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Television rights for IFA up for grabs
MUMBAI: The television rights for the Indian Football Association (IFA) in West Bengal are up for grabs.
Sports marketing firm Total Sports Entertainment India (TSEI) is conducting the tender process along with IFA. Speaking to Indiantelevision.com TSEI MD Indian subcontinent and Middle East Navneet Sharma says, “This is the oldest state football association in the country and caters to the mecca of Indian Football i.e West Bengal. Players such as Bhaichung Bhutia play here.”
“ESPN Star Sports are the incumbents. They have been covering the event for the past ten years. The IFA is hoping for more visibility through a new deal for at least a five year period. The process is expected to be completed sometime next month. All the national sports broadcasters are speaking to IFA in this regard. There are regional channels also who have shown a lot of interest and are in talks with the IFA honorary secratary Subroto Dutta and us.”
“We could have a national broadcaster and a regional broadcaster covering the event. Television production arrangements will have to be made by the bidders and we are evaluating the proposals in terms of the coverage being offered,”added Sharma. But, he was mum when asked about the kind of revenue the IFA hopes to generate from a new deal.
Clubs such as Kingfisher, East Bengal, Mohan Bagan, Mohd Sporting participatein the events. The IFA has two events for broadcasters – the IFA leagues and the IFA Shield. IFA Leagues go on for a period of four months June-July and October-November. In all 50 matches are played.
The IFA Shield generally happens in the November- December period. At least one foreign side takes part in this event. Last year TSEI had brought down the German club Bayern Munich to participate. This year TSEI is looking at two foreign teams participating.
Sharma adds that one event that will not be covered by the deal is the Futsal event. This is an innovation that TSEI had introduced last year. Here unlike traditional football in Futsal each team has just five members. Each half lasts for 20 minutes. That makes the game speedier and reduces periods of boredom. Futsal is organised under the aegis of the IFA.
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.
