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1Stadia awarded FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 media rights in Indian subcontinent
Mumbai: FIFA has awarded media rights in the Indian subcontinent to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 to 1Stadia, a renowned sports media rights company, to distribute across six territories in this region (India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka).
1Stadia’s distribution strategy for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 is designed to reach the maximum audience across the Indian Subcontinent. The tournament will be accessible on various platforms, including mobile devices, enabling fans to catch all the action on-the-go. Additionally, the matches will be available through a combination of both free-to-air and pay-TV broadcasters, making it accessible to more than half a billion viewers across South Asia.
From the Round of 16 of the marquee tournament, fans in India can catch all the thrilling live action on DD Sports and Star Sports (television) in multiple languages, along with digital streaming on FanCode. Fans in Pakistan can tune in to PTV for both digital and television coverage of the marquee tournament. In Sri Lanka, the tournament will be broadcasted on DD Sports and Star Sports (television) and MX Player (digital), ensuring widespread access for viewers. In Nepal, AP1 TV, Nepal’s largest broadcast platform, has the exclusive rights to bring the excitement of the tournament to millions in Nepalese households. Bhutanese fans will be able to witness the excitement on DD Sports (television) and MX Player (digital). Bangladesh, too, will be part of the football fervour, with leading broadcasters like Gazi TV and Tsports TVensuring comprehensive coverage of the marquee global tournament on television while Rabbitholebd app, Tsports app and Iscreen app ensuring maximum reach through their digital mediums.
1Stadia CEO & co-founder Sangeet Shirodkar said, “We are thrilled to have been entrusted with the media rights for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ in the Indian Subcontinent. The distribution agreements have been strategically formulated to provide a comprehensive viewing experience to football fans. This tournament represents the pinnacle of women’s football, and we are committed to bringing its excitement and magic to the homes of millions of football enthusiasts across the region.”
FIFA director of media partnerships Jean-Christophe Petit said, “We are delighted 1Stadia has been able to secure a strong broadcast platform across the Indian Subcontinent for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia/New Zealand 2023, so that fans across the Indian Subcontinent can follow this fantastic tournament on television, on digital and via mobile devices.”
The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand Round of 16 kicked off this week on 5 August, with 16 teams competing for the biggest honour in women’s football. Since its inception in 1991, the FIFA Women’s World Cup has grown exponentially to claim the crown of the most-watched single-sport event for women globally, the most recent edition – France 2019 – attracting a record audience of over 1.1 billion viewers and smashing domestic viewing figures in many territories.
Through the sale of media rights for its football tournaments, FIFA generates income which is essential to support and develop football around the world, for instance through the FIFA Forward Football Development Programme.
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.
