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Ten Sports to telecast Hong Kong Sixes tourney
MUMBAI: It will be raining sixes and fours. Ten Sports will air the eleventh edition of the Hong Kong Sixes tourney. The eevnt takes place at the Kowloon Cricket Club in Hong Kong from 22-23 October 2005.
Eight top teams, including world champions Australia, England, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa and hosts Hong Kong will feature in the two-day tournament.
Ten Sports will cover the matches live 22 October at 1 pm and on 23 October at noon. Australia, England, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong are drawn in Pool A, while arch rivals India and Pakistan, and South Africa and the West Indies form the Pool B. The tournament offers a first prize of US$100,000 and total prize-money of US$280,000.
England are the defending champions, having won the last two editions in 2003 and 2004. They also won the title in 1993 and ’94, and were runner-up thrice. In 2004, England scored a comprehensive five-wicket final victory over surprise finalists Sri Lanka. Pakistan has the second best record in the tournament, having won the inaugural event, followed by three more titles. They were also runners-up in 2003.
Each game shall be played between two teams of six players. A game consists of a maximum of five six-ball overs bowled by each side, except the finals, which consist of a maximum of five eight-ball overs per side. The top two teams in each pool will progress to the Cup competition knockout stages, while the bottom two teams in each of the pools will compete for the Plate.
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.
