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TWI bags intl TV rights for French Soccer
MUMBAI: TWI has won a four-year deal for the international broadcasting rights to French football’s top league. It has become the new partner of the LFP (Ligue de Football Professionel).
TWI gained the rights for all territories outside France after offering a varied and diverse service to France’s Ligue 1. Its multi-layered strategy will include producing different versions of highlights, specifically, edited versions of live matches.
TWI already does this for the English Premier League which airs in India on ESPN Star Sports (ESS).
TWI is also in charge of producing a multi-language version of a new international website. As far as promotional activity is concerned TWI will promote the image of the league through regular updates and Club / Player profiles throughout regular news and features in various television specials such as Futbol Mundial and Trans World Sport.
TWI will also seek to harness the expertise of SNTV. The sports news agency is a joint venture between Associated Press and TWI and will also play a very pro-active role in promoting the League, organise worldwide tours and special events with the Clubs
Rather than concentrating on trading the broadcast rights, TWI will instead heavily invest time, energy and expertise in promoting the French League as a brand. It will be underpinned by the activities of the IMG Football agent division who will devise a co-ordinated approach to build interest in French national stars abroad. The IMG sponsorship division will also be involved in marketing the programmes.
TWI senior VP and sales head Michel Masquelier said “In the short term, we are confident of tripling audiences, and, if played correctly over the next seven years, we expect the French League be in the world top three in terms of media profile.”
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.
