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ESS’ Cantonese version of ‘SportsCenter’ for Hong Kong
MUMBAI: Following the success of its three Asian versions of the news show SportsCenter , ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has now introduced a fourth edition. This would be in Cantonese for viewers in Hong Kong.
The other versions are SportsCenter India, SportsCenter Taiwan and SportsCenter Asia for South East Asia. The latest version of SportsCenter will be broadcast on ESPN Hong Kong. The channel, together with Star Sports Hong Kong, had been launched on 17 August 2004 on PCCW’s now Broadband TV platform. now Broadband TV has an exclusive multi-year agreement for the distribution of ESS in Hong Kong.
ESS MD Rik Dovey said, “This is another milestone for ESPN Star Sports in Asia. September 2004 marks four years since we began delivering our show to the region. To this day, SportsCenter remains one of our biggest initiatives and reflects the company’s investment in high-quality long-term sports programming.
“I am confident the localisation of this success-proven programme will serve Hong Kong well. In addition to having footage from more events than any of our competition, we also have first-class local presenters and producers delivering sports news at a level previously unavailable in this market.
“Elsewhere in Asia, SportsCenter is already the most popular sports news programme among cable subscribers and we expect SportsCenter Hong Kong to mirror this success.”
SportsCenter Hong Kong will air Mondays to Fridays at 8 pm and 11:30 pm Hong Kong time. Radio bulletins of the award-winning news programme are also heard in Taiwan and Singapore. With the addition of SportsCenter Hong Kong, the worldwide SportsCenter franchise now includes nine locally produced versions, with transmissions in Cantonese, English, Mandarin, Portugese and Spanish, serving Asia, North America and Latin America.
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.
