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ESS makes management changes for Greater China region
MUMBAI: ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has announced key changes to its management team. The aim is to strengthen its operations across China and Taiwan while furthering the networks Greater China strategy.
Kathy Sun has been appointed ESS Greater China MD. She previously served as ESS Taiwan MD. In her expanded role, Sun will assume overall responsibility for ad sales, distribution, marketing, event management and business development across the Greater China region.
ESS China MD David Cantalupo will continue in his role heading up all the China operations. They include distribution, ad sales, and multimedia ventures. He reports to Sun. As of now a MD for Taiwan has not been appointed.
ESS MD Rik Dovey said, “The company is growing from strength to strength. These management changes are expected to spur us to the next stage of growth. Kathy has played a vital role in building our Taiwan business, demonstrating her ability in some of the toughest situations in the market.
“Her experience operating sports and media businesses will be invaluable in the companys objectives of growing demand for our on-air networks across Greater China as well as developing new cross straits business opportunities. I have a great deal of confidence in her ability to lead ESPN Star Sports overall Greater China initiative.”‘
Cantalupo has been the impetus behind the significant distribution growth of ESS in China through collaborative efforts with local media partners such as Hunan Satellite and Hainan Travel Satellite. He has also been instrumental in the formation of Chinas first directly foreign invested Internet and new media joint venture, 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.
