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Category: Sports

  • Dream11 aims to increase user base with Hero ISL season 5: Vikrant Mudaliar

    Dream11 aims to increase user base with Hero ISL season 5: Vikrant Mudaliar

    MUMBAI: Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) season five is just around the corner and Dream11 being the official fantasy football partner and home to more than four crore fantasy sports fans is looking to capitalise on the championship’s buzz to expand its user base.

    Looking at the increase in the number of users playing fantasy football on the platform, the company felt partnering with the Hero ISL was an ideal opportunity to deepen fan engagement

    The fifth edition of the Hero ISL is set to kick off on 29 September 2018 with broadcast in six different languages English, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali and Kannada. On the digital front, the league will also be live streamed on Hotstar and Jio TV. 

    Dream11 CMO Vikrant Mudaliar said, “Fantasy sports enjoys a symbiotic relationship with real-life sports and we firmly believe in growing with sports leagues by partnering with them. Globally, almost all major sports leagues are using fantasy sports as their primary tool of fan engagement and in India we have taken the lead to partner with some of the sports leagues like Hero ISL to provide great fan experience.”

    According to Mudaliar, Hero ISL has helped bring football to the mainstream and aided the popularity of the sport at the grassroots level. It is good to see another sport taking the lead for a change in a cricket focused country. 

    Mudaliar believes that the whole experience of consuming the sport can be made more enriching by offering fans experiences which cater to their lifestyle and living experiences. Right from the commute to the stadium to the food delivery at home to the sports merchandise being bought by the ardent fans – it is all a part of the overall sports experience.

    These are all opportunities and touch point for brands to get involved in a sports fan’s life and provide them with an enriching, immersive experience. He also believes in working with sports leagues to drive sports promotion and awareness.

    For Dream11, associating and partnering with sports leagues and platforms is a natural fitment. It enjoys a close relationship with real-life sports and therefore sports leagues become the natural choice for association. It also provides sports leagues an opportunity to deepen their fans’ engagement with the sport.

    “We can together dip into each other’s expertise offering a great product + market fit to cater to a loyal fan base and provide incremental connect for the users,” he concluded.

  • Rajiv Mathrani joins Star Sports as chief marketing officer

    Rajiv Mathrani joins Star Sports as chief marketing officer

    MUMBAI: Star Sports has appointed Rajiv Mathrani as its new chief marketing officer (CMO), a source close to the development has confirmed to Indiantelevision.com. Mathrani joined Star Sports on 17 September 2018. In his last gig, he worked as chief brand and online officer at Airtel, where he led the transformation of the telecom giant into a digital services player.

    In a career spanning close to two decades, Mathrani has worked with top companies including Pepsico, GlaxoSmithKline, Citibank and Marico Industries. He was a creative consultant for a brief period of three years, before returning to the corporate world as vice president marketing at Pepsico in 2010. He was elevated to Pepsico senior director – snacks category head in 2014.

    Mathrani holds a PGDBM in marketing from XLRI Jamshedpur.

    In a recent development, Star had expressed displeasure with regards to Virat Kohli’s absence from Asia Cup. The broadcaster wrote an email to ACC game development manager Thusith Perera, stating how Kohli’s absence will impact the financial aspect of the coverage. The broadcaster wrote that it will impact their ability to monetise and generate revenue for the tournament.

    Responding to the email, BCCI, however, in a sharp reply to ACC has made it clear that neither it nor broadcasters have any say in national team selection matters.

  • Star raises concern with ACC over revenue regeneration for Asia Cup; BCCI responds

    Star raises concern with ACC over revenue regeneration for Asia Cup; BCCI responds

    MUMBAI: Star has expressed displeasure on Virat Kohli’s absence from the Asia Cup and had asked Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to get in touch with the BCCI, according to a report by Press Trust of India.

    Star, in an email to ACC game development manager Thusith Perera, stated how Kohli’s absence will impact the financial aspect of the coverage.

    “In our view, the announcement of the absence of one of world’s best batsmen from the Asia Cup, only 15 days before the commencement of the Asia Cup, is a severe dent to us (event broadcaster) and will severely impact our ability to monetise and generate revenue for the tournament,” the email stated.

    The broadcaster had asked ACC to get in touch with BCCI as it was clear that MRA (Media Rights Agreement) obligations required ACC to ensure best national teams are playing the tournament.

    The BCCI, however, in a sharp reply to ACC has made it clear that neither it nor broadcasters have any say in national team selection matters.

    However, BCCI made it clear that it is solely the parent body’s prerogative to choose the national team and no outside interference would be allowed.

    “Please note that selection of best available team for participation in a tournament is sole prerogative of BCCI,” BCCI CEO Rahul Johri replied to Perera.

    “It is not open for ACC or its broadcaster to insist on selection of any particular player and/or to question the expertise of any selection committee as to which is the best available team for particular tournament,” Johri further wrote. 

    Kohli, inarguably the biggest draw in world cricket, was rested after an 84-day tour of England where he emerged as top run-scorer with 593 runs in five Tests.

    Star India acquired the global media rights for Asia Cup from 2016 to 2023 in December 2015.

  • India Skates away to glory with medals galore at The Asian Roller-Skating Championship held in South Korea

    India Skates away to glory with medals galore at The Asian Roller-Skating Championship held in South Korea

    MUMBAI: The 18th Asian Roller-Skating Championship held between 05th – 15th September 2018 The Artistic Skating Championship concluded today at South Korea. The Indian contingent of 137 skaters from 15 states participated in this Championship. The Asian Roller-Skating Championship is one of the most reputed annual skating event where participants from 17 countries (India, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macaw, Taipei, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand) compete to win medals at the most prestigious for Roller Skating tournament for Asian Countries. Participants compete across six skating categories namely: Speed, Artistic, Inline Freestyle, Inline Hockey, Rink Hockey and skateboarding.

    This year, the World Skate Asia International Judges consisted of 44 judges spread across the 6 disciplines. India had 3 judges (Mr. Pradeepak Malvai, Mr Kiran Desai and Ms. Smita Sheth in the artistic discipline, 1 judge in Rink Hockey (Mr. Anand Rajesh) and 2 judges in speed ( Mr. Pushpendran Kumar Singh, Mr. Bhagirath Kumar Dadhich) respectively

    The Indian skaters who competed in the artistic skating categories, brought glory to the country by beating tough competition in artistic from Chinese Taipei, China and Japan. The total number of artistic skaters who participated were 29 and they received 26 medals ( 3 gold, 13 silver and 10 bronze). Speed skaters won in four relay races ( 1 silver and 3 bronze)– Girls ( Junior and Senior) and Boys ( Junior and senior ). In the Individual category, Vikram in 500m race has won bronze medal and Rea Elizabeth has won a bronze medal in the elimination race. In Roller Hockey the Senior Quad girls won the gold, and in Inline Hockey the Junior girls won a silver and the Junior boys bagged a bronze.

    Final Medal Tally Artistic:

    Sudhanshu Mittal – Vice President of the Indian Olympic Association and Tulsi Ram Agarwal President RSFI (Roller Skating Federation of India) on the wins said “ The Indian team which was sent to the 18th Asian Roller Skating Championship had undergone a vigorous training exercise starting six months before the championship. All the disciplines had kept various camps across the cities of India and got these skaters trained from the best Indian coaches. International coaches were also called to train the Indian Skaters. The Official Board members kept a keen watch on each skater’s performance and were in constant contact with the coaches. This has resulted in India performing extremely well in this Asian. The performance shown by the Indian contingent of 137 skaters with over 20 medal won at an Asian level is indeed an inspiring win for the country. We hope that these young skaters make India proud by winning many more championships like this.”

  • Language of Experts: Select Dugout returns to Unimoni Asia Cup 2018 to keep fans ahead of the game

    Language of Experts: Select Dugout returns to Unimoni Asia Cup 2018 to keep fans ahead of the game

    MUMBAI: Star Sports’ Select Dugout commentary panel for the Unimoni Asia Cup 2018 brings together an illustrious line-up of cricket experts with two debutants – Former captain of New Zealand – Stephen Fleming and one of cricket’s modern great’s batsman Mahela Jayawardene. Riding on the wave of popularity that the #SelectDugout received during its debut in VIVO IPL 2018, the experts now are ready to change the way ODI commentary is brought to the fans with audio and visual analysis focused on the key aspects of the matches throughout the tournament.

    Speaking about his commentary debut on the #SelectDugout panel for the Unimoni Asia Cup 2018, Mahela Jayawardene said, “I had the opportunity to experience the commentary on Select Dugout during the VIVO IPL 2018 and I was truly amazed by the way it was reimagined to keep the fans ahead of the game. Cricket is evolving and the Select Dugout is at the forefront of changing the way commentary is consumed.

    He further added, “I am excited to make my debut on the Select Dugout panel and I am looking forward to team up with some of the legends of the game such as Stephen Fleming, Anil Kumble, Dean Jones, Scott Styris, Zaheer Khan and others to bring the best of action and neighborhood banter.”

    Fans will be able to enjoy the Select Dugout with experts like Stephen Fleming, Mahela Jayawardena, Dean Jones, Brett Lee, Scott Styris, Mike Hesson, Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman and Graeme Smith.

    In addition to the Select Dugout, World Feed and Hindi Feed will keep fans actively engaged throughout the Unimoni Asia Cup 2018 as fans get the option to choose how they want to enjoy their cricket.

  • DSport to broadcast inaugural edition of Afghanistan Premier League

    DSport to broadcast inaugural edition of Afghanistan Premier League

    MUMBAI: Cricket fans in India will be treated with yet another overseas competitive cricket league from 5 to 21 October, as DSport will bring live cricketing action from the inaugural edition of the Afghanistan Premier League.

    There are going to be 23 thrilling T-20 matches played across a span of 17 days. The T20 franchise based tournament will witness five teams in its inaugural season having over 35 overseas players across 10 nations representing different teams and battling it out to emerge on the top. The launch of the Afghanistan Premier League will also give a chance to some emerging players to play against and alongside the world’s best players.

    Speaking about the association, Discovery Communications India senior VP and general manager – South Asia Karan Bajaj said, “We are excited to partner with Afghanistan Cricket Board to broadcast the inaugural edition of Afghanistan Cricket League in India. We expect huge traction for the league given the presence of super stars of cricket and the fact all the matches will be played at prime time in India.”

    Speaking on the occasion, Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO Shafiqullah Stanikzai said, “We are delighted that the APL T20 will be carried to close to 100 million homes in India through the broadcast on DSport. We expect a keenly fought competition which is sure to enthrall the cricket loving viewers in India."

    Talking about the association with the Afghanistan Premier League, Lex Sportel Vision MD and CEO RC Venkateish said, “We are delighted to partner with Afghanistan Cricket Board to produce this league and telecast the same on DSport. We look forward to deepening our association with the young and enthusiastic Afghan cricket establishment, not just for this tournament but for future tournaments as well.”

    Star player Chris Gayle said, “I have played T20 leagues across the world but I am especially excited to be part of inaugural edition of Afghanistan Cricket League. I can see Afghanistan emerging as a future global cricket power– the young talent that has emerged from the country is indeed impressive. The new league will offer a huge opportunity to the young players of this emerging cricket nation to learn from the best in the world.”

    Afghanistan was given the rights to play Test after playing top class international cricket last year, where it debuted against India. Afghanistan stands eighth in T20 ranking and has also qualified for the 2019 World Cup which bears testimony to the massive growth of cricket in this country. With the presence of some highly talented players in Afghanistan like Rashid Khan who tops the table in the best bowlers category and Mohammad Nabi who is world number two in the lll rounder category in the T20 format, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is all set with this one of its kind league in order to provide a major platform for emerging players to showcase their talent and enter the world of competitive cricket.

  • Star Sports launches campaign for the sixth season of VIVO Pro Kabaddi

    Star Sports launches campaign for the sixth season of VIVO Pro Kabaddi

    MUMBAI: Star Sports, India’s leading sports broadcaster announces the launch of the national campaign for season VI of VIVO PKL. The campaign speaks the language of Indianess, bravery and fitness, that is core to kabaddi. The truly Indian sport epitomises bravery, when a raider enters the court to challenge seven opposition players. It makes a strong statement that only the fittest can conquer and the campaign brings to the forefront these attributes that are intrinsic to the sport.

    In India, kabaddi has been a great childhood sport, however, professionally it is no child’s play. Arising from this insight, the creative adaptation of the campaign ‘BACCHPAN KA KHEL HAI, BACCHO KA NAHI’ builds on the key insight that the homegrown sport is a part of our collective childhood, a local sport we played as kids in every nook and corner, however, to play at VIVO PKL you need to be the best.

    The campaign film depicts the insight with impeccable cinematic display, portraying the daily regime followed by players and the tireless hours that go into training, to excel on the mat. Every player that approaches the mat trains differently, the film opens with Pardeep Narwal who is seen running and then moves into other players Rishank Deavdiga, Anup Kumar and Monu Goyat who are training their best to prove themselves this season. The players through the film depict the sheer dedication, skill, physical and mental grind that goes into playing the sport.

    Commenting on the launch of the campaign for the sixth season of VIVO Pro Kabaddi, a Star Sports spokesperson, said, “VIVO Pro Kabaddi has taken a homegrown sport to new heights of fervour and popularity. The Season VI campaign, focuses on the skill, dedication and rigour required to play the sport. Kabaddi is tough and played by some of the bravest and fittest athletes today. The film takes you through their everyday journey as they prepare for the upcoming season.”

    The category defining sporting league has transformed Kabaddi in India, raking in record viewership figures and laying the groundwork for the phoenix like rise of India’s home-grown sport across the globe. With the onset of Season VI, VIVO Pro Kabaddi is all set to get bigger, better and more engaging than ever before. Beginning in early October, the league will travel across 13 host cities and will culminate in Mumbai. The 12 teams have been divided into 2 zones of 6 teams each, where each of them will be playing 15 intra zone and 7 inter- zone matches prior to the play offs. The play offs stage will comprise of 3 action-packed qualifiers and 2 eliminators scheduled to take place in Kochi and Mumbai.

  • Kedar Teny to move on from SPN India

    Kedar Teny to move on from SPN India

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Network (SPN) India senior VP marketing and OAP Sports Kedar Teny has decided to move on from the company and is serving his notice period, sources close to the development informed Indiantelevision.com. He will be with the organisation till October.

    Prior to SPN India, Kedar Teny was the director marketing and digital at McDonald’s India (West & South) for around three years. He is planning to join a startup. According to Campaign India, Teny might join Tilt Brands, which was founded by Joseph George.

    Teny has over two decades of experience in marketing and digital domains. He started off as a management trainee at iB&W Communications and went on to work as category head deodorants Hindustan Unilever; general manager, brand, Bharti Airtel; senior brand planning director South East Asia, Thailand (Bangkok), Lowe and Partners Worldwide and has worked with Lowe and Partners Worldwide in various capacities.

  • Star Sports announces KBD Juniors S2

    Star Sports announces KBD Juniors S2

    MUMBAI: India’s sport of kabaddi has grown leaps and bounds with the growth of India’s flagship kabaddi league, Vivo Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Encouraging the growth of the sport amongst the younger generation, Star Sports has begun the second season of KBD Juniors. The tournament will have 24 schools across 12 cities, and 3,500 students between the age group of 11 to 12 years battle it out to make it to the grand finale.

    Season two of KBD Juniors will be broadcast on Star Sports and Hotstar during season six of PKL.

    In season two, 24 schools are divided into eight groups of three teams who will play against each other. From each group, the team finishing first will then make it to the round of city finals, which will take place during the home leg of each city as part of PKL and then the national finals.

    The first season of KBD Juniors was won by South Point World School, Sonepat.

    The 24 participating schools include Ryan International School Goregaon, N M Joshi Marg Municipal School, St. Lawrence High School, RST Madhyamik Vidyalaya Govandi, St Xaviers High School Airoli, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Municipal UP, English School Worli among others.

  • Star Sports gets Vijay Sethupathi as face of Pro Kabaddi League in Tamil Nadu

    Star Sports gets Vijay Sethupathi as face of Pro Kabaddi League in Tamil Nadu

    MUMBAI: A month before the sixth season of Vivo Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) will begin on 5 October 2018, Star Sports has announced Vijay Sethupathi, the Tamil superstar and Makkal Selvan, as the face of th sport in Tamil Nadu. Sethupathi will lead the Kabaddi fans in the stadium, in Tamil Thalaivas’ colors cheering from the stands.

    Announcing Sethupathi’s association with Vivo Pro Kabaddi, a Star Sports spokesperson said, “After an extremely successful season five, with record viewership numbers and inspiring stories, Vivo Pro Kabaddi has proved to be the boost kabaddi needed. With the home team Tamil Thalaivas, the affinity for kabaddi in the region has grown multifold, and today we are glad to bring on board Vijay Sethupathi as the face for VIVO Pro Kabaddi in Tamil Nadu. We are happy to have Vijay partner with us in the region to build a deeper affinity for the sport in Tamil Nadu. Fans can tune-in to Star Sports 1 Tamil for 3 months of action packed kabaddi extravaganza in their own language.”

    The franchise has planned a year-round initiative to spread local love for the sport across the state. Corporate Kabaddi fest was one of the initiatives which were held last month in Chennai.

    Ecstatic with his new role, Sethupathi said, “I am very happy to be a part of the Vivo Pro Kabaddi family for the tournament in Tamil Nadu. Kabaddi has a rich history in Tamil Nadu and I am glad that our own sport has now reached such astounding heights. It gives me immense happiness to be a part of a sport deeply entrenched in all of us. I will be at the stadium for the opening leg, cheering for the Thalaivas. IdhuNammaAatam.”

    The Thalaivas led by their verstaile captain Ajay Thakur, will take the mat on 5 October in their dazzling new colors of blue and yellow. The new jersey design also marries the rich traditional legacy of Tamil Nadu with the new age hub the state is today.

    The Tamil Thalaivas will renew their Deccan Rivalry with Telugu Titans in the season opener on 5 October. That game will be followed by games against Patna Pirates (6 October), U.P. Yoddha (7 October), Telugu Titans again (9 October), Bengaluru Bulls (10 October) and Bengal Warriors (11 October) on last day of the Chennai leg of the league.