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Varun Mathur quits Nimbus Sports; to partner ITW Sports for new venture
MUMBAI: After close to two years with Nimbus Sport as its general manager, Varun Mathur has decided to take a big leap but within the confines of his expertise – sports management and marketing.
Mathur will be partnering with ITW managing director and CEO Vikram Tanwar to lead the new initiative called ITW Sport+.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com about his new venture, Mathur says, “I will be leading the new initiative as a shareholder and director.”
Mathur will be based out of Delhi NCR.
The new unit will be focussed on three key areas. The company will be involved with rights management in non-cricket sports like football, Formula 1 and tennis amongst others. It will also look at acquiring and managing digital rights of sports. Additionally, ITW Sport+ will also explore third party right management of athletes and sports celebrities in the sports ecosystem.
“The focus will be on representation of football teams in the Indian Super League, various Kabaddi teams and sports consulting too,” informs Mathur.
Talking about the core thought behind the new initiative, he says, “Currently there is a huge empty space in the sports ecosystem for a large size sports management firm. There are many players who are doing smaller chunks of business but there is no large consolidated player. We want to change that element and are going to occupying that space.”
As far a cricket is concerned, Mathur informs that ITW already has its presence there as it looks after most of the bilateral cricketing series rights.
ITW, as a sports management company, specializes in consulting in sports rights acquisition and negotiation, licensing, concept development, in stadia branding among others. It also holds rights for international cricket.
At Nimbus, Mathur was responsible for several key deals. These include bagging a XOLO (Lava Smartphone) for the EPL club, Liverpool FC and signing of ISL team Atletico De Kolkata with the telco as Aircel as its first principle sponsor.
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.
