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Legends check in Goa Tourism fronts World Legends Pro T20 league
MUMBAI: When cricketing nostalgia meets a holiday postcard, the result is a tournament that promises both sixes and sunsets. The World Legends Pro T20 League has named Goa Tourism as its presenting sponsor for the league’s much-anticipated debut season, set to begin on January 26 at the 1919 Cricket Stadium in Verna, Goa. The tie-up places the coastal state at the centre of a new international cricket spectacle designed as a single-destination, festival-style event.
WLPTL’s opening season is ambitious by design. A total of 90 cricketers will be drafted across six teams, with a roll call that reads like a modern T20 hall of fame. International icons such as Shane Watson, Dale Steyn, Jacques Kallis, Chris Gayle and Faf du Plessis are confirmed, alongside Indian greats including Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik and Harbhajan Singh. For fans in Goa, it offers a rare chance to see some of the game’s most celebrated names back on the field, live and up close.
For Goa Tourism, the partnership extends a four-decade-long effort to position the state as more than just a leisure destination. With elite cricket added to its mix of beaches, heritage, food and festivals, the league strengthens Goa’s bid to sit firmly on the global cricket calendar, drawing both domestic and international travellers during the season.
Speaking on the announcement, minister for tourism Rohan Khaunte, said hosting the World Legends Pro T20 League aligns with Goa’s vision of attracting global sporting events. He noted that the tournament is expected to boost tourism, engage local communities and youth, and create spillover benefits for businesses and the hospitality ecosystem.
From the league’s perspective, the partnership underlines its destination-led strategy. SGSE CEO Mahesh Bhupathi said Goa’s culture and hospitality make it a natural home for a premium international property like WLPTL. He added that the association helps deliver a festival-like experience for both residents and travelling supporters, while reinforcing Goa’s credentials as a hub for world-class sports entertainment.
As the countdown to January 26 gathers pace, the World Legends Pro T20 League is shaping up as more than just a cricket tournament. With legends returning to action and Goa as the backdrop, the debut season promises a blend of sport, spectacle and tourism that aims to be as memorable off the field as it is on it.
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.
