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WSG inks $ 200 million deal for Asian Football Confederation rights
MUMBAI: Sports marketing firm World Sport Group (WSG) has signed a deal worth over $200 million with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), securing the financial future of Asian football until 2012.
The deal, between the game’s governing body in Asia and WSG, confirms football’s position as Asia’s number one sport.
The size of the deal is seen by industry watchers as further proof that major corporations, fans and consumers believe Asian football to be on a par with football in Europe and South America, and with the potential to outstrip both.
WSG president Seamus O’Brien said, “Our commitment gives the AFC the strongest base possible from which to invest in football at all levels across the continent. They now have a firm footing to oversee the future development of the sport to improve facilities and to nurture the talent of tomorrow, from the elite national and club team competitions to grassroots projects.”
For O’Brien, whose association with AFC dates back to 1992, the deal is another significant milestone in the development of Asian football and WSG’s growth into Asia’s leading sports event, marketing and sponsorship agency.
“From the outset, AFC and WSG have had a set of share objectives and a mutual understanding, and we have always sought to find business solutions that take into account and reflect the enormous diversity of the continent,” concluded O’Brien.
AFC president, Mohamed bin Hammam agreed: “This agreement follows months of negotiations by both parties, and I am delighted that we have now gained the commercial security to continue our rapid development and progress at all levels of the game.
“Our partnership with WSG is of immense importance to AFC. Their belief in Asian football, and their loyalty to AFC, creates a winning partnership, and I look forward to many more productive years.”
The AFC is looking to extend its cooperation with WSG after 2012, if both parties are able to achieve their mutual objectives, added Hammam.
The current roster of blue-chip companies which sponsor AFC include Asahi Shimbun, Coca-Cola, Emirates, Epson, FamilyMart, Hyundai, Makita, JCB, Kirin, Konica Minolta, Maxell, Nike, Nikon Samsung, Toshiba, Toyota and Yamaha.
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.
