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DP World becomes title partner of PGTI in multi-year golf deal
MUMBAI: When logistics meets long drives, Indian golf gets a serious lift. The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) has landed one of its biggest shots yet, announcing a landmark multi-year partnership with DP World, which comes on board as the title partner and official umbrella partner of India’s premier professional golf tour.
One of the most significant investments in Indian professional golf to date, the deal signals a step-change moment for the Tour, strengthening its financial muscle, raising professional standards and plugging Indian golf more firmly into the global circuit.
DP World, a long-standing title partner of the DP World Tour, is no stranger to fairways and leaderboards. Its expanded role with the Professional Golf Tour of India goes beyond branding, with a clear focus on building infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability and creating international playing pathways for India’s top professionals.
The partnership also puts grassroots firmly in play. DP World and PGTI will jointly support junior and grassroots development programmes across key Indian cities, aiming to widen the talent pipeline and position India as a meaningful hub within DP World’s global golf ecosystem.
DP World CEO and managing director, MENA & India Subcontinent Rizwan Soomar said India sits at the heart of the company’s global vision. Beyond ports and supply chains, he noted, the company is investing in long-term capability building and golf is part of that wider playbook. With Indian golf showing momentum and untapped potential, the partnership is designed to nurture young talent and help Indian golfers compete with confidence on the world stage.
PGTI board member Amitabh Kant called the association a “tremendous boost” for Indian professional golf, pointing to DP World’s international reach and experience as key drivers that could elevate India’s presence in world golf and inspire the next generation of players.
The timing is no accident. Under the leadership of its PGTI president Kapil Dev has seen rapid expansion in recent years. The 2025 season alone featured 36 events with a total prize purse exceeding Rs 35 crore, excluding marquee tournaments such as the Hero Indian Open and the DP World India Championship.
Kapil Dev said the partnership marks a new era for the Tour, strengthening the competitive structure, widening opportunities for players and accelerating the long-term development of the sport in India. “Momentum, visibility and excellence” were the themes he highlighted as PGTI and DP World look ahead.
The tie-up builds on DP World’s deepening footprint in Indian golf, notably the launch of the DP World India Championship in 2025 on both the DP World Tour and the PGTI calendar, an event the company hopes will become a permanent fixture. With a golf relationship dating back to 2009, DP World’s latest move suggests Indian golf is no longer just on the map, it’s firmly on the global scorecard.
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.
