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Marriott Bonvoy checks in as ICC’s official accommodation partner
MARYLAND: Marriott Bonvoy has scored a long-term win in the world of sport, striking a strategic partnership with the International Cricket Council that makes the travel platform the ICC’s official accommodation partner through 2029. Announced in India on January 9, 2026, the deal welds cricket’s global pull to Marriott’s vast hospitality footprint.
The partnership gives Marriott Bonvoy’s 260 million members front-row access to the world’s biggest cricket events, while opening the doors of more than 450 Marriott properties across host markets to teams, officials and travelling fans. For the ICC, it brings a heavyweight global brand into its commercial stable at a time when fan experience is moving centre stage.
The agreement spans every major ICC men’s event over the next four years, including the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, the World Test Championship finals in 2027 and 2029 in the UK, the Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, the Men’s T20 World Cup 2028 in Australia and New Zealand, and the Champions Trophy 2029 in India.
Peggy Roe, evp and chief customer officer at Marriott International, said the tie-up reflects cricket’s surging global momentum and its fan base of more than two billion. The aim, she said, is to deliver exclusive access and once-in-a-lifetime experiences to members who follow the game across borders.
Beyond beds and bookings, the partnership leans heavily into experiences. Marriott Bonvoy and the ICC will roll out premium hospitality concepts at select venues, curate cricket-led content and drive local activations designed to deepen engagement in cricket’s heartlands.
Rajeev Menon, president for Asia Pacific excluding China at Marriott International, pointed to India, Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka as key growth markets where the appetite for cricket and premium travel runs deep. Satya Anand, president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, framed the alliance as a way to turn a shared passion into unforgettable journeys, on and off the pitch.
From the ICC’s side, chairman Jay Shah said the partnership aligns with the body’s ambition to redefine how fans experience the game, while chief executive Sanjog Gupta highlighted the growing importance of travel, hospitality and lifestyle in elevating cricket’s marquee events.
As cricket stretches further across continents and calendars, Marriott Bonvoy is betting that where the game goes, its members—and its hotels—will follow.
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.
