News Headline
Champions Trophy: ICC to depute lawyers at venues to keep check on ambush marketing
MUMBAI: It is not just the cricket that will be under close scrutiny during the Champions Trophy, which kicks off next month in India.
The International cricket Council (ICC) will depute a team of lawyers to the different venues to see that the interests of the sponsors are not compromised in any manner. It will use the help of its partner Global Cricket Corporation (GCC) to ensure that firms that have not associated with the event will be prevented from indulging in any ambush marketing.
ICC CEO Malcolm Speed, speaking to Indiantelevision.com on the sidelines of a media interaction announcing that the Champions Trophy would be “dedicated to the Spirit of Cricket”, noted that during the 2003 World Cup the ICC had to initiate litigation against certain parties surreptitously looking to take advantage of the high-profile event.
One way for the ICC to go about things this time round would be to send a warning letter in case of any instancees of violations, Speed said.
While addressing the media earlier, Speed said, “The Champions trophy is a great opportunity to show the world what a wonderful sport cricket is. The spirit of cricket means respect.
It means respect for your own captain and team, your opponents, the umpire as well as the tradition of the game which embodies the values of fair play. Today I call upon all players, officials to pledge themselves to use the Champions Trophy as a springboard in the quest to uphold that Spirit. We have already approached a number of top players and officials to support the concept and they agreed without hesitation.
“What goes against the Spirit though are actions like appealing for a catch when a player knows that he has not taken it cleanly, arguing a decision with umpire, verbally abusing the opponent. I would like to add though that it is not our aim to sanitise the game. Everyone wants to see passion on the field and friendly banter between opponents is fine. What is important though is that the concept of fair play is upheld.”
The players who have committed to try and adhere to the Spirit of cricket include Indian skipper Rahul Dravid, opening batsman Virendra Sehwag, West Indies skipper Brian Lara, South African all rounder Shaun Pollock and Australian speedster Brett Lee.
The ICC chief also expressed sympathy with the victims of the Mumbai bomb blasts in July and said that every precaution is being taken to ensure the safety of players and spectators during the ICC Trophy.
The ICC is also using the Champions Trophy as a platform to spread awareness about the Aids menace. Speed noted that India alone has 5 million people who are infected with the HIV virus. 25 per cent of the world’s population who have Aids stay in the countries that will participate in the Champions Trophy.
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.
