News Headline
FC Goa announces Virat Kohli as its new co-owner cum ambassador
MUMBAI: The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) franchise of Goa, FC Goa today unveiled its new co-owner, celebrity cricketer Virat Kohli. With Kohli coming on board, the team now is composed of four owners. The other three are Venugopal Dhoot of Videocon, Shrinivas Dempo and Dattaraj Salgaocar, both businessmen from Goa. Videocon d2h was named as the principal sponsor for the team.
FC Goa also introduced its marquee coach, Brazilian football legend Zico and its marquee player, Robert Pires. Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan has been named as the team’s ‘first friend’.
Present at the ceremony were Football Sports Development founding chairperson Nita Ambani who said that one of the main goals of the ISL was to promote the game at the grassroots levels by involving millions of kids through various programmes of the eight franchises.
The Adidas team kit consisting of the jersey was also unveiled at the ceremony. Talking about the team kit Adidas India brand director, Tushar Goculdas says that the Goa team represented one of the ‘most passionate centres’ of football in India. He adds, “The team is supported by a strong backbone with owners having great footballing heritage, Virat- a world class athlete and Zico, one of the greatest artists of the beautiful game.” The team jersey will be available to FC Goa fans to purchase in a few weeks time.
Speaking about his new venture, Kohli comments, “The experience of stalwarts like Zico and Pires will further strengthen the already strong DNA that the team possesses, thanks to the Salgaocar, Dempo and Videocon Groups’ involvement.” According to sources from the team it was Kohli himself who approached the team owners to gain a stake in FC Goa.
Videocon Industries chairman of the board Venugopal Dhoot says that the four partners shared a common dream which was to make a valuable contribution to Indian football and elevate the standards of the sport in the country.
FC Goa is also the first Indian sports club to launch a satellite TV channel called the FC Goa TV which will be telecast on Videocon d2h with exclusive and innovative programming. The shows will also include specials such as on field programmes. In addition to this, a special magazine dedicated to the team’s fans was also revealed.
Dempo Group of Companies chairman and managing director Shrinivas Dempo while speaking to indiantelevision.com says that the ISL has come at the right time just after the FIFA World Cup fever. Speaking on the role of the four owners, he says, “We will look after the administration and management side of the game while the technical aspect and strategies of play will be looked by Zico and the players. Together we will work for the team’s overall success.”
V M Salgaocar and Company managing director Dattaraj Salgaocar too agrees and says, “The Dempo group and we share decades of support towards football through our local football clubs.” In terms of sponsorship he says they are still looking at getting brands on board and are also looking at local brands for tie ups.
FC Goa will kick off the first game of the Hero Indian Super League against Chennaiyin FC at home ground on 16 October. The team was launched on 26 august 2014.
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.
