News Headline
Unitech Cup 2006 Live on Ten Sports
Ten Sports, the number one sports channel for South Asians, will be the home for live cricket this August as India face Sri Lanka and South Africa in the Unitech Cup 2006 held in Sri Lanka.
The tournament begins on 14th August with the home side hosting South Africa and concludes with the final taking place on 29th August. The three sides will face each other twice in a round robin format with the top two going through to the final.
The host nation will be oozing with confidence following their 5-0 demolition of England in the ODI series earlier in the summer and their memorable 2-0 Test series victory over the Proteas earlier this month.
Meanwhile India will be looking to bounce back after their disappointing one day series in the Caribbean where much was expected from them but they were unable to deliver.
The South Africans have had a few months off prior to the Test series against Sri Lanka and although losing that series they will take heart from the way they pushed the hosts all the way in the second Test. And they will still have the memory of their last ODI match when they chased down a record 435 run target to claim victory over Australia.
Chris McDonald, CEO, Taj Television Limited, owners of Ten Sports said, “We are very excited to be able to broadcast another world class cricket tournament following on from the fantastic Test series between Sri Lanka and South Africa. The Unitech Cup has three of the top one day sides in the world competing and our viewers are guaranteed some extremely entertaining cricket over the next fifteen days.”
In addition to the live coverage of the tri-series Ten Sports will also telecast its critically acclaimed studio show ‘Straight Drive’. Joining regular host Sanjay Manjrekar will be South African legend Gary Kirsten, and former Indian Test batsman Arun Lal.
Asked about joining Ten Sport’s Straight Drive team Kirsten said, “I am very excited to be joining the team. It will be my first time on Straight Drive and I couldn’t have asked for a better series to be involved in.”
The commentary team at the ground will include Pommie Mbangwa, Robin Jackman, Ranil Abeynaike, Ranjit Fernando and Tony Greig.
Matches one, two, five, six and seven are day-night matches with Ten Sports build up getting underway at 13-30 IST while matches three and four are day matches with build up beginning at 09-00 IST.
Match Schedule:
14/8/06 Monday
13:30 Straight Drive
14/8/06 Monday
14:30 Sri Lanka v South Africa (D/N) –Live
Premadasa ,Colombo
16/8/06 Wednesday
13:30 Straight Drive
16/8/06 Wednesday
14:30 Sri Lanka vs India(D/N)-Live
Premadasa , Colombo
19/8/06 Saturday
9:00 Straight Drive
19/8/06 Saturday
10:00 India vs South Africa (Day)-Live
SSC, Colombo
21/8/0 Monday
9:00 Straight Drive
21/8/06 Monday
10:00 Sri Lanka v South Africa- (Day)-Live
SSC Colombo
24/8/06 Thursday
13:30 Straight Drive
24/8/06 Thursday
14:30 Sri Lanka Vs India (D/N)-Live
Premadasa, Colombo
26/8/06 Saturday
13:30 Straight Drive
26/8/06 Saturday
14:30 India v South Africa (D/N)-Live
Premadasa, Colombo
29/8/06 Tuesday
13:30 Straight Drive
29/8/06 Tuesday
14:30 Final: 1st vs 2nd (D/N)-Live
Premadasa, Colombo
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.
