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ESPN Star site tracks Chinese soccer fans’ favourites
With the soccer fever on the rise, ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has found that Chinese sports fans have already made their minds up about their favourite soccer teams.
In a survey conducted on its website espnstar.com.cn last month, fans were asked to name the football team from which they would have liked to receive an authentic uniform. Most of the Chinese fans chose “Manchester United” over any other team. Over the 85,500 entries which were recorded, 23,451 or 27.41 per cent were clear that Manchester United were their top choice. Although agreed by many to be the most popular “English Premier League” team in the world, Manchester United won by a wafer- thin margin with rival Liverpool gathering 23,263 or 27.19 per cent of the entries.
The results also revealed that the Chinese fans were not only knowledgeable about soccer and the teams from the “English Premier League”, but also from other European Leagues as well. Others who made it to the top five were “Inter Milan” with 21,539 or 25.17 per cent votes, “Roma” with 13,659 or 15.96 per cent votes and “Arsenal” with 3,653 or 4.27 per cent votes.
In another survey conducted on the website, asking which two teams in Group C would make it to the second round of the World Cup, 8,852 or 50.16 per cent of the 17,600 odd entries were confident that China and Brazil would cover the distance. However, while confidence and excitement is high among the majority of football crazy Chinese in anticipation of their first World Cup appearance, 35.59 per cent of the respondents recorded showed less optimism for their progress beyond the first round.
These fans picked Brazil and Turkey as the possible second round teams. Other choices which were voted were China and Costa Rica with 5.93 per cent or 1,046 entries, followed by China and Turkey with 5.33 per cent or 940 entries.
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.
