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ESPN to air Spanish Soccer in Latin America, Pacific Rim
LOS ANGELES: Sports broadcaster ESPN has reached a new multi-year agreement for telecast rights to the Spanish Football League throughout Latin America and the Pacific Rim.
The new agreement means that ESPN, which has broadcast Spanish Football matches in Latin America since 1998, will continue to televise the property through the 2005-06 season. As part of the deal, ESPN also acquires extensive telecast rights for the Copa del Rey for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons.
An official release informs that the terms of the new agreement call for ESPN to have exclusive cable and satellite rights for Spanish Football for up to eight matches per round for the remainder of the current season. For the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons, ESPN will have exclusive cable and satellite rights to all matches played in each round. ESPN will offer live telecasts of Spanish Football on all its networks in Latin America including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, and ESPN Brasil, as well as on its network serving Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific Rim adds the release.
In addition ESPN will produce a new studio show for Latin America viewers. Goles de Espa?a will debut on 3 November and will feature analysis and match highlights from La Liga. Goles de Espa?a.
La Liga features an array of Latin American stars such as Brazilians Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Argentines Javier Saviola (Barcelona) and Pablo Aimar (Valencia), and Mexican Rafael Marquez (Barcelona). Defending champions Real Madrid have added English pop icon David Beckham to its star studded lineup this season. Six of the last seven World Players of the Year now play with Real Madrid.
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.
