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Champions Tennis League to be beamed to American viewers via Tennis channel
NEW DELHI: Champions Tennis League has entered into an exclusive broadcasting tie-up with one of America’s sports-oriented digital cable and satellite television networks, Tennis Channel. Tennis Channel will broadcast all Champions Tennis League matches from 17 to 26 November to 35 million Tennis Channel homes across the United States.
With live tournaments, one-on-one interviews, game analysis and skills instruction, the channel is a 24 hour television-based multimedia destination dedicated to the professional sport and passionate lifestyle of tennis.
Tennis Channel senior vice-president TIR David Egdes said, “We look forward to highlighting the exciting team competition from the six cities across India, as well as seeing the current and former stars on each team, and the young Indian players who will be possible future stars on the ATP tour. We are also excited to introduce our audience to some of the extraordinary personalities and rich history emanating from the various CTL cities”.
Second Serve CEO Arjun Rao said, “This is the first time an Indian tennis event of this scale and size will be broadcast, with minimal delay, to the large tennis diaspora across the US. This is a huge step forward in our bid to become a globally watched League with some of the most competitive players in the world in our fold. We are thrilled to be working with Tennis Channel and we are sure we will benefit from their expertise and experience in the world of tennis.”
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.
