News Headline
Guwahati FC ties-up with Anglian and Atlético Paranaenseto
MUMBAI: Newly formed Guwahati FC is taking first steps towards establishing itself as a powerhouse of Indian football. The club has tied up with Delhi-based Anglian Management Group (AMG) and Brazil’s Clube Atlético Paranaense (CAP) to set up the first international football Academy in North-East India, based out of Guwahati.
The Academy plans to train a hundred elite youth footballers from various age groups each for the next three years as well as run numerous programmes throughout the year aimed at attracting more youth to the sport. The training will be done under the supervision of CAP’s Brazilian coaches who, in addition to making regular visits to Guwahati, will also train Guwahati FC coaches at the CAP-owned facilities in Curitiba, Brazil.
The Academy aims to offer the best footballing facilities and experiences to young and aspiring footballers. While the Academy is expected to open later this year, most of the ground-work including the identification of facilities has already been finalised including full-sized pitches, practice areas, lecture theatres and classrooms, changing rooms, gym, canteen, entertainment and requisite medical facilities.
Guwahati FC, which was formed at the end of 2014, aims to establish itself by developing local talent in partnership with AMG-CAP. The club intends to leverage AMG’s international connections and experiences in managing football clubs in India and in Europe as well as CAP’s globally-renowned youth football programmes which have earned them successes at the highest level both in South America as well as in Europe.
AMG-CAP had earlier formed a joint venture in India to help develop domestic football at multiple levels, including the management of young and exciting players, advising Indian Super League (ISL) and domestic I-League clubs as well as working with players, coaches, organisational staff and other business entities that happen to be involved in the sport. CAP is also currently working with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to help train Indian footballers and coaches in preparation of the U17 World Cup scheduled to be held in India in 2017. Five of the club’s most promising talents showed their mettle in the inaugural edition of the ISL.
Speaking on the occasion Guwahati FC co-pwner Sanjive Narain said, “We are looking forward to a great working relationship with AMG-CAP as they are ideal partners to help get our Academy started. We are known for our love for football in India, and particularly in Assam and the North East. I am sure this Academy will help our young footballers develop their game not only to the best standards in the country but to global levels as well.”
Anglian Management Group CEO Dhruv Ratra added, “Although Guwahati FC has only just formed, they are showing their commitment to the sport and their fans by establishing a very professional organization. Our Brazilian partners Clube Atlético Paranaense, having recently inked a deal with the All India Football Federation to help train young Indian players for the 2017 U17 World Cup, will be able to impart the same education to Guwahati FC. This will help in the development of footballing and coaching talent that will in turn help raise the standard of the sport in the region and the country.”
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.
