Category: Sports

Unitech Cup 2006 Live on Ten Sports

Ten Sports, the number one sports channel for South Asians, will be the home for live cricket this August as India face Sri Lanka and South Africa in the Unitech Cup 2006 held in Sri Lanka.
The tournament begins on 14th August with the home side hosting South Africa and concludes with the final taking place on 29th August. The three sides will face each other twice in a round robin format with the top two going through to the final.
The host nation will be oozing with confidence following their 5-0 demolition of England in the ODI series earlier in the summer and their memorable 2-0 Test series victory over the Proteas earlier this month.
Meanwhile India will be looking to bounce back after their disappointing one day series in the Caribbean where much was expected from them but they were unable to deliver.
The South Africans have had a few months off prior to the Test series against Sri Lanka and although losing that series they will take heart from the way they pushed the hosts all the way in the second Test. And they will still have the memory of their last ODI match when they chased down a record 435 run target to claim victory over Australia.
Chris McDonald, CEO, Taj Television Limited, owners of Ten Sports said, “We are very excited to be able to broadcast another world class cricket tournament following on from the fantastic Test series between Sri Lanka and South Africa. The Unitech Cup has three of the top one day sides in the world competing and our viewers are guaranteed some extremely entertaining cricket over the next fifteen days.”
In addition to the live coverage of the tri-series Ten Sports will also telecast its critically acclaimed studio show ‘Straight Drive’. Joining regular host Sanjay Manjrekar will be South African legend Gary Kirsten, and former Indian Test batsman Arun Lal.
Asked about joining Ten Sport’s Straight Drive team Kirsten said, “I am very excited to be joining the team. It will be my first time on Straight Drive and I couldn’t have asked for a better series to be involved in.”
The commentary team at the ground will include Pommie Mbangwa, Robin Jackman, Ranil Abeynaike, Ranjit Fernando and Tony Greig.
Matches one, two, five, six and seven are day-night matches with Ten Sports build up getting underway at 13-30 IST while matches three and four are day matches with build up beginning at 09-00 IST.

Match Schedule:
14/8/06 Monday
13:30 Straight Drive
14/8/06 Monday
14:30 Sri Lanka v South Africa (D/N) –Live
Premadasa ,Colombo
16/8/06 Wednesday
13:30 Straight Drive
16/8/06 Wednesday
14:30 Sri Lanka vs India(D/N)-Live
Premadasa , Colombo
19/8/06 Saturday
9:00 Straight Drive
19/8/06 Saturday
10:00 India vs South Africa (Day)-Live
SSC, Colombo
21/8/0 Monday
9:00 Straight Drive
21/8/06 Monday
10:00 Sri Lanka v South Africa- (Day)-Live
SSC Colombo
24/8/06 Thursday
13:30 Straight Drive
24/8/06 Thursday
14:30 Sri Lanka Vs India (D/N)-Live
Premadasa, Colombo
26/8/06 Saturday
13:30 Straight Drive
26/8/06 Saturday
14:30 India v South Africa (D/N)-Live
Premadasa, Colombo
29/8/06 Tuesday
13:30 Straight Drive
29/8/06 Tuesday
14:30 Final: 1st vs 2nd (D/N)-Live
Premadasa, Colombo

August 5, 2006
India-West Indies Tests live on Ten Sports

MUMBAI, June 1: Following the shocking 4-1 defeat in the One-Day International series, there is immense interest in how India will now tackle a resurgent West Indies in the four-Test series.

The much-anticipated Test series starts with the first Test in Antigua on Friday, 2nd June. Ten Sports, the world’s number one sports channel for South Asia, will bring to all cricket lovers ball-by-ball live coverage of the series and more.

A live telecast of the first three Test matches will start at 7:30 pm IST, while the final Test, to be played in Jamaica from June 30 to July 4, will begin an hour later. The second and third Test will be played at St. Lucia (June 10-14) and St. Kitts (June 22-26). In addition to the detailed coverage of the series, Ten Sports will also telecast its critically-acclaimed studio show, ‘Straight Drive’. Hosted by Sanjay Manjrekar, the other guests who will be invited to the studio during the Test series are veteran cricketers Ian Chappel, Desmond Haynes, Javagal Srinath, Ian Thomson and Arun Lal.

Cricket fans will be able to feast their eyes on The ‘Straight Drive’ show, considered the finest ever analysis show which will be shown only during the pre-match build-up (for 90 minutes). This will also be shown during the lunch break, and will feature an informative series on the all-time greats of West Indian players as well as ‘Magical Moments’ from the India-West Indies cricket history. featured in this series are Sir Gary Sobers

Among the great West Indians who have been, the three Ws (Clyde Walcott, Sir Everton Weekes, Frank Worrell), the Fearsome Foursome of Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Andy Roberts and Malcolm Marshal, Sir Vivian Richards, and the pace duo of Charlie Griffith and Wesley Hall. These will be anecdotal in nature, featuring several interviews from the players themselves and their contemporaries, as well as restored archival footage.

Magical Moments of the Indo-West Indies cricket history captures edge-of-seat matches like the 1983 World Cup final, the Indian heartbreak at Bridgetown in 1997 (when they failed to chase 120), Sunil Gavaskar’s exploits in 1971 and India’s 1971 Test series victory. This is India’s ninth tour to West Indies, and they are hoping to repeat the magic of the history 1-0 win in 1971.

SCHEDULE OF TEST MATCHES

June 2-6: 1st Test (Antigua); June 10-14: 2nd Test (St. Lucia); June 22-26: 3rd Test (St Kitts); June 30-July 4: 4th Test (Jamaica)

ABOUT TEN SPORTS: Only launched in April 2002, Ten Sports is watched by more viewers than any other sports channel in the Sub-continent. Ten Sports is available in over 48 million households via cable and satellite networks across the world. In just a short span of three years, Ten Sports has also become the world’s biggest producers of cricket. The Channel broadcasts cricket from Sharjah, the West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Morocco throughout the Indian sub-continent and Asia, as well as in Europe and the Middle East Also, Ten Sports has broadcast cricket from India, the World Cup 2003 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2004 in certain territories.

August 5, 2006

Ten Sports to live telecast Brazil vs Switzerland

MUMBAI: They may no longer be World Champions but no one will argue that Brazil are still the most exciting team to watch in the World and Ten Sports has live coverage of their friendly match against Switzerland.

Ronaldinho, Kaka, Oliveira and Gilberto along with the rest of Brazil’s star studded squad will all be in action as they attempt to break down one of Europe’s best defensive sides.

Since their loss to France in the World Cup Brazil have gone on an unbeaten run consisting of three wins and one draw and still remain the top ranked team in the world.

Switzerland have also played four matches since their exit from the World Cup, also completing three victories, all with clean sheets, but losing their last game 2-1 to neighbours Austria.

The match will be a battle of styles with the attractive attacking flare of the Brazilians looking to breaking down the well regimented Swiss team.

The action gets underway live on Ten Sports at 12:45 am on Wednesday.

August 5, 2006

Dubai eyeing a stake in Liverpool Football Club

MUMBAI: Liverpool could be the next English football club with foreign owners. Dubai International Capital (DIC) is said to be in talks to take it over.

Media reports state that Dubai has entered into a period of exclusive negotiations with Liverpool Football Club and Athletic Grounds about a possible investment in the club. The Times of London reported that Liverpool was close to accepting a 450 million pound deal from DIC.

“Under the deal DIC will take on 80 million pounds in Liverpool debt, and provide the club with up to 200 million pounds for a new 60,000 capacity stadium.

August 4, 2006
ESS Asia MD Jamie Davis to speak at sports television forum in China

MUMBAI: The 2006 China International Sports TV Forum takes place in Beijing on 24 August.

With technology breaking new ground for sports television decision-makers in sports, technology, branding, sponsorship, government and finance will debate and discuss the opportunities and future of sports television.

The speakers include ESPN Star Sports (ESS) Asia MD Jamie Davis, Total Sports Asia COO Ian Ayre, Beijing Olympic Broadcasting COO Ma Guo Li and BBC Sport head of major events Dave Gordon.

The topics for discussion include: Using creativity to attract the sports TV viewer, In Practice – A Case Study, A made-for-TV sports event – How and why it worked, The Future of Sports TV Production, Sports TV on the Move, In the Big League – Global sports media rights, Changing the landscape of sports sponsorship for Beijing and beyond and How China is setting the pace with new media solutions.

August 4, 2006
Lanka Tri-series: SC to rule on Ten Sports’ plea

MUMBAI: All eyes in the sports broadcast business are on the Supreme Court today, as it is scheduled to deliver its ruling on the plea filed by Taj Television, owner of Ten Sports, seeking a directive to pubcaster Prasar Bharati against interfering with the live transmission of the upcoming Sri Lanka tri-series involving India as well.

Ten Sports, which holds exclusive telecast rights to Sri Lanka cricket, will obviously be hoping for a ruling similar to the one it secured ahead of India’s tour to the West Indies in early May. The apex court had then ordered that Ten Sports had exclusive telecast rights to the series and need not share it with the pubcaster.

Ten Sports’ petition is not restricted only to cricket but also includes forthcoming major hockey (women’s Champions Trophy and World Cup) and tennis events (US Open) that it holds telecast rights to.

The matter will be heard by a Bench of Justice Ashok Bhan and Justice Markandey Katju, the Press Trust of India has reported. The Bench had earlier issued notices to the information and broadcasting ministry and Prasar Bharati on Ten Sports’ plea.

It is worth noting that Ten Sports’ rights to Sri Lanka cricket, which it has held since 1 January 2004, comes to a close on to 31 December 2006.

July 31, 2006
Sania Mirza takes on Martina Hingis in Dubai Women’s Open; action live on Zee Sports

New Delhi, February 20,2006: Sania Mirza will play former world number one and comeback queen Martina Hingis in the first round of Dubai Women’s Open 2006. Watch all the action Live and Exclusive on Zee Sports from 8.30pm on February 21, 2006. Zee Sports, the first Indian private Sports Channel will telecast the greatest tennis extravaganza in the Middle East – The 2006 WTA Dubai Women’s Open LIVE and Exclusive from February 20, 2006. Taking place at the Dubai Tennis Centre, the $1,000,000 Tier II women’s event will feature the greatest line-up of stars in the history of the tournament with no less than six Grand Slam champions participating

July 31, 2006
Legendary soccer rivalries on Ten Sports

MUMBAI, April 6: With the FIFA World Cup football just around the corner, Ten Sports, the world’s number one sports channel for south Asians, will telecast the much acclaimed and awarded documentary on soccer rivalries, ‘Heights of Passion’.

The documentary will be aired in four parts as part of the Ten Sports’ popular ‘Legends’ series. The first part of the series starts 9:00 pm IST on Friday, April 7. The first telecast of the remaining three parts will be aired April 14, 21 and 28 at the same time. Each episode will have repeat telecast during the week.

From the exotic backdrop of South America to the sophisticated pulse of Europe, Height of Passion explores the culture, history and rivalry of the most exciting football derbies in the world. This multi-award winning football series captures not just the stars of today, tomorrow and yesterday, but the history, culture and social background of the leading teams and passionate fans throughout the world.

The four 52-minute episodes entitled Italy, Spain, Argentina and Brazil, focuses on two particular clubs from the respective countries and the intense rivalry between them. It looks at the history that has enforced that rivalry and where they currently stand.

Italy covers the giant Milan clubs AC Milan and International. The rivalry between these two clubs is one of the most intense in the world and splits the city in half. Spain covers the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Argentina looks at the fanatical support and rivalry between Boca Juniors and River Plate. Brazil looks at another fanatical rivalry between Rio residents Vasco and Flamengo.

The stars of each club are touched upon, including names like Ronaldo, Maradona, Edmundo, Romario, Raul – the list is endless.

Only launched in April 2002, Ten Sports is watched by more viewers than any other sports channel in the Sub-continent. Ten Sports is available in over 48 million households via cable and satellite networks across the world. In just a short span of three years, Ten Sports has also become the world’s biggest producers of cricket.

The Channel broadcasts cricket from Sharjah, the West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Morocco throughout the Indian sub-continent and Asia, as well as in Europe and the Middle East (except Pakistan cricket). Also, Ten Sports has broadcast cricket from India, the World Cup 2003 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2004 in certain territories.

July 30, 2006
India to host Afro Asia Cup next year

MUMBAI: India will host the next edition of the Afro Asia Cup in cricket next year in Mohali. The rights for the event are with Nimbus.

Media reports indicate that The Afro-Asia Cup was launched two years ago but not held after that because of the packed schedule of India and the other teams.

In 2008 the event will be held in Kenya.

When the event was held in 2005 South African cricketer Jacques Kallis had criticised the event saying that he was not as excited about participating in it as he is when playing for South Africa. Also the fact that some top players had made themselves unavailable meant that the event lost some of its sheen.

July 26, 2006
Television sports agency Sportfive put up for sale

MUMBAI: European sports television agency Sportfive will be sold.

Media reports indicate that Sportfive’s owners – US private equity firm Advent International, media firm RTL, and investment bank Goldman Sachs – are hoping to take advantage of the interest in sports rights businesses in the wake of the Fifa World Cup. Goldman and Morgan Stanley are looking for a price in the reange of €800 million and €1bn.

Private equity firms like Equity Partners, Apax Partners and Blackstone are said to be eying Sportfive.

Advent and Goldman them own 65 per cent of the company. RTL has a 25 per cent stake and management has the remaining 10 per cent.

July 24, 2006