News Headline
India soccer telecast rights bidding in Rs 3-5 billion range
MUMBAI: Despite having a sizable following in India, football does not excite broadcasters and marketers as much as cricket does.
Still, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is attempting to hawk the telecast rights to suitors on the lines of its cricket counterpart.
The last date for submitting bids, 8 June, saw five companies make a grab for a 10 year deal for domestic football.
Companies like Zee Sports and Nimbus, according to AIFF sources, have quoted between Rs 3 – Rs 5 billion for the telecast and marketing rights.
What’s more, AIFF president Priyaranjan Das Munshi has also hinted that the organisation is not averse to making Indian soccer viewer and TV friendly, on the lines of what ESPN Star Sports, Indian Hockey Federation and Leisure Sports Management have done with domestic hockey.
The sources said that while Nimbus has put in a bid of Rs 5.04 million (inclusive of production cost), Zee Sports has put in a price of Rs 3.74 billion.
ESS and NDTV have submitted proposal that are slightly more complex and envisage revenue sharing and development of the game along with the Football Federation.
Interestingly, the last date for submitting bids for football, which was 8 June, saw NDTV promoter Prannoy Roy himself present at the venue in Delhi. This is also indicative of the importance that NDTV is attaching to sports broadcasting and the fact that its toying with the idea of having a sports channel in its stable.
AIFF sources said a final decision would be announced later after the bids have been evaluated by a committee comprising AIFF president Priyaranjan DAs Munshi, senior vice-president Praful Patel and treasurer Sivanand V Salgaocar.
The new season starts from October till when pubcaster Doordarshan has the telecast rights.
According to a DD statement, issued some time back, the pubcaster will pay a graded rights fee of RS 1 million, Rs 600,000 and Rs 400,000 for `A’, `B’ and ‘C’ category matches, respectively.
Some of the bidders, who have been earlier involved in legal wrangling over cricket rights, hope that the soccer rights would not go the cricket way.
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.
