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Dav Whatmore to help Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and UAE for ICC WC 2015
MUMBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has today announced that Dav Whatmore will help Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and UAE prepare for the 50 over ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 (CWC) as part of the ICC High Performance Programme (HPP).
Whatmore will begin his new role during the ICC HPP Support Staff Forum, which opens on 14 May in Scotland, where he will meet each of the teams’ coaches and start to provide tailored assistance.
“I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to work with the leading Associate and Affiliate teams during such a memorable period in world cricket. We have seen some amazing performances recently from these teams, and, over the next 10 months, I look forward to being able to assist in honing their performances even further,” said Whatmore.
Whatmore who in the past has coached full member teams like Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will now work closely with the ICC High Performance Manager and each of the four teams in an advisory and support role as they prepare for the ICC CWC 2015. The mega sporting event will commence on 14 February 2015 in Australia and New Zealand. Whatmore is considered to have first-hand knowledge of the preparations needed to succeed on the global stage. He is best known to have coached Sri Lanka to ICC CWC glory in 1996.
“The ICC Cricket World Cup is the world’s biggest stage for any cricketer. It takes hard work, dedication and motivation to succeed at such a huge global event, as well as unflinching confidence. I hope to be able to assist on all of these fronts to ensure that Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and the UAE fire on all cylinders from the moment they arrive in Australia and New Zealand next year,” he added.
ICC chief executive David Richardson said, “We welcome Dav Whatmore to this important advisory role. Dav’s extensive coaching experience, including leading Sri Lanka to its unforgettable ICC Cricket World Cup victory in 1996, will provide excellent support and expertise to the four qualifying teams as they put the finishing touches on their preparations for cricket’s premier one-day tournament.”
Ireland coach and former West Indies Test player Phil Simmons, who led Ireland to a unique treble in 2013 when it became the first team to win three ICC events across three formats in one season, welcomed the appointment, saying, “Ireland is focused on making a big impact in Australia and New Zealand in 10 months’ time, and we have detailed plans in place to make sure we do just that. With Dav’s knowledge and experience, we will gain an extra edge in our preparations.”
Afghanistan coach and former Pakistan bowler Kabir Khan, whose side claimed the second qualification spot at the ICC CWC 2015 after finishing behind Ireland in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Championship, said: “Afghanistan has a rigorous schedule of training and fixtures in the lead-up to its maiden appearance at the ICC Cricket World Cup. This will be the biggest ever participated in, and the extra support from Dav Whatmore will be an excellent addition to our preparations.”
Aqib Javed, a member of the Pakistan side that won the ICC Cricket World Cup 1992 and also played in the 1996 tournament, and who coached the UAE to the final qualification spot with a second-place finish at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier New Zealand 2014, said, “We are very focused on our one-day preparations over the next 10 months, and the opportunity to work alongside Dav Whatmore as we fine-tune our programmes and training is very exciting for us.”
Craig Wright, who coached Scotland to victory at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier New Zealand 2014 to seal the third qualification spot at the ICC CWC 2015, and has also captained Scotland in the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007 said, “Scotland performed strongly under pressure to win the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier earlier this year, and with insight from someone as experienced as Dav, we have the opportunity over the coming months to not just keep up that momentum, but boost it even further.”
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.
