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Sony Sports Network unveils sporting icons and expert panelists for SPORTS EXTRAAA for the 19th Asian Games
Mumbai: The much-awaited 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 is finally here, and making this edition of the prestigious multi-discipline extravaganza more exciting is the addition of cricket which will see men and women in blue participating for the coveted gold. Sony Sports Network continues to be the premier destination for cricket and multi-sport events and is the official broadcaster for the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
Ensuring sports buffs don’t miss the live action from China, Sony Sports Network, will not only bring round-the-clock live and non-live coverage but they will also have an esteemed panel of guests featuring sporting icons and expert panelists which will enrich the experience for viewers with their analysis and comprehensive reportage.
The extensive coverage for the continental sporting spectacle will be broadcast LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 4, and Sony Sports Ten 5 channels (SD & HD) with Hindi and English commentary for the broadcast sports. Additionally, Indian cricket teams’ matches will have commentary in Tamil and Telugu as well. The action will also be live streamed on its on-demand OTT platform Sony LIV.
Aiming to enhance fan engagement and bringing unparalleled viewing experience for audiences across the nation, Sony Sports Network will continue to showcase their flagship wrap around studio show – SPORTS EXTRAAA.
The cricket panel sharing insights and real-time analogies of Indian men and women’s cricket teams’ performance will feature former India skipper and coach Nooshin Al Khadeer, former cricketer and seasoned coach WV Raman, famed wicketkeeper Saba Karim, India internationals Rohan Gavaskar and Aakash Chopra adding flavour to the 19th Asian Games coverage. The impressive line-up of experts for cricket also includes legendary spinner Maninder Singh, Vivek Razdan, and Vidhyut Sivaramakrishnan.
The star-studded panel also includes Olympian and former India men’s hockey captain Viren Rasquinha, along with Olympian and Asian Games Gold medalist Somdev Devvarman, veteran journalist Ayaz Memon and commentator Siddharth Pandey.
Taking their discipline-specific match analysis up by several notches, Sony Sports Network will also have Olympic bronze medalist and Asian Games gold medalist Vijender Singh for boxing, World Champions bronze medalist and multiple Asian Games medalist Anju Bobby George for athletics, multiple grand slam champion Sania Mirza for tennis, the charismatic striker Robin Singh for football, Olympian Anjali Bhagwat and Joydeep Karmakar for shooting, Olympian Neha Aggarwal for table tennis, former international squash player Ritwik Bhattacharya, Commonwealth Games gold medalist Rahul Banerjee for archery, Arjan for Esports, Rohit Mardappa for rowing, sports commentator Radhakrishnan, coach Kripa Shankar Patel for wrestling and Commonwealth Games medalist Trupti Murgunde for badminton.
SPORTS EXTRAAA will be hosted by Sony Sports Network anchors Suhail Chandhok, Radhakrishnan and Arpit Sharma.
Watch the star-studded Indian contingent vying for top honours, ‘Iss Baar, Sau Paar’, at the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV starting with the live coverage of the opening ceremony live on Sony Sports Network on 23 September 2023 from 5:30 pm onwards.
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.
