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SPN India strengthen’s regional presence with six language feeds for FIFA WC
MUMBAI: With the 2018 FIFA World Cup set to kick off on June 15, the official broadcaster Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) India, increased its regional outreach with the addition of Tamil and Telugu live language feeds. This will be the first time that the FIFA World Cup will be telecast in multiple languages in India.
The two new languages are in addition to the already announced English, Hindi, Bengali and Malayalam live feeds taking the tally to six languages.
SPN India president, sports and distribution business Rajesh Kaul, “The telecast of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia will be done in six languages. It is our endeavor to reach out to every football fan in the country as per our commitment to go beyond to serve best sporting action through our programming initiatives. We have congregated some of the best international football players with great experience to provide incisive insights to our viewers. The live studio show Football Extraaa and the breakfast show Kick-Off will enrich the die-hard football enthusiast’s viewing experience of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.”
Additionally, SPN announced a star-studded panel for Football Extraaa, the pre, mid and post-match live studio show that will be telecast in English and Hindi. The show will feature a list of Indian and international football stars like Sunil Chhetri, Bhaichung Bhutia, Gurpreet Singh, Robin Singh, Luis Garcia, Louis Saha and David James.
In addition to Football Extraaa, SPN India will also showcase detailed insights for its viewers with a morning dose of football through its breakfast show Kick-Off. The show will satiate the hunger of football enthusiasts with in-depth analyses on the previous night’s game along with forecast for the forthcoming matches of the day.
The WC will also be aired live on SonyLIV. The digital arm of Sony has launched the #ScreamLoud campaign that cuts across football fans in the country who exhibit their undying passion through a light-hearted film. Fans will have a sore throat which is going to be their constant companion through the football season as they cheer and scream.
The film conceptualised by Publicis Ambience and produced by Offroad Films, has been inspired by those fans whose enthusiasm and fervour for the sport sees no limits. Ardent fans of the game can now stream all matches live on their mobile devices and have a truly amazing FIFA experience.
SPN India head marketing, subscription and content licensing- digital business Abhishek Joshi said, “FIFA is one of the biggest sporting events in the World and the excitement from fans is palpable. While conceptualizing this film, we realised that visual humour and story-telling isn’t being used much in advertising and hence we created a light-hearted film. The story is filmed from the perspective of football die-hards who lose their voices while cheering for their favourite country. This campaign will connect with fans across India and unify them for the love of the game. all types of football fans can enjoy the game on their personal devices anywhere on SonyLIV.”
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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.
