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Tokyo Olympics: Sony Sports announces Live studio show SPORTS EXTRAAA
New Delhi: With two days to go for the start of 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the official broadcaster Sony Sports channels on Wednesday announced their Live wraparound studio show SPORTS EXTRAAA for mega-coverage of the international sports event. The network has also unveiled the eminent line-up of panellists it has on boarded for the show.
The global event will be broadcast LIVE in four languages: SONY TEN 2 and SONY SIX channels in English, SONY TEN 3 channels in Hindi and in Tamil & Telugu on the newly launched SONY TEN 4 channels from 23 July as well as livestreamed on its on-demand OTT platform SonyLIV.
The panel will share insights in real-time on the LIVE studio show. It will feature former Olympians and legendary Indian athletes like Vijender Singh, Gagan Narang, Karnam Malleswari, Anjali Bhagwat, Anju Bobby George, Sakshi Malik, Viren Rasquinha, Somdev Devvarman, Trupti Murgunde, Rahul Banerjee, Kripa Shankar and Satish Shivalingam.
The network has also roped in noted Sprinter and four-time Olympic medalist, Yohan Blake for the special show. “Not only will the viewers in India watch me proudly represent my country at the games but they will also watch me provide insights on the performance of the world’s finest on this grand stage. I am looking forward to adding to my Olympics tally of two gold and three silver. All eyes are on the strong Indian Athletics contingent of 26 athletes who qualified for the games and we are looking forward to their performance at Tokyo,” said Blake.
SPORTS EXTRAAA will be hosted by Sony Sports’ multi-sport specialists Arpit Sharma, Ridhima Pathak and Raman Bhanot as well as feature sports journalists Ayaz Memon and Gaurav Kalra. It will also invite Parth Jindal, Mustafa Ghouse, Manisha Malhotra, Rushdee Warley and other well-known guests from the sports fraternity to talk about different aspects of high-performance sports like athletic performance management, handling pressure, and share their insights on the performance of athletes in Tokyo.
“We have received a tremendous response from advertisers and sponsors who have come on board to voice their support for the Indian contingent. A cutting-edge advertising innovation will feature ‘Split-screen ads’ that will allow premium sponsors to feature much closer to the numerous Live key sporting action and moments,” the network said in a statement.
Coca-Cola India Pvt Ltd, JSW, MPL, Hero MotoCorp, Amul, Reserve Bank of India, AMFI and other advertisers include Visa, Byju’s, Herbalife Nutrition & Lenovo are some of the sponsors onboard.
Sony Pictures Networks India, chief revenue officer, distribution and head – sports business, Rajesh Kaul said, Sony Sports is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the country is aware about its athletes. “Our studio show, SPORTS EXTRAAA, will feature a stellar line-up of International and Indian Sporting Greats bringing in their expert analysis on all the key sporting action that our Indian Athletes will feature in at Tokyo. Our broadcast will also feature a huge panel of specialised multi-sporting commentators to call the high-performance Olympic Games’ action in Hindi, English, Tamil and Telugu,” he added.
The network has also launched a campaign “Hum Honge Kamyab,” to invoke a sense of national pride and galvanise the nation to rally behind the Indian contingent & champion the cause of Indian Athletes for #Tokyo2020. It has also collaborated with the ministry of youth affairs and sports as well as eminent personalities across sectors to catalyse the Olympic momentum in the nation for the landmark event.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM02DhrrkptNqqRcGH89OoNIV0qCcb6Cn
The Live coverage of Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be available on SONY TEN 2 and SONY SIX channels in English, SONY TEN 3 channels in Hindi, SONY TEN 4 channels in Tamil & Telugu from 23 July to 8 August.
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.
