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ESPN International to lure sports fans with digital shops
MUMBAI: The sports fans are in for a pleasant surprise as ESPN is coming up with the launch of digital shops across its ESPNcricinfo.com and ESPN.com.au sites. The announcement was made today. The online stores, developed in collaboration with Velocity Brand Management’s retail division (VBM Retail), will provide global cricket fans and sports fans in Australia and New Zealand a wide range of licensed and fan-specific merchandise along with branded and co-branded products. Fans can access the shops through a “Shop” tab and button, available in the navigation of each of the ESPN site homepages.
Additional digital shops will debut across other ESPN digital properties globally in 2014, including ESPN Scrum and ESPN Footytips.
The ESPNcricinfo.com shop, available on Shop.ESPNcricinfo.com and ESPNcricinfoshop.com, features a full range of cricket products including apparel, accessories, novelties, equipment and memorabilia. Additionally, the shop will offer a wide array of licensed team merchandises along with ESPNcricinfo branded and co-branded products.
“Around the world ESPNcricinfo reaches tens of millions of sports fans on computers and mobile devices every month,” said head of ESPNcricinfo and ESPN Digital Media India Ramesh Kumar. “As consumer purchases through digital channels increases globally, we’re excited to be able to bring a convenient and trusted place for fans to buy the gear and equipment they are looking for. Part of being a fan is the pride we all take in our teams and passions, and these shops will be a be a great platform for fans looking to find the right products to showcase that pride or find great products.”
The shop is set to offer Indian fans across the cricket-loving nation an opportunity to purchase and collect cricket items for use, for personal memorial value or as investment. In addition to an extensive collection of sports-related and fan-specific merchandise available to consumers in Australia and New Zealand, Shop.espn.com.au and ESPNShop.com.au, offers league licensed products from the AFL, NRL, Cricket Australia, V8 Supercars, rugby union, football, netball and the NBA. It will expand to include items from the NFL, NHL, NCAA college sports and ESPN Licensed products.
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.
