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CL T20 qualifiers begins
MUMBAI: After the Kabaddi extravaganza, its back to cricket again. The sixth edition of the Champions League T20 kicks off today at Raipur, beginning with the qualifying rounds. Star Sports which is the rights owner this time will be showing all the matches live on Star Sports1 and Star Sports HD. Live streaming will also be available on starsports.com.
In terms of innovation, a drone camera will be used for the first time to get the best images from the stadiums.
In the first game, Lahore Lions will take on defending CL T20 champions Mumbai Indians followed by New Zealand’s Northern Knights who will play against Southern Express of Sri Lanka. The qualifying stage of 2014 Champions League T20 kicks off on 13 September and will last till 16 September, after which the tournament gets underway.
The qualifiers will see four teams: Mumbai Indians (India), Lahore Lions (Pakistan), Northern Knights (New Zealand) and Southern Express (Sri Lanka). These four teams will play each other once and, at the end of it, the two top teams of the qualifiers will progress to the next stage.
The inaugural match would be played on 17 September at Hyderabad with the reigning IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders taking on the Chennai Super Kings.
Oppo Mobiles have bagged the title sponsorship while Birla White is the central associate sponsor.
The tournament will be played from 13 September to 4 October 2014 at Raipur, Mohali, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
The tournament will follow a format similar to the three previous editions, with a Group Stage preceded by a Qualifier. A total of 29 matches will be played in the competition, on 19 match-days. There will be 10 double-headers, the semi-finals included.
Raipur will host eight matches. These will comprise two Group Stage games, plus all six Qualifier matches. The Qualifier matches will be double-headers.
Hyderabad will host five group matches, including one double-header. The city will also host the semi-finals on 2 October, which will be a double-header. Bengaluru will host six matches, including two double-headers. The city will also host the Oppo CLT20 final on 4 October 2014. Mohali will host seven group matches, including three double-headers.
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.
