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Ten Sports eyes global market with ICC T-20 World Cup
MUMBAI: Ten Sports is busy gearing up for the ICC T-20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Bangladesh from 16 March to 6 April.
In case you’re wondering, Star Sports holds exclusive broadcast rights for the T-20 World Cup, but has sub-let to Ten Sports – the only sports broadcaster present in Pakistan – rights for broadcasting in Pakistan matches featuring the team from the neighbouring country.
So, Ten Sports Pakistan, which beams off Intelsat 20 using MPEG-4 system, will be the home for all Pakistan matches in the tournament.
Informs Ten Sports CEO Rajesh Sethi: “We are the only sports broadcaster present in Pakistan, and we will be telecasting all Pakistan matches on our channel during the ICC T-20 World Cup,” before adding, “Advertisers have really responded well to the tourney and we have already generated close to $7.5 million and are targeting $20 million in ad revenues.”
With a state-of-the-art post-production studio and an expert panel for in-depth match analysis, Ten Sports is well equipped for the series and is already planning a show from its Noida set up. “We will be putting a lot of emphasis on graphics and analytics during pre and post match shows as well as the one during the match,” explains Sethi. “We are bullish about the T-20 World Cup and want to ensure the same kind of programming quality in our Pakistan set up as is with India in recent years.”
Recently, Ten Sports also inked a seven-year deal to broadcast Sri Lanka Cricket’s international matches till March 2020, which includes multiple media platforms and global sponsorship rights.
“Our main focus is on creating a superlative viewership experience and compelling content, by ensuring it has a world-class programming and production aspect,” stresses Sethi. “We have also syndicated a lot of our content; we have already signed a deal with MP Silva for content syndication in the US and they will ensure that the Asian community gets to watch all the matches played by Sri Lanka. All Sri Lanka vs. England matches have been syndicated to BSkyB in the UK.”
Ten Sports currently holds rights for four cricket boards including South Africa, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and the West Indies. It also holds long-term rights for WWE, UEFA Champions League, French League 1, US Open Tennis, ATP & WTA, and Capital One Cup, European Tour & Asian Tour Golf, among other exciting properties. The network will also be broadcasting the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games this year.
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.
