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ESS bags rights to UEFA Champions League till 2006
SINGAPORE: ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) has good news for Asian football fans. The broadcaster has renewed its exclusive pay-TV multi-year cable and satellite rights in Asia for the UEFA Champions League (UCL).
The announcement comes at the close of the 2002/2003 UCL season and after news that the network won exclusive pay-tv broadcast rights for yet another strong Asian sports property, the World Professional Pool Championships (WPPC). An official release informs that the acquisitions reinforce the company’s long-term position as Asia’s most complete sports provider, both in terms of broadcast hours and the quality of its coverage. The multi-year deal, which also includes Pay-Per-View and Video-On-Demand rights and terrestrial rights for China represents the continuation of the successful partnership between ESS and UCL.
Each week, ESS will air four live matches including the Finals across most of Asia (Taiwan and Philippines will see two live matches a week). While this matches the number of games a week shown during the 2002/2003 season, ESS will create a range of support programming to provide football fans with news, analysis and highlights shows, making it the most comprehensive coverage of the Champions League on Asian television. In total, the nine ESPN and STAR Sports channels will deliver a total of 125 matches and more than 295 hours of programming over the season.
ESS MD Rik Dovey made the following remarks about the new deal, “ESS’ proven ability to value-add to sport properties was a deciding factor in the award of multi-year rights for the UEFA Champions League. For us, having a long-term commitment means that we can continue to invest more resources and further develop the League’s audiences across Asia.
“Rights holders like UEFA know we have the best distribution of any sports networks in Asia and they appreciate the value we bring to their product not only through the biggest audience, but also the way we present their product, through scheduling, production and expert commentary. They want to see their League continue to grow in Asia. That’s why they have committed to ESS on a long-term basis.’
The 2003/2004 UEFA Champions League season which begins on 17 September , 2003 on ESPN and Star Sports, will reach over 128 million households on ESPN and over 57 million households on Star Sports.
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.
