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Netherlands cricket team partners with Nordek as title sponsor
Mumbai: Ahead of the much-awaited ODI Cricket World Cup 2023, the Netherlands Cricket Team ropes in Global blockchain and Web3 Payments company Nordek as its title sponsor for the upcoming ICC World Cup Cricket 2023.
Nordek’s sponsorship of Team Netherlands (nicknamed ‘The Flying Dutchmen’) comes after a slew of major fintech and edutech players have become title sponsors in the past few years of major Cricket teams including Team India.
Founded by Blockchain entrepreneurs Kashyap and Kishor, the company aims to capitalize on its presence in the European blockchain market.
The European blockchain market is anticipated to witness remarkable growth, expanding from a valuation of US$ 1.2 billion in 2021 to a substantial US$ 59.1 billion by 2028.
Nordek’s founder & promoter, Kishor and Kashyap said, “This is a great period of boom in sports especially in India, which is the fastest growing economy. With venturing into Cricket, we aim to reach out to the Global Sports Fans and students who can explore more opportunities in blockchain. Nordek strives to be the most business and consumer-friendly blockchain ecosystem for mainstream adoption of web3 payments. And, our target audiences are the ones who understand the length, breadth and depth of agility, just like their understanding of Cricket. We believe the Cricket fans would also fall in love with the fast and most EVM-compatible Network Blockchain, i.e., Nordek.”
To this, Monica Visser, CEO of Netherlands Cricket reiterated that “With a growing business of blockchain across the world and the revolutionizing of the fintech industry, we are happy to on-board Nordek as the title sponsor. The partnership will not only build trust in the ever-evolving fintech industry but will also open new market avenues in tandem with sporting events for learning as well as growing, together”.
With venturing into the world of Cricket, Nordek is planning to make its brand presence felt across countries where blockchain is gaining traction, including the Middle East where blockchain and technology in fintech is taking a tenfold increase. Nordek also provides education to universities and colleges on the subject called ‘blockchain’. The company provides free of cost education to more than 100 universities and colleges.
The global blockchain market is expected to reach $56 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 56.9 per cent forecast and Nordek plans to be a major player in the market.
Team Netherlands has arrived in India to have an acclimatisation camp in Bengaluru, where they will play a couple of local sides. Following that, they will face India and Australia in the pre-tournament warm-up matches at Thiruvananthapuram. The Dutchmen qualified for the World Cup earlier in July ahead of teams like two-time champions West Indies.
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.
