News Broadcasting
Sportel Asia attracts 658 participants
MUMBAI: 658 participants, representing 324 companies from 43 countries worldwide, attended the recently concluded sports television market Sportel Asia 2006.
The event took placeat the Pudong Shangri-La Hotel in Shanghai, China.
Following on the heels of last year’s inaugural Sportel Asia in Hong Kong, the Shanghai market featured a 60 per cent increase in the number of stands and an increase of almost 25 per cent in terms of participants.
Sportel executive VP David Tomatis says, “Shanghai and in particular the Pudong Shangri-La Hotel proved to be a wonderful venue for our clients. The decision to move to Mainland China encouraged many Chinese companies to join our ranks for the first time, affording new business opportunities for our clients.”
“We also wish to extend our special thanks to Shanghai Media Group president LI Ruigang, and his staff for their invaluable partnership and Rai trade president Roberto DI Russo and his team, for sponsoring our opening cocktail.”
Sportel Asia 2006 brought together executives representing broadcasters, cable and satellite services, new mobile technologies, professional leagues, programme distributors, sports marketing agents, event organisers, satellite services, producers, hardware/software and facilities providers, sponsorship and investment groups, sports federations, new media and international press from around the world.
Sportel’s next event is Sportel Monaco 2006, which will take place from 16 to 19 October 2006 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. Last year, Sportel Monaco 2005 included a total of 1,884 participants, representing 868 companies from 65 countries worldwide.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
