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DD scoops Hockey India League live telecast rights for next three years
MUMBAI: There’s nothing more exciting that seeing a player with a hockey stick in his hand dribbling past the mid-field, swerving and dodging past the defending backs and reverse flicking the ball into the goal, leaving the goal keeper stranded and flat on his back on the turf.
Many more such moments will be available to field hockey lovers courtesy pubcaster Doordarshan, It has pocketed the rights to live telecast the sixth edition of the Hockey India League (HIL), which will begin from 28 December 2024, thanks to an agreement it has signed with Hockey India (HI).( Reports are that the contract between the two is actually for the next three years.) What’s special with the new agreement is that DD will also be bringing the women’s HIL matches live to viewers apart from the fast-paced men’s. tournament.
Sports lovers may recall that the Indian national men’s team has been gradually getting back its mojo and won the bronze medal at this year’s Paris Olympics as well as in Tokyo.
HIL will have eight men’s teams and four women’s teams participating in Rourkela and Ranchi, showcasing outstanding talent from India and around the world.
Said Prasar Bharati chairman Navneet Sehgal: “We are privileged to partner with the HIL, a platform that celebrates our national sports and aligns people across different categories. Through our comprehensive coverage, we aim to bring the electrifying spirit of hockey, including the historic debut of Women HIL, to viewers everywhere, bridging the urban and rural divide and amplifying the league’s impact.”
Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi added: “Indian sports lovers are confident that the golden era of Indian hockey is being brought back. Doordarshan as the public broadcaster is looking forward to contributing to this broader vision through this partnership. The idea is to elevate hockey production and broadcast to global sporting standards. The sports lovers across the world can now watch the HIL, both men and women on DD Sports and Waves- the recently launched OTT platform of Prasar Bharati.”
HIL governing committee chairperson Dilip Tirkey said, “We are thrilled to partner with Doordarshan as the official broadcaster of the HIL. This year is particularly special with the launch of the Women’s HIL, a landmark step in promoting women’s hockey. Doordarshan’s unparalleled reach and commitment to sports perfectly align with our vision of taking hockey to every corner of the nation. Together, we aim to inspire millions and elevate the HIL to unprecedented heights.”
HIL governing committee member Bhola Nath Singh commented, “Hockey is more than just a sport for us – it’s a symbol of our unity and pride. The addition of the Women’s HIL this season is a giant leap forward in ensuring equality and recognition for women athletes. With Doordarshan as our partner, we’re ready to present a spectacular season of HIL. ‘Hockey connects us, and this partnership strengthens that bond’.”
As part of its partnership with HI, Doordarshan says it will also broadcast all HI national championships and tournaments in India.
(Picture courtesy Hockey India League)
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.
