MxMIndia

Tag: HockeyIndia

  • ESPN STAR Sports to exclusively broadcast all international hockey test matches under HI to be played inIndiafor the next 5 years

    Hockey India signs multi-year deal with ESPN Star

    By A Correspondent

     

    Hockey India entered into a multi-year broadcast agreement with leading sports broadcaster ESPN STAR Sports to exclusively broadcast the soon to be launched Hockey India League (HIL). ESPN STAR Sports will also cover all international hockey test matches under Hockey India to be played in India for the next 5 years.

     

    In a multi-year deal, ESPN STAR Sports has been granted global telecast rights for the professional hockey league. The FIH-approved league will see the best of national as well as international hockey stars showcase their prowess. The first edition of the league is expected to be played in January 2013. The league will comprise of at least six franchise hockey teams and will feature 33 hockey matches to be played in prime time in stadia across the country. All teams will play each other on a home and away basis (30 league matches) followed by 2 semifinals and the final.

     

    Hockey India further announced that ESPN STAR Sports has the global broadcast rights to telecast at least 5 international hockey test matches every year under Hockey India to be played in India for the next 5 years. The number of matches that India will play against top quality international opposition could go up depending on the finalization of the series schedule.

     

    Hockey India Secretary General and Chairman, Hockey India League, Dr. Narinder Batra said: “We are delighted to have ESPN STAR Sports as our broadcast partners. Hockey India has a clear vision – we want to revive the glory days of hockey inIndiaand drive popularity of the game across the country. This partnership with ESPN STAR Sports will play a key role in our overall plans.”

     

    Speaking on the professional hockey league, Mr Batra added: “The proposed league (HIL) will be the biggest initiative that hockey has ever seen in India. We have been working out the details for months now and I am glad to announce that things are quickly falling into place. I am confident that our partners ESPN STAR Sports will help us deliver a flawless world class product.”

     

    Peter Hutton, Managing Director, ESPN STAR Sports said: “Hockey is close to our heart and we will drive all our efforts to make this league a success. We are also delighted to have all international hockey test matches under Hockey India to be played in India on our networks for a 5 year period. I look forward to some memorable occasions and a new era for Indian hockey.”

     

  • By taking up this franchisee, Sahara India Pariwar intends to encourage young talents, thereby giving them a platform to nurture their skills

    Sahara picks Lucknow franchisee of Hockey India League

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sahara India Pariwar, a major business conglomerate, has announced that it has picked up one of the Lucknow franchise of the Hockey India League (HIL), which is to be started by Hockey India. The Hockey India League (HIL) will initially comprise of six teams which will play amongst each other (both home and away matches).

     

    Moreover, by taking up this franchisee, Sahara India Pariwar intends to encourage young talents, thereby giving them a platform to nurture their skills under the supervision of talented sportsmen.

     

    Speaking on the occasion, ‘Saharasri’ Subrata Roy Sahara, Managing Worker & Chairman, Sahara India Pariwar, said: “We are proud to associate with this great game, which has created legends in the past. By taking up this franchise, we are sure that fresh talent will be identified at city and regional level, who in turn will bring laurels to our beloved nation. We are also hopeful, that following our efforts to encourage hockey, other corporate entities will also come forward to support this league which will eventually benefit the game and its exponents.”

     

    Mr. Narendra Batra, Secretary General, Hockey India, said: “I am grateful to Sahara India Pariwar, for again coming forward in support of Hockey. The Group has always supported the sport of hockey.”

     

    Apart from being sponsor to the Indian Hockey Team, Sahara India Pariwar had also joined hands with Federation Internationale De Hockey (FIH) in 2004, the World’s apex Body for Hockey, and became the 4th Global Partner of the Federation for 3 years.