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USTA, IBM launch official US Open website
NEW YORK: The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and software giant IBM have announced the launch of www.usopen.org, the site for this year’s US Open. The site boasts of enhanced features.
The tournament kicks off on Monday and Star Sports will have live coverage of the same from 8.30 pm onwards. The new features that visitors to the site can avail of include video programming, expanded match analysis, interactive behind-the-scenes access and exclusive product offerings.
An official release states that in addition the site will also feature IBM’s real-time scoreboard providing point-by-point scores for all matches. The USTA produces, designs, manages and creates all of the content and programming for the site. Last year it generated record traffic across the board including 12.9 million visits and 125 million page views from fans in 166 countries.
IBM has been the USTA’s exclusive information technology partner for the past seven years. It develops and hosts www.usopen.org with innovative on-demand technology providing both reliability and scalability.
IBM’s worldwide sponsorship marketing director Rick Singer said, “The USTA looks to IBM for the technology to enhance the information and service provided to the fans, media and broadcasters through real-time, on-demand scoring and analysis as well as hosting usopen.org. The USTA is a great example of an on demand business looking to provide its constituents with the information they want, whenever and wherever they want it.”
USTA’s Advanced Media MD Ezra Kucharz added, “www.usopen.org is in itself a multimedia destination with radio, TV and continuous news and features offering round-the-clock coverage of the US Open from the fan and player perspective. We strive for the site to be the premier source of all information for the tournament for the next three weeks.”
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.
