SPANDAN
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A less than a decade after its failed attempt to run Premier Hockey League tournament, sports broadcaster ESPN Star Sports has shifted its focus to the national game by acquiring the broadcast rights for Hockey India League and international hockey matches played in India for a period of five years,.
FIH, the world hockey governing body, has approved the league and has given a window so that international players will be available. The league will comprise six franchise hockey teams and will feature 33 hockey matches to be played in prime time in state-of-the-art stadia across the country. All teams will play each other on a home and away basis (30 league matches) followed by two semifinals and the final.
ESS also has the global broadcast rights to telecast at least five international hockey test matches every year under Hockey India to be played in India for the next five years. The number of matches that India will play against international opposition could go up depending on the finalisation of the series schedule.
Hockey India secretary general and Hockey India League chairman 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 in India and drive popularity of the game across the country. This partnership with ESPN Star Sports will play a key role in our overall plans.
"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."
ESS MD Peter Hutton 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 five year period. I look forward to some memorable occasions and a new era for Indian hockey."
source
FIH, the world hockey governing body, has approved the league and has given a window so that international players will be available. The league will comprise six franchise hockey teams and will feature 33 hockey matches to be played in prime time in state-of-the-art stadia across the country. All teams will play each other on a home and away basis (30 league matches) followed by two semifinals and the final.
ESS also has the global broadcast rights to telecast at least five international hockey test matches every year under Hockey India to be played in India for the next five years. The number of matches that India will play against international opposition could go up depending on the finalisation of the series schedule.
Hockey India secretary general and Hockey India League chairman 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 in India and drive popularity of the game across the country. This partnership with ESPN Star Sports will play a key role in our overall plans.
"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."
ESS MD Peter Hutton 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 five year period. I look forward to some memorable occasions and a new era for Indian hockey."
source
