News Headline
Star Sports to showcase FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 for millions of fans across India
Mumbai: Football fans can celebrate. Especially women’s footers. Come 5 August, they will able to tune into the women’s Fifa World Cup and watch Sam Kerr (Australia), Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Sophia Smith (USA), Lena Oberdorf (Germany), Keira Walsh (England), Alexandra Popp (Germany), Alex Morgan (USA) and Alyssa Thompson (USA) kicking balls into the net courtesy of Star Sports. The sportscaster has signed up with 1Stadio to telecast live Fifa World Cup matches from the round of 16 onwards. Star Sports has been running highlights of group stage matches since the tournament started on 5 August. Aficionados will also be able to watch the Fifa World cup in regional languages.
Speaking about the association with the FIFA World Cup 2023, Star Sports spokesperson said, “The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is the ultimate showcase and celebration of women’s sport. It stands as a beacon of inspiration for girls pursuing, or keen to pursue, sport and is a huge draw for millions of fans who desire to watch the best that Football has to offer. Star Sports is the home of sports and the default destination for millions of sports fans. We see this association as a milestone in the journey of women’s sport in India and the need for increased inclusivity in sports. Support for women’s sport not only reflects our (personal and societal) attitudes towards gender equity but also inspires the next generation of athletes to Believe, which should be our nation’s shared ambition.”
1Stadia CEO and co-founder Sangeet Shirodkar said, “1Stadia is thrilled to announce this partnership with Star Sports. This collaboration allows us to share the magic of this iconic tournament with millions of viewers across India, and together, we aim to celebrate the extraordinary athletes competing on the global stage.”
With the acquisition of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 from 1Stadia, Star Sports is proud to bring the top teams and players from the marquee global tournament into the homes of millions of eager fans. Football enthusiasts can look forward to witnessing the skills of world-class athletes such as Sam Kerr (Australia), Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Sophia Smith (USA), Lena Oberdorf (Germany), Keira Walsh (England), Alexandra Popp (Germany), Alex Morgan (USA) and Alyssa Thompson (USA) among others. Fans will also be able to witness memorable moments, from nail-biting goals to breathtaking saves, which will leave a lasting impact on fans.
Over the years, Star Sports has made significant strides in growing the fan base for women’s sports in India. In a landmark achievement, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, registered a 3.7X increase in viewership from the 2018 edition on Star Sports. Star Sports has also collaborated with cricket associations like ICC, ACC and BCCI to bring to viewers, for the first time in many cases, a wider array of competitions. This includes women-centric tournaments like the World Cup (2013), U19 World Cup (2023), Asia Cup (2022) and multiple bilateral tours to India. Powered by high decibel marketing campaigns and multi-language commentary, these events have served to grow fandom for women’s sport and serve as a powerful motivation for aspiring athletes across the nation.
Stay tuned for daily comprehensive highlights and live action from Round of 16, as Star Sports celebrates extraordinary women athletes seeking to create history at this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Awards
Hamdard honours changemakers at Abdul Hameed awards
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.








