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Fifa invites bids in Asia for 2010, 2014 World Cup
MUMBAI: Football’s governing body Fifa has launched a public tender process to select and appoint an agent to exploit its media rights in Asia.
The media rights include the television and radio rights to the 2010 Fifa World Cup, 2014 Fifa World Cup and other Fifa events to be staged between 2007 and 2014. The tender is open to all interested parties with the expertise to handle the rights.
The deadline for the submission of bids is 21 November 2005. Interested parties need to submit a bid to be appointed as Fifa’s exclusive agent for the entire region defined in the tender document. If the successful bidder is a broadcaster, Fifa says that it is prepared to grant, in addition to the agency appointment, the right to exercise the media rights in those countries where the successful bidder itself undertakes full broadcast operations.
Fifa says that the tender process, which will be overseen by its Marketing & TV Division, is a reflection of its policy of transparency and its desire to give all interested parties the opportunity to submit bids in respect of the World Cup. It further says that on 2002, a cumulative audience of 28.8 billion people watched the World Cup in Korea/Japan.
For the next event in 2006, 30 billion people are expected to tune in over the four weeks of the biggest single sports event on earth, making the media rights some of the most attractive in sports. In India the 2006 World Cup will air on ESPN Star Sports. It may be recalled that in 2002 the World Cup had served as an effective launching pad for Ten Sports.
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.
