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ICC onboards Budweiser 0.0 as official beer partner
MUMBAI: Budweiser is muscling into cricket, with AB InBev striking a landmark deal to become the official beer partner of all major International Cricket Council tournaments from 2026. The pact, unveiled in Brussels and reinforced at a press conference at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on December 11, marks the brewer’s most assertive move yet into cricket’s booming global economy.
The partnership will be led in India by Budweiser 0.0, the brand’s no-alcohol variant, with other AB InBev labels activated across Europe and Africa. The brewer said lower-ABV and no-alcohol options made beer a “natural choice” for in-stadium and bar-viewing occasions, provided fans drink responsibly.
ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta called the tie-up a “natural alliance”, noting cricket’s two billion fans and AB InBev’s track record of immersive, experience-led consumer activations.
Kartikeya Sharma, president of AB InBev India, said the brewer’s approach to cricket would mirror its decentralised FIFA model. “AVMF may partner with the FIFA World Cup, but most of our businesses choose the brands that make sense for their own markets,” he said. “It will be the same with the ICC. Markets will calibrate what fits best. South Africa, for instance, may activate a brand that aligns with its sporting culture and consumer base.”
Marcel Marcondes, the brewer’s global chief marketing officer, said the deal gives its portfolio “another mega platform” on which to create social drinking moments.
The agreement covers all major men’s and women’s tournaments through 2027, including the Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in 2026, the Women’s T20 World Cup in the UK the same year, the first Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027, the World Test Championship Final in England and the Men’s Cricket World Cup in South Africa.
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.
