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Ten Sports ropes in 4 major sponsors for ongoing Cricket Festival
MUMBAI: This summer Ten Sports Network (Ten Sports) has brought in a four-month long uninterrupted Cricket Festival to the cricket-crazy Indian sub-continent. Ten Sports has roped in major sponsorship deals with Micromax as the presenting sponsor, Gillette and Fogg as the co-presenters and Kent RO as the studio sponsor for Ten Sports cricket analysis show Straight Drive. The analysis show is presented pre-match, during the innings break and post-match.
The Cricket Festival started with a tri-nation series in the Caribbean between reigning World T20 champs West Indies, reigning World champs Australia and the ever-green Proteas. This was followed by India’s tour to Zimbabwe, with India winning the 3 ODIS emphatically and Zimbabwe taking the lead in the ongoing three-match T20 series. After the Zimbabwean safari, Team India will travel to the Caribbean for a four-match Test series. Simultaneously, the Aussies will be travelling to Sri Lanka for 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and 2 T20s while the New Zealand Cricket team will be in Zimbabwe to play a two-match Test series.
Speaking on the Cricket Festival, Ten Sports Global CEO Rajesh Sethi said, “The Cricket Festival is an excellent proposition as we celebrate the best of cricket this summer from across the world. Most of the matches have resulted in close encounters which have been an absolute delight to our fans. We are also happy to partner with top brands from the country who have shown keen interest in the property. We have Micromax on board as the presenting sponsor, Gillette and Fogg as the co-presenters and Kent RO as the sponsor of Straight Drive, cricket’s most popular analysis show.”
Commenting on the partnership, Micromax Informatics chief marketing officer Shubhajit Sen said, “Being a youth centric brand, Micromax has always been focused on Movies, Sports and Music. In line with this, we are happy to partner with Ten Sports Network for Micromax Cricket Festival to bring an exhilarating cricket season to the millions of passionate cricketing fans in the country. This sponsorship once again reiterates our commitment towards engaging with the youth and building a brand that echoes their interest and pulse.”
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.
