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Zee Bangla Sonar to air Bengal Super League live
MUMBAI: Football in Bengal just scored big, proving that sometimes the best goals are made off the pitch. Shrachi Sports has joined forces with Zee Bangla Sonar and ZEE5 to bring the Bengal Super League live from 7 December 2025, opening up the action to fans across India.
Announced on 14 November 2025, the partnership arrives with star power as FIFA World Cup-winning captain Lothar Matthäus steps in as the official ambassador. The league will showcase eight spirited district-based franchise teams, each carrying the flavour and pride of its region.
Under the collaboration, every match will air live on Zee Bangla Sonar and stream on ZEE5, making it easier than ever for viewers to follow the competition. Shrachi Sports chief executive officer Ayan Banerjee said, “The league is a tribute to Bengal’s long-standing love for the beautiful game and a step towards connecting stadium passion with home-viewing excitement.”
Z Sports aims to leverage the league to spotlight promising footballers emerging from Bengal’s districts. Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd chief sales officer Sanjoy Chatterjee said, “The league has the potential to become a cultural highlight. Early brand partners stand to gain strong recall as the property is fresh, high energy and unsaturated.”
With its blend of fiction, non-fiction, films and new formats, Zee Bangla Sonar expects the BSL to resonate with its audience base. Zee Bangla Sonar and Zee Biskope chief channel officer Jalaluddin Mondal said, “The BSL’s tone and tempo align perfectly with the channel’s spirit and will help expand its reach across and beyond West Bengal.”
Launched in July 2025 and licensed by the Indian Football Association, the BSL features eight teams representing district clusters. Matches will take place across eight district venues, offering players from beyond Kolkata a chance to shine. Fixtures are set for 1 pm and 4 pm.
With new rivalries, rising talent and a polished broadcast platform, the Bengal Super League aims to turn district football into a state-wide celebration.
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.
