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Chennaiyin FC renews four-year partnership with ACKO as associate sponsor
Mumbai: Chennaiyin FC have renewed their long-standing association with ACKO as the team’s associate sponsor for the 2023-24 Indian football season.
The partnership enters its fourth year and is a testament to the commitment and shared values of both organisations.
“We are delighted to have ACKO by our side for another season. Their commitment to fostering talent at the grassroots level and bringing fans closer to the club has been commendable. We are excited about embarking on a journey to accomplish shared milestones in the upcoming season,” commented Chennaiyin FC vice-president Ekansh Gupta.
Founded in 2016 as India’s first digital insurer, ACKO is currently the fastest-growing insurance company in the country. As a long-term partner, ACKO has been a staunch supporter of Chennaiyin FC, actively engaging and offering holistic support for Chennaiyin FC’s various endeavours.
Through its partnership with Chennaiyin FC, ACKO has been able to expand its footprint and succeed in Tamil Nadu. The association aims to not only provide fans with unique experiences but also enhance brand recall and affinity among the loyal and passionate fan base of Marina Machans.
“We are glad to extend our partnership with Chennaiyin FC and support this beloved football team. We are looking to build on our association from previous years and increase further engagement with the fan groups of CFC. This collaboration underscores ACKO’s unwavering commitment to fostering trust and genuine connections with the city and its people. Chennai remains a pivotal market in our expansion journey and this partnership continues to be a key ingredient of weaving ourselves into the cultural fabric of the city,” ACKO senior director of marketing Nitin Khanna opined.
An important facet of the partnership will be the naming of the B Stand at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, which seats one of the club’s loyal fan groups, to the ‘ACKO Stand’.
Chennaiyin FC are scheduled to play their second match of the Indian Super League 2023-24 season against NorthEast United FC in Guwahati on Friday.
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.
