Latest news with #Thawani
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
'Realised cricket was the most under-monetised property': How Harish Thawani and the 90s boom revolutionised Indian cricket broadcasting
Founder of The Indus Club and formerly of Neo Sports Network, Harish Thawani offered a fascinating look into the genesis of India's sports broadcasting industry in the latest episode of Bombay Sport Exchange (BSE). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A pioneer in the field, Thawani shared how Indian cricket transformed into a monetisable behemoth, starting with a bold move during the 1992 Cricket World Cup. "I'm a failed sportsman who turned to off-field activity," said Thawani in a candid conversation with K Shriniwas Rao, Head of Content (Sports) at Times Internet. "Passion ka pesha banadi (I turned my passion into a profession)." Thawani began his career in advertising, a background that gave him insights into media and branding — skills he would later apply to cricket broadcasting. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. The turning point came in 1992. "It's little known that we actually backed the India broadcast rights of the 1992 World Cup — the same one where (Sachin) Tendulkar made his debut," Thawani recalled. Nimbus Sport, under Thawani's leadership, paid around $550,000 for those rights. "The previous World Cup in 1987 had generated just $64,000 in broadcast revenue. So you can see what a leap it was." Poll Which factor do you believe contributed most to the growth of Indian cricket broadcasting? Strategic vision Financial investments Media savvy All of the above At a time when Indian industries were monetising real estate, cricket remained a vastly under-utilised asset, he proclaimed. "We realised cricket was the most under-monetised property in the country," Thawani said. "We placed it on Doordarshan and sold the ads ourselves. That's how we made a 300% profit." Instead of approaching the traditional four big advertisers, Thawani and his team reached out to untapped sectors. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "If you want someone to pay a dollar instead of a penny, you find new customers. That's what we did, and that's how every business expands," he explained. Virat Kohli's love for 'dhaba' food, priority for family & more | RCB bus driver shares stories The success of this venture triggered a domino effect, ushering in a new era for Indian sports broadcasting. Over the next two decades, India witnessed a revolution in how cricket — and eventually other sports — were consumed. The entry of satellite television, the rise of private sports networks, and the eventual explosion of digital media further propelled this transformation. When asked about the origins of the (IPL) and the personalities who shaped modern Indian cricket, Thawani took a nuanced stance. While acknowledging 's prominent role, he emphasised that credit for IPL's creation was shared. "Success has many fathers; failures become orphans," he quipped. "There were many brains behind the IPL. The real architect was Sharad Pawar — he backed it with board money. Lalit wasn't around for the last 16 years and IPL has only grown." He also noted that a pair of American sports management professors were hired to help design the IPL format. "Was it flawless? No. Has it improved? Yes. That's the journey," Thawani said. Major League Cricket: Liam Plunkett on how cricket can boom in the USA Recalling a 2000s-era profile that called him "The Beast," Thawani laughed it off. "All fast bowlers have a beast in them. You have to come in with that mentality — I'm going to get you," he said, comparing his aggressive business approach to a bowler's mindset on the field. Reflecting on the last 25 years, Thawani credited visionaries like Jagmohan Dalmiya, IS Bindra, and Sharad Pawar for having the courage to challenge the status quo and professionalise Indian cricket administration. But it was the combination of strategic vision, bold financial decisions, and media savvy that enabled Indian cricket to go from a modestly-funded pastime to a global entertainment powerhouse. Today, Indian sports broadcasting is one of the biggest markets in the world — spanning television, OTT, and mobile streaming platforms — with cricket at its core. And it all began with a small, calculated gamble in 1992 that changed the game forever.
Muscat Daily
28-04-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham visits Thawani Technologies
Muscat – H H Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham al Said, Honorary President of the Promising Omani Startups Programme, visited Thawani Technologies, the Sultanate's first licensed financial technology company, as part of a series of visits aimed at encouraging promising startups, listening to their ambitions, and enhancing their contribution to the national economy. Established in 2016, Thawani has swiftly positioned itself at the forefront of Oman's fintech sector, delivering innovative digital financial services that support the nation's drive towards digital transformation under Oman Vision 2040. During a tour of Thawani's headquarters, His Highness Bilarab was introduced to the company's specialised services, including smartphone payment solutions, biometric payment technologies utilising facial recognition and palm print authentication, as well as the deployment of artificial intelligence, deep learning, and secure payment card systems. The company also showcased its most prominent achievements, such as securing the Innovation Unit Award for Entrepreneurship in 2020 and the title of Best FinTech Company in the Middle East for 2024. In addition, Thawani outlined its ambitious plans for regional and international expansion, reinforcing the growing influence of Omani startups on the global stage. His Highness Bilarab commended Thawani for its success in leveraging modern technologies to strengthen the digital payments and collections ecosystem in the Sultanate. He underscored the importance of startups continually developing their capabilities and staying abreast of the latest global innovations. Accompanying His Highness during the visit were H E Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. H E Dr Saif bin Abdullah al Hadabi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation for Scientific Research and Innovation, Eng Said bin Abdullah al Mandhari, CEO of the Omani Information and Communications Technology Group (Ithkaa) along with members of the Supervisory Committee of the Promising Omani Startups Programme.
Muscat Daily
28-04-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
H H Bilarab visits Thawani Technologies
Muscat – H H Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham al Said, Honorary President of the Promising Omani Startups Programme, visited Thawani Technologies, the Sultanate's first licensed financial technology company, as part of a series of visits aimed at encouraging promising startups, listening to their ambitions, and enhancing their contribution to the national economy. Established in 2016, Thawani has swiftly positioned itself at the forefront of Oman's fintech sector, delivering innovative digital financial services that support the nation's drive towards digital transformation under Oman Vision 2040. During a tour of Thawani's headquarters, His Highness Bilarab was introduced to the company's specialised services, including smartphone payment solutions, biometric payment technologies utilising facial recognition and palm print authentication, as well as the deployment of artificial intelligence, deep learning, and secure payment card systems. The company also showcased its most prominent achievements, such as securing the Innovation Unit Award for Entrepreneurship in 2020 and the title of Best FinTech Company in the Middle East for 2024. In addition, Thawani outlined its ambitious plans for regional and international expansion, reinforcing the growing influence of Omani startups on the global stage. His Highness Bilarab commended Thawani for its success in leveraging modern technologies to strengthen the digital payments and collections ecosystem in the Sultanate. He underscored the importance of startups continually developing their capabilities and staying abreast of the latest global innovations. Accompanying His Highness during the visit were H E Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. H E Dr Saif bin Abdullah al Hadabi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation for Scientific Research and Innovation, Eng Said bin Abdullah al Mandhari, CEO of the Omani Information and Communications Technology Group (Ithkaa) along with members of the Supervisory Committee of the Promising Omani Startups Programme.
Zawya
19-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Thawani ranked among top 50 fintech firms in ME
Muscat – Thawani Technologies has secured a place for the second consecutive year among the top 50 fintech companies in the region. The company climbed four spots in the Forbes Middle East Fintech 50 2025 list, rising to the 36th place from the 40th in 2024, reflecting growth and success for both Thawani and Oman's fintech sector. The list serves as a key reference for identifying leading fintech companies across the region. It evaluates firms based on factors such as financing value, transaction volume, app downloads, user activity, and the impact of services on both consumers and businesses. Geographical expansion and growth rates are also considered in the rankings. Majid al Amri, CEO of Thawani Technologies, expressed his pride in the achievement, stating, 'Our improved ranking on the Forbes list for the second consecutive year is a testament to our commitment to delivering innovative financial solutions that meet market demands and drive digital transformation in Oman.' He further noted that the recognition represents not just a success for Thawani, but also for Oman's fintech sector, highlighting the country's increasing competitiveness in the regional market. This achievement aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which focuses on building a diversified and advanced digital economy. Amri added that the recognition motivates the company to continue innovating and expanding its digital financial services, contributing to greater financial inclusion in Oman. Oman's growing leadership in fintech is supported by several government initiatives designed to foster innovation and strengthen digital infrastructure. These include the development of a regulatory sandbox for testing innovative financial products and services. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Times of Oman
19-03-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Oman's Thawani Technologies among Top 50 Fintech Companies in Middle East
Muscat: Thawani Technologies has achieved a significant milestone for Oman's burgeoning fintech sector, securing a place on "Forbes Middle East's Top 50 Fintech Companies" for the second consecutive year. The company has demonstrated notable progress, advancing four places to claim the 36th spot in 2025, up from 40th in 2024. This recognition highlights the company's growing influence and success within the region's competitive fintech landscape. The prestigious Forbes Middle East list evaluates leading fintech companies across the region, employing a comprehensive set of criteria. These include funding value, the volume of digital transactions, app downloads, user engagement, the service's impact on consumers and businesses, geographic expansion, and overall growth rates. Thawani Technologies' improved ranking reflects its strong performance across these key indicators. Expressing his pride in this achievement, Eng. Majid Al Amri, CEO of Thawani Technologies, stated that the company's continued presence on the Forbes list underscores its commitment to delivering innovative financial solutions that meet the demands of the market and drive digital transformation within Oman. He emphasised that this accomplishment is not only a testament to Thawani's success but also a reflection of the strength and competitiveness of the entire Omani fintech sector on a regional stage. Al Amri further reiterated the company's dedication to developing advanced digital financial solutions that cater to customer needs and promote financial inclusion in Oman. This international recognition serves as a powerful motivator for Thawani to continue innovating and expanding its services, aligning with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which aims to cultivate a diverse and advanced digital economy. This recognition reinforces Oman's position as a leader in the fintech space, as the country actively promotes innovation and strengthens its digital infrastructure to support the national economy. Numerous initiatives have been launched in this sector, including the establishment of a regulatory sandbox for innovative financial products and services, and the development of an open banking strategy and framework. These efforts are designed to drive innovation, enhance competition within financial services, and stimulate economic growth, while simultaneously promoting financial inclusion and operational efficiency. This achievement is expected to attract further investment into Oman's fintech sector, solidifying the Sultanate's standing as a regional hub for financial technology. Thawani Technologies remains focused on innovation and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to meet customer needs, enhance financial inclusion, and contribute to the growth of the digital economy in Oman. This accolade provides further encouragement for the company to expand its offerings in the future.
