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Star Sports signs Rishabh Pant as ‘Believe Ambassador’
Mumbai: Star Sports, the home of cricket and the official television broadcaster of TATA IPL 2023, has signed Rishabh Pant as its latest ‘Believe Ambassador’. Star Sports is focussed on building the sport by associating with the next generation of cricketing icons and with the inclusion of Rishabh Pant, the broadcaster now has a strong panel of current cricketers as its ‘Believe Ambassadors’ including Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer.
Star Sports has expanded its roster of talent from two ambassadors in 2017 to six now with Virat Kohli continuing his association with India’s most loved destination for sports. The broadcaster will continue to create iconic campaigns with Kohli and co-develop new properties such as Indian Sports Honours, which leverage the cricketer’s popularity towards the cause of sport.
The ‘Believe Ambassadors’ represent different parts of the country as well as different IPL Teams. Star Sports will work closely with the cricketers to develop new campaigns and properties to grow the popularity of the sport and drive fandom, especially amongst youngsters.
Ace Indian Cricketer Rishabh Pant said, “I’m happy to announce that I am joining Star Sports as its ‘Believe Ambassador’. The association allows me to grow the popularity of the game, especially amongst youngsters. Cricket has the power to bring joy, enrich lives and teach youngsters the right life lessons. A young boy from Roorkee had the belief that he would represent and earn laurels for his country. Through my association with Star Sports, I would like to inspire young Indians to believe that no matter where you come from, you can achieve your dreams through hard work. Just Believe!”
Disney Star head-sports Sanjog Gupta said, “We are thrilled to have Rishabh Pant join us as a ‘Believe Ambassador’. As a young, dynamic player with tremendous potential, Rishabh embodies the spirit of the game, our brand values, and is a great addition to our expanding roster of cricketing heroes. We see each of these associations as an investment in the future of the sport. We always select Cricketers based on their potential to be ‘icons’ as well as proponents of the ‘Believe’ philosophy. Our aim is to build a diverse group of ‘Believe ambassadors’ who can inspire the next generation of cricket fans and players across the country.”
Disney Star’s commitment to providing a holistic viewing experience that goes beyond just the match has earned it the trust and loyalty of its viewers. The Network broke all viewership records across IPL seasons with 36.9 crore viewers tuning in to the Live broadcast of the first 19 matches. The broadcaster has also clocked an astounding 11350 crore (113.5 billion) minutes* of watch time and seen a growth of 25 per cent in match TVR in comparison to the last edition.
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.
