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ESPN Star Sports scores with Premier League broadcast sponsorships
ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has finalised a broadcast sponsorship deal for the world’s most popular football league, the English Premier League.
The one year sponsorship agreement will see Toshiba and Carlsberg Asia Ltd, the other sponsors, enjoying regional association with the 2001/2002 EPL season through a combination of multi-level integrated benefits. This includes on-air entitlements around all ‘live’ matches and repeats on ESPN and STAR Sports, as well as marketing and on-line benefits.
ESS managing director Rik Dovey has termed the sponsorship agreement with Toshiba and Carlsberg as a fitting partnership, acknowledging “their already strong involvement with football globally.” ESPN STAR Sports is a 50:50 joint venture between two of the world’s leading cable and satellite broadcasters, ESPN Inc. and STAR TV.
“The popularity of the English Premier League is now at an all-time high, watched by over 165 million people across Asia. Sponsors have been quick to see the benefit of associating with the League, and we are thrilled to be able to provide them with a way to leverage its potential”, he said.
Toshiba’s sponsorship also extends to Goals! – a presentation of the week’s best plays drawn from the Premier, Spanish, Italian and Champions leagues.
The drama and excitement of the EPL season began on 18 August, 2001, covered live by ESS’ two channels, ESPN and STAR Sports. Football fans across Asia will be able to watch 165 ‘live’ games and over 1000 hours of EPL programming. There is also a line-up of support news programming throughout the week, including pre- and post-game analyses, predictions and information, a first for English Premier League coverage in Asia. Beyond the coverage on air, there are a series of interactive activities on a newly designed espnstar.com.
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.
