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BCCI will take another 10 days to award India rights
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: The suspense continues for Zee Telefilms and ESPN Star Sports, the main title contenders for the biggest prize in Indian broadcast television today – telecast rights for international matches to be played in India for the next four years.
The Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has deferred “for a few more days” — about ten days by present indications — a final decision on awarding the telecast rights.
What is at stake here is the live television and radio broadcast rights for international matches to be played in India for the next four years from October 2004 to September 2008.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com over phone from Kolkata after today’s crucial working committee meeting, Indian cricket board supremo Jagmohan Dalmiya said some more clarifications were being sought from the rights contenders.
“We have decided to defer an immediate decision and would seek clarifications from all parties concerned,” Dalmiya said, pointing out that this was part of an effort to be “as transparent as possible.”
Queried as to why further clarifications were needed, Dalmiya said it was to make sure that the board was clear off any legal case once the rights are
awarded. “We would not like to get involved in legal problems at a later stage,” he explained, but refused to detail the type of clarifications that may be sought from the rights claimants.
Once the clarifications have been received, BCCI’s marketing committee would meet again and then make its announcement, Dalmiya said.
While ESPN-Star Sports termed this development as a “positive one,” highest bidder Zee Telefilms was confidence personified. “What is a delay of a few days?” Essel Group vice president, corporate brand development group, Ashish Kaul quipped in the evening, adding, “satyamave jayate (truth shall prevail).”
ESPN India MD RC Venkateish, who has been camping in Kolkata, where Dalmiya is based,
said over phone, “We appreciate BCCI’s decision to review the whole process. We also hope that various aspects like technical and other capabilities would also be clarified (from other bidders, notably Zee) and financial capability would not be the sole criterion.”
Interestingly, a directive on the tendering process from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is doing the rounds of the media. Though the CVC order does not directly have a bearing on the BCCI telecast rights, the
directive says that there should be no-post tendering negotiations and if at all such a thing has to happen, it should be with the lowest bidder (if applied in this case then it would be the highest bidder).
The CVC directive, which was even sent to chiefs of autonomous organisations, societies and trusts, however, makes it clear that the directive on tendering process is applicable where a government agency is involved.
Meanwhile, an agency report from Kolkata said that notable absentees in today’s BCCI meeting were organisation vice-presidents Kamal Morarka and
Gautam Roy and former president AC Muthiah. Those present included three vice-presidents of the Board, secretary SK Nair, joint secretary Prof Ratnakar Shetty, treasurer Jyoti Bajpai and chairman of the finance committee N Srinivasan.
Zee Network is the highest bidder at $ 260 million for the telecast rights. ESPN-Star are the second highest bidders at approximately $ 230 million followed by Prasar Bharti at $ 150 million. Bringing up the rear are Sony Entertainment Television India at $ 132 million and Ten Sports with a $ 115 million punt.
Both Zee and ESS claim to offer Indian cricket the best possible deal but Zee has backed its assertion by committing an additional Rs 945 million for development of domestic cricket and 52-72 days of live coverage. ESPN-Star on the other hand says it will provide 100 days of live domestic coverage besides daily packages on all domestic events.
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.
