News Headline
DSport sends notice to Impress Matra for protecting its BPL T20 broadcast interest
MUMBAI: After the CSA (Cricket South Africa) T20 Global league fiasco, it seems another T20 league is in a mess, albeit of a different kind.
DSport, the sports channel from the Discovery Networks stable, has served a legal notice to restrain the reselling agent Impress Matra Consortium (IMC), which had in October 2016 pocketed the worldwide broadcast rights of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Cricket for 2017-19 seasons (excluding Bangladesh).
According to DSport, they entered into a conclusive and binding contract with IMC for the global media rights (all forms) excluding Bangladesh for three years 2017-2019 on 22 September, 2017.
In a legal notice dated 8 October, signed by Imran Anwar, barrister-at-law, Tanjim Alam and Associates, served on the Impress Matra, DSport has called upon IMC to perform its obligations under the contract entered by it with the former, as per which transmission and distribution rights had been offered to it for three seasons.
Three companies other than Impress — Gazi Satellite Television Ltd, Ardent and Mediacom Consortium and Top of Mind — vied for obtaining the BPL broadcast rights. The rights winner Impress became eligible to sell the rights to other companies in addition to telecasting the matches.
DSport alleges that the IMC members have gone incommunicado after entering into the agreement, and are not returning calls or responding to email communication. Left with no other option, DSport has served the notice with a time deadline, and says it plans to move courts in several jurisdictions to restrain IMC from dealing with any other party in respect to these rights.
The BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) has also been served with a copy of the notice, Discovery stated.
DSport has also sent cautionary notices to parties across the globe asking them not to deal with any other party in respect of these rights.
DSport has also written to the BCB CEO Nazim Uddin Chowdhury as well as the BPL governing council chairman Afzalur Rahman Sinha apprising them of the conduct of their franchisee, and has urged them to intervene in the matter.
A DSport spokesperson confirmed the developments and said they will be moving courts in Dhaka (Bangladesh) over the next couple of days to take suitable action to protect their rights.
The 4th BPL T20 cricket will kick off in Dhaka on 4 November with the participation of seven franchise teams — defending champions Comilla Victorians, runners-up Barisal Bulls, Dhaka Dynamites, Rangpur Riders, Chittagong Vikings, Khulna Titans and Rajshahi Kings. Apart from Dhaka, Chittagong will host the BPL matches.
Let’s hope this saga, unlike CSA T20 Global League, has a happier ending, and fans get to enjoy the matches.
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.
