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Infront, Dentsu launch football media services JV
MUMBAI: The joint venture between Infront Sports and Media and Dentsu, created to handle the distribution of Asian broadcast rights to the 2010 and 2014 soccer Fifa World Cups and all Fifa events between 2007 and 2014, has been officially launched.
The new company, called Football Media Services (FMS), is a result of Fifa’s award of the Asian rights to the Infront and Dentsu joint venture earlier this year. It was in March that Dentsu and Infront came together to form a joint venture to ward off a daring attempt by Nimbus Sport to get the rights,
FMS has its headquarters in Singapore. It will handle the marketing of all television, radio, broadband internet and mobile broadcasting rights to the 2007-2014 Fifa events including the 2010 and 2014 Fifa World Cups in key Asian territories.
The company is headed by Michael Francombe, who used to be an executive director with Infront in Switzerland.
FMS has already been active in the sale of Fifa events in Asia. It will shortly announce a substantial new contract for a major Asian territory setting a new benchmark in the region and covering broadcast rights for all 2007-2014 FIFA events.
Dentsu CEO Tomoharu Tsuruda said, “We have known and worked with the Infront team over many years, both as partners and friendly rivals. We have much respect for their abilities and believe that this joint-venture will deliver the best possible results for FIFA.”
Infront, president and CEO Philippe Blatter says, “We are exited about our partnership with Dentsu. Our joint know-how provides a strong foundation to meet the expectations for successful distribution of the Asian broadcast rights. The results of FMS’s early initial negotiations in some of the major territories in Asia are already leading to very promising results.”
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.
