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GainAccess Sports & Entertainment appointed as official sales agent for AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 hospitality in India
Mumbai: MATCH Hospitality Asia has confirmed that leading sports travel agency, GainAccess Sports & Entertainment, has been appointed as its sales agent in India for the sale of the official hospitality programme of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. The 18th edition of the tournament will take place from 12 January to 10 February 2024.
GainAccess is one of the leading sports travel agency in India specialising in servicing both consumer and corporate clients with travel, leisure, ticketing, hospitality programmes and accommodation services for major sporting events.
MATCH Hospitality Asia is the exclusive global rights holder appointed by the Asian Football Confederation to produce, promote and sell, either directly or via a network of sales agents, official commercial ticket-inclusive hospitality packages for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. MATCH Accommodation Asia has also been appointed as an official accommodation agency and an official Ticket & Accommodation Package provider for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.
GainAccess co-founder Rakesh Rajendran added: “GainAccess is honoured to act as an Official Sales Agent for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Official Hospitality Programme in India. Thanks to this agreement, our company will bring this territory a lot closer to the most coveted football competition in Asia”.
GainAccess will also offer various services in conjunction with the hospitality packages, including flights, accommodation, transport and social events.
MATCH Hospitality Asia CEO Enrique Byrom said: “MATCH Hospitality Asia strongly believes in the unique potential of the AFC Asian Cup 2023. I am delighted to announce our decision to appoint GainAccess in an exciting new chapter in our long-standing relationship”.
MATCH Hospitality Asia director John Parker said: “India represents an important territory within our overall strategic sales operations for the AFC Hospitality Programme and, working in partnership with GainAccess, we are extremely optimistic that many Indians will travel to Qatar to support their national team at the Asian Cup Qatar 2023.”
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.
