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From runways to runs Malaysia Airlines boards the Mumbai Indians
MUMBAI: When sport meets the sky, the result is a partnership designed to travel far. Malaysia Airlines has signed a landmark partnership with Mumbai Indians, coming on board as associate sponsor and official global airline partner. The collaboration is part of the airline’s push to accelerate sports-led brand and commercial growth, with India firmly positioned as a priority market.
The tie-up was unveiled in Mumbai with a cultural flourish. To mark Makar Sankranti, a hundred Wau Bulan kites were released at Jio World Gardens, symbolising the coming together of travel, sport and shared traditions. The launch was attended by Mumbai Indians’ head coach Mahela Jayawardene and senior representatives from the franchise.
For Malaysia Airlines, the attraction is scale and engagement. Mumbai Indians are among the most followed teams in global cricket, boasting a fanbase of over 55 million, offering the airline a powerful platform to reach audiences across India and international markets. The partnership aligns cricket’s emotional pull with the airline’s positioning around Malaysian Hospitality.
Explaining the strategic intent, Malaysia Aviation Group group managing director Izham Ismail said India remains central to the airline’s international network. He highlighted that Malaysia Airlines operates 80 weekly flights across 10 Indian cities, positioning the carrier as a key connector between India and the rest of the world. The partnership, he said, is a commercial investment aimed at driving brand preference, loyalty and tourism flows, while reinforcing Malaysia’s role as a gateway to Asia.
From the franchise’s perspective, the collaboration extends beyond logos and visibility. A Mumbai Indians spokesperson said the partnership reflects shared values of excellence and global reach, while opening up new travel-led experiences for fans. The association, the team added, will create engagement opportunities both on matchdays and beyond.
Planned activations include on-ground fan engagements, co-branded experiences, exclusive merchandise and selected player-led appearances, designed to link the thrill of cricket with travel experiences. Malaysia Airlines will also continue promoting its Bonus Side Trip programme, allowing eligible international passengers transiting through Kuala Lumpur to add a second Malaysian destination at no additional fare, excluding taxes.
As the airline gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026, the partnership with Mumbai Indians adds sporting firepower to its India strategy. By blending cricket’s mass appeal with aviation and tourism, Malaysia Airlines is betting that loyalty can be built not just in the air, but in the stands as well.
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.
