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Bids for soccer rights to open 8 June: AIFF
NEW DELHI: The comic capers in the Indian sports industry now seem to be spreading to other sports bodies too, apart from the Indian cricket board, which has been locked in legalities over telecast rights of domestic cricket for over six months now.
Even as Indian pubcaster Doordarshan yesterday bragged that it had bagged the telecast rights of domestic soccer, the football federation today clarified the agreement concluded Monday was for the previous season, which ends on 30 September, 2005.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com over phone from Goa, the secretary-general of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Alberto Colaco, admitted, “The MoU signed with DD is valid for a period up to 30 September, 2005.”
New telecast bids for new seasons, probably stretching over three to five years, will be opened on 8 June when an attempt would be made to jazz up football, too, as done by ESPN Star Sports with hockey when the TV-friendly Premier Hockey League (PHL) was unveiled earlier this year.
Colaco added that the federation is looking at handing out telecast rights this time round for “at least five years.” However, the bidders’ don’t expect the rights to be given for more than three years time.
As of now, DD doesn’t figure in the list of those companies that made presentations to the AIFF. Those who have been asked to submit financial bids include traditional sports broadcasters like ESPN Star Sports and Zee Sports, non-traditional ones like NDTV and marketers like Nimbus and Leisure Sports Management.
Having seen what could happen when a broadcaster, an event management company and a sport’s body (All India Hockey Federation) shake hands — the birth of PHL — the AIFF too is contemplating designing a football equivalent.
Meanwhile, for the record, this is what Prasar Bharati announced yesterday: the MoU with the AIFF will enable it to telecast various football matches on Doordarshan like the Santosh Trophy, National Football League (NFL), Super
League and matches involving state and school level teams.
According to the DD statement, it will pay a graded rights fee of Rs 1 million, Rs 600,000 and Rs 400,000 for `A’, `B’ and ‘C’ category matches, respectively.
After signing the agreement, AIFF president Priyaranjan Dasmunshi did hint that innovations were being worked out to make the game more TV-friendly.
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.
