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ESPN renews rights to golf’s oldest tournament British Open
MUMBAI: ESPN which claims to be the worldwide leader in sports has announced that it has reached a new multi-year agreement for significant international rights for the British Open, the oldest golf championship in the world. The new terms ensure that ESPN International will continue to televise the event through 2006.
An official release informs that the broadcaster will be the exclusive cable and satellite broadcaster of the British Open for 65 countries and territories throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and North Africa. ESPN International will begin televising the 131st edition of the event in these regions on 17 July . Coverage will continue through the final round on 20 July.
In addition to securing exclusive cable and satellite television rights for the British Open, the terms also grant ESPN the same broadcast rights for the Senior British Open and the Women’s British Open, along with a variety of retrospective programs including The Official Films of the British Open and Golden Moments of the British Open. ESPNdeportes.com, the company’s Spanish-language website, will also be allowed to stream up to two minutes of highlights per day during these events.
The 2003 British Open will be held at the Royal St. George Golf Club in Sandwich, England. Last year’s winner Ernie Els will attempt to defend his title against opposition from 21 countries, which includes 14 former Open champions and 48 of the current top 50 players in the world. Greg Norman and Sandy Lyle, the last two winners at St. George’s, together with Tiger Woods and this year’s Masters champion Mike Weir, are among those competing against Els. More than US$6.3 million in prize money will be distributed, including more than US$ one million to the champion.
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.
