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CII’s SportzCom: Media, marketing hotshots to congregate on 23 March in Delhi
MUMBAI: There are no two ways about the fact that sports, especially cricket is a driving passion in our country. Now with Sania Mirza and Narain Karthikeyan making waves internationally in the Grand Slam tennis and Formula 1 circuits, the interest levels have increased manifold. In the midst of this, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) along with SportzPR has organised a seminar on the ‘Business of Sports’ called – SportzCom 2005.
The seminar, which will be held in New Delhi on 23 March, will see eminent speakers like Kapil Dev, International Olympic Committee former vice president Ashwini Kumar and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) president KPS Gill pitching in with their views. Apart from that, top corporate honchos will also come together at CII SportzCom 2005.
Starcom MediaVest Group’s sports practice Relay Worldwide is the presenting sponsor and Indiantelevision.com is the media partner for CII SportzCom 2005.
CII deputy director general S Sen says, “CII SportzCom 2005 forum has been conceived to discuss various issues facing the business of sports in India and lay out a path for future development.”
The theme of the seminar is “Maximising ROI (return on investment) through Sports” and the discussions would focus on how to make sports sponsorship work with quantifiable returns to attract more money to the field of Sports.
SportzCom will have four sessions covering the following topics:
Business of Sports: The Future
Sports as a Marketing Tool
Sports Broadcasting
Sports and Celebrities
Speaking on the same CMCG India Pvt. Ltd. managing director Samir Kale said, “With this forum CII and we at SportzPR are trying to create a platform to discuss various issues, which are critical to build the business further in the country. As far as sports is concerned, India has huge potential and there is a need to discuss various issues and put in place systems that will help unleash that potential.”
Some of the eminent speakers who will participate in CII SportzCom 2005 include: Electrolux India MD and CEO Rajeev Karwal, International Olympic Committee former vice president Ashwini Kumar, Bharti Teletech CEO Pawan Kapur, Kapil Dev, K Srikkanth, IHF president KPS Gill, FIA and Permanent Steward of Formula One vice president Nazir Hoosein, ICC Global Sponsorship Manager Jamie Stewart, Prasar Bharti CEO KS Sarma, Starcom India West and South managing director Ravi Kiran and LG India head of marketing Salil Kapoor.
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.
