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Lex Sportel brings first-ever live cricket in lockdown: BetBarter Vanuatu Blast T10 League
MUMBAI: 1SPORTS will bring the first ever live cricket during the Covid2019 pandemic shutdown for the benefit of billions of diehard cricket fans waiting to watch their favorite sport live.
For the next four weeks, 1SPORTS will telecast, high-energy and extremely action-packed T10 cricket from the West Indies at the most suitable Indian times.
1SPORTS has acquired the rights to telecast BetBarter Vanuatu Blast T10 League in the Indian subcontinent. This tournament is set to start on 21 May, 2020 and culminate in a summit clash on 13 June, 2020. Vanuatu Cricket Association (VCA) is a part of West Indies and has been affiliated to the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1995.
This tri-nation T10 tournament will comprise three teams: MT Bulls, Ifira Sharks and Mighty Efate Panthers. As per the organisers' schedule, each team will play the other thrice in the round-robin stages, and all the matches will be hosted at the Vanuatu Cricket Ground. Matches to these tournaments will be played every Saturday (except first week) morning starting 7.30 am and 9.30 am India time.
Lex Sportel CEO Dilip Sharan (pictured) said Lex Sportel, which owns 1SPORTS, has always endeavored to bring sports content that offers immense value and variety to sporting fans across various genres. “Vanuatu Cricket will add great value to all sports fans as it has extremely talented cricketers, many of whom are being closely followed for their immense potential that will bring them to global prominence! Indians have always enjoyed watching West Indian cricketers with special delight.”
“1SPORTS carries the most variety of sports on a single channel at the most affordable rates in India. After cricket, it is wrestling/contact sports that is most viewed; 1SPORTS not only has the most diverse contact sports content that are extremely popular globally but also we have continued to show fresh content even during this lockdown. Our key theme has been to grow the sports market by promoting more variety of sporting at the most affordable rates to consumers.”
Said Andrew from BetBarter: “In the emerging competitive world of cricket, a little push plays an important role in fueling growth of the local talents and building a strong base for them. Vanuatu Cricket Association has proven itself to be highly effective at unleashing the talents of the local talents‟ spirit in the world of cricket.”
The details of the BetBarter Vanuatu Blast T10 League are as follows:
BetBarter Vanuatu Blast T10 schedule:
May 21, 2020
MT Bulls vs Ifira Sharks- 07:30 AM IST
Ifira Sharks vs MT Bulls- 09:30 AM IST
May 23, 2020
Ifira Sharks vs Mighty Efate Panthers- 07:30 AM IST
Mighty Efate Panthers vs Ifira Sharks- 09:30 AM IST
May 30, 2020
Mighty Efate Panthers vs MT Bulls- 07:30 AM IST
MT Bulls vs Mighty Efate Panthers- 09:30 AM IST
June 06, 2020
MT Bulls vs Ifira Sharks- 07:30 AM IST
Mighty Efate Panthers vs MT Bulls- 09:30 AM IST
July 13, 2020
Ifira Sharks vs Mighty Efate Panthers- 07:30 AM IST
Final- 09:30 AM IST
BetBarter Vanuatu Blast T10 Squads
Mighty Efate Panthers:
Brian Tari, Edwell Kalfau, Jarryd Allan, Joshua Rasu, Junior Alfred Carlot, Kendy Kenneth, Kenny Tari, Manu Kenni, McMillan Markia, Richard Barnes, Selwyn Garae, Shem Sala, Simpson Obed, Tony Tamata, Wesley Vira, William Laumae, Lazaro Carlot, Lency Shem, Lenika Natapei
MT Bulls:
Andrew Mansale, Clement Tommy, Damien Chilia, Nono Chilia, Patrick Matautaava, Philip Tsione, Rival Samson, Shay Narai, Vincent Matautaava, Wamejo Wotu, Williamsing Nalisa, Darren Wotu, Eddie Mansale, Godfrey Mangau, Julian Tommy, Malon Tastuki, Marcel Taea
Ifira Sharks:
Alex Stephen, Fernando Laumae, Gilmour Kaltongga, Harry Pakoa, Jamal Vira, Michael Avock, Ambong Rakau, Apolinaire Stephen, Nalin Nipiko, Niko Unavalu, Obed Yoseph, Stephane Sandy, Vince Vira, William Yamak, Wolford Kalworai, Bethan Moli, Brenan Meyer
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.
