News Headline
Paytm bags BCCI’s title sponsorship for four years
MUMBAI: Paytm has outbid Micromax to bag the title sponsorships of BCCI’s domestic and International matches for a period of four years. The winning bid was at a price of Rs 203.28 crore to be paid over the 4 years term.
It may be recalled that Star India was the title sponsor for BCCI’s international and domestic matches till 31 March, 2014.
BCCI Honorary Secretary Anurag Thakur said, “We are elated to have Paytm as our homes series title sponsors. They are one of the new generation companies and we are delighted to partner with them. Having them for next four years gives the stability and continuity to Indian cricket. With nearly 84 matches scheduled over the next 4 years with all major countries playing in India we are hopeful that Paytm will be able to build a strong and strategic association with Cricket. We are also happy that the realisation has increased by 20 per cent. It augurs well for Indian cricket. I am thankful to Paytm for their interest and faith in Indian Cricket and welcome them on board.”
Paytm founder & CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma added, “Cricket is the dream sport for us in India. Cricket epitomises the Paytm values of passion, hard work and team effort. We are very happy to partner with the BCCI and cheer for Indian cricket with millions of fans. Over the next 4 years, we will continue to invest strongly in cricket and other sports. As a growing brand which has big plans for a billion strong Indians, there is no better platform than cricket in India.”
The BCCI Marketing Committee met in Delhi today (30 July) to open the tender documents received by the Cricket Board for title sponsorship relating to its international and domestic home series/tournaments for the next four seasons. The period for which Invitation To Tender was sought for by the BCCI includes the 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.
“The rights on offer include sponsor branding of the relevant series with the title sponsor logo, official designation as the ‘Title Sponsor’ of the relevant international or domestic series, visibility at the stadium during both international and domestic matches, broadcast sponsorship rights, and a host of other rights,” the Board had said in a media release earlier.
The sponsorship deal has been sealed by media agency Maxus.
Maxus South Asia managing director Kartik Sharma said, “We are extremely happy for partnering with Paytm, and helping them win the BCCI rights. Until now cricket has been dominated by other mature categories and this is the first time a e-commerce brand will be using the platform to connect and engage with its consumer base.”
GroupM ESP national director Vinit Karnik said, “We are happy to have stitched the entire deal for PayTM. The bidding process to representation was an exciting journey and we are extremely euphoric to be a part of this crucial and big sponsorship deal. It’s the beginning a new era. We have a young team India and PayTM would leverage this associating being a young player in the e- commerce business ecosystem .From a business point of view, it ushers a new wave of e-commerce companies raising the bar several notches higher to build a young and robust tech India.”
Maxus senior VP Shankar Nath added, “We are delighted at becoming the Title Sponsor for all BCCI India cricket for the next 4 years. We firmly believe the partnership with cricket in India will help establish us even more as the dominant mobile commerce company in the country. As a growing brand which has big plans for a billion strong Indians there is no platform better than cricket in India.”
Star India holds the broadcast, internet and mobile rights to Indian cricket until March 2018.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
