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Ten Sports acquires exclusive rights to MotoGP for five seasons
MUMBAI: Ten Sports Network has secured exclusive rights for MotoGP the premier world championship for motorcycle road racing. As was first reported by Indiantelevision.com, this is for the first time that MotoGP will be broadcast exclusively by a broadcaster in the Indian sub-continent.
This new deal between Taj TV and MotoGP rights holders Dorna Sports will run for a period of five seasons starting 2015. As a part of this deal, Ten Sports will broadcast all MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 races and qualifying practices live on its network of six channels. Ten Sports will also be offering multi-screen feeds on its digital platforms and will develop a dedicated section on www.tensports.com.
Ten Sports CEO Rajesh Sethi said, “We are very excited to embark on this new journey with Dorna. We are committed to building this property in India over the next five years and viewers will witness unprecedented programming initiatives on our network. We have also been rights holders for this premium property since 2006 and we are delighted to continue and take this partnership to the next level.”
Dorna Sports managing director Manel Arroyo added, “We are thrilled about our exclusive partnership with Taj TV and looking forward to developing a close relationship with them. India is a key market in the coming years and the World Championship will benefit greatly from the extensive promotion that Taj has committed to provide.”
The 2015 MotoGP season begins in Qatar on 27 March with the first of 18 races in the 2015 calendar. The 2015 rider line up is stronger and more competitive than ever with defending champion Marc Marquez looking to retain his title over rivals Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa amongst others.
Ten Sports will run contests to send fans to witness live action from the best races. Promotional events are being planned in the territory as well. From a programming standpoint, there will be new shows around races with Ten Sports also looking to add a local flavour by creating Indian-focused programming for a few events.
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.
