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Tag: VVS Laxman

  • TV9 rallies India Inc with Gopichand for smashing badminton showdown

    TV9 rallies India Inc with Gopichand for smashing badminton showdown

    MUMBAI: Move over boardroom battles, it’s time to settle scores on the badminton court. TV9 Network has announced the launch of the News9 Corporate Badminton Championship, in partnership with the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, bringing a new spin to corporate fitness and team spirit.

    After scoring big with its Corporate Football Cup, TV9 is now rallying professionals to pick up their rackets. The championship promises more than just a shuttle showdown, it’s a celebration of work-life balance, camaraderie, and competitive flair.

    TV9 Network MD & CEO Barun Das said, “We believe in sporting events that go beyond competition. They inspire fitness, teamwork and a sense of community. The Corporate Badminton Championship is another step in building a larger ecosystem of corporate sport.”

    With Hyderabad’s legendary sporting legacy as its backdrop, the championship finds a fitting home at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, a temple of talent that has produced Olympic stars like PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal.

    TV9 Network-South, chief operating officer, and News9 director corporate badminton championship Vikram K said, “Hyderabad has long been celebrated as a hub for well-established industries like IT, Pharma, Biotech, and Startups. But beyond being a business powerhouse, it has also emerged as a cradle of sporting excellence producing icons like Pullela Gopichand, Sania Mirza, VVS Laxman, Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, Satwik Sairaj, and Chirag Shetty and more. We are proud to launch the first season of the News9 Corporate Badminton Championship in this city of champions. With the legacy of Padma Bhushan Pullela Gopichand as a backdrop, this tournament is a salute to both passion and performance. It offers working professionals a well-deserved break from the daily hustle, a chance to compete, connect, and celebrate their love for sport. At TV9, we believe in building communities that thrive not just at work, but also in well-being and togetherness.”

    India National Badminton Team chief national coach Pullela Gopichand said, “Badminton has given me everything and I believe it has something to offer everyone. With the News9 Corporate Badminton Championship, we’re bringing that passion, love of the game to the corporate world. Join us and be a part of this exciting movement!”

    The format includes Men’s and Open categories, with singles and doubles matches. Open Category teams must include at least one female player, encouraging inclusive participation.

    But this isn’t just about bragging rights. Winners stand to bag cash prizes of up to Rs 6,00,000, along with exclusive two-day coaching sessions at the prestigious Gopichand Academy. They’ll also receive invites to elite badminton tournaments across India making this a game-changing opportunity for rising talent.  

    The tournament is open to companies and LLPs that have been operational for at least two years with a minimum of ten employees. It’s a rare opportunity for professionals to swap presentations for precision smashes and play under the guidance of the very coach who shaped India’s badminton dreams.

    As the courts light up and teams take their positions, TV9’s latest initiative proves that the real corporate champions might just be found in sports shoes, not suits. Let the rallies begin!

  • “Cricket’s success on the field has a very real impact on Indians”: FGII’s Anup Rau

    “Cricket’s success on the field has a very real impact on Indians”: FGII’s Anup Rau

    Mumbai: In line with its continued thrust on ‘Innovation’, Future Generali India Insurance Company (FGII), has launched its annual report for FY 2022-23 in a never-seen-before avatar. This report comes in the form of a book and is one of India’s most comprehensive cricketing memoir-cum-annual report. The annual report consists of a specially curated collector’s item – a section on Game Changing Moments – penned by the sports journalist, Ayaz Memon.

    The book encapsulates the vibrant journey of Indian cricket since 1932 – showcasing a remarkable voyage through 18 pivotal Game Changing Moments that have reshaped Indian cricket’s narrative and left an indelible mark on the nation’s collective consciousness. The report is, further, enriched by exclusive interviews by Memon with four cricketers across different eras – Mohinder Amarnath, Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman and Mithali Raj.

    The memoir-cum-annual report was launched by cricketer Anil Kumble, in the presence of the author of Game Changing Moments Memon and Future Generali India Insurance MD & CEO Anup Rau, along with other dignitaries. Host and actress, Mandira Bedi, anchored the ceremony, and Kumble faced a few turners from her repertoire – reminiscing the long climb of Indian Cricket to its present glory and his experiences. At the event, Memon narrated a book chapter, beautifully brought to life through a sand art presentation. To add an exciting twist to the proceedings, Kumble took centre stage and performed an extraordinary act by bowling to Rau. The climax occurred when Kumble’s delivery to Rau struck the LED screen, shattering it and revealing the long-awaited annual report.

    Indiantelevision.com on the sidelines of the launch of the book, caught up with FGII’s MD & CEO Anup Rau

    Edited excerpts

    On the brief about the book launch

    We always make our annual report interesting to connect with our stakeholders. We had a comic book format, we had it as a cookbook. Last year we sold 3500 for the Bollywood blockbuster report. This year is cricket, which we believe it’s kind of a new religion in this country. I do believe there’s a lot of inspiration businesses can take from sport because my personal view is that be it sport or be it business, It’s a combination of both science and art. It’s not just science alone, I think it’s somewhere the intersection of these two. Ayaz has beautifully penned 18 pivotal moments of Indian cricket like from the time when we made a debut, to the recently concluded WTC finals, and back to back series with Australia, which is one of my personal favourites. And obviously, the 83 World Cup, 2011 World Cup so on and so forth. We also believe we will gain changes in many ways in terms of the way we approach our business, we’re in terms of product distribution technology, by having products for same sex couples being an employer of choice where we tried to be an inclusive employer in many ways. Today, close to one per cent of employees are differently abled, for instance. So you will see a lot of that being captured in the book. And obviously, it’s very interesting reading, and it’s for a good cause in case whatever the proceeds go to charity.

    On including cricket in the annual report and any strategy behind it

    The idea was just to make it interesting. I do believe that one of the things we really want to do is to make sure that some of these financial numbers and figures and understanding is more accessible to the public at large and one of the ways to do this is to make it interesting and easy for people to understand. And the annual report just attempts to do it.

    On some inputs about the book and the reason for being a must read for cricket enthusiasts

    That’s because it captures the history of the game through some of India’s best and most pivotal moments. It takes your eyes, it’s taken us right from our first match. In 1932 to what’s happening right now, we got interviews with legends like Mithali Raj, VVS Laxman, Mohinder Amarnath etc. Today Anil Kumble was himself on stage. Like I said, businesses and sports inspire each other. Not just that, cricket’s success on the field has a very real impact on Indians. And if we do well we will spring in our step that we want to do well, we get inspired by and so on and so forth.

    On any more such initiative in future

    We’ll see. I mean there’s a new annual report for next year, so let’s see what we will do with that!

  • Saurav Ganguly & VVS Laxman team up for My11Circle’s T20 World Cup campaign

    Saurav Ganguly & VVS Laxman team up for My11Circle’s T20 World Cup campaign

    Mumbai: Multi-game platform Games24x7 that owns fantasy sports platform My11Circle has launched a mass media campaign for its T20 World Cup fans.

    The new campaign launched on Sunday is called ‘Game Ke Deewane’ and celebrates the fervour of cricket fans. And in order to laud their winning spirit, whenever Team India wins a match, the player gets to win double the prize in the fantasy game.

    Games24X7 director-brand and marketing strategy Avik Das Kanungo said, “We set out to give a tribute to the game of cricket, celebrating the passion of Indian cricket lovers, and the campaign captures the sentiment extremely evocatively. We’re delighted with the initial response from all quarters, and are glad that cricket fans are enjoying yet another unique offering from My11Circle.”

    Speaking about the campaign, The Script Room co-founder Rajesh Ramaswamy (Ramsam) said, “It’s a very simple and fundamental thought. All of us know that India has a crazy following for cricket. And this love and passion often get expressed through what is called ‘fan-giri’. The films are trying to capture this through multiple stories – deewangi for our favourite stars, and deewangi for our favourite game. We are really lucky and super delighted that Abhinay Deo came on board. Only he could’ve captured this madness in the scale and spirit that it finally came out.”

  • imd1 (I Am The 1), on-boards VVS Laxman as a Legend for cricket coaching offerings; also joins hands with India’s biggest photography training community DCP Expeditions

    imd1 (I Am The 1), on-boards VVS Laxman as a Legend for cricket coaching offerings; also joins hands with India’s biggest photography training community DCP Expeditions

    MUMBAI: Aidia Technovations’ co-curricular market place for Music, Art, Dance and Sports (MADS), imd1 (I Am The 1) has on-boarded VVS Laxman as a Legend for cricket coaching offerings.

    VS Laxman is one of the most recognized and respected cricketer globally. He is known for his techniques, natural elegance and flair. He has played some of the most remarkable innings in cricketing history. Post-retirement, he has been associated with Indian Premier League (IPL) and is currently mentoring Sunrisers Hyderabad. He is also serving on the panel of commentators and analysts. Last November, he launched his much-awaited autobiography ‘281 and Beyond’ which was an immediate hit in the cricket fraternity.

    Talking about his association with imd1, VVS Laxman said, “I am excited to start my unique journey with imd1. They are working on a disruptive idea for co-curricular learning using digital technology. It can take cricket learning and coaching to a different level. I look forward to impart my knowledge and experience through this association and make a big difference at grass root levels in every nook & corner of India and beyond.”

    Commenting on the developments, Jigish Sonagara, founder of Aidia Technovations said, “We welcome VVS Laxman to team imd1. Our cricket coaching related offerings will have VVS (Very Very Special) touch now! With VVS’s endorsement of cricket curriculum, we will bring unique cricket coaching experience which is digitally driven with brick & mortar model.”

    Aidia Technovations also joins hands with India’s biggest and fastest growing Photography training community DCP Expeditions (www.dcpexpeditions.com).  DCP has a strong panel of experts comprising of most respected mentors and experts comprising of wildlife, travel, food, astro, fashion, macro/micro photographers to photo journalists, digital artists, digital imaging specialists, travelers, writers, divers, explorers, naturalists, conservationists and others. Some of the renowned photographers associated with DCP are Dr. Caesar Sengupta, Amit Rane, YuwarajGurjar, Mohan Thomas, Ashutosh Shinde, Sanak Roy Choudhury, Kiran Poonacha and many others.  DCP regularly conducts photography workshops in more than 100 cities in India apart from photo tours, exhibitions and other initiatives. DCP and imd1 shall work on all aspects of photography, from creating courses, competitions / exhibitions to DCP experts offering standardized courses using imd1 digital platform.

    On this occasion, Dr. Caesar Sengupta, founder & director of DCP Expeditions said, “Joining hands with imd1 is the best click for DCP and Indian photography world! Using imd1 digital platform, we will take photography learning to millions of budding photographers, right from amateur to professionals and students to homemakers. This path breaking idea will help disseminating best of the curated photography curriculum and knowledge across India”.

    Jigish Sonagara added, “We are elated after joining hands with DCP. They are undisputed leaders in photography community with full bouquet of services, best of the mentors & experts and pan India presence. We will combine it with imd1 initiatives and digital technology offering real complete learning and experience.”

    imd1 has already on-boarded celebrity photographer Dabboo Ratnani as a Legend for its photography course offerings and India’s fastest skater, Nikhilesh Tabhane as a Legend for its skating and related offerings earlier. 

    Aidia Technovations is Mumbai and Pune based start-up working on technology enabled innovations. Aidia is working on co-curricular marketplace for MADS (Music, Art, Dance and Sports) under “imd1” with various offerings. It will be a unique combination of brick & mortar and digital to use best of the both to connect all stakeholders with one of its kind technology and providing quality services in this vertical. As part of its initial plan to widen its reach, company has already launched its website www.imd1.co and android app imd1, covering achievers’ stories who can proudly say “I Am The 1” including that of Padma shri, Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award winners and others, market for MADS service providers, MADS specific social media etc.

  • BCCI appoints Shastri as head coach, Zaheer & Dravid as consultants till World Cup ’19

    MUMBAI: The BCCI has announced the appointment of Ravi Shastri as the head coach, Zaheer Khan as the bowling consultant and Rahul Dravid will be the overseas batting consultant (test cricket) for the Indian cricket team.

    As part of the process for selecting the head coach, the Cricket Advisory Committee comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman conducted the interviews and recommended these appointments in the best interest of the Indian cricket. The term of the appointments will be till the World Cup 2019.

    Shastri has been the Team Director in the past, and brings with him a wealth of experience, both as player and as coach.

    Khan is a contemporary cricketer who assumed the mentoring role to a young fast bowling unit even during his playing days with India. His inputs will be of immense value to our young fast bowlers, who have shown tremendous potential in the last couple of years.

    As the Indian team is to play Test cricket overseas in the next two years, Rahul Dravid’s expertise as batting consultant will be immensely helpful for youngsters.

    The Board appreciates the contribution of the Cricket Advisory Committee – Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman for recommending these appointments which will take Indian Cricket to greater heights.

  • BCCI appoints Anil Kumble as head coach

    BCCI appoints Anil Kumble as head coach

    MUMBAI: The BCCI announces appointment of Anil Kumble as the Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team. He has been appointed for the period of one year.

    Given to his immense knowledge and experience, the BCCI is confident that Kumble will take Indian cricket forward and contribute to its growth and success. The Board is confident that Kumble will meet the consistent high standards of professionalism set by the Indian team and fulfills the expectations of the followers of Indian Cricket.

    India is set to host 13 Test matches, 8 ODIs & 3 T20Is in a mega home season (2016-17) and Kumble will play a major role in the collective objective of the Indian team to attain the top ranking in all three formats of the game.

    Kumble’s first assignment will be the upcoming away series in the West Indies, where India will play four Test matches.

    As part of the process for selecting the Head Coach, the Board received 57 applications, which were evaluated by the Cricket Advisory Committee comprising Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly with Sanjay Jagdale, the Chief Co-Coordinator. The Committee conducted interviews with select shortlisted applicants and submitted a report/recommendation to the Honorary Secretary Ajay Shirke.

    The Board recognizes the contribution of Team Director Ravi Shastri under whom India marched to the semi-finals in the ICC World Cup held in Australia and the ICC World T20 India 2016. With him as Team Director, India won the Test series in Sri Lanka after a gap of 22 years and also outplayed South Africa 3-0 in a four-Test home series before clinching the Asia Cup.

  • BCCI appoints Anil Kumble as head coach

    BCCI appoints Anil Kumble as head coach

    MUMBAI: The BCCI announces appointment of Anil Kumble as the Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team. He has been appointed for the period of one year.

    Given to his immense knowledge and experience, the BCCI is confident that Kumble will take Indian cricket forward and contribute to its growth and success. The Board is confident that Kumble will meet the consistent high standards of professionalism set by the Indian team and fulfills the expectations of the followers of Indian Cricket.

    India is set to host 13 Test matches, 8 ODIs & 3 T20Is in a mega home season (2016-17) and Kumble will play a major role in the collective objective of the Indian team to attain the top ranking in all three formats of the game.

    Kumble’s first assignment will be the upcoming away series in the West Indies, where India will play four Test matches.

    As part of the process for selecting the Head Coach, the Board received 57 applications, which were evaluated by the Cricket Advisory Committee comprising Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly with Sanjay Jagdale, the Chief Co-Coordinator. The Committee conducted interviews with select shortlisted applicants and submitted a report/recommendation to the Honorary Secretary Ajay Shirke.

    The Board recognizes the contribution of Team Director Ravi Shastri under whom India marched to the semi-finals in the ICC World Cup held in Australia and the ICC World T20 India 2016. With him as Team Director, India won the Test series in Sri Lanka after a gap of 22 years and also outplayed South Africa 3-0 in a four-Test home series before clinching the Asia Cup.

  • Star India snaps up broadcast rights to Sachin-Warne’s Cricket All-Stars

    Star India snaps up broadcast rights to Sachin-Warne’s Cricket All-Stars

    MUMBAI: Star India has snapped up the broadcast rights of the much awaited venture of Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne namely The Cricket All-Stars T20 tournament, featuring cricket legends from across the globe.

     

    Confirming the development to Indiantelevision.com a source close to the development said, “The rights are with Star and we all are looking forward to the tournament.”

     

    While Master Card has been roped in as the title sponsor of the tournament, negotiations are on with a few more brand. The source adds, “We are in the last phase of proceedings and will soon reveal many more developments.”

     

    The Cricket All-Stars T20 tournament is set to unfold on 7 November, 2015 in New York. The tourney will then move to Houston on 11 November and to Los Angeles on 14 November.

     

    Virender Sehwag, who recently retired, has also joined the roster, which has former Indian greats like Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Ajit Agarkar. While Warne confirmed his participation in the tournament a few days back, the master blaster Tendulkar was also spotted sweating it out in the nets yet again. Some of the others former cricketers who are a part of the league are Kumar Sangakkara, Jonthy Rhodes, Wasim Akram, Glen Mcgrath and Ricky Ponting.

     

    His recent tweets read : 

     

    Had fun at the nets today. #ComingToAmerica, see you in New York in 10 days.. #CricketAllStars2015 @T20AllStars

     

     

    Welcoming Sehwag and beginning the countdown, Telndulkar tweeted: Welcome my friend and a batsman with distinct style …………………. #10daystogo

     

     

    Senior cricket expert Hemant Kenkre said, “It’s a delightful opportunity for the average American cricket fans to see the legends playing in front of them. The initiative is nice. I remember something similar was done in Brabourne Stadium long back. From cricket’s perspective, it remains to be seen how fit the players are, it’s been long since many of them retired and no one knows how much cricket they have been playing. But overall Wasim Akram bowling to Lara or Sachin facing Warne again would be a worthy sight for cricket lovers.”

     

    A sports media planning veteran added, “Sachin, Sourav, Sehwag, Warne in one pitch again can take viewership to a different level, recently we saw in Wankhede how the entire stadium was chanting Sachinnnnn! Sachinnnnnn! Having said that, the matches are to be played in America so the timing will be an issue for the Indian audience. Moreover, how competitive the matches are, will be another factor to look at. Overall the first three matches will be an experiment and the quality of those will determine the future.”

     

  • Sachin Tendulkar’s autobiography Playing It My Way released

    Sachin Tendulkar’s autobiography Playing It My Way released

    MUMBAI: The highest run-scorer in the history of international cricket, Sachin Tendulkar  who retired in 2013 after playing for an astonishing 24 years is back again. Tendulkar along with publishers Hachette India released his much awaited autobiography, Playing It My Way.

    In an hour long event, master of ceremonies Harsha Bhogle took the audience through Tendulkar’s life and the evolution of Indian cricket with interesting on-stage conversations with Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Vasu Paranjpe, and the famed ‘class of ’98’ (with Sourav Ganguli, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar himself). The formal book release saw Tendulkar present the first copy to his first coach and guru Ramakant Achrekar. This was followed by the final session which was a solo conversation with the author himself.

    Talking about the events captured in the book Sachin Tendulkar said, “Playing It My Way’ is a different sort of innings for me, and was in the making for the last three years.  As with the game, I have been honest and sincere in putting together various aspects of my life, and the book is something I hope readers will enjoy.”

    Hachette India managing director Thomas Abraham commented “This is an absolutely outstanding book–at once cricketing history and personal narrative; and will delight every cricketing fan. We are delighted to welcome Sachin Tendulkar to our list and are proud to be publishing this landmark autobiography which we’re sure, like its author will go on to set new records.”

    The book has in fact already set the Indian record for the largest adult hardback orders on day of release with 1,00,000 copies being released by the publishers.  While lucky guests got the chance to purchase early ‘launch’ copies, the book is heavily embargoed and was transported across the country under security for simultaneous release today.

    The book y releases as a hardback and simultaneous eBook from today. An audiobook version will follow early next year as will Indian language versions in Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati, Malayalam and Bengali.

     

  • CNN-IBN partners ACBI to promote Indian Blind Cricket Team for the Third Blind World Cup

    CNN-IBN partners ACBI to promote Indian Blind Cricket Team for the Third Blind World Cup

    MUMBAI: The Pakistan Blind Cricket Council, under the aegis of the World Blind Cricket Council, will organize the Blind World Cup this year. CNN-IBN will be promoting the Indian Blind Cricket Team in the Third Blind World Cup.

    This Cricket World Cup for the Blind, the third of its kind, will be held in Islamabad, Pakistan from December 3-16. The occasion will see the participation of eight countries from around the World – Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and the West Indies.

    CNN-IBN has devised an interesting line-up of programming for the World Cup to ensure it’s maximum and all-around coverage. The channel will capture the essence of the Blind World Cup in their sports bulletin ‘Cricket 360”. The show will feature the highlights of the day’s match in conjunction with cricket personalities with the likes of VVS Laxman – brand ambassador for the ACBI, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid among many others. In addition, the channel will also feature training sessions and exclusive tips from the experts.