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Sony Pictures Sports Network launches teaser campaign for UEFA Euro 2020
KOLKATA: Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN) is set to broadcast Europe’s biggest football tournament, UEFA Euro 2020, live on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 3 (in Hindi) channels starting 11 June 2021 in India. Ahead of the football fiesta, SPSN has rolled out a teaser campaign with its #MeriDoosriCountry films to bring fans closer to their teams leading to UEFA Euro 2020.
Meri Doosri Country will give the audiences a chance to exhibit their undying passion for football, as they start supporting their favourite team from Europe at the UEFA Euro’s this June. Through its signature campaign, SPSN aims to draw in the attention of both fans and fringe-viewers to root for their favourite countries with the same passion and intensity as they would support their own country.
This campaign will complement the network’s campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2018 and will act as a signature campaign for all international country football tournaments on the network. To build up interest for the launch of the campaign, SPSN has released four teaser films encapsulating the same fervour, team rivalry and fan banter in a quirky and funny way. The four films were conceptualised and created in-house by SPSN’s marketing team.
Film 1: France vs Portugal
The film explores the story of two friends who showcase the chance of their favorite team winning the Euro trophy through the size of the Dosa they order.
Film 2: Netherland vs Germany
This film highlights the rivalry among middle-aged men as the Netherland supporter tries to leave the Germany supporter behind in a quest to win the trophy at the upcoming UEFA Euro 2020.
Film 3: Spain vs Italy
The film features an endearing Bengali couple and goes on to tell a story of how they influence their new born baby in supporting the two different clubs they support.
Film 4: England vs Croatia
The film takes us through the football rivalry between two youngsters as they show how best their team can win matches by scoring the goal from farther away.
As one of the most celebrated and largest football events, UEFA Euro’s has established itself as one of world football's most exciting competitions. The 2021 edition of the UEFA Euro marks the 60th anniversary of this competition and will feature 24 teams from across Europe. Fans will get to watch some of the best footballers in the world like Cristiano Ronaldo, Antoine Griezmann, Harry Kane, Toni Kroos, Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappè to name a few compete for the coveted title. Rome's Stadio Olimpico will host the opening match on June 11, while England's national stadium Wembley will stage both semi-finals and the final.
Sony Pictures Networks India sports channels marketing & on-air promotions head Neville Bastawalla said: “After the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro is the biggest and the most exciting football extravaganza in the world with rich and colourful history. For a tournament in which India does not participate, we aimed to build vested interest among the Indian viewers who support their favourite European team with the same passion and intensity with which they support their own country. Our teaser films, which are an extension of #MeriDoosriCountry will bring out the rivalries of different fans across demographics and bring alive the emotions of these millions of Indian viewers who will be voicing their support for one of the countries participating in UEFA Euro 2020.”
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.
