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Hivoco kicks off with a bang as football legends face off in India
MUMBAI: In a country where cricket hogs the spotlight, football just pulled a cinematic comeback. And no, this isn’t another grassroots league. We’re talking Real Madrid Legends vs Barcelona Legends—on Indian turf. Add some tech razzle-dazzle from Hivoco Studios, and fans are now one quiz away from swapping couch commentary for pitchside selfies with global icons.
On 24 March 2025, Hivoco Studios, a content-tech brainchild, announced its role as the official tech partner for the India leg of this much-hyped football clash. Teaming up with The Sports Front, it launched the ‘Legends FaceOff Game’—a digital contest designed to separate armchair pundits from actual football whizzes. The top five scorers with the fastest fingers win golden tickets to the 6 April mega-match at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium. And if that isn’t spicy enough, they also get to meet the legends themselves.
“With the Real Madrid Legends vs Barcelona Legends match happening in India, we are witnessing a new era for football in the country. The massive fan following and the rapid growth of the sport here are truly inspiring. Our partnership with Hivoco Studios has enabled us to create unique, interactive experiences like the Legends FaceOff Game, giving fans not just a game, but a chance to be part of history,” said The Sports Front CEO & co-founder John Zaidi.
Hivoco Studios founder & CEO Pritesh Chothani didn’t hold back on the fanfare, “At Hivoco, we are driven by a passion to fuse technology with real-world experiences. The opportunity to be a part of this historic Real Madrid Legends vs Barcelona Legends match in India is incredibly exciting. Our innovative tech solutions, exemplified by the Legends FaceOff Game, are designed to captivate and engage football fans by bringing them closer to the game. We are proud to offer fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to win tickets and meet the legends—a true celebration of football’s spirit and the growing enthusiasm for the sport in India. This is just the beginning; we have many more exciting products in the pipeline to elevate the fan experience further.”
With India’s football fandom ballooning by the minute, this match is more than a nostalgia trip. It’s a signal that the sport means business here. Organised by The Sports Front, the 6 April clash promises a night of drama, brilliance and bruised egos. Hivoco is ready with more fan-tech marvels to fuel that fire.
Meanwhile, Zomato District handles ticketing, HSBC manages banking, and JioHotstar brings the spectacle to screens. With this team sheet, even Bollywood would struggle to script it better.
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.
