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ICC Cricket WC 2015 announces opening events
MUMBAI: Melbourne is to host the Australian opening event for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 on 12 February, next year.
Tournament co-hosts New Zealand will stage its opening event on the same evening in Christchurch.
The Melbourne celebration will involve World Cup players and legends, cultural and music performances, a spectacular fireworks display and a yet to be revealed “special moment”. It will reflect the diversity and excitement of the 14 competing nations and include some icons in Australian entertainment.
The opening events in both Melbourne and Christchurch will form part of a broadcast package to be televised around the world by Star Sports and its licensees. In Australia it will broadcast by FoxSports and the Nine Network.
Victorian Minister for major events, tourism and sport, John Eren said the privilege of hosting the opening event meant that Melbourne would be the scene for the start of the tournament in Australia and its end, with the final to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 29 March.
“We are delighted that Melburnians and visitors from all over the world will have a chance to attend this once in a generation event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl,” Minister Eren said.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 chief executive John Harnden said, “Melbourne will welcome the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 to Australia for the first time in 23 years with this opening event. The Victorian government along with Victorian Major Events Company is giving us great support to put on this show for the tournament in Australia and I’m sure it will get us off to a great start.”
The opening event is produced by George P Johnson with artistic director, Michael Reid whose past credits include the opening ceremony of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Opening Event in Australia is a free event, which will be ticketed.
Tickets will be available to the public on a first come, first served basis.
The event in Christchurch will feature some of New Zealand’s best known performers, cricket legends including Sir Richard Hadlee and Stephen Fleming and a special segment to recognise the rebuilding of the city following the disastrous earthquakes.
Fast Facts:
• ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand
• 14 teams: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, West Indies and Zimbabwe
• 14 host cities: Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Canberra, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Hobart, Napier, Nelson, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Wellington
• 42 pool matches – three in each host city
• Every visiting team plays in both countries
• Children’s tickets available for every match
• Children’s tickets $5 for every pool match
• Children’s ticket for quarterfinals are $20, semifinals are $30, and final are $60
• Adults tickets from $20
• Two-thirds of total tickets $50 or less
• Travel Packages are on sale, go to www.icctravel.net
• Buy tickets and hospitality at www.cricketworldcup.com
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.
