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ICC, players reach deal; India stars will play Champions
MUMBAI: At last the team at Sony Entertainment Television India can breathe somewhat easy. It took longer than expected but finally agreement was thrashed out between the Indian cricket players in England and the International Cricket Council (ICC) that will allow the top stars to play in the Champions Trophy, beginning in Sri Lanka a week from now.
And one major factor that facilitated the deal was that the Board of Cricket Control in India washed its hands of the whole affair and left it to the ICC and the players to work out something. The signals emanating from the BCCI in the recent past have provided more by way of noise and bluster than anything else.
ICC chief executive Malcolm held discussions with the India players in London over Wednesday and yesterday before reaching a point of common ground. According to the deal, the ICC and the tournament sponsors agreed to drop the six-month clause that would have allowed the ICC sponsors to use footage from the tournament for their promotional campaigns.
As far as the ambush marketing clause was concerned, the earlier one-month ban on stipulation has been dropped and the personal endorsement restrictions will remain till the day before India’s second Test against the West Indies begins 17 October. The Champions Trophy will conclude on 30 September.
Meanwhile, the ICC yesterday categorically denied reports that it is seeking compensation from the BCCI. Speed emphatically rejected any suggestion that this was the case, an official release said.
The ICC clarified that what had occurred was that the BCCI sought a blanket indemnity from any damages claim that may be made in the future against it or the ICC in relation to the ICC Champions Trophy. It sought this undertaking from all other countries playing in the tournament. This request was rejected, the release says.
The ICC is expected to put out a statement on the issue later tonight.
The Indian board, meanwhile, has called an emergency meeting of its decision-making working committee in New Delhi on Saturday to discuss the issue.
The ICC said the provisions were part of a US$550 million rights deal signed with the Global Cricket Corporation for its events until 2007.
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.
