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Neo Sports scores FIFA Club World Cup telecast rights
MUMBAI: Neo Sports’ Harish Thawani is back with a bang! After acquiring rights for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) cricket, Neo Sports has now scored a goal by acquiring the telecast rights of FIFA Club World Cup.
In its foray into club football, the sports broadcaster has acquired the rights for two editions, the first of which will unfold from 10 December, 2015. The tourney will take place in Japan this year.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Neo Sports EVP programming Mautik Tolia says, “Last time the tournament created a lot of buzz and the quality of football was also premium. We went aggressively for the rights because we feel this is a great time to have a FIFA tournament. Everyone’s eye will be on star packed Barcelona and I think there will be some exhibition of quality football.”
Neo acquired the broadcasting rights for the Indian sub-continent from global agency Dentsu for multiple years. “We are confident that we will recover the acquisition cost pretty soon,” adds Tolia.
However, he refrained from revealing the acquisition cost.
“Neo will continue to evaluate the available rights and whenever we see a premium sport available we will grab the opportunity,” Tolia says.
FIFA Club World Cup is played between seven teams. Champions of AFC (Asia), UEFA Champions League (Europe), CAF League (AFRICA), CONCACAF Champions League (North America), Copa Libertadros (South America), OFC Champions and along with the host nation’s national champions, participate in a straight knock out.
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.
