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Steve McMahon joins ESS for football analysis
MUMBAI: Steve McMahon, ex Liverpool and ex England footballer has joined ESPN Star Sports (ESS). McMahon joins the team of analysts to provide his views on various football events showcased worldwide.
ESS senior VP production Huw Bevan said, “Steve McMahon, with his vast experience as a player and as a manager, will be an asset to our network. Viewers will definitely enjoy his inimitable style. I am sure that Steve will endear himself to the fans in no time with his direct, frank and incisive comments on football. He will be seen on the network giving his expert views on EPL, Uefa Champions League, the Fifa World Cup 2006 for India and other football properties. He will also feature as an expert on SportsCenter.”
McMahon said, “This is my first long term association with any broadcaster. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a footballer. Now I look forward to my new role as an expert analyst. I will give my best to the fans of the game and play my part to grow the popularity of this fantastic sport.”
A former Everton ball boy, McMahon graduated through the ranks at Goodison to captain the Blues during the early eighties. McMahon’s signature was first sought after by the Reds two years before.
Not wanting to risk the wrath of the Evertonians he opted instead to join Aston Villa but failed to settle in the Midlands. A month into Liverpool’s momentous double winning season of 85/86, Kenny Dalglish paid £350,000 to acquire his services.
A fine striker of the ball, McMahon scored many memorable goals during his time at Anfield. In one of his early games for the Reds he famously hit the back of the net in a memorable 3-2 Merseyside derby success.
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.
