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Kings XI Punjab joins hands with Events Experts for ACB 20-20
NEW DELHI: Kings XI Punjab, recently announced its association with Events Experts, a Chandigarh based full service events and marketing company for initiating ‘ACB 20-20’, an intra school, college and university tournament.
The 20-20 big bash tournament will be played amongst the age group of 16 to 24 years across the catchment areas including Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Uttrakhand and Uttar Pradesh. The registration for the tournament commenced 10 October.
As a part of the tournament, trial sessions will be undertaken across 100 schools, 100 colleges and 20 universities in the catchment area. The distinguished selection panel consisting former Ranji players, IPL players and coaches like Amit Uniyal (IPL Fame), Sukhwinder Singh Bawa (Yuvraj Singh’s coach), etc will shortlist 120 players.
The selected players will be divided amongst eight teams who will play a total of 15 matches (12 league matches, two semifinals and the Final) at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Sector 3 Panchkula.
The first round of trails was held at Malhan Cricket Academy, Jhajjar on 11 October followed by S.D. School, Rajiv Chowk Gurgaon on 13 October.
Registration for Punjab region will commence on 16 October at S.D College Chandigarh followed by Rayat Bahra Group of Colleges on 17 October and SUSCET College Tangori on 18 October.
Commenting on the occasion, Kings XI Punjab COO Col. Arvinder Singh said, “We are happy to partner with Event Experts to provide a suitable opportunity to budding cricketers from our catchment area to display their skills. We hope this activity goes a long way in providing a much needed platform to these cricketers. In the future too Kings XI Punjab shall continue to undertake such activities at various levels.”
The winning team will be entitled for a cash prize, per player worth Rs 15,000 and runner-up per player Rs 10,000. Amongst other award categories, Man of the Match will be awarded with gift vouchers, best bowler & best batsman Rs 25,000 each and Man of the Series will be bestowed with Rs 50,000.
Being a community driven team, Kings XI Punjab has undertaken this initiative to reach out to its discerning fans in the catchment area and give them a chance to realise their dreams into reality.
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.
