News Broadcasting
BBC World News announces fifth Football connect tournament
MUMBAI: Returning for its highly anticipated 5th year, on the 30th of August ‘BBC World News Football Connect’ will bring together more than 300 associates from premier media agencies and brands to play five-a-side matches and compete for the BBC World News Football Connect 2019 trophy.
Since its launch in 2014, this event has offered Mumbai’s media professionals the unique opportunity to test their skills on the pitch while building valuable relationships with colleagues from across the industry, with the event attracting everyone from CEOs and Account Directors to media planners and buyers. Hosted by BBC World News, the day will showcase the BBC’s substantial global offering across both the World News channel and online at BBC.com, demonstrating the BBC’s commitment to the Indian market, which now holds the biggest BBC news global audience growing from 30 to 50 million peoplein the past year.
“We can’t wait to dig out our football boots and get back on the pitch for BBC World News Football Connect 2019. This initiative has gone from strength to strength since it was first launched five years ago, and we remain as committed as ever to engaging the Mumbai media community and showcasing our excellent sports coverage and other offerings across BBC World News, BBC.com, mobile app and other platforms. We know that there is a huge potential market in India, with BBC News now available in nine languages across the country, we are delighted to see growth as we are reaching new audiences,’said Vishal Bhatnagar, Sales Director, South Asia, at BBC Global News.
Moving this year to a bigger venue at Om Grounds Astro Turf Field at JVPD, Mumbai, the event promises to be better than ever with both the enduringly popular five-a-side matches and a VIP fan zone, where spectators can cheer the teams, participate in a foosball competition or test their teamwork skills in a host of activities, from building towers using 4ft Jenga-style blocks to games of air hockey and more. Guests will also be able to challenge their hosts from BBC World News to games with the opportunity of winning exclusive merchandise to take home.
Organisers remain committed to ensuring women have an opportunity to take up key positions on teams, and the ‘Golden Goal’ penalty shoot-out scheme will once again be a focal point of the event. At the start of each match, two women from every team will take part in a penalty shoot-out, acting either as goalkeeper or taking the all-important free kicks. In the event of a tie, the goals scored in the ‘Golden Goal’ penalty shoot-out will be added to the final score to determine the winning team.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
