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ESS renews rights for Augusta Masters Golf
MUMBAI: One of Golf’s most prestigious tournaments The Augusta Masters will continue to enjoy a high profile in Asia. ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has renewed the rights for ‘The Masters Championship,’ which is played every year in Augusta, Georgia, USA.
ESS states that this latest acquisition reinforces its position as Asia’s number one sports broadcaster. ESS’ other golf properties include The Open Championships and the US Open.
ESS MD RC Venkateish said, “We are delighted to have renewed our agreement to deliver the year’s first and most prestigious golf major to viewers in Asia. ESPN Star Sports showcases the biggest Golf events in the world like the PGA Championships, the US Open and has always brought the best from the world of sports across disciplines, to its audience in every nook and corner of the country.”
The battle for the coveted ‘green jacket’, to be held in the first half of April this year, is one followed by millions in the region and once again fans can expect to see world-class coverage of the Masters. The agreement will allow ESPN Star Sports to take full advantage of packaging and producing programming in its own style and will include daily highlights, analysis as well as profiles of top competitors and Asian golfers.”
Under the terms of the new agreement, fans will enjoy daily live coverage of the tournament supported by a package of additional programming including previews and highlights. In addition, ESS will have access to archived Masters official film footage featuring highlights from past tournaments.
The agreement represents the continuation of a successful partnership between ESS and Augusta National – the distributor of the Masters that has seen trends in golf viewing increase in most of the network’s people-metered markets.
The Masters Championship at Augusta continues to increase in popularity. During last year’s coverage of the Masters, ESS and its satellite partners in Asia saw viewership grow by six per cent from the previous year. Overall interest in the sport is also showing signs of strong growth with an estimated 46 million viewers tuning into ESS golf programming including the Masters.
This reflects an upward trend in golf’s appeal in Asia attributed in part to the growing number of Asian players performing strongly on the international golf circuit. Among the Asian players making their mark in the big leagues are Arjun Atwal (India), Jyoti Randhawa (India), Shigeiki Maruyama (Japan), Tongchai Jaidee (Thailand) and Kiyoshi Miyazato (Japan).
ESS’ coverage of the 2005 Masters and the battle for the coveted green jacket will begin on 8 April, 2005.
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.
