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Sri Lanka Cricket issues tender; Ten retains 2004 broadcast rights
MUMBAI: The legal wrangling that has surrounded the issue of broadcast rights to cricket emanating from Sri Lanka appears to have been settled once and for all.
A tender document issued yesterday by the island nation’s cricket board, Sri Lanka Cricket, regarding television and sponsorship rights for the next three years from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006 makes it clear that the broadcast rights in Asia, Middle East and Europe for 2004 both for television and the Internet will remain with Ten Sports.
The tender covers the tours by Australia and South Africa in 2004 and by the West Indies in 2005. The tender also includes tours by Bangladesh, Pakistan and South Africa in 2006.
According to the document, a copy of which is with indiantelevision.com, five companies are in the running for the rights. They are PCM Sports (an Indian event management company), SET Satellite Singapore, Taj Television (which operates Ten Sports), TWI and World Sport Nimbus.
The rights on offer are for all television, radio and sponsorship rights for the six tours mentioned above. The succesful company is also obligated to produce the games and provide a feed free of charge to Sri Lankan state broadcaster Rupavahini for all six events and to Ten Sports for the first two events. The deadline for submision of the bids is 27 December.
For those who came in late, there was a three way tussle involving Sri Lanka’s cricket board, Taj Television and World Sport Nimbus (WSN) as to who had held the broadcast rights till 2004 and a hearing to this effect was going on in Singapore. The exact terms of the deal that have been reached as far as the 2004 tours by South Africa and Australia are concerned are as follows:
As per the agreement with Taj, “Territory (for which Taj holds broadcast rights) shall mean the whole of Asia (excluding terrestrial broadcast in Sri Lanka), Middle East and Europe (excluding England) and excluding Australia in the case of the Australian tours and South Africa in the case of the South African tours, only.”
With regard to the 2005 and 2006 tours, “Territory” means outside Sri Lanka, excluding the North American market for broadband / wireless rights.
The tender mentions that the party should specify the quality of production it intends to provide. The winning party has to provide an irrevocable unconditional bank guarantee on a tour by tour basis. In addition to the above mentioned tours Sri Lanka Cricket is also holding dialogue with the Indian Cricket Board for Saurav’s boys to tour the island anytime from 2004- December 2006. The winning bidder will have the first rights of refusal should India agree.
The tender has explained that sponsorship rights will include title sponsorship, 50 ground runners, boundary line tape and commercial rights that will rise out of related promotional, merchandising and licensing opportunities.
Sri Lanka Cricket has further stressed that should a tour get affected by factors beyond its control such as riots, it will not be liable for default on complying with the offer agreed upon. All in all it looks a great deal because the only weak team visiting the island is Bangladesh. First up though are Australia who travel in February for three tests matches and five ODIs.
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.
