every Evening

Opening Weekend Spectacular: ○ January 26: Jacqueline Fernandez kicks off the carnival

○ January 27: Melodious evening with Sonu Nigam

○ January 28: Hip-hop sensation Emiway Bantai

○ January 30: Pop diva Kanika Kapoor

○ January 31: Mika Singh’s energetic performance

○ February 1: Twin sensations Sukriti-Prakriti

○ February 2: Rito Riba’s mesmerizing act

February 3: Romantic hits with Jubin Nautiyal

○ February 4: Meet Bros’ chartbuster night

○ February 5: Soulful evening with Akhil Sachdeva

○ February 6: Palak Muchhal’s musical journey

○ February 7: Neeti Mohan’s versatile performance

○ February 8: Bhangra king Juggy D

○ February 9: Contemporary beats with Nikhita Gandhi

○ February 10: Special collaboration by Kailash Kher & Sachin-Jigar

● Playoff Performances:

○ February 12: Adnan Sami (Qualifier 1)

○ February 13: Nakash Aziz’s electric show

○ February 14: Valentine’s special with Mithoon Sharma (Qualifier 2)

Grand Finale Extravaganza:

○ February 15: Double impact with B Praak and DJ Chetas

This innovative format, broadcast live on Star Sports 1 (TV) and streamed on Disney+ Hotstar (OTT), represents a new chapter in sports entertainment. 

New Delhi: It’s amazing to see how Cricket as a game has evolved, and so has the fan experience. Back in the day, following the Indian team was more about the passion and the journey. But now, fans have the means to make it a truly luxurious experience.

We are seeing a surge in demand for premium packages. People want more than just a ticket.

They want VIP access, exclusive meet-and-greets, and behind-the-scenes tours. It’s like they are not just watching a match; they are living the experience.

And it’s not just about the match itself. The entire travel experience is becoming a luxury.

People are willing to splurge on premium flights, high-end hotels, and exclusive dining experiences. It’s a full-blown sports tourism industry now.

This shift has also impacted the way we engage with our fans. We are constantly exploring new ways to make their experience more personalized and memorable. Whether it’s through exclusive merchandise, virtual reality experiences, or personalized fan clubs, we are always looking to push the boundaries.

For example, we have partnered with high-end travel agencies to curate bespoke travel packages that include everything from flight tickets and hotel bookings to stadium transfers and match tickets. These packages are designed to cater to the needs of the most discerning fans, offering a truly unforgettable experience.

The rising spending capacity of fans is also driving innovation in the sports industry. We are seeing more and more stadiums investing in state-of-the-art facilities, such as premium lounges, gourmet dining options, and virtual reality experiences. These advancements are further enhancing the fan experience and justifying the premium prices.

But, while it’s exciting to see fans invest more in the sport, we must also be mindful of the core values of the game. It’s important to balance commercialization with the passion and spirit that has always defined cricket. We want to ensure that everyone, regardless of their budget, can enjoy the game and feel connected to the team.

Ultimately, the goal is to create a sustainable and inclusive fan experience that benefits both the fans and the sport. By striking the right balance between commercialization and fan engagement, we can continue to grow the sport and inspire future generations of fans.

About The Author: Rakesh was born in London in 1974 and was destined to fall in love with the game from a very early age. Over the last 25 years, Rakesh has led what in the early years was just a bunch of hardcore Indian Cricket fans who shared the same passion for the game, to growing one of the largest sporting fan clubs in the world.

It was during the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1999 where Rakesh met 3 like minded individuals
that shared the same passion and love of the game and where post this tournament The Bharat Army was born.