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WI rebuffs report suggesting inability to host cricket World Cup
BARBADOS: The next edition of the World Cup is four years away but the sparks are already starting to fly. West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Teddy Griffith has reacted angrily to suggestions in the Australian press that Australia is on standby to host the 2007 World Cup.
A report in the Sydney Morning Herald a couple of days ago had expressed concerns about the Caribbean’s ability to handle the event. ICC officials were said to have feared the fact that the cricketing infrastructure in the Caribbean, including small grounds and poor practice wickets, may not measure up to required standards.
In addition the officials were also worried about the difficulties faced in travelling from one island to another. Another Australian paper The Age confirmed that fears about West Indies’ ability to host the World Cup had reached a significant level within the ICC. The ICC is currently meeting in Barbados to discuss the issue.
Not one to take things lying down Griffith issued a response saying, “The CWC 2007 is an agenda item for discussion at the ICC meetings. It would be disappointing if any fellow director were to seek to prejudice sentiment outside of the meetings. To the best of my knowledge, neither the ICC board nor IDI board has met since the June meetings in London and Monaco respectively, to discuss the matter.”
“WICB is fully aware of the significant challenges that it faces in hosting the 2007 World Cup. We are confident that as a nation we have the capacity to deliver on our obligations. We expect the fullest support and cooperation from all our fellow members of the ICC as we undertake our tasks,” he added.
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.
