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Fifa in a funk over BBC show
MUMBAI: Even as the football World Cup gathers momentum in Germany, football’s governing body Fifa is in a funk over a BBC Panorama show which aired in the UK a few days ago.
The report was called The Beautiful Bung – Corruption and the World Cup. Veteran reporter Andrew Jennings revealed the serious allegations and evidence that triggered a major investigation by the Swiss authorities. The report had shown serious allegations of bungs, sleaze and vote-rigging by some of the men running the World Cup.
In the programme, Jennings was pushed by a Fifa vice president for asking him how much profit he plans to make from selling World Cup tickets this year. Then he was banned from Fifa headquarters for asking president Sepp Blatter on what he knows about kickbacks to senior officials from a company seeking lucrative contracts.
The programme revealed that over a million pounds worth of bribes have secretly been repaid. Not by the officials who received the kickbacks, but, according to a secret court judgement, by Fifa itself. Magistrate Hildbrand must decide if this act went against Swiss law. If it did, some of the most senior Fifa officials could face jail.
Fifa has issued a statement stating that it takes exception to certain allegations in Panorama. This does not mean that any of the other points raised are acceptable to Fifa as the truth. Fifa notes that as confirmed by the relevant authorities, it is completely false and defamatory to claim that either Blatter or Fifa are the subject of a bribery probe by the Swiss police. Fifa says that in the past, it was actually the victim of ISL irregularities. On the BBC show, a senior executive from ISL, the former marketing company that paid the bribes, had spoken anonymously to Jennings, revealing that ‘bungs’ were paid systematically, frequently through offshore bank accounts, over a 20-year period.
ISL was set up in 1982 and soon acquired the marketing and television rights to the Olympic Games, the World athletics championships and the football World Cup. Media reports indicate that rumours have circulated for years that senior sports officials took bribes in return for these lucrative contracts. ISL collapsed in 2001 and when the liquidator took over the company’s bank records, he found evidence of bribes.
Some officials repaid the money but when others declined, the liquidator went to court. The result was a secret deal in early 2004 to repay more. Fifa says that it looks forward to the final proceedings in the Swiss courts, which it continues to support. During his investigation for the BBC, Jennings travelled from the Swiss Alps to the beaches of the Caribbean.
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.
