News Headline
Star Sports celebrates a decade of transformative sports broadcasting with ‘Believe’
Mumbai: On 6 November 2023, Star Sports proudly commemorated a decade of reshaping sports broadcasting with its transformative tagline, BELIEVE. Over the past 10 years, Star Sports has not only brought world-class sports broadcasting to the country but has also altered the sports landscape with its commitment to innovation, fan-centric content, and transformative regionalisation to get fans closer to the game.
BELIEVE, articulated on the profound insight that greatness is not reserved for a chosen few, has become a guiding philosophy for Star Sports over the years. It’s a celebration of hero moments, inspiring stories, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. As a brand, Star Sports has strived to ignite the hero within each one of us over the past decade and remains committed to this mission. The BELIEVE series starts with a never-seen-before, two-part interview with Virat Kohli- ‘Believe: The Diwali Miracle’ – aligning with Star Sports’ mission to bring heroes closer to fans and showcase inspiring stories.
Diwali night in Melbourne and #TeamIndia were in a dark place against Pakistan… until @imVkohli ignite belief in a billion hearts!
Do not miss the final part of this incredible story!
Tune-in to #Believe: Part 2
SUN, NOV 12, 10 PM onwards | Star Sports Network#Cricket pic.twitter.com/CvCWieAy8x— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 9, 2023
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of BELIEVE, Star Sports launched a series of BELIEVE films featuring Indian Heroes whose stories inspire billions of fans around the country. The series showcases the journey taken by India’s favourite champions, a celebration of their own pursuit of excellence, an exhibit of storylines tied together with one common factor: how all of them, always BELIEVED – and that’s how they made their story happen.
The campaign begins with the first promo featuring Virat Kohli. King Kohli’s journey of becoming one of the greatest sporting legends has defied the old saying of ‘Umeed pe Duniya kayam hai’ (the world endures its strength from Hope), only to reinforce that its ‘Yakeen’ (Believe) that drives the world.
Believe ambassador and Indian cricket superstar, KL Rahul, said, “Joining Star Sports as a ‘Believe Ambassador’ was more than just a association for me—it was a commitment to inspire the next generation of sports enthusiasts across the country. Their legacy of reshaping the sports landscape aligns seamlessly with my vision for sports in this country and together we want to convey the message that dreams have no boundaries, and with unwavering belief, anyone can hit it out of the park, transcending barriers and making their mark on the world. As part of this journey, we’ll continue to fuel the passion for sports and instil the power of belief in every aspiring athlete’s journey in years to come.”
Believe ambassador and Indian cricket superstar, Ravindra Jadeja, said, “This celebration with Star Sports is a shared responsibility to inspire a generation of athletes, cultivate their true potential and make them believe in their dreams. Star Sports’ transformative journey in sports broadcasting mirrors my passion for pushing boundaries on the field. Together, we’ll continue to craft a legacy that resonates with fans and fuels the undying spirit of all sports. Here’s to a decade of belief and many more innings to come!”
In its pioneering journey, Star Sports achieved several milestones, becoming the first-ever sports broadcaster with dedicated Hindi Cricket coverage and launching a 24-hour Hindi sports channel in 2013. Dedicating regional channels for Tamil (2017), Telugu, and Kannada (2019), Star Sports brought new depth to the IPL, a league that had already completed a decade. Over 500 million viewers watched the live broadcast of the latest edition of IPL on Star Sports clocking 427 billion minutes of watch time. As a brand, Star Sports provided world-class sports broadcasting to the country while extensively growing its portfolio of sports.
Star Sports took the lead in promoting women’s sports, producing high-definition live coverage of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2013. The commitment continued with a dedicated Kabaddi league for women in 2016, reaching an unprecedented 90 million viewers. Campaigns challenging stereotypes and showcasing the grit and determination of women athletes have driven change in the sporting ecosystem.
The Broadcaster introduced Kabaddi, a truly homegrown sport, and took it to the world showcasing heroes and legends rising over nine seasons. With a viewership touching 328 million in season 7, PKL became the second most-watched league in India. Season 10, commencing on December 2, 2023, promises an even more thrilling experience with a return to all 12 cities. Since 2014, Star Sports has held the broadcasting rights for ISL, contributing to its popularity and making it the most-watched football league in India.
Star Sports has been at the forefront of bringing the world’s best sporting action to fans in India over the years. The broadcaster has been home to some of the biggest international sporting events like the Premier League, Wimbledon, F1, One Championship, and MLB.
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.
