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ESS gets personal with EPL coverage
MUMBAI: ESPN Star Sports (ESS) is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to get fans more involved with its football coverage. In the recent past it launched the interactive initiative Goals in asociation with Nokia. This was for the English Premier league (EPL).
Earlier this month it had announced that Bobby Robsoin would join its team of commentators for the EPL and FA Cup. Now to give the EPL an additional boost it has launched a 13 part series Toyota Football Up Close.
Hosted by one of ESS’ best-known faces, John Dykes, Toyota Football Up Close covers a series of in-depth profile interviews with past or present players from the English Premier League. The show focuses primarily on the players’ career in the game, embellished with brief highlights from the archives and statistics.
Throughout the series, football viewers will get the real deal as the programme is shot entirely on location in the UK. The show airs every Wednesday at 6:30 pm.
ESS production VP Huw Bevan said, “Toyota Football Up Close adds that something extra to whet the appetite of our football viewers who are constantly craving for more soccer news, especially updates and information on their favourite players. Our close association with the League enabled us to gain access to some of the world’s best players. They openly and candidly talked about their careers in extended interviews.
” Our new show has allowed the network to take full advantage of this relationship to produce a programme series with a distinct style and format. We are certain our viewers will find this new format very entertaining.”
Dykes talks to the biggest names in the world of football such as Dennis Bergkamp, Gary Speed, Steve McManaman, Sam Allardyce, Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer, Jamie Redknapp and David Dein.
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.
