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English Premier League to air on ESS from 13 August
MUMBAI: The new season of the English Premier League will start live on 13 August on ESPN Star Sports.
The Barclays Premiership is regarded as the elite club competition in world football and is the flagship of the game’s governing body in England- the Football Association (FA).
The English Premier League (EPL) 2005-06 season on ESPN Star Sports will showcase legendary clubs of Europe like Arsenal, Manchester United, defending champions Chelsea and the current UEFA Champions Liverpool clashing for English Football supremacy.
The FA Premier League was formed in 1992 and took over as the top professional football competition from the very first season. The inaugural season saw 22 club teams participate in the championship, however by the 1994-95 season the number of clubs was reduced to 20. Twelve years after its formation, the F.A. Premier League has confirmed its position as the world’s best domestic league competition. Over 10,000 goals have been scored and almost 150 million people have passed through the turnstiles.
This season, the competition gets tougher. With Chelsea running away with the Championship last season with a spend of $ 600 million, the other big clubs will be on the lookout to settle scores.
Manchester United – the most successful club in the history of the Premiership with the most successful manager in Europe- Alex Ferguson, showed their all conquering form late season promising stiff competition at the top of the league. Arsenal- the talented powerhouse will be aiming at a repeat of their performance in 2003-04 season when they remained unbeaten throughout to be crowned champions again. Liverpool, who were written off by cynics last season, gave a rampant reply to all their critics by lifting Europe’s prestigious prize, the UEFA Championship will be all set to prove their mettle under coach Rafael Benitez.
The season’s action gets underway on Premiership on 13 August with Manchester United taking on Everton, who surprised one and all by finishing fourth last season. EPL regulars Aston Villa and Bolton Wanderers will be looking to start with a win. European champions Liverpool will be kicking off their English Campaign against Middlesbrough, a team famous for putting up a show against the best.
On 14 August, Arsenal faces Newcastle to serve up a closely fought contest with both teams looking to regain lost pride last season. In the second match on Sunday, Champions Chelsea will welcome Wigan Athletic, one of the teams promoted from second division, to the Premiership.
Soccer action from the EPL on ESPN Star Sports is supported by a line up of interesting feature programming on EPL covering predictions, highlights, news and information, as well as pre and post game analysis, including Here We Go, Tiger First Edition, Football Forecast, Premiership Saturday, Super Sunday, Football Extra, Football Focus, Goals, Football Crazy, Football Up Close and the football magazine show produced out of India – Football Locker Room.
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.
