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Star Sports to telecast Asia Cup in Hindi, English, Tamil
MUMBAI: The Unimoni Asia Cup 2018 is all set to commence from 15 September and will see Asian neighbours – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan – fight for the trophy. Star Sports, the official broadcaster, has released its first film for the tournament which speaks of the unique aspect of ‘The Tournament of Neighbours’ and this very aspect is at the heart of the campaign.
Star Sports’ “Knock Knock” campaign is based on the creative insight that one’s neighbour’s success will always be a consistent reminder of their own failure. Star Sports creative communications team is the mind behind this campaign. Nirvana Films has produced the campaign.
The tournament’s title sponsor Unimoni is a global provider of money transfer, foreign exchange, payments and credit solutions with the global head quarters in UAE.
The film subtly takes on the age old “Neighbour vs Neighbour” rivalry, and brings alive the neighbourhood rivalry in a way which is bound to leave viewers with a smile on their faces.
Talking to Indiantelevision.com Star Sports CEO Gautam Thakar said, “For the Asia Cup, the channel will have the game in English, Hindi, Tamil and a different Dugout commentary. We have applied for licenses for regional languages. Our plans are ready and as soon as we get the approval we will launch the channels.”
Star India has already sent the request to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for permission of regional language channel, Star Sports Kannada. If the channel gets the approval the Kannada audience might also get to see the matches in their local language.
“Asia Cup kicks off the cricket calendar for us, we have learnt many things in the past six months, particularly regional languages, which proved really successful in the recently concluded IPL and we are planning to do more throughout this year as the tournaments evolve. On the other hand, the Select Dugout was a novel innovation which I think a lot of the serious cricketing enthusiasts enjoyed. We are going to have that in Asia Cup for the first time. We will be using the same technology as used in the IPL,” he added.
The tournament is scheduled to be held in Dubai from September 15 to 28. Nine Star Sports screens will telecast the tournament as well as Hotstar. This year, the Unimoni Asia Cup will have a few nail-biting matches between India and Pakistan, as they compete with each other in a bid to reinstate their country’s cricketing prowess.
Unimoni Asia Cup promo
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.
