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Sanjay Dutt buys franchise in Masters Champions League for ex-cricketers
NEW DELHI: Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt and his wife Manyata Dutt have acquired a team in the upcoming Masters Champions League (MCL).
The couple are said to be excited to be associated with MCL and are looking forward to take their love for cricket ahead.
Masters Champions League, a T20 tournament for retired cricket players comprises of six teams. Legendary players such as Virendra Sehwag, Wasim Akram, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis, and Dean Jones will be seen competing against each other.
The tournament will be held in the United Arab Emirates in 2016.
With the launch of the official anthem composed by Sajid-Wajid, this cricket tournament has been one of the most anticipated play-offs so far.
The championship has been conceived by GM Sports chairman Zafar Shah. GM Sports is a wholly owned by the Grand Midwest Sports Group operating under the umbrella of the Grand Midwest Group.
It started out with a local cricket club, GMW Royals, providing a platform for skilled cricketers to showcase their on field talents. By bringing current international cricketers into the region to play for their team on a regular basis, GM Sports has helped improve the quality of the domestic leagues and tournaments that GMW Royals participates in. It has since expanded into women’s football, supporting the local DWFA league by acquiring the rights to a team known as GMW Royals. GM Sports also has the naming rights forth Sharjah Cricket Academy. Throughout all of this, GM Sports has remained in the limelight by promoting sports activities in both the local and international communities.
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.
