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SET Asia partners with cricket clinic in UK
LONDON: Sony’s South Asian pay-TV channel has entered into a partnership with leading professional cricketers in their search for future stars.
SET Asia has been named Media Partner for Afzaal’s Cricketing Elite (ACE) ‘Cricket Clinic’. The announcement was made by Senior VP for International Business, SET Asia Rajan Singh. SET Asia is the international feed for Sony Entertainment Television (SET).
Singh said,“ We feel it very important to be supporting the nurturing of young talent. Over the course of the next few months we look forward to following the progress of the hopefuls who enrol on this unique course.”
The cricket clinic, set to take place at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on 5 and 6 October will be an opportunity for amateur cricketers from all over the UK to be coached by some of the world’s finest professional cricketers. Those who have confirmed their participation include English cricketers Mark Ramprakash, Graham Thorpe, Chris Lewis, Andrew Flintoff and Usman Afzaal.
Afzaal said, “ACE was founded in order to find the cricket stars of future. What’s special about this is that today’s stars will be coaching tomorrow’s. We look forward to bringing to the fore the immense cricketing talent that exists within the UK.”
ACE hope to select the best fifteen cricketers from the clinic to participate in an international tour early next year, says the release.
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.
