News Headline
PHL attracts Pakistan’s Wasim Ahmed, Sohail Abbas
MUMBAI: The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) which is the apex body of hockey management in India has announced a significant development concerning next month’s Premier Hockey League (PHL) tourney.
Pakistan’s former captain Wasim Ahmed and another former player Sohail Abbas have confirmed their participation for the event.
The event kicks off on 13 January 2005. ESPN Star Sports (ESS) is the broadcast partner. One of the promotional pegs that the IHF is using to push the event is that for the first time in the history of the game Pakistani players of international class will play with their Indian counterparts in the same team.
IHF president KPS Gill said, “I am very happy to announce the participation of former Pakistan captain, Wasim Ahmed and world’s highest goal scorer Sohail Abbas in PHL. This has been a very positive step and I am sure that this will encourage players from other countries to participate in PHL and make it a successful one.”
Recently both Ahmed and Abbas announced their retirements from international hockey. Ahmed was Pakistan’s most capped mid fielder with over 13 years of experience. Abbas, the world’s highest goal scorer, redefined, the technique of playing and taking
penalty corners. He was known as the drag flick, penalty corner specialist.
As had been reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com PHL will offer total prize money of Rs 7.1 million.. The winner of the Tier I will take home Rs. three million while the runners up will carry Rs one million. The winner of Tier II will get Rs 400,000 while the runner up will receive Rs 250,000.
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.
