Mumbai: EPIC Channel is all set to launch ‘Umeed India’, the most inspiring TV series that you will see this year. Premiering on Thursday, 20th July on EPIC, India Ka Apna Infotainment channel, the show will see one of India’s biggest sports superstar, Virender Sehwag don his first-ever role as a host. The channel announced the show at a press conference with the ace cricketer today at The St. Regis Mumbai.
The victory of every sportsman and the accolades that it earns for the country is a culmination of unwavering passion, immense hard work and behind-the-scenes struggle which often remains unsung. With Umeed India, Virender Sehwag, one of the best ODI batsmen the country has seen, travels to the places across India where athletes are priming for gold and glory. Peppering the narrative with his personal journey and anecdotes, he explores the ambitions, aspirations and struggles of the best sportspeople of India.
As the headline suggests – ‘13 Khiladi, Sapna Ek’ – Umeed India, will reveal inspiring journeys and on-going battles of 13 sports stars including the Freestyle Wrestler and Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik, Paralympian Swimmer Suyash Yadav, Shot Put player Om Prakash Karhana, Sprinter Dutee Chand, Judoka Avtar Singh, Wrestler Vinesh Phogat, Rower Dattu Bhokanal, among others who are aiming for glory at Olympics 2020. With an up close and personal look at their training sessions, diets, exercises, overall personal and professional the show brings to light the abundance of talent in India.
Gracing the press conference for the announcement of the show, Virender Sehwag revealed the reason behind why he chose to be a host for this show and said in his inimitable style “Jo athlete mehnat karta hai, desh ke liye medal laane ki poori koshish karta hain, Olympics ke pehle; uski jo life aur struggle hoti hai; jitni sacrifices hoti hai iss mukaam tak pahunchne ke liye, kin kin mushkilon ka saamnaa karnaa padta hai; uss-se main inspired hoon”
Throwing light on his own struggle during his early days he said, “Main khud Najafgarh se hoon, 2 ghante travel kar ke training ke liye jaana padta tha, facilities bhi nahin hoti thi, facilities banaani padti thi, khud pitches roll ki hain; ab mauka mila hai ek sportsperson ki zindagi ke baare mein bataane ka. Jab aisi kadi mehnat ke baad koi athlete medal le aataa hai, star bann jaataa hai, tab sunn-ne mein aata hai ki voh paiso ke liye khelta hai, endorsements ke liye khelta hai. Woh 15 saal ka prashram, mehnat aur pareshaani tab nazar nahin aati, Isliye main Umeed India show host kar raha hoon”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Aditya Pittie, Director, EPIC Channel said, “EPIC channel has consistently provided content that is unique, informative yet entertaining. By elevating our proposition to be an India-centric, Hindi language infotainment channel earlier this year, we promised to bring real stories of real Indians and our series ‘Umeed India’ stands as a fine example. With Umeed India, we are providing a national platform, a national voice to sportspeople of India. With Virender Sehwag on board, I am confident the show will not only serve as a window to the lives of existing champions, but also inspire many budding sportspersons in the country to rise up as future champions”.
Umeed India also highlights the challenges and areas of improvement for the sports scenario in India. In a country with aspirations of global sporting glory, this new show by EPIC Channel, is an innovative presentation of unsung sporting heroes of the nation.
