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ISWI’s ukbetting launches betting product for test cricket
MUMBAI: Now fans of the bat and ball game can place their bets on test cricket. Interactive Systems Worldwide (ISWI) has announced that ukbetting , a strategic partner of its wholly owned subsidiary, Global Interactive Gaming (GIG), has launched a cricket product. This enables users to bet on a range of events during the course of a test match as the action unfolds.
An official release informs that the product launch follows the one day cricket version of the SportXction software. This launched during the Cricket World Cup in South Africa this year. The test cricket product launch was done during the second test match between England and the Zimbabwe which saw the latter get thrashed inside three days. England should receive a sterner test against South Africa in July and August. The matches will air in India on ESPN Star Sports.
ISWI chairman and CEO Barry Mindes said: “We are very pleased to announce the launch of yet another new version of our product, this time for test cricket. We are extremely proud of the ever-strengthening portfolio of games available to our partners, which now features the sports of soccer, golf, and one day and Test Cricket in addition to our existing range of American sports.
“We feel this new edition is further evidence that the broad range of SportXction applications have a universal appeal and can offer nearly every sports fan a heightened enjoyment of their event as they watch it unfold. We are very pleased with the company’s progress in the development of new versions of our product and look forward to further expanding its capabilities by adding tennis to our portfolio in the very near future,” Mindes 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.
