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No takers yet for Africa-Asia series telecast rights
NEW DELHI / MUMBAI: Former Indian cricket board chief and Asian Cricket Council president Jagmohan Dalmiya is finding it difficult to sell TV and sponsorship rights for the ambitious upcoming Africa vs Asia cricket series.
Contacted by Indiantelevision.com, Dalmiya hedged on the issue that some of the big sports broadcasters in the region have not shown interest in the cricket series due to various prior commitments.
Prodded, Dalmiya admitted no sponsorship or TV deal has been finalised. However, he added hopefully, “Talks are on and I’ll be able to say something with finality by the weekend.”
For the series of three one day internationals between Africa and Asia teams, due to take place mid-August, a body called the Afro-Asian Cricket Cooperation has been formed comprising the Africa Cricket Association and the Asian Cricket Council.
Why is Dalmiya, a past master at selling rights, finding it difficult this time round?
ESPN Star Sports is already committed to the Ashes series being played in England, which has a huge fan following all around the globe. ESS is following this series. Additionally, there are the Zimbabwe vs. New Zealand matches scheduled on the dates given for the Afro-Asian matches to be played in South Africa from 15 August.
As for rival Ten Sports, it is due to show India and Pakistan in action for the Rabobank hockey trophy. That leaves Zee Sports, Max and Doordarshan as possible candidates. While the first two are not keen, DD Sport’s limited footprint rules it out as an insignificant player.
According to information posted on the website of ACC, the Afro-Asian Cup ODIs will be bigger next year as such initiatives are aimed at focussing “attention on the needs of the young and emerging cricketers of Africa and Asia.”
ACC is dubbing the series as ‘three matches, one cause (and) a great result,’ but for the moment the last is far from being realised.
The Asian Cricket Council was formed on 19 September 1983, which was then named as the Asian Cricket Conference. The aims and the objectives of the Conference were to organise, promote and develop the game of Cricket in Asia. Six countries – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Singapore – were then the full members of the Conference. In 1995, the name of the organisation was changed to Asian Cricket Council and a few amendments were made to further enhance the activities. Today, ACC has a total of 20 member countries. Efforts are on to get China into the organisation as well.
Apart from the ACC Development Programme, the organisation generates additional funds through sponsorship deals and sale of television rights that are hawked during the tournaments like the Asia Cup, Asian Test Championship, ACC Trophy and Asian Cricket Junior Tournaments.
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.
