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Visa official sponsor for ICC World Cup, Champions Trophy
MUMBAI: Credit card major Visa International has been awarded the regional official sponsorship rights for the ICC Champions Trophy to be held in India in October 2006 and the ICC Cricket World Cup to be held in West Indies in March-April 2007.
As regional official sponsor, Visa International will receive on-ground sponsorship benefits in the South Asia region including category exclusivity, branding and signage, tickets and hospitality, special events and programs, broadcast and media related benefits and other rights, benefits and protections.
For this territory, Visa becomes the second after Indian Oil to get (by virtue of the oil major’s deal covering all broadcast territories globally) official sponsorship status. According to sources close to the developments, two more official sponsors are expected to be signed on for the south Asia region, which will take the number of official sponsors up to four.
Before this deal, ICC had four official global partners in LG, Pepsi, Hutch and Hero Honda and two official sponsors Indian Oil and Cable & Wireless.
The sponsorship deal with Visa was negotiated by Nimbus Sport, acting as worldwide exclusive marketing agency for Global Cricket Corporation (GCC), the commercial partner of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Visa International Asia Pacific EVP Marketing Rajiv Kapoor said that the company would be rolling out a series of campaigns, promotions and supporting marketing activities to make use of the occasion.
“We plan to make the most of our sponsorship as our principal marketing platform for the next year, as we believe it will deliver incomparable exposure for the Visa products and services in the region. Visa is committed to this sponsorship and we are ,” Kapoor said.
ICC president Ehsan Mani said, “Cricket’s ability to attract a world-renowned brand such as Visa to become an official sponsor is a demonstration of the game’s robust health and its global appeal. This agreement is excellent news for all concerned and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial association with Visa.”
GCC MD Ian Frykberg said, “We are delighted to welcome Visa to the family and have them add the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 to its impressive list of major sports sponsorships.”
Nimbus Sport CEO Digvijay Singh said, “This is the first time that a major payment card has been an ICC cricket sponsor and Nimbus is proud to have played a key role in securing this path-breaking new sponsorship”.
Adds Visa International country manager Santanu Mukherjee, “We believe this is a great opportunity for Visa to enhance the visibility of our brand and cut across borders and boundaries. Visa has nearly 40 million cardholders in South Asia and we plan to reach out to them in unique ways to build on their passion for the game over the coming months.”
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.
