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ESS to telecast Indian hockey league Tier 1 matches live
MUMBAI: The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), India’s apex hockey body, today announced that the proposed domestic hockey league it is setting up in association with Kolkata-based Leisure Sports Management would be called ‘Indian Premier Hockey League’ (PHL).
The federation also announced that Hyderabad will host Tier’I PHL matches at the SAAP (Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh) Stadium in Gachibawli and that all Tier 1 matches will be telecast live and exclusive on ESPN and Star Sports (ESS).
According to IHF Honorary general secretary K Jothikumaran, The name Indian Premier Hockey League has been jointly developed with our partners ESS and LSM. The name lends the gravity to the tournament befitting a game of national importance and a game, which every Indian would like to see gain national importance. Along with our partners we are in the process of developing a distinct identity for the league in terms of a separate logo and so on. The Indian Premier Hockey League or the PHL, as we foresee the league will commonly be known as, will usher in an era of dynamism and popularity for Indian hockey. The concept of PHL has been developed after a lot of deliberations and discussions over the last two years with our associates ESS and LSM. Hockey fans can expect an innovative, interesting and first of kind hockey tournament in India.”
“At this juncture, I must congratulate the Hyderabad Hockey Association for the hard work they have put in for Hyderabad to be selected as the host city of Tier-I games in the inaugural year. The state of the art Gaachibawli stadium will be a fitting venue for the spectacle. I am hopeful that PHL will inspire more and more players to pick up hockey and shine at the international level,” added Jothikumaran.
ESS Asia vice president event management group and programme development Richard Young said, “We are proud to be associated with India’s national game. ESS has taken up the huge task of telecasting the Indian Premier Hockey League live and exclusive, which will require a lot of planning and resources. With our experience of producing popular leagues like the English Premier League, we are confident of giving Indian viewers a television property, which will be exciting to watch and a world-class product.”
“ESPN Star Sports will be conducting a complete reconnaissance of the stadium, which is already in great shape, to ensure that the stadium is telecast-ready for the LIVE and exclusive telecast. We look forward to working with the IHF, the Hyderabad Hockey Association and the other state hockey associations in making this event a grand success,” he added.
Launched with an objective of developing and popularising hockey in the country, PHL will offer prize money of over Rs 71 lakh. Kolkata based sports management company, Leisure Sports Management (LSM), will handle on-ground activities.
LSM chairman and MD S S Dasgupta said, “LSM with its in-depth knowledge and involvement with the Indian hockey is very confident that the proposed tournament will be a grand success. This is a well thought of strategic initiative conceptualised after a lot of research and hard work. We are committed to offer an international quality experience for fans of hockey.”
The league would be a bonanza for the hockey fans in Hyderabad. The Hyderabadis will see non-stop action every weekend starting September later this year. Leading national and some of the best international players will be seen in action at the PHL.
Innovations have been introduced in the PHL to increase viewer interest in the game. For instance, each game will have four quarters of 17 minutes and 30 seconds each, instead of the two halves. New concepts of time-outs have also been introduced in order to liven up the game. The winner within the stipulated time will get three points for each victory while the team winning in the extra time will share the points 2:1.
Tier I teams in the inaugural year include Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jalandhar and Mumbai. Tier II teams will be Chandigarh, Delhi, Imphal, Kolkata and Lucknow.
The winner of the Tier I will take home Rs 30 lakh while the runners up will carry Rs 10 lakh. The winner of Tier II will get Rs four lakh while the runner up will receive Rs 2.5 lakh. Allocation of above prizes between players and the respective associations shall be specified by IHF.
The Indian Premier Hockey League will be hosted at the SAAP Stadium.
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.
