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TV coverage grows for Davis Cup, Fed Cup
MUMBAI: The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has announced that television coverage for its two major team events – Davis Cup for men and Fed Cup for women have grown in terms of television coverage.
This weekend’s Fed Cup Final between France and Russia will see 16 broadcasters covering the event live. The total reach will be of 46 countries in all five continents. They include India, France, Russia, UK, Spain, US, Brazil, Middle East, China, Singapore and Malaysia.
The Fed Cup ties which took place from 10-11 July 2005 were shown in over 35 countries by more than 30 broadcasters. All ten World Group ties received television coverage. In Russia, NTV Plus and RTR combined to show more than 20 hours of dedicated coverage from their semifinal clash with US. The tie was also broadcast in 35 other countries including India.
As far as the Davis Cup is concerned more than 40 broadcasters reaching over 100 countries covered the recent Quarter Finals played in July. The Russia vs France tie attracted 12 broadcasters reaching 30 countries. Domestic broadcasters NTV Plus and RTR showed over 26 hours of dedicated coverage, while France TV had good audiences throughout the weekend registering a peak of 2.5 million viewers with a market share of over 20 per cent.
Croatia’s HRT registered strong figures throughout the weekend during its team’s historic victory against Romania, with a peak market share of 31.8 per cent, while TV Romania reached the 20 per cent mark. Slovak TV enjoyed market shares of over 25 per cent for every day of their team’s defeat of the Netherlands, and Channel 7 (Australia) regularly achieved market shares of over 35 per cent in their tie against Argentina, which was also broadcast in Spain, France and the US.
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.
