Hola Fútbol ~ Says Hero Vired & eLaLiga

Hero Vired, India’s premium EdTech company by the Hero Group, recently announced the launch of the first-ever eLaLiga challenge in India titled ‘eLaLiga Trophy powered by Hero Vired’. Inaugurated by Spanish Legend, Luis Garcia at a grand event in Delhi, registrations for the eSports championship have been opened starting today. The tournament will be held between 9 and 26 April 2022, with the national finale hosted LIVE on 8 May 2022.

The tournament is brought to India, for the first time, by Hero Vired as an extension of the partnership between Hero Vired and LaLiga. Headquartered in Madrid, LaLiga is Spain’s top division football league and one of the world’s most popular professional sports leagues. As its Official Knowledge Partner, Hero Vired will help LaLiga connect with its premium audience base ensuring a wider reach through this high-impact association in India. 

Commenting on the launch, Akshay Munjal, Founder and CEO, Hero Vired, said, “eSports is rapidly gaining popularity, and as per a report, India will have over 1.5 million active eSports players by FY25. We are delighted to contribute to this fast-growing ecosystem by bringing this challenge to India. From K-12 through higher education, eSports provides an inclusive environment where students can thrive and expand their talent. Our exclusive collaboration with the League and the eLaLiga Trophy provides Indians and Hero Vired learners with an incredible opportunity to access global experience and opens up pathways to new possibilities.”

“This launch and partnership were always meant to be, football blends seamlessly with data science and finance markets, and gaming with developers. In addition, this is our first step to launch the one-of-a kind gaming program in India soon”, Munjal further added.

This new gaming challenge will feature amateur players and influencers from across all geographies of India. Players will compete in online tournaments, with the best participants getting the chance to win official merchandise, and a ‘Money Can’t Buy Experience’ to Spain. 

Speaking about eLaLiga Trophy, Jose Antonio Cachaza, Managing Director, LaLiga India, said, “At LaLiga, we always look at partnering with leading brands, and that’s why we chose Hero Vired as our official Knowledge partner to bring this internationally acclaimed challenge to India. Our shared vision and a mutually rewarding relationship bring the best of education and sports worlds together and complement one another. Creating a meaningful connection with the target audience that has shown a craving for football, Hero Vired will help LaLiga reach new audiences through this challenge and association.”

All interested fans can find more details about the eLaLiga Trophy powered by Hero Vired and register via Hero Vired - ELaLiga.

Luis Garcia, LaLiga Ambassador, and ex-FC Barcelona player said, “E-sports has always been a big part of football. It's a terrific opportunity for fans to get involved with their favorite sport and compete with their friends and other players from all around the world. I've observed my younger relatives and friends' love for e-sports, and I feel it helps gamers get more familiar with different sports, teams, and athletes from a young age. The emergence of e-sports has helped to improve sporting fandom, and the eLaLiga Trophy will give the sports and gaming enthusiasts in India a much-needed boost.”

In addition to that, Luis also recalled his experience of playing in India for Athletico de Kolkata when he came out of retirement a few years back, and also was sport for a friendly match with Indian FIFA player Lokmanyu Chaturvedi. 

Hero Vired and eLaLiga will continue to establish similar events and opportunities in India to bolster eSports and gaming-related learning in the country. eLaLiga Beat the Best, is the new international competition by LaLiga and EA, is currently held in thirteen countries with two challenges in the United States and China. 

The competition further elevates the excitement of eLaLiga EA SPORTS FIFA 22 and FIFA Online tournaments across the world. This format follows the lead of the 20/21 eLaLiga Fan Cup, which attracted 21,000 registered players and generated 3 million impressions on social media, the first step in the internationalization strategy developed by eLaLiga.

Through this collaboration, Hero Vired and LaLiga aim to increase awareness of the need for upskilling and continuous learning, and also bring to light their much-awaited program in gaming. eLaLiga is Hero Vired’s flagship gaming tournament through which the company aims to help users develop the requisite skills for emerging opportunities in eSports and gaming in the jobs for the future.

Functional Fitness With Multifit India...

At first, they'll ask you why you're doing it, 

Later they'll ask you how you did it. 

That's how it goes for life at large, but it fits like a glove as far as pushing oneself towards fitness is concerned. 

There'll be a hoard of pessimistic onlookers and a handful of optimistic cheers (one of them has to be you, yourself) but as far as pledging for a fitter self is concerned, one has to emulate the deaf frog for a clearer perspective. 

Self-confidence and self-belief are the keys as far as sustaining oneself on the road seldom taken is concerned. After all, everyone wishes to look fitter and feel fitter in today's day and age. 

Not just should this stand true for the public eye but also for the betterment of our past self, physically as well as psychologically. 

However, gymming and supplements are a thing of the past as the masses continue to realize that spot reduction is a myth and drugs provide an instant high but do more harm than good in the long run. 

Knowing the fact that a full body workout is essential to the well-being, and one cannot just be biased towards one physical region, it is vital to turn to functional fitness exercises designed so as to develop and train bodily muscles so that it is convenient to complete everyday tasks with ease. 

Functional fitness exercises engage a number of muscles at the same instant - be it the lower body or upper body ones - while simulating common movements - to engage the physique and improve balance, core, strength, and stability. 

One such functional fitness studio that has been establishing itself at various cities in India since the past three years is Multifit. 

With an aim to balance the body-mind-soul trinity, through a thoughtfully devised model for functional fitness aptly named iFIT. 

Designed to integrate science and fitness training in a manner that makes a workout more enjoyable and effective, iFIT includes High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Yoga, Endurance and other forms of fitness training to holistically cater to your mind and body’s varied fitness need. 

In fact, a HIIT routine enhances metabolism that enables the body to burn fat even after a single routine is completed. On the other hand, iFIT workouts generally utilize only body weight, resulting in 'optimal muscle building and muscle retention coupled with fat loss and increased calorie burn'. 

I recently had a chance to Multifit Studio, Sohna Road and could witness in person, the positive impact that functional training has on the body. In fact, the clientele here, in particular, spans across 14-80, with the eldest patron being an enthusiastic senior citizen. 

With a belief that fitness should extend beyond dumbbells and machines, the schedule devised by Multifit is such that it integrates science and fitness training to facilitate its clients in attaining the perfect Mind-Body-Soul balance and aims to make fitness a lifestyle choice for every individual they engage with. 

The conventional gym imagery is challenged to the extent that by abandoning traditional equipment and narrow goals and instead using simple setups to improve one's performance at everyday activities, patrons are able to embrace fitter versions of themselves. 

Equipped with state-of-the-art machinery pertaining to strength, endurance training, calisthenics, martial arts etc. and driven by their highly qualified, experienced and certified trainers, instructors, and even state and national level medalists for centers across Pune, Jaipur, Mumbai, and Gurugram, it comes as no surprise that Multifit, as a functional fitness studio, is at the top of its game. 

With a strategized plan aimed to facilitate each patron to achieve their goals, Multifit puts forward the notion that impossible is an illusion. 

While each equipment at the studio has clear-cut instructions illustrated on it to facilitate correct usage, there are also personal trainers for patrons to seek and implement a proper technique that can make the functional fitness regime a success. 

Apart from the functional fitness regime, there are also programmes concerning mixed martial arts, kick-boxing and dance-based routines that are held to engage patrons in something unique on a regular basis. 

With a strict schedule being followed by trainers for daily classes and 'Work Out Of The Day', patrons are sure to leave Multifit with a smile saying #IAmMultifit once the functional fitness training regime is completed. 

In fact, just as the stairway leading to Multifit sports an 'x steps closer to your dreams', there is also a bell hung at the exit for patrons to ring if they feel that they have 'killed' their workout. 

On the whole, it was a positive experience visiting and witnessing the action at Multifit Fitness Studio, Sohna Road. 

#SachinAtSmaaash To Amp The Ambience...

SMAAASH is an active entertainment space and a one-stop shop for patrons to play, party and celebrate. With a wide repertoire of games spanning Arcade, Virtual Reality, and Simulation genres to name a few, the brand journey has seen a steady growth to becoming one of the most loved entertainment destinations for many around the country and overseas.

My most recent visit to SMAAASH came about as a consequence of the unveiling of their newest outlets at the Ambience Malls in the city, namely at Vasant Kunj and Gurugram. The fun-and-food centers have sprung up in place of the quite popular bluO lounges in both malls.

The icing on the cake turned out to be the presence of Master Blaster and SMAAASH's Brand Ambassador Sachin Tendulkar who had a brief media interaction while unveiling the newest catchphrase and logo of SMAAASH that proclaimed 'Can't Stop Playing' - and rightly so! :)

Also present at the launch was Mr.  Shripal Morakhia, Chief Imagination Officer, SMAAASH Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., who was of such opinion with regard to the expansion

"All the games here are like the three A’s of SMAAASH – Amazing, Aspirational and Awesome. We are the best place for celebrations, as one can eat, play and party, all under one roof. Also, considering the changing tastes of the consumers, we will be regularly introducing new gaming concepts. With our presence across twenty-six centers in thirteen cities and growing, SMAAASH aims to change the way our country celebrates each day."

Commenting on the concept of SMAAASH that has visibly gained popularity among families and youth alike, Sachin regarded SMAAASH as a great platform for people to de-stress and enjoy with friends and family. He was of the opinion that SMAAASH has redefined the concept of sports entertainment in the country while providing wholesome entertainment for sports lovers and thrill-seekers.

The newly revived 50,000 sq. ft. centers are the next links in the chain of the country’s premier urban sports parks. SMAAASH, Ambience Gurugram has two exciting new Golf-based games - Golf Showdown and Mini Jungle Golf and SMAAASH, Ambience Vasant Kunj has LaserBlast - a trippy Laser Tag arena for group games.

SMAAASH Cricket - the 360^o cricket simulator is the only one where one can experience first-hand the exhilaration of facing cricket legends like Anil Kumble, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram and of course, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar.

The newly-designed spaces maintain a vibrant balance between energizing and yet a chilled out ambiance, where one can hang with friends and family.

Meanwhile, the in-house café and bar at SMAAASH will ensure that one enjoys hearty meals and heady drinks during the fun gaming sessions with the gang.

In addition to their brand expansion over the Indian subcontinent, SMAAASH has also targeted the USA with the Mall of America while expansion in Saudi Arabia and Dubai is in the pipeline.

Smashing Food At Smaaash!

Earlier last month, while on a shopping spree at Mall of India, Noida, I discovered this gem of a place that is Smaaash. It is a gamer's paradise that also incorporates a food space by the name of Mighty Small into itself, which is based on a vibrant carnival theme.

The games at Smaaash are categorised into Arcade, Virtual Reality, and games that require physical participation. From Cricket to Bowling to Walk The Plank to Roller Coaster Rides to Motor Racing to Football, there's something or the other at Smaaash that would appeal to gaming enthusiasts.

The Mighty Small Cafe area has been separated from the gaming area by the means of a ramp inside the premises. That way, it also acts as a private area for parties and gatherings. Being a family place, Smaaash acts like the perfect day-long picnic, for it has been optimised to cater to fun, play, and food. We were here during the day and also witnessed a kid's birthday bash being catered to, quite efficiently. Our meal, was also, needless to say, an amalgamation of excellently presented dishes and an attempt at most of the games hosted at Smaaash.

Here's the low-down on the food we tried. 

Soups: 

Roasted Tomato and Basil, served with garlic croutons.

Sweet Corn Chicken was an extravaganza of corn and chicken, flavorful on the palate.

Appetizers:

Smaaash Nachos are a signature dish, as is evident from the nomenclature. These were loaded with melted cheese, salsa, and olives.

Basil Stir Fry Fish had a characteristic smoked flavour to it, thanks to the way it was prepared.

Dahi Ke Kebab, a classic that has to be done right, without fail. This one was tangy and melt-in-mouth.

Veggie Lover Pizza was a pleasant combination of corn, mushroom, and bell pepper.

Veg Platter & Non-Veg Platter both consisted of Chef Kartikey's choicest preparations and the presentation was a visual treat.

Mocktails/Shakes:

Lemon and Mint Iced Tea, Passion Fruit Iced Tea, and Pomegranate and Peach Iced Tea each had their characteristic flavours owing to respective ingredients.

Baby Split Shake & Throw In Smoothie packed a punch with banana, strawberry, and chocolate chips.

Main Course:

Fried Rice was classically prepared and humbly presented.

Chicken Tikka Masala was an authentic Indian gravy with boneless chicken chunks.

Grilled Fish was a stand-out preparation for which Chef Kartikey himself explained the methodology of smoking it in butter.

Dessert:

Ice-Cream Soda Float

Smaaash Noida, in a nutshell, is a one-stop-eatery for a day out with family or friends as the case may be as it is a place that would appeal to everyone, age-no-bar, thanks to its fool-proof combination of fun and food, wherein both the aspects are flawlessly catered to. :)