YANA League Returns This October: Mixed-Gender Table Tennis League to Drive Breast Cancer Awareness Among Men & Women
Mumbai, October — 12 teams, 96 players, 1 mission: Because men need to know too, and no woman should fight alone
Mumbai — After creating history in March 2025, YANA League by YANA Sports returns on October 3-4, 2025, in Mumbai, with a bold new edition for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
This year, 12 teams with 8 players each — 96 athletes — will compete in a mixed-gender format. Why mixed? Because breast cancer isn’t just a women’s issue. Men need awareness too. And too often, women neglect their own health checks because they’re busy caring for family and household work.
The Format: Awareness Through Action
YANA League is India’s first sports IP where impact is on the scorecard. For the October edition, a portion of all league proceeds will be donated to a breast cancer patients’ organization supporting treatment, post-care, and counseling for women battling breast cancer.
The mixed-gender “Men as Catalysts” format ensures men are part of the conversation, not spectators. Male players compete alongside women athletes, learning, sharing, and amplifying the message: early detection saves lives, and health is a family responsibility.
Why This Matters Now
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In India, 1 in 28 women risks developing breast cancer. Early detection has a 90%+ survival rate. Yet, women deprioritize themselves. YANA League uses sport to shift that. By making men active participants, we bring the conversation home.
“YANA – You Are Not Alone, is more than just a tournament. It’s a movement that integrates mental wellness with sports, empowering women to break barriers and shine,” says Krishna Kotian, Founder of YANA Sports and YANA League, sports entrepreneur, actor, and advertising professional. “This October, we’re making men part of the solution. Because when men are aware, women get checked. When families play together, no one fights alone.”
Building on Historic Success: March 2025 Edition
The upcoming league follows YANA League’s landmark debut on March 7-8, 2025, which became India’s first women’s table tennis league. Held at Khar Gymkhana, the tournament featured:
8 teams, 48 players from Maharashtra, Telangana, Kerala, Gujarat, Bangalore, and Mumbai
100+ women’s registrations, showing the growing demand for women’s competitive platforms
National-level officiating and first-time live cameras on all tables
Live streaming on YANA Sports, taking the action nationwide
Star-studded opening with Sanil Shetty, multiple world championship winner for India; Diya Chitale, current National champion; Taneesha Kotecha, national youth champion and world youth medalist; Divyanshi Bhowmick, sub-junior national and Asian champion; and Kushal Chopda, Asian youth champion
The March edition proved that sport with purpose draws talent, audience, and impact. October scales it.
What’s New This October
Mixed-Gender Format: 96 players across 12 teams. Men play to learn and amplify awareness
Direct Impact: A portion of league proceeds donated to breast cancer patients’ organization
Family First Message: Campaign focus on “Take Her For A Check” — targeting men to prioritize women’s health
Enhanced Broadcast: Multi-camera coverage, live impact updates, and survivor stories between games
Mental Wellness Integration: On-site counselors, pre-match check-ins, support circles for all athletes
The Bigger Vision
YANA League is building India’s first licensed sports IP for social impact. With trademarked format, cause pipeline, and tech stack, YANA aims to make sport the fastest way to drive health outcomes. March owns women’s sport + mental health. October owns breast cancer awareness — with everyone at the table.
Event Details
What: YANA League – Breast Cancer Awareness Edition, Mixed-Gender
When: October 3-4, 2025
Where: Mumbai
Format: 12 Teams | 8 Players per Team | Mixed-Gender
Impact: Donation to breast cancer patients’ org | Mental wellness integration
Watch: Live on YANA Sports
About YANA Sports
YANA Sports — You Are Not Alone — is a sports-for-impact platform founded by Krishna Kotian. YANA League is India’s first women’s table tennis league IP, now evolving into a mixed-gender format for broader health advocacy.
The mission: Use sport to ensure no one fights alone.
