Few can resist the excitement that comes with discovering snug, ageless memories in a new package.
For lovers of Sportstar, India’s premier sports weekly for over three decades, there were surprises of the most pleasant variety on Wednesday evening. A new-look Sportstar , in the magazine format, was released in a function that was at once elegant and warm.
Ramanathan Krishnan, India’s foremost tennis legend, released the first copy of Sportstar while Siddharth Varadarajan, Editor, The Hindu , received it. Also in attendance were quite a few former Olympians and Internationals.
In his address, Mr. Krishnan recalled his long-standing association with The Hindu group of publications, particularly Sportstar and its famed predecessor, Sport and Pastime.
“Back in 1948, I started learning tennis from my father. I used to read the Sport and Pastime and found itvery interesting. So I asked my father to subscribe to it. I remember reading a very good account of the Wimbledon final in 1948 between [Robert] Falkenburg and [John] Bromwich. Later, I had a collection of about 1000 copies of Sport and Pastime. The Hindu group of publications has always maintained a high standard, moving with the times,” he said.
New dawn
Mr. Varadarajan hoped the re-launch of the Sportstar with the Olympics round the corner, would coincide with a new dawn for Indian sports.
“With a magazine that can provide insights into Indian sports, I hope both Sportstar and Indian sports can grow hand in hand.”
Nirmal Shekar, Editor, Sportstar, and Sports Editor of The Hindu , assured the audience that the re-launch was “not old wine in a new bottle.”
“When it comes to change, the why, how, and what, are all equally important.
“We have tried to make the magazine more reader-friendly with new, trendy fonts, aesthetically pleasing design, and attractive new editorial features,” he said.
Arun Anant, CEO of The Hindu , and Suresh Srinivasan, Vice-President (Advertising), The Hindu , presented Mr. Krishnan with a memento.
