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DHL rides on Fifa fever with its own World Cup
MUMBAI: In keeping with the soccer fever with the Fifa World Cup just days away, DHL is all set to launch an international soccer tournament in Germany from 16 to 19 June.
This tournament, organized by Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN), DHL’s parent company, will be held in Bispinger Heide, near Hamburg, Germany. It will consist of 2,500 DPWN staff and 24 teams from around the world – all competing to be crowned as DPWN World Champions.
DPWN has operations in more than 220 countries and territories and the tournament will feature teams from regions from around the globe. The 24 final-round teams are from Europe, Americas, Asia Pacific, emerging market countries, as well as host country Germany.
Employees ranging from board members to couriers were selected from all DHL business units – Express, Global Forwarding, Exel Supply Chain and Global Mail.
The primary goal of this event is to make an emotional contribution to strengthening the feeling of unity within the group. “We strongly believe that the most prized asset in our organisation is our employees. This event is an excellent opportunity to bring our people together in the spirit of camaraderie and teamwork – a key element of DHL’s success stories worldwide,” said DHL Express – Asia Pacific CEO Scott Price.
“This is also an excellent opportunity for our representatives in different countries to get to know each other better, fostering goodwill through an exciting tournament,” he added.
Besides the five football squads who will be participating from Asia Pacific, there will also be five cheerleading teams from this region who will conduct their own competition parallel to the soccer tournament.
FIFA Organising Committee president Franz Beckenbauer will have a special message for participants at the opening ceremony of the competition. The kick-off event will be moderated by René Hiepen, a sports reporter with Germany’s public ZDF television network and member of the ZDF team of moderators for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Highlights of the program include the live appearance of Elli, winner of the TV show Germany Seeks a Superstar and the voice of the current DPWN group song, as well as “Band on the Run,” a brass band made up of DHL Norway employees, and soccer artist “Jacek,” a DHL staff with mesmerizing ball skills. Long-time FIFA referee Walter Eschweiler will officiate at the group championship game on 18 June.
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.
